This time I don’t mean that the quantity was mediocre, but the quality sure was! A lot of stinkers, and then I finally threw in a couple tried and true films to turn it around a little bit.
She’s All That – If I’ve seen this film in it’s entirety in the past, it’s been a long time ago. And since this gender-swapped reboot from Netflix was coming out, I decided to make it a double-feature! With that, this 1999 entry was very 90s, but the core messages shined through even some of the most hideous clothing. (Hard to think some of those fashion choices are making a comeback…). Zach’s been dumped, so to prove he’s not bitter he takes his friend’s bet that he can take anyone in the school and make them the next prom queen. Cue weird girl Laney Boggs. Honestly, I think I would have been good friends with Laney in high school – she was a hella good artist! She reluctantly accepts Zach’s friendship, along with a make-over by his younger sister, but in the end this is a rom-com, so despite his betrayal it works out for them in the end. You know what really works out for this film? The cast! Seriously, there’s too many great people to list here.
He’s All That – Alright, moment of truth. Now that I was properly in the rom-com groove, and Tanner Buchanan from Cobra Kai was in this reboot, I had high hopes. But buy did they let me down. This remake was absolutely terrible! Aside from the laughable amount of very obvious product placements, our “Zach” in this film, Padgett, is played by a real-life Tiktok star and it shows. Was she never given the note that she’s looked so happy that it was borderline terrifying? No one on this earth is that happy, I promise. Perhaps this movie’s only redeeming qualities was that Rachel Leigh Cook and Matthew Lillard showed up, along with a classic dialogue steal, but otherwise this reboot was trash. I am also horrified if this is how teenagers live now, rich or not.
Sweet Girl – This action flick was the only thing I watched this weekend that didn’t have romance or comedy involved, so it was nice to slap in the middle of my viewing schedule. In this, Ray’s wife is dying of cancer but there is a new cheaper drug out there that can cure her. Too bad a big pharmaceutical company bought them out and told them to stop production. That means his wife passes, leaving him to stew in his anger with his teenaged daughter, Rachel. The two try and help provide their experience to some journalists, but that ends badly. Finally, two years later and Ray is ready to enact his revenge. I will say that this film threw in a twist I was not expecting, and actress Isabella Merced seemed to keep up with Jason Momoa pretty well in the action sequences. Color me a little impressed. Nothing made me more excited than seeing Justin Bartha on my screen again, though. Love that guy.
Vacation Friends – Another piece of trash, but from Netflix’s competing streamer, Hulu. For a comedy with Lil Rel Howrey and John Cena, I didn’t do much laughing. In fact, I would venture so far as to say that not much of anything happened in this film. It really sucked and was not original in any way. A down to earth and recently engaged couple meets another totally unhinged couple, who several months later find them during their wedding festivities. Mayhem ensues, but nothing pays off. If you’re looking for a good comedy on Hulu, please watch Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and if you’re looking for a good comedy similar in concept to this one, then give Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates a go. Both are infinitely funnier than this stinker.
The DUFF – After those rom-com failures, I needed to cleanse myself with an a rom-com that is actually good and cute! I have watched this film probably close to twenty times now, and while I don’t cackle like I did those first several times, I’m still smiling like a goof throughout much of its runtime. And it just generally makes me feel good after the fact. Who doesn’t like a movie like that?! Bianca learns from popular jock Wes that she is a “DUFF,” and she wants his help to change all of that. If you can’t guess that they end up together then you’ve not watched enough rom-coms in your life. Sure, this movie borrows a lot of classic rom-com tropes, but it brings them into modern times and makes you laugh a lot along the way. Highly recommend.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Another rom-com that I could watch a million times over is the first installment in this novel/film trilogy by Jenny Han. Lara Jean is a modest and shy teen who accidently gets her secret love letters sent out! In order to prevent a potential disaster, she decides to pretend date Peter Kavinsky. He’s also pretty dang popular, but uses this ruse as an excuse to win his ex back. I’d say if it’s the boy’s idea, then he probably secretly likes you. They do plenty of really cute things together, and I just love how bright this film looks. I have a feeling this rom-com will stand the test of time. While the other entries in the film series were fine, this one cannot be beat!