In the new movie, I Feel Pretty, Amy Schumer plays Renee, a woman like you and me who struggles with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy on a daily basis and one day, after experiencing a head injury, suddenly wakes up believing she's the most beautiful woman in the world. Armed with a newfound sense of confidence, her life changes overnight, until she comes to the realization that she is fine just the way she really is. I had the opportunity to recently join a group of other influencers in a discussion with Schumer about her new film, after having Read More
Film Review: A Monster Calls
When I was invited to screen the new film A Monster Calls, I knew very little about it. As the film started, I worried for a moment that I was out of my element in viewing the film. After all, I'm not a fan of horror movies and given its name, clearly I was in for something in that category. I was both right and wrong. A Monster Calls is a beautiful story that does its have its share of monsters, one in particular, but more importantly, it's about a boy and his mom. She's dying of cancer, and he left to pick up the pieces, as he realizes there is Read More
On Seeing “Bridget Jones’s Baby” and Meeting the Women Behind the Movie
I read Bridget Jones's Diary during a pivotal period of my life: my 20's. I related to Bridget in so many ways. We were both single city girls who could hardly balance a check book yet alone keep a job. We both worked in media - she worked in publishing, I worked in television. We both had quirky friends and loved our city lives, hers in London, mine in NYC. We both kept diaries (I really did!) about our love lives. We both screwed things up and made rather clumsy mistakes with men. I wore platform shoes, she wore mile high heels and short skirts. At the Read More
Absolutely Fabulous: Still Defying Odds, Breaking Rules, Causing Havoc
I was a fan of the British show Absolutely Fabulous when it was on TV in the 1990's. I looked forward to the short episodes about the zany escapades of a pair of women called Patsy and Edina (aka Eddy). The show explored their friendship and it tried to keep them tame, but it always had an edge and was fairly outrageous, and very, very funny. The two had a way of talking and bickering like only two good friends have, and I loved bringing them into my home every week. Last night I was invited to a screening of of the new movie and I wondered Read More
From Book to Film: The Left Out Scenes in “Me Before You”
Note: There are a few spoilers in this post - please read with caution if you haven't seen "Me Before You". When I saw "Me Before You," I wasn't crying as I suspect most audience members will be doing after they see it. After having read the book, there was just too much for me to think about. While I was quite taken with the outcome, and found the story of a couple in love with fatal obstacles uniquely told (though I am aware of the public outburst by the disabled community who don't care of its portrayal of a young man, paralyzed from the neck Read More
Getting Excited About “Loving”
We are approaching Loving Day this year on June 12th, which commemorates the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision between the Lovings vs Virginia, which struck down all US State Laws banning interracial marriage – mainly between non-whites and whites. This gives me more reason to get excited about "Loving," an upcoming film, based on the Lovings, which releases in November. It premiered earlier this month at the Cannes Film Festival and I followed every minute of the seemingly worthy buzz about this daring, ground-breaking film. The movie takes Read More
Falling in Love with My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
When I got invited to screen My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 in advance of its release, I was instantly keen. After all, how would the long-awaited follow-up to the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time fare? Nia Vardalos, its writer, had waited 14 years to bring the film back to audiences. Why? What story would she tell? Would she bring original members of the cast? Would it verge on the ridiculous? I'm happy to report that it wasn't tacky and that it was quite faithful to its origins. Vardalos brought back either all or most of the original cast, Read More
My Netflix Suggestions
Whether you're snowed in this weekend or are looking for good viewing suggestions for yourselves (not for kids, have I mentioned that?), Netflix is awesome for just popping in to find something from your past or something you've never seen but should have. Before you peruse my list, bear in mind I'm a sucker for old movies,foreign films, rom coms, independents and comedies/dramas. I also like to catch up on the films made by or with many of the beloved actors who are no longer with us. As I sit here snowed in today, I've brainstormed this down and dirty Read More
Giveaway: #SistersMovie
There are so many reasons I'm excited about the new movie SISTERS. First of all, TINA FEY AND AMY POEHLER. Need I say more? Secondly, they play sisters summoned to their childhood home before it's sold. I have two sisters and I know I will be able to relate in more ways than one. Lastly, I know it will be a film about REAL women with REAL issues. Lastly, this is a movie my tween wants to see with me and that makes me very happy. The trailer also makes me happy. After all, Fey and Poehler act like sisters in real life, so watching them on screen for two Read More
Review: Brooklyn the Movie
Every now and then a film comes along that offers a sense of connection and a reminder that it’s important to be happy where you are in life, with what you have, with whom you are. BROOKLYN the movie, which starts tomorrow, is one such film. It’s a story originally written by Com Toibin, with a deeper purpose, and its film adaptation by Nick Hornby does its story justice. I moved to New York City in my 20s, just as the main character, Ellis (pronounced Ay-liss) does. Her circumstances are very different to my own – I came to NYC as a theater lover who Read More