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Flash Movie Review: His Three Daughters
THE FUNERAL SERVICE STARTED OUT ODD and only got weirder. I was in attendance to support my friend, whose mother had died after a prolonged illness. Her mother was such a character, I almost expected the service to have a jovial element to it. However, once I walked in and saw the receiving line of people paying their respects to my friend and her siblings, I knew something was not right. I could feel the tension in the air. My friend and her brother were standing in the middle of the front row, right in front of their mother’s casket that was flanked at both ends by a huge bouquet of flowers. The other sibling, the sister, was standing alone at the beginning of the row, to be the first stop for guests. What I found unusual about this, besides her not sitting with her siblings, was the fact she was wearing a fur coat. It was not that cold outside, I thought. The coat looked odd on her, it was too big; her hands were not visible due to the long sleeves. I did not know each of the siblings’ financial situation, but I thought it was strange that a woman in this day of age would have a fur coat. Plus, the length of the coat hung close to her ankles. Once the guests and I made our way through to give our condolences and to find a seat, there was a brief service. Never once did the sister and her siblings make eye contact. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, I called my friend to see how she was managing. It was the first time we talked since the funeral. I asked how she was doing and she said she was angry. I asked her why and she said dealing with her sister had been awful. It turned out she was still upset that her sister went into their mother’s closet, without telling anyone, and took the fur jacket. Well, that explains it, I thought to myself. My friend spent a good deal of time ranting about her sister. It turned out the sister had gotten into a fight with the brother before the funeral and refused to sit with them. Evidently, this sister went through their parents’ house and took things she wanted, such as old photo albums and jewelry; never discussed it prior with her siblings. I would like to say I was of course only hearing one side of the story but taking that kind of stuff without discussing it did seem wrong to me. My friend said she and her brother were waiting for the lawyer to have the reading of the will. The curious side of me would like to be a fly on the wall to see how that would go for them. I had the same curiosity for the three sisters in this drama. THREE SISTERS CAME TOGETHER TO CARE for their dying father, at his New York City apartment. How were they supposed to do it when they did not know how to take care of each other? With Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age-TV, Ghostbusters: Afterlife) as Katie, Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll-TV, Poker Face-TV) as Rachel, Elizabeth Olsen (Wind River, Ingrid Goes West) as Christina, Rudy Galvan (Megan is Missing, Slice) as Angel, and Jose Febus (Law & Order-TV, East WillyB-TV) as Victor; this film festival winner captured me immediately due to the outstanding performances of the lead actors. I thought the actors took the thoughtful and authentic script and wove it into cinema magic. Without the need of explanation, Carrie, Natasha, and Elizabeth were able to convey so much to the viewer with a simple look or expression, to convey their emotional states and feelings. It felt like everyone was authentic in this movie and the fact that most of the scenes took place in the father’s apartment over a few days, my attention never wavered. I believe even if the viewer cannot relate to the relationship between the three sisters, they would still get something out of this story.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Uglies
GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE, I was not expecting it to be such a disturbing experience. I can remember it like it just happened, in aisle three; I bumped into a woman I had not seen for several years. She recognized me first; she had to because I did not recognize her at all. As we began conversing with each other, I tried studying her face without being too obvious. I was positive her face was the result of having plastic surgery. Trying to recall what she used to look like, I could not see anything that was wrong with her original face. She had wrinkles down her neck, an outburst of tiny ones that spread beyond her eyes and a few wrinkles across her forehead, just like so many other people of her age. I do remember how much she worshipped the sun to the point where her skin looked like tanned leather. Now, I was looking at a face that was utterly void of lines and creases. Her eyeballs looked like they had sunken further into her skull and more distressing than that, they were not symmetrical. I was so self-conscious about looking at her too intently. The lips on her face were nothing I remembered; these were overripe and stiff. Honestly, her face looked like all the emotions and expressions from it had been sucked off. I HOPE YOU DO NOT THINK I am judgmental; I feel a person can do whatever they want if it makes them feel good. I just do not understand the point of cosmetic surgery. If someone is born with a birthmark that they feel is distractive, then they have the right to eliminate it. My philosophy with my dermatologist is “if I was not born with it, then get rid of it.” As I am getting older, I have noticed moles popping up on my skin. I will have them checked out by the doctor then we will both decide whether they need to be removed or not, since skin cancer runs in my family. The part I do not understand are the individuals who want to take their features and accentuate them. Lips, for example, which are so out of proportion to the face look like two massive larvae resting below the nose. When the skin is pulled so tight across the face to the point it is barely flexible, I do not understand how that is considered pretty or better. Ultimately, I know it is the person’s decision to make and again, if it makes them feel better that is all that matters. Then again, I am the type of person that focuses more on what is inside the person, unlike what was happening to the inhabitants in this action, adventure fantasy. HAVING GROWN UP IN A WORLD where everyone is considered ugly until they get their mandatory extreme cosmetic surgery, a young girl is totally perplexed when her friend decides to escape the confines of the city. The girl chooses to find her friend before it is too late. With Joey King (A Family Affair, The In Between) as Tally, Brianne Tju (Gone in the Night, Three Months) as Shay, Keith Powers (The Tomorrow War, Before I Fall) as David, Chase Stokes (Between Waves, Outer Banks-TV) as Peris, and Laverne Cox (Promising Young Woman, Orange is the New Black-TV) as Dr. Cable; this drama followed a standard path for this genre of story. I enjoyed watching Joey’s character and liked the idea of the story. However, I felt the writers could have done so much more with the story instead of just keeping the drama level close to one level. Parts of the movie felt like they were trying to imitate The Hunger Games franchise, except not as well. At least there were a few exciting moments; but I was ticked off by the ending. It is obvious the movie studio is hoping to turn this into a long running franchise by leaving the viewer hanging. This picture was not a pretty sight.
1 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: The Long Game
UNTIL I SAW THE INSIDE OF another high school, I did not realize how many things my school did not have for its students. I am not complaining because I honestly do not feel I missed out on anything; however, when I visited my relative’s school, I was stunned with the number of things they had available for the student body. Things like moveable chairs, weight equipment, a theater, and a football field. When my school was being built, it was meant to be a junior high school; but because of the baby boom, it was decided by the school district to turn the building into a high school. By the time I attended, we did not have module class schedules or color-coded hallways; we had loose tiles falling from the gymnasium’s ceiling and an asphalt covered piece of land outside that instead of being a parking lot was used for our outdoor activities like baseball and running. I mentioned in my previous review a hierarchy in my school, but I did not realize it would be something that stayed with me all the way until I went to college. My elementary school covered a neighborhood that was not as well off compared to one of our sister schools. Nothing was overtly said, but just using one’s eyes you could see there was more available to the students at the other school. PERSONALLY, I NEVER FELT I WAS being discriminated against except maybe for being too big and having a bad case of acne. It was not until the latter years of high school that I felt I had more normal clothes because I had lost weight. The year I was involved with the school’s yearbook, I discovered our school was looked down upon from other schools in the city. Hearing about how our students were treated at sporting events, because many times we were always playing away games, I heard what comments were being made about us. I think this is why the other schools were so stunned when our football team made the city finals one year, playing on the same field as the city’s football team. The perception as far as I could tell, was being poor or less well off meant you could not be talented. I found it so weird despite feeling hurt by the negativity I discovered. It messed with my brain because whenever I would see the schools my relatives attended, I always felt like the poor relation, and I wondered if they ever felt the same about me as the city schools felt about my school. Having experienced this, I believe, added more to my enjoyment in watching this historical sport drama. NOT BEING ALLOWED TO PLAY AT the golf course where they caddied, a group of Mexican American boys made their own golf course in the Texas desert, to teach themselves how to play the game. All they would need was some guidance to help them understand the game. With Jay Hernandez (Bad Moms franchise, Magnum P.I.-TV) as JB Pena, Dennis Quaid (Blue Miracle, The Hill) as Frank Mitchell, Cheech Marin (Champions, Shotgun Wedding) as Pollo, Julian Works (Mending the Line, The Standoff) as Joe Trevino, and Jaina Lee Ortiz (Misfire, Station 19-TV) as Lucy Pena; this film festival winning movie was not only inspirational but thoroughly entertaining. I enjoyed watching this despite not being a big fan of golf. The script, based on a true story, was simple and predictable. And though it may follow a template used by other films, I thought there was such heart and thought put into this production. The sets and costumes were perfect for the time frame of 1955. There were some scenes that were sad to me because I am sure stuff like that still goes on today. However, this was such a “feel good” film that I was left in a nearly euphoric state.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: The Fall Guy
WHEN ONE IS YOUNG, THEY WILL do foolish things. Add in the love factor and whatever common sense is left gets pushed to the side. Why does it take one’s older self to realize that? Back when I was young and participating in the dating world, I now look at some of the things I did and cannot believe it. At one time, I was dating someone who shared my sense of humor and had similar likes and dislikes. One thing that we were apart from was our tastes in music. They were a big country music fan, and I was a disco baby. Country music was never part of my music library, nor my family members. However, I had feelings for them and wanted to make a good impression; so, I agreed to go to a country western bar and did it with an enthusiastic smile on my face. I was told the place had a big dance floor and they would teach me how to dance. Because I was a fitness instructor and choreographed my routines to music, I felt I would be able to manage the country dancing with no problem. The night of our date, I dressed up in my new clothes, including cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. By the time we got to the club my feet were hurting me. Our first dance lesson was iffy; I could not get the rhythm for two-stepping. We eventually got through but with me still fumbling at times. Looking back, I wonder if that was the start of the deterioration of our relationship. WITH ANOTHER RELATIONSHIP, I WAS DATING a landscape architect. Having grown up in apartments, the closest I came to being involved in such a field was having a droopy houseplant. Maybe because I had purchased a house just prior to our meeting, they were excited to oversee the landscape around the house. I sat through drawings they did and saw photos they pulled up online of different plants and flowers they thought would look good in the front lawn and backyard. I agreed to everything and wound up spending more money than I had, but I wanted to make them happy. What troubled me was knowing I could not sit back and watch but had to be a participate in this endeavor. On a Saturday, they arrived in a rental truck with bags of dirt, plants, and gardening tools. We spent the entire day digging, moving, and planting foliage. The sun was beating down and I was being bitten up by bugs; I hated it. Once everything was done, every weekend turned into a lawn and garden activity. I did not have an interest in cutting the grass or trimming bushes; I intended to pay someone to do it for me. But because I was in love, I endured it for a couple of months before making excuses for not going outside to help. As time progressed, whether there was some disappointment or anger involved, the relationship ended. The lesson learned is to be yourself from the start and let the chips fall where they may. Plus, luckily, I did not have to do what the main character was doing in this action, comedy romance. AFTER AN ALMOST CAREER-ENDING ACCIDENT, a stuntman is drawn back into the business because an old flame requested him. And, because the movie star of the film was missing. He would need to find out what happened to the star while still doing his stunts during the production. With Ryan Gosling (Barbie, The Gray Man) as Colt Seavers, Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer, Mary Poppins Returns) as Jody Moreno, Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train, Nocturnal Animals) as Tom Ryder, Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso-TV, Sex Education-TV) as Gail Meyer, and Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies, Lights Out) as Iggy Starr; this was an absolute fun film to watch. Turn your brain onto mute and sit back and enjoy the chemistry between Ryan and Emily, along with the great acting from the entire cast. The script had its flaws, action was the main engine driving this machine; but I thought the tongue in cheek flavor, the stunts and the mix of drama thrown in made for an entertaining picture. Kudos to the actual people who created the stunts. This is the type of film where one comes as themselves and simply enjoys the experience.
3 ¼ stars
MoviePass, MovieCrash
AS I WALKED INTO THE LUNCHROOM, two fellow employees were sitting and talking at a table. When they saw me, one of them asked me if I had ever heard of MoviePass; they knew I was an avid movie goer. I told him no and both employees immediately uttered, “What!?!?” From the look on their faces, you would have thought I had just revealed my secret identity as a superhero or told them I was a former gold medal winning Olympian. I asked them what was MoviePass and they both started talking in unison, telling me about paying a monthly fee and being able to see any movie, anywhere, at any time. I listened intently, but part of me was waiting for some kind of catch or joke to be played on me. They described what they had to do to see the movie and I was still skeptical. It sounded too good to be true and frankly, it sounded strange. At the time they were telling me about this, I was working two jobs which took up most of my time. I did not know if this thing they were talking about would be worth it to me. I also could not understand how the company was making money off this idea. MY PREFERRED METHOD OF PAYING FOR movie tickets was using gift certificates, I would get for my birthday and holiday, and discount certificates I would purchase at the warehouse club where I belonged. Buying a ten pack of certificates would average out to a little less than $8.00 a movie ticket. During the holidays, when the certificates would go on sale, I would buy up to a dozen packs and use them throughout the year, sometimes into the next year even. After listening to the employees’ pitch about this new movie service, I went home after work and did some investigating online. Granted it sounded like a great idea, but there was something inside of me that said something was not right about the company. I had read a multitude of customer comments; they ran the gamut from glowing reviews to irritating ones. Some people complained the screen would freeze up on their phone when they were trying to pick a film; others commented how much they hated trying to reach the customer service department. Honestly, I was surprised by the amount of people taking the time to write down their grievances and their praises. After spending a couple of weeks researching the company and its offerings, the pessimistic side of me prevailed and I chose not to get involved. Having now seen this documentary movie, I am glad I made that decision. FROM TWO MEN’S REVOLUTIONARY IDEA ABOUT a new way to see a movie at the theater, a phenomenon was born. If only they had stuck with their original plan. Directed by Muta’ali (Cassius X: Becoming Ali, Life’s Essentials with Roby Dee), this comedic crime drama was an easy watch. I was fascinated with how the story was unfolding; despite the obvious inequity that filtered through the company. I appreciated the way the director wove news clips, videos, and an array of personal interviews from employees, media, and investors. It created a well-rounded take on the various events and stages that were happening at the company. The thing I found the most interesting about this movie is the way it allows the viewer to expand their thinking to other public companies. After finishing my viewing, I found it ironic that I wound up signing up for a service like MoviePass’ operation except mine is through a movie chain.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Despicable Me 4
TO ME, IT REPRESENTED THE ULTIMATE prize. I had two amusement parks, close enough to me, that were easy to get to with a single city transit bus when I was growing up. I was familiar with every ride at both parks and knew what foods to eat at each one. At one park, I would always get a sky-blue snow cone which was shaved ice with a sweet blue colored syrup poured over it. My favorite food to order at the other park was a mini hamburger; the quantities varied depending on how long I would stay at the park. Despite having two easily accessible amusement parks near me while growing up, all anyone talked about was the huge, national amusement parks out of state. Friends would come back from summer vacation and talk about all the different rides and attractions. They had breakfast with one cartoon character and lunch with a different one. There was never a negative comment; it all sounded like a dream coming true. Staying purposely at a motel/hotel near or at the park so you could go back the next day and the next if you chose, was simply unimaginable to my young mind. I was not envious, but I absolutely wanted to experience this for myself someday. It took several years before I could venture out and participate in everything I heard about these magical parks. MY FIRST TIME VISITING A NATIONAL amusement park, I accompanied family members. It was an amazing encounter to see for myself things I had only seen on television. We all had a wonderful time. A few years later I went by myself because one of the parks was holding a special event. I loved every minute of it and was on the go from dawn to bedtime. I met people from my hometown and hung out with them. When I came back and was telling my friends about the wonderful time I had, it was decided we would all have to go next year, which we did. By this time, it was my third time and despite enjoying the time with my friends, the rides and attractions were familiar enough to me that they lost that “wow” factor of surprise. I knew where the scary parts were, so I no longer jumped in my seat. The various musical backgrounds were turning into white noise; I no longer felt that excitement when I sat down and buckled myself into my seat. I wound up feeling the same when I watched this latest installment of the animated film franchise. WHEN AN OLD RIVAL VOWS TO get revenge, Gru, voiced by Steve Carrell (The Big Short, Welcome to Marwen), must take his family and go into hiding; all with new identities. How long will it be before they will be discovered and will Gru be able to defend his family against this new villain? With Kristen Wiig (Where’d You Go, Bernadette; Wonder Woman 1984) voicing Lucy, Joey King (A Family Affair, Bullet Train) voicing Poppy Prescott, Will Ferrell (Quiz Lady, Blades of Glory) voicing Maxime and Sofia Vergara (Chef, Modern Family-TV) voicing Valentina; this adventure comedy had all the same elements as the previous films except a good script. At least the actors did a decent job voicing their characters. The Minions as usual were fun to watch and the animation was well done. However, the script did not provide anything new except some confusion. For young viewers, they will get a kick out of seeing this movie. But, for their parents and older viewers, there was truly little above the standard fare. I was bored in parts and honestly did not find much to make me laugh. It may be time to give Gru and the Minions a rest; they deserve it. There were Minions acting out during the ending credits.
2 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Book of Clarence
I WAS HESITANT TO GO, BUT my friend did not want to go alone and asked if I would go along. My friend had been following an “entrepreneur” online, who claimed to have found a pathway to success. The few videos I was forced to sit through showed a man talking in front of these impressive backdrops like a stately mansion or at the edge of a line of dramatic cliffs. He was pitching a series of courses that would teach an individual how to become a successful entrepreneur like him. I knew this was just a sales pitch and honestly could not believe my friend was buying into it. However, they were convinced they could succeed and make money from it. We had to leave early for the hotel where the entrepreneur was conducting an all-day seminar because my friend wanted to get a seat up close. I was surprised by the amount of people filtering into the ballroom to essentially listen to a sales pitch. Over half the room was filled with people; I could not believe it. When the lights dimmed and he walked out onto the stage, everyone stood up out of their chairs and cheered him. Based on the videos I watched, in the room at that moment, I felt as if I was in the middle of a cult. THE DAY WAS LONG AND BY the time everything was done, I was exhausted. Listening to his sales pitch and instructions on how one could earn money, it was clear to me his business model was like a pyramid scheme. Not to disrespect companies that use such a tactic, but this man was telling everyone they could double their income solely by signing up enough individuals who would then work for them. If I understood correctly, there really was no business plan except to get other people to sign up for the courses. I could see my friend was excited and “revved up” from the seminar but I had to express my concerns. They listened but always had a rebuttal to anything I said, so I eventually dropped it and let them go on talking about their plan of action. They listed the things they would need to buy despite having already spent close to three thousand dollars for a variety of DVD’s and “sales tools.” I honestly hoped I was wrong with my thinking, but I could not see where my friend could make a living out of doing this thing. Of all the people my friend could emulate, I did not think this entrepreneur was the best choice. Maybe they needed to have higher aspirations like the main character in this dramatic, comedy adventure. SEEKING A BETTER LIFE FOR HIMSELF, a struggling man decides to act more like the rising messiah everyone was talking about. With LaKeith Stanfield (Sorry to Bother You, Judas and the Black Messiah) as Clarence, Omar Sy (The Strangers’ Case, The Intouchables) as Barabbas, Anna Diop (Us, Something About Her) as Varinia, RJ Cyler (The Harder They Fall, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) as Elijah and David Oyelowo (Selma, Role Play) as John the Baptist; this history film confused me. Yes, there was a mix of comedic and dramatic scenes, and I enjoyed the well-versed cast; however, nothing stood out for me. Most of the scenes lacked punch; it felt like everything was on one level. I did not feel connected to any of the characters which, at times, led to boredom. With the idea for the story being outrageous, I thought the script would have gone all in to either the comedic or dramatic side. The best thing I can say about this movie is that it had some amusing moments.
2 stars
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
I SIMPLY SAID, “HOW ARE YOU doing,” then spent the next ten minutes cringing. Looking for a housewarming gift, I went to the nearby shopping mall. I knew there were a couple of stores that could serve my purpose. While walking to the store after finding a nearby parking spot, I crossed paths with a former co-worker. What had caught my eye first was seeing a woman walking towards me with a black eye patch over one of her eyes. I then realized we used to work together. Part of me wanted to ask what happened but I did not want to make her uncomfortable; so, I just said “Hi, it is so good to see you.” She replied in kind and then I said those four fateful words, “How are you doing?” and she pointed to the eye patch and asked me how I liked her new accessory. Before I could think of something to say, she began telling me what happened to her. She had woken up one morning and saw a halo around everything she was seeing around her. She knew that was a warning sign for a detached retina, so called the eye doctor immediately and they rushed her that day for an appointment. I stood there listening to every procedure the doctor had to do on her eyeball to correct her situation. From numbing this to removing that, with detailed descriptions of all the instruments being used, I was close to being nauseous. I have a thing about eyes. It was more information than I ever needed to know. I AM ALL FOR A GOOD story but sometimes people, like the co-worker I mentioned, share more information that people may not need to hear. On the other hand, I recently saw my neighbor at the grocery store. He is a recent widower. Going up to him, I asked how he was doing. He explained he was teaching himself how to cook. I offered my help, though I am a novice. He said he wanted to make one of his wife’s favorite dinner meals. He shared with me his memory of his first time eating it while they were dating. By listening to him, I found out they had been married for 50 years. They met in high school and through those years they dated on and off on a casual basis. When they discovered they were accepted at the same university, their dating became serious. It was such a beautiful story; I teared up and was grateful he shared it with me. So, you see, sometimes hearing about the background to a story is an added plus. Unfortunately, we cannot pick and choose which stories we want to hear. For this prequel, I still am not sure if I needed to know all about it. YEARS BEFORE HE WOULD BECOME THE president of Panem, a young Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth (Scott and Sid, Billy the Kid-TV) was smitten by a young tribute from District 12. With Rachel Zegler (West Side Story, Shazam! Fury of the Gods) as Lucy Gray Baird, Viola Davis (The Woman King, The Unforlivable) as Dr. Volumnia Gaul, Fionnula Flanagan (Sight, The Others) as Grandma’am, and Hunter Schafer (Cuckoo, Euphoria-TV) as Tigris; this action, adventure, dramatic thriller left me with mixed feelings. There were some exciting scenes, but there were some that went flat. I enjoyed the sets and costumes, especially Viola Davis’s character which she made a real force on screen. From what I remember about the previous films, this one’s script lacked emotional punch and excitement. I do not want to say it is because they did not have Jennifer Lawrence, but I will say it was a combination of the cast and directing that created bland scenes. I also was not that thrilled with how the story turned out. I do not believe one needs to see the other movies to watch this one. Because this science fiction film is already becoming forgettable to me, I do not think there is a strong need to know the pre-story to the Hunger Games saga.
2 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: It Ends With Us
I LEARNED QUICKLY TO STAY OUT of one student’s line of sight. To this day, I do not understand how I did not become one of his targets, but whatever was watching over me, I am thankful. There is no other way to say this, but he was truly a mean kid. He would pick on students during PE classes, in the school hallways, on the school grounds; it did not matter who was around him. He was a real “alpha male” with his group of cronies who followed him everywhere, acting as his audience and cheering section. Through my years at the school, I only suffered his bullying once; I was not the direct target but was with a group of friends who all suffered his nastiness. After witnessing a few of his pranks on students, I started imagining what could have happened that made him turn out so mean. It was “normal” for him to trip or knock students down in the hallway. Another of his acts was to grab an unsuspecting student’s book, lunch bag, or personal item and throw it down a staircase. I always believed he was hoping the item would get trampled on by students on the way to their next classes. ONE COULD CALL IT LUCK OR fate, but whatever it was I happened to be in the right place at the right time. One day at the grocery store, I spotted him standing with a police officer. I assumed it was his father because they looked so much alike. Also, a police officer would not be yelling and slapping a perpetrator’s face in the middle of a crowded store. I was not close enough to hear everything since I was trying to remain partially out of their sight. The thing that struck me was how our school bully looked so timid and fearful; his “tough man” persona was gone. They soon left the store after making their purchases and I was left processing everything I had witnessed. I understood our bully was being bullied/abused by his father, which explained where he learned how to become a bully. It was not until my college years that I learned what the other ramifications could be by being a victim of an abusive parent. Whether he was taking out his frustrations on innocent students or trying to temporarily beef up his masculinity, it still did not take away the fact he was becoming just like his father. If I were to venture a guess, I do not think he ever acquired self-awareness to his actions; I can only hope if he has children, he has not taught them what he learned from his father. WITH OPENING HER OWN BUSINESS AND being in a committed relationship, everything seemed to be on track for Lily Bloom, played by Blake Lively (A Simple Favor, The Age of Adaline). However, when an old flame enters the picture, Lily begins to question the path she has taken in life. With Justin Baldoni (Con Man, Jane the Virgin-TV) as Ryle Kincaid, Jenny Slate (Obvious Child, I Want you Back) as Allysa, Hasan Minhaj (Babes, No Hard Feelings) as Marshall and Brandon Sklenar (Midway, The Big Ugly) as Atlas Corrigan; this movie based on the best-selling novel was a perfect vehicle for Blake to act out in. She had the screen presence and emotions to make her character come to life. I became attached to the story, having been abused/bullied myself; but felt the script could have gone through a rewrite to tighten and improve the dialog. Also, one did not have to experience an abusive episode to appreciate this picture. I also thought Blake and Jenny worked well together. With an important story and message, this was a worthwhile viewing experience.
2 ¾ stars
Flash Movie Review: Back to Black
IF I AM DOING SOMETHING STUPID, I want a friend or family member to tell me. I am not so conceited that I think every action I do is the perfect response to the situation. If you do not believe me, just see how I always pick the checkout line that takes the longest. But seriously, I hope the decisions I make are sound ones that make sense; I hesitate to use the word “right” because I believe many situations can conclude with various answers, except mathematics. I park in a secure parking lot, where we are supposed to stop after entering and wait for the garage door to close, to prevent any unauthorized individual who does not belong in the building from entering in. I cannot tell you how many people continue driving before the door even begins to close. Now if I oversaw the property, I would send a notice to each person who is not following the rules for parking and let them know they may have to forfeit their parking space if they continue leaving before the garage door is closed. Since I am not part of management, I am not going to do such a thing, but I continue stopping to wait for the door to close whether I am coming or going. Plus, friends of mine told me not to confront anyone on my own because it is not my place; just set an example by following the rules. JUST AS I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE to let me know if my decisions are not the best, I have no problem telling someone that what they are planning to do may not be a good idea. A was out with a friend for dinner who spotted a former boss we had when we worked at the same company. He had a rough time in his dealings with the boss, so he wanted to go up and tell him exactly how he felt about him. With the man sitting at a table of six people, I told my friend though it might feel good for a moment, he would look like a crazy person confronting our boss in the middle of a restaurant, better to forget about it. I did not disagree with my friend’s assessment of our boss, but I did not think this would be the place to air one’s grievances or say something nasty that could have gotten my friend kicked out of the restaurant. I am all for expressing feelings/opinions in a constructive way. It is such a shame no one could do that for the musical artist in this biographical drama. FROM ADOLESCENCE TO THE CREATION OF her Grammy winning album, this movie will take you on her journey. With Marisa Abela (Rogue Agent, Industry-TV) as Amy, Eddie Marsan (Fair Play, Happy-Go-Lucky) as Mitch, Jack O’Connell (Unbroken, Tulip Fever) as Blake, Lesley Manville (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Let Him Go) as Cynthia and Juliet Cowan (Falling into Place, The Power-TV) as Janis; I was impressed with Marisa’s acting and singing in this film. I had no idea it was her until I saw her listed as the performer in the song credits. The cast was a perfect mix for the story, but the script was so underdeveloped that it whitewashed the drama and intensity out of it. My favorite scenes were the musical ones. And one of the re-creations done in this picture, I remember seeing on television and thought the directing of this scene was well done. Another issue I had with this picture was the fact there was no variation of drama/intensity, which left scenes with a more generic flavor to them. Unfortunately, if one wants to get a better idea of who Amy Winehouse was then I would recommend watching the documentary instead.
1 ¾ stars
moviejoltz 