Tag: Barbie Ferreira

HOUSE OF SPOILS (2024)

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Written & Directed: Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy

Cinematography: Eric Lin

Editor: Marcus Vives 

Cast: Ariana DeBose, Barbie Ferreira, Arian Moayed, Martin Csokas, Mikel Brett Silset, Amara Karen

It tells the story of a chef who opens her first restaurant where she battles kitchen chaos, a dubious investor, and self-doubt, but the pressure heats up thanks to the spirit of the estate’s previous owner who threatens to sabotage her.

This is a film that never seems to get started. As it builds up to a certain degree of what’s the worst that could happen. Which adds a certain comedic paranoia. Though it feels like it drops the ball.

As it seems to take It’s Time to get the audience excited and ready, by the end it gets to its conclusion it feels like much ado about nothing. Making. It feels like most of the movie was a tease with an unsatisfying ending.

It might have been better as a short or an episode of an anthology. So it could get to the point. At least have a stronger ending.

As for the need, it feels more like a film that tries to tie in feminism and witchcraft. Where recipes seem to be the spells and an offering. 

It never feels like a thriller or horror. Though it has elements of each. In the end, it feels more like a drama. That tries to have some mood of THE BEAR mixed in with what might be some supernatural elements. 

The one strong thing about this film is the lead role played by Oscar Winner Ariana DeBose. One only wishes the film and script could be as strong as she is throughout. 

Grade: D 

UNPREGNANT (2020)

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Directed by: Rachel Lee Goldenberg 
Written by: Rachel Lee Goldenberg, Jenni Hendricks, Ted Caplan, Jennifer Kaytin Robinson & Bill Parker
Based On The Book By: Jenni Hendricks & Ted Caplan 
Cinematography: Doug Emmett
Editor: Julia Wong

Cast: Haley Lu Richardson, Barbie Ferreira, Giancarlo Esposito, Breckin Meyer, Alex Macnicoll, Sugar Lyn Beard, Denny Love, Betty Who, Mary McCormack, Jeryl Prescott 

A 17-year old Missouri teen named Veronica discovers she has gotten pregnant, a development that threatens to end her dreams of matriculating at an Ivy League college, and the career that will follow.

This film doesn’t really offer anything new. Except for teens who are savvier. even when it comes to birth control and sex but still find themselves making the same mistakes.

While I can give the film some points for being witty. It is mroe episodic and comedic in nature than the situation would have you believe. Like the similar film from. The same year NEVER,  SOMETIMES, RARELY, ALWAYS 

It deals with teen pregnancy and abortion but here. While it has its dramatic moments. The film ends up being a kiddy comedy and road trip movie a live all Else.

A coming of age tale about two best friends reuniting and eventually finally communicating and learning g about themselves and each other finally being truthful in the minefield of teenage life and high school.

One of the most appealing aspects of the movie is that while it is made for all audience members and some adults might actually enjoy the film. The film is obviously made for teenagers. Characters they can identify with and the filmmakers are smart enough to make it a film not full of preaching nor talking down-to the audience but offering characters who aren’t perfect and make mistakes but also are likable and loyal.

Of course most of the characters they meet along the way move the story forward but feel more like stick characters or comedic relief. Who only help to confuse the situations and characters.

The boyfriend character I am happy the film dismantles and exposes. Where he still has toxic masculinity even though he believes himself to be right because he is nice and sensitive. Yet still seeks to control his girlfriend and kind. Even though when the condom broke but neglected to tell her. Even tho consensual could easily also be seen as sexual assault. The film doesn’t go there but seems a little implied 

Also though the movie is entertaining again Haley Lu Richardson walks away with the movie and it shows that she has graduated from this type of material. She has been in So many of these films at this point. That while she is good. She deserves better.

Barbie Ferrera is the only other movie I have seen her in other than EUPHORIA the television series and while this character is less sexual. She is still kind of the outsider and she excels at the character. 

Grade: C+