Each of the interns is so unique in different ways, so we thought it would be perfect to share a little bit about ourselves and our favorite films, so you could get a little taste of what we are all about. Our group of interns includes; Mariely Crystal, Briana Richert, and Abigail Saathoff as Blogger/Content Creation Interns and Kyla Goodman, Brandy Hernandez, and Jennifer Valentine as Social Media Interns.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) follows the story of two polar opposite sisters navigating life and love throughout high school.
I love romcoms and I also love movies with a large ensemble and storylines that tie together in the end. In high school, I didn't have the rom-com movie high school experience that I wanted, but neither did these characters, in the literal high school rom-com movie. It reminded me that happy endings don't always have to be exactly what we picture, but in the end, everything works out the way it's supposed to.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982) Ridgemont High is home to almost every type of student imaginable, and they're all out trying to have the time of their life. A nerdy guy tries to get a hot date, a best friend gets into hot water, a stoner tries to graduate and a burger flipper seriously wants to get away from his girlfriend.
The comedy in Fast Times is what originally struck me, it was just so funny! It's nice to watch high school drama unfold knowing that I've graduated.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Call Me By Your Name (2017) is a coming-of-age film directed by Italian filmmaker, Luca Guadignino. Based on the book by André Aciman, the film revolves around a teenager, Elio Perlman, and his self-exploration as he develops a romance with his father’s summer assistant.
I first watched CMBYN at a time when I contemplated quitting my undergraduate film degree. CMBYN was the first great movie I’d seen in a very long time then, and it honestly revived my love for the film during an intensely stressful and dispiriting semester. I love the gorgeous atmosphere of a summer in Italy in the 1980s. The love story isn’t cliche or obvious. It makes the viewer work to understand it, which I love. It’s very intellectual and ethereal. The celebration of emotions, good and bad, is pure genius. I just want to live in this film.
Boy (2010)
Boy (2010) is a comedy/drama film directed by Taika Waititi about a young boy (named Boy) who reunites with his absent, criminal father. In the process of getting to know each other, Boy comes to realize that his dad is not the hero he imagined.
After I saw Taika Waititi’s JoJo Rabbit (2019), I obsessively watched all of his other films in complete admiration. Waititi is now my absolute favorite writer/director, and Boy is my favorite of his films. This movie made me laugh and cry, which is all I ever want out of a movie. I love how the film explores themes of childhood and adulthood and how the lines between them can be very blurred sometimes. I also love the setting of rural New Zealand and how the film is so playful with the inclusion of animation and scenes that show what’s going on in Boy’s imagination. And, I really admire that this film is an extension of his first-ever short film Two Cars, One Night (2003), which is also amazing.
A League of Their Own (1992)
A League of Their Own (1992) is a sports comedy-drama that follows two sisters' lives on their journey to join and play in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The story is not true, but a fictionalized version of the actual All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, who stepped up in the place of men to continue to bring baseball to the world during WW2.
This is one of my favorite films of all time. It perfectly captures what it is like to have a sibling; both the struggles and the triumphs, and shares a powerful message of female empowerment. It’s one of those films that always lingers in the back of my mind. Clicking it on when I’m missing my sister, or need a dose of empowerment.
Unicorn Store (2017)
Unicorn Store (2017) follows the life of Kit, a twenty-something-year-old artist who has recently failed art school and took a random office job to make ends meet when she randomly receives the opportunity to get the pet of her dreams, a unicorn. Which leads her to the interesting adoption process of a unicorn.
This film is not only interesting but just flat-out fun. Every time I turn it on it gives me a laugh, reminds me of my childhood, and never fails to make me smile. It is a powerful reminder that I am allowed to be a strong-minded independent adult, and still feel childlike joy and happiness.
Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) is an animated movie about a boy named Miles Morales who suddenly gains mysterious power after getting bitten by a spider. These powers lead Morales to find others like him from other universes. Their common goal is to defeat the evil Kingpin before he does too much damage to the alternate universes.
When I watched this in theatres I became more obsessed with the MC universe (and I was already hooked since 2012!). I loved how the main character was a black hispanic smart young boy and was only shown in a positive light. The family dynamic was realistic and made you empathetic towards his father and his uncle. The dialogue throughout the movie is hilarious and I can never get tired of watching it!
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988) is a devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi), a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi) after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of survival is as heartbreaking as it is true to life. The siblings rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive.
After watching anime for about 7 years I realized that I haven't really watched any anime movies. I don't know why but I decided to start with Grave of the Fireflies. This movie was one of the most heartbreaking films I had ever watched. The cinematography matched the atmosphere of children not understanding their surroundings and their love for each other was why they lasted as long as they did. This movie is very hard to get through especially if you have a thing about children dying but it's definitely something I recommend. It was beautifully told and realistic.
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) is a Mexican coming-of-age film directed by Alfonso Cuaron. The film follows two young men who take a road trip to the beach with a woman in her late twenties and depicts the harsh realities of politics and the economy at the time.
This has been one of my favorite films for the longest time. I love the way the film subtly explores the themes of classism, poverty, and politics through the main characters and the way Cuaron uses their friendship as a metaphor for the themes was very interesting. The bittersweet story, beautiful performances, lovely cinematography, and fitting soundtrack all combined made this the perfect film in my eyes. This film is a must-watch for everyone because it is a universal story at its essence - it is a film about growing up and living in the real world, which is something that everyone has experienced or will at some point in their lives.
Love Exposure (2008)
Love Exposure (2008) is a Japanese comedy-drama film directed by Sion Sono and is notorious for its length- a four-hour runtime. The film follows a young man, Yu, who has a messy relationship with his father and is doing whatever he can to mend it while searching for the love of his life.
I really enjoy this film because it explores the theme of religion in a very interesting way and the plot itself is also very unique and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. All the characters are fun to get to know and I believe that Sono did an especially great job at depicting the female characters as strong, independent, and full of substance. I recommend this film to everyone because it isn’t just a movie but it’s an experience. Watching this film almost felt like being transported into another universe and I think everyone should get to experience the craziness that is this film.
Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away (2001) is an animated, Japanese fantasy film by Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki. The movie follows a young girl named Chihiro as she finds herself stranded in the realm of the spirits. On her mission to return home, Chihiro must embrace her identity and learn to overcome her fears.
Since my childhood, this movie has been incredibly special to me. As a young girl, watching Chihiro's transformative journey into a confident young woman that is driven by her morals inspired me to be courageous and strong. The world of the spirit realm is transformative, and the stunning animation forms amazing imagery that will immerse you into the story. The film's message of how love and kindness can overcome greed have stuck with me in the early stages of my adulthood. This film is an entertaining, fantastical, and emotional experience that ensures it will touch at your heart strings.
Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart (2019) is a coming of age film and the directorial debut of Olivia Wilde. The movie is centered around two high school seniors, Amy and Molly, who have dedicated the last four years to their academics. On the eve of their graduation, they set out on a mission to party after realizing that they should have spent more time on fun in high school.
Booksmart (2019) is a movie that reminds me of my fondest memories I made with my friends in highschool. With the awareness that the characters are about to enter adulthood, this film celebrates the ups and downs of youth and how the world looks before things become serious. This film is the Gen Z Superbad, perfectly encapsulating the humor and values of our time. Additionally, the friendships I share with other women are incredibly special to me, and the protagonists highlight the joys of these unions, constantly seeing one another with unconditional positive regard. Lastly, the humor in this film is unparalleled, constantly making me cry from laughter.