Ally McBeal: Thanksgiving

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She’s All That (1999): Prom

This movie sucks, but for some reason I love watching it. It’s so 90’s and such a teen rom-com that I can’t help but watch it at least once a year. It’s a modern adaptation of Pygmalion. Freddie Prinze Jr makes a bet with his friends that he can take the biggest loser in the school and transform her into the prom queen. He picks Rachel Leigh Cook, who like, no matter how nerdy still looks like Rachel Leigh Cook and is beautiful. BUT she’s artist and a feminist, GROSS. This movie is really dumb, but it was made in earnest and I appreciate it for what it is. This film ends with the prom and the entire thing builds up to the prom. Plus, the fact that there’s a makeover makes it perfect for your prom watchlist. if you have such a thing.

Netflix available? No

Hulu available? No

Xfinity available? Yes

Holiday rating: 7 corsages

Emma (1996): Spring

Spring is sprung and it is a wonderful time to open up your windows and enjoy the fresh air. And while you are enjoying the chilly breezes of spring, might I suggest watching a film full of flowers and gardens and springy romance. Adapted from a Jane Austen novel and set in the 1800’s, this story follows Emma, a privileged young woman who takes joy in playing matchmaker with people she knows. Her efforts however are not always correct or appreciated. Meanwhile, Emma is curious about her personal feelings towards romance and relationships. This movie is set in the upper class of estates of the English and therefore has some gorgeous garden and flower scenes. The dresses are long and flowy and romantic. Everything about this film, from the setting to the blossoming romance evokes a feeling of springtime. I definitely recommend putting this on your watch list.

Netflix available? Yes

Hulu available? No

Xfinity available? Yes

Holiday rating: 9 spring flowers

Leprechaun 3 (1995): St Patrick’s Day

You guys…. why did I decide to do this franchiiiiise. It’s so bad. The leprechaun is back and has more quippy one liners than ever. This time he’s terrorizing Las Vegas. When a young man loses everything he has in Vegas, the leprechaun’s medallion gives him the power to wish for whatever he wants. After going on an impossible winning streak, the hotel workers steal the coin and begin wishing. The leprechaun obviously wants his gold and goes on a murder spree to get it back. I have conflicting feelings on this movie, because on one hand, I like that it’s embracing its campiness and going for a silly vibe. At the same time, it’s so silly that it’s hard to watch at points. I mean, it fits for St. Patricks Day obviously, it’s about a leprechaun. I just… I don’t know, man, it’s just really terrible. Check it out or don’t… my brain hurts.

Netflix available? No

Hulu available? No

Xfinity available? Yes

Holiday rating: 6 shamrocks

Leprechaun 2: St. Patrick’s Day

Well… we might as well. There isn’t much content to review for St. Patrick’s Day so I’m forced to sit through this series. I reviewed the first one last year and I think I said like yeah it sucks but it’s campy so it’s fun. And I mean I basically have the same feelings on this one. The Leprechaun is back, this time in search of a bride. He finds her in teenage girl Bridget and while kidnapping her, loses some of his gold. Her boyfriend, Cody, has the gold and must figure out a way to rescue Bridget and defeat the leprechaun, along with his elderly father figure, Morty. This movie is set on St. Patrick’s Day and while also being about a leprechaun, it has several scenes of bars during St Patricks Day and a drinking contest. I enjoy this film better than the first one, it’s more fun and interesting. I definitely recommend checking this movie out for the holiday, in between binge drinking of course.

Netflix available? No

Hulu available? No

Xfinity available? Yes

Holiday rating: 10 shamrocks

That 70’s Show: Valentine’s Day

Season 1, Episode 16 “First Date”

Eric and Donna are on their first date. Unfortunately for Hyde, who has secret feelings for Donna and attempted to set up a study date with her. When Donna blows him off for Eric, Hyde decides he needs to let her know how he feels before Eric and Donna make it official. Meanwhile, Jackie and Kelso have finally “done it” and/or “proved their love to each other” which leads Kelso to expect sex every time they’re together. Jackie is pissed off about this and tries to explain to him that their relationship shouldn’t revolve entirely around sex. This episode is funny and sweetly encapsulates the new beginnings that people go through in their teenage relationships. There isn’t all that much in the way of stereotypical hearts and candy, but it’s all about love and it’s set during Valentine’s Day.  I definitely think this is a great episode for Valentine’s Day, as you don’t need to watch the show to understand the episode. Put it in your watch list this February!

Netflix available? Yes

Hulu available? No

Xfinity available? No

Holiday rating: 7 candy hearts

The Crow (1994): Halloween

This movie is such a product of the 90’s, but I absolutely love it. It has the 90’s police procedural vibe, as well as the dark supernatural superhero thing happening. But somehow, it’s unlike any movie I’ve ever seen before and I love it. The story follows a musician, Eric, who is murdered by a gang on Devil’s Night in Detroit. He is resurrected by a mysterious crow a year later and seeks revenge for the rape and murder of his fiancee. He is led to his murderers by the crow. This movie is full of violence, derelicts, and sweet sweet revenge. Brandon Lee plays Eric so perfectly, it’s so tragic that he was accidentally killed during the making of the film. I definitely recommend checking this film out for Halloween. It’s set on the night before Halloween, Devil’s Night, so it’s the perfect film to get you ready for the best holiday of the year.

Netflix available? No

Hulu available? No

Xfinity available? Yes

Holiday rating: 8 pumpkins

The Cider House Rules (1999): Fall

So I absolutely love this movie, and I’m not a huge drama fan. This film is set during World War II, in Maine. Homer is an orphaned boy who grew up in an orphanage run by nurturing doctor, Wilbur Larch. Dr. Larch delivers unwanted babies to be cared for in the orphanage and also performs illegal abortions for women, as he believes they should have access to safe medical procedures. Homer studies with Dr. Larch and becomes skilled in obstetrics, although he does not agree with Dr. Larch performing abortions. He soon longs to see the world outside the orphanage and begins working at an apple orchard with a young couple he befriends, Candy and Wally. While Wally is away at war, Homer and Candy begin an affair. Things can’t stay perfect though, and Homer must make difficult choices. This film is set at an apple orchard, so I mean what is more autumnal than an apple orchard. The film is shot with warm fall tones, as well as some more dreary end of autumn shots. It really presents the fall chill wonderfully. The acting and story are also very well done. I definitely recommend lighting an apple scented candle and checking out this film on a day where there is a chill in the air.

Netflix available? Yes

Hulu available? No

Xfinity available? Yes

Holiday rating: 7 pumpkins

Indian Summer (1993): Fall

A film with summer in the title that’s labeled as fall? What in the world is going on here? This movie follows a group of adults who spent their childhood summers at Camp Tamakwa. When they are invited back by their old camp leader, they are forced to address some unresolved issues while reliving their youth. When they learn that the camp’s owner is going to be retiring they feel obligated to take over the camp, but can’t leave their busy lives. This movie is a little cheesy and very early 90’s feel goody, but I have to say I really enjoy it. It makes me miss summers before technology when things were simple and we didn’t have a care in the world. So this movie is set at the end of a summer camp season in Canada, so it’s chilly and the leaves are turning. So while it has that summer camp feel of a summer movie, it also has the visuals and ambiance of an autumn film. So I’ll probably tag it as both a summer and autumn film, but I think this is best enjoyed on a mid-september evening, with some candles and crisp air floating in the windows.

Netflix available: No

Hulu available: No

Xfinity available: Yes

Amazon available: Yes, for a fee

Rating: 3.5/5

10 Things I Hate About You (1999): Back to School

This is the best teen film of all time, fight me. This is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, which was a weird thing that happened in the 90s… Classic literature was adapted into teen films… Some ending HORRIBLY (i.e., Cruel Intentions, the worst teen film of all time) and some ending wonderfully, like this. This film follows Kat Stratford, a feminist teen with a popular girly sister, Bianca. The sisters are not allowed to date, but Bianca is pursued by many suitors. Their father makes a deal with them… Bianca can date when Kat decides to. Cameron, a boy who is pining after Bianca hires Patrick Verona to woo Kat so he can take Bianca out. Kat and Patrick unexpectedly begin to develop feelings for each other, making things a little more complicated. This film is set at a high school so it makes for a great back to school watch. It will get you ready to read some classic lit and fall for the school bad boy… what’s more back to school than that? This movie is also being tagged under prom because… I mean there’s a prom, and it’s a great prom scene.

Netflix available? No

Hulu available? No

Xfintiy available? Yes

Holiday rating: 9 backpacks/7 corsages