The Lutrinae is thrilled to unveil our new column, “Takes Two to Review,” where movie magic meets friendly debate! We’re excited to finally have a name for our partnership, and we can’t wait to share our cinematic insights with you each week. I’m Francine, and alongside my fellow film enthusiast Hayley, we’ll dive into the latest flicks, timeless classics and everything in between. Think of us as the dynamic duo of film critique – like Steve Martin and Martin Short, but with a lot more popcorn!
This week, we’re each showcasing our top three movies (almost like a mini Letterboxd profile), giving you a glimpse into our cinematic tastes as movie lovers and reviewers.
Francine’s Picks:
1. Everything Everywhere All at Once
A struggling laundromat owner is pulled away from her mundane life of family tensions and IRS troubles into a mind-blowing adventure, where she must connect with variants of herself across the multiverse to save everything she knows. Blending action, comedy, drama and romance, this film effortlessly shifts between genres and moods, delivering a truly unique experience. The exploration of a complicated immigrant mother-daughter relationship resonated deeply with me, bringing to light emotions I didn’t know I had. It left me feeling both emotional and comforted– I’ve never felt more seen in a movie. This film would be a top three for me in every universe.
2. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Bored with his life, the Fantastic Mr. Fox plots a heist against three local farmers, leading his community on a wild and dangerous adventure. Directed by Wes Anderson and adapted from Roald Dahl’s book, the film is vibrant and “different,” exploring themes of change and individualism. Ash, my favorite character, has always been someone I’ve seen myself in (even my Halloween costume one year!) and watching his journey of growth felt like a shared experience. It’s been my comfort movie every fall since childhood, and each rewatch brings new meaning as I grow older.
3. 10 Things I Hate About You
A charming outsider is hired to date the fierce Kat Stratford, but as he navigates the romantic schemes involving her popular sister Bianca, he finds himself genuinely falling for Kat. Released in 1999, this film has become a staple in Gen-Z culture, showcasing lovable characters, iconic 90s fashion and sharp writing. I genuinely live by this movie– everything from my haircuts to my music taste and love advice is influenced by it. Be warned: don’t watch it with me unless you want to hear every line recited! And if you haven’t seen it yet, “where did you come from? Planet Loser?”
Hayley’s Picks:
1. The Beach Bum
Loaded with a star-studded cast, this movie does not disappoint with the cameos and random unexpected appearances. However, don’t be deceived by the relaxed appearance of this film’s poster; Harmony Korine is known to create uncomfortable films that are geared toward hard-to-tackle subjects. Korine does exactly that with this film, touching on themes of love, gender, poetry, death, addiction and family. This movie gets my number one spot for how outlandish it goes, while also remaining incredibly genuine and authentic in explaining how we process grief and trauma. I have never seen a film that touches on human behavior quite like this one, with a main character that in the start of the film you feel incredibly disconnected from but by the end find yourself entirely resonating with and understanding.
2. Magnolia
Another “buckle up and get the tissues ready” type of film. “Magnolia” touches on the complexities of familial trauma, death and the human experience. It takes things to a raw and vulnerable place, crafting multiple intertwining narratives, showing just how similar we all are and just how fragile life can be. It re-enforced the moral lesson all our parents have taught us, to treat each other with kindness because you never fully know what someone is going through. As well as, completely reframed my perspective on just how interconnected we all are in this world. It plays heavily into the theory of The Butterfly Effect and truly left an impact on me to always think twice before ever judging another person’s situation, because the odds are you’ve either been in their shoes before once yourself or will be in the future.
3. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
A film to round out my picks that lands somewhere in romcom land far away from the previous emotionally heavy tales. A story of a rebound gone romantic, Jason Segel plays Peter, our heartbroken protagonist. He has spent the last five years being the soundtrack to his actress girlfriend’s life – no literally, he was the music composer for her TV show…His spinout and fall into impulsive decision-making is something I think all college-aged viewers will relate to. My go to comedy no matter the time of year, going to the cheesy places romcoms often go, without losing the adult humor making it a more realistic take on the love story trope we all have grown all too familiar with. So if you’re looking for a romantic comedy, that’s just a little heavier on the comedy side, this pick is for you!
Whether you’re a die-hard cinephile or just searching for something to watch on a Friday night, we’ve got you covered. Grab your favorite snack, settle in and join us for a cinematic journey filled with laughter, insights, and perhaps a few friendly debates along the way!
Stay tuned for our next review, where we dive into a spooky lineup perfect for the month of October.
We can’t wait to share our thoughts and hear yours too. Until next time, let the movie magic begin!
– Francine and Hayley