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Groundhog Day (1993)

Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars

I recently rewatched this comedy classic and it once again delivered smiles and laughs. The film stars Bill Murray as TV weatherman Phil Connors, Andie MacDowell as station producer Rita Hanson, and Chris Elliott as Larry the cameraman. 

The Analysis:

We meet Phil Connors just before he heads to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day celebrations. Phil is cocky and full of himself, treating his two coworkers, Rita and Larry, with little to no respect. He unenthusiastically gets the reporting job done, complaining about the small town the whole time. At the end of the day, an unexpected blizzard traps the trio in the small town for the night. The next morning, he awakens in his hotel room, but the radio is playing the same song and the DJs discuss Groundhog Day…

While not the first film to do this, Groundhog Day is by far the best known example of the time loop concept, where the main character lives the same day over and over. First, it seems like a bizarre case of deja vu or maybe a simple mixup. Yet after walking around the town a bit, Phil realizes that he is reliving the same day as yesterday. After the next reset the following morning, he realizes he can do anything without facing the consequences the next day. He engages in reckless and rude behavior, all while trying to seduce Rita by using knowledge from past days. Eventually, Phil becomes tired and desperate, attempting to kill himself in various ways, yet always waking up perfectly fine the next morning. Phil must deal with how to exist in the same day without completely losing his mind or feeling worthless. 

Andie MacDowell portrays her kind and genuine character well and is likeable from the start of the movie. The character evolution of Phil, however, is the most important and engaging part of the film and Murray portrays the subtle changes perfectly. The movie showcases Murray’s range of acting as Phil’s behavior bounces around from sarcastic to funny to serious and everything in between. Groundhog Day is a funny, thoughtful movie with a charming small town and a hopeful storyline. A must watch for both its cultural significance and the simple enjoyability.

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Mini Book Reviews

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James Cain (1.5/5 Stars)

This book was not what I was expecting and I did not enjoy it. The dialogue was full of confusing back-and-forth exchanges without any indication of who was speaking. I had to read conversations over multiple times to decipher who was saying each line. The book did highlight the difference between noir fiction and hardboiled detective fiction for me and made me realize that I much prefer hardboiled. This was a true example of noir in that the protagonist has deep flaws and the overall tone is grim and grisly. Greed, lust, and jealousy are the driving forces in this novel, but not in a glamorous, intriguing way (i.e. The Maltese Falcon). James Cain shows the bleak underbelly of society without any noble characters. The ending of the story boosted my rating to 1.5 stars instead of just 1 star, but I couldn’t get past the bad taste in my mouth that remained from the earlier parts of the story.

Denton Little’s Death Date (4/5 Stars)

Dark humor makes Denton Little’s Death Date a cute and quirky story about a high school senior who is about to die. I love the concept of people knowing their “death dates” and all the interesting traditions that would go along with that. The awkwardness of attending one’s own funeral is both strange and hilarious. Denton’s narration feels genuine and the writing style is casual and honest. He is caught up in both the typical woes of teenage drama and the (literally) deadly serious events on the horizon. Author Lance Rubin does a great job of capturing the mind of a teenager in a funny and authentic way. This book deals with death in a lighthearted but relatable manner, especially for teens and young adults. The end is a bit of a cliffhanger so I will be reading the sequel. This book is a fun read with a unique and intriguing plot.

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City Slickers

Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

This popular 1991 Western comedy stars Billy Crystal, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby, and Jack Palance. The critically acclaimed film offers a mix of comedy, drama, and heart.

The Analysis:

The movie starts with three guys who are more or less unfilled by their current mundane lives. Whether it be jobs, relationships, or just feeling lost, Mitch, Ed, and Phil are searching for a purpose. Deciding to get away on a trip herding cattle as cowboys, they embark on a challenging quest to move cattle across the plains as real-life cowboys.

Upon arrival, a rag-tag crew of other tourists arrives to be trained in the art of castle driving. As they prepare for their journey, they must master skills like riding horses and lassoing cows, in addition to finding the perfect attire. I do love a good dressing room montage and this time it was delivered in the form of Billy Crystal modeling several cowboy hats before going back to his trusty NY Mets baseball cap. On the ranch, Mitch, Ed, and Phil discover that two cowboys who are less than pure-of-heart will be accompanying them, along with a drunk cook and a seasoned, intimidating trail boss.

Facing various perils along the way, the trio works to rediscover themselves through nature, hard work, and quality time. To me, the friendships felt a bit forced, despite some genuine interactions. The actors lacked the chemistry I was searching for in a comedy rooted in friendship. This movie was a little deeper than I was expecting with characters often reflecting on the meaning of life and what makes them feel happy and fulfilled. There are some truly somber moments sandwiched between humor. While some people may enjoy this balance of moods, I thought it felt disjointed in places. Some scenes were a bit cheesy, but the end of City Slickers was heartwarming. A cute watch if you’re in the mood for comedy with a bit of seriousness.

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Bookstores are great to see new releases and what’s popular in the book world! Can you spot anything on your want-to-read list? 📚

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Dear Lit and Flicks,

Do you have a favorite author that you’ve read multiple books from and why is this author a favorite?

“Your biggest fans”

……………………………………….

Biggest Fans,

Thanks for writing in again! I would say that my favorite author is Liane Moriarty. I have read 5 of her books and have another 3 I am planning to read. I think Moriarty creates really genuine characters with complex motivations. She writes fascinating plot lines with building suspense that make me want to keep reading. My absolute favorite is Big Little Lies (check out my review of the book and the HBO series) followed closely by The Husband’s Secret.

Sincerely,

Lit and Flicks

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The Giver by Lois Lowry

Laura’s Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

The Giver was the 1994 winner of the Newbery Medal, a prestigious award for children’s literature. Despite this, the book was banned from some communities and remains controversial due to some of the subject matter.

The Analysis:

I think The Giver is a great book for children because while it is easy to read and comprehend, it does not feel juvenile in its content. The book lays out a fairly sophisticated concept of a utopian society and deals with some heavy subject matter in places. This coming-of-age story focuses on ideas of control, individuality, memory, and the past. It also touches on the more serious concepts of pain, war, and loneliness. The Giver borrowed ideas and themes from books like Fahrenheit 451 and The Handmaid’s Tale but presented them in a more appropriate way for a younger audience. I could also see the influence this book had on more recent young adult fiction like The Hunger Games.

As the reader learns more about the community in which Jonas and his family live, The Giver brings up important questions for consideration: Is order and sameness better than individuality and chaos? Can you appreciate good things without the bad? Is ignorance bliss? These concepts offer the reader a lot to think about inside the context of the book, as well as in real life. The Giver also highlights important issues for adolescents about fitting in, recognizing romantic/sexual feelings, and handling increasing responsibility.

I really liked about 3/4 of this book, but the end was pretty disappointing for me. The utopian society created by Lawry was fascinating and I wanted to keep learning more about the society and the role of the Receiver of Memory. It felt like a quick wrap up and left me wanting more answers. There are 3 sequels to this book so I may have to see how the story continues. I definitely would recommend this book to kids in middle school, but I also think most adults would enjoy it too.

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Mini Movie Reviews

The Lovebirds (4/5 Stars)

This movie is currently streaming on Netflix and is a hilarious and charming adventure of a couple whose relationship just isn’t working anymore. Unfortunately, they just so happen to get mixed up in a hit and run, a secret cult, and government blackmailing right as they are calling it quits. The following night of craziness forces Leilani and Jibran to work together to clear their names, pointing out each other’s flaws along the way. If anyone has seen Date Night starring Tina Fey and Steve Carrell, this movie has a VERY similar premise. However, both films are unique in their own ways and I recommend watching both movies if you get a chance!

Chinatown (1.5/5 Stars)

This movie was billed to me as the modern noir film. I was excited to see a new take on the classic genre, but it appears that maybe noir should remain a style of the past. Rather than color enhancing the story, I longed for the black and white shadows associated with the genre. The cynical storyline should have been captivating but never fully gripped me. The plot was intriguing but then wrapped up rather quickly, causing the ending to be a bit of a downer without being exceptionally powerful.

Murder on the Orient Express- 2017 (2.5/5 Stars)

I’m a huge mystery fan and have read a handful of Agatha Christie’s books, Murder on the Orient Express being one of them. I love the story and the ending is truly original. However, this movie version was nothing special. Poirot’s accent made it hard to understand dialogue (I suggest subtitles). Despite being well cast, the characters seemed like caricatures of themselves, barely fleshed out beyond the basic outline of their profession or relationships. The movie followed the events in the book pretty faithfully but fell flat on the screen. For a class, I had watched the 2010 movie-length episode of Agatha Christie’s Poirot called "Murder on the Orient Express", which I enjoyed much better and recommend over the 2017 box office film.

[litandflicks]

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy the day off with some reading 📖🌿

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The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer

Laura’s Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

This story was recommended to me by Andrea, one of my first ten followers. This is not a book I would necessarily pick for myself, so I was glad to branch out into something new.

The Analysis:

The Female Persuasion is about a young Greer Kadetsky, who attends a talk given by seasoned feminist activist Faith Frank during freshman year in college. Faith dazzles Greer with her warmth and elegance. Greer’s mind is opened up to the cause of women's empowerment and her admiration of Faith Frank becomes central to her life path going forward. During this talk, Faith discusses sisterhood and advances for women over the years. She says, “Along with that freedom can sometimes come a sense that you don’t need other women, and that isn’t true.” I think this idea is a central theme for the rest of the book.

One thing I didn’t love about this book is that it read like a memoir, despite being fiction. The book gave background and an overview of Greer’s life and experiences, without having a typical plot line. There were also backstories for a bunch of different characters that don’t really come together to form any specific plot point. This book spans many years, from Greer’s senior year of high school to life in her early 30s, allowing the reader to see many of Greer’s flaws. Greer idealizes her relationships, is whiny at times, and is often selfish: she doesn’t want to share her experience with anyone. She is all about building up other women, yet either fails to help them or does not recognize their effort. I do, however, think this is a lesson to be learned from the book. Even women dedicated to feminism can struggle to find joy in the accomplishments of other women rather than viewing them as competition.

There were other elements of the book that I did enjoy. The book highlights how it can be easy for actions to feel good, not do good. Foundations and advocacy organizations may have difficulty focusing on actually helping people while acquiring funding and staying afloat. I also enjoyed a quote from Greer’s mom saying, “There are never going to be grades for the rest of your life. So you just have to do what you want to do.” This is an important reminder to give ourselves a break sometimes and remember that while we should try our best, life is not a competition and no one is grading our achievements. This book is about meeting your heroes, finding your place in the world, and allowing yourself room to learn from your mistakes. There were some great lessons and quotable passages in The Female Persuasion, but due to the writing style and lack of a typical plotline, I didn’t love the book as a whole.

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Scoob!

Laura’s Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

I am a die-hard Scooby Doo fan so I was obviously hyped to see this movie when I heard it was in production. I enjoyed the movie but it’s probably my least favorite of the Scooby Doo movies.

The Analysis:

I was obsessed with Scooby Doo as a child. I watched every episode of the original series I could get my hands on. My parents now groan and recount how I made them watch the same DVDs over and over again until they could barely stand it. One of my favorite pastimes was making my Dad watch Scooby Doo (after he had come home from a long night at the firehouse) and then scolding him when he inevitably fell asleep. The point is that I’m a huge fan. However, this movie was a bit disappointing for me. While this movie was cute, it was nothing special in my opinion.

The plot of Scoob! was decent and there are some cute lines and fun scenes. I always love when a movie for kids can also be entertaining to adults, but unfortunately I don’t think this is a great example of that. The plot and characters feel a bit juvenile. I think that the target audience of this film would love it, but I wish it had appeal to a wider range of viewers.The characters are voiced by a menagerie of talented actors and actresses including Mark Wahlberg, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, and Ken Jeong. Special shout out to Frank Welker, who voiced Fred Rogers in the original series and was the voice of Scooby Doo since 2002 and in this film.

Despite a new origin story for how Shaggy, Scooby, and the rest of the gang meet, this movie does remain true to its Scooby Doo roots in a couple of ways. Dick Dastardly is the main villain, a character who has appeared in various Hanna-Barbera series since the 60s. Dee Dee Skyes, Dynomutt, and the Blue Falcon also have Hanna-Barbera roots and the latter two appear in a 2013 direct-to-DVD crossover with Scooby. My favorite part of the movie: Scoob! has an awesome reanimation of the original 1969 Scooby Doo! Where Are You theme song (a side-by-side video is definitely worth a watch on YouTube).

Old references provide the platform for a new and reimagined Mystery Inc. gang that will appeal to younger generations. Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby each have a more defined and important role in the group that highlights their specific talents. The movie also emphasizes the importance of friendship and loyalty, and has a heartwarming ending. Scoob! doesn’t have any major flaws, but it failed to excite me like I had hoped. Adults can probably pass on this film, but anyone with young children or siblings should certainly watch this for family movie night.

[litandflicks]

Meg Ryan Rom Coms

Megan Ryan was a queen of romantic comedies in the 80s and 90s so I watched several of her iconic films.

When Harry Met Sally (4.5/5 Stars)

My favorite of the Meg Ryan rom coms, this movie follows the general form of a typical romantic comedy, but is still very cute and memorable. Billy Crystal adds an extra dose of humor and makes for an endearing male lead. Harry and Sally meet on a long drive to New York after college and argue about whether or not men and women can just be friends. Sally decides that Harry is pretty despicable by the end of the trip and they go their separate ways. Sally is very particular and seems to know what she wants. Harry acts like a typical guy, not taking relationships seriously until he decides he is over dating and gets married. After bumping into each other several times, Harry and Sally develop a charming friendship, despite being total opposites. The ending of this movie is by far the cutest in my opinion.

Sleepless in Seattle (3.5/5 Stars)

Tom Hanks plays a widower who captures the hearts of women all over the country after he talks lovingly about his deceased wife on a radio show after his son calls in claiming his dad needs a new wife. Meg Ryan’s restless feelings about her upcoming marriage drive her towards near stalking levels of trying to communicate with Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks as a dad is the absolute cutest part of this movie and his relationship with his son is genuine in displaying both conflict and love. The plausibility of this movie’s plot is pretty low but it still makes for an entertaining and heartwarming watch.

You’ve Got Mail (3.5/5 Stars)

Charmingly dated by online chat rooms and AOL messanger, You’ve Got Mail focuses on two anonymous people emailing back and forth and growing closer. Meanwhile, Kathleen’s small bookstore is struggling to survive after the arrival of Joe Fox’s book superstore just down the street. I found that some setup and side characters were unnecessary and added length to the plot without really affecting major events. I couldn’t get into this one as much as the others but it is cute by the end and the romance has a higher plausibility factor than Sleepless in Seattle.

Joe vs. the Volcano (3/5 Stars)

This movie does not exactly fit in with the others, despite starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks once again. While the movie has elements of both romance and comedy, it doesn’t follow the typical formula and is more artsy and bizarre. Meg Ryan plays 3 different roles in the movies, testing out different accents, hair colors, and styles with each character. Tom Hanks is barely surviving his soul crushing office job until he discovers that he only has 6 months to live and quits! At some point in life, everyone has wanted to say some of the things Joe says to his boss on his way out. Joe is then hired by a mysterious rich man to jump into a volcano and a hilarious adventure ensues. Definitely a weird but fun movie.

What’s your favorite romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan??

[litandflicks]

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Laura’s Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

This book is a mystery and a psychological thriller that captured me from the very start. It was filled with insightful quotes and compelling characters. I blew through this 300+ page book in just 3 days.

The Analysis:

When famous artist Alicia Berenson murders her husband Gabriel and refuses to speak afterwards, it is clear that there is more to the story. After getting a job at the facility where Alicia is a patient, psychotherapist Theo Faber tries to get her to talk while attempting to figure out exactly what happened. While trying to help Alicia, Theo offers some very honest insight into the mind of a psychotherapist. He says, “I was on a quest to help myself...We study psychology to heal ourselves. Whether we are prepared to admit this or not is another question.” As Theo attempts to connect with Alicia, the line between therapist and patient becomes blurred as we discover the complexities and challenges in both of their lives.

The author, Alex Michaelides, did an amazing job of allowing suspicion to grow around many people in Alicia’s life. As Theo interviews her family and friends, complicated dynamics of their relationships with Alicia and her husband are revealed. I could not possibly figure out what Alicia’s motivations were and what exactly happened the night of Gabriel’s murder. Even as I began to suspect an idea, Michaelides kept me guessing and continued adding twists and layers. Honestly, I laid awake for a bit after finishing this book thinking about the absolutely insane ending (maybe don’t read this before bed if you want to actually sleep instead of doing some intense psychological pondering). The author has been a screenwriter and this shows in his first novel. The Silent Patient is filled with suspense and the plot has a cinematic feel. I was totally obsessed with this book as soon as I began reading it. I really liked that the Greek tragedy Alcestis by Euripides was intertwined in the story. (Don’t read it ahead of time, it is explained in the book). It was an interesting influence that provided a unique inspiration for the plot.

I did have a slight issue with a couple inconsistencies and events that didn’t seem exceptionally plausible. I also didn’t love the very last couple of pages of the book. Compared to the rest of the story they were just “meh”. Despite this, I loved the constant sense of intrigue and I was glued to my kindle the whole time. A bit dark and twisty for some, but for me The Silent Patient was fascinating and exciting.

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Are there movies that you enjoy every time you watch them? Are they classics or guilty pleasures? 🎥

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Lit and Flicks,

What’s your opinion on black and white movies? Any favorites?

Sincerely,

Your Biggest Fans

………………………………………………………………………..

Dear Biggest Fans, (thanks!)

My opinion on black and white movies is that they shouldn’t be underestimated. Most often, black and white filming indicates that a movie is older. I will say that sometimes older movies may appear a bit fuzzy, which can take away from the experience. However, that is more of a complaint about film quality rather than the lack of color. While color film, fancy new cameras, and special effects can certainly add awesome elements to newer films, black and white movies had to have quality content that could stand on its own. The sets, plot, and acting had to be spot on in order to impress audiences. Additionally, black and white movies can add a cool, spooky feeling to certain genres such as horror or noir. Light and shadows play a more important role in these types of movies, which cannot be achieved in the same way with color films.

Here’s a few of my favorite black and white movies that everyone should check out:

• Rebecca (1940)

• It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

• Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

• The Maltese Falcon (1941)

• Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

• To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

• Casablanca (1942)

• The Elephant Man (1980)

• The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Old ≠ bad. Always give black and white movies a chance!

Sincerely,

Lit and Flicks

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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Laura’s Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

I’m not a huge superhero or comic book person but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won the Golden Globes award, Critics’ Choice award, and Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film of 2018. The movie was way better than I was expecting and feels like an entirely unique cinematic experience.

The Analysis:

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won the Golden Globes award, Critics’ Choice award, and Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film of 2018. This movie is visually stunning. The graphics felt like a comic book come to life but better. Nearly every scene is exceptionally beautiful with vibrant colors, varied textures, and interesting shapes. The film crew also manages to blend different, distinct styles of animation seamlessly. I could go on for days about the artistic masterpiece that is this film’s animation.

The movie has an eclectic but (mostly) excellent cast. It contains mainstream actors, comedians, rappers, and more. This blend is a perfect casting choice because it mirrors the many personalities on screen that combine to create a diverse group of characters. Unfortunately, there were a couple of characters that did nothing for me and merely took screen time away from their better counterparts. Specifically, John Mulaney’s character was my least favorite, despite the fact that I enjoy him a lot as a comedian.

The movie used techniques that could have come off cheesy but worked well in the context of the film (i.e. narrated rewinds to give context, text on the screen, etc.). The soundtrack contains modern music that feels fresh and matches the graphics of the film. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has funny lines, meaningful character exchanges, and exciting action sequences. It also manages to have more twists than I expected from an animated film. Overall, a solid plot and spectacular visuals.

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What’s better than books and charcuterie? 📖🧀🍇🥖🍫📚

How are you spending your Saturday?