For those of you who like to keep a steady 31 days full of the Halloween spirit, here are just enough films to keep you going all month long!

31. The Halloween Tree (1993)

A Ray Bradbury tale about a group of trick-or-treating children who learn about the origins and influences of Halloween.

30. Silver Bullet (1985)

 
A werewolf is hiding out in a small peaceful town of Tarker’s Mills and it’s up to the townspeople to find out who it is.

29. Lady in White (1988)

This film is based on the local legend of the lady in white and also takes place on Halloween.

28. House of 1000 Corpses (2009)

Rob Zombie’s macabre tale of a family of psycho murderers takes place on Halloween night with a twisted party.

27. La Leyenda de la Llorona (2011)

Taking place on Halloween night, this Mexican animated tale follows young kids who must stop the infamous La Llorana ghost.

26. Monster Squad (1987)

A fun, family-oriented flick full of kids saving the day and our favorite classic horror villains.

25. Mischief Night (2013)

Here in New Jersey, Mischief Night is a huge deal. Wherever you live, this film will make you scared of October 30th.

24. Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)

This made-for-tv movie features one of the most classic Halloween aesthetics as it’s villain: the scarecrow!

23. The Hollow (2004)

An ABC Family movie about the descendants of  Ichabod Crane who must stop the Headless Horseman in present-day.

22. All Hallow’s Eve (2013)

There’s nothing scarier than a homicidal clown, especially on Halloween night.

21. Paranorman (2012)

This animated tale of a boy who can talk to ghosts is so much more than just a kid’s film. It’s beautiful, poignant and ground-breaking.

20. Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

  
A cult comedy, there are many who watch Ernest Scared Stupid every October.

19. Frankenweenie (2012)

Frankenweenie is an adorable animated film that is a kid-friendly version of the classic Frankenstein.

18. Practical Magic (1998)

A romantic horror drama, this movie captures the witchy spirit in everyone.

17. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Arguably Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s best collaboration, this film celebrates one of America’s best legends: The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.

16. Ginger Snaps (2000)

This cult film follows two sisters who deal with puberty and werewolves and culminates on Halloween night.

15. Casper (1995)

Another ABC Family October staple, Casper is one of our childhood Halloween classics.

14. The rest of the Halloween franchise (1981-2009)

While none of the sequels or remakes are nearly as good as the original, this is still the perfect time of year to watch anything from the Halloween franchise.

13. Halloweentown (1998)

While it may have lost some of its touch over the years, nostalgia hits home for this Disney Channel Original movie.

12. Creepshow (1982)

This cult anthology by Romero and King is chock-full of Halloween and creepy goodness.

11. Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Based off of Ray Bradbury’s novel, this creepy kid’s film is about two pre-teens who deal with a traveling carnival and the mysterious Mr. Dark.

10. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

This fun and silly Old Hollywood film follows Cary Grant as he discovers that his two kind aunts are actually serial killers.

9. Satan’s Little Helper (2005)

This one may fly under the radar but the tale of a young boy, his older sister, and a creepy masked devil on Halloween is worth watching.

8. Addam’s Family Values (1993)

A Halloween classic and ABC Family staple, the Addams’ are the quintessential Halloween family.

7. Idle Hands (1999)

This is a great comedy from the time when teen movies were the best movies.

6. Monster House (2006)

This animated tale of kids who encounter a living house on Halloween is in my opinion severely underrated. It’s just as good as any Disney film but not nearly as well-known.

5. Night of the Demons (1988)

Another Halloween classic; an 80’s film about partygoers on Halloween night who get more than they bargained for.

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Never has an animated film been so loved and so associated with the holidays as much as this one. Another essential viewing.

3. Trick r Treat (2007)

The once obscure film has now gained plenty of popularity and rightly so; it’s a wonderful horror film that is full of the Halloween spirit.

2. Halloween (1978)

John Carpenter’s classic is the creme de la slashers; the ultimate holiday horror movie. No October is done right without it.

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

I don’t care if you’re seven or forty-seven, Hocus Pocus is the defining Halloween film. It’s fun and scary for kids and holds the ultimate nostalgia for adults. If for some reason you haven’t seen this movie yet, stop what you’re doing and go watch it!

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is an often overlooked Disney film. The last of the “Package Era”, it does not garner the fame or love that films from the Golden or Silver Age get. The movie takes two classic tales, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving and makes one magical tale. I used this film for October because of the “Halloweeney” feel that comes with the headless horseman.

Since this movie is actually two stories in one, I wanted to properly represent both of them. The first story about Mr. Toad is based on the Wind in the Willows and the only moment that worked for food recreation was when they ate tea and crumpets. I was actually excited for this as I’ve always wanted to make crumpets. I don’t know if it was just this recipe I used or if it’s all crumpets but they tasted a bit like soft pretzels. The texture was great and they are a good palette for topping with various condiments. 

For an entree I wanted to combine elements from both stories. I began with the Autumn theme and found a recipe that is classic for this time a year and is from the UK: shallot and squash bake. It was incredibly easy and while I had my apprehensions about how it would come out, it was super delicious!

For dessert I focused on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. In the film we see Ichabod enjoying pie so I went with this. I choose pumpkin because it is so prevalant in the film and decided to take it a step further. Since Sleepy Hollow is located in New York, I wanted a nod to the great state with cheesecake. All of this together led me to Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl. It was super yummy, not too sweet, which I liked, and a hit with my friends and family.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad was a great choice for October. The warm and tasty dishes I made for this blog are great on cold Autumn nights. I hope you enjoyed it!

Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: Pinocchio 

Pinocchio (1940) was Disney’s second full-length animated feature. The story follows wood-carver Geppetto and his puppet who is brought to life by the Blue Fairy. The film actually has some dark themes that are covered in typical Disney magic. It’s as classic as any other Golden Age Film and definitely a must-watch for any Disney fan.

I grew up on Italian food and absolutely love it. Since this movie takes place in Italy I decided to try and make my all-time favorite Italian soup: Pasta e fagioli. I love pasta e faioli and always order it at restaurants but never tried to make it myself until now. I started with this recipe and made modifications based on my personal preferences. It was absolutely delicious!

Since there’s a presence of seafood in the film I wanted to draw on some of the typical Italian seafood dishes. However, I myself don’t eat seafood. Therefore, I settled on a vegan version of shrimp scampi. This was the recipe that inspired me. It was quite good. The flavors were delicious but not overpowering. I would make this again for sure.

For dessert I wanted to do a cake since they eat it in the movie. Instead of a plain yellow cake I decided to make an almond cake, since it’s a traditional Italian flavor. I used this recipe. This cake was simply amazing; incredibly moist and delicious.

Italian food is my favorite and Pinocchio is a great film. Another great installment!

Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: 101 Dalmations

A couple years back I wrote an article about 10 wonderful and accomplished ladies from history who should have their own film. Now I bring you 10 more! Special thanks to some of our commentators for their suggestions!

1. Melisande of Jerusalem

Melisendre was Queen of Jerusalem in the 12th century. Melisendre’s life was filled with politics and court intrigue. Despite it being uncommon for a woman to have much power in her region at that time, records show her acting as ruler in most ways. She was also a patronage of the Church and the arts and was active in the Second Crusades.

Previous Films: None

Who Should Play Her: Margarita Levieva who has yet to have a break-out role but deserves one.

2. Amina of Nigeria

Amina was a Hausa Muslim Warrior Queen who lived sometime in the 15th or 16th century. There is still confusion to how much of her story is myth and how much is true, but she is known for ruling the land of Zazzau, in modern-day Nigeria. She is credited with being the first to establish government among her people and making her kingdom the center of trade. She was said to be a fierce warrior who refused to marry and give up power.

Previous Films: None

Who Should Play Her: Nikki Amuka-Bird was fantastic in role of DCI Erin Gray on Luther and I think she could bring something great to the role.

3. Sybil Ludington

Sybil Ludington was America’s female version of Paul Revere. Except she rode twice as far and was half his age. In order to warn her countrymen about an impending British attack, she rode for almost an entire day, covering 40 miles and fighting off an attack along the way. Luddington was so revered that she was honored by George Washington himself.

Previous Films: None

Who Should Play Her: Elle Fanning is one of the most talented young actresses working today and she’s an expert equestrian to boot. She could be a strong actress who does her own horse riding!

4. Nakano Takeko

Nakano Takeko was a Aizu warrior from the 19th century. She was the leader of the Woman’s Army in the Japanese Battle of Aizu. She is known for being one of the fiercest and highly trained female warriors in Japanese history.

Previous Films: None

Who Should Play Her: Tao Okamoto is a talented Japanese actress who has been breaking onto the scene with roles in The Wolverine and Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice.

5. Grace O’Malley

Grace O’Malley is one of the most famous female pirates of all time. This chieftain of the Ó Máille clan in the west of Ireland was known for being both highly educated and highly formidable in the 16th century. She was a savvy businesswoman whose numerous exploits and sea battles caught the attention of Queen Elizabeth.

Previous Films: None

Who Should Play Her: Kerry Condon is an accomplished Irish actress who showed off her acting chops on shows like Rome and Better Call Saul.

6. Lozen

Lozen was a was a skilled warrior and a prophetess of the Chihenne Chiricahua Apache in the 19th century. She was said to have used her powers in battle alongside her brother the chief. She fought against the Americans who had taken away the homes and livelihood of her people.

Previous Films:None

Who Should Play Her: Tonantzín Carmelo absolutely blew me away as Thunder Heart Woman in the mini-series Into the West. She is incredibly talented, beautiful and strong-willed and needs more audience members to see that.

7. Golda Meir

Golda Meir was the fourth Prime Minister of Israel (1969 to 1974) and known as the “Iron Lady.” She’s known for being strong-willed, straight-talking, and a caring and compassionate leader. Before her role ad Prime Minister Golda managed to raise $50,000,000 for her new nation as well as attended a secret meeting with the King of Jordan. She was a truly accomplished woman who led an exciting life.

Previous Films: A Woman Called Golda (1982), Munich (2005), and O Jerusalem (2006).

Who Should Play Her:  Ayelet Zurer should be perfect in a film about Golda’s exploits before she became Prime Minister. She is known for her roles in Man of Steel and Daredevil.

8. Virginia Hall 

Virginia Hall is known as the most dangerous of all Allied spies during World War II. She worked with British and American agencies, including the CIA and went by many different aliases. She continued working as an intelligence analyst after the war.

Previous Films: None

Who Should Play Her: Ginnifer Goodwin is an incredibly talented American actress who could break out of her Snow White role a little for this one.

 9. Lady Triệu

Lady Trieu is known as the “Vietnamese Joan of Arc.” At the age of 20 she organized a revolt against cruel overlords. She is said to have worn yellow and ride an elephant into battle. She was known for being beautiful, brave and loyal.

Previous Films: None

Who Should Play Her: Lana Condor is a young Vietnamese actress who will be in the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse. She’s just the right age to play Lady Trieu and new enough to bring freshness to the big screen.

10. Rosalind Franklin

When you think of DNA you think of Watson and Crick but you should also think of Rosalind Franklin. The British chemist had just as much to do with the discovery of DNA as those two yet she is often overlooked. She was a brilliant scientist who broke gender norms of the time.

Previous Films: TV Movie Life Story (1987)

Who Should Play Her: Rachel Weisz is an extremely talented British actress who looks like Rosalind and can act any role to perfection.

Have any ideas on who I should feature in the next installment? Feel free to leave them in a comment below!

101 Dalmatians is another one of Disney’s timeless tales. Who doesn’t love watching a bunch of adorable puppies run from perhaps the scariest villain in Disney history. I mean c’mon, the lady wants to kill puppies. Who does that?! This is one of my favorite films with some of my favorite characters (Rolly!). The meal I made for this movie includes some British classics as well as something brand new to this column.

For the first time in the history of my column I cooked something specifically for my dog to eat rather than myself. The recipe is completely edible by humans if you’re looking for something to share with your pooch. These gluten-free dog treats are my choice for homemade “Kanine Krunchies”. My own canine Lucy loved them!

Since there’s not much food in this movie I used inspiration from Cruella’s henchmen eating baked beans from a can. This gave me the chance to make a decidedly British snack that I’ve always wanted to try: beans on toast. After some internet research I realized you must you Heinz beans and no other kind. It’s the simplest of recipes and I wasn’t expecting much. It turns out beans on toast really does make a great snack.

For dessert I decided to make black and white cookies to represent the wonderful and numerous Dalmatian darlings in the film. I cheated and used store-bought icing instead of making it myself but the cookies from this recipe were yummy and came out perfectly texture and shape-wise. This was a delicious dessert than everyone loved!

101 Dalmatians is one of my favorites and this meal was the perfect for both me and my own pup!

Coming Soon: Disney Dinner and a Movie: The Aristocats

Director: Robert Eggers

Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie and Harvey Scrimshaw

Plot: A family in 1630s New England is forced out of their town and made to live alone on a farm bordering the forbidden woods. The forces of witchcraft and black magic begin to turn the family against their religious beliefs and against one another. This review is spoiler-free!

Review:

The Witch is an incredibly well-made film. It’s horror film that seems to be made for film lovers, relying more on talent and cinematography than jump scares or typical horror tropes. The setting of the movie itself is a winner. I’ve always been particularly fascinated with pre-Revolutionary War America and I think the witchcraft hysteria of that age (which started decades before the trials of Salem) is an absorbing topic for many people. The religious fervor of the Puritans combined with the naturally creepy atmosphere of the deciduous forests in New England lend to the perfect setting for a horror film. We feel the family’s isolation at living all alone on a small farm at the edge of some seriously creepy woods. They’ve been cast out from their community which means their bonds with one another are all they have left. When the youngest child, a baby not yet baptized, goes missing while in the care of the eldest daughter Thomasin (Taylor-Joy), everything begins to unravel. It is many through Thomasin’s eyes that we go through this journey, doubting and trusting each member of the family equally. The audience knows more than the players do but we still don’t know enough to remove the ultimately unsettling feeling that the film gives us from start to finish. That is it’s biggest accomplishment; keeping audiences riveted on the screen and to the story without resorting to cliche.

This is a film that relies heavily on the talent of the people involved. Each member of the cast perfectly articulates their role in the family. Father Will and mother Kate are loving parents but their relationships with God and each other becomes strained. Then you have eldest daughter Thomasin who deals with newly found womanhood and trying to please from her stern mother. Caleb is only a pre-teen yet feels pressure to help his father and his family. And the two young twins are played by appropriately annoying, and sometimes creepy, actors. The family feels real and that’s why when they start to doubt one another it hits you right in the feels. You feel the palpable anxiety that they do as they try to survive what may in fact be an assault by the dreaded Witch of the Woods.

When it comes to presence of witches and witchcraft in the film, I will be as brief and vague as possible in order to avoid spoilers. What I will say is that this is one of the best handling of witchcraft in a horror film that I’ve ever seen. The director completely understands the balance of how much to show the audience and when. We know what we have to know for the plot we don’t know more than that. The images are stark and realistic and there are certain scenes that had me on the edge of my seat holding my breath. This movie is based on the folk tales of 17th century New England and if you’re familiar with then you may immediately recognize many of the scenes involved. Eggers knows how to perfectly balance realism with the supernatural and he blends them together in such a way that we never feel the flow of the film interrupted. 

The Witch will definitely be remembered as one of the most well-made, original, and stylistic horror films in the last decade. It reminded me a bit of Suspiria in the way it handled witchcraft with subtly but also by using imagery and music to tell a story. Robert Eggers has created a modern horror classic and I for an am incredibly excited to see what he has in store for us next.

Rating: EIGHT out of TEN

Hello readers of Geekery! I’ve decided to start a new series, one that will be about something I love: cryptids! A cryptid is a creature that may or may not exist, with suggestions but no scientific proof. You’ve no doubt heard of a ton of them and for this series I will featuring one at a time with a breakdown on what is it and how to find out more. First up is my personal favorite (I am a Jersey girl after all):

The Jersey Devil

What is it?

The Jersey Devil is a cryptid from southern New Jersey that is said to resemble a smorgasbord of different creatures. Descriptions of the Devil vary but there are many that describe the same exact, odd-looking creature. This most common description says the Devil is kangaroo-like with a head similar to a horse or goat, leathery wings like a bat, a furry body, horns and cloven feet. Some sightings claim the creature had a forked tail as well.

The origin of the Jersey Devil also has many different versions. Most of these include Mother Leeds. In one of the most common varieties of the tale, Mother Leeds had twelve children. Upon finding out she was going to have a 13th she cursed the child and said “Let it be a devil!” Thus, the Jersey Devil was born and flew off into the night, forever to terrify the people of New Jersey.

Where has it been sighted?

The Jersey Devil is most popularly spotted throughout Southern New Jersey, mostly in an area known as The Pine Barrens. The Pine Barrens (also known as The Pinelands or just The Pines) is a unique ecosystem that is combination forest and coastal plain. Many parts of the Barrens remain untouched, or at least uninhabited, since the soil isn’t good for farming. This is the perfect environment for a creature to live without being discovered by scientists. Over its many years of traversing the East Coast, the Devil has been sighted all over the state and even in some surrounding states.

When have people seen it?

The Jersey Devil is the US’s oldest cryptid, going back to Native American folklore. Records of residents terrified of the creature go back to 1740. Below are some of the most significant dates and sightings of The Jersey Devil:

1800: Commodore Stephen Decatur visits Hanover Mill Works in the Barrens to inspect cannonballs. The story says that he shot a cannonball at a mysterious flying creature but did not bring it down.

1820: Joseph Bonaparte, brother of Napolean, was living in Bordentown, NJ and spotted the creature while hunting.

1840: The Jersey Devil is blamed for a rash of livestock deaths in the area and people lose their shit.

1909: From January 16 through 23, panic overtook the people of New Jersey as an epidemic of Jersey Devil sightings took place. Newspapers covered the story intensely. Sightings were reported all over the state and even in PA, DE, and MD. Unidentifiable footprints were found in yards and on roofs, leading to evidence of a winged creature that was terrorizing the Delaware region. The panic was so great that schools closed and people refused to leave their homes.

1960: Reports of bloodcurdling screams flood in from people in Mays Landing. Many attribute them to the Devil.

1993: A forest ranger spots the Jersey Devil along the Mullica River in the Pine Barrens. His description mostly matches what other people have long said they have seen out in the Pines.

2015: Dave Black, of Little Egg Harbor township shares an alleged photo (left) of his encounter with the creature near a golf course in Galloway.

What could it be?

There are many theories as to what the Jersey Devil is. Some say it really is a mismatched creature from Hell that immortally stalks the Pine Barrens. More realistic explanations say that it was a foreign or unknown creature such as a large Sandhill Crane that has since been eradicated from the area. There’s no conclusive evidence to prove any theories, however, so this creature remains a mystery.

Popular Culture:

New Jersey’s National Hockey League’s team is named The Jersey Devils. The Jersey Devil has been featured in many episodes of television shows including:

• Numerous investigations from paranormal researchers including Destination Truth,  Paranormal State, Scariest Places on Earth ,and Monster Quest.
• Both The X-Files and Supernatural have episodes about the Jersey Devil but neither actually stick close to the legend at all and I don’t consider either a good representation of the Devil.
• A fictionalized found footage account on The Lost Tapes. 

There have also been some feature films created around The Jersey Devil, the best of them being psychological horror The Barrens (2012). Other, albeit low-budget, films include Satan’s Playground (2006), The Last Broadcast (1998), Leeds Point (2008), Carny (2009), and 13th Child (2002).

The Jersey Devil also makes appearance in, or is featured in, multiple books, animated television shows, comic books and video games.

So what say you dear readers? Is the Jersey Devil a supernatural demon-spawn prowling the Pine Barrens? Or is it a case of mistaken identity and folklore passed down through generations?

Today’s installment of Showdown! pits two of the most beloved teen comedies against each other: Clueless (1995) and Mean Girls (2004). With almost a decade separating the two films, they have each carved out a place for themselves in the list of defining moments of a generation. But if we break the films down by category, which one will prove to be better? Keep reading to find out!

Source Material:

Clueless is based on the famous Jane Austen novel Emma. Emma  is about the titular character, a young woman who is so busy trying to set up everyone else in her life that she almost misses her own chance at true love right in front her eyes. Clueless did a wonderful job of taking the 19th century story and translating it to modern times. Cher was the perfect embodiment of the 20th century Emma and the relationships were pretty close to the original source materials. Emma (and Clueless for that matter) is a great story that can resonate with those of any century.

Mean Girls  was very loosely based on the book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman. Unlike the fiction novel Emma, this book is a non-fiction self help book. Needless to say, creating a fictionalized story out of it is going to mean it’s not nearly as close to the book its based on. This book discusses the passive aggressive way that teen girls attack one another. Nothing to complain about with the subject here, but it’s hard to beat such a wonderful modern-day adaptation of one of the most classic novels of all time.

Point: Clueless

Cast:

Both of these films have impressive cast lists. Clueless stars the 90’s Queen Alicia Silverstone, along with the uber famous Paul Rudd, the tragically gone-to-soon Brittany Murphy, as well as other big name stars such as Stacey Dash, Donald Faison, Jeremy Sisto, Wallace Shawn and Dan Hedaya.

Mean Girls also has an impressive line-up. Though she may have fallen from grace lately, star Lindsay Lohan was the ultimate It girl of 2004. Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfriend, and Lacy Chabert round out the mean girls while Lizzy Caplan and Daniel Franzese make the perfect foils. The cast is littered with Saturday Night Live comedians as well including: writer Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Tim Meadows.

Both of these movies are so well done because of the impressive cast of characters. There’s no way to choose a favorite here.

Point: Tie

Humor:

Both films are listed on IMDB.com as a comedy (Clueless is also listed as a Romance) and both deliver when it comes to laughs. In Clueless we have quirky zingers about teenage life and the wonderful loving sparring between Cher and her dad and Josh. The funniest scene is definitely when Dionne accidentally drives onto the freeway. Chaos ensues, naturally.

Mean Girls is also hilarious. You laugh from beginning to end at the social relevance jokes and simple humor that works for both pre-teens and adults. The funniest scenes include the epic trust fall of Gretchen Weiners and the iconic Christmas dance scene. Both films deliver when it comes to humor but Mean Girls packs just a bit more of a punch.

Point: Mean Girls

Quotability:

Clueless: Ugh, As if!; You’re a virgin who can’t drive; Isn’t my house classic? The columns date all the way back to 1972; She’s a full-on Monet; That was way harsh Tai; Well, there goes your social life; may I please remind you it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty; OMG I’m totally buggin

Mean Girls: I can’t help it that I’m popular; You go Glen Coco!; Grool; Boo you whore; On Wednesdays we wear pink; Why are you so obsessed with me?; It’s so fetch!; If you’re from Africa, why are you white?; Is butter a carb?; I’m not a regular mom, I’m a cool mom!; She doesn’t even go here!

Whichever way you look at it, we’re all winners here.

Point: Tie

Style:

Clueless has become the ultimate style bible for the 90’s prep scene. From plaid blazers and matching skirts to knee-high socks and funky hats; Clueless delivers above and beyond for 90’s nostalgia. Not only did teens in 1995 strive to emulate the fashionable students of Beverley Hills High, but even today the movie stands as the epitome of fashion and people try their best to live up to it. Mean Girls definitly brings us back to 2004 when we watch it. The days of pleated mini-skirts, slogan tees, and cargo pants may still haunt some of us, but perhaps that’s because it doesn’t have the extra decade Clueless does to form more nostalgia over nausea. Irregardless, Clueless wins here.

Point: Clueles

Maybe the extra 10 years has helped it but either way, Clueless has come out as the reigning queen of the teen movies. I bow down to Cher Horowitz and her totally fashionable crew. 

Winner: Clueless!

or The Issue of Female Representation in Film

I recently saw the new Ghostbusters (2016) film and I loved it. I loved seeing four different women working together for the same cause. I loved watching them fight, defend each other, show fear, intelligence, bravery and humor. It was one of the best representations I’ve seen of a team of women on film in a long time. There are plenty of naysayers out there, and trust me I know how difficult it is to deal with a remake of any beloved classic. However, I think we needed this film. By we I mean everyone but with an emphasis on the young girls out there looking for their next toy, Halloween costume, or person to idolize. This film has given us four distinct women, all worthy of that idolization and all working together as a team and that is so incredibly important.

Kids have other female characters from action/adventure/superhero films to look up to of course. But rarely fo they ever get a choice in which lady it will be. Let’s look at the ratio of males to females in the main casts of some of the most popular ensemble superhero films that children have loved in the past half a decade or so:

Alright so that wasn’t the most scientific table ever but you get the point. For so long women have been merely a token in these mostly-male ensembles. A variety of men from different background and with different personalities and one (always attractive) women thrown into the mix. That isn’t to say that ladies like Black Widow, Gamora or Sue Storm aren’t wonderful characters and great role models for girls; many of them are. The problem is that there’s only ever one of them awash in a sea of testosterone. Not only does it not promote women working together but it severely limits the scope and variety of women characters in these ensemble-driven action films.

Ghostbusters is also important not only for the quantity of female heroes presented to us, but the quality of them as well. There are plenty of female ensemble films out there; however, very few of them are directed at a wide age-group or even suitable for children. Many of them are about women trying to compete with each other or worried about nothing more than their romantic lives with men. The four women in Ghostbusters are all working together to save the day. They are scientists, writers, teachers, and hard-working women. They are not arguing about boys (unless you count them discussing the incompetency of the beautiful secretary Kevin). They’re not worrying about how to balance their careers with their romantic lives over a bottle of wine. They’re using their friendship, intelligence, and bravery to defeat ghosts and save New York City. Seeing women work together towards a common goal and support each other is so important, especially to young girls who group up watching women like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry argue over Twitter. We need to see unity and support among females so that we can reflect those values in our lives and it starts at a young age. This movie gives a wonderful example of that to women, and men, of all ages.

There’s also the fact that these women represent careers not often shown in film for females. Speaking outside the superhero realm, women are often portrayed in a small variety of roles. If they are a doctor or a lawyer then they are weakened by the inevitable struggle the character has balancing their career with their love life (because don’t you know women simply can’t multitask?) Ghostbusters shows us a variety of characters with awesome backstories and careers. Erin is working to gain tenure at a prestigious university. Abbey is using science to follow her dreams. Holtzmann creates incredibly intricate and unique devices for studying the paranormal. Patty is a friendly MTA office who knew more about New York City than any guidebook could ever tell you. Little girls got to hear these women say smart things; they discussed particle physics and engineering terms and the history of the City. Thanks to Ghostbusters, Little girls got to see that scientist, blue-collar, white-collar; everyone can be a hero.

Now before you get angry listen up. I’m not saying that these female characters in superhero movies aren’t amazing and wonderful, despite being the solitary double-X holder of the group. I’m not saying that characters in Rom-Coms can’t be well-rounded or icons in their own way. I’m certainly not saying that there’s anything wrong with being sexy or using sex appeal to get things done. What I’m saying is, we don’t have enough representation of different women on film, let alone women who work together. Especially not women who work together using their brains and common sense to defeat a villain rather than solve romantic problems. We need more ladies and while I’m looking forward to some of the upcoming releases led by women (Wonder Woman and Ms. Marvel hurry up please), this movie is so incredibly important. This Halloween little girls can say “I want to be Holtzmann because I like to build things,” or “I want to be Patty because she looks like me” (because YES the lack of women of color as heroes is ridiculous on its own and deserves its own ranty blog post). Little girls like the one I once was who dream of being a scientist can look at these women and see a team of badass heroines working together to save the day and it will inspire them in a way that only reflective representation can and that is what is so important about this film.

PS- Besides being great from a feminist perspective, I also found the film to be really funny, entertaining, and with cool effects. 

This production was directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh at the Kenneth Branagh Theater Company as part of their Plays at the Garrick series. The play runs from May through August of this year but I caught a live taping of it at my local theater through Fathom Events. The review below is of that taping.

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is my favorite play and one of my all-time favorite books. I’ve seen three film versions, two stage versions, and a ballet of it. Kenneth Branagh’s version of the adored classic was simple and well-done. By focusing on performance over style, directors Branagh and Ashford were able to highlight the drama of the characters’ relationships. The set was simple but still gave us the pieces we needed to believe in the couple’s love-struck first meeting and romantic balcony scene. The players were clothed in fashion that could have been believable any time during the 20th century yet was understated enough not to take anything away from the performances. The addition of a short song by James added to the jazzy feel of the party and the play itself and seemed natural in its presence.

The casting is what made this play so great, in particular the outstanding lead Lily James as Juliet. She is  no doubt one of the best Juliets ever put to stage. The additions of a bottle of alcohol and girlish awkwardness reminiscent of Frozen’s Anna only enhanced the character and Shakespeare’s lesson on loving at such a young age. James was for sure the highlight of the production. Another fantastic thing about the play was her obvious chemistry with Richard Madden as Romeo. While Madden himself averaged at good, his endearing manner and spark with James made this pairing utterly believable. This is not surprising considering the two of them starred in Branagh’s Cinderella last year and were equally well-paired in that.

I was intrigued by the casting of 77-year old theater vet Derek Jacobi as my favorite character, the sassy and wily Mercutio. I had never seen someone so old cast in this role that bring so much life to the play but I have to say, it was brilliant. Jacobi was fantastic in the role and his delivery of the Queen Mab monologue was unforgettable. Meera Syal as the nurse was also incredibly well-cast and she played splendidly across from James as Juliet. Samuel Valentine as the The Friar was another positive for this play. I did feel that both Michael Rouse (Lord Capulet) and Ansu Kabia (Tybalt) were a bit overzealous in their respective roles but that is more of a personal preference than an indication of their talents.

Overall this was a very well-done performance that stayed true to the source material while adding its own pinch of pizzazz. The chemistry between the leads was key and I wouldn’t mind seeing these two opposite one another a third time, be it on stage or film. The real star of the show was Lily James and I can’t wait to see more of her talent in the future. If you are a fan of the play or of the film Cinderella, I highly suggest finding one of the select theater viewings. Or if you’re lucky enough to live near London, go check it out in person!

When we think of Scream Queens we usually picture the ladies of our favorite horror films getting slashed and shot at. Series such as Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween have given us actresses who have dominated the horror genre and earned themselves the royal title. Horror is big on TV too and never more than right now. This blog will countdown 10 of the best and most active scream queens to grace the television screen.

Honorable Mentions: Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), Jessica Lange (American Horror Story), Anna Paquin (True Blood)

10. Laurie Holden

Most people will recognize Holden as the spitfire Andrea from The Walking Dead but years ago she also appeared as Marita Covarrubias in The X-Files.

9. Katie Cassidy

Cassidy will be recognized by Supernatural fans as Ruby but she also starred in CBS’s one-season mystery horror Harper’s Island.

8. Phoebe Tonkin

Phoebe Tonkin got her start in TV horror in the CW’s The Secret Circle. She then moved on to the network’s immensely popular show The Vampire Diaries and the spinoff, The Originals.

7. Katie McGrath

Irish actress McGrath made her American television debut in the short-lived Dracula. She later went on to star in the first season of Chiller’s original series Slasher.

6. Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson is one of the biggest stars of the hit show American Horror Story, having appeared in all five seasons as six different characters. Paulson was also on the show American Gothic in the mid-1990’s.

5. Lauren Cohan

Cohan is one of the most popular actors of the hit show The Walking Dead as zombie-killing Maggie. She’s also made appearances on The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural.

4. Emma Roberts

Emma Roberts has been in two different seasons American Horror Story and starred in the surprisingly fun show Scream Queens.

3. Madchen Amick

This veteran actress got her start on the soon-to-be brought back to life Twin Peaks. Since then she’s also shown up on American Horror Story and starred in Witches of East End.

2. Sarah Michelle Gellar

She may only have been in one horror-themed television show but when that show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it means she’s come out on top as one of the most iconic characters of all time.

1. Gillian Anderson

She became famous for her role as the fantastic Agent Scully on the long-running The X-Files, which has recently been rebooted. Anderson has also cemented her spot as a TV Scream Queen with the horror show Hannibal.

Directed By: Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead)

Starring: Jane Levy, Stephen Lang, Dylan Minnette, and Daniel Zovatto

Plot: Three friends rob houses to make it through their tough lives in Detroit. They decide to make one last trip and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from a blind recluse. Unfortunately for them, things don’t go according to plan when they recluse turns out to be much stronger and scarier than they thought. This review is spoiler-free!

Don’t Breathe is a harrowing exciting roller-coaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The film explores the blurred line between protagonists and antagonists and ends up reminding us that at a base level it’s all about survival. What these characters are doing is wrong but we still understand them and in a way are rooting for them. The film takes twists and turns that makes us question our feelings towards all motives and keeps unsure of exactly what is going on. The cast was on-point. Stephen Lang was able to elicit fear and sympathy simultaneously while Jane Levy proved once more how much of a powerhouse she can be. Dylan Minnette, and Daniel Zovatto round out the main cast and provide surprisingly well-developed characters for the audience to follow on their journey.

The best thing about this film is the consistency of suspense. Unlike horror movies that provide perfectly-timed jump scares, Don’t Breathe managed to perfectly balance the genre of Thriller and Horror. Of course there are jump scares and scary moments, but it is the tension that works the best. As an audience member I never wavered in my attention. While the characters are struggling not  breathe the audience has to remember to do so.

Rating: 8/10

Horror seems to be reemerging as an art form in the last decade and a half, specifically in the last five or so years. Below I’ve listed, in my personal preference order, ten of the greatest horror directors of the 21st century.

10.Eli Roth

Films: Cabin Fever (2002), Hostel (2005), Hostel II (2007), The Green Inferno (2013), Knock Knock (2015)

Upcoming: The action-drama Death Wish starring Bruce Willis

9. Sylvia and Jen Soska

Films: Dead Hooker in a Trunk (2009), American Mary (2012), See No Evil 2 (2014)

Upcoming: Rabid 2, which has very little information listed online so far.

8. Alexandre Aja

Films: High Tension (2003), The Hills Have Eyes (2006), Mirrors (2008), Piranha 3D (2010), Horns (2013)

Upcoming: He has the mystery thriller The 9th Life of Loius Drax on tap.

7. Rob Zombie

Films: House of 1,000 Corpses (2003), The Devil’s Rejects (2005), Halloween (2007), Halloween II (2009), The Lords of Salem (2012), 31 (2016)

Upcoming: Unknown

6. Adam Wingard

Films: You’re Next (2011), The Guest (2014), Blair Witch (2016)

Upcoming: He’s supposedly working on a remake of the 2010 Korean film I Saw the Devil

5. Michael Dougherty

Films: Trick r Treat (2007), Krampus (2015)

Upcoming: Hopefully completing the long-awaited Trick r Treat 2

4. Fede Alvarez

Films: Evil Dead (2013), Don’t Breathe (2016)

Upcoming: According to the interwebs, Alvarez will direct a live action version of the video game Dante’s Inferno.

3. Ti West

Films: The House of the Devil (2009), The Sacrament (2013), The Innkeepers (2011)

Upcoming: West is doing a western: In the Valley of Violence (2016)

2. Neil Marshall 

Films: The Descent (2005), Dog Soldiers (2002)

Upcoming: Marshall is working on a remake of the 1960’s television show Lost in Space

1. James Wan

Films: Saw (2004), Dead Silence (2007), Insidious 1 and 2, The Conjuring 1 and

Upcoming: Wan is joining the DCU with Aquaman (2018)

Okay readers, which horror directors are you favorites? Who is my list missing? Leave your suggestions in the comments!

Do you need some female-majority shows to hold you over until Orange is the New Black returns? Here’s a bunch of shows that feature a plethora of three-dimensional female characters. They’re all binge-worthy, many of them are on Netflix, and they definitely all pass the Bechdel Test.

It’s no secret that Hollywood has a whitewashing problem. I didn’t bother to see Gods of Egypt (2016) so I can’t speak to its plot, but the film’s casting alone is cringe-worthy. Egyptian mythology is a fascinating subject full of rich history and fantastic stories. I think a mini-series on the some of the most famous tales would be a great watch. Below is who I would cast as the eight most pivotal roles in Egyptian mythology.

Alexander Siddig as Ra, God of the Sun and Radiance

Ra was the Head Honcho of the Egyptian Gods: he was King of the Gods, the patron of the pharaoh and the creator of everything. People built solar temples in his honor and he was often represented by sunlight itself. He was kind of a big deal.

Alexander Siddig was born in Sudan and is known for his roles in Peaky Blinders, 24, Game of Thrones, and Da Vinci’s Demons.

Morjana Alaoui as Isis, Goddess of Health, Marriage and Love

Isis has many other names and the Goddess of many different things over time. She’s known as the Queen of the Egyptian Goddesses and is basically the Egyptian HBIC. Most importantly, Isis was the patron of childbirth and motherhood. She was often depicted wearing an intricate headdress and had her own pair of wings.

Morjana Alaoui is of Moroccan descent and has starred in films such as Martyrs and Rock the Casbah.

Oded Fehr as Osiris, God of the Afterlife and Resurrection

Considered to be the king of the Underworld, Osiris was the Prom King of the Egyptian Gods. As the most prominent and popular Egyptian deity, Osiris presided over the judgement of souls. Interestingly, he was also the God of Agriculture and represented the Egyptian belief in rebirth.

Oded Fehr is best known for his roles in The Mummy and the Resident Evil series. He was born in Israel.

Nick Tarabay as Horus, God of the Sky

Also known as Heru, Hor, or Har, Horus was a falcon or man with a falcon head. He was also the protector and patron of the pharaoh. He was also the patron of young men and his protective amulet “The Eye of Horus” represented the six senses.

Nick Tarabay is a Lebanese-American actor who played bad boy Ashur in Spartacus.

Lupita Nyong’o as Ma’at, Goddess of Truth, Balance and Order

Ma’at existed as a way to preserve the natural order of things. She had the super awesome job of judging souls by putting people’s hearts on a scale and weighing them against a feather. Probably the most fashionable of the Gods, Ma’at was often shown wearing a crown with a single ostrich feather and sometimes with wings.

Lupita Nyong’o is an Oscar-winning starlet who was raised in Kenya and wowed the world with her performance in 12 Years a Slave.

Ghassan Massoud as Anubis, Protector of the Dead

Anubis is one of the most famous and most ancient Egyptian Gods. He was also the patron of lost souls and funeral rites. He has been portrayed in various forms of human, jackal, and sometimes a little of both.

Ghassan Massoud is a Syrian actor and filmmaker who showed up in another white-washed film, Exodus: Gods and Kings.

Liya Kebede as Bastet, Goddess of Protection and Music

Bastet was symbolized by a cat and sometimes shown with the head of a lioness. She is a daughter of Ra and often seen as gentle and protective but occasionally destructive. She had different titles, including “The Lady of the East” as well as “The Female Devourer” to represent both of these sides. Talk about multi-faceted.

Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian supermodel who successfully made her way into acting with roles in Innocence and The Best Offer.

Amr Waked as Thoth, God of the Moon

Also known as Djehuti, Thoth is often shown as a man with a baboon or ibis head. He is credited with inventing not only writing, medicine, and magic but also civilization itself. Pretty badass resume if you ask me.

Amr Waked is an actor from the show Marco Polo and the films Lucy and Syrianna. He was born in Egypt.

So what do you think of my choices? Who would you like to see show up in a film or series about Egyptian mythology?

On Sunday, December 11th I attended a screening of Girl on Girl: An Original Documentary (2015). This was an important film for me. As someone who identifies as a feminine member of the LGBTQ+ community, I empathized with the women in the film who felt stigmatized and/or invisible because of their gender expression and sexuality. While it has been unquestionably improving lately, queer representation in media is still lacking. This is especially true for the type of women features in this film: those who are feminine LGBTQ+ women. This documentary aimed to show us a peak into the lives of these women and hear from them why they desire more representation and recognition.

The problem with feminine invisibility comes from both inside and outside the community. This was wonderfully discussed both in the film and between the cast and crew during the follow-up Q&A session. Within the community, women who are perceived as ultra-feminine, or fitting into the heteronormative style of a woman, are often questioned as to the extent of their sexuality or activism. These women are also invisible within the cis-gender world, since their sexuality is mostly assumed incorrectly and they find themselves having to reaffirm their identity time and again. Often, their sexuality is then questioned or mocked.

The film was a wonderful and homegrown look at six different women who identify as feminine lesbians. Each story was poignant and important, showing that many people of all walks of life face the same prejudices and constrictions. These are real people, not gay characters being played by straight actresses. These women were smart, funny, beautiful, bold, emotional, and wonderful all in their own ways. The footage of them felt organic and intimate.

While this is not a film that will win any awards for cinematography, that’s okay. This isn’t about style; it’s about substance. This is a movie that creates representation where it is desperately needed. The women all discussed how they had been discriminated against both inside and outside of the LGBTQ+ communities, and sometimes within their own family and friend groups. Hearing their stories of pregnancy, homelessness, family troubles, health issues, and more reminded the audience that everyone is different and yet some of us face the same problems deep down.

As Director Jodi Savitz so wonderfully put it during the Q&A, everyone’s story deserves to be told. This documentary was a fantastic way to tell these women’s stories and it is desperately needed in today’s environment. There are many other feminine LGBTQ+ women out there who can identify with the feelings of these women and seeing them on screen can only strengthen our sense of identity and belonging. I want to thank the cast and crew for working so hard on the documentary and encourage everyone to seek out the film and help it gain the recognition and success I truly believe that it deserves.

Since I’ve mostly run out of Disney films to come up with matching meals for, I decided to embark on a new challenge that combines two things I love: food and films. This time, I wanted to dedicate one night to each of the USA’s 50 glorious states. I would watch a film that takes place in that state and eat a meal famous for it as well. This process has taken me a long time so far and I predict it will take even longer as I tackle the more difficult recipes. However, I have achieved a milestone in creating 10 different meal and film combinations. I did not go in any sort of order particularly so don’t hurt your brain trying to figure out why I did these ten states first. Without further ado, I present to you: 50 States of Food and Film: Part 1.

1. Alaska

Food: Since I am a vegan, I had to do some maneuvering for this one. After research I found that sourdough bread is popular in Alaska, so that was easy (and delicious!) enough. However, for the main course I had to adapt the incredibly not-vegan dish of akutaq. Traditionally, akutaq (also known as Eskimo Ice Cream) is made from whipped animal fat, mixed berries, and fish. I Macgyvered my own dish that looked similar using frozen bananas and berries. I will admit that not eating the real akutaq made this experience much less Alaskan, however, I worked with what I had and enjoyed learning about things along the way.

Film: I choose to watch one of my favorite horror films, 30 Days of Night (2007). I feel like the idea of there being no daylight for an entire month is especially creepy and unique to Alaska. I love this film and recommend it to any fans of vampire horror.

Fun Facts: Alaska was the 49th state to be added to the US and as of 1972, dog mushing is the official state sport.

2. Delaware

Food: Vinegar fries are popular in Delaware, especially at the beach. Many people are used to this condiment but if you haven’t tried it yet, I suggest you go for it. Peach ice cream is also a thing in Delaware and honestly, it’s delicious. Overall, a very satisfactory experience in this one.

Film: The newly adapted film Goosebumps (2015) takes places in a community in Delaware. I loved this book series as a kid and I loved the TV show just as much. I can confidently say that this funny tale does the writer justice and I’d be happy to watch a sequel if they make one.

Fun Facts: Delaware is not only the first state of our country and the place I spent the best four years of my life (re: college), Delaware can boast being where both nylon was created and the Methodist Church of America was organized.

3. North Carolina

Food: The further south you go the more important barbque becomes. In North Carolina, it’s all about the pulled pork. Naturally my non-meat eating ways means I had to buy some veganized frozen pulled pork pockets but hey, they taste delicious to me. The sweet potato pie that is also popular statewide I made myself and found it hearty and smooth and yummy.

Film: I’d seen the remake but until recently, never the original Cape Fear (1962). The film takes place in North Carolina, obviously, and is a really great thriller. Robert Mitchum was especially fantastic in his role. 

Fun Facts: North Carolina was home to the first Krispy Kreme Donut establishment.

4. Alabama

Food: I know some of you are wondering why i didn’t make my own fried green tomatoes but that’s because I’m not really a fan, so I went in a different direction. Therefore I went with the classic pecan pie that I baked myself and almost ate entirely by myself. As I said before, bbq is a way of life in the southern US and Alabama is known for their own kind: white bbq sauce. It’s different because the sauce has mayo, vinegar, and other flavors not found in traditional bbq sauce. I made some myself and loved it so I topped my whole meal with it. Except the pie, because ew.

Film: The classic book-turned-film Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) was an wonderful first time watch for me. I wish they had kept in the lgbt aspects of the book but hey, it was the 1990’s. Still a heartwarming tale.

Fun Facts: The pecan is the official Alabama State Nut, hence the love for pecan pie.

5. New Jersey

Food: Any Jersey Girl like myself knows what the state’s signature sandwich is: pork roll, egg, and cheese. Naturally, my vegan version would make many cringe but I found it to be incredibly yummy. I followed it up with blueberry muffins made homemade and using berries from the Blueberry capital of the world, also located in the Dirty Jerz. This meal tastes like home to me.

Film: The biography Freeheld (2015) is about a real life couple in New Jersey who won a landmark case for LGBT rights. As an LGBT woman and proud New Jerseyan this was a natural choice. Not to mention, a great film.

Fun Facts: New Jersey has the most diners in the world which makes sense considering we also have the highest population density.

6. Florida

Food: Florida was one of the easiest states when it came to selecting representive food. I had to go with a veganized homemade version of the Cuban sandwich and naturally some key lime pie. My belly was a happy camper this night.

Film: Despite there being plenty of choices for Florida I decided to watch Spring Breakers (2012). Why? Because I had only seen it once in theaters and felt like watching it again. While I know that many people disagree, I like this movie. I think it’s very artsy and fun.

Fun Facts: Citrus production is a major industry and citrus fruits are widely consumed.

7. Arkansas

Food: My meal for Arkansas had two components. The savory was a nice plate of fried pickles. The sweet was chocolate gravy and biscuits/ Not only did I feel incredibly sick to my stomach after this “meal” but I also decided that chocolate gravy should be poured on all foods.

Film: It’s a bit difficult to find films that take place in Arkansas but I did fine something that spoke to the cryptid-lover in me: The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972).

Fun Facts: Milk has been the official state beverage since 1985.

8. New Mexico

Food: For New Mexico, I whipped up my own green chili enchiladas. Admittingly, the photo is lacking, but they tasted good enough to me. For dessert I went with the bizcochito, a crispy butter cookie flavored with cinnamon and anise.

Film: My favorite maker of early horror, Val Lewton, produced the movie The Leopard Man (1943). The film is a about a small town in New Mexico terrorized by a beast that may or may not be an escaped leopard. It’s better than I make it sound, I promise.

Fun Facts: Hatch, New Mexico is known as the “Green Chile capital of the world”.

9. Missouri

Food: I don’t know much about Missouri but after this I know they make some yummy snacks. My meal, if you will, consisted of toasted ravioli and ooey gooey butter cake. This definitely felt like the kind of thing you eat when you’re getting over a break-up and just want to binge watch Netflix.

Film: For the film portion, I choose You’re Next (2011). The film is, in my opinion one of the best horror movies made in modern times. 

Fun Facts: Missouri gets the most money from soybeans out of all their crops.

10. Oklahoma

Food: Oklahoma was pretty tricky to do. I did as much web-searching as possible and came up with only two things. The first was fried okra but I am terrible at frying things so I skipped this. Then I saw a recipe for chicken corn pudding. This turned out to be one hearty casserole-like dish that any tornado-chaser would love to chow down on.

Film: For Oklahoma I watched the classic film, Twister (1996) because if you ever have a chance to watch Twister, you take it.

Fun Facts: The National Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in Oklahoma City.

Thanks for joining me on this journey and hopefully sometime in the near, or far, future I will be coming out with Part 2 of 50 States of Food and Film!

The Nightingale is a novel by Kristin Hannah, published in 2015 that has sold over two million copies in the US. In 2016 it was announced that ‘Game of Thrones’ Director Michelle MacLaren would direct the film for TriStar. The book is a story of two very different sisters in France during Germany’s occupation of the country. It was inspired by the story of a Belgian woman, Andrée de Jongh, who helped downed Allied pilots to escape Nazi territory. Below is my humble opinion on who would make for a great cast for The Nightingale:

Clémence Poésy as Vianne Rossignol Mauriac, the older of the sisters who must take care of her young daughter while her husband remains a prisoner of war. She is anxious and cautious and is a local schoolteacher.

Elizabeth Debicki as Isabelle Rossignol, the younger of the sisters who desperately wants to fight back against the German occupation in any way she can. She is daring and assertive and has been kicked out of multiple boarding schools.

Gaspard Ulliel as Gaetan, a bold Frenchman who fights for the resistance. He is dark and mysterious. 

Guillaume Canet as Antoine Mauriac, Vianne’s husband who is captured during the war by the Germans. He is kind and incredibly loyal to his wife and daughter.

Elle McKinnon as Sophie Mauriac, Vianne’s daughter. She is sweet and curious and sometimes takes to imitating her Aunt Isabelle’s more rebellious nature.

Max Riemelt as Captain Beck, a complicated German soldier who is quartered in Vianne’s home.

Jean Dujardin as Monsieur Rossignol, Vianne and Isabelle’s father who gave up on raising them after their mother died. He lives in Paris and suffers from PTSD from the first World War.

Maïwenn as Rachel, Vianne’s Jewish best friend and fellow schoolteacher. She is spunky and positive.

Okay readers, what do you think of my choices? Who else would you cast in these roles? Comment below!

Documentaries can be powerful ways to educate and humble us. Sometimes a film comes along that opens our eyes to something we may never have known about before. That’s where I am Jane Doe (2017) comes in. Of course I know that child sex slavery is an epidemic worldwide and yes, in the USA as well. What I didn’t know about was the use of the internet, specifically Backpage.com, in this phenomenon. This documentary is a must-watch to open our eyes to some of the horrible things going on in our own backyards. Awareness and education are the first steps to fixing a problem and that’s where this movie comes in.

I am Jane Doe is produced and narrated by award-winning actress Jessica Chastain. The film is told mainly as stories of the mothers of some of these kidnapped children forced into sex slavery. These mothers are incredibly powerful and inspiring. Not only did they do everything in their power to rescue and support their daughters, but they are taking on the United States government to try and shut down Backpage.com. They, along with some wonderful lawyers, are fighting against a system meant to keep them down. But they won’t give up.

I don’t want to go into too much about this film other than to tell you to watch it. It’s something timely, relevant, and important that is going on right in our own backyards. This film is about girls, women, and men who are strong and fierce and don’t give up. It’s about terrible things that happen to innocent people. It’s about a corrupt company. And it’s about the legal system we have here that is protecting it. Stop reading my rambling and please go log onto Netflix and check this out.