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Flash Movie Review: Shooting Stars
I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO be a long day, but I needed the continuing education credits to renew my fitness certification. When I signed up, I could not believe we had to be ready to start at 7:30am. The end was set at 5pm, with forty-five minutes for lunch. The schedule started with a lecture, followed by a workshop, then another lecture before the lunchbreak. Gratefully, we were to have another lecture after lunch because I am not one who can eat and immediately afterwards exert myself physically. Trust me, it would not be a pretty sight. My hope was for the class to end early. When I walked into the hotel’s conference ballroom, I looked for an empty chair. As I was walking down the aisle, I heard my name being called out. Turning towards the sound I looked out and saw a friend of mine was waving me over to them. We taught at the same fitness center; but ironically, did not see much of each other during working hours because I taught night classes, and she did day ones. However, we still formed a bond because we started at the same time and hit it off immediately. Whenever we had a staff meeting, we would get together, just the two of us, before or after to catch up with one another. I was grateful and happy she was at this event. IT IS FUNNY HOW I WAS dreading the day, spending it cooped up in a hotel conference ballroom because now the time was flying by as the two of us kept each other company. During the workouts when the facilitator asked us to pair up, the two of us would do it together. Each of us had an easiness with the other, where nothing ever felt uncomfortable; even the “hands on” portions where we would either support a portion of the other’s body/limb or correct a position/alignment of muscle joints. Before I knew it, the lunch break arrived and the two of us found a secluded corner of the lobby where we could sit and eat in peace. With us talking and laughing the lunch break only seemed like it was a couple of minutes before we were due back in class. The lecture portion gave me the time to sit and digest my lunch; so, I was prepared for the final workout which was tough. We made it through to the end and hugged each other before we left. It was great seeing and participating with her; it made the day feel fun for me. And that is the reason I can see why the four friends in this biographical drama did not want to go it alone when it came to basketball. CHILDHOOD FRIENDS KNEW BY STICKING TOGETHER they could accomplish more on the court than if they went it alone. The truth was in the results. With newcomer Marquis Mookie Cook as LeBron James, Wood Harris (Creed franchise, Empire-TV) as Coach Dru Joyce II, Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Scream VI) as Keith Dambrot, Caleb McLaughlin (Concrete Cowboy, Stranger Things-TV) as Lil Dru Joyce III and Natalie Paul (Either Side of Midnight, The Prophecy-TV) as Gloria James; this story based on true events surprised me because I did not know LeBron’s history. I found the script was fun and the basketball playing scenes were exciting. Whether the events shown were true or not, I did not know; but my interest was kept throughout the movie. With that being said, there was not much variance in the drama, nor was there anything different compared to other films in this genre. I do not consider myself a basketball fan; however, I know how the game is played and have seen a few. This was an easy, nothing out of the ordinary sports film that wound up providing me with a back story to a man I have only seen snippets of on television.
2 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: The Year Between
I NEVER KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT whenever she was in my yoga class. When I first met her, she seemed to hide behind her large, round shaped eyeglasses. The reason I say this is because she appeared to be timid or nervous. I chalked it up to first time jitters, which I have seen in many individuals who were either new to me or new to the class format I was about to teach. She was inquisitive and had a few questions before the class was to start; I was hoping my answers would provide her a little calmness before we began. After answering her, she found an empty space on the floor and unrolled her yoga mat. It looked new to me which confirmed her telling me she had never done yoga before. As I started the class into a series of slow stretches, I noticed that woman’s flexibility. She was either born with it or was doing some other version of exercise that she did not share with me earlier. I was pleased to see she kept up with the other members in class and seemed to be enjoying herself. Occasionally she would look at one of the members close by to help her figure out what she was supposed to do with a limb or foot. Overall, for a first-time participant, she did a good job. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH her participating in class, she showed up one day without her glasses. I saw her talking to a few people who had chosen a spot near her. Usually before class, I would walk around and chat with members; my way of getting the members focused and ready to get into a yoga state of mind. As I passed that woman minus her glasses, she began telling me how much she enjoyed the class. It struck me that her tone and speech pattern were opposite of our initial conversations. She was quite animated and continued talking non-stop in this singsong way that added more levels of tone to her speech. It confused me because it was so unlike her based on the impression, I had built on her. From talking about yoga, she veered off onto other topics; some that had nothing to do with yoga or the class. It was as if I was encountering a completely different person. Some of the things she said were not appropriate for a classroom setting and honestly, not in mixed company. I wasn’t sure how to handle this since it had never happened to me in class before. Looking at my watch and saying it was about time to start class, I asked her to challenge herself with the poses we were about to do. It seemed to work, and she calmed down. After class I spoke to my supervisor and explained the situation that took place. I was informed this person was an employee who had a personality disorder. My exposure to it prepared me to watch this comedic drama. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL illness, a college student drops out and moves back home, where she encounters the aftermath of what she had left behind. With J. Smith Cameron (Man on a Ledge, Succession-TV) as Sherri, Steve Buscemi (The Death of Stalin, Miracle Workers-TV) as Don, David Brown (I Used to Go Here, Assistance-TV) as Mikael, Wyatt Oleff (Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, It franchise) as Neil and Emily Robinson (Eighth Grade, Dark was the Night) as Carlin; this psychological drama based on true events came across as authentic. The dark humor was just enough to keep the story going without getting tripped up into a deeper uncomfortable setting. I will say the main character does not come across as likable; but I think that was intentional from the writer. It is not an easy topic that lends itself to storytelling. There were a few slow parts with a couple of scenarios that seemed to be repetitive. However, the film and story as a hold were not a usual Hollywood production which made this an interesting piece of filmdom to view.
2 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: A Thousand and One
WHEN YOU ARE A SMALL CHILD, all parents seem bigger and more powerful. So, when the mother showed up to confront the bullies who were picking on her son, I could tell those boys were scared. I tried to avoid those kids because I knew they picked on other students; it seemed to me it was whoever was in their sights when they were all together, which usually was before school started, gym class or recess time. If it was only one of them by himself, then they did not always start trouble. I guess they needed an audience of their friends around to make it worthwhile to tease or abuse someone. When the mother walked up to them, the bullies moved closer to each other. She yelled at them as she jabbed her finger close to each one’s face. I did not hear everything being said but did catch the phrase, “How would you like it if I did to you what you are doing to my son?” By this time, the bullies could only look down and stay silent, but she was not having it; she demanded they look at her when she was talking to them. After a few more words, which she ended by saying, “Next time I will bring the police with me,” she made her way to the open school entrance. All of us knew she was going to seek out the principal. I never saw them pick on her son again. ANOTHER MOTHER WHO STOOD OUT TO me was one I met in high school. She was a real character. The first time I saw her she was wearing hot pink colored short shorts, a white tank top and sparkling rings on both hands. The word that best describes her would be, “jolly.” She was always joking with her daughter’s friends, saying things that were on the verge of embarrassing; well, at least to her daughter who would just sit there and shake her head. But her mother volunteered for everything; it could be a field trip, a bake sale, a chaperone, whatever the school needed. I learned to respect and admire her because she was unapologetic. She was overweight and short, never letting it bother her. I was her daughter’s friend, so I probably had more interaction with her than other students. The thing I learned about her was though she had this fun cheerful side, she was very protective of her daughter. No one could even suggest something negative about the daughter without the mother confronting the person. She had no problem standing up for what she believed was best for her daughter and pity the person who was on the receiving end. Even having known these and many other mothers, I have to say I could not believe the perseverance and determination the mother displayed in this dramatic crime movie. REFUSING TO WATCH HER SON LANGUISH in the foster care system, a mother decides to kidnap him and find themselves a better life. With Teyana Taylor (White Men Can’t Jump, Miracles Across 125th Street) as Inez de la Paz, Aaron Kingsley Adetola (Rise, Superblocked) as Terry 6 years old, Aven Courtney (Strive, Aviva) as Terry 13 years old, Josiah Cross (King Richard) as Terry 17 years old and William Catlett (The Devil You Know, Charm City Kings) as Lucky; this story based in New York City was unbelievable. I was surprised how quickly I was captivated by Inez; the acting was close to perfection. I will say this was not an easy film to watch, simply because of the tough, emotionally intense scenes; but believe me, it is worth it to see such a well-done movie. The acting was superb by everyone because I had to keep reminding myself this was a made-up story not a documentary; that is how real it came across to me. I will say the ending was a bit of a letdown for me; it seemed to have lost some of its intensity. Despite that, I have a new appreciation for a mother’s strength.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Don’t Worry Darling
I CRINGE WHEN I HEAR A statement such as, “I hate it when he eats in bed.” The back story to this comment; a friend of mine married a man who enjoyed eating in bed. Personally, it would be a deal breaker for me, so I get where she is coming from. The thing is, she knew going into the relationship that this was something he did. I remember her telling me stories about waking up in the morning with crumbs strewn across the whole bed sheet. So, by the time they got married, she had been dealing with this situation for three years. For the next couple of years, I would periodically listen to her complain about her husband’s eating habits. I finally had to ask her why she thought things would be different after they were married. My friend felt once they were married, she could convince him to change his eating habits. I had to call it as I saw it by telling her if she went into the marriage with the idea she could change him, she would set herself up for disappointment. Love does not come with conditions; you either love unconditionally or the basis of the marriage will have this open wound that will not heal. I suggested some options she could try to find a happy medium, but explained at our ages change is hard to come by. She cannot change him, but she can change her reaction; because let us face it, no one is perfect. MAYBE IT WILL NOT SURPRISE YOU those two filed for divorce after a couple of more years. Heaven knows, I have been in relationships where I wished I could change some aspect about the person, but I always concluded that if I am not perfect, why would I expect them to be perfect. Going into a relationship, where you totally accept the person for who they are, is so much easier than struggling to mold each other into what you imagine they could be. I remember being in a relationship where they constantly told me I was never available for them, despite keeping every weekend open for us to be together. What they were saying to me was they wanted me to quit teaching so I could be available for them during the weekdays. They knew from day one that I worked a full-time job and at night I taught fitness and yoga classes. Nothing changed on my part; but they came into the committed relationship expecting me to change for them. It was never discussed or questioned. Knowing my schedule, if they were not happy with it, they could have chosen not to move forward with our dating status. As I have said before, life is not perfect; except maybe for the people living in the experimental town in this dramatic thriller. A HOUSEWIFE BEGINS TO WONDER IF something is wrong with her perfect life after she begins to recall some disturbing dreams. With Florence Pugh (Black Widow, The Wonder) as Alice, Harry Styles (Dunkirk, Eternals) as Jack, Chris Pine (All the Old Knives, The Contractor) as Frank, Olivia Wilde (Richard Jewell, Life Itself) as Bunny and Kiki Layne (The Old Guard, If Beale Street Could Talk) as Margaret; this movie kept my interest because of Florence. She has such a magnetic screen presence that made me want to find out what was happening to her character. There were some interesting parts to the story; however, the longer the movie dragged on the less I cared what was happening to the cast. There was a familiarity to the script, as if I saw some scenes in previous films. And I disliked the twist and the last part of the story; it made no sense to me and by this time I did not care, feeling I wasted my time. Now I don’t expect every movie I see to be perfect, but I certainly want them to be entertaining. This one was not perfect nor was it entertaining.
1 ¾ stars
Flash Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3
ALL I COULD DO WAS STARE at my dinner plate while everyone around me was yelling at each other. I was a dinner guest at a friend’s house, and I was familiar with the family’s outspokenness. What started out as a pleasant meal turned into a screaming match all because some of the family members started talking about politics. This is something I always avoid in mixed company for these exact reasons. I was enjoying the food and wanted to continue to eat during the arguments, but it felt weird to do so for some reason. The combatants were at the stage of their argument where they were calling each other names. Other family members were taking sides to defend their relative; it was either going to be a short evening or tension filled long night. By the time the arguing died down, with people storming out of the room then coming back in, the food was cold. It did not stop anyone from eating since we were all starving. When dessert finally came out, the conversation had shifted to a lighter mood as members talked about their children and/or trips they were planning. The rest of the evening was filled with jokes, laughter and teasing; you would never have known, only a couple of hours earlier, that family members were close to fisticuffs. I chalked it up to believing this was the way relatives related and expressed themselves to each other in this family. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, I WAS OUT with a group of friends for dinner and a play. Seated around the table, I looked at them with the thought of how many years we had known each other. When one friend had a medical issue that required hospitalization, each friend found time to visit them in the hospital; some even snuck in food treats that were okay for them to eat. All the friends attended the funeral of a friend when their parents had passed away. Over our meal at the restaurant, we touched on a variety of topics, from the personal to absurd. There was laughter, comfort, advice and joy throughout our meal and into the evening. Each of us were so close to one another that it dawned on me, we were a family in many ways. Except for not sharing the same bloodline, we were no different than any other family. We would do anything for each other and knowing that was a comfort. Except for their superpowers, I can totally see similarities between what I have and what the main characters have in this action, adventure comedy. WHEN ONE OF THE GUARDIANS WAS fatally injured, the others would need to come together to find a way to save him while they were trying to save the universe. With Chris Pratt (The Tomorrow War, The Kid) as Peter Quill, Chukwudi Iwuji (John Wick: Chapter 2, The Split-TV) as The High Evolutionary, Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born, Nightmare Alley) voicing Rocket, Pom Klementieff (Oldboy, Uncut Gems) as Mantis and Dave Bautista (Knock at the Cabin, Glass Onion) as Drax; this sequel was jam packed with story lines and action. It was a little too much for me. I was touched by the personal story lines, but with so much going on, I felt some intensity and emotional connection was sacrificed. At times, it seemed as if part of the story was a retelling of the Wolverine origin story line. On the plus side, the soundtrack and the splashes of humor were great and added more punch to the fight scenes which were well choregraphed. I appreciated the emphasis on family and thought the writers correctly steered the script through to its conclusion. There were 2 extra scenes during the ending credits.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Sisu
I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT REVENGE UNTIL I was in elementary school and saw it for myself. At the time, I did not know any details, only saw the results. We had come back from recess and were going to our seats. A boy sat down at his desk and let out a yelp as he sprung back up from the seat. He was one row over and a few seats ahead of me. I looked up as everyone else did to see him move his hands over his backside. He was pulling something away from his pants, but they were too small for me to see. After he brought it up to his face to inspect it, he looked around the room and demanded to know who did this to him. None of us knew what he was talking about, so we sat there in silence, staring at him. That was not good enough for him; he said he would find out who did it and smash them into little pieces. After that statement, if someone in class had done it, there was no way they would admit it now. As he was pulling out the others that were stuck to him, the teacher walked back into the classroom. She asked him what he was doing, and he replied, “Nothing.” For the rest of the day, I could not stop thinking about what happened to him. IT WAS A FEW DAYS LATER before I found out what happened to that boy in my class. A friend of mine said he had heard the boy was picking on someone from a different class or grade; the person telling him the story was not sure. That boy decided to get back at the boy in my class; so, when we were all outside for recess, he snuck into our room and placed a few colored thumbtacks on that boy’s seat. I asked what would have happened if the boy had sat down and started to bleed (I was naïve)? After this incident, I never heard anything else about it; but I continued to be curious about the actions that took place. The sneakiness of it intrigued me since I was reading a lot of detective stories. The other thing that interested me the most was the fact that the boy who sat on the thumbtacks was a bully in my opinion; I always tried to stay clear of him. The idea that someone would willingly provoke him was a foreign concept to me. As I went from grade to grade, I soon understood the motivation; but I never had the courage to do something so blatant. And believe me, from what I experienced through my school years, there were times I wished I had courage like the main character in this action war film. TOWARDS THE END OF THE WAR, A band of retreating Nazis come upon a prospector who had just struck gold. Seeing the gold as an opportunity for them to safely get out, they felt it would be simple to take the prospector’s gold. They had no idea what they were about to start. With Jorma Tommila (Priest of Evil, Big Game) as Aatami, Aksel Hennie (The Martian, The Cloverfield Paradox) as Bruno, Jack Doolan (The Hatton Garden Job, Marcella-TV) as Wolf, Mimosa Willamo (Finders of the Lost Yacht, Deadwind-TV) as Aino and Onni Tommila (Big Game, Rare Exports) as Schute; this film festival English speaking winner from Finland was a steely intense experience. There were brutal, bloody violent scenes throughout the movie. As some of you know, I am not one for brutal violence; however, the way the story unfolded kept me glued to the big screen. The script was no-nonsense and direct, letting the action do all the talking. There was a Quentin Tarantino vibe through the whole picture, particularly because there was a splash of humor mixed into the violence. Jorma was a solid force throughout the story, despite him barely speaking a word. This was an over-the-top script that had one objective, to get revenge and it does that multiple times.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Champions
YOGA TAUGHT ME LIFE IS ABOUT balance. For every challenge one encounters, a moment is needed to compensate for it. When I was working three jobs, I felt I was losing myself until I set up specific times for me to experience enjoyment/good feelings. My full-time job was demanding during the work week; by the time Friday night came around, I was physically and mentally exhausted. I found enjoyment curling into the corner of the couch and watching one of my favorite television series. Being an observer of the characters’ dilemmas and me not feeling responsible to fix things for them was in a weird way relaxing for me. I was able to shut down parts of my brain which helped me let go of the weeks’ worth of tension that had built up in my body. Also, stating the obvious here; another way for me to quickly relax is to watch a movie. As long as I had these “rest stops” squeezed in through the week, I felt like I was staying level. Luckily, one of my jobs was teaching fitness and yoga; so, I would always have a good feeling after class due to the endorphins getting produced or the visualization process and poses in class. FROM THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, I have seen other forms used for creating balance in one’s life. A friend of mine enjoys an alcoholic beverage in the evening, which they slowly sip while looking at historical images on their phone. Another friend I know dances to let go of their daily responsibilities and allow their body to release that day’s tension/anxieties. The things we use to create balance are not always static; they can evolve as we go through the growing process. Recently, I have discovered cooking and baking allow me to forget whatever is troubling to me and focus on the art of creating meals. It is funny because if you saw me, I can easily get stressed in the process since it is relatively new to me. But putting together a meal and sharing it with loved ones is something I have found to be a peaceful, loving relaxed experience. I do not remember where I heard this but to paraphrase, there is much to be gained when “breaking bread” with others. It is true and definitely contributes to keeping balance and good feelings in my life. I felt the same way watching this comedic sports drama because it was such a feel-good movie to me. DUE TO ANGER ISSUES, A BASKETBALL coach was transferred to a small town, where he was ordered to coach a group of players with intellectual disabilities in the art of basketball. There was a big learning curve for both, player and coach. With Woody Harrelson (Triangle of Sadness, The Highwaymen) as Marcus, Kaitlin Olson (The Heat, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia-TV) as Alex, Matt Cook (Film Fest, Man with a Plan-TV) as Sonny, Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters franchise, The Crow) as Coach Phil Perretti and Cheech Marin (Shotgun Wedding, The War with Grandpa) as Julio; this film’s story was predictable and basic. However, I still found it heartwarming and funny. Woody played one of his typical characters and I thought Kaitlin was a perfect match for him. It never seemed to me the writers were using the disadvantaged characters to get a laugh, making fun of them. They were respectful and shined a light on issues they experience on a daily basis with a touch of humor and compassion. This picture kept my interest throughout the story and as I mentioned before, it left me with such a feel-good moment that stayed for the rest of the day.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Somewhere in Queens
I WAS SITTING AROUND A TABLE with eighteen other people, just the way I like it. My friend invited me to her family’s holiday dinner. The table butted up to a metal banquet table that extended from the dining room into the living room. Ornate tablecloths covered both, but it was hard to see the pattern with all the plates and bottles sitting on top. I prefer going to dinners like this, where there are multiple people included instead of sitting at a table with only the parents and/or grandparents of a friend. When I am the only guest invited, I feel there is too much attention devoted towards me and that makes me a bit uncomfortable. When there are multiple relatives/friends in attendance, I feel more relaxed simply blending in with the group. Also, as they say, “The more the merrier.” There is a fun factor when I am sitting in the middle of a group of family members because I get to see a different slice of life. Or, maybe it is more of a confirmation that my family isn’t the only one that is crazy, lol. But I will tell you this, one certainly can learn a lot about your friends or relatives when you get together for a meal. I WAS INVITED TO A FRIEND’S house for dinner; a friend who is soft spoken, I might add. After everyone showed up at my friend’s parents’ house, I quickly understood why my friend was quiet most of the time. His relatives were loud, many talking with their mouths full of food; it was a wonder if he ever got a word in edgewise. After acknowledging me, most of the family members ignored my presence except for the ones seated close to me. Through the meal relatives caused such a ruckus; one person would swear at another, someone else would tell a relative they were stupid and so on. There was such a commotion that I almost felt a headache coming on. When I was at another friend’s holiday dinner, her relatives were curious about me but not to the point where I felt as if they were intruding. Observing and being around them showed me they were a loving family who enjoyed each other’s company. I felt my friend was fortunate to be raised in such an environment. Now, I know family can be challenging at times; there are some you enjoy being around and there are others who annoy you. My own memories of big family meals are some of my fondest memories which is why I felt connected to this comedic drama film. WANTING MORE FOR HIS SON than he had, a father goes to extreme lengths to give his son a shot at an incredible opportunity. With Ray Romano (The Big Sick, Everybody Loves Raymond-TV) as Leo, Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird, The Conners-TV) as Angela, Sadie Stanley (Let Us In, The Goldbergs-TV) as Dani Brooks, Sebastian Maniscalco (Green Book, The Irishman) as Frank Russo and newcomer Jacob Ward as Matthew ‘Sticks’ Russo; this movie written and directed by Ray showed a wonderful slice of life’s cherished and heartbreaking moments. I thought the dialog matched the characters perfectly and the humor from Ray’s writing was both funny and heartwarming. The chemistry between Ray and Laurie was literally a match made in heaven; they were 100% believable. Their and the other actors’ acting skills made the multiple story lines weave together seamlessly. I think it might be due to the era this film portrays; but there was a nostalgic feeling about it, that I could relate to easily. The only way I could compliment this picture is to say it was a good old-fashioned story that was seeped in family life.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Chupa
WE WERE ATTENDEES AT A SEMINAR, where we were paired up for the exercise demonstration portion. I have usually found when one does physical exercise with a stranger, it becomes easier to carry on a friendly conversation with them. So, during the lunch break we sat together after getting our meal. He had an accent which piqued my curiosity. Asking him about his family’s heritage, he expressed his uncomfortableness with his language skills and his background. Not one for being shy about such things, I asked him why. He told me about leaving his home country and friends when he was thirteen years old and how he had a hard time fitting into school here because of his speech. I sympathized with him; thirteen was a tough age to be making a major change. If he had arrived before the age of eleven, he would not have an accent; at least that is what I was told. If one learns a new language before the age of eleven, they will not have an accent; after eleven, then they will have one. I do not know why but I have tested it and so far in the few people I questioned, it has been proved correct. IT TOOK SOME COAXING FOR HIM to open about his life back in his home country. I shared some of my family history, making a point of talking about the culture and the famous people who came from the land of my ancestors. Telling him that previous generations of my family had to flee their homeland due to bigotry and persecution seemed to have an affect on him. He told me he was afraid to use his birth name when he arrived in this country, so he chose an American one instead. His family had left their homeland because his parents realized he and his siblings would have had no future or chance of reaching their dreams. I congratulated his parents for making that decision because I knew it had to be a tough one. For the remainder of our lunch break, he seemed more relaxed and open; feeling comfortable enough to share some memories from his country. I was an avid listener since I am always fascinated learning about different cultures and customs. With the lunch hour ending, we cleaned up and headed back to our place in the conference room. The afternoon portion of the seminar was informative. At the end of the day, he thanked me for reminding him how his past plays a part in his future. A similar situation took place in this family, adventure fantasy. BEING SENT TO HIS GRANDFATHER IN Mexico for the summer was the last thing Alex, played by Evan Whitten (Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, The Resident-TV), wanted to do. He was already trying to be less Mexican. With Damian Bichir (The Hateful Eight, Godzilla vs. Kong) as Chava, Christian Slater (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Mr. Robot-TV) as Richard Quinn, newcomer Ashley Ciarra as Luna and newcomer Nickolas Verdugo as Memo; this action drama was a sweet movie. There was nothing new or different compared to other films in this genre; however, the blend of cultures and family intertwined into the story about a mythical being kept my attention throughout the film. I thought Damian did a wonderful job of acting and appreciated the way the writers made the characters real. Now, they could have done more which would have given the story a deeper wealth of things to connect with, but I was okay with the lightness of the script. Compared to other similar films, I do not know how memorable this one will be; but, for an easy family friendly film you cannot go wrong with watching this one.
2 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Call Jane
I QUICKLY REALIZED I DID NOT belong in the class. It happened before I went forward with trying to get certified as a group exercise instructor. The fitness center, where I took the class, was a popular place. Walking into the aerobic studio, I was surprised by the large number of people standing around. I stayed close to the back of the room, hoping to go unnoticed. Everyone was dressed up as if they were about to do a photo shoot for a fitness magazine or television show. Everyone’s outfit was brightly colored, their hair was perfectly coiffed and most prevalent was the smell of cologne in the air. I was used to being in a class where people wore baggy sweats or shorts with T-shirts or tank tops; no one was “dressed up” just to sweat in a hot classroom. The instructor walked into the room and made their way to the front of the class. They read some announcements off a sheet of paper before turning on music to begin exercising. Everyone stopped talking and spaced themselves out in rows. I had no idea what was going to happen; I only hoped I would not either bump into someone or step on someone’s toes. THROUGHOUT THE HOUR, I TRIED MY best to keep up; but was getting dirty looks from the people around me. It had to be obvious that I was new to the class, and I would have thought those around me would understand. Their attitude interestingly mimicked the instructors, in my opinion, aloof and uninterested. I had wished the instructor would have come up to me before class or at least ask if anyone was new, because I think that might have helped. As a result, I never went back to that fitness center. The following week a friend asked me to join them at their fitness club. I went and was completely taken aback by the atmosphere in the room, totally opposite from the week before. People were friendly and patient with me as we followed the instructor’s directions. The class was awesome and became the catalyst for setting me off on becoming a fitness instructor. From my experiences at various clubs and centers, I created an aerobic class that was open and accepting of everyone, no matter their fitness level or capability. I always made it a point to go up to all the new people before class started, to get them comfortable with what they were about to experience. I believe no one ever left feeling as if they were unsuccessful or alone. It is the essence of those feelings that I found myself attracted to in this film’s fascinating story inspired by true events. AFTER BEING TOLD SHE COULD NOT have a lifesaving procedure, a pregnant housewife discovered a clandestine women’s group that could offer her the chance for a healthy life. What she would get would be much more. With Elizebeth Banks (Pitch Perfect franchise, Brightburn) as Joy, Sigourney Weaver (The Good House, Gorillas in the Mist) as Virginia, Chris Messina (Air, Birds of Prey) as Will, Kate Mara (The Martian, Fantastic Five) as Lana and Wunmi Mosaku (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) as Gwen; this history drama kept my attention with its story. I thought the acting was excellent and especially enjoyed the chemistry between Elizabeth and Sigourney. There were a few places where I thought the scenes were predictable, but they were not so glaring to become a disruption. The story amazed me and now I am curious to find out more about the brave group of women known as the Janes.
3 stars
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