Written By: Caitlin Parrish, Erica Weiss, Logan Miller & Noah Miller
Story By: Logan Miller & Noah Miller
Cinematography: Checco Varese
Editor: Doc Crotzer and Emma B. Hickox
Cast: Viola Davis, Anthony Anderson, Anthony Starr, Ramon Rodriguez, Marsai Martin, Douglas Hodge, Elizabeth Marvel, Christopher Farrar, Clark Gregg, Angela Sarafyn
Terrorists take over the G20 summit with President Sutton, bringing her governing and military experience to defend her family, company, and the world.
I wish I could say that this film still apart or was better considering who stars in it, but this film is pretty basic and predictable for anyone who’s ever seen a movie before especially an action movie
One of the main differences is that the hero of the film is female and a woman of color African-American to be exact and it feels a little revolutionary considering that the film takes place in South Africa
This film you wonder if they were expecting a different outcome for the presidential election of 2024 as the main character or the first family in this film is African-American, who, along with other leaders are taken hostage and at some point, each of them managed to escape being captured and then come together to the end
The action sequences are nothing to write home about, but they are serviceable and Viola Davis still has all that muscle from the woman king so she’s got the guns to be an action hero, and we all have to take a paycheck now and then because she is definitely better than the material and even the film.
She has been in the suicide squad movies and across the DC universe as I’m on the Waller even though all of the films she’s been involved in her action films. She’s never personally done any action scenes herself in those films here shows she’s capable of it.
But this is a perfectly fine time. Keep your interest while you watch it, but forgettable once it’s over.
Think typical Jason Statham-type action films only with a lack of one-liners after a kill or action scene
As this is a film, you don’t have to think or make sense as one of the qualities of films or films like these usually is that they have so many writers and you would think having so many would make the film a little bit more intricate or cleanup maybe some of the other writers mistakes but it seems like the case of too many cooks in the kitchen or maybe they oversimplify everything and try to explain even though they’re probably there to brush up on elements that the filmmakers are studio didn’t like about the last draft
There are no big surprises as you can tell exactly where the story is going you can tell the double crosses in advance could almost be a modern black film because all colors are good and bad, but you’ll notice that most of the villains are heroes people of color which is inspiring.
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.
Directed by: George C. Wolfe Written By: Rueben Santiago-Hudson Based On the play Written By: August Wilson Cinematography: Tobias A. Schliessler Editor: Andrew Mondahein
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis, Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts, Jonny Clyde, Jeremy Shamos, Taylour Paige, Dusan Brown
During a recording session, tensions rise between Ma Rainey, her ambitious horn player, and the white management determined to control the uncontrollable “Mother of the Blues”.
This film contains a smaller story than expected. One was aware it was a play before but wasn’t expecting it to still feel as stage bound.
As the film tries to open up the story and show more locations but there are very few attempts to leave more it error locations. Which consist of two locations. The liner room where they practice and the recording g studio. So that the film keeps reminding you of its theatrical origins
Chadwick Boseman steals all of his scenes and is more at the forefront of the movie. Though at first, it seems like he will be more of a high-energy supporting player.
Though Viola Davis is the title character. Where she makes a powerful entrance and a strong exit. She also feels liek a supporting player. Even though the film revolves around her character. As after all, it’s her recording session and the others are her band. Who she feels are more the hired help. Who should be happy to be working for her.
Through her character though high strung. We find out why she is that way. As it is all about respect and wanting to be treated with it most overall. She has a short temper when what she says isn’t followed and forces a hard situation and a flirtatious girlfriend.
One has to give extra credit to Viola Davis for gaining most of the appropriate weight to play the character and give her the exact look which is unflattering g with gold teeth and heavy running make-up, she might not be the actual star of the movie but she gives off star presence and in believability.
Though by the end she is just a supporting character and her presence really has little effect on the actual story or drama that ends up happening In the film. By the end, she hasn’t changed. Only the situation has changed and in a more tragic way that really has nothing to do with her. Not much changes for her, but more for the secondary characters
The film ends up becoming a tragedy in a way you can see coming hit not necessarily the circumstance or the collateral damage.
Though shocking in the end. Still wish it had been longer and a little bit stronger. It’s a tragedy you thought was going to be one kid. If one and is read ends up somewhere totally different.
As the film had Great cinematography and details as far as art direction.
It really makes you feel like you are In The period and of course, immediately makes you aware of the limitations for its African American characters and the rampant racism.
Directed By: D.J. Caruso Written By: Christopher Landon & Carl Ellsworth Story By: Christopher Landon Cinematography By: Rogier Stoffers Editor: Jim Page
Cast: Shai LeBouf, Sarah Roemer, Aaron Yoo, David Morse, Carrie-Anne Moss, Viola Davis, Matt Craven, Jose Pablo Cantillo
After his father is killed in a car accident, things unravel for Kale Brecht and he is placed under house-arrest for punching his Spanish teacher. Having nothing better to do, Kale occupies himself by spying on his neighbors. But one night, he witnesses what appears to be a murder going on in Mr. Turner’s house. Kale becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind these murders but, after a few unsettling run-ins with Mr. Turner, it becomes a matter of life and death. And the ominous question: Who is watching whom?
Directed By: Tate Taylor Written By: Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth Story By: Steven Baigelman, Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth Cinematography By: Stephen Goldblatt Editor: Michael McCusker
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Lennie James, Jill Scott, Dan Ayckroyd, Viola Davis, Craig Robinson, Octavia Spencer, Fred Melamed, Tika Sumpter, Aloe Blacc, Tariq Trotter, Aunjanue Ellis, Keith Robinson
A chronicle of James Brown ‘s rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history. Of course it would be hard to summarize the life and legacy of James Brown in a single film. That is a near impossible task. Though this film has a nice overview and introduces some aspects that maybe the general public didn’t know.
Written & Directed By: David Ayer Cinematography By: Roman Vasyanov Editor: John Gilroy
Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis, Jay Hernandez, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje, Cara Delevingne, Ike Barinholtz, Common, David Harbour, Adam Beach, Scott Eastwood
Directed By: Steve McQueen Written By: Gillian Flynn & Steve McQueen Based On “Widows” By: Lynda La Plante Cinematography By: Sean Bobbitt Editor: Joe Walker
Cast: Viola Davis, Colin Farrell, Robert Duvall, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Liam Neeson, Lukas Haas, Jon Bernthal, Carrie Coon, Jacki Weaver, Ann Mitchell, Garret Dillahunt, Kevin J O’Connor
“Widows” is the story of four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities. Set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, tensions build when Veronica, Alice, Linda and Belle take their fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.
Directed By: Denzel Washington
Cut To The Chase 