Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice

I read somewhere that Michael Keaton ad libbed 90% of his lines as Betelgeuse/Beetlejuice. That’s insane to me, because I consider it to be one of his best performances (it’s also his favorite role). And, the movie itself is still one of the funniest dark 

The Witches

The Witches

I loved and feared The Witches as a child. It’s always been that moment early in the film, when “Ereeka’s” father sees the painting. CHILLING. But this is why I love late 80’s and early 90’s movies for children– they were often dark and absurdly 

Call Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

Ahhh Call Me By Your Name, what a gorgeous film. Set in 1983, “somewhere in Northern Italy”, the plot revolves around a six-week summer romance between Oliver (a dopey, beautiful American with an insatiable lust for life and the song “Love My Way”) and Elio, 

The First Wives Club

The First Wives Club

 We all know breakups suck. But the aftermath of rage, humiliation, and FEAR is far worse than the event itself– especially nowadays when you can find pictures of exes and their wonderful new existences/significant others posted in high volume on social media. We’ve all been 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

I’ve been craving pizza almost as much as I’ve been craving movies from my childhood– and it just so happens that this year is the 30th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (god I’m old). So here we are! While looking up reviews of TMNT, 

Almost Famous

Almost Famous

After twenty years (!!!), Almost Famous is still on my list of all time favorites. What do I like about this movie? To begin with… everything. An autobiographical showcase of director Cameron Crowe’s misspent youth, Almost Famous focuses on the experiences of a fifteen year 

Pan’s Labyrinth

Pan’s Labyrinth

While not part of the 1980’s fantasy collection that I grew up with, Pan’s Labyrinth is still a favorite. This dark and beautiful fairy tale follows the quest of an 11-year-old heroine living in two worlds: Franco’s Spain, and the dreamy/sometimes nightmarish underworld of director 

Hamilton

Hamilton

I don’t really like musicals. Yep, I said it. But I LOVE Hamilton. I saw it twice—the first time as a favor to a person unloading a ticket in LA (the fool! Sorry Jess), and the second time with my Ma in Chicago.  If you’re 

Moana

Moana

The recent heat wave had me craving beachy/oceany movies and something cool and fresh to consume. Enter Moana, my favorite of the more recent Disney films.  Sure, in some ways Moana follows the Disney Princess Formula–sheltered yet adventurous young girl journeys out into the world 

Sabrina

Sabrina

I spent many, many hours binging TCM in my youth. And Sabrina was one of my first loves from the 1950’s. A then modern-day fairy tale, the film features a gruff and vulnerable Bogie, and a beautifully idealistic Audrey Hepburn. Need I say more? The