Cast: Joel David Moore, Madeline Zima, Abraham Benrubi, Jayson Blair, Joanna Canton, Joel Michaely
A hot one-night stand turns into an awkward morning after when GUY and HOLLY get STUCK in a dead-stopped traffic jam. As they begrudgingly get to know each other, we learn of their sexually raucous evening and then they’re led to their surprising destiny.
One might label this an MTV version of the BEFORE SUNRISE films as we watch characters learn about each other only after they have had a one-night stand and are stuck in Never-ending traffic.
While there are plenty of conversations throughout the film. There are also plenty of cutaways of other passengers and flashbacks of the precious night. Where we get to see how they got together in the first place.
So that we learn about each of the characters. As they do, which helps us in the audience to become more invested in the characters and their fates.
The film does tend to people in other cars stuck in the traffic jam as well. Though only for minutes that feel more like filler and some distractions to keep the film from being a two-hander. Even though in the flashbacks we do see plenty of others. However, it also makes the independent production feel bigger in scope to a degree.
It’s a cute romantic indie film with plenty of humor and the leads will charm the audience. I enjoy both lead actors but really watched the film for Madeline Zima and wasn’t disappointed.
At times the film is a bit mroe risqué than expected year manages to stay sweet throughout. Even when it tries to be cynical. It still manages to leave you with a smile on your face.
Cast: Blake Cameron Jones, Gian Knight Ramirez, Jurnee Smollett S. Epatha Merkerson, Lil Rel Howery, Avery Holliday, Ora Jones
Two young boys, best friends Malik and Eric, discover the joys and hardships of growing up in the sprawling Cabrini-Green public housing complex in 1992 Chicago.
This is an empowering movie about the positivity of black youth and black families growing up in the so-called hood of poverty.
The film shows the strength of family imagination and wonder by focusing on the innocence of the young children involved. How can we grow in places that we’ve been told are the most dangerous. How communities formed in these places in the past for a community and culture of solidarity.
Over the years, the resources have been taken and swindled away. Also how it seems that every time that African-Americans or the so-called poor people try to do right and lift themselves up
The upper class or those in power seemed to punish them or make things harder so that they could never truly lift themselves up the way that many say they should.
While it deals with that and generations and legacies of families, its wide scope is Mohr seeing this world through the children’s eyes especially the two leads who are best friends from different families but are like a tag team and help each other through when their family is it necessarily there or can’t they’re an inspiration to one another.
It’s an uplifting adventure of life seen through the eyes of children for the most part.
Written By: Virgil Williams and Malcolm Washington
Based on the play by: August Wilson
Cinematography: Michael Gioulakis
Editor: Leslie Jones
Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins, Stephen James, Erykah Badu, Michael Potts, Pauletta Washington, Skylar Aleece Smith
Follows the lives of the Charles family as they deal with themes of family legacy and more, in deciding what to do with an heirloom, the family piano.
Based off of August Wilson’s play this film obviously is more theatrical, though it does find ways to have more outdoor scenes and leave the central location of a family’s house.
The cast is all excellent especially Danielle Deadwyler even though the film is more of an ensemble. This is also one of the best performances I have seen John David Washington give in his career so far it might not be as memorable, but he seems a little more open and loose than he usually appears to be in most of his roles, it might be that his brother. Malcolm Washington is directing him so he has more trust in him as a Director he can be more vulnerable here.
The film has many memorable scenes, especially an impromptu sing-along by the male members of the cast that is infectious and feels like it goes by way too quickly.
The film is filled with sharp visuals, memorable characters, and dialogue. It even manages to get a little supernatural throughout as it focuses on black history and family history, but also black folklore a bit.
The material is informative and a bit more melodramatic, though it’s also historical, which is a rarity to be seen when it comes to African-Americans and family, especially generational dram of legacy inheritance motives, and love.
While one has a limited knowledge of the works of August Wilson, so far out of his place that have been brought to the big screen like fences black bottom this one has the happiest ending and while it involves family drama, there is no doubt that there is love and support of one another so this ends up being one of the happier plays which unfortunately it’s also comes across as maybe not as strong as the other two though at least this one is uplifting.
Just like the object in the center of the piano, it is also well crafted and carries a history all its own, which is why it’s a slow burn but effective
This feels like a prestige production and one of the more obvious Oscar-bait films so it’s still a story worth telling and watching
Cast: Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, Emory Cohen, Mike Faist, Boyd Holbrook, Beau Knapp, Karl Glusman, Damon Herriman, Toby Wallace, Will Oldham
After a chance encounter, headstrong Kathy is drawn to Benny, a member of the Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals. As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.
There seems to be so much to say as this film could’ve been epic, but I don’t know if it was budgetary reasons or wanting to stay more abstract that it doesn’t fulfill its own strength and greatness.
It’s not a bad film but there are still some great flourishes and ideas throughout. it kind of feels a little bit like GOODFELLAS and portrays an era of certain motorcycle gangs not the exact beginning but the beginning in hell over the years it changes. a kind of anthropology lesson.
How’s the next generation evolved, but also brought down and moratorium from its less than innocent beginnings, there seems to be a purity at the beginning of the gang until it truly became more about being criminals.
Even when the change comes, you know by the name of the gang, the renegades and pretty much losing it when things change more through cheating than anything or one-upmanship
It works as Austin Butler’s performance is more mysterious and cool kind of a ghost, but also a heartthrob and a cipher that everyone wants a piece of and is mystified by.
He’s the cool beautiful loner the mystique most all strive for and what attracts most to the allure
For some, the audience might be tested between the accent of Tom Hardy, who once again doesn’t really talk much, and Jodie Comer, who creates a believable character as long as you can get past her voice and accent. She is really our entrance to the gang as she gets more and more involved in the gang. She wanders we learn more about them.
It shows the different generations of the club it would help us get more of an update and maybe a little more in-depth into more of their personal lives when not riding and modes of income. The evolution of the club and how it got more ruthless and less about companionship and about crime and not caring about the camaraderie and brotherhood
The film tries to paint a portrait of its own Americana only it needs a stronger and tighter screenplay and. Or seem so random and taking more of a sideline view and watching the character back with no certain direction. Though the film doesn’t have its moments and can pack a punch once in a while
The film goes for a nostalgic feeling for a lost time while trying to illustrate not only what was lost as the years went by but not only a loss of innocence but of certain morals and decency. Even though it tries to show the good old days had its own set of problems and wasn’t all saccharine.
It’s own updated western with similar themes of a disappearing horizon, way of life, and type of characters.
Cast: Vincent Cassel, Olivier Barthelemy, Justine Lerooy, Vanessa Decat, Boris Gamthety, Randolphe Blanchet, Camille Rowe, Josephine De La Baume, Jacques Herlin, Pierre Boulanger
The outcast red-haired teenager Rémy is bullied at school and lives with his estranged mother and sister in France. The also red-haired psychiatrist Patrick befriends Rémy and helps him to release his repressed hatred and sexuality. When Rémy sees a picture of red-haired people in Ireland, he forces Patrick to travel with him to his dreamland.
I am a fan of Director Romain Gavras. His music video work has always been wonderful and arresting and always seems to have deeper meanings than what was natural to make movies and he has made quite a few. Some have been better than others, but none seem to have the strength of his music video worked, even though visually they are all strong. Unfortunately, this film is part of that trend.
This film Is an extension of the music video free for the artist, MIA the Director Romain Garvas directed.
Where redheads are treated as second-class citizens the video was meant to be a commentary on illegal immigration and was much more violent with you and putting them in internment camps.
The film is a bit more dramatic and is a tale of a disaffected boy who is bullied and finds a companion in a social worker who is also tired of being treated as lower class in his days he sees others who are considered better or above him who act worse, so the two of them team up on a kind of crime spree him as the mentor Trying to make the young man violent and actually live and stick up for himself.
The film seems to say something about national pride and natural-born citizens because of their heritage being treated like they don’t belong and in effect, immigrants in their own country, only raised to a little more ridiculous level and still having a tinge of white rage and supremacist feelings.
These escapades include trying to make the boy realize which sexuality he identifies with getting into numerous physical fights, and not being afraid of violence, seems to get depressed at a certain point just as the boy hits his stride and vice versa at times.
Wow, this is certainly a visible film there are many times during the film that one wishes that it was a bit more like the music video a bit more exciting, and maybe something has a bit more of something to say rather than just feeling like an excuse for these scenes and certain characters Just to behave reprehensibly but have meaning behind them.
It’s a film I wish brought the audience in more but seems to go off on its own path and on whims that I’m not sure it’s quite what the audience is looking for. It never offers easy answers and a few that it does offer seem a bit confusing or questionable.
Though maybe in the end, that is what the film always wanted for an audience that was looking for rage to be expressed through violence or some kind of shooting spree or thinking this film was just gonna be 90 minutes of pure anger and finding that the characters for all their anger for the most part while brave are mostly cowards And still have some of their humanity, no matter the indignities put upon them.
Cast: Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Ariel Schulman, Andra Ursata, Omar Apollo, David Lowery
In 1950s Mexico City, an American immigrant in his late forties leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival of a young student stirs the man into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.
This is director Luca Guadagnino’s second film released this year and while not making its mark as strong as his previous film of the year CHALLENGERS. It does offer another look into relationships and the destructive characters within them. It’s also another random adaptation for the director. Making a film from a legendary cult writer and book.
It was like going on a trip that ends up more as a journey and never quite knowing where it will Lead. Then being a guest in this limited epic. While witnessing a love story you want to see work, but ultimately see the cracks and the doom, but still holding out hope.
This film seems to be like the author of the book William S. Burroughs’s writings that could be episodic linear more stream of consciousness at times and little short stories that didn’t really have plots and were more like chronicles, but with all the names changed.
As the film works in different stages, either way, we get to know the lead character played by Daniel Craig, and the fact that he just seems lonely in various ways he tries to rectify that through the company of others, both physically emotionally, and socially. With excessive alcohol and always a pistol by his side, truly his only constant companion. He is also a functioning junkie in the first part of the film. We see his romance with a young man and all his longing for this young man and how it plays out it’s truly beautiful how he tries to court him when we see vague images of what he wishes, he could do to him alone like touching his face in a movie theater or stroking his hair.
The next part of the film seems to focus more on the drug addiction of the character. Now he has fallen in love with this young man, and the young man seems somewhat interested in him, but is emotionally absent to him that’s deepening his drug addiction.
The next part is when they decide to take a trip together on the search for an elusive flower, and that journey into the jungles and Amazon, and how once it does, it provides quite a unique experience that deepens both of them, but also the rest of the film is more Jumps around and it truly starts to get into the more surrealistic images and hallucinogenic images where it goes more for the visuals and at this point either you’re with the film or you’re not.
This is an easy film to try and break down and explain you can bring up certain plot points, and things that happen and still never quite get to the point of the film or what you’re watching those films as an audience member you have to experience it and come out with your own meaning like it or not. As with its author and his writing, it’s not easily explained.
The film just seems to go along on its own journey, never rushed and never quite on the path you expect but at heart it is a love story that no matter what is timeless and easily identifiable.
The soundtrack includes a lot of the music of NIRVANA and PRINCE. One wonders if it is partially because of the past collaborations between the author of the book and the film is based upon William S. Burroughs and NIRVANA lead singer Kurt Cobain, but also a way to show they art can be timeless. Especially if it evokes a certain mood and atmosphere that is personal, identifiable, and universal in a sense.
Just like the title most of us know what Queer means to most, but here while it has its brushes with what most believe. It also goes out of its way to not be easily definable. It can be a title but never quite an entire identity. As so many have their own definitions of it. So just like the characters this film refuses to be one thing or ride along one wavelength.
Cast: Courtney Eaton, Thomas Mann, Francesca Reale, Kid Cudi, Dave Bautista, Joel McHale, Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Westfeldt, Kathryn Gallagher, Lukas Gage
Follows Riley, who has recently been released from rehab after struggling with addictions to food and body image. She meets Ethan and finds herself navigating the line between love and a new addiction.
This film is the directorial debut of actress Brittany Snow and it’s a very accomplished debut as you think it’s going to be a typical twenty-something romance, It reveals itself to be much more.
As there is a romance, it’s also a character piece. That deals with damaged characters throughout and the person who chooses to be with this character and it helps, but it’s not the healthiest relationship for either.
As the film goes along, we see what might have helped to cause Riley the female lead character problems, and issues, and throughout we see her getting better, but also how she kind of sabotages herself and how the man who is in love with her might actually be hurting her and himself by enabling her
It seems like they might be good for each other, but at the wrong time and in helping each other, they’re only digging themselves deeper into their own problems as their romance is never defined though obvious to all.
We also see how her problems affect those around her friends, family, and even associates.
As what starts off as typical slowly reveals its depths and though it might only offer sketches of certain side characters, it does offer a reality and a look at all of their lives and how they affect one another
The film is more nourishing than one might expect as you come for something lighthearted, and you get something quite heavy, and the performances of the leads are just so devastating Eaton. This is the first time that I remember her in a leading role and quite strong and affecting and Thomas Mann , who I remember from many teenage or of age films really steps into his own as an actor and his lead in the leading role of the suitor who buries his own misery, trying to help others, but only sinks himself, and the others even lower by not truly allowing himself to be happy. Teaching the power of letting go.
This is definitely a film to check out and really live with as it’s not typical even the ending isn’t typical, but it feels true and Its Own Way, Earnest with ambiguity and hope.
Cast: William Jackson Harper, Aya Cash, Sarah Bolger, Tony Cavalero, Peri Gilpin, Azita Ghanizada, Kobi Libii, Larisa Oleynik, Eduardo Franco
Longtime couple Lori and Doug break up just days before Lori’s little sister Bea’s wedding to Jayson. In order to not disrupt the fun, they decide to pretend they’re still together until the weekend is over.
This is The second movie I have watched with William Jackson Harper about an African-American breaking up with a white woman, but also played by a good underrated actress here played by Aya Cash. both of them can pull off this material in their sleep.
We’ve seen this type of story and film before a comedy-drama with romance where a couple is forced to attend a wedding and act like nothing happened to say face in front of family and friends and for the special occasion
Like most relationships, the same in many ways, but are significantly special in the details, locations, and structures of their own
Going through the break up with one another, and so close to the time was all already sudden we are watching them deal with the ramifications and emotions while being forced to be around one another
The film is artistically, directed, and pasted while going for comedy or humor, but not too outlandish at times
It’s a joy to either of the actors and anything as they have shown their versatility and can be quite charming.
As it’s actually more enjoyable than expected, and it gets deeper as it goes along and offers a mature look at relationship relationships they will admit it is filled with sitcom situations and humor at times.
It’s a satisfying watch that will ring true for some viewers as it is the cast that pulls it across the finish line and makes it somewhat memorable.
Written By: Adam Sherman, Dave Reeves and Rachel Hardisty
Cinematography: Sharone Meir
Editor: Sam Bauer
Cast: Lukas Haas, Madeline Zima, Jake Busey, Tania Raymonde, Ray Wise, Valerie Mahaffey, Moran Atias, Ned Bellamy, Laura Piro, Regine Nehy
Zach is guy for whom the party never ends. But when he meets the girl he nicknames “Crazy Eyes,” the inability to have her, combined with family matters, are signs that his idle life might be due for a change.
This seems like it’s supposed to be a romantic tale. While it has a good cast, by the end you dislike most of the characters.
It can be seen as one man’s journey to find the truth. He’s so unlikeable that it’s hard to truly feel sympathy or feelings for him.
The main character is a trust fund kid. Who is also a player and an alcoholic. Who knows and believes that all around him are only after him to support or pay for them. Which the movie shows to be true for the most part.
The film mainly revolves around his fascination with a woman who goes on dates, makes out with him, and constantly sleeps with him. Though there is no sex involved.
Which he seems to be determined to do. Though not above sleeping with other women while he tries to get her. She is a major drinker herself and seems to have mental problems. Though never clearly defined. They seem to support one another from their bad decisions to the next impulse.
They each have friends that revolve around them. Who are there only to bounce thoughts off of and show they know others who might be worse off than they are. A bartender and lingerie designer. Who seems more interested in the lead to find her dreams and lifestyle.
There is even a character who just seems to be here as eye candy and temptation but doesn’t come too much. As she is just another unlikeable character in the mix. We do get to meet his parents which offers some depth and a bit of an explanation.
there is a kind of twist by the end that somehow makes all the characters seem worse and justifies the lead somewhat. Though leaves it open-ended as to what has changed if anything in his life. It offers one of the most unfortunately downtrodden and realistic endings.
If it weren’t for the cast I don’t know if I would have bothered finishing the film. As it seems so far teaching and kind of like a tangent against Los Angeles and its bar culture to a degree. As well as relationships. The film is very misogynistic and angry. Even though it tries to seem laid back.
The directing is all over the place and dark. The lead always wants to go to the bar or for a drink as his come-ons seem a bit much and overbearing. Though while not against drugs his character mainly indulges in alcohol. This film feels like a lighter version of BARFLY. Without any of the charm.
Luckily for a film that seems focused on sex, there is very little of it or any nudity. Though that might be disappointing to some. At least it would serve as a distraction from what we have to sit through. It would also offer a release which this film seems dedicated to not delivering on any of its points.
What is truly disappointing is the movie has the goods and talent to be a better film but seems like it’s so indulgent that it seems doomed to fail.
One wishes the movie was more about Madeline Zima’s character.
Cast: Isabela Merced, Cree, Judy Reyes, Felix Mollard, Maliq Johnson, J. Smith-Cameron, Poorna Jagannathan, Tim Gooch, Hannah Marks, Debby Ryan
Aza Holmes. It’s not easy being Aza, but she’s trying… trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student, all while navigating an endless barrage of invasive, obsessive thoughts that she cannot control. When she reconnects with Davis, her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope in the face of her mental illness.
A nice coming-of-age story that deals with mental health primarily OCD.
Though at times the film does feel a little wish fulfillment It does feel a bit more real emotionally than some of its peers.
What I really enjoyed is that the film starts off introducing the characters and giving us what looks to be a mystery and investigation and uses it as an introduction to take us on a different journey and a different type of film and story and then kind of bring it back to our initial adventure that closure but also further the other story that was in the middle.
It’s refreshing that all of these issues and drama are tackled with a cast. That is the verse, but the main characters are mostly of Hispanic origin so there are more people of color within this film.
One thing I have to credit is that this film is based on the book by John Green and I have not read this book. I have seen most of the film adaptations of his books and each one while summer better than the others. They have all been heart-wrenching and heartbreaking and well done and I feel it because his books are a wealth of material that is easily identifiable and have an everlasting ring of truth in tragedy is still uplifting and romantic.
One has to give Director Hannah Marks great as she is an actress and Director, and for someone so young has knocked it out of the park with the films that she has directed usually our stories are always so well acted quirky, and memorable that she is a great talent that deserves to recognize more.
No, it does show that maybe I’m getting older as the lead character’s best friend I found it continuously annoying and was glad half the time when she wasn’t in scenes, but by the end, her character is so so endearing that I couldn’t imagine the film without her character without her.
As these films used to be catnip for me, and I used to be one of the first people, crying and being emotional over these films and while it still gets to a part of me, I don’t find myself as emotionally invested as I used to. I still these types of films.
What I appreciate is that there was no big cure at the end there’s an ending that works, but there’s also the truth about the condition and the characters in that it may never be solved. Simply, you have to keep living your life and deal with it as it comes.
It’s also the first time that maybe I’ve noticed where a romantic comedy kind of looks at the male love interest through a female gaze as they’re not the center of the story, but more towards the side and are unbelievably helpful and good-looking and are there to provide moral support and the film goes out of its way to make them just the perfect love interest for the character where they’re tall their good looking they’re rich they give them what any woman would want.
The only thing in the way is the female character and confidence. So the male here is more in the role of the dream partner in the flesh and willing and waiting. While only having eyes for them.
Cut To The Chase 