Amy Poehler

Moxie (2021)

Moxie (2021)

Director:

Amy Poehler

Writers:

Tamara Chestna

Dylan Meyer

Starring:

Hadley Robinson

Lauren Tsai

Alycia Pascual-Peña

Nico Hiraga

Blurb:

Fed up with the sexist and toxic status quo at her high school, a shy 16-year-old finds inspiration from her mother’s rebellious past and anonymously publishes a zine that sparks a school-wide, coming-of-rage revolution.

Review:

Listen, I am not a fan of young adult and high school centered media. Except, apparently, I am? Netflix has me watching and enjoying movies and TV shows set in high school, with Moxie being the most recent. It’s mind-boggling. I didn’t have a horrible experience in high school. I have just never liked angsty teens.

Moxie is about a school in Texas that has a problem with toxic masculinity. It isn’t until a new girl in school pushes back and inspires another girl that things start to change, though. Everything bad that happens in this movie is entirely too believable. What I love, though, is that the students fighting back are able to make a difference. Even if it’s just learning that they aren’t alone. The female bonding was awesome.

Something that I love to see is women working together instead of working against each other. For too long, the toxic idea that if another woman succeeds, then you can’t. Having that be completely flipped and women beginning to rely on and help each other is wonderful.

Moxie was inspiring. It was hopeful and fun. There was a complete, angst-ridden meltdown at one point, but I fast-forwarded through it. I would watch more young adult movies like this in a heartbeat.

4/5

Inside Out (2015)

inside-out

Inside Out (2015)

Director:

Pete Doctor

Ronnie Del Carmen

Starring:

Amy Poehler

Bill Hader

Lewis Black

Plot:

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness – conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Review:

Wow that movie was darker than I expected it to be. I don’t consider that a negative it’s just an observation. I really don’t think most children would have picked up on it, though. It was more for the adults.

I found myself crying throughout the whole thing and really wished my daughter was awake so that I could hug her. I’m apparently hormonal right now lol

It was a cute movie, I thought the concept was cool, but I don’t think I need to own it. Definitely watch it if you haven’t, but at your own leisure.

4/5

They Came Together (2014)

They Came Together

They Came Together (2014)

Director:

David Wain

Starring:

Paul Rudd

Amy Poehler

Cobie Smulders

Plot:

When Joel and Molly meet, it’s hate at first sight: his big Corporate Candy Company threatens to shut down her quirky indie shop. Plus, Joel is hung up on his sexy ex. But amazingly, they fall in love, until they break up about two thirds of the way through.

Reviews:

Within the first five minutes I was laughing so hard I snorted. This movie was hilarious. It’s a not so subtle riff on romantic comedies. It’s not as over the top as Date Movie, which makes it perfect.

I lost track of the times I laughed so hard I almost cried. Such a hilarious movie. Really the only negative was that it was too long. By the end I was ready for it to be over. It was funny but there’s only so long you can take it.

If you like Wet Hot American Summer then you’ll love this movie. If you love romantic comedies than you could potentially like it, depends on if you’re able to laugh when all the tropes are pointed out.

4/5