Mystery, Love and other oddities

Are you a fan of murder mysteries such as A Simple Favor or Gone Girl? Are you a fan of detective stories such as Sherlock Holmes? If you answered yes to any of those questions, I have the perfect movie for you. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you...Knives Out.

This film has all the elements needed for a compelling murder mystery: intrigue, suspense, tension and of course a wide array of suspects. The film revolves around Harlan Thrombey, a popular mystery novelist who dies under suspicious circumstances on the night of his 85th birthday party. A private detective is hired to suss out any foul play, which creates a whirlwind of secrets to be revealed over the course of the investigation. The film is a modern day whodunnit, with all the family members and staff being scrutinized by private detective Benoit Blanc, played perfectly by Daniel Craig. As the movie continues you are left at the edge of your seat, in mindful anticipation of who is the culprit, sucking you deeper and deeper into the story. Daniel Craig portrays a modern day Sherlock Holmes, with the wit and ingenuity to match. The star-studded cast provide an Oscar worthy performance, leaving the viewer entertained and enamored from the beginning to the climactic, crescendo of an ending.

The performances by Chris Evans ( whom you may remember as the shield carrying Captain America in the Marvel movies),Jamie Lee Curtis and Toni Collete create a cinematic experience to rival the other Oscar nominated perfromances during that year.

Even through all the drama that ensued among the family, comedic moments were experienced throughout the film, moments that leave the audience with a sense of familiarity as they are able to recall tense moments such as the ones experienced by the characters; happening personally in their lives. The comedic timing of all the characters was superb and enhanced the dialogues among the family as they bickered relentlessly.

So if you are looking for an intelligent, well-written and entertaining performance to watch, Knives Out should definitely be on your list.

If murder mystery isn’t the kind of movie you’re looking for to spend the night relaxing with your significant other.. Looking for something romantic, something comedic, a feel good movie to pull at your heartstrings. Something in the realm of Bridesmaids...The Big Sick...The Proposal, you no longer have to search, I give you, Crazy Rich Asians!!!

Crazy, Rich Asians is a movie that caught me out of left field. I’m usually not one for romantic movies, but I give this movie a royal stamp of approval. It had romance, comedy, drama,hopefulness and remarkably, relatability. We have all been in a situationship where you feel as if you don’t measure up, whether it be in work, at school,or relationships. And that’s what the main character experiences throughout the film. Crazy, Rich Asians centers around Rachel Chu, a NYU economics professor who happens to be dating Nick Young,the most eligible man in Singapore. Unbeknownst to Rachel, Nick happens to not just be rich, but filthy rich. This newest bit of information results in Rachel being seen as an outcast among Nick’s family and friends when they head to Singapore for Nick’s best friend's wedding.

The film highlighted the asian demographic that is not often placed front and center in Hollywood, and proved that audiences are ready for stories such as Crazy Rich Asians as it dominated the box office not only in America but across the globe. It created a conversation of the importance of representation in Hollywood, one that is still going on. The film was intelligent, hilarious and well-written. Constance Wu portrayed Rachel Chu, you may recognize her from her other comically genius portrayal of Jessica Huang in another staple show, Fresh Off the Boat. The film included a number of well known asian actors, most notably Michelle Yeoh ( who portrays Nick’s uptight mother), Awkwafina, Gemma Chan and of course Ken Jeong.

Crazy Rich Asians is a film that I would recommend for all to watch. Yes, I will admit there are some cheesy moments, but in the end you come to the realization that love and honesty can tear down any obstacle if you’re willing to risk it. So if you’re looking for a love story to help keep the flame lit in your relationship, or for a good laugh as you cheer on love conquering all, Crazy Rich Asians does not disappoint.

In our current entertainment climate, there is nothing bigger than superheroes. Superhero stories are told on most streaming platforms in one form or another, either in animation, or my personal favorite, live action.If you’re a fan of the Justice League, either through the many cartoons released over the years or the recent movie that was released, I have the new hit show you need to be binging. Without further ado, I give you….The Boys !!!

So lets for a second believe the Justice League existed, but instead of standing for truth and justice, they stand for fame and fortune. That’s the superhero raison d’etre in the world of The Boys. Basically, there is a major superhero conglomerate that pumps out superheroes for profit under the guise of civilian protection.There exists a group called The Seven, who are The Boys universe’s Justice League equivalent. The main roster being Homelander (Superman), Queen Maeve( Wonder Woman), A-Train(The Flash), The Deep(Aquaman) and Black Noir(Batman). After the death of his girlfriend by the superhero A-Train,a young man named Hughie( who is powerless) becomes entangled with a group of unsavoury characters affectionately named The Boys, who see it as their mission to have the superheroes be held responsible for the carnage they leave in their wake. The Boys members consist of leader Billy Butcher, MM(Mothers Milk), Frenchie, Hughie, and the only member of the team with actual powers nicknamed The Female.

The entire show provides an accurate depiction of what a society with superheroes would be like, with most of the heroes only thinking of their polling and likability amongst other heroes. We begin to see superheroes in a new, unflattering light then what is normally told to us from most comic books. The show lets us see how flawed our heroes can be, which is more entertaining and an original concept. The Boys is a more mature targeted series, that isn’t afraid at tackling sensitive topics such politics, sexual exploitation, terrorism and racism.

As you delve deeper into the show, you begin to see the main hero Homelander is actually not what he appears, which made the show even more interesting. It depicts just how damaged the superhero community is, and why the action of The Boys throughout the show is justifiable, but don’t go thinking The Boys are the heroes, they are just as flawed. The show demonstrated how we are all one bad day away from being the villain. The show has phenomenal action scenes that could easily be taken from a big budget film, and it gets better each episode. The tension and suspense of the show will leave you at the edge of your seat, wondering who may not make it to the next episode as acts are committed regularly by both The Seven and The Boys that give Game of Thrones red wedding vibes.

I highly recommend watching the show if not for the depiction of a rogue Justice League, than for the sheer entertainment value. So pull up a chair, nestle in and prepare yourself for cinematic level style entertainment in the comfort of your own home.