What We're Watching: Valentine's Day Picks for Every Situation, February 2021
Happy February everyone!
This month we’re sharing Valentine’s Day picks for a variety of situations. While Valentine’s Day is likely going to look different for many people this year, the holiday is a good excuse to make time for yourself and any relationships with others you want to celebrate. Whether you’re spending the holiday single, with a partner, or with friends (virtually) we hope these picks help you feel a little less lonely!
Movie that will leave you happy…
Love & Basketball (2000 written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood)
All is fair in love and basketball. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s semi-autobiographical feature directorial debut Love & Basketball released in 2000 and was produced by Spike Lee. It follows two competitive Los Angeles neighbors, Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) as they grow up pursuing the same dream— to play professional basketball. While Quincy’s star player quality is based in a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, Monica’s journey toward athletic success is rooted in proving herself in her sport and reaching her ultimate goal of being the first woman in the NBA (the WNBA wasn’t founded until 1996). This movie uses the classic frenemies to lovers arc but adds to this narrative by emphasizing the importance of Monica’s focus and perseverance as an athlete. You watch these two characters confide in one another and bond over their shared passion, but also learn and grow as individuals before they can truly invest themselves in their romantic love. Plus, there has never been a one on one game with higher stakes than the last one played on the same blacktop court where they met as children. This movie reminds me of summer basketball camps as a child and long bus rides back from games as a teen; no matter how many times I watch, it never gets old. At its core, it is a story of Monica’s two loves, basketball and Quincy, and watching her play the game with her heart and in their final match for his heart remains to be both beautiful and inspiring. - Mercedes Gonzales-Bazan, Lead Researcher
Going Through a Breakup….
Someone Great (2019 written and directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson)
Since it premiered on Netflix in 2019, Someone Great has been on my all time top 5 favorite films list and I can’t stop recommending it to any/everyone. Hiding under the guise of a rom-com, Someone Great is a movie with so much heart and love for female friendships that I honestly think it deserves a genre of its own. Someone Great follows Jenny, Erin, and Blair played by Gina Rodriguez, DeWanda Wise, and Brittany Snow, as they prepare for one last night out together in NYC before Jenny moves to San Francisco. They spend the day tracking down tickets to the exclusive pop-up music festival Neon Classic, but throughout their trek around NYC, all three women have to confront changes in their dynamic as friends as well as changes in their romantic relationships. Jenny is heartbroken after her boyfriend of nine years breaks up with her, Erin is terrified of settling down with her girlfriend, and Blair no longer feels happy in her long-term relationship. Jenny’s breakup with Nate, played by Lakeith Stanfield, is the catalyst that drives her desire for a day of distraction and fun with her friends. Amidst all the drastic changes happening in her life, she wants one day to celebrate the consistencies - her love of NYC, music, and her friends. Like Erin and Blair, Someone Great is there to comfort you - no questions asked - no matter what changes in life you may be going through. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to let yourself feel the sadness, the anger, the happiness, as you grow through this moment. - Brynna A, Editorial Lead
Date Night…
The Lovebirds (2020 written by Aaron Abrams, Martin Gero, Brendan Gall, directed by Michael Showalter)
Since theaters are mostly closed for the foreseeable future (sad face), then why not put together a little movie night-in with you and your boo? Grab some snacks, drinks, a cozy blanket and settle in for The Lovebirds - a romantic comedy with a dash of murder, mystery, and cult-like secret societies. Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae star as Jibran and Leilani, a couple that, just as they’ve decided to end their relationship, find themselves potential accessories to the hit-and-run murder of a bike messenger after a man claiming to be a police officer hijacks their car. Not wanting to go down for a crime they didn’t commit, the couple flees the scene with the victim’s phone and tries to find out who he was and why he was killed. As they follow clues, and get closer to finding the killer, Jibran and Leilani find themselves in increasingly funny-yet-dangerous scenarios that play perfectly with Nanjiani and Rae’s comedic talents. It’s not hard to root for Jibran and Leilani to get back together after watching them work through such a difficult and dangerous situation. You’d think that this would bring out the worst in them and drive them further apart, but instead the wild and unpredictable night seems to remind them of what they appreciate about each other and brings them closer together. Whether you’re watching with your partner in person or virtually, The Lovebirds is the perfect watch for a cozy night in. -Brynna A, Editorial Lead
A Virtual Night With Friends…
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020 written by Christina Hodson, directed by Cathy Yan)
Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (also known as Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey) is a testament to how great stories about women are when they get to be written, directed, and produced by women. How else would you get scenes that involve Harley Quinn pining over a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich like it’s her long-lost love? Or a scene where Harley gives Black Canary a hair tie in the middle of a fight because as stunning as her hair is, it’s realistically getting in the way? Or a scene where Huntress awkwardly practices her introduction in front of a mirror to make sure her enemies quiver in fear? The point is, it’s clear that the small moments like this are just as important in this film as the action sequences (which are also incredibly well-choreographed). Birds of Prey manages to introduce four new lead characters into the DC film universe - Black Canary/Dinah Lance, played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell; Huntress/Helena Bertinelli, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead; Renee Montoya, played by Rosie Perez, and Cassandra Cain, played by Ella Jay Basco - while expanding on the version of Harley Quinn that Margot Robbie brought to life in Suicide Squad by exploring the character outside of her toxic relationship with The Joker. None of these women are perfect, and don’t always get along, but are able to come together to help young pickpocket Cassandra after she steals (and then swallows) a rare diamond and is hunted down by the man she stole it from. The film is fun, feminist, fantabulous, and the perfect thing to watch virtually with a group of friends (costumes and egg sandwiches *highly* encouraged). - Brynna A, Editorial Lead
Movie That Will Make You Cry…
Moonlight (2016 written and directed by Barry Jenkins)
Moonlight is a beautiful piece about identity, race and love, on how those two can get tangled up. We go on a 3-part adventure with Chiron (Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sander, Trevante Rhodes) who is figuring out his identity and his sexuality while tackling the harsh realities of life. He internally questions what sexually is and what does it mean to be Black despite mold that society has created for black men. While dealing with bullying as a child due to not fitting in the box of what a “boy” should be and was labeled as an outcast. He grows up poor in a rough area in Miami with a neglected mom who abused drugs. Chiron meets Juan (Mahershala Ali) and Teresa (Janelle Monaè) who were guardians for Chiron and a support system Chrion was missing. Chiron finds more about himself through his childhood friend, Kevin. We go through many stages of life with Chiron—defeat, betrayal, shame, growth, and prosperity. Chiron reconciles with many figures in his life including himself. Moonlight is a tale of how love can be found in the most obvious places even odds are against and when you’re in a constant battle of finding who you truly are. - Shamira B, Graphic Design Lead and Digital Strategist
What We’re Watching
What We’re Watching is our guide on tv and films from our team at the Light Leaks. Finding new things to watch shouldn’t feel intimidating- too many of us have been bombarded by bro-y film culture telling us what’s good. This column is our way of introducing you to new (and maybe some familiar) favs to watch. Happy viewing!