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Flash Movie Review: Girl in the Picture
I KNEW IN THE FIRST CLASS of the new session; something was wrong with a participant. It was a yoga class, and this teenager came in with, who I assumed was her mother. The mother threw herself into the poses. She struggled with some of them and had to stop and sit down on her mat to catch her breath from time to time. Through it, I used non-verbal ques of encouragement to keep her engaged. The daughter on the other hand rarely made any eye contact with me. I immediately felt something was wrong. With any of the poses that required bending at the waist or placing hands on the floor, she would start the pose then get out of it to keep tugging down her oversized T-shirt as if she was trying to cover herself up. Or she would come out of a pose to brush her long hair off her face. It crossed my mind to get a rubber band from the front desk, so she could put her hair in a ponytail. I did not know how to handle the situation; it was obvious the teenager was uncomfortable and appeared defeated even before she attempted any pose. I have mentioned before that I do not believe there are any accidents; there is a reason for everything and sure enough after a few weeks the mother came up to me after class. Her daughter was not with her. As we talked about the poses, I asked if her daughter was getting comfortable with the poses. Surprisingly, the mother said she was not sure and asked me why I was asking. I felt this was the opening I needed. KNOWING THE OUTCOME, I CAN CONFIDENTLY say that night changed things for the teenager. From my conversation with her mother, the mother went to talk to the daughter’s school counselor. Without divulging personal information, it was determined the girl was getting bullied and picked on in school. I did not know to what degree, but from my own experience when I watched her, I knew something was going on for her to appear and act so withdrawn. Because she appeared okay being with her mother in class, my guess after that first yoga class was someone or a group of kids were abusing her. The mother worked with the school to root out the troublemakers and set things straight for the daughter to flourish. They remained in my class for approximately one year and the transformation in the daughter was remarkable. She took an interest in diet and exercise; she made better eye contact with people (me included), and she overall seemed happier. For those who have never been in a position of being abused/bullied, you might not recognize the symptoms. They can greatly vary, but you can see what it is like when you watch this true crime mystery. THE DEATH OF A YOUNG WOMAN and the kidnapping of her son starts an investigation that will require detectives to put pieces of clues together that have to be retrieved from years ago. The case being built will shock everyone who knew the young mother. Directed by Skye Borgman (Dead Asleep, Junk Dreams), this documentary was riveting. There were times I found myself doing shallow breathing because the story was so frightening. The story jumps back and forth in time and though I usually am not a fan of this technique, I found it enhanced the story and gave more life to the individuals. Some scenes had re-enactments mixed in with the archival and personal interview scenes. Listening to the testimonials only made the tragedy more real for me. All I can say about my experience watching this film is that I have always known there are evil people in this world. This story is proof, I am sad to say.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Descendant
I AM STARING AT THESE PHOTOGRAPHS and had no idea who the people were in them. The photos were quite old because the edges were frayed, and the black and white images were faded. The people were related to me, at least I thought so. I found the photos stuffed in an envelope as I was going through a “junk” drawer. From the scenery and clothing, I had a feeling these photos might have been taken in my ancestors’ country. I would love to know whether I was looking at a great, great, great uncle or maybe it was a great + grandfather or cousin; there was no way to find out. The oldest relative I asked recognized the child in one of the photos but did not know any of the other people. Encouraged by this found treasure, I searched through more drawers in the house and was successful in finding more photos. The thought occurred to me why someone did not put all of them in a photo album, instead of stuffing them in flimsy envelopes. On one of the photographs there was writing on the back, but it was a different language. This was my proof that some of the photos were taken in a different country. My mind reeled with the notion that in my hand I was holding something that had come from a different country, traveled here and then handed down from generation to generation. It was history, my history. IN THE HALLWAY, THERE IS A photo hanging of my great, great, great grandmother. She is the oldest relative that I have a photo of. I believe, she was alive when Napoleon invaded Russia. Though I have no other knowledge about her life or even her name; there is something about seeing her and knowing I am related to her that forms this ghostly connection. There is nothing about her facial features or surroundings that triggers a sense of familiarity; however, I do feel a sense of belonging and imagine how she would react to the world I grew up in compared to hers. Would she have a sense of belonging herself or a sense of pride, maybe? I imagine what life must have been for her. In the photo, she is sitting on a small wooden stool that is barely visible with the fullness of her long black skirt. There is a kerchief tied around her head, though she is sitting indoors. Behind her is a small 2 drawer, wooden chest; only one of the drawers has a handle. I wish I could fill in the gap between her and the generations of family that grew up with me; to learn more about our history and which relatives are here because of her. I can totally sympathize with the residents who live in their little community depicted in this documentary, in a land that their ancestors were forced to come live in. THE CITIZENS OF AFRICATOWN HAVE HAD their stories handed down through the generations. Many of them involve a boat that might have sunk off their coast. Written by newcomer Kern Jackson and written and directed by Margaret Brown (The Order of Myths, Be Here to Love Me), this story that was set in Alabama was fascinating to me. Being into family, I was intrigued by the variety of residents that were interviewed, listening to their family’s history. I thought the presentation of their story was especially poignant due to what we have been witnessing at present, regarding the banning of books and not teaching portions of history in the classroom. To see the life the people are living, despite the challenges both environmentally and financially, with the hope of finding proof to explain the evolution of their existence was touching and real for me. This movie was the perfect example of one component of our country’s history.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Wham!
WHEN I STARTED MY CAREER IN fitness, I did not have the goal to be the best in my field. On the contrary, I did not have the confidence to ever consider it. My hope was that no one would laugh at me. Now I did have a vision that kept me going; I wanted to create a safe space where everyone, no matter what their fitness level was, could be themselves and do their best while having a good time. Looking back at the classes I taught, I believe I achieved that goal. What I did not have was the drive to increase my exposure, such as working to be a fitness presenter at workshops and conversations. To do that, I would have had to collaborate with professionals in the fitness and medical worlds to create a presentation that was certified and safe. This would have taken up a good portion of my time that I did not want to give up. Seeing and getting to know some of the presenters, I realized I was not cut out to take on such an endeavor. The drive and motivation some of these individuals possessed was simply intense. It also included a strong sales personality which I absolutely did not have inside of me. MOST EVERYONE I MET IN THE fitness world achieved their level of skill from putting in challenging work. I cannot say they were all talented, except it usually was a necessity to have a sense of rhythm. It was not like they were born with the skills to lead a fitness class, unlike a singer or painter. The reason I say this is because there was a woman who had a gorgeous singing voice. Compared to her classmates, her singing ability was beyond anything the other students could achieve. Once you heard her sing, you would be convinced she would go far. Now, she had a dream of performing on Broadway, ever since she was a little girl. In school, there was never a school production that did not include her. The teachers realized they could not keep casting her as the lead, but they were reluctant to choose other students because they knew it would not be the same. Gratefully, they did give other students a chance at being the lead. She did not mind, but she always learned the score in case something happened, and they needed to find someone to fill in. Her dedication was commendable, and it paid off because right after college, she was cast in a Broadway musical. She was in the ensemble but was the understudy for one of the female leads. BECOMING FRIENDS IN SCHOOL, GEORGE MICHAEL and Andrew Ridgeley both had a love for music and decided they wanted to become the biggest pop stars in the world. They had stiff competition with Elton John, Tina Turner, Prince, and Whitney Houston. Directed by Chris Smith (American Movie, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond); this music documentary was not only enjoyable to watch, but it provided me a flashback of a different era with some incredible music. With interviews and archival footage, I had no idea how devoted the two friends were to their craft and dreams. Whenever I watch a documentary about a well-known celebrity, it is a real treat for me to get the back story to that person’s famous contributions. I loved hearing how the two created their songs, besides getting insight into their insecurities and fears. This biography’s primary focus was the years Wham was in existence; it does not follow George and Andrew as they go their separate ways. I would have appreciated getting a deeper picture of their internal dramas, both at home and in business. It would have been interesting to see what the boys were doing prior to becoming friends. However, the lack of this did not deter me from enjoying watching and reliving the music they created. If you are not a fan of this group, then you will not care to see this biography. But if you are, then this film can put you in a happy place before you must go go.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Being Mary Tyler Moore
SATURDAY NIGHT ON CAMPUS WAS THE day we would congregate in the Union Hall to watch the Mary Tyler Moore Show. The Union Hall had several televisions, and they were all tuned into the show. Students would plop down around each one; if there was not a seat available then the floor was just fine. It was a communal thing that I enjoyed immensely. From freshmen to grad students, everyone was there for a good time and Mary never disappointed us. Some students would bring snacks to share with the other students, usually popcorn or pretzels. Except for the munching sounds and laughter, no one said a word during the telecast; conversation was saved for the commercial breaks. After the show, some students would stick around to hold an informal discussion about the episode. I did not always stay for them because I was not the type to look deeply into the reasons why a character acted in a certain way. All I knew was Mary Richards was a different type of television character. She was self-sufficient; a single woman with a good job who represented a different type of female that had been portrayed on television previously. Also, the issues the characters had on the show were realistic ones that many of us could relate to in our own lives. Each character was fully developed and not simply a foil to the main character’s antics. I FIRST BECAME AWARE OF MARY Tyler Moore from the Dick Van Dyke show. With the show in reruns, I would watch the same episodes over and over. Because I loved Lucille Ball in, I Love Lucy, I quickly became fond of Mary because of her physical comedy skills. This was another television show where every character was a strong, identifiable one. The humorous situations were so clever and if I think about it, I felt they were more relatable. One of the things that I distinctly remember about the television show was the fact that Rob and Laura Petrie slept in separate beds, just like Lucy and Ricky Riccardo. It is funny what thoughts remain with us from childhood, but that is one that has always stayed with me. It was such an odd thing to me because I had never seen it anywhere before; no relative, nor any of my friends’ parents slept in separate beds. What surprises me the most is the fact that I can think of an episode from either of Mary’s shows and recall it perfectly. As you might imagine, I was excited to see this documentary about the actress for one of television’s enduring characters. THEY ALWAYS SAY THERE ARE TWO sides to every story; so, it was fascinating to hear Mary Tyler Moore talk about her career and life in this wonderful movie. Directed by James Adolphus (Little White Lie, Dating Around-TV) and written by James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News), Allan Burns (Lou Grant-TV, He & She-TV) and newcomer Susan Silver, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this documentary. Because we tend to assume the actors are playing themselves in some way, it was interesting to see what Mary was dealing with in life during her career. Using film clips, interviews and home movies; there was a good balance of information on display here. I will say, the script did feel a bit sanitized to the point where I was sitting and wondering at times if Mary had that much control over her emotions and feelings. On the other hand, I loved hearing the tidbits about how things came into fruition in her life. If nothing else, this movie absolutely shows the drive and determination Mary had to further her career. If one is not a fan of Mary, then I do not believe they would enjoy watching this documentary. But if you are, then you will absolutely fall in love with America’s sweetheart.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Love to Love You, Donna Summer
I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT WAS playing on the car’s radio. We were driving through the city, when the radio disc jockey made the comment to be prepared for the new hot song, he was going to play next. I was sitting in the backseat, but the car had a decent speaker, so all of us would be able to hear. When the song came on the air, I was not sure if I was hearing things correctly or someone was playing a joke. A woman was moaning. There was a strong beat behind her words, but I was still confused. Eventually the woman sang some lyrics, but the song repeated the moans over and over, extending the song out to an unheard-of amount of time. We were stunned and could not believe what we had just heard. The disc jockey came back on and gave a quick update on the artist’s name, record stats and how she was discovered. I still remember when we were driving back home after spending the day downtown, we heard the song again. Though this time, the evening disc jockey was talking about how fast the song was moving up the song charts, making big jumps towards number one. FOUR YEARS LATER, I HEARD A song that started out with the words, “toot toot, beep beep.” So odd, but it had a beat that was infectious. It turned out it was the same singer from that song I had heard on the radio with all that moaning. I do know, whenever this song came on you could see everyone doing something to the beat; whether it was toe tapping or dancing or air guitaring, it got people moving. By this point my curiosity was piqued enough to figure out who was this singer because I must tell you, I was hooked. The period of time in the music world was referred to as Disco, which referred to pop music created for dancing to it that had melodies and soulfulness, mixed in with a steady beat. You could never get away from it; it was being played at weddings, parties, clubs, television shows and movies. This singer was being referred to as the “Queen of Disco.” She was on the cover of Rolling Stone which was a first. And the best part of this is I got to see her live in concert in a concert hall that is considered to have the best acoustics in the world. With the stage dark, a background music track began to play. The lights came up to show a winter scene on stage with fake snow and crystal icicles hanging from fake trees. The singer slowly came out on a moving sidewalk, dressed in a full length feathered white coat. Her voice was crystal clear as she sang the beginning of one of her famous songs. I was so excited then as I am now, seeing her again in this musical documentary. A DAUGHTER’S CURIOUSITY ABOUT HER MOTHER’S life was the impetus for the creation of this movie about the singer, Donna Summer. Directed by Roger Ross Williams (The Apollo; Life, Animated) and Donna’s daughter Brooklyn Sudano (Taken-TV, With This Ring), I was all into this documentary since I was a big fan of Donna. With home and never seen before footage, I was fascinated seeing the behind-the-scenes tidbits of famous songs and events. Adding in the commentary from such celebrities as Elton John and Giorgio Moroder, I enjoyed reliving those times without having to dress up in Qiana shirts and platform shoes. There was though a sanitary feel to this film, which I understood since Brooklyn was behind it. I would have appreciated getting a deeper sense of Donna and the people in her life with more in-depth, unfiltered interviews. However, hearing the music again transported me back to those times and gave me such a fun feeling that I could easily forgive. If you choose to see this picture, do not be surprised if you get the urge to dance.
3 stars
Flash Movie Trailer: The Janes
SITTING ON THE BENCH FOR THE entire basketball game was not my version of fitness. Nor was it sitting on the sidelines of a football game. My gym classes prior to college were for the most part a series of competitions which I detested. If you were a mediocre or poor player, you suffered. Because football had the most physical contact, I did everything I could to hide instead of playing it. The gym classes for the school semester were made up of a series of sports games. Unless you were picked to play on a team, most of the class period was sitting on the bleachers. I never wanted to participate in any of the sports activities because they were essentially too violent. The gym teacher spent a good amount of time in his office during the class, after throwing out to us a couple of basketballs or footballs; he was never around when the aggressive students would take advantage of the weaker ones. An illegal block, a smack on the back of the head, a strong shove; they were just a few of the tactics used to intimidate the average or less players. There was nothing to gain by me staying in the gym; in fact, every minute I stayed offered a bigger opportunity for me to be attacked or abused. Gym class was detrimental to my health. IT WAS NOT UNTIL MY COLLEGE years before I began to understand how to achieve and maintain a healthy body. Granted back then, the dominant focus was on the outer physical part of the body. At least, it was a start and I started paying attention to the things around me in class. I noticed the students that solely worked with barbells and weights, could not do much aerobically. In other words, they would tire out quickly during a jog. In the swimming pool, they had little flexibility which caused them to be slow swimmers. My own health plan did not fully solidify during those years; it really took off several years after I graduated, and it was due to a relative’s medical heart scare. It was then that I took health and fitness seriously and started participating in aerobic classes. Seeing that most people attending class looked like they were fit already, an idea formed in my head based on my experiences. I wanted to create a class not only for those who were already fit, but for those who did not feel comfortable doing exercise in a group setting. It was part luck and part determination, but I found my niche and had people attending from all different fitness backgrounds. There was a need that I tapped into and discovered how good it felt to help people reach their health goals. It was that type of similar mindset which I saw in this amazing documentary that resonated with me. IN CHICAGO, A GROUP OF WOMEN formed a network made up of code names and secret drop off locations to work together and offer a healthier option for women in need. Directed by Tia Lessin (Trouble the Water, Citizen Koch) and first-time director Emma Pildes, I searched for this film due to having seen and reviewed Call Jane with Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver. Discovering Elizabeth’s film was based on a true event spurred me to investigate the topic further and this film was one of the things I found in it. The mix of old footage with the surviving women of the group doing the narrations was the perfect mix to entice viewers. When thinking about that period of time and what women had to go through, I found it more shocking on how the Janes did as much as they did. Also, it was not lost on me how this picture is just as relevant today as it was back then. This engrossing film was a true find that made me feel privileged to have seen it.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Navalny
IT DOES NOT MATTER TO ME what a person is passionate about, it is the fact they are truly passionate about it that makes me admire them. I knew someone who collected porcelain dolls. In their house, they had display cases of them in the living room and den, along with a smattering of them perched on various shelves throughout the house. It was a little too eerie for me, but listening to her describe the craftsmanship and history of the dolls was interesting enough for me to appreciate her passion. I had never seen such a variety of dolls; some dressed in elaborate Victorian style garb, others in clothing native to their heritage. I wondered at some point how it was walking into the house at nighttime and seeing a sea of reflective eyes peering out from the darkness. Her enthusiasm reminded me of the time I was into votive candle holders. It was after I moved into a single-family home and received a housewarming gift of one that spurred me on to start collecting various holders that would play with the reflective light coming from the flame. My point about all of this is to commend a person’s energy, drive and commitment to submerge themselves into something meaningful to them. THIS BRINGS TO MIND AN ACQUAINTANCE of mine. We became friendly when our paths kept crossing at various events around the city, besides having mutual friends. He worked for an organization that promoted equal rights, starting out as an office manager. From there, he became a spokesman for them and that is where he found his true passion. He threw himself into election campaigns, trying to get candidates in office whose values aligned with his organization. I remember at one debate he was involved in where the opposition was using a passage of the bible to make a point. You should have seen him when he went on the attack over that comment. He informed the opposing person that he originally was in the priesthood, and he knew for a fact what the person recited was not exactly how it was written in the bible. The crowd went wild with cheers as my friend tore through the other guy’s platform he was running on, pointing out examples of narrow-mindedness and prejudices. I was in awe of his debating skills and knowledge. Just as I admired the spokesman, I quickly grew to appreciate the man’s passion in this Oscar winning documentary. DESPITE KNOWING HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS to take on the country’s leader, Alexi Navalny refused to stay silent about his beliefs. Doing so would make him an easy target in the government’s eyes. Directed by Daniel Roher (Once Were Brothers, Ghosts of our Forest), this Academy Award winner for Best Documentary was part thriller, part comedy and part tragedy. There were a few scenes that had to be seen to be believed, as they say. I could see why Alexi has the followers he has because of his charismatic wit and passion. This documentary follows Alexi and his family in a straightforward manner, almost as a bystander, which I felt allowed the family space to maintain some sense of normalcy in their unreal world. Going into this film, all I knew about Alexi was the fact he was a Russian opposition leader and that was because of the event he was involved in that made worldwide news. Knowing that made certain scenes in this movie stand out in a spectacular way. Also, I believe there is an aspect of this film that makes it relevant and relatable for various world citizens. Though I did not see the other Oscar nominated documentaries, I can understand why this one received the award.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over
I APPRECIATE LISTENING TO THE SOUND of a beautiful singing voice. Even some speaking voices are wonderful to listen to, in my opinion. I tend to gravitate to those singers who have powerful voices, who have a wide range and can belt out the notes of a song. It amazes me how a vocalist can maneuver through a musical composition with perfect diction and tone. When I attend concerts to see musical acts, I expect the performers to sing live. When choreography became just as important as the singing, artists started to rely more on recorded tracks and simply lip synch the songs. As some of you are aware of, I am not a fan of lip synching or auto tuning at a concert. Though the staging and choreography play a strong part in live shows, I would rather have live singing be the focus. If I am spending money to see a performer simply lip synch to recordings, I could save the money and listen to their album at home. There have been several music artists I have seen in concert who are on stage performing for close to 3 hours, all of it live. To me they are the standard when it comes to live shows. WHEN A MUSICAL ARTIST ACHIEVES A high level of success, I am highly impressed when they contribute to humanitarian causes, either financially, physically, or as spokesperson. There are singers and bands that are as well known for their charity work as for their performances. I admire the work they do and appreciate them more when they do not let their charitable work take centerstage. Then there are those artists who think just because they are successful in the musical world, they have the right to impart their opinions and thoughts on the general population. I frown on such actions because I do not equate musical success with world politics. An extreme example would be the musical artist who has been recently in the news for his antisemitic remarks. Just like I do not see certain actors’ movies due to their offensive actions, I do the same thing to musical artists. I never played in my fitness classes an artist’s music if they were racist, sexist or prejudiced, either the lyrics in their song or in their personal life. Feeling the way I do; I was taken by surprise while watching this musical documentary. Also, as a sidenote, I saw Dionne Warwick in concert in a small venue during the twilight of her singing career and she sounded as good as when she first started out professionally singing. COMING FROM A MUSICAL FAMILY, DIONNE WARWICK was a trailblazer in her own right. She also was the older cousin to Whitney Houston. You might be surprised to see what Dionne was able to accomplish in her life. Directed by David Heilbroner (Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland, The Newburgh Sting) and relative newcomer Dave Wooley, there were several times where I was taken completely surprised by the actions of Dionne. Granted, there has been a lot written about Dionne but there still were a few things I did not know about her. There was a segment in this film where a music rapper talks about the time early in his career when he met Dionne; it was priceless. There were other tidbits like this that Dionne shared throughout this movie. Where I said previously, I distrust artists who brag, I gained a new level of respect for Dionne as she shared some of her charitable work with the interviewer. Mixing in old footage with Dionne’s description of the time was a real treat. Hearing about the history of her songs and the things she fought for, I was left with a whole new appreciation for what she accomplished in the musical world.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty
RECENTLY, I ATTENDED A RELIGIOUS CONCERT where members of that church were performing Christmas songs. They were being performed by a choir, band and hand bells; some of the songs had audience participation. I knew some of the songs because I remembered being taught them in elementary school, besides hearing them being performed by a multitude of individuals throughout my life. Looking around the auditorium, I saw how the music was moving people. It brought them a sense of comfort, a sense of joy; I daresay, a peaceful contentment. As a lover of music, I understood what they were feeling, despite the fact the songs had no significance to me except a school memory. I was not raised with the same religion that the people around me were raised in. And you know what, it is okay. I would not expect them to know any of the religious songs I was taught when I was a child. It is the same when I am talking to a stranger; I do not know their religious background, so during this time I say, “Happy Holidays.” More times than not, I am wished a “Merry Christmas.” Out in the world, people practice the faith they believe in and yes, some assume their faith is the true faith, whatever that means. I appreciate the fact that I live in a place that allows freedom of religion. However, I do not feel religion has a place in government. MAYBE IF A COUNTRY’S CITIZENS ALL practice the same faith, then possibly it would work to incorporate religious beliefs into law, but what if someone who is not of the same faith moved to the country? Would they be allowed to live there? Interestingly, I attended a wedding in another country and there the legal ceremony could not have a religious aspect to it; the country was strict keeping “church and state” separate from each other. I agree with that because I do not feel religious beliefs should be incorporated into a country’s government. In fact, I feel religious figures should not be allowed to make any comments about a government’s laws. I think the term is “tending to one’s flock” and that should be the main objective for religious figures. Teach, study the doctrine within your religious organization and help and support the members. My feelings about the separation of church and state, besides studying history in school, were sparked when there was a knock on my front door from a missionary. They wanted to save me, not taking into account that my religion was just as valid as theirs. It angered me in a similar way to what I saw in this startling documentary. LITTLE DID A YOUNG POOL ATTENDANT realize that his partying with an older couple would expose him to the heights of religious and political power. With Landon Price (Critical Thinking Hymns of You) as Jerry Falwell Jr., newcomer Betty Monroe as Becki Falwell and Sam Myerson (Find Me, Mary Loss of Soul) as Giancarlo Granda; the actors were used periodically to reenact events that were being mentioned in this film. Director Billy Corben (Magic City Hustle, 537 Votes) also used archival footage and interviews to complete the story’s trajectory. I was appalled at the things that were revealed; and I am not talking about the intimate relationship Giancarlo had with the Falwell’s. What people do behind closed doors is none of my business. Their story could have filled the entire length of this movie as well as the other story line concerning the political aspects being able to do the same thing. I felt like there was more to say and delve into with each story line. No matter what your religious beliefs, I am sure you would find this film as startling as I did.
3 ¼ stars
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