Tiffany Lastrella Archives

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (Review)

By Tiffany Lastrella March 5, 2020

To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You is the sequel to 2018’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. TATBILB was like a breath of fresh air—like a breath of fresh air with the smell of fresh spring flowers. (Read my full review of TATBILB here!) For a modern day teenage rom-com, the series has an air of innocence about it. With cute aesthetics, charming and charismatic characters, and a soundtrack that I’ve definitely had on repeat, there’s a lot to appreciate. The main story may revolve around Lara Jean’s love life, but at its core, the series celebrates the power of family and friendship.

Disney+ Recommended Viewing

By Tiffany Lastrella November 28, 2019

Disney+ launched in the U.S. on November 12, 2019 and we’ve all been busy reliving our childhoods thanks to the new Disney exclusive streaming service. I grew up watching all of the Disney classics, and as an adult I am a total fangirl for everything Marvel and Star Wars, so signing up for Disney+ wasn’t even a question. Disney rules my world, and I am very okay with that.

The Addams Family (2019) Review (Beware of Spoilers)

By Tiffany Lastrella October 31, 2019

They’re creepy and they’re kooky.
Mysterious and spooky.

That’s right, they’re the delightfully dreadful Addams family. *snap* *snap*

The Addams Family was originally created by cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938. The characters are a satire on the ideal 20th century American family. For those unfamiliar with the Addams, they’re a macabre household who the general public find strange and unusual. Usually dressed in all black and associated with all things creepy, mysterious, spooky – Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, and Thing star in an all new CG animated movie.

Celebrating the Women of Marvel – Powers of a Girl (Book Review)

By Tiffany Lastrella May 30, 2019

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has popularized comic book heroes and made them accessible to audiences worldwide. Marvel has accomplished a feat in filmmaking with a 22 movie lineup that has spanned over a decade. They’ve shown us that heroes come in all shapes, sizes, genders, and races! Avengers: Endgame was released a month ago and I still get emotional just thinking about specific scenes. I loved every frame of the film. One of the film’s standout moments features all of Marvel’s female heroes in one shot, a visually empowering scene. For anyone seeking more ways to celebrate the women of Marvel, look no further.

gen:LOCK Review

By Tiffany Lastrella April 29, 2019

In an effort to expose myself to more diverse animation and stories, gen:LOCK quickly jumped to the top of my queue. At first glance, the series doesn’t look like something I would typically be drawn to. Military/war centric stories generally tend to be hard for me to keep up with, and usually don’t hold my attention for very long. However, after learning more about the series, I realized it checked off a lot of boxes.

The show is a high concept sci-fi fantasy, set in a futuristic dystopian society with advanced nanotechnology, mind transfers/mindsharing, and high tech mecha designs. The show also features a cast of diverse characters forced to team up and save the world. I mean, that’s a tale as old as time.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Spoilers)

By Tiffany Lastrella March 25, 2019

Last summer I reviewed the original How to Train Your Dragon (2010) after the trailer for The Hidden World, the conclusion to the trilogy, was newly released. One of the best feelings in the world is when that moment you’ve been waiting and waiting for FINALLY arrives. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World was released in theaters February 22, 2019 and in my humble opinion, it did not disappoint.

I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation (Comic Review)

By Tiffany Lastrella February 25, 2019

I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation is artist Natalie Nourigat’s autobiographical graphic novel, chronicling her experience pursuing a career in animation. The graphic novel was published in 2018 by BOOM! Box and it is chock full of helpful information and advice on breaking in to the industry, including an overview of animation guilds and studio life, tips on applying to animation jobs, as well as recommended travel destinations in Los Angeles.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018) Review

By Tiffany Lastrella January 28, 2019

With her signature umbrella and carpet bag in tow, Mary Poppins has returned to cinemas to grace us with her enigmatic presence. Mary Poppins Returns (2018) is the 54-year-long awaited sequel to the revered Disney Classic Mary Poppins (1964), based on the books by P.L. Travers. The original film was critically acclaimed, bringing home five Academy Awards, and is considered an achievement of its time. Disney’s blend of live-action and animation, combined with the film’s practical visual effects make it a spectacle for all to see and is visually striking for both first time and repeat viewers.

CAOS is coming (Spoilers)

By Tiffany Lastrella October 22, 2018

It’s the season of the witch! In preparation for the new Netflix series debuting in just a few days, I’m reviewing the horror comic Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Vol. 1. Herein lies an overview of this very dark and horrific comic. Hopefully, it will provide a taste of what to expect from the series. (SPOILERS).

Adventure Time: Come Along With Me (Beware of Spoilers!)

By Tiffany Lastrella September 24, 2018

Adventure Time is an animated series that premiered on Cartoon Network in 2010. The Adventure Time series finale aired September 3, 2018, after 8 years and 10 seasons of wildly surreal 11 minute long episodes. I watched the cartoon as an adult, and at first I didn’t think I would like the show at all. I was put off by the weird art style, and bright and colorful, polymorphous characters. The overall aesthetic definitely seemed targeted towards a much younger audience. But even though I was introduced to the show as an adult, it was just as influential on my life and helped shape my character as if I had grown up with it. This Buzzfeed article, which provides a glimpse of some of the life lessons the show has touched on, has been at the top of my Bookmarks for years.