Month: April 2020

Teen Movie Reviewer – Griffin Hon

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

Movie Length: 1 hr 50 min

Directed by Marielle Heller and starring Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump) and Matthew Rhys (The Americans), every minute of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is nothing short of magical from the spellbinding opening to the heartwarming conclusion. It is so much more than any biopic – it’s a feel-good movie that inspires self-reflection and kindness.


When notoriously skeptical journalist Lloyd Vogel (Rhys) is assigned to write an article about heroes after he gets into a nasty brawl with his father at a wedding, Lloyd is determined to expose Fred Rogers (Hanks) in his article. However, the unconditional kindness that Mr. Rogers gives, as brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hanks, puts Lloyd on a heartfelt emotional journey that will have you stricken in wonder more times than one.


A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is absolutely recommended for anybody looking to have a calm, self-reflective experience. The only thing that is left to say about this movie is that it is just as its title says: absolutely beautiful.

Thank you, Griffin! – Mrs. Long

Teen Movie reviewer – Lexi Hugel

To All the boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Movie length: 1 hour 39 min

This was an absolutely amazing movie. I’ve watched it so many times over and over again. From family to friends to relationships, this movie is very relatable to the life of a teen. Lana Condor who plays Lara Jean in the movie is an absolutely amazing actress. You literally can feel all the emotions her character is trying to portray. 

This movie shows that you can’t really hide anything from your siblings and how you should always put family first. Noah Centineo did a great job portraying his character Peter and all his acting throughout the movie is amazing. I can’t believe they came out with a sequel and I love that movie just as much.

Thanks again for a great movie review!

– Mrs. Long

Teen Movie Reviewer – Lexi Hugel

A Star is Born (2018)
Movie length: 2 hr 16 min
This was an absolutely amazing movie that looked at substance abuse, suicide, and what a person would do for stardom. The two main characters who were played by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper truly portray their characters well. Throughout the movie they both have many vocal performances which were amazing. I loved all the songs in this movie. 

It’s incredible that Bradley not only was one of the main characters but also was the director and also co-producers. He did a phenomenal job. Lady Gaga’s singing was not only incredible but her acting was too. This movie is truly my favorite movie I have ever watched. This movie captures the love story of Ally and Jackson and how it evolves throughout the movie through music. 

Thanks for the great review, Lexi!

– Mrs. Long

Cards and signs to say thank you!

Many thanks to our Teen Volunteer Club for making cards and signs to thank our essential workers, doctors, nurses, delivery people, grocery workers, and everyone we rely on to keep things going during this difficult time.

My sister and I worked together on this project. I made the cranes and she drew the words. Since paper cranes represent hope, good luck, and happiness in Japanese culture, we decided to add them to our sign. We hope that they can bring luck to those helping us out during this crisis.
Sincerely,
Hannah and Shannen 
As a part of volunteer activities during the coronavirus outbreak, I made cards for patients with the disease and the people risking their lives to take care of these patients.  It was a very fulfilling way to pass time.  I will be mailing the cards to Syosset-Plainview Hospital.  Thank you for this opportunity to take part in this activity!  Stay safe and stay healthy. – Trisha
I enjoyed the session very much. I’m glad that I was able to spend time with my peers after a while of social distancing. 
Attached is my drawing of Mickey Mouse for the community service art project.
Thank you! – Ria

Thank you to all the teens who volunteered! Stay safe at home!

Mrs. Long, Head of Teen Services

Teen Movie Reviewer – Griffin Hon

Knives Out (2019)

Movie length: 2hr 10 min

Knives Out (2019)

Directed by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) and starring Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Daniel Craig (Skyfall) and Chris Evans (Avengers: Endgame), Knives Out is a meticulously directed modern mystery “whodunnit” that is undoubtedly one of the best films that I have watched. It perfectly combines laugh-out-loud humour with tension so high that it could be cut with a knife – along with a perfectly chosen cast and one of the most watertight movie plots I’ve ever seen. Knives Out is a cinema experience that you will not forget.

After highly successful yet aging mystery novel writer Harley Thrombey seemingly commits suicide after his 85th birthday at his labrynthian Clue-like mansion, flamboyant private detective Benoit Blanc shows up to investigate the occurrence. Blanc quickly discovers that every person that was in the Thrombey mansion on his birthday could be a prime suspect for foul play leading to Harley’s death. Blanc enlists the kind-hearted Marta, Harley’s caretaker and his only real friend, to help him in his investigation. However, Marta is not exactly eager to aid him – as she, too, is keeping a secret herself.


Knives Out is highly recommended; it’s a fun-filled, exceptionally creative twist on the cliché murder mystery flick. Everything from each line of perfectly placed dialogue to the striking wardrobe of the entire cast is absolutely unexcelled – nothing about Knives Out won’t have you in awe…

Thanks for another great review, Griffin!

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