Category: movies

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Widows – Movie Review

Wow! Now I love a good robbery caper and this movie did not disappoint. This film had suspense, intrigue, romance, drama and a surprising twist that had everyone in the theatre (me included) yelling at the screen.

Directed by Steve McQueen and co-written by McQueen and Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), the script is tight and superbly acted by the ensemble cast. Everyone was on top of their games. Even the dog.

Here is the premise taken from the movie website:  A police shootout leaves four thieves dead during an explosive armed robbery attempt in Chicago. Their widows — Veronica, Linda, Alice, and Belle — have nothing in common except a debt left behind by their spouses’ criminal activities. Hoping to forge a future on their own terms, Veronica joins forces with the other three women to pull off a heist that her husband was planning.

When I tell you that those women did the damn thing, trust that they did that. Viola Davis as Veronica is an acting genius and she should get all the awards. You know Viola is on one when that snot bubble makes an appearance. I mean, you feel the pain when Viola cries no matter what character she’s playing. All of the women were given enough of a back story that they felt real. These are women you know. You could be one of these women.

I could go on but there are other reviews more detailed on the web. You should go see this movie. You won’t be disappointed.

 

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Introducing…

Coming to the book self, a bobble head you all know as Joe the Policeman from the “What’s Going Down” eposide of That’s My Mama. Click all the likes for Jackson Heights own, Mr. Randy Watson! Yes!

#comingtoamerica #randywatson #classicmovie

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10 Reasons I Love “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”

This movie came out in 2017 but I didn’t see it until this year on cable. I’ve seen it about 10 times and love it. Here are the 10 reasons this movie is my favorite.

  1. Samuel L. Jackson – any movie with Samuel L. is made better by his presence.
  2. Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool in a suit.
  3. The Premise – The thought of a hitman needing a bodyguard is hilarious to me.
  4. The “seat belt” rule – Watch the movie. You’ll get it.
  5. Salma Hayek – Badass
  6. The inside “mole” that you see coming but works anyway.
  7. The road trip and the car chases.
  8. Triple A rated – Seriously, watch the movie. You’ll get it.
  9. The “plethora” use of the word – muthaf**********
  10. Samuel L. “Muthaf***” Jackson

Bonus:  “When life gives you shit, you make kool-aid.” – Life advice.

#mdrayfordwrites

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Flight – A Movie Review

For a change of pace, I took myself to the movies yesterday.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie, Flight.  For those that haven’t seen the trailer,  here is a recap.  An airline pilot (Denzel Washington) crash lands a malfunctioning plane saving the majority of people on board, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling.

This movie was about much more than a plane crash.  The crash only set events in motion that reveal the secrets our “hero” has been hiding for years.  Washington’s character, Whip Whitaker, is a study in the complex parts that make up a person.  I don’t want to give away too much of the plot but the movie deals with addiction in a realistic way.  The movie shows the many ways in which a person can lie about a problem to everyone.  Even themselves.  The writing and the acting are excellent.  As a writer, it was a case study in developing a fully formed character.

I highly recommend going to watch this movie.  Just don’t view it before you plan to catch a flight!

Has anyone seen the movie?  What are your thoughts?

 

 

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Tyler Perry is no Alex Cross

I know the movie hasn’t come out yet (Oct. 19th) but I just had to say it.  Tyler Perry isn’t Alex Cross.  Can’t be.  Why?  Glad you asked.

You know how an actor will play a role for so long that they can never be associated with any other character.  Think Jaleel White as Urkel or Christopher Reeves as Superman.  To me, Tyler Perry is Madea.  Ma to the damn D, E, A.  I’ve seen him play that character so much that even in his more serious roles (Good Deeds, The Family that Preys, etc.) I can’t get past it.  Maybe it’s a limitation on my part.

I’m sure Tyler probably does a decent job in this movie.  He is a hard-working individual that respects the craft.  But who made the casting decision?  You can’t follow Morgan “Academy Award winner” Freeman with someone who wears women dresses for laughs.

I remember reading something about Idris Elba being considered.  I can see that.  Hubby and I were discussing various actors and he mentioned Anthony Mackie.  Now that I can clearly see.

Alex Cross maybe?

I just watched the trailer again and Cicely Tyson is in the movie.  Can’t be all bad, I guess.  Still, I’ll take a wait and see approach to this film.

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Pariah – Movie Review



 

Pariah (n):  A social outcast

The movie Pariah is the story of a 17-year-old Brooklyn teenager dealing with her sexuality.  Alike (pronounced ah-lee-kay) has accepted that she is a lesbian but her religious mother and otherwise occupied father refuse to acknowledge the truth for different reasons.

The writing and directing by Dee Rees is a blueprint for effective storytelling.  The characters are multi layered, the dialogue sings (some profanity) and the actors are superb.  The character Alike embodies all the teenage angst we all experienced.  The audience is a witness to this young woman trying to find where she fits in the world.

Pariah premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011 and was released earlier this year to limited screens.  This film didn’t get much marketing so the masses may have missed it.  However, if you appreciate quality writing, excellent acting (Kim Wayans is outstanding) and an engaging story, I highly recommend this movie.

Favorite quote from the movie:  Alike reading a poem that encompasses the overall theme.

Heartbreak opens onto the sunrise for even breaking is opening and I am broken, I am open. Broken into the new life without pushing in, open to the possibilities within, pushing out. See the love shine in through my cracks? See the light shine out through me? I am broken, I am open, I am broken open. See the love light shining through me, shining through my cracks, through the gaps. My spirit takes journey, my spirit takes flight, could not have risen otherwise and I am not running, I am choosing. Running is not a choice from the breaking. Breaking is freeing, broken is freedom. I am not broken, I am free. 

 

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Think Like A Man – Not Quite A Movie Review

For the record, I hate relationship advice books.  Let me be more specific.  I hate men that give relationship advice to women.  I have ranted on this topic to many family members, friends and co-workers.  My basic premise is that men aren’t that complex.  There seems to be the perception that men are some deep mystery that women must seek a secret code to unlock the inner workings of the male mind.  I felt as if some men (looking at you Steve Harvey) chose to capitalize on this.  I felt that these so-called “men experts” put all the onus on women to make a relationship work.  You just don’t see many books geared toward offering men secrets to the female psyche.  At least there aren’t any that end up on the NY Times Bestseller List.

Then I went to see the movie, “Think Like A Man” based on the book of the same name by Steve Harvey.  It was date night and the Hubby and I did the dinner and movie thing.  The movie had been #1 for a few weeks and had generally good reviews.  I enjoy romantic comedies so I went into the viewing with an open mind.  The movie was great.  I thought it was funny and endearing.  I thought the premise was well executed and incorporated chapters from the book into a realistic story line.

Here is my main take away from the movie.  Women have the power.  We give it away thinking that will help us get or keep a man but the opposite is true.  A good man will step up  his game  to be with you.  You just have to require it.  Yes, it’s not easy and it may hurt.  You have to take the chance that he may walk away.  But even if he does, what have you lost?  It’s a common sense saying that people treat you exactly the way you allow them to.

To my fellow ladies I say, “Stop giving away your power.”  When Steve says, “Think like a man” I hear take control of your relationship.  And that’s something I think we can all agree on.

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Movie Review – Crazy Stupid Love

Let me start by saying I LOVED this movie.  Yes, I know it came out in July 2011 but I just rented it and stayed up late to finish watching it.  It was worth it.

For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet here is a quick summary courtesy of IMBd:  A middle-aged husband’s life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a new-found friend Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars.

What made this movie different from the hundreds of other romantic comedies?  Short answer:  the characters are fully developed.   I once read a quote that described a good book.  Simply put, a good book is one that once you read the last page, you miss the characters like old friends.  The same can be applied to a good movie.  The casting and acting were heartfelt and realistic.

I am a huge fan of Steve Carell (The Office) and he brought the right amount of charm and vulnerability to the character of Cal Weaver, a man who has been married for years and is happy and content in his life.  Watching him struggle with learning to date again was touching.  Seeing a playboy be redeemed (Ryan Gosling) was done in a refreshing manner.  The additional subplot involving Cal’s 13 year old son and his crush on his babysitter was priceless.  The writing and dialogue were on point.

I enjoyed this movie so much I’ve watched it twice.  I plan to buy it for Christmas.  It is a case study in character development and story structure.  I recommend you go out and rent it immediately.  You won’t be disappointed.

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Movie Review – N-Secure

 

My “fall back” Sunday started out easy.   The kids were with their grandfather, hubby was overdosing on football Sunday and I had some uninterrupted “me” time.   I spent part of the day writing and then decided to hit the Redbox and find something to watch.  I chose to watch the movie “N-Secure”.  I chose unwisely.

The preview stated that the film was a no holds-barred thrilling drama mixed with murder, mayhem and manipulation among affluent professionals. This film sheds light on a man’s downfall from the pinnacles of success into the depths of his damaged character. His insecurities lead him into a series of troubled romantic relationships and eventually a web of events that include betrayal and murder.  I figured I would give it a look since the main character appeared to have some of the controlling aspects that have been revealed in one of the main characters in my current work in progress.  I wanted to see how the screenwriter developed the character.  I discovered that character development wasn’t a strength for this film.

I went into it with an open mind.  I really did.  Sure, I wasn’t expecting Oscar worthy performances but I did expect decent acting and dialogue.  The movie started out pleasant enough.  Anytime a movie starts with a  Jill Scott song playing I am in a good place.  Jill makes me happy.  But the movie itself, not so much.

Here is a quick rundown of the action:  David is engaged to Robin.  David is rigid, controlling and uncompromising.  His life is planned down to the minute and he holds everyone to his high standard.  He appears to be an unbearable jerk and you wonder why Robin stays with him.  Oh, yeah, he’s rich.  The day before their wedding, Robin confesses to her best friend that she doesn’t even love David.  (Who can blame her?)  Then Robin is caught attempting to cheat with her best friend’s finance.  David throws her out.  He then kills the man she “cheated” with by cutting his brakes but the cops rule it a suicide without any further investigating.  David then proceeds to go into another relationship with Tina where  his “insecurities” make him take the control thing up a notch.  I’m talking trackers on cars, using a blue light on the  sheets, instructions on answering his calls and his ten commandments.  Tina can’t even burn herself on the neck with a curling iron without being accused of having a hickie.  It would be disturbing if it wasn’t so badly acted as to be unbelievable.   There were several times I laughed out loud at the terrible dialogue and the predictable action.  The best thing about the movie was the beautiful scenes of Memphis where the story took place.

N-Secure felt like it could have been a decent drama about domestic violence and showed the circumstances and consequences of those relationships.  The movies “Enough” and “Sleeping with the Enemy” are an example.   But N-Secure failed on so many levels that it can’t be taken seriously.  One good thing came out of my viewing.  It did give me a blog post.  And I got to listen to some Jill Scott.