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Flash Movie Review: The Room Next Door
I CONSIDERED MYSELF LUCKY THAT I did not have to encounter death until I was thirteen years old. A close relative had passed away in what I now consider to be a quick manner. There was no sign or diagnosis of poor health; it was a heart attack and a couple of days later they were gone. The reason I feel I was lucky is because I had friends who had to deal with death at a much younger age than me. One friend’s father died during the fourth grade and another friend’s brother died when we were in the sixth grade. Us being at such an early age, my classmates and I did not have the skills to be as supportive as I learned at an older age. My friend was out of school for one week and upon his return, me along with other classmates rushed up to him when he walked through the doors of our classroom. Some kids asked him how it was to be out of school for the week; other kids felt the need to tell him what things he missed in our social activities as opposed to our educational ones. Of course, many of us expressed our sympathy by quietly saying we were sorry. Our friend took everything in stride, though looking back, I believe they were still in a state of shock. Their brother was only two years younger than us. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I WAS older that I experienced or better said, witnessed a death that was not sudden. The person lingered for months as they slowly wasted away. To this day I vividly see the image of them lying in a hospital bed as the nurse was rubbing an ice chip around their lips before they would accept it into their mouth, allowing it to melt to try and keep them hydrated. It was awful and I stayed as long as I could before departing. Watching them die was the catalyst for me to look at death differently. Keeping a person alive at all cost mentality was no longer a viable option for me. Seeing someone suffering for a long duration with no chance of recovery was inhumane to me. And especially if the person wanted to end their life while they still had some dignity was something in which I could believe. At first, when I broached this topic with family members, they thought I was a monster. Granted they were raised to respect life by helping the ill person maintain their time on the planet, but I knew their minds could change once they experienced what I went through with this person dying in the hospital. This is why I appreciated the story line in this dramatic film festival winning movie by award winning writer and director Pedro Almodovar. AFTER RECONNECTING AFTER A LONG separation, two friends embark on a getaway trip that might allow only one of them to return. With Julianne Moore (May December, Dear Evan Hansen) as Ingrid, Tilda Swinton (The Killer, The End) as Martha, John Turturro (The Batman, Fading Gigolo) as Damian, Alessandro Nivola (Amsterdam, The Brutalist) as the policeman and Juan Diego Botto (The Suicide Squad, On the Fringe) as the photographer; this film had the perfect casting of Julianne and Tilda. They were wonderful in their roles and made it look effortless to the point one thought they had this long-term friendship. There was an even pace in the direction which allowed time for the story to breathe as it was filled with the words from the thoughtful and sensitive script. Though there were a couple of predictable scenes, I enjoyed how the story, augmented with a large colorful palette, made it seem like we were allowed in to witness the intimacies shared by two old friends. For this being Pedro’s first English speaking film, he certainly was able to achieve the nuances and empathy between these two friends. And I certainly respected the decisions that were made in this picture.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Unstoppable
EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OKAY ALL through the pregnancy, but after the birth it was obvious something was not right. I was not there but heard about it through friends. None of us knew what to do or how to offer help, so we waited for updates from the new parents. All we knew was the baby had physical issues that required surgery; the mental issues would become apparent soon after. In a situation like this, my friends and I decided not to send a gift like we had done in the past to our friends who became parents. This was more of a wait and see situation and the wait was long. The first time the parents reached out to us was three months after the birth. The updated news was sad. It turns out the baby was born with broken chromosomes, no fault of either parent. It was a rare genetic disorder that caused the break. Because of this, the baby was given only seven months to live. The news was devastating. The doctors said even if the lifespan were longer, the baby would never grow to a full height and weight, plus the mental capacity would remain close to the level of an infant. It goes without saying the parents were heartbroken; however, they decided to do whatever they could to give the best quality of life to their baby as long as it was necessary. SEVEN MONTHS PASSED AND THE BABY was still alive. The parents had to hire help since portions of the baby’s care required medically trained individuals. It was not until the baby was two years old before any of us got to see her. She was strapped into a baby stroller. The only verbal communication she offered was blowing raspberries and grunting. She looked more like an infant than a two-year-old. The latest prognosis from the doctors was she would live for only another two years. Seeing what the parents were doing for her, I understood why she was living longer than expected. The four-year mark passed, and she was still alive. When talking to the parents they were thrilled to have figured out what her different vocalizations meant by trial and error. Certain sounds were uttered when she was hungry; others were used to getting attention or to getting something. It was extraordinary; it was almost like a secret code. It is now twenty years and that baby that was not supposed to live past several months was still alive. She still looked and acted like an infant, needing diapers changed and being fed; however, the parents found joy in what was originally an unbelievably horrifying situation. A parent’s love is truly forged with iron will and dedication. It can be seen in this dramatic sports movie. DESPITE BEING BORN WITH ONLY ONE leg, a young man believes they can become a wrestler. His mother certainly was a believer. With Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight, Concrete Cowboy) as Anthony Robles, Jennifer Lopez (Atlas, Shotgun Wedding) as Judy Robles, Michael Pena (A Million Miles Away, Secret Headquarters) as Coach Bobby Williams, Don Cheadle (White Noise, Black Monday-TV) as Coach Shawn Charles, and Bobby Cannavale (Old Dads, Oll Swell in New York) as Rick Robles; this film based on a true story followed a similar sports hero template. However, it was done in a straightforward way, without having syrupy dramatic effects, which made it a moving experience. And I must add, I have seen this man wrestle, and it is incredible to watch him. The story may come across as your typical working-class tale, but with Jennifer’s and Jharrel’s performances it made this a must-see experience. I was totally into this picture. And one of the coolest parts was knowing Anthony was the stunt double. This was an inspirational story that shows how a mother’s love is the perfect foundation for a child to believe in themselves.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Juror #2
THEY WERE NEW TO MY YOGA class, but for some reason which I could not explain at first the younger one stood out for me. Before class started, I walked up and introduced myself to them, asking if this was their first time doing yoga. The older one said yes; the younger one kept her eyes directed below my face, more towards my chest. Throughout the class the younger one stood out from everyone else, though I was sure that was not her intention. She would begin to do a pose but then stop herself to push her hair behind her ears or pull down the hem of her T-shirt. There was always something she felt she needed to do before doing the pose. The ones that challenged her more, she would sit down on her mat and watch everyone else. After class I made a point to go and talk to them, to see if they had any questions and to see if I could get a better understanding of the younger one. Unfortunately, she was not very communitive; the older one would answer for her. I was surprised when they kept coming to class; the older one said she had been feeling better since she started. However, something was nagging at the back of my brain regarding the younger one. THROUGH THOSE BEGINNING WEEKS WITH THEM, I kept getting a familiar feeling as I watched the younger one. Her actions and mannerisms reminded me of things I used to do. I did not want to admit it but the way she acted reminded me that her actions I used to do during the time I was being abused/bullied in school. It was such a strong reaction, that everything in me clicked and I was convinced she was a victim of the same thing. The big question was what do I do? I am a yoga/fitness instructor not a psychiatrist, though ironically that is what I was studying in college. Having gotten to know them better as the weeks went by, an opportunity appeared when the younger one did not show up one day for class, so I decided to broach the subject. The way I presented it was to tell my story to the older one, who was her mother. I talked about my weight issues which I could tell struck a chord in the mother because her daughter was overweight. Never did I say I thought her daughter was being abused; I only pointed out the actions I had observed during class. That was all I had to say, and the conversation ended with the mother thanking me for sharing my story. It was a couple of weeks later, when the daughter did not come to class again and her mother came up afterwards to thank me for saying something to her. It turned out her daughter was getting picked on at school and now the mother was aware and getting school officials involved. I was glad I said something and that it had a positive outcome. It is hard to say the same for the main character in this dramatic mystery crime thriller. SELECTED TO BE A JUROR, A soon to be father finds himself listening to a murder trial that has some familiar elements. What he knows could change the outcome. With Nicholas Hoult (The Order, Renfield) as Justin Kemp, Toni Collette (Mafia Mamma, The Estate) as Faith Killebrew, J.K. Simmons (Red One, The Union) as Harold, Kiefer Sutherland (They Cloned Tyrone, Flatliners) as Larry Lasker, and Zoey Deutch (Not Okay, Something From Tiffany’s) as Allison Crewson; this film was a crisp, no frills story that grabbed my attention from the start. Though the script had a few predictable moments in it, the cast was excellent, especially Nicholas and J.K., and the tension continued to build throughout the story. This was a conversational driven plot that posed interesting questions that made me think. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the pacing was consistent throughout the movie, while sticking to the main story line. Everything felt both right and scary about the jurors on this trial. If this becomes Clint’s last movie, he at least is ending on a high note.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Mufasa: The Lion King
I SIMPLY SAT THERE ENTHRALLED LISTENING to how the two finally came together as boyfriend and girlfriend. The first time they met was in college. For a dance being held, he asked his roommate if his girlfriend had any friends, he could be fixed up with to take to the dance. The girlfriend did and the first time the two met was the day of the dance. Things seemed to be fine that evening, and he even went out on a second date with her. However, that is where the dating status ended. Unbeknownst to him, by the end of the second date the girl who had been fixed up with him did not care for him. Two years later they bumped into each other at a party off campus. They talked on and off throughout the night but left at separate times. It was not until their senior year, when they bumped into each other at a concession stand at the college’s football stadium, that a fuse was lit. He walked her back to her seat and by the time they got there they agreed to meet at an afterparty. It was at that party where the fuse ignited their hearts. They quickly became a couple since they saw each other multiple times throughout the week and weekends. However, a decision was looming over their heads regarding their graduation. AFTER HIS GRADUATION, HE WAS SCHEDULED to enter the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School in a southern state. The question they were mulling over is whether she returns home and the two of them maintain a long-term relationship, or she relocates to where he will be stationed and find a job. Though they knew each other for the first three years of college, it was their senior year where they blossomed and grew into a loving couple. She decided she would move with him, find a job and a small apartment to live in. That decision worked out well because they easily found themselves in a steady routine and continued to grow within their relationship. After a little over a year, they got engaged and started to plan a wedding, which was going to take place just before he was to get his first assignment. All their planning fell into place; they had a brief honeymoon vacation before they had to pack and combine their belongings and move to Germany. For the next few years, they would wind up moving three more times, along with their children who were born in different countries. When they told me this tale, their daughter was sitting with us; it was the first time she had heard about how they met. And it was a chance meeting at a concession stand that made everything possible, including her. Their story reaffirmed my belief that there are no accidents; there is a reason for everything, and it is proven again in this family fantasy adventure film. LOST AND ON HIS OWN, A YOUNG cub has a chance encounter with another cub that puts the two of them on a journey that will have a dramatic effect on their destinies. With Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge, Brother) voicing Mufasa, Kelvin Harrison Jr (It Comes at Night, Waves) voicing Taka, Tiffany Boone (The Midnight Sky, The Chi-TV) voicing Sarabi, Kagiso Lediga (The Umbrella Men franchise, Wonder Boy for President) voicing young Rafiki, and Preston Nyman (Crooked House, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom-TV) voicing Zazu; this sequel like the original was a visual wonder. Everything looked totally real. As for the story, I appreciated the idea behind it; however, with it being told in flashbacks, I felt some of the drama was lost. Plus, adding in the comedic interludes did not provide a continuous buildup of events. Also, it took me longer to get engaged with the characters, leaving me slightly bored in the beginning. Despite not having the same magic feeling as the first one, this movie’s message and my belief with there being no accidents, I am glad I saw this on the big screen.
2 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: The Six Triple Eight
IN PREVIOUS REVIEWS, I MENTIONED I spent time volunteering at various organizations around the city. I decided to do this to honor a special person who was no longer in my life. This individual was a volunteer who found themselves doing whatever needed to be done, from restocking office supplies to being support host to delivering food to those who were not able to provide for themselves. From the stories I heard, it was obvious my friend was making a difference in the lives of so many people; I felt an intense sense of pride in the work they were doing. So, when I decided to devote time to volunteering, I chose organizations that either meant something to my friend or were doing similar types of work to the places where they had volunteered. My first introduction as a volunteer was to get dressed up in a suit and tie and walk around at this organization’s annual fundraising event, selling raffle tickets. It was being held in a downtown hotel’s grand ballroom and I had to be there an hour before the doors opened. Having this be my first experience volunteering, quickly took away any anxiety or nervousness I was feeling. In fact, my only biggest worry was making sure I did not mess up when giving back change whenever someone was using cash to make a purchase. Outside of that, the evening went smoothly, and the volunteers even got fed as well. FROM THAT FIRST EXPERIENCE, MY NEXT commitment to volunteering was for an organization that provided medical and health needs for those on limited incomes. The organization, for the past few years, was accepting donations in the form of household products such as kitchenware, ceramics, and artwork. Someone in their marketing department came up with the idea of opening a pop-up resale shop and stock it with all the donations they had been collecting. I thought it was a great idea. A group of volunteers were chosen to head over to the retail space and set up displays all over the store, using the donations. When we arrived at the shop, we all gathered inside and went around stating what each of us would like to tackle first. I wanted to create displays after the items were unpacked; three other volunteers wanted to join me. We each took a corner of the store and got to work. I had an awesome time setting out the different pieces, creating settings such as a den, office, and kitchen. By the time we were done the place had been transformed into what looked like a model home for sale. Gratefully, all the volunteer assignments I had were a positive experience. Yet, after seeing this historical drama and seeing what the main characters endured during their stint, I was simply scratching the surface of volunteering. The women in this story were doing something monumental. WITH RAMPENT RACISM AND SEXISM BLANTLY on display, the Women’s Army Corp’s only Black battalion was sent overseas on a mission. No one expected them to succeed, which was why they were chosen. With Kerry Washington (American Son, The Prom) as Major Adams, Ebony Obsidian (If Beale Street Could Talk, Sistas-TV) as Lena Derriecott King, Milauna Jackson (A Jazzman’s Blues, Strike Back-TV) as Captain Campbell, Kylie Jefferson (Tiny Pretty Things-TV) as Bernice Baker, and Shanice Shantay (Perfect Harmony-TV, The Wiz Live!-TV) as Johnnie Mae; this movie based on a true story needed a better script. The reason I say this is because the story was so much better than the film. Written and directed by Tyler Perry, the script had too many syrupy moments that were not necessary. The acting, however, was wonderful. Kerry was perfect in her role, commanding attention every time she was in a scene. I honestly cannot believe this important event in history had never been brought to light before. I could not stop thinking about this film after I was done watching it. A remarkable achievement that needed a stronger vehicle to carry its message. There was actual footage shown during the ending credits.
2 ¾ stars
Flash Movie Review: My Old Ass
THE INDIVIDUALS LOOKING AT ME IN the photos I have in my hand are related to me, but I do not know how. They all have been deceased for a long time and there is no one alive in my family who is old enough to remember them. I wished I had seen the photos years ago and had the foresight to ask about the people in the photos, to learn how they were related to me, what they did in life, and any other bits of information that would provide me with a clearer picture about my family roots. Now, they will be framed and hung on a wall as a mystery for our family. My other thought is maybe these deceased relatives have descendants who might like photocopies of their ancestors. I cannot say I have regrets; it is the first time I have seen these photos and there is nothing I can do about it. Besides, I already have a variety of memories I can dwell on and determine if there would have been a different outcome if I had only done “such and such.” I certainly do not want to go through life having regrets, but if I could have pressed a magic replay button, there may have been a few times I would have liked to alter the outcome. WHEN I THINK BACK TO ALL the people I have dated, I have no regrets about having dated them. There might be one or two that I could have done without, but if I think hard about it, I gained something by knowing each person, even if it did not turn out to be a long-term relationship. When it comes to events, there are a few I wish I could have managed differently. For example, I wish I had not sped my way through a national park that resulted in me being pulled over and given a speeding ticket. In my defense, I thought the park had a closing time. When I mentioned this to the officer, he chuckled and said it is a national park, there is not a closing time. At that point, I knew I was going to get a ticket. Of all the things I have done in my life there are a few that come close to me, having regrets about how I acted. One was a relative’s funeral I did not attend because I had just started a new job and was afraid to immediately ask for a day off. Looking back, I should have talked to my boss and explained the situation; if they said no, at least I would have known I tried instead of making the decision on my own. Imagine if we had a way to get advice about upcoming events in our life; we could avoid having any regrets. It is an interesting proposition and one that is skillfully handled in this dramatic comedy romance. AFTER GETTING HIGH ON MUSHROOMS FOR her birthday, a young girl is introduced to her older self who comes with a warning. The question is, should the younger self really believe her older self. With Maisy Stella (Nashville-TV, Spirit Riding Free-TV) as Elliott, Aubrey Plaza (Ingrid Goes West, Safety Not Guaranteed) as Older Elliott, Percy Hynes White (Cast No Shadow, The Gifted-TV) as Chad, Maddie Ziegler (The Fallout, The Book of Henry) as Ruthie, and Kerrice Brooks (Feeling Randy, The Prom) as Ro; this might appear like a typical story about an older and younger self meeting. However, this script put a twist on the genre and created a sweet, thoughtful, touching story about family and coming of age. I thought Aubrey and Maisy were a perfect match; they had good comedic timing and easily expressed their emotions with their face and body. The writers also took the story and created mini stories to work in conjunction with the main one which allowed more space to let the stories evolve. I was entertained by this film and had no regrets having taken the time to sit down and watch it.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Conclave
THROUGHOUT MY SCHOOL YEARS, I WAS never great with testing. Whether it was scheduled or a pop quiz, I struggled with it. Gratefully, early on, I realized I would have to study harder for tests and just hope for the best when it came to pop quizzes. I always knew the subject; that was not the issue. However, when I was given a multiple-choice question, the imaginative side of my brain could usually justify more than one choice. It took me several years to find a way to quickly throw out the obviously incorrect answers so I could quickly test out the remaining responses, to determine which one was the correct answer. In grade school, I remember there was a boy who sat a couple of seats ahead of me in the next row who would cheat on the teacher’s tests. He had a close friend who sat in the seat next to him who helped by flashing him with different hand signals. Whenever this boy needed an answer, he would tap his pencil on the edge of the desk. His friend would glance over, and the cheater would hold up the number of fingers corresponding to which question he needed the answer. The friend would check then give him a hand signal. For example, if the correct answer was “A” then the boy would point his index and middle fingers down until the fingertips were resting on the desk. For the “C” answer he would form the letter “C” with his hand and so on. It annoyed me that he was cheating but I never tattled on him. I later would discover certain students made a habit of cheating. I ALWAYS FOUND CHEATING AN ODD thing. Mainly because I believed we needed to know the right answers because the class structure was one where teachers were building upon building on top of the information we were learning. We had to know the events that led to a historical event, not just know that World War II happened without understanding how it came to be. Applying this to my current life, I certainly would not go to a doctor who cheated on their tests. But I have seen in the business world, there are individuals who make it a habit of cheating for personal gain. I worked at a company where one salesperson would steal sample books from other salespeople. They wanted to give out books to everyone in their territory even though they were told the smaller volume customers would need to be charged for the books. They did not think so, which was their right; however, it was not fair to steal books from fellow salespeople. Sadly, this is only one example; throughout my career, I have encountered cheaters from every line of work. And if anything, I saw in this movie is based on truth, I am dumbstruck. UPON THE UNEXPECTED DEATH OF THE pope, the cardinals were summoned to the Vatican to begin the process of selecting a new pope. Only one cardinal finds themselves standing in the middle of events uncovered that could rattle the Catholic Church to its core. With Ralph Fiennes (The Forgiven, Harry Potter franchise) as Lawrence, Stanley Tucci (The Witches, The Lovely Bones) as Bellini, John Lithgow (Killers of the Flower Moon, Cabrini) as Tremblay, Lucian Msamati (The Good Liar, Gangs of London-TV) as Adeyemi, and Jacek Koman (Defiance, Tonight You’re Sleeping with Me) as Wozniak; this dramatic thriller started as a slow burn for me. However, as the story unfolded, I became more engaged. It did not hurt that I was excited to see locations that I have visited at the Vatican. The acting was outstanding from the cast, even the short time Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes was on screen was a memorable experience. As for the story, I have not read the book but if any of it is based on truth then I am stunned. The screenwriters did a wonderful job of creating a live chess match for these actors to play in. Also, I could see where parallels could be drawn to current events. Truth be told, even after seeing this film several days ago, I still wonder if any of the story was based on truth. If so, it would give me a different perspective on the church.
3 ¼ stars
moviejoltz 