This sequel to the 1979 classic is a landmark movie for several reasons. It was one of the first science fiction movies to get an acting award nomination (for star Sigourney Weaver). But it also leaned into its feminist instincts, with star Ripley facing against the alien. Also Ripley taps into her maternal side by protecting the little kid Newt. This movie is pretty bonkers, and great for those sci-fi loving moms.
I love this movie. I think it's a gorgeous and refreshing retelling of the classic story. The acting is pretty great, with Cate Blanchett and Lily James turning in great work, and the production design/costumes are sumptuous. Cinderella is elegant, and aazingly not as over the top beautiful as it could have been. Kenneth Branagh directs the film with a keen eye for detail. While it's an old story told many times, the new version is a sight to behold.
The radiant and commanding Angela Bassett stars in her signature role, as the mother who finally takes a well-deserved vacation. The romance involves Stella dating a younger man (Taye Diggs), and it's a thoughtful, sweet comedy. The locations are beautiful, and Whoopi Goldberg is terrific in her supporting role. This is a great movie to watch, especially in the "moms are people, too" genre of mother's day movies.
Julie Andrews slays as the complicated Mary Poppins, with many great qualities and some not so great ones. The family she helps has to learn to spend time with each other. I think that's the real fantasy for people who watch this movie. Mary is a great character, but for me the real pull is watching this family rebuild itself. The songs in this movie are all-timers, and the magical elements still charm after all these years.
Julie Andrews is a major mom-friendly star. She's vibrant and relatable, projecting wisdom and harmony. The Sound of Music is an iconic musical, with themes of family bonding and finding the place you belong. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous, but it's really the characters and their growth that makes this movie special. And of course the songs are just impeccable.
Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis star in this "women on the run" adventure. It's a great movie, often endearing and often frustrating, but always entertaining and surprising. What I like about Thelma & Louise is that shows how women can be both vulnerable and resourceful, and for the time that was a major left turn for mainstream movies. Thelma & Louise was a landmark movie for its time, and I am sure many mothers have fond memories of it.
Penelope Cruz scored an Oscar nom for this film with ace Spanish director Pedro Almodovar. In this film, multiple generations of women help each other nurse their wounds and move on from past tragedies. In classic Almodrovar style, the film is a pure melodrama that blends drama and comedy together. The film has such beautiful visuals, and the performances are all really strong.
Drew Barrymore directed this coming of age sports movie, about a teen (Ellen Page) who defies her mom (Marcia Gay Harden) and joins a roller derby league. This is a story about a mother and daughter coming to terms with how they are different. The movie is fun, if a bit cliched. But the supporting cast features a roster of awesome character actresses having some fun (Drew Barrymore, Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig).
Both Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern scored Oscar nominations for this poignant drama. Based on the best selling memoirs, the film is about a woman (Witherspoon) hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in order to reconnect with her deceased mother (Dern). The film is brutal and beautiful, with snapshot editing reflecting memories. The bond between Witherspoon and Dern is strong, even after the mother's death. I really enjoyed this movie when it came out, and I think it deserved more of an audience. It's such a sweet, honest story with sharp filmmaking.
Happy Mother's Day!
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