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+

KINDA PREGNANT (2025)

Directed By: Tyler Spindel 

Written By: Amy Schumer and Julie Paiva 

Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh 

Editor: Tom Costain and J.J. Titone

Cast: Amy Schumer, Will Forte, Brianne Howey, Jillian Bell, Damon Wayans Jr., Lizzie Broadway, Urzilla Carlson, Chris Geere, Joel David Moore, Molly Sims

When Lainy’s plan to settle down and start a family falls apart, she puts on a fake baby bump, tells a lie, and accidentally falls for her dream guy.


Not shocked by the quality of the film it comes from Adam Sandler’s production company Happy Madison Productions.

It maintains that kind of goofy stupid humor of most happy Madison productions. That seems more devoted to throwing everything you can at the audience to see what sticks and satisfies them.

So that you know going into these movies Hamlet or anything close to that though what I can give this film is that it’s simply entertaining. It’s not good but it’s not that horrible and the time passes there’s nothing that memorable about it but again you stay entertaining if you’re a fan of Amy Schumer this is the first leading role in a movie that she’s had in a while, especially in a romantic comedy

The film is not insulting and the cast does what is required of them. Though if you’re not into Adam Sandler movies or his type of comedies, I would say definitely skip as this tends to go for not necessarily the gross-out but more wacky as of course his daughter and wife have cameo roles.

Actress Urzilla Carlson gets the more over-the-top supporting role that probably in the past would’ve gone to Rebel Wilson, who would’ve either played that role or the lead. 

The one thing I can say that is likable about this film is it’s nice to see a female lead comedy that can get nasty when it needs to, but still here plays pretty much tame. 

The film is overly predictable, but at least it doesn’t insult your intelligence and everybody seems like they’re thrown at them and they seem like they generally are having fun and like one another so it is a pleasant viewing experience.

It’s not original nor good it’s just more of a comfort movie than anything that offers very few surprises. 

Grade: C-

CANDY CANE LANE (2023)

Directed By; Reginald Hudlin

Written By: Kelly Younger 

Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel

Editor: Kenny G. Krauss and Jim May

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Jillian Bell, Tracee Ellis Ross, Nick Offerman, Genneya Walton, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Timothy Simons, Riki Lindhome, Trevante Rhodes, David Alan Grier, Robin Thede, Chris Redd, Danielle Pinnock, D.C. Young Fly, Catherine Dent, Stephen Tobolowsky, Penatonix, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes, Lombardo Boyer

A man is determined to win the neighborhood’s annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win–and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos to town.


The film has a lot of goodwill, but it also has a bunch of familiar tropes. They are dressed up and try to feel fresh and for the most part, fit the season and set-up. 

The film tries to stay inventive but then falters under the weight of its own predictability and plays it way too safe and familiar.

The film isn’t necessarily good but it’s entertaining and keeps you invested. Even though star Eddie Murphy goes through the motions. He even has his moments to flex an original comedic lie here and there. Unfortunately for the most part it also feels like he is playing a role any actor or star could have played easily. That is how bland it is written. Though as always it is always in his strengths when his character is under pressure and his reactions can be priceless, Just not here

It does bring the audience back to when he was making more family films for better or worse. Though when they were just passing.

What works within this film is the spirit and the fact that his family in the film all get a chance to shine and be the hero throughout and come together when needed. Reminding the audience of the importance and need of family and enforcing the holiday spirit.

Though those looking for laughs might be hard-pressed to find any genuine comedy throughout.

Directed by Reginald Hudlin, it leaves you expecting more. Even though it does have a great production design. The less said of Santa Claus. Huggy bear ,velvet suit the better.

In the end, it’s a film that fits the holidays but isn’t the triumph you are hoping for when it comes to an Eddie Murphy film. 

Grade: C

BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON (2019)

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Written & Directed By: Paul Down Colazzio
Cinematography: Duncan Thum
Editor: Seamus Tierney

Cast: Jillian Bell, Jennifer Dundas, Patch Darragh, Alice Lee, Michaela Watkins, Mikey Day, Lil Rel Howery, Micah Stock, Kate Arrington, Utkarsh Ambudkar

Hilarious, outgoing and always up for a good time, New Yorker Brittany Forgleris everybody’s best friend — except maybe her own. At 27, her hard-partying ways, chronic underemployment and toxic relationships are catching up with her, but when she stops by a new doctor’s office to try to score some Adderall, she gets slapped with a prescription she never wanted: Get healthy. Too broke for a gym and too proud to ask for help, Brit is at a loss, until her seemingly together neighbor Catherine pushes her to lace up her Converse sneakers and run one sweaty block. The next day, she runs two. And soon, after finishing her first mile, she sets an almost unthinkable goal: running in the New York City Marathon.

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FIST FIGHT (2017)

FISTFIGHT1

Directed By: Richie Keen
Written By: Van Robichaux & Evan Susser
Story By: Max Greenfield, Van Robichaux & Evan Susser
Cinematography By: Eric Edwards
Editor: Matthew Freund 


Cast: Charlie Day, Ice Cube, Jillian Bell, Tracy Morgan, Dean Norris, Kumail Nanjani, JoAnna Garcia-Swisher, Dennis Haysbert, Christina Hendricks, Kym Whitley, Stephne Weir, Alexa Nisenson, Max Carver, Charlie Carver, Nolan Bateman 


When one school teacher unwittingly causes another teacher’s dismissal, he is challenged to an after-school fight.

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