Focus on Film & Television Reviews and writings about these subjects. As well as Pop Culture at times. With a bit of an edge and some color
Directed By: Tom Harper
Written By: Nicole Taylor
Cinematography: George Steel
Editor: Mark Eckersley
Cast: Jesse Buckley, Julie Walters, Sophie Okonedo, James Harkness
A troubled young Glaswegian woman dreams of becoming a Nashville country star.
Directed By: Benny Boom
Written By: Jeremy Haft, Eddie Gonzalez & Steven Bagatourian
Cinematography: Peter Menzies Jr.
Editor: Joel Cox
Cast: Demetrius Shipp Jr., Kat Graham, Hill Harper, Danai Gurira, Annie Ilonzeh, Lauren Cohan, Keith Robinson, Jamal Woolard, Cory Hardict, Clifton Powell, Jamie Hector, Deray Davis
Tells the true and untold story of prolific rapper, actor, poet and activist Tupac Shakur. The film follows Shakur from his early days in New York City to his evolution into being one of the world’s most recognized and influential voices before his untimely death at the age of 25. Against all odds, Shakur’s raw talent, powerful lyrics and revolutionary mind-set propelled him into becoming a cultural icon whose legacy continues to grow long after his passing.
Written & Directed By: Damien Chazelle
Cinematography: Linus Sandgren
Editor: Tom Cross
Music By: Justin Hurwitz
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K. Simmons, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Jessica Rothe, Sonoya Mizuno, Valarie Rae Miller, Tom Everett Scott
Aspiring actress serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and jazz musician Sebastian scrapes by playing cocktail-party gigs in dingy bars. But as success mounts, they are faced with decisions that fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.
Written & Directed By: Paul Schrader
Cinematography: John Bailey
Editor: Jaqueline Cambas & Jill Savitt
Music By: Thomas Newman
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Joan Jett, Gena Rowlands, Michael McKean, Cherry Jones, Jason Miller, Tom Irwin, Michael Rooker, Del Close, Alan Poul, Trent Reznor
A pair of siblings must choose whether to pursue their dream of touring with their rock band or support their family and stay in Cleveland, Ohio. This is a movie i sought for years l. As I remember the trailers and advertisements and posters yet never saw it. Which is surprising as I was a huge Michael J. fox fan but also a Joan Jett fan. Then once finally watching it realizing Gena Rowlands and Michael Mckean we’re in it I am kicking myself
Directed By: Alex De La Iglesia
Written By: Randy Feldman
Cinematography By: Kiko De La Rica
Editor: Pablo Blanco
Cast: Jose Mota, Salma Hayek, Blanca Portillo, Carolina Bang, Santiago Segura, Nacho Vigalando
An out-of-work publicist who suffers an accident looks to sell the exclusive interview rights to the highest bidder in an attempt to provide for his family.
Written & Directed By: Pedro Almodovar
Based On The Short Stories “Destino, “Pronto” & “Silencio” By: Alice Munro
Cinematography By: Jean Claude Carreu
Editor: Jose Salcedo
Cast: Emma Suarez, Adriana Ugarte, Daniel Grau, Rosy De Palma, Imma Cuesta, Dario Grandinetti, Michelle Jenner, Pilar Castro, Nathalie Poza
After a casual encounter, a brokenhearted woman decides to confront her life and the most important events about her stranded daughter.
Written & Directed By: Jennifer Reeder
Cinematography: Christopher Rejano
Editor: Mike Olenick
Cast: Kate Arrington, Kayla Carter, Raven Whitley, Ireon Roach, Robert T. Cunningham, Jalen Gilbert, Grace Smith, Tim Hopper, Marika Enbgelhardt, James Vincent Meredith
A mystical teen noir that follows a young girl’s disappearance in the rural Midwest and its effect on teens and parents.
Written & Directed By: Adam Leon
Cinematography By: Jonathan Miller
Editor: Morgan Faust
Cast: Ty Hickson, Tashiana Washington, Sam Soghor, Zoe Lescaze
When a rival gang buffs Malcolm and Sofia’s latest graffiti masterpiece with a replica of the NY Mets home-run apple, they’re determined to get spectacular revenge – by tagging the real Mets’ apple. Over the course of a whirlwind two-day heat wave, these tough teens from the Bronx must hustle, scramble, and steal to execute the scheme that will make them the most famous writers in New York.
Directed By: Reggie Rock Bythewood
Written By: Reggie Rock Bythewood & Craig Fernandez
Based On The Article By: Michael Gougis
Cinematography By: Greg Gardiner
Editor: Caroline Ross & Terilyn A. Shropshire
Cast: Derek Luke, Laurence Fishburne, Brendan Fehr, Rick Gonzalez, Meagan Goode, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Lisa Bonet, Orlando Jones, Dijmon Hounsou, Larenz Tate, Kid Rock, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Dante Basco, Dion Basco, Tyson Beckford, Titus Welliver, Kadeem Hardsion, Terrence Howard, Nadine Velazquez
A mythic motorcycle tale of father and son”, this is the story of Manuel Galloway, also known as “the King of Cali”, the president of a motorcycle club whose members are all African-American men, mostly white-collar workers who exchange their suits and ties at night and on weekends for leather outfits and motorcycle helmets. The focus of this story takes place at an annual drag-racing event in Fresno, as Manuel tries to retain his championship title.
Directed By: Jim Sheridan
Written By: Terence Winter
Cinematography By: Declan Quinn
Editor: Roger Barton & Conrad Buff Jr.
Cast: Curtis “50 CENT” Jackson, Terrence Howard, Tory Kittles, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Leon, Joy Bryant, Omar Benson Miller, Mykelti Williamson, Bill Duke, Viola Davis, Russell Hornsby, Mpho Koaho,
A tale of an inner city drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue his passion, rap music.
Cut To The Chase 