Lady Bird (2017)

Directed by Greta Gerwig

Written by Greta Gerwig

Starring Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Lucas Hedges and Timotheé Chalamet 

      Greta Gerwig sets out to prove to audiences that she can do more that just act for the camera, she can step foot behind it and bring an amazing story to life about a young high school girl coming of age in the early 2000's. These types of stories can normally be riddled with cliches, and fall beneath the cracks and are forgotten by movie goers, but Gerwig creates a comedic masterpiece with Lady Bird. 

     Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is a high-school senior from "the other side of the tracks" growing up in Sacramento. She is always searching for more adventure and sophistication but is falling short of that dream at her Catholic high school. The movie follows Lady Bird's senior year, including participating in the school play, finding love and most importantly, applying to college. What would this teenage experience be without being perpetually angry with your condescending/loving mother though? 

     The relationship between Lady Bird and her mom (played by Laurie Metcalf) is so entertaining to watch. From the very first scene of the movie where they're bickering in the car, you know their scenes together are always gonna be ones to look forward to. The dynamic of this mother-daughter relationship that Gerwig creates is so comical yet endearing to watch. You see that Metcalf's character does everything she can to provide for her daughter, you see that she does love her but seems to only be capable of showing it through snarky remarks and stabs at her daughters intelligence. On the otherside you see Saoirse's character can snap easily at her mom and may not always see all that she does but she also is quick to defend her to other people. Ronan and Metcalf steal the show in this and both deservedly receive lots of praise from their performances. 

8/10

A Star Is Born (2018)

Directed by Bradley Cooper 

Screenplay written by Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper and Will Fetters 

Based on the 1954 screenplay written by Moss Hart and the 1976 screenplay written by John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion and Frank Pierson

Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga and Sam Elliott

          A Star Is Born is arguably the best film of 2018, hands down! I went into this movie a bit hesitant with Cooper's first time directing and Lady Gaga's first big acting gig outside of American Horror Story- but I can now say that my pre-screening worries were shattered after the first 15 minutes of the movie. 

     Jackson Maines (Bradley Cooper) is fresh off his most recent concert when the alcoholic rock-star stumbles into the closest bar to get his next drink. This bar happens to be a drag bar where Ally (Lady Gaga) is performing a sultry cover of "La Vie En Rose." After being moved to tears over the amazing voice behind this mystery girl, the two spend the night getting to know each other, where Ally discloses to him her struggles in becoming a musician. The next day, Jackson invites her to join him at his next gig, where she reluctantly gets on stage with him and performs everyones favorite, "Shallow." From there, the two go on tour together and their love story unfolds with many things trying to get in the way like drug addiction, alcoholism, jealously and one career sky rocketing as the other faces its downfall. 

     If I could pick a new tagline for this film it would be, "Who knew Bradley Cooper could direct and Lady Gaga could act?" I mean, we all had a feeling after her AHS days that she had the chops, but that was a very different project then this. Gaga did a fantastic job portraying this budding musician starving for fame turned mega pop-star. The most remarkable part is that Ally is nothing like Lady Gaga herself. A challenge you run into with an actual mega pop star playing a pop star on camera, is that the two are too similar. But Ally's music and overall look is different from that of Lady Gaga's actual music career and persona. Cooper not only does a fantastic job directing, but also playing an addict country/rock star. Who knew he was a decent singer? Sam Elliott deserves an honorable mention, as he plays Jackson's older brother/manager, Bobby. All three stars got acting nods at the Academy Awards while Gaga deservedly so took home the little gold man for best original song for "Shallow." 

     9/10

      

  

The Notebook (2004)

Directed by Nick Cassavetes 

Written by Jeremy Leven (screenplay), Jan Sardi (adaptation) and Nicholas Sparks 

Starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling 

   After 15 years I finally saw the famous "chick flick" and I've gotta say I was slightly underwhelmed.  I am a sucker for a soppy love story, so that aspect of the movie certainly soothed my cravings, however it just didn't excite me as much as I expected. 

It's the story of a poor man who is driven by his passion who falls in love with a young girl who comes from the other side of town. Their love story is absolutely incredibly to watch, the chemistry between Gosling and McAdams is undeniable. Maybe it was the kind of predictable ending that I didn't like? Not to say I didn't shed tears still. This movie is definitely still worth the watch! 

6/10