Ones to add to your watch list
With International Women's Day being just around the corner, we're checking out some female ensemble movies.
Whether they're rewatchable classics like 'Clueless' or 'Mean Girls', or comedies you might have missed like 'Sisters' or 'Late Night', Netflix has a great selection of female ensemble movies to check out.
Ocean’s 8
'Ocean's 8' is good fun and there is no denying the sheer talent of its stellar cast. Anne Hathaway is fantastic, infusing her character with humour and likeability. Rihanna effortlessly exudes the nonchalant, suave attitude of the hacker she plays. Akwafina, while having a small role, holds her own in the big leagues, and Helena Bonham Carter (in spite of delivering an eye roll-inducing American interpretation of an Irish accent) gives her best performance in years.
Late Night
A late-night talk show host (Emma Thompson) suspects that she may soon be losing her long-running show. In an attempt to freshen up her writing staff, Molly (Mindy Kaling) is hired - despite the fact she has never written for TV before, and has no professional experience. 'Late Night' is sharp, funny, and Thompson and Kaling are nothing short of fabulous in it.
Wild Rose
Fresh from prison, Rose-Lynn (Jessie Buckley) has dreams of becoming a country music star. With two children to look after, she takes a job as a house cleaner and soon strikes up a friendship with Susanah (Sophie Okonedo) who kick starts events that might just help Rose achieve her dream. 'Wild Rose' is a skillful production that manages to be heartwarming - but by virtue of genuine hardship endured and overcome by the characters - rather than mawkish sentimentality.
Someone Great
'Someone Great' tells the story of music journalist Jenny (Gina Rodriguez). Initially thrilled at landing her dream job in San Francisco, Jenny is left devastated when Nate (Lakeith Stanfield), her boyfriend of eight years, dumps her because he doesn't want to do a long distance relationship. Thus begins a 24 hour binge and night on the town with her best mates Blair (Brittany Snow) and Erin (DeWanda Wise). In spite of a lacklustre title, 'Someone Great' is a rigorous, alternately funny and bittersweet, celebration of femininity and friendship.
Sisters
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are a fab comic duo. They previously had supporting roles in 'Mean Girls' (see below) and starred opposite one another in 'Baby Mama'. In 'Sisters', they play, well, sisters, who decide to relive their heyday as party-going teens by throwing a final all-out free gaff at their parents’ house before they move out. John Cena has a gas supporting role.
Steel Magnolias
Julia Roberts had her breakthrough role in 1989's 'Steel Magnolias' as Shelby Eatenton Latcherie, and she wasn't the only star in it. Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine and Daryl Hannah also play characters who become the best of friends in a small-town southern community. Their lives are full of wonderful moments, but tragedy strikes as well.
Pitch Perfect 2
A Cappella group the Barden Bellas enjoy an unprecedented run of success, until a disastrous performance sees them banned from national competitions and beset by scandal. They attempt to turn their fortunes around and redeem their reputation by competing in the World Championships of A Cappella in Copenhagen. The comedy sequel stars Anna Kendrick, Hailee Steinfeld and Rebel Wilson.
Mean Girls
Many of us are die-hard fans and have watched 'Mean Girls' over and over again since its release in 2004. We've reminisced by looking back at the quotes from the comedy classic that we still use today. Heck, even our politicians are still quoting it... Fans might have also checked into that recent 'Mean Girls' cast reunion. Although, you have to admit, the recreation of that phone call scene was reeeally awkward.
Clueless
Alicia Silverstone plays Cher, a spoilt, wealthy and popular but well-meaning high schooler from Beverly Hills who's something of a busybody. She has no interest in romance but takes it upon herself to set up those around her. Eventually Cher's true feelings start catching up to her. Many of us have revisited 'Clueless' over and over. And with good reason, because it's awesome.
Mamma Mia!
We know the stitch - 'Mamma Mia!' sees bride-to-be Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) try to figure out which of three bachelors (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård) is her father. Her mother Donna (Meryl Streep) tries to hold the fort with her girlfriends (Christine Baranski, Julie Walters). There'a dancing and romancing aplenty. Join in if you want - if Pierce Brosnan can get away with singing in this movie, you certainly can.
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
Back in 2005, 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' was the must-watch coming of age movie. It was cheesy as all hell but had enough heartwarming moments to suck in even the most cynical of us in. Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera and Amber Tamblyn play four teenage girls who head off on their separate adventures for the summer but decide to have shared custody of a pair of jeans that seems to flatter all of their different figures somehow. What followed was an adventure in life, love, and friendship.
Honourable mention: Moxie
A recent addition to Netflix, 'Moxie' follows a 16 year old who begins to secretly publish this magazine at her school which claps back at sexist issues in her school. This encourages the girls in her school to start a rebellion. 'Moxie' is sure to inspire the YA audience it's geared towards, with its message of girl power.