I am going to preface this article by saying, I don’t actually like movies that much. If I could choose any form of entertainment or method of relaxing it would not be watching something on T.V. However, most of my friends and family members don’t share my disinterest in film media. So I have seen a lot of movies, and I’ve actually enjoyed a few. In this article I will discuss my favorite movies of all time, as someone who doesn’t like movies. 

#10 Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

So surprisingly, this one was not a childhood classic for me. Rather, it was a movie my friend made me watch when she found out I had never seen it, and I loved it. The Disney animated film follows a disfigured man named Quasimodo, who is hidden away in a bell tower by his cruel guardian Claude Frollo. One day he escapes for one day of freedom, where he meets Esmeralda. She catches the attention of his guardian, and now Quasimodo must keep her out of Claude Frollo’s clutches. I thought the animation was beautiful, the themes were heavy and meaningful, and it had a clear purpose. Also, the music is incredible. Honestly, I wish it was a film I had grown up with because I think it’s such a beautiful story. 

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Rating: G

#9 Clue (1985)

Now this actually was a childhood classic. It’s a funny film for both adults and children, performed by a hilarious ensemble cast. Each cast member plays a larger-than-life character, and when these characters meet at a dinner party it is soon revealed that each of them has a dark secret. When their host—the only man who knew each of their secrets— winds up dead, all the guests are suspects, and they have to work together to find out who the killer is. With good slapstick elements, an intriguing mystery, and sarcastic tropes, it’s a great feel-good movie for when you need a laugh. Also Madeline Khan and Tim Curry are in it. Need I say more? 

Director: Jonathan Lynn

Rating: PG

#8 Steel Magnolias (1989)* 

The first time I watched this movie, I ugly cried. After being cast as Truvy in a mini-production of this show at a theatre camp, my mom made me watch the original version of this movie. I don’t think I lived up to Dolly Parton’s performance, but then again, could anyone live up to Dolly Parton’s performance?

Steel Magnolias follows six southern women through a period of their lives, showing joy, loss, tragedy, and recovery. Revealing how the ups and downs of life make people grow stronger and closer. 

Director: Herbert Ross

Rating: PG-13

#7 New Year’s Eve (2011)*

This movie is very reminiscent of Love Actually, except I like these storylines and characters better. The plot intertwines stories of people all over New York City on New Year’s Eve. There is a mother daughter duo trying to find love, an old woman trying to find something to live for, a dying man and the nurse trying to keep him alive so he can see the ball drop one more time, a rock star and his ex who clash at an elite party, and a singer late for a New Year’s gig and stuck in an elevator with a killjoy. This is another film my mom made me watch, and we sang along to Auld Lang Syne at the end even though it was not New Year’s Eve. 

Director: Gary Marshall

Rating: PG-13

#6 P.S. I Love You (2007)*

Not to be confused with the hit 2020 Netflix Original that follows the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy. The 2007 film P.S. I Love You is a beautiful story about grief and love with comedic one-liners from Lisa Kudrow and Harry Connick Jr. When Holly Kennedy’s husband dies, he knows that Holly will struggle with his death. So he plans ahead, writing her letters that she will begin receiving on her 30th birthday that will ease her grief and help her get back on her feet. It’s a good film if you ever need a good cry session, so make sure to have tissues. 

Director: Richard LaGravenese 

Rating: PG-13

#5 Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

After his wife dies, Sam Baldwin moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah. Jonah, who is worried about his father, calls in to a radio show called Sleepless in Seattle to find his dad a new wife. With encouragement from the host, Sam begrudgingly gets on the line to talk about his feelings. Annie Reed, an engaged reporter from Baltimore, hears Sam speak and begins to fall in love with him. Unsure of her future, Annie writes Sam a letter and asks him to meet her at the top of the Empire State Building on Valentine’s Day. 

This movie has one of the most perfect endings I’ve ever seen, and has a very natural flow when it comes to the romances in the film. Nothing is rushed, which helps make this one of the best Rom-Coms I have ever seen. 

Director: Nora Ephron 

Rating: PG

#4 Blair Witch Project (1999)*

I’m fairly new to horror movies. I don’t consider myself to be a horror movie enthusiast, and I’d probably take a murder mystery over a supernatural thriller any day. However, this movie is so well-executed it deserves to be in my top-five. Aside from having an intriguing story, it perfectly utilizes anticipation as a horror element and uses creepy sounds over creepy visual effects that make this horror movie scarier than any modern one. It has layer after layer you can analyze, which leads me to my favorite thing about the movie: the scariest thing about the movie isn’t the Blair Witch. 

This movie follows three college students who are making a documentary about the Blair Witch. When they hike into the woods to investigate, they’re never seen again. The students’ “found footage” is what presents the entire movie. This movie not only revolutionized film by creating a whole new style of filmmaking, but left thousands thinking that what they watched was real. 

Director: Edaurdo Sánchez, Daniel Myrick 

Rating: R

#3 Blinded by the Light (2019)*

I genuinely could talk about how incredible this movie is for hours. Finding Individual Freedom + The Immigrant Experience + Throwback Fashion + Academic Vibe + Bruce Springsteen = A Perfect Film. 

Javed lives in the intolerant community of Luton, England. He comes from a family of Pakistani immigrants experiencing economic and racial turmoil. He writes poetry and essays to escape the pains of his everyday life, and dreads the future that his parents have planned out for him. That is until his classmate introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen, allowing him to find freedom in his own dreams and pride in where he came from. 

This movie is so beautiful because while it has so much heartbreak and sadness, it holds such a hopeful tone and still has scenes that are so fun and just bring a smile to your face. Since the movie is based on Bruce Springsteen’s music, the soundtrack is awesome. This movie is not only visually stunning, but has one of the best climaxes I’ve ever seen and is based on a true story. 

Director: Gurinder Chadha 

Rating: PG-13

#2 Good Will Hunting (1997)*

This is one of my dad’s favorite movies. He introduced it to me, and it then became one of my favorite movies. I love movies that criticize things in a non-satirical way, and Good Will Hunting does this excellently. It calls out the pretentiousness of America’s education system and the unattainability of higher education. It demonstrates how our government leaves even the smartest students behind in favor of the affluent and lucky. Also it just has some great themes: intelligence cannot be assumed and there are more important things than success. 

It follows the story of Will Hunting, a genius who chooses to work as an MIT janitor. Professor Gerald Lambeau discovers Will’s talents when he solves a graduate level math-problem. Lambeau wants to help Will reach his potential, despite Will’s disdain for academia. When Will gets arrested, Lambeau promises to get Will out of trouble if he will allow Lambeau to mentor him and get help from therapist Sean Maguire. 

Director: Gus Van Sant 

Rating: R

#1 Dead Poets Society (1989 )*

If you read my Top 10 Fall Movies List, then you would know that Dead Poets Society is my favorite movie of all time. Dead Poets Society takes place at a prestigious, and highly traditional all-boys preparatory school. When a new English teacher, John Keating, joins the school’s staff, his unorthodox teaching methods challenge students who are faced with tremendous pressure from their parents. He teaches them to pursue their dreams, and “seize the day.” It has a beautiful story, gorgeous cinematography, and an ending that always makes me cry no matter how many times I’ve seen it. It’s known as one of the best movies of all time for a reason. I could not recommend this movie enough. 

Director: Peter Weir 

Age Rating: PG-13

Films with * by the title, are flagged for parental guidance by their R or PG-13 ratings. Younger viewers should ask their parents before they watch any of these movies. 

Check out more movie reviews by GirlSpring contributors!

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Sounds crazy, right? But this movie is popular for reasons beyond the catchy songs and stunning animation. It goes further than even its impactful messages of acceptance and forgiveness. The true driver of its success was an untapped audience: girls.

For one of the first times in modern movie history, we finally get a film that genuinely understands and loves women. K-Pop Demon Hunters allows its female characters to struggle without shame. It doesn’t belittle them when they want romance. It also shows realistic, healthy female friendships.

This movie is more than just a fun and successful summer blockbuster. It is a blueprint for how Hollywood should write female characters.

Spoilers Ahead!

If you haven’t seen the movie —spoilers ahead.

She is Everything or Nothing

The media today often portrays women in one of two molds. The first is the Captain Marvel-type: powerful, perfect, and flawless. The second is the Bella Swan-type: unable to do anything for herself. Both extremes are problematic.

If women followed the Captain Marvel route, we would isolate ourselves from connection and community. We would burn out because it is impossible to be perfect and do everything alone. On the other hand, the Bella Swan mold robs women of agency, individuality, and power.

In K-Pop Demon Hunters, we see each female character struggling with demons, with self-acceptance, and with the impossible mold society sets for them. Yes, they are fierce, funny, and strong. But we also see them hurting, breaking, and ultimately thriving.

This balance between strength and struggle makes them inspiring role models for young girls. At the same time, they are deeply relatable reflections of the challenges women face every day. This is why K-Pop Demon Hunters‘ feminism stands out in Hollywood.

The Limit of Romance

Two additional molds often forced onto women are the “soft girl,” whose sole purpose is romance, and the “strong girl,” who has forsaken it entirely. Like before, this is also problematic. These roles teach girls that they can only be complex human beings if they are single. But if they dare to desire love, they become accessories to their partners.

Although romance is not the primary theme of K-Pop Demon Hunters, it is consistent throughout the story. When female characters do experience romance, they grow from it rather than being diminished by it. What is love if not a way to connect, accept, and grow with another person?

The movie does not mock women for wanting love. It does not show them losing themselves to it. Instead, they find themselves through it. When looking for love, girls should seek one who gives, not one who takes.

Alone

No matter if a female character is everything or nothing, if she has no partners or a million, one thing she almost never has is genuine female friendship. Out of all the female characters in media, how many have we seen share a scene with another woman without thinking about a man, talking about a man, or having a man present? And out of those rare interactions, how many were between two women who truly cared for each other, supported one another, and shared love for one another?

Rumi, Zoey, and Mira are some of the first female characters to experience this kind of connection on screen in abundance. Their relationship is not always perfect, but it is messy, beautiful, and authentic in a way movies before have not bothered capturing.

Breaking Free

At its core, K-Pop Demon Hunters is proof that the world is ready to change. It breaks away from damsels in distress and the impossible super-heroine. It challenges the lover girl trope, as well as the Independent-Boss-Queen stereotype. It fosters a sense of sisterhood between its female characters. By breaking the molds that have held back female characters for decades, K-Pop Demon Hunters’ feminism welcomes a new era on the big screen.

Want more movie reviews? Click here!

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If you are looking for a new genre to start watching to switch up your normal replays, I would greatly suggest these period films/historical dramas. Fictional or not, these movies provide a way to look back on an unknown past in a relatable and compassionate way. The girls in all these films have such brave and likable spirits that make you fall in love with the movies. I would also suggest reading each of these books if that is more your style and would like a greater look at each of these powerful women’s stories.

• Little Women

Little Women is of course one of the most classic period films no matter what remake you watch. Whether you read the novel or watch the movie, you still get the beautiful story of the March sisters. Set in 1868, the four March sisters have an unbreakable bond due to certain events in their lives that draw them together despite some rising feuds. It follows their lives, and them finding and chasing their passions. Jo March played by Soarise Ronan in the 2019 remake is truly inspiring in her monologue expressing how much women have to offer society that may not be seen by all. Little Women is a tearjerker but also a must watch for everyone everywhere.

• Emma.

Emma. is a film released this year based off of Jane Austen’s novel. Emma is a young woman in 1815 trying to help her new friend find the perfect love. Little does she know, she will find some of her own despite her refusal on multiple accounts. This movie is lighthearted and joyous to watch, and the scenery makes it ten times better. Everything about Emma. is visually pleasing which adds so much to the spirit of the movie. It is the perfect mixture of historical fiction, romance, and comedy all in one.

• Pride and Prejudice

Another classic movie for time in need of a tear shed, Pride and Prejudice is always there for you. Another great adaptation of Jane Austen’s famous work, Elizabeth Bennett is becoming of age to where she is needed to marry quickly in order to save the family legacy. When the rich and handsome, Mr. Darcy comes into town, her parents seize the moment for an introduction only to be rudely pushed away by him. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth continue to form a strange love-hate relationship that oddly makes you want to travel back to 1812 and join the Bennett sisters in search of love and happiness despite your differences.

• The Duchess

The Duchess shows an inside look of the harsh realities inside the marriage of Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire. It gives a sad perspective on what is going on behind the seemingly perfect scenes. Kiera Knightly gives an incredible performance that fills you with sorrow for Georgiana. Georgiana is unable to “play her part” in her marriage contract which deeply impacts her life, her new friend Bess’, and her new found lover. It gives a great look on an unknown part of history.

Want more on empowering women? Check out these articles: Influential Women from the Past Decade and Quiz: Important Women of History.

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First off, I would like to say that the casting for Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) was very well done. These actresses really embodied their characters through dancing and vocals. I was very impressed. So far, this movie has stayed true to the stage production not just by sticking to the original story but also through the vocal stylings of Cynthia Erivo. She sang with so much passion and definitely did justice to the song Defying Gravity. Another thing that the movie did very well was the costumes, especially Glinda’s.

Throughout the movie, Glinda has many very cute and stylish outfits that she wears. They looked so pretty and cute on Arianna Grande. Lastly, this is a spoiler alert for any big fans of the stage production, but I loved how Idina Mendel and Kristin Chenoweth had a small cameo together with Cynthia and Ariana. Seeing the original Elphaba and Glinda with Ariana and Cynthia was heartwarming. It seemed to symbolize them passing the role on to the next generation. All in all, I would give this Wicked Part 1 movie adaptation a 10/10 and I am very excited for part 2.

If you enjoyed this review of Wicked, check out more great movie reviews here!

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Gilmore Girls is a 2000’s television series starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. The two actors take on the role of mother and daughter. This show is filled with twists and turns and drama that will keep you hooked. The plot outlines a young mother from a high-class family, running away and adopting a simpler and quieter life.  She raises her daughter by herself and builds a community of her own. The daughter, Rory, is smart and driven with a goal to one day attend Harvard University. But throughout the show, we see her goals somewhat shift.

I first started watching Gilmore Girls almost 3 years ago. To this day, every time fall rolls around, I know that it’s time to rewatch! Now, it is important to keep in mind that this show can be watched year round, but it has a special feeling when you watch it around fall. From meddling grandparents to small town life, this show has it all. It may be hard for some to stay engaged with all seven seasons of the show. Personally, I was also struggling to get to the end. However, after watching the whole show, I knew that I would rewatch it for years to come. So now, three years later I still have the same opinion.

Usually, I bundle up on the couch with a hot cup of coffee and just let the show play, and no matter how many times I watch it, I always see something new or different. So I recommend that everybody watch the show. It may not be educational, but it is a great way to relax and have a laugh! 

The post Gilmore Girls Review– Just in Time For Fall! appeared first on GirlSpring.

1.  Hocus Pocus 1993:On (Disney plus) Rated (PG)
2.  Knives Out 2019: On (Amazon prime) Rated (PG-13)
3.  To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before 2018: On (Netflix) Rated (PG-13)
4.  Little Women 2019: On (Hulu) Rated (PG)
5.  Halloween 1978: On (Amazon prime) Rated (R)
6.  Halloween Town 1998: On (Disney plus) Rated (PG)
7.  Coraline 2009: On (Youtube) Rated (PG)
8.  Legally Blonde 2001: On (Netflix) Rated (PG-13)
9.  It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown 1966: On ( Apple Tv) Rated (G)

What are some of your favorite movies? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Summer is out and Fall is in! Here are 10 movies that Scream Fall! appeared first on GirlSpring.

Hunter x Hunter is an anime made by Yoshihiro Togashi and is arguably one of the best anime ever made. Today I will be discussing the Greed Island Arc from the 2011 anime and why I personally think it is the best arc of the series. I will be discussing HxH to those who have already seen it so be warned of spoilers. Which arc is the best is a debated topic and Greed Island (GI) does not get a lot of praise in this debate, however the main reason I believe it is the best is because of how it builds upon the core of HxH. This core being the friendship between Gon and Killua. Their relationship and brotherhood is the foundation of the anime. The GI arc provides some of the most innocent and genuine childlike interactions that make future tension between the two more impactful, especially in the Chimera ant arc. In this arc Killua develops a growing friendship with Gon and he shows his love for Gon. What makes GI more unique is that it is less dark and heavy than other arcs since it is taking place in an RPG game. This leans more into the innocence of it and how it develops the youthful relationship between Gon and Killua.

One of the biggest parts of this arc is the Greed Island dodgeball match. It is enjoyable to watch because of how Hisoka, a known villain and enemy, works together with Gon and Killua to beat Razor by creating creative tactics. Another main part of this arc is training Gon and Killua with their new master, Bisky. Bisky is an amazing and powerful female character that is not overly sexualized like how many anime portray women. She trains the two kids and we get to see them improve and develop their own unique abilities through grueling training.  I especially appreciate the word building in this arc. The creation of the GI game and all its rules is very impressive and well thought out. The magical world of GI with all its spells makes me want to live there and experience the game for myself. 

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Korean dramas have recently become popular internationally, generally consisting of a variety of genres including romance, drama, action, mystery, etc. These dramas are known for their unpredictable endings, talented actors, high quality production values, and unique storylines. As an avid fan of kdramas, I wanted to introduce a few popular and personal favorite series to watch.

         1. Parasite

An award winning cinematic masterpiece directed by Bong Joon Ho, this movie provides an intense narrative on the themes of class struggle and social inequality. The plot centers around the Kim family who live in a basement of a poor neighborhood making money through part time jobs as they begin to exploit and leech off the wealthy Park family with deceitful means. With the plot twists and thought provoking ideas of societal corruption, this film is a must watch and will certainly keep you entertained.

          2. The Glory

This series centers around a woman named Moon Dong Eun, who has centered her life around taking revenge on her high school bullies. It depicts themes of social issues and human psychology throughout the 16 episodes. The Glory stands out from typical kdramas for its captivating portrayal of revenge, bullying, as well as corruption within society. It was also revealed that this movie is based on a true story, which is very gruesome to process since finishing the series, but it is overall a very thrilling and fascinating movie to watch.

          3. Train to Busan

This film was released in 2016 and gained widespread popularity for the intense action and well developed storyline. Train to Busan is a zombie apocalypse thriller movie that follows a group of passengers on a train who must fight for their lives as a zombie outbreak threatens their lives. Its emotional depth and exciting plot, it has become a fan favorite within the array of horror movies. I highly recommend watching this movie as it is one of my top favorites.

          4. True Beauty

This captivating and lighthearted Korean drama offers a combination of comedy, coming of age, and romantic themes. This series follows the life of a high school girl who journeys through finding inner beauty and security, while being stuck between two love interests both pursuing her. Filled with heartfelt moments, and an engaging storyline, I found it very easy to follow and understand. Many other fans of Korean dramas have enjoyed this series as it is uniquely charming and very interesting overall. 

          5. 20th Century Girl

Last, but definitely not least, this Korean drama series takes viewers on a nostalgic journey of a young high school student as they navigate friendships, personal growth, and love. Although I found this series very warmhearted and cute, there is a plot twist along with a shocking and sad ending. If you are not looking for a korean drama to watch that will completely shatter your heart, I recommend watching another series because I was left in tears and heartbreak. Regardless of the sad ending, I really loved and enjoyed 20th Century Girl and it is a very well crafted story that will definitely be a fun and entertaining watch. 

For more great show and movie recommendations, check out Girl Spring contributor, Trina Hannah’s Movie Recommendations!

And click the links below to watch these exciting k-dramas!

Parasite

The Glory

Train to Busan

True Beauty

20th Century Girl

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My Review

Over winter break, I got to watch the new Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. And then I liked it so much that I rewatched it in theaters. The general summary of the movie: before Coriolanus Snow becomes the president of Panem, he is picked to mentor a tribute from District 12. Her name is Lucy Gray Baird, and she quickly becomes famous for her showmanship and singing. After they meet, an interesting relationship is created between them. A series of chaotic events unfold, and eventually it is revealed who the snake is, and who the songbird is. 

This movie has become incredibly popular on social media because of the casting and songs, and has definitely equaled the original trilogy in terms of quality. Not only that, it follows the book plot pretty closely as well. Obviously with screen time restrictions, certain parts were cut out. But even if people hadn’t read the book, they were able to follow the movie (my sister is proof!)

Hunger Games’ Author Suzanne Collins

Even cooler is that the author of the Hunger Games books, Suzanne Collins, is an Alabama native. She is a graduate from ASFA’s Theater Arts department located in Birmingham, AL. Her creativity and imagination  has led to a world of dystopian fiction that millions of people around the world are heavily invested in. Halloween costumes, themed parties, fundraisers, events, trivia, and more have been inspired by the complex world of Panem and Katniss Everdeen. 

It is definitely a movie worth watching, however I recommend watching the original trilogy first. And even better, maybe read the prequel as well! The soundtrack is very memorable, and I think it’s been one of the best movies I’ve watched this year. One of my friends who’s a really big movie person also says it’s one of her favorites too!

Want to know more about the original The Hunger Games trilogy? Check out Girl Spring contributor Emily Gloubs’ review of the acclaimed book series here: Book Review: The Hunger Games

And if you want to dive further into the franchise, check out The Hunger Games book collection here!

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• “10 Things I Hate About You” – a fun rom-com movie that follows two sisters that are polar opposites as they navigate high school and romance. But there is a twist. One sister isn’t allowed to date, until her sister does. However, she thinks that is completely impossible, as she has no interest in guys or dating, and in fact is known to be scary around the school. Such a fun and easy watch if you are interested in a somewhat cheesy plot with nice aesthetics. 

• “To All The Boys I Loved Before” – have you ever written a letter to your crush? Well, Lara Jean has (5 in fact). Watch the romance story unfold as her sister sends out her 5 letters without her knowing, and all 5 of her crushes from the past resurface in some way. However, one of them seems like he might be able to win her over. Can he prove to her that he’s worthy even with her high standards? This one is sure to keep you on your toes the whole movie.

• “Princess Diaries” – a classic, but never fails nonetheless. The story revolves around Mia as it starts out showing her living a normal life as a high schooler. Until one day something changes. She unexpectedly learns that she is actually a real-life princess! But some changes had to be made in order for her to meet the standards of her new role. Such a fun watch and unique storyline. 

• “Midnight Sun” – Katie has lived her whole life with an unusual life-threatening problem. She is allergic to sunlight. Which means she has spent the majority of her life indoors, and not socializing much with her peers. Until one night, she ends up meeting someone named Charlie. She then starts to catch feelings for him, but meanwhile she is trying to hide her secret from him so he doesn’t find out and get scared. This one is a bit more of an emotional one, but definitely worth the watch!

• “Clueless” – if you haven’t seen this one, then I am sure you have at least heard of it. It has been super popular since it came out, and that’s for a reason. It follows Cher who is known to be very popular at her high school. She finds out she has a knack for matchmaking, and gives it a couple go’s. Until she realized that she is also falling for someone. 

• “Flipped” – this one is a personal favorite. It is very light hearted, but also sends a good message across. Juli falls in love with her neighbor, Bryce. And at first he doesn’t like her back; he thinks she’s too weird. Until he begins to catch feelings while hers start to subside. The plot is cute and tells a unique story from a different point of view. It shows the perspectives of both Juli and Bryce.

Looking for more movie recommendations? Check out these Girl Spring contributors most recommended films:

• 5 Movies to Expand your Movie Taste
• Top 25 Netflix Movies To Watch For A Girl’s Night In
• Movies From the Early 2000’s That Scream Girl Power

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