2 Movies Like Genghis Khan (2018)

Staff & contributors
Grand gestures, over-the-top declarations of love, and elaborate gifts… These normal romcom acts can sometimes make it seem that romance can only be done by the wealthy. But, in reality, love can happen anytime, and the first film of Aki Kaurismäki’s Proletariat Trilogy suggests that love is ultimately necessary in a world where two lovers are disenfranchised. As Nikander tries to woo a slightly disinterested Ilona, and as Ilona decides to depend on him for support, Shadows in Paradise might not have the usual frills of a romcom, but Kaurismäki finds the bare essentials in a depressing Finnish town, and captures the small ways it blooms in spite of it, through the lovers’ humorous blunt dialogue and the color their love adds to their world.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Actor: Aki Kaurismäki, Esko Nikkari, Haije Alanoja, Jaakko Talaskivi, Jukka Mäkinen, Jukka-Pekka Palo, Kati Outinen, Kylli Köngäs, Mari Rantasila, Mato Valtonen, Matti Pellonpää, Neka Haapanen, Olli Varja, Pekka Laiho, Safka Pekkonen, Sakari Kuosmanen, Sakke Järvenpää, Svante Korkiakoski

Director: Aki Kaurismäki

After being blindsided by the trailer, it’s no wonder the newest Mean Girls shocked cinema viewers who were just expecting a rehashed version of the original, rather than a film version of the Broadway musical hit. This version misses some moments, like the iconic four-way phone call, and some of the numbers were staged quite strangely, but all-in-all, this film was not that bad. It still captures the core of the original, making the message of being one’s self more clearer, while making some updates to better match its new and younger audience. Mean Girls might still be trying to make fetch happen, but it’s still fun enough to watch, especially with its talented cast.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Alan Chow, Alexandra Witek, Alexis Frias, Allison Winn, Amann Iqbal, Angourie Rice, Ari Notartomaso, Ashley Park, Auli'i Cravalho, Avantika, Bebe Wood, Ben Heineman, Ben Wang, Brian Altemus, Brooke Johnson, Busy Philipps, Calidore Robinson, Calysta R. Eachus, Camille Umoff, Christopher Briney, Colin J. McTernan, Connor D. Paul, Connor Ratliff, Daniela Cassano, Danielle K. Catalano, Ellena Eshraghi, Emely Moreno, Énola Bédard, Eric Patrick Cameron, Fernell Hogan, Francesca Castro, Gabriella Cila, Garid Garcia, Grace Slear, Grant Harrison Mateo, Ian A. Boyce, Isabella Bria Lopez, Ismael Chino, Izzy Bank, Jake Schwencke, James Jones, Janna Graham, Jaquel Spivey, Jazz Jennings, Jenna Fischer, John El-Jor, Jon Hamm, Jordan Gallimore, Jordi, Joshua M. Baer, Joshua P. Doody, Julien F. Miller, Kasey L. Ericson, Kayla LaVine, Kaylee Kaleinani, Kaylin E. DeGroff, Kelsie Daniels, Lindsay Lohan, Mahi Alam, Malachi I. McLean, Mars Avila, Matilde Heckler, Megan Thee Stallion, Meredith Dunbar, Meryem G. Oldro, Morgen McKynzie, Nahscha, Nia Sioux, Nico A. Varone, Nuri Park, Olivia C. Tona, Orlando A. Galazara, Pierson Wodzynski, Reneé Rapp, Ryan J. Horgan, Samantha R. Borsari, Sean G. Haight, Sofia Dobrushin, Soona Lee-Tolley, Stephanie Mincone, Teresa Kissel, Thomas R. Wilson, Tim Meadows, Timothy S. Fletcher, Tina Fey, Vanessa Merrell, Veronica Merrell-Burriss, Veronica S. Taylor, Victoria G. Russo

Director: Arturo Perez Jr., Samantha Jayne

Rating: PG-13