Change Your Image
Erin_Solo
Reviews
Grand Crew (2021)
Pure sunshine
This show is one of my favorites, hands down. I am utterly saddened to read the dismissive and negative reviews. I love the interplay among the characters. I love the representation of characters, their careers and the heterogeneous perspectives of these individuals that would have historically been depicted in a monolithic fashion. If I am being honest, every scene featuring either Nicole Byers, Carl Tart, Justin Cunningham is solid gold....although even the quick quips have me falling on the floor laughing! Also I enjoy Aaron Jennings and Gracie Mercedes and the blossoming friendship into something more. Where I have struggled the most with the show is Echo Kellum and his character scenes. They just do not feel authentic and I find myself snapped back into the reality that I am watching an actor play a character, as opposed to the voyeuristic feel of watching real people interact...the way the other actors kill it on the show for me. I can't help but feel if there was a different character for Still, he does well in spots. I respectfully disagree about the poor writing, I think for a comedic show...the writing is spot on. Because the writing highlights the African American experience and includes soliloquy's that add color to the context of that experience, it may turn some viewers away...and THAT is unfortunate because the portrayals resonate with me and the content is a breath of comedic fresh air. Wherever this show lands...I will follow (I hear wyatt for some reason saying...."Yeeess, my brotha!"
Dope (2015)
This movie is STUPID!!
Let me explain. By stupid, I mean that the movie was, as the director adeptly defined from the outset....Dope. However, it shouldn't come as a surprise just how skillfully the movie pulled off such a feat, given its writer and director is none other than Rick Famuyiwa.
If you were like me, then you are probably saying...who? Although his name may not be quickly recognizable (ie Steven Spielberg) or easily forgiving to the tongue (ie James Cameron), let me assure you that his previous works (ie Brown Sugar, The Wood) are arguably just as instrumental by redefining a genre of film for the African American community and allowing an audience to look at a historically under-served and overly-stereotyped community in a new light.
Dope demonstrates this perfectly, as it details the life of a self-defined "nerd" from dangerously unpredictable neighborhood of Inglewood, California otherwise known as the "bottom." The dichotomy was strikingly brilliant to watch. Malcolm is an awkwardly meek and frequently shoe-less virgin (played by newcomer Shameik Moore) who plays in a rock band, has a perfect SAT score and finds himself becoming a drug dealing, black-mailing chick magnet force to be reckoned with.
Speaking of magnetism, Zoe Kravitz effortlessly portrays the beautiful character Nakia. Settling in her goals and standards towards the very same direction as her neighborhood's namesake, she attempts to rise above her circumstances like Malcolm, while thwarting the affections of the humorously philosophical drug-pin Dom (played by ASAP Rocky). The rest of the casting was excellent, including soon-to-be breakout star Kiersey Clemons, who played Diggy, the androgynous-appearing friend of Malcolm. The one sore spot of the film was the character Jaleel played by Quincy Brown, who seems to overact and brought me back to the realization that I am watching a film of actors. However, he is new to acting and will grow better with time and opportunity, which is something he will not be in short supply of.
Lastly, great soundtrack, as it complements the movie well!
Overall, great film! (Disclaimer: This is my second review ever made...so take my review with a grain of salt...and a dash of turmeric...because it's good for you!)
Back to School Mom (2015)
A pleasant surprise...
Back to School Mom, both dramatically and at times comically, navigated through some important topics involving women and the African American community today. The issues of right to life, social class and the value of higher education were implicitly conveyed throughout the film. The protagonist's Mary Thomas (played by Kimberly Elise) story deals with the burden of giving her son up for adoption (essentially), only to meet him later after returning to college as a 41 year old non-traditional student. Kimberly Elise did an amazing job in displaying the vulnerability of a character that was conflicted with the decision to reveal herself to her son Noah (Denzel Whitaker). Bolstered by her reliable confidant and voice of reason Meghan (Loretta Devine), Mary is able to develop a sincere friendship with Noah and gain an inside look into the heart and character of the son she never raised
with some unexpected results!
The choice of casting Noah's parents, Lawrence and Dee Riley, proved to be a successful one. Henry Lennix played the role of a austere, iron-hearted father to perfection, while Garcelle Beauvais showcased her mature, supportive and maternal side quite effortlessly. In fact, the casting as a whole was successful, including the choice of Rick Fox (as love interest Matthew Kessler) who has surprisingly demonstrated he can hold his own in front of the camera. The one exception was the role of Noah's roommate Spencer (played by newcomer Syad Mufez Bukhari), whose scenes were not as believable and often snapped me back to the reality that I was watching a movie.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and was not what I expected out of Lifetime! Kudos!