Katherine Galvez

I really liked The Life List. The storyline is touching and beautifully told. It follows Alex Rose, a woman who has to complete a list of goals she made when she was 13 in order to receive her inheritance after her mother’s death. Each item on the list helps her heal, rediscover herself, and reconnect with people in her life. The movie balances emotion, humor, and growth so well, and the actors were honestly the best part. It’s been a while since I’ve watched a film that left me completely happy with both the story and the ending.

I recently watched the docuseries Mob War: Philadelphia vs. The Mafia on Netflix, and it was really good and full of information. I was shocked to see how things were back in the 90s with the mob world. Growing up in New Jersey, I’d always heard stories about the Mafia but was never really interested in learning more until now. The series does a great job explaining the brutal power struggle between the Philadelphia mob factions, especially the rivalry between John Stanfa, who had ties to New York’s Five Families, and Joey Merlino, the younger and flashier gangster trying to take over. It includes interviews, police footage, and real wiretaps that make the story even more fascinating. It’s definitely worth watching if you’re interested in true crime or mob history.

** Spoiler alert, if you haven’t read the book yet, you might want to skip this review until you do. I recently read Regretting You by Colleen Hoover, so I went into the film expecting it to stay true to the book. Overall, the movie was good, but I had the same issue I had with the novel: the ending felt rushed. One of the biggest disappointments was the scene where Clara discovers her dad’s affair with her aunt. In the book, that moment was incredibly emotional and powerful, but in the movie, it felt flat and lacked depth. The actress didn’t seem to fully connect with the weight of the scene, which made it hard to feel the heartbreak that was so vivid in the book. Another thing that bothered me was the absence of Clara and Miller’s inside joke about hating the color orange, which was such a charming and defining part of their relationship in the novel. Also, the scene with Miller and his grandfather felt watered down. In the book, it’s a touching and meaningful moment when his grandfather reveals he owns property in Times Square and expresses how much it means to pass it down. In the movie, Miller just brushes it off, saying something like, “We can talk about it later, right now is about Clara,” which made the scene lose its emotional impact. Since I read the book less than a week ago, all these details were still fresh, so I noticed every change and omission. The actors were okay, but I expected more considering the cast. Still, if you haven’t read the book, or even if you have, you’ll likely enjoy the movie. It captures the general story well **enough, just not the emotional depth that made the book stand out.

I absolutely loved this series! The actresses were amazing, and honestly, it has one of the best casts ever. The story, based on Kristin Hannah’s beloved novel Firefly Lane, follows Tully and Kate, two best friends who meet as teens in the ’70s and stay connected through every twist and turn of life, love, heartbreak, motherhood, and everything in between. It’s emotional, funny, and so relatable. I’ve always loved Kristin Hannah’s books, and seeing this one brought to life was just perfect. One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re crying, such a heartfelt and beautifully done series, totally worth the binge!

Back in Action is a fun and entertaining action-comedy that delivers exactly what you’d expect. Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx have great on-screen chemistry, making it enjoyable to watch them navigate both family life and the chaos of their past catching up with them. The action sequences are fast-paced, and there are plenty of humorous moments, but the storyline is pretty predictable. Even so, it’s an easy, lighthearted watch with a good mix of comedy and espionage. If you’re looking for an entertaining movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this one is worth checking out!