life – Jean's Movies

The Creative Fair

The annual science fair. It evokes so many memories for so many people. But for me? Not really. I recall a sort of “Creative Fair” at one of my elementary schools that allowed projects of all kinds, from science experiments to creative writing. This gave students of all experience and knowledge levels the opportunity toContinue reading “The Creative Fair”

Secret Phobia

Growing up, I didn’t have phobias. When friends confessed their deepest fears, I’d just brush them off, utterly confused. I didn’t even understand my mom’s fears. To me, she was a real-life superhero. How could a woman like her be afraid of anything? My mom was a powerhouse. She raised my sisters and me toContinue reading “Secret Phobia”

Adventures in Sleepwalking (Part 1)

Sleepwalking. In Hollywood, that word usually signals a thriller, a horror, or a heavy drama. While many families may experience those high-stakes situations in real life, my family’s stories were different—the kind of experiences we can laugh about today. My middle sister, “Jan,” was a repeat sleepwalker. It started when she was quite young. IContinue reading “Adventures in Sleepwalking (Part 1)”

Family-friendly Horror Genre?

I’ve always enjoyed seeing how streaming platforms categorize modern shows into established genres. We’re all familiar with “Rom-Coms” (Romance/Comedy) or “Dramedies” (Drama/Comedy). I recently chuckled when I saw a movie categorized as “Horror/Comedy.” Was the horror so poorly executed that it became funny? That category reminded me of an event from my younger days thatContinue reading “Family-friendly Horror Genre?”

The Main Characters

Some movies have a large cast of characters. Some have only an intimate few. It all depends on the story the writers want to tell. This is one thing movies get right when trying to be true to life. In real life, families can be large or small. Neither is better; we’re still family. It’sContinue reading “The Main Characters”

Unexpected Twists

Some movies have amazing plot twists—the kind that make you gasp and stare at the screen in disbelief. Think of the original Planet of the Apes (the realization that they were on Earth the whole time) or Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Luke’s raw, emotional response to Darth Vader was very nearly how weContinue reading “Unexpected Twists”