Stranger Things

Image via IMDB 

Stranger Things crafts brilliance in this eight-episode series that takes place in the 80s. With its great selection of elements taken from classics such as The Goonies, The Breakfast Club, and Carrie, Stranger Things slams you with nostalgia. From small town where nothing happens, kids riding their bikes trying to save the day to odd girl with special abilities, it's everything that creates this amazing sci-fi show taking advantage of a very iconic and missed era. When a boy goes missing, and a frightening creature appears, everything becomes very X-Files as the local facility nobody knows about does everything in its power to cover up the disappearances taking place.

Stranger Things is phenomenal. Winona Ryder is stellar as the hard working mother quickly made into hysterical parent once her child goes missing. The sheer desperation to find her son and refusal to believe he’s gone feels real than just a mere performance. Ryder’s on-screen son, Jonathan Byers (Charlie Keaton), is the silent type with a strong dedication to finding his brother. With his sharp features and shaggy hair, there’s no denying the close resemblance the actor has to a young Leo and Edward Furlong.

What’s great about this series is its small group of child actors that portray true friendship when searching for their friend with the help of their trusted bikes and walkie talkies. Adding the strange girl with superpowers the boys found in the woods into the mix only further adds to the magic and suspense. And that's exactly what this show is, magic. Each episode introduces itself as a chapter from a book with the type of adventure and anticipation you haven't felt in ages.

Stranger Things is a hit. With the season ending with unanswered questions, prepare yourself for the frustration of having to wait next year to see what happens next. 

Comet

Image via IMBD 

Comet is about the on again, off again relationship between Kimberly (Emmy Rossum) and Dell (Justin Long), the two most fit yet incompatible people ever. Kimberly and Dell’s romance is one that seems to last forever as it's portrayed to be in parallel universes. Almost having his life ended by a car collision, Kimberly saves Dell’s life and thus starts their relationship the night a meteor shower brings them together.

Having watching Comet greatly reminded me of 500 Days of Summer minus the manic pixie dream girl and nostalgic music of The Smiths and The Cure playing. 500 Days of Summer and Comet both have the same similarities of debuting a memorable relationship that (spoiler alert) doesn’t succeed, showcasing monumental flashbacks, undeniable chemistry, and a final goodbye providing little closure to the person who needs it most.

Comet’s cinematography has dreamy and colorful tones that are romantic and depressing all at the same time, with its disruptive and flickering transitions from one point in time to another; it does well support its parallel universe like narrative making it all the more exciting to watch.

Comet is bittersweet and wistful, having you question what other versions of yourself have met someone that’s led them to the same unkind faith life always seems to bring us. If parallel universes exist, where’s the one with happy endings? As you'll see towards the end of this film, Dell feels similar to the unfair world we live. 

The Final Girls

Image via IMBD

The Final Girls is a horror slasher flick we’ve all been waiting for. As she often does, Taissa Farmiga plays the relatable and unimpressed teenager, Max, that makes for a great protagonist that misses her mother and tries to save her.

On the anniversary of her mother’s death, Max attends the anniversary screening of the cult horror classic her mother was known for. During Max and her friend’s attendance, an accidental fire erupts in the theater forcing everyone to flee from one life-threatening situation into another. Finding themselves mysteriously trapped in the very movie they were just watching the only way to leave is survive till the final credits roll. Keyword, survive. Taking advantage of what they know, Max and her friends use their knowledge to do just that (or at least try to.)

In short, a slasher horror flick within a slasher horror flick. Cue the cliched summer camp setting and lost phone signal as this film follows after almost every scary movie trope from urban legend to death caused by unnecessary sex scene. Also, let’s not forget the signature theme playing once the killer is about to strike!

The Final Girls is hilarious and unforgettable, taking the horror movie genre to a different level. For those not too thrilled of horror, have no fear as the film’s consistent humor, and comedy shall settle any bubbling anxiety or sensitive stomachs that’ll mostly likely won’t make an appearance. Don’t worry, plenty of chuckles will be involved just as much blood and over the top screaming will be.