Alicia Guevara

New York

Chief Executive Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC

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Articles

The Life List is a Hallmark dupe not even Sofia Carson could save

1 month ago | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

On March 28, Netflix’s latest rom-com endeavor was released: The Life List. I’ll admit, I had low expectations. The alliterated title did not inspire high hopes. I love Sofia Carson — the lead actress — but mostly because I watched and loved the Descendants movies as a kid. I was not actually aware that she continued to act after those films. But mainly, my reservations stemmed from how much the plot sounded like it could belong to a made-for-TV Hallmark movie.
Nosferatu is a complex commentary on the shame that often accompanies female sexuality

Feb 15, 2025 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

At this point, just over a day has passed since I watched the 2024 film Nosferatu. I’ve let it sit. I’ve slept on it. I’ve given myself time to process everything and really let it marinate. And while I admit that I was initially dissatisfied, over the span of those 24 hours, I’ve found myself harboring a newfound appreciation for the movie. Nosferatu’s premise was good, albeit slightly formulaic.
Season two of XO, Kitty brings the drama but leaves messy loose ends

Feb 5, 2025 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

After watching the first season of XO, Kitty on Netflix I can confirm — my high school career was decidedly boring. I did not, in fact, get a scholarship to study abroad in Korea. I did not chase an online boyfriend halfway around the world as a sweeping romantic gesture. And I did not discover that said boyfriend already had a girlfriend, yet still decide to room with him and his two friends. Does this even happen to people? Real question.
Uglies is depthless drivel disguised as a dystopian drama

Sep 25, 2024 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

Are you constantly surrounded by “Ugly” people? Do you ever fantasize about what you would look like with yellow eyes? Have you ever given your best friend a special, on-the-nose nickname derived from their biggest insecurity? If you answered yes to any of these questions, great news! You are not alone, and you are “Ugly.” If you are having difficulty accepting this label, we understand. We sympathize. Do not worry.
JHU Barnstormers’ Be More Chill is energetic, conspiracy-filled fun

Apr 19, 2024 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

I love an angsty musical. There is nothing more entertaining to me than actors breaking into fully choreographed show tunes in the middle of dramatic, emotional scenes. The more pirouettes and tap dance numbers, the better. Nothing says emotional carnage like jazz hands. I blame watching High School Musical 2 at a young and impressionable age. Because of this, the Barnstormers’ production of Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz’s Be More Chill was right up my alley.
Damsel boasts pretty visuals but fails to scorch a lasting impression

Mar 13, 2024 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

I admit, I’m a simple being. It takes relatively little to make me happy: warm socks straight from the dryer, cookies fresh from the oven, no homework or impending midterms to stress about and — dragon movies. I will watch any movie with a dragon in it. The Hobbit? Bring it on. How to Train Your Dragon? Of course. Shrek? A classic.
The Dune: Part Two hype is justified despite the film’s imperfections

Mar 8, 2024 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

The sense of anticipation and buildup for Dune: Part Two ahead of its release to theaters was intense. Based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, Dune, the film debuted on March 1 with a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.9 on IMDb. Comparisons were made to acclaimed franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Oneearly review I read was so overwhelmed that it simply stated, “CINEMA!!!!!!” So, naturally, I was expecting Oscar-worthy performances.
Drive-Away Dolls is a raunchy, absurdly funny queer romp

Feb 29, 2024 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

I’ve only done improvisation once in my life. It was not voluntary. One of my English classes in high school required it to help us “loosen up” and get into character before we performed scenes from the Shakespeare play we were reading. I have never had a more humbling experience in my life, but I learned the basic mantra of improv: “Yes, and...”It was explained to me like this: If someone says something unexpected or takes the scene in a different direction, you roll with it.
The novel With a Little Luck is a lighthearted take on love and luck

Feb 18, 2024 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

Can you ever be too lucky? Is there such a thing as having too much luck? Before reading the novel With a Little Luck by Marissa Meyer, I probably would have answered “no.” Why wouldn’t you want to wake up on the right side of the bed every morning? Why wouldn’t you want to avoid stepping in a mound of dog poop on the sidewalk or splattering tomato sauce on a white shirt? Why wouldn’t you want to always be lucky?
Upgraded spells hope for contemporary romantic comedies

Feb 15, 2024 | jhunewsletter.com | Alicia Guevara

Some words of advice before you start watching Upgraded: Do not watch it in a public setting. Not because it’s explicit or graphic or any of those reasons you might be thinking — shame, shame — but because it’s surprisingly funny. I may or may not have started watching it in a study lounge and had to remove myself because I was laughing so loudly in the opening ten minutes. Newly released on Amazon Prime on Feb.