Written By: Eric Champnella, Alex Harris And John Hindman
Based On The Book: Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy
Cinematography: Salvatore Tontino
Editor: Brett M. Reed
Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Michael Pena, Bobby Cannavale, Mykelti Williamson, Neon Perez, Johnni Di Julius, Peter Sack
This film seems to be mostly painted by numbers of a biofilm of a disabled athlete who overcame his affliction or didn’t let it define him to go after what he really wanted, which was to be a wrestler, not only achieve it but excel at it as it helps to give him discipline and definition not only physically and spiritually but emotionally
Jharrel Jerome is excellent as lead, proving himself not only a great actor but deserving a better though he can play what is required in most leading man roles he’s got the luxe. He’s got the charisma. He’s got the talent. He just needs more chances.
what might draw more attention to this film is that Jennifer Lopez plays a major role in the film as his mother always believes in him and supports him as much as he supports her. This is her more taking a supporting role and she’s good in her role as a woman who is in an abusive relationship with most of her kid’s fathers who have a checkered past, but also undoubtedly loves her kids
Don’t know if Jennifer Lopez chose this role to be seen as a serious actress or is or these are the roles that she is being offered more as she gets older and her brand isn’t as strong as it was this is one of her better roles since being in HUSTLERS. Though anytime she is not glammed up it seems to be she is in serious actress mode and made more noteworthy.
Also, Bobby Cannavale is among the recognizable cast in this film, portraying his usual whole type character or villain, really a bully really the only one that the main character truly faces other than the third opponent, who is more arrival than an actual bully
Don Cheadle has a supporting role as the boy’s college coach and while a thankless role he makes the best of it
If you are into sports dramas or bio-films or just goodhearted movies, I think you will enjoy this film for me, is formulaic, but keeps the attention
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.
This film feels like a modern 70’s black exploitation film that tries to be a drama now and again. It doesn’t really deal with graphic violence or nudity really. In fact, the film feels more melodramatic to give itself heart. Though the film is obviously well made, it seems to go for a more boastful story than truly dramatic.
At times it becomes more street cliche than hearsay. The same type of formula that tries to copy from 50 cents hip hop partner EMINEM’s film 8 MILE. While both are autobiographical loosely. 8 MILE ends with a victory of sorts but gives you the hint many more challenges and problems lay ahead. Which feels natural. Hereby end everything works out and seems victorious in all aspects. Which feels more like a fantasy.
Now I realize both men lead different lives and have different histories. Items just this film concern itself with glitz and boast, with moments of heart only. There are pieces of this film That are great, but It also feels stuffed like an epic. So Much happens and so. Many stages that you Start to feel its length instead of its weight.
Let me start off by saying this movie is not as bad as I thought it would be, but it is still a little disappointing. It tries to follow the same route as mentor Rapper EMINEM by creating a movie for his first starring role that closely resembles his real-life uprising as a rap superstar.
The only problem is that while his film shows 50 cent to be vulnerable and human. It doesn’t show it enough to endear him to the audience. It also doesn’t necessarily show off his skills as some one-of-a-kind talent. That it seemed like 8 MILE went out of its way to hammer home. Though that film seemed to also be more about identity. Learning responsibility and heartbreak. Though it does include hose virtues. This film seems more about revenge and forgiveness that happens to include hip-hop in its background and battlefield.
The film is interesting, but not compelling. While being Getty and showing us the dangerous criminal and hustler lifestyle in some way. It feels inauthentic even though a lot of violence, action, and power struggles. To feel one it is trying hard to be everything. To everyone in the audience. To reach all the expectations out upon it. Tough and street for the men in that audience, but rough around the edges, sweet and sensitive for the ladies, and a gangster element to go with the songs on the soundtrack for 50 cent’s fans.
The film feels overproduced like it’s made by committee. Though it is surprisingly made by acclaimed director Jim Sheridan. Though according to 50 Cent said that this film is “about 75% accurate”
Surprisingly this film wasn’t a bit. Audiences seemed to prefer the myth and rumors of 50 cent to supposedly the autobiographical story that is presented here.
Technically the film is on point. The writing isn’t the greatest but is passable. The acting is truly the only noteworthy thug about this movie. 50 cent isn’t great but he is o.k. Virtually playing himself. He is better than you would think (way better than his role in RIGHTEOUS KILL) the stand-out is Terrence Howard as his crazy right-hand man/friend he meets in prison. Joy Bryant is as touching as she is beautiful. Omar Benson Miller is in this film he was also in 8 MILE I hope he isn’t going to keep up roles like this as Random friend, he is a better actor than that. I like him. I just don’t want to see him in best-selling rapper decides to make his big-screen debut loosely based on his troubled life movies. Get better representation.
The biggest shock in the movie is the appearance of actor/director Bill Duke. Who I love as an actor, he doesn’t work nearly enough. Who though Jim Sheridan isn’t a lightweight. He is Oscar-nominated quite a few times. Mr. Duke might have been a little better suited to direct this tale. As he had quite the directing resume himself (DEEP COVER, HOODLUM, SISTER ACT 2) Don’t get me wrong I like seeing the New York underworld from a different perspective and fresh eyes.
Maybe the film takes too many artistic strokes with a rather basic storyline, that seems stretched to try and make it more uplifting. It feels like Director Sheridan didn’t want to make it too simple and might have been an ill fit for the material. That seems to want to be more exciting when the action does happen and not go behind the motivation and drama of the situation as much.
50 Cent hired an acting coach but Jim Sheridan had the woman removed from the set. Sheridan told 50 “If this fails, it won’t be because you can’t act. It’s because I didn’t direct you right.” Samuel L. Jackson was offered the role of Levar but turned it down. He told an interviewer that while he liked 50’s music, he did not feel that 50 Cent earned the right to star in a film by Jim Sheridan. However, Jackson later co-starred with 50 in HOME OF THE BRAVE.
The film seems rushed maybe the filmmakers should have spent a little more time writing and working the story out while planning the release. Allow it to marinate in pre-production to work out the problems, break the story. As it stands now it’s more like the film needed to be done by a certain date to coincide with his new album or something like that. Striking while the iron was no and his career was on fire.
This film feels like a modern 70’s black exploitation film that tries to be a drama now and again. It doesn’t really deal with graphic violence or nudity really. In fact, the film feels more melodramatic to give itself heart. Though the film is obviously well made, it seems to go for a more boastful story than truly dramatic.
At times it becomes more street cliche than hearsay. The same type of formula that tries to copy from 50 cents hip hop partner EMINEM’s film 8 MILE. While both are autobiographical loosely. 8 MILE ends with a victory of sorts but gives you the hint many more challenges and problems lay ahead. Which feels natural Here, by the end everything works out and seems victorious in all aspects. Which feels more like a fantasy.
Now I realize both men lead different lives and have different histories. It seems just this film concerns itself with glitz and boasts, with moments of heart only. There are pieces of this film That are great, but It also feels stuffed like an epic. So Much happens and so. Many stages that you Start to feel its length instead of its weight.
It feels like the story had to follow the soundtrack of songs that were already laid out in advance, instead of the other way around. It also seems to be counting Mr. Cent’s new record. Now please fans of 50 cent don’t kill or harm me. I’m not placing the blame on him, but hair as everyone behind the scenes, his hands aren’t clean on what went wrong with this movie. It is his story they are supposed to be representing. I think this is actually 50 cent’s first bad investment. That didn’t seem to be hard and real enough for his fans and not too far a stretch from what was known about him to entice audiences who weren’t necessarily his fans. It just seemed like more of the same of his public image.
Written & Directed By: Jacob Estes Story By: Drew Daywalt Cinematography: Sharone Meir Editor: Billy Fox & Scott D. Hanson
Cast: David Oyelowo, Storm Reid, Alfred Molina, Mykelti Williamson, Brian Tyree Henry, April Grace, Shinelle Azoroh
After a man’s family dies in what appears to be a murder, he gets a phone call from one of the dead, his niece. He’s not sure if she’s a ghost or if he’s going mad, but as it turns out, he’s not.
I remember this film being released around the same time as the Tyrese Gibson Starring BLACK AND BLUE. And that movie came streaming fast while I kept waiting for this film to be released and only recently did finally I get to catch this film.
I was interested as these films came out around the same time And seemed to be pitted against each other for a share of the so-called urban box office. Even though the films are different they are both thrillers that have cops as the protagonists though each takes a different approach to the material.
The film thankfully directed its unexpected circumstances and twists isn’t a GROUNDHOG’S DAY type story. Where the same day is repeated over and over. It’s more like the film FREQUENCY where there is town travel of sorts and communication from the future and past through technology
The film’s logic falls apart in the third act. As it becomes more satisfying because of its non-solid rules in its set-up
Though for all of the films at towns more far-fetched elements and details. What holds the film together. What makes it so interesting and emotional is the lead performances of David Oyeyelo and Storm Reid. They keep everything so engaging. That is the more thrilling moments you find yourself more involved and on the edge of your seat.
The film offers a nice mystery and thriller that stays intriguing. Only wish the script had been a bit stronger. As the actors are all better than the material and lift the material to create believable characters and situations.
David Oyelowo seems to star in a bunch of these movies. Where he injects the film with good character work and vivid lived-in performances that are often better than the films. Making all around him as well as the film better because of him.
The filM Falls a bit short of expectations or at least hoped for but is entertaining in its own right. It works as an emotionally intriguing popcorn movie.
Directed By: Michael Ritchie
Written By: Ezra Sacks
Cinematography: Donald E. Thorin
Editor: Richard A. Harris
Cast: Goldie Hawn, James Keach, Bruce McGill, Tab Thacker, Nipsey Russell, Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Mykelti Williamson, Swoosie Kurtz, Robyn Lively, Jan Hooks, Nick Corri, M. Emmet Walsh, Ellia English, Gloria Stuart, L.L. Cool J
Molly is a high school track coach who knows just as much about football as anyone else on the planet. When the football coach’s position becomes vacant, she applies for the job, despite expecting sniggers from fellow staff members and her former husband.
Directed By: Denzel Washington
Cut To The Chase 