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.

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. 

The post Hunter x Hunter Anime: Greed Island Arc appeared first on GirlSpring.

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

The post 5 Korean Dramas to Watch appeared first on GirlSpring.

The Plot

Scream is a horror movie about a masked killer who terrorizes a town called Woodsboro. The killer, named Ghostface, usually stabs his victims after taunting them on a phone call. It is later revealed that Ghostface is trying to target high schooler Sidney Prescott.

One year ago, Sidney’s mother was murdered and now she is trying to figure out who did it before she is killed. One by one, the killer continues to murder her friends. Before the body count rises, Sidney needed to figure out who Ghostface is and why he is murdering these people. 

At the end, it is revealed that her boyfriend, Billy and his friend Stu were the killers. The two were motivated by Sidney’s mother having an affair with Billy’s father, causing his parents to divorce.

My Review

I have always been a fan of the Scream franchise and have just recently watched Scream 6 in theaters. My favorite thing about Scream is that it makes fun of other slasher and thriller movies while also being one. Even though it is considered a horror movie, it manages to incorporate a lot of tough themes, and criticizes the media and Hollywood for profiting from trauma.

I love the character Sidney Prescott. Instead of being the victim, Sidney is a strong character who never gives up, no matter how many times the killer returns. While it isn’t considered a feminist film, Scream does have a strong female protagonist who isn’t helpless. 

I personally like the first movie because it is a classic. However, each film does get better than the last, and the murders become even more brutal. In each film, the killer is a new person with some motive connecting to the original killings. Scream 5 has been sort of a reboot of the franchise. While Sidney and other former characters appear, the new focus is on Sam, Billy’s secret daughter.

Scream was considered a critical and commercial success, as it has led to five other movies and a tv show. The blend of suspense, commentary, and humor has made it one of the best horror films. 

Click here to see more horror films that incorporate strong female characters!

The post Scream- Movie Review appeared first on GirlSpring.

I watched The Summer I Turned Pretty over the summer and I thought it was a pretty good show.

The main character is about a girl named Belly who every year spends her summer in Cousins beach with her mom, best friend and her sons.

They grew up together because every summer they would go down for the whole summer.

One summer though, it was different for Belly. She had turned “prettier” and there was a very important event she had to attend over the summer. It was called The Debutante Ball.

She either had to go with Conrad or Jeremiah. Conrad and Jerimiah are both Susannah’s (Belly’s mom’s best friend) sons. Over the summer she starts liking both of the twins.

After going back and forth between them, she ends up in this pretty messy love triangle.

Review

I personally loved this show and thought it was very interesting. This tv show brings out self-discovery and understanding how to deal with your feelings and how to balance them.

Personally, I am team Conrad and I can’t wait for season 2. I would rate this show a ⅘ overall!

The post TV Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty appeared first on GirlSpring.

Minority Representation

There are many TV series that throw in one minority character as an afterthought simply to gain points for diversity. This is why seeing a minority as the main character is very refreshing! Never Have I Ever features main characters from a wide rage of cultural backgrounds. Not only is the cast diverse, but the characters don’t fall victim to harmful stereotypes often seen in film.

Passes the Bechdel Test!

The Bechdel test is a way of determining if a movie or TV show depicts women in a sexist light. In order for a piece of work to pass the Bechdel Test, it has to contain a scene where at least two women engage in a conversation about something other than men. Though the Bechdel test isn’t the determining factor when assessing a film’s feminist nature, passing the test is definitely a good sign!

#GirlBosses

Never Have I Ever does not disappoint when it comes to #GirlBoss characters. For example, Devi’s mom, Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar (played by Poorna Jagannathan), is a single mom who runs her own dermatology practice. Devi’s older cousin, Kamala Nandiwadal (played by  Richa Moorjani), is getting her PhD in biology from CalTech! In season two, viewers begin to see the struggles she faces while being a woman in her field. Despite having sexist coworkers, she ensures that she gets recognized for her work. One of Devi’s best friends, Fabiola Torres (played by Lee Rodriguez), is one of the only girls on her robotics team. She’s never afraid to be her authentic self, even if it means being different. These are just a few of the many #GirlBosses featured in Never Have I Ever, honestly them alone make the series worth watching.

Final Thoughts

Never Have I Ever does many things that few other shows have done before. This makes it groundbreaking in my opinion. I highly recommend it to anyone (14 or above) who values the importance of my previously mentioned points!  

The post Netflix Original Series Review: Never Have I Ever appeared first on GirlSpring.

Netflix:

1. Explained!
   1. I recently got into this one, but it’s super interesting and a show you can jump into without needing to start from the beginning. Learn something new about whatever interests you in every episode! 
2. Glow Up
   1. This is a makeup competition show. Talented makeup artists go head to head to create artistic and intricate looks with prompts every week. This is super entertaining! 
3. Never Have I Ever
   1. I LOVE Mindy Kaling! So I knew I was probably going to enjoy this show about an Indian-American girl grieving the loss of her father whilst trying to navigate high school. This is not your average high school drama and is just as full of dramatic depth as it is real comedy. Definitely worth a watch!
4. The Baker and the Beauty
   1. My friends and I binge-watched this for HOURS. A crazy storyline based off of a popular Israeli drama, this centers around a humble baker who falls in love with an A-list actress. This show is just so much fun and will leave you wanting more. 
5. Boys Over Flowers
   1. This is a CLASSIC. It’s a Korean drama starring none other than my celebrity crush, Lee Min Ho, in the role that launched his career. A Cinderella story, the show centers around the daughter of a dry cleaner who gets accepted into an elite academy because she saves the life of a fellow student. From there, she meets the school’s most popular and rich group of guys, called the F4, and goes on an array of adventures when two members of the group take an interest in her. 
6. Memoirs of a Geisha
   1. This is a historical romance about a young girl’s journey to becoming a geisha. With World War II on the horizon, she not only faces her own personal changes as she comes of age and trains in the arts, but also changes that are taking place in the world as she knows it. This is an inspiring story and truly a fascinating look into pre-World War II Japan and Japanese traditions. 
7. Iliza Shlesinger: Freezing Hot
   1. I personally think every female should watch an Iliza Shlesinger comedy special at least once in her life, and I truly believe Freezing Hot encapsulates so much of the female experience… well.. The funny parts that we can laugh at ourselves about at least. 
8. Jane the Virgin
   1. Look, if you haven’t seen Jane the Virgin yet… it’s time. I know you might have preconceptions, but this show will make your heart skip a beat with its wild romances and then make you cry because of familiar acts of love and demonstrations of family that seem all too familiar. 
9. Love Actually
   1. This is a CLASSIC. Technically more of a Christmas movie, but I’m always up for Christmas in August! Genius-ly written and directed by Richard Curtis (who also made About Time, another favorite on Netflix I highly recommend) this movie follows multiple people’s love stories as Christmas approaches…. And ALL the characters are loosely connected to one another. Just a word of caution, this one is for more mature audiences, so viewer discretion is advised. 

Hulu:

1. Under the Tuscan Sun
   1. This is such a good movie for if you want something uplifting (and maybe a bit romantic too). This centers around Francis, who impulsively decides to move to Tuscany after her divorce. She experiences depression, change, and then the overall process of starting over and realizing that sometimes our dreams don’t come true exactly the way we think they will. 
2. This is Us
   1. Will you cry almost every episode? Yes. Probably. But that doesn’t mean this beautiful show about family isn’t worth a watch. Full of twists and turns, follow Kate, Randall, Kevin, Rebecca, and Jack and see how their choices impact generations to come. 
3. I Love Lucy
   1. If you’ve never seen this classic sitcom, do yourself a favor! You will probably laugh harder than you have in a while! You can watch the episodes in any order, but my favorite (and the one I have my friends start on) is “Lucy Does a TV Commercial.” If you’re into girl power, Lucille Ball is a shero to watch. She wrote, produced, and starred in her own show in a time period where that was basically unheard of, and she did a BRILLIANT job at it!
4. Dawson’s Creek
   1. Coming at you with another classic TV show! My mom showed me Dawson’s Creek in high school and I instantly became hooked watching Dawson, a want-to-be filmmaker, as he and his friends navigate high school in their hometown by the coast in Massachusetts. 
5. Bohemian Rhapsody
   1. If you love classic rock as much as I do, especially Queen, DEFINITELY watch this movie! Warning for mature content here, but Rami Malek does an awesome job playing Freddie Mercury and the music is AMAZING. This is such a fun movie to watch!
6. Little Fires Everywhere
   1. This suspenseful drama will leave you wanting to know more! I’ll admit, I’m still in the middle of this one, but so far it has so many twists and turns (and an all-star cast) I HAD to include it. If you like a good mystery, I 100% recommend this show!
7. Palm Springs
   1. Okay, I’m going to put another content warning so your parents don’t get mad at me. This one is for a mature audience, but if you’re in the clear to watch it, you will laugh so hard at this Groundhog Day-esque movie! It centers around the two protagonists being stuck in a time loop and, consequently, starting to fall for one another. One starts to want to get out of the time loop, and the other is just fine where he is.

Check out more TV show recommendation articles from GirlSpring contributors!

The post What to Binge on Netflix and Hulu Before School Starts Back appeared first on GirlSpring.

The Reunion

The reunion is as sentimental as it is sweet. It consists of the six main cast members coming together after seventeen years, the original set, and other nostalgic antics. 

First, we see the final scene of Friends. The bittersweet moment when the characters we grew up with for ten years are saying their final goodbyes. And then, we see the main cast now. Older, but still very much the same. They walk onto the set they never thought they’d see again and it’s a beautiful moment of reminiscing for both the six individuals who physically worked there, and everyone who has watched their journey from afar. 

What I thought was most interesting about the reunion was hearing from the series creators points of view. Not only a Friends fanatic, but also just a film fanatic, I loved learning how the idea for Friends came about, how the characters were cast, and how audience reaction determined aspects of the show. 

I thought it was really special hearing how David Schwimmer, who plays Ross, was cast. He originally auditioned for a pilot for another series by the same creators and didn’t get the part, but they remembered him. They liked his performance so much they knew they wanted him to play Ross. This was after he gave up television and was determined to only do theater. When he finally agreed, he didn’t realize that this role would be his big break. I loved this story not only for the fun facts presented, but also the lesson we all can take from it of how we sometimes don’t know the effect we have on others, and how one rejection might end up being something amazing in the future. Schwimmer wasn’t right for one series, but he was a leading man in another. 

The Stars

The reunion, hosted by James Corden, also featured guest stars like BTS, Malala Yousafzai, Justin Bieber, and Reece Witherspoon. It’s filled with laughs (from the “Joey’s Hand Twin” game to hearing about working with the monkey, Marcel). Lady Gaga also joined Lisa Kudrow for a rendition of the hit “Smelly Cat”. 

Overall, if you’re a Friends fan or if you just love learning what goes on behind the scenes of successful shows and movies, this reunion is worth a watch. Be prepared though, it’s actually pretty long compared to the average 25 minute Friends episode (about an hour and a half). It held my attention all the way through but if you’re looking for something quick and easy to put on, this might not be it. But, this is perfect if you have some friends of your own to soak in the nostalgia with for a night!

Where Can I Watch It?

Unfortunately, it’s only available on HBO Max (which costs $10 per month). If you don’t have a subscription (or a friend or family member who will let you borrow theirs… aka how I watched it), there is a way to sign up for a Hulu account that includes HBO Max. From there you can do the free trial and then cancel before your trial is over. Of course, this might not be an option for everyone, but if you’re really excited to see the reunion in full (instead of highlights from the night) this would be the cheapest way. 

And, if you’re unable to do that, at least you can cuddle up on the couch with some popcorn (or maybe coffee, Central Perk style) and watch Friends reruns (they just don’t get old!).

Check out more TV reviews by GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/tv-review-why-i-keep-coming-back-to-watch-the-end-of-the-fing-world/

The post The One Where I Review the ‘Friends’ Reunion appeared first on GirlSpring.

The Short Answer

The short answer to this question is that it’s just good. Really good. TEFW follows two main characters, James and Alyssa. We meet them at age 17, while they’re in high school. James is convinced that he is a psychopath and Alyssa just really hates her life. This combination leads to a classic road trip style story. Things get really messy when they commit a series of crimes. 

The Long Answer

The long answer is that TEFW is the perfect combination of a story about dumb teenagers, a story about love, and a story about crime. It pulls you in, and you will refuse to let go. Furthermore, the soundtrack perfectly complements the story, and the actors and actresses do an outstanding job. This story is not an easy one to tell, it deals with more than just teenage angst, but they do it so well. 

I keep watching this show, not because it’s comforting, but because even though I know what happens, I still feel like I’m waiting to see what will happen next. Even though I know the plot like the back of my hand, I want to hear the music and watch the actors tell me the story. 

The first season, based on a graphic novel, is brilliant. The second season struggles to clean up the mess that James and Alyssa leave behind and only succeeds because of the characters established in the first season, not because of the story. Personally, I think that the ending of the first season is better. It leaves the viewers to decide what happened, and therefore is better than adding a second season which automatically answers the questions. But, if it was up to me, I would still vote for a third season. 

Ultimately, TEFW is not a relaxing or easy to watch show, but I always come back for more. The show is the perfect teenage drama-comedy and it is the perfect way to spend a weekend on the couch.

Check out more reviews by GirlSpring contributors!

https://www.girlspring.com/chilling-adventures-sabrina/

The post TV Review: Why I Keep Coming Back to Watch “The End of the F***ing World” appeared first on GirlSpring.

Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady

Thatcher is often praised by conservatives for her economic reforms that helped build the UK’s economy. Liberals will point out that she did so by cutting housing and social programs. As the leader of the conservative party, Thatcher made political choices that would not be appreciated by both sides of the party spectrum. 

Thatcher was notably sexist herself. She would often make comments on the weakness of other women, and only appointed one female cabinet member during her time in office. She is a primary example of a woman who gains success that does not pull other females up with her. The irony of Thatcher’s sexism is that undoubtedly suffered due to the patriarchy as well. Her own cabinet members sought a coup against her, questioning her because she was a female. Thatcher’s attitude of a cold-hearted capitalist could stem from the antagonism she received due to her gender.

The Crown’s Portrayal of a Larger Than Life Figure

The Crown is a prime example of how it is difficult for the media to portray conservative women. They attempt to soften her image by including tears throughout her scenes, but what does this actually accomplish? While it is true that Thatcher’s image is not always positive, one thing that is admirable about her is her toughness in the face of controversy. Thatcher was able to stand as a powerful figure within a world of men. She became known as the Iron Lady because of her cold appearance and decisions. If her success stems from her unwavering stances, then why attempt to portray her as someone who is affected by ridicule? 

While considering The Crown’s portrayal of Thatcher, one more important question must be asked. If Thatcher were a man, would the show try to soften his image with tears? Would the show attempt to soften him at all? Thatcher is given tears in order for the audience to sympathize with a polarizing female figure. But it can be argued that in order to be true to Thatcher’s image, she should be portrayed as she was in life.

Check out this GirlSpring article on honoring women throughout history!

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