Sunday, April 14, 2024
Movie: The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Movie: Nothing But a Man (1964) ****
I’m not sure how I came across this movie, but at some point, I placed a hold on it from my local library and then it was available. Nothing But a Man depicts Black misery, and centers on two people who are fighting to find moments of joy. It is brought to life with great acting, chock-full of internalized emotions and filmed in such a way that you get to look into the faces and see what’s contained.
After the movie, I watched the recorded interview with the director, Michael Roemer, that's included on the Criterion edition DVD. I gleaned that he was implying that he regrets creating a "manipulative" movie with a happy-hopeful ending, “what Americans want to believe.” I disagree. I don't see it as a perfect ending or a hopeful ending. I see it as an imperfect-open-ended ending.
“I don't like emphasis so everything I do is non-emphatic. Except that these things that happen that are very extreme. You may feel the tension all the way through, but the tension is subdued, and you are waiting for it to explode.” – Michael Roemer, Director
I loved this movie. I could definitely watch this movie over again and again. It is a film you can see differently at different stages of your life, and a movie I’d like to re-watch and find things in the fore and background that fascinate me. It may not be overtly happy, but the open-ended ending leaves room for you to root for Duff and Josie to thrive. ****
Watched this on a DVD checked out from my local library.
Friday, November 24, 2023
TV: The Split, Seasons 1-3
The writing is so good and the acting is so good and its starring my new favorite actress, Nicola Walker, from Unforgotten. This is a three-season series. I watched all three seasons on Hulu.
Fall 2023 Cheesy Romance Triple Play
To Her with Love (2022)Production: Authentic production and styling and a really good but terribly under-used supporting cast. Maybe that means there will be a sequel.
Tropes: Career vs. Love
Diversity: Some representation of BIPOC, but I’m not sure if that’s what Montana looks like!
Production: Front Street Pictures and released by Hallmark Channel.How’d you watch it: DVD checked out from my local library.
I’ve never done this before, but I want to analyze the DVD cover before I watch the movie: This is a Hallmark Mahogany production, Hallmark’s Black or African American line of films. There are two attractive Black people on the cover, and in the background is the brick façade of some kind of institution. There’s some kind of mural (I hope not graffiti) that fades up into the photo of the couple. So I am thinking that they’re playing on the Sidney Poitier classic To Sir, With Love, and the institution-like building is a school. The closer I look at the mural on the cover, I notice that it might have students or kids or people sitting at desks or maybe in an auditorium. I see some hands up in the background so maybe a classroom? But I hope its not an inner city classroom. Please no basic stereotypes!
The movie: Yes! This is an excellent Hallmark cheesy romance movie! No they did not fall for the basic stereotypes! A teacher fills in as the art teacher at her old high school, while she hopes for a job at a better-funded school and/or her dream of teaching abroad comes true. Of course, she meets another very dedicated teacher who also happens to be a handsome single man. I thought the story was unique and I love the throwback to To Sir, With Love. I like that in the end she didn’t have to give anything up and that it wasn’t just romance, but also friendship that she gained. Brittany L. Smith from Sweet Magnolia fame plays the friend in this movie!
Production: The acting was on par for a cheesy romance. The locations and styling looked authentic and the people comfortable in them. The only really bad thing was the lighting, which was off in many scenes. You would think they wouldn’t have such a hard time lighting Black folk since this is a Mahogany.Pumpkin Pie Wars (2016)
Tropes: Shared Goal • Return to Hometown • Career vs. Love
Diversity: Yep.
Production Co.: Evergreen Film Productions and released by Hallmark Mahogany
How’d you watch it: DVD checked out from my local library.
The children of feuding bakers take up the mantle to win the annual baking competition for their respective parents’ bakeries. In the process, they learn that each of them has a skill that could help the other, so they trade to try to win the contest, and to succeed in their endeavors beyond the contest. Acting is on par with a good Hallmark movie. I found the story charming and somewhat unique with different-than-expected ending. Pumpkin Pie Wars is a good Hallmark movie that I watched on a DVD checked out from my local library.
Production: The production and styling gives a sense of authenticity: The actors look comfortable and familiar with the sets and costuming.
Tropes: Friends to lovers • Secret Contract/Agreement • Family Feud
Diversity: Nope.
Production Co.: Crown Media Productions and released by Hallmark ChannelHow’d you watch it: DVD checked out from my local library.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
TV: Ode to Deadwood
I found this old review I wrote January 5, 2016. Things have changed since!