Veronica

Oh this has weird girl comfort movie written all over it (it's me, I'm the weird girl). The way this movie was laid out was brilliant. I love a movie that's divided up into chapters and the fact that they were given to us out of order worked so well for the plot. And the whole thing just looks absolutely gorgeous (almost like it was shot entirely in 35mm film or something...). I had my suspicions about where this movie was going to go as far as the storyline, but it did still keep me guessing throughout the whole thing which I very much appreciate. I definitely watched this for Kyle Gallner, who was fantastic as usual, but he was completely blown out of the water by Willa Fitzgerald holy shit. She gave a masterful fucking performance - totally unhinged, hilarious, disturbing, hate-able, and lovable all at once. The last thing I saw her in was Scream the TV series ok? And she was great in it and I think that series is criminally underrated but she was certainly not giving any performances like this in it. I really hope Willa is booked and busy now because I absolutely loved her in this role and can't wait to see more of her. Great stuff all the way around and fun spin on the typical serial killer thriller.

What do I need to do to get Fede Álvarez back with his muse Jane Levy to make magic like this and Evil Dead again?? WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE?!! She's the best part of this movie, no doubt. Her face acting is so good, especially in the moment when things really go tits up and you can tell she's realizing how much things have escalated and how badly they're all fucked. That moment alone, when she's able to convey all of that without making a single sound, is better than every other performance in this movie. I hate to admit it though, this movie didn't really work as well for me on the rewatch as it did the first time I saw it. It's one of those movies where once you know the twist (and it's a hell of a twist) I feel like it just doesn't pack quite the same punch. It's still a crazy movie though, filled with ass-clenching levels of intensity. And it's a tight little hour and a half that fucking MOVES and ends in a satisfying way, so I really can't complain.

I LOVED this movie. I went into it thinking it was going to be another vapid high school love story where the popular guy makes a mean bet and the nerdy girl gets an unnecessary makeover - a fun time but hollow. But it's surprisingly sweet and heartfelt and not nearly as stereotypical as it seems (or as Not Another Teen Movie makes it seem). I see a lot of reviews going off about the makeover and that Laney was prettier before and I mean, yeah, it's Rachel Leigh Cook she's fucking gorgeous of course she didn't need a makeover. But the thing is the movie never really acted like she needed one either. Zach never says anything negative about her appearance, neither do the popular girls, and even Mack when she introduced her after said makeover clarified that it wasn't the "new and improved" Laney, just different. The reason she was an outcast was always focused on her ultra-serious and closed off personality. Like, did ya'll even watch the movie??? The only things that changed were some much-needed eyebrow plucking, a haircut, and she started wearing contacts instead of glasses. That's like a monthly occurrence for most women. I act like I'm surprised I liked this movie but in reality it has everything I could possibly want in a late 90s-early 00s romcom: 3/5 of the live action Scooby Doo cast, Josie McCoy, Matthew Lillard, Gilmore Girls-era Milo Ventimiglia, and not one but TWO totally unnecessary dance sequences. It's a beautiful thing.

What an absolutely bonkers-ass movie. As insane as the premise sounds, the movie itself is even crazier. While I did enjoy it, I will say it's entirely too long. A good chunk of time could easily be shaved off, especially during the long ass chase scenes. There is something brilliant about watching John Travolta and Nic Cage have a weird-off though, and I can assure you it was a tie. Kind of a "need to see it to believe it" situation. I do feel like if it starred only one of these actors it'd be more of an actual movie rather than the bizarre spectacle that it is, but also when else are you going to see two performances like this in one movie??? And I'm a sucker for actors acting like other characters acting like themselves. I also appreciate how the movie didn't shy away from showing the face transplant surgery. I figured they would both just go into a room and come out with each other's faces but they showed a lot more than I expected and the effects looked pretty damn good. Will I ever come back to this movie? I highly doubt it. But I am definitely glad I saw it.