Tag: Social Commentary
Earth Mama Has an Important Story but Can Be a Tedious Watch (Sundance Film Festival)
Earth Mama tells the tale of Gia (Tia Nomore), a single mother who has lost her two children Trey (Ca’Ron Coleman) and Shaynah (Alexis Rivas) to foster care amidst her drug addiction and struggle with poverty. Gia seeks…
Read More »Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – High Octane Action + a Topical Villain = Summer Blockbuster Done Right
After the unexpected box office shattering performance of Top Gun: Maverick last summer, Tom Cruise has been cemented in the minds of many as the king of the box office and savior of the theatrical experience. Halfway through…
Read More »Flamin’ Hot is a Classic Feel Good Movie, For Better or Worse
Flamin’ Hot is an autobiographical look at the story of Richard Montanez (Jesse Garcia), the son of a Mexican immigrant, who becomes a janitor at Frito-Lay after his wife Judy (Annie Gonzalez) becomes pregnant with their first child…
Read More »L’Immensita’s Story Fails to Match the Strength of Its Themes (Sundance Film Festival)
Set in 1970s Rome, L’Immensita tells the tale of Adriana (Luana Giuliani), the oldest daughter of Felice (Vincenzo Amaro) and Clara (Penélope Cruz) who are a couple in an unhappy and abusive marriage. As her parents struggle Adriana…
Read More »Chevalier is a By-The-Numbers Biopic Saved By Its Cast
Chevalier sets out to tell the true tale of Joseph Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), the illegitimate son of an African slave named Nanon (Ronke Adekoluejo) and French plantation owner George Bologne (Jim High). After his father recognizes his…
Read More »A Thousand and One is an Impressive, Twisty Look at Family Amidst Poverty and Struggle (Sundance Film Festival)
A Thousand and One finds us alongside Inez (Teyana Taylor), a young woman moving from shelter to shelter in mid-1990s New York City. As a result of her situation, she has lost her 6-year-old son Terry (portrayed as…
Read More »Scream VI Leans Into Its Meta-Ness and Largely Succeeds
Following the success of last year’s reboot “re-quel” Scream (2022), our core four new generation of terrified teens is back. This time, Tara (Jenna Ortega), Sam (Melissa Barrera), Chad (Mason Gooding), and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) are all…
Read More »The Son is a Realistic, Emotional Portrayal of a Multitude of Familial Struggles (Middleburg Film Festival)
The Son introduces us to high powered lawyer and politico Peter (Hugh Jackman) who is balancing his busy life with new wife Beth (Vanessa Kirby) and their baby. Peter’s teenage son Nicholas (Zen McGrath), who has been having…
Read More »Saint Omer is an Intimate Examination of How the Challenges of Immigration and Women Intersect
Saint Omer is told from the perspective of Rama (Kayije Kagame), the daughter of African immigrants and a novelist by trade, who attends the trial of Laurence Coly (Guslagie Malanga), a young woman accused of killing her 15-month-old daughter…
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Barbie is the Perfect, Entertaining Blend of Camp, Humor, and Social Messaging
Barbie has fast become one of the most anticipated films of the year amidst a marketing campaign that some believe may be the best in film history. Actress/writer/director on the rise Greta Gerwig teams up with star Margot…
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