Tag: Jay Chandrasekhar

EASTER SUNDAY (2022)

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Directed By: Jay Chandrasekhar 

Written By: Jo Koy and Kate Angelo 

Cinematography: Joe Collins 

Editor: Steven Sprung 

Cast: Jo Koy, Brandon Wardell, Eva Noblzada, Carly Pope, Tia Carrere, Tiffany Haddish, Lou Diamond Phillips, Lydia Gaston, Eugene Cordero, Jimmy O. Yang 

Set around a family gathering to celebrate Easter Sunday, the comedy is based on Jo Koy’s life experiences and stand-up comedy.

This movie lives up to it’s title as a lightweight family comedy the only difference is that the main character in the family is Filipino so that we learn more about Filipino culture in general and the humor that can be found in it.

If you are a fan of the comedian, Joe Koy, this is kind of his big screen debut as a lead and he’s OK even if it seems majorly written around him and even allows him certain scenes to do some of his stand-up in 

The film takes place over one day mostly and all the situations he finds himself getting into while trying to please his family and handle a financial problem that his cousin has gotten him into.

That is where the strength of the film comes in is his chemistry with different characters and his one-on-one dialogue and interactions with them 

And also the family scenes of everyone either getting along or trying to run up one another .

The film is fairly and offensive, though it’s never quite exciting and comes across pretty basic as each character is more defined by their quirk half the time than feeling real even the film so-called villains feel more run of the mill something you see in a sitcom and quirky rather than dangerous

Though the film does allow for some interesting cameos from comedians and recognizable actors throughout even Tia career playing a supporting role, proving she is truly ageless as she is still quite beautiful 

The film also tries to be Meta with Joe Koy playing the lead and find some humor and Hollywood executives and business as well as San Francisco’s neighborhoods and neighbors by the end it comes across it’s so cute that you really don’t wanna hurt its feelings or it in general

It will find its audience and those who are seeking a nice inoffensive family film. That might be a little more mature or for adults, though kids can innocently watch it too. This might be the film for you.

Grade: C- 

PLAN B (2021)

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Directed By: Natalie Morales 
Written By: Joshua Levy & Prathiksha Srinivasan
Cinematography: Sandra Valde-Hansen 
Editor: Nathan Orloff 

Cast: Kuhoo Verma, Victoria Moroles, Michael Provost, Mason Cook, Jolly Abraham, Jacob Vargas, Myha’la Herrold, Rachel Dratch, Edi Patterson, Moses storm, Gus Birney, Jay Chandrasekhar, Timothy Granaderis 

Follows a straight-laced high school student and her slacker best friend who, after a regrettable first sexual encounter, have 24 hours to hunt down a Plan B pill in America’s heartland.

Will say that this is one of the better films that I have seen this year so far and definitely one that has made me laugh the hardest and most constantly.

While the film doesn’t reinvent the wheel it does offer a different point of view and protagonists that we rarely ever get to see in this kind of film.

While the characters are part of a certain culture more defined by their parents they are individuals and characters of their own. Though one of the funnier running gags is the paranoia of the Indian mafia (which is a network of Indian characters who all seem to know one another in some way and feed each other news or gossip)

The film is hilarious a lot of times but also exposes a lot of heart and while the main characters keep making a bunch of mistakes the film doesn’t portray them as dumb. They are just teenagers so that while they play it cool and like smart know it all they are more naive than anything.

It’s also a more female-focused and centered teen comedy that doesn’t make all the male characters into villains 

The film has a dirty side but also an innocence that has a few things to say. That luckily has an openness where it’s allowed to be funny and even when it does have something to say it is more subtle and doesn’t feel preachy.

The main characters being people of color is noteworthy but doesn’t take over the film. If anything it offers the audience a chance to see some of the usual hijinks From a different perspective and allows members of the audience to see themselves represented a bit more while also showing most of us to have the same problems and hang-ups. 

No characters in this film are flawless if anything the fact that most of them are flawed is what makes them more relatable and entertaining.

Even the more romantic chances for the characters are not what you would expect or go where you expect them to go. Leaving the film to be a little familiar but luckily a breath of fresh air. 

This is actress Natalie Morales’ directorial debut. She also wrote the script and with such a good debut i for one can’t wait to see more films from her in The future 

Grade: B+