Tag: Sasheer Zamata

DEIDRA & LANEY ROB A TRAIN (2017)

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Directed By: Sydney Freeland 
Written By: Shelby Farell 
Cinematography By: Quyen Tran 
Editor: Michael Taylor 

Cast: Ashleigh Murray, Rachel Crow, David Sullivan, Arturo Castro, Sasheer Zamata, Danielle Niccolet, Tim Blake Nelson, Sharon Lawrence, Missi Pyle 

After their mother ends up in jail, two sisters turn to train robbery in order to support their family.

This is a film that feels special. It is perfect for a younger audience whereas it might not be the most exciting it is a majorly offensive free film. Full of charm and energy that starts off low-key and slowly pulls you in.

The film is so heartwarming, it’s almost like a Disney film with more sinister material. As it tries to be more realistic rather than too fairy tale

The leads are full of charm and even though they have their flaws are impressive and identifiable. So much so that they have a certain Sweetness where you keep rooting for them.

It is also nice to see a racially diverse film that has women of color in most of the leading roles. Not to mention presenting them as smart and talented.

The film is also one of the rare films that are directed by a woman of color. The film has a light touch that feels like a world that you recognize while building it as its own.

It has a more mustache-twirling villain who comes across as more of a twerp than a menace but leaves just enough of an impression to build tension.

Though the film is predictable one of its strengths is presenting us with characters who at first seem more over the top comedic and strictly one-note then later give us a whole new impression of them by letting us see life through their eyes.

The film feels independent and tries to have more of a hangdog look at life and the rough prospects that the family faces. Though the stakes are very low and seem more projected by what if consequences more than anything.

The film just stays pure of heart and luckily stays away from being a tragedy or plain old unbelievable wish fulfillment. Though stays sweet all the way through.

Which might be it’s one problem is that the main characters and circumstances are so sweet they don’t feel real and for some. It may come off as annoying as their is no cynicism in this movie, So if looking for something lite and sweet for the family or just you. This is the film.

Grade: B-

THE WEEKEND (2018)

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Written & Directed By: Stella Meghie
Cinematography: Kris Belchevski
Editor: Shannon Baker Davis

Cast: Sasheer Zamata, Tone Bell, Dewanda Wise, Kym Whitley, Y’Lan Noel, Josefina Landeros 

A comedian goes away for the weekend with an ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend.

It’s nice to see an all-black romantic comedy once in a while. That offers representation and no stereotypes. It also offers a strong independent female lead who is smart, funny, and not desperate.

It’s easy to fall for lead Sasher Zamata and her character. She is charming even if deeply sarcastic and at times rude. Though usually Go for the Dewanda Wise type character, her rival of sorts in the film. As she seems to be given short change. We barely get to know her and she is treated almost like a villain. When she is actually Put in an awkward situation and treated kind of badly by most involved over the weekend. 

So that whIle Sasher Zamata’s Character is the protagonist and whom we are supposed to root for. She is kind of mean and is written off as being sarcastic to be defensive because she is afraid of getting hurt and being vulnerable. Yet she seems to mostly get her way most of the time. So that rationalization doesn’t always work, but then again is she really that different than guys in these types of romantic comedies? who are ass holes for the most part throughout and unmotivated except when they finally find the one and then no matter how underhanded they might be to be with that person we are meant to root for them be axis they are presented as the underdog?

The film Feels awkward and at times airless due to lack of a score partially. Though like the film and the performances, script, and direction. Just feels like something is missing. Yet it wins you over and stays entertaining. 

Though clear from The beginning where it is going. We Want her to end up with the other guy. The one she has no history with, Who seems more deeper and fun. 

As she has chemistry with both her ex and the next guy. She is a little obvious in her attraction for her ex and her ex makes it obvious he wants her still too but can’t Make up his mind. Which is not only frustrating for her but also for us. 

Though happy the way it ended not storybook and a little Unexpected.

In the end, the film that Is a nice little romantic comedy that is more about bonds and relationships rather than romance and fantasy fulfillment. 

Grade: C+

SPREE (2020)

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Directed By: Eugene Kotlyarenko 
Written By: Eugene Kotlyarenko & Gene Mchugh 
Cinematography: Jeff Leeds Cohn 
Editor: Benjamin Moses Smith 

Cast: Joe Keery, Sasheer Zamata, David Arquette, Kyle Mooney, Mischa Barton, Frankie Grande, Sunny Kim, Jessalyn Gilsig 

Thirsty for a following, Kurt Kunkle is a rideshare driver who has figured out a deadly plan to go viral.

A kind of modern-day take on the French film MAN BITES DOG. That was about a documentary crew following a serial killer that blurs the lines in the last act but filled with dark humor.

This film is kind of like that only obviously more modern, American and has fewer victims and chooses to have no real responsibility. Where as it shows the horrible nature of his crimes we don’t wallow as much or feel as much sympathy for the victims.

This is a film like the recent thriller NERVE that is candy-colored and neon that plays everything as almost a game. That shows desperation to be popular.

A film that tries to condemn online Culture and social media. By showing how most of us have a dependence on it. What it might inspire. How far you might be willing to go for followers. How you feel like you don’t exist or matter.

How the main character has a dependence on it as he has no real friends or outlet and the few he does have are more popular and make fun of his desperation. So this is his way of fighting to be noticed and considered. So he can feel like he matters. Creating a happy go lucky sociopath. Who is egged on by some mysterious follower who promises him fame as he goes along and follows his instructions.

The film’s humor is dark but tries to keep a cheerful tone. As the film is full of energy and tries to stay inventive.

The film tries to make the lead less hateful and maybe a little likable by having his first kills be more unsavory characters. We won’t like so their deaths are more anticipated by the audience. If we aren’t already looking forward to them.

Though slowly the victims become a bit more innocent. Really only a few are sympathetic. The fishes seem to get what they deserve or at least a brand of karma catching up to them in it’s most lethal. Luckily? The more innocent character’s deaths seem to happen off-screen with only some of the aftermath shown.

This film shows that most of the characters are synch phonic and all are dependent on social media and at heart are bastards themselves to a degree.

The movie seems to think itself clever though while it talks a bunch. It never makes a clear point. It seems most of its points are to be cynical and take us on a joyride. While at the end the film presents an apology of an artist achieving fame they sought so hard for coming true only in the afterlife. While offering a meta ending.

The film does have a lot of energy but never quite goes as deep as it could and while offering more comedy. It does manage to hold your interest even in scenes where there is no death or killing. As the character seems to go on a suicide mission where part of the irony is that barely anyone is watching. So while he is practically sacrificing himself and randomly praying on other just to get viewers it backfires for the most part

Grade: C+