SUMMER OF 69 (2025)

Directed By: Jillian Bell

Written By: Jillian Bell, Jules Byrne and Liz Nico

Cinematography: Maria Rusche

Editor: Casey Brooks 

Cast: Sam Morelos, Chloe Fineman, Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, Paula Pell, Natalie Morales, Matt Cornett, Alex Moffat, Charlie Day, Jillian Bell, Fernando Carsa

Abby seeks to impress her crush by learning a specific sexual position, enlisting a stripper’s help. However, she realizes true self-discovery and lasting friendship are more valuable.

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This film is the directorial debut of actress Jillian Bell. It’s more of age film than I can say a teen film, as it’s a little too raunchy and risqué for family viewing or for parents to allow their teens to watch, even as strangely the humor is more sophomoric. Though the film also has an earnest heart and charm

Which then makes the film very confusing as to who exactly it’s aimed that or which audience, as it’s too raunchy for teens, but might be a little too silly for adults. 

The wet one can appreciate about the film. Is that instead of it usually being guys with gross out or juvenile humor, now it’s more of the women, and it doesn’t have so much gross out humor as just sillier, stupid humor, but there’s a point to it all. 

Luckily, the cast is filled with comedic supporting players like Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, the hilarious Paula Pell, who is funny and everything I’ve ever seen her in, and is a comedy writer herself,. when only wishes there was more of them or a spinoff movie for their characters. Director Jillian appears in a small role herself and Chloe Fineman of Saturday Night Live as one of the leading ladies in this film .

She is attractive, funny, tough, yet stays believable throughout the film, and can see a big screen career, though would have loved it if the film played a little bit more with what was expected and had either Eliza Koshy or Nicole Byer in the Chloe Fineman, typical beautiful blonde in the lead

Newcomer Sam Morelos is quite a find, quick and she can play the heartbreaking parts of her character as well as the funnier scenes. She comes across as the character as genuine makes you root for her. She’s a burst of sunshine.

Not to mention why this film deals with some more adult and a little dark subject matter. It’s surprisingly just stays light and keeps a smile on your face, as it just kind of has this cheer about it that you and it don’t have any cynicism to it, that you would think this film would be filled with. Also it also pays on March teen films of the past.

One has to give it to Hulu they seem to fund an honor, female, driven comedies, and dramas that are more coming of age, but find way to make their mark and be quiet not only charming but noteworthy they’re not necessarily going to change the world cinematically, but they’re good comfort entertainment. Films like PROM DATES and PLAN B

Which is why, though this film even from its title is more of a double entendre, and has plenty of sexual material. It’s still plays it pretty clean and safe as this is a tail that involves strippers that has no nudity and we never see them quite now for some, who might feel that’s a cop out this is not the film for you and it never was gonna be but those just looking for almost like comfort movie that has stakes, but aren’t that high give this film a chance. You might surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it.

Grade: C+

BUFFALOED (2020)


Directed By: Tanya Wexler
Written By: Brian Sacca 
Cinematography: Guy Godfree 

Editor: Casey Brooks 

Cast: Zoey Deutch, Judy Greer, Jai Courtney, Jermaine Fowler, Noah Reid, Lusia Strus, Lorrie Odom, Brian Sacca, Raymond Ablack

Set in the underworld of debt-collecting and follows the homegrown hustler Peg Dahl, who will do anything to escape Buffalo, NY.


These are the type of mid-budgeted, character comedies that you wish studios still made. Even though comes off more like a low  budgeted one that has a good cast 

This is the second time I can say that actor Jai Courtney has given a performance that is impressive in A film. He is practically unrecognizable (In case you are interested SUICIDE SQUAD is the other) 

When it comes to actress Zoey Deutch, I don’t know if in some roles all she has to do is look Good without much effort or engagement and or works for those films or that at times she either overplays here roles, putting in so much energy or we can more see the strings on her performances. And we don’t expect it from her that’s what makes her so surprising. That like Anna Faris she excels in comedic Roles giving her all only more subdued. 

It also depends on the strength of the material. Which might be why Anna Faris isn’t quite the star she should be yet. The scripts and material are not particularly strong and in her favor. She is recognizable but not thought of in the great comedic stars of the time. Thanks to movies and roles that never quite took off.

One is hoping Zoey Deutch doesn’t serve the same fate. Here she plays the role almost like a recurring SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE character at first. Who becomes more dramatic and real throughout. always chipper and calculating. 

The character seems like she is a character from FARGO, only here the character is over ambitious and from Buffalo. She also happens to be the smartest person throughout the film.

Where the performance is actually better than the film. As her performance makes the film and you can’t imagine anyone else playing the role. But you need the other characters and the film as a garnish to get the performance and have it make sense. Making the film a good time.

A film that basically offers or gives Ms. Deutch a spotlight role. That makes her leading performance the highlight but not off of star power but how strongly She plays the character going for gold. This Is more of a star-making performance. That is not necessarily sexy.

Luckily the script and the rest of the film Doesn’t keep the pace but clears the way for a successful run. 

GRADE: B –