Written by John Edward Betancourt
It really is quite amazing how much storytelling freedom there is in the streaming era. Because stories that we simply have never seen before and might not ever reach the airwaves are commonplace now, and they’re allowing for us to enjoy stories from fresh voices and sit through fresh ideas that captivate our imagination and wow us with their originality. If anything, the majesty of streaming is top of mind today, simply because once again… we are about to be graced with another fresh and compelling story. For earlier today, BET+ let it be known that it will soon be home to a fascinating feature entitled, Young. Wild. Free.
A coming-of-age story that features a high school senior named Brandon who finds himself embroiled in a love affair and a new chapter in life that is dangerous and alluring in nature. All of which will bring forth a captivating tale that we can relate to through the frustrations of being a teenager, all while enduring a story that takes us into a dangerous world, we know nothing of, and to properly celebrate the announcement that this feature will arrive on BET+ on June 27, BET+ made sure to release a trailer as well and details regarding this dynamic feature. Which we will share with you now, so you too can prepare to be whisked away by a movie that is as original and engaging as they come. SYNOPSIS: Being a teenager is rough, and Brandon (Algee Smith) is no different. Between struggling in school, caring for his two younger siblings, and having just been let go from his job, Brandon often uses his art as an escape from the confines of his subdued day-to-day life. Enter Cassidy (Sierra Capri), a bedazzled bad girl dripping in confidence, freedom, and danger. Lured in by her whimsy, Brandon teams up with Cassidy, seamlessly slipping into the role of Clyde to her Bonnie as they make their way down an increasingly perilous path. CREDITS:
0 Comments
Written by John Edward Betancourt Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Savoring Paris’. One particular type of motion picture that takes a great deal of critical flak in this day and age, is the ‘starting over’ film. The one where someone who is unhappy with their life, packs up their bags and moves someplace else to find themselves and uncover what they really want out of life. And what allows for these films to take heat is the sheer fact that they are so fluffy in nature and feature no consequences for the actions that the characters perform. Because in reality, just hitting the rest button on our lives and moving say… cross country… isn’t some simple task, as these stories portray. In fact, a lot goes into this. Since we need money to sustain ourselves, we need a place to live, and we need to find out what we really need and want in life to find peace, or we do this all again. And audiences want those types of deeper explorations to take place and want to learn more about the process… because sometimes we feel a need to just blow up our lives and start over and a guide would help. But alas, audiences just aren’t getting that guide from these types of films, and they really are done with the puff and fluff they often offer. But thankfully, the networks and studios are starting to hear that feedback and they are slowly making changes to this type of feature so that it does have more meaning for audiences and for proof… then look no further than the fascinating ‘reset button’ film that hit the airwaves on Hallmark Channel last night. For Savoring Paris just so happens to serve as the anthesis to what a lot of these films offer, by offering a more detailed and realistic look at this decision. But of course, at first glance, that doesn’t seem to be the case. For we are introduced to a woman named Ella Weber in this film, who finds herself at a crossroads. Because her career isn’t giving her what she needs, creatively or from a fulfillment standpoint and outside of work, she doesn’t feel the call to settle down in a traditional manner. All of which, overwhelms her to no end and prompts her to fly back to the one place that offered her joy ages ago, Paris, to clear her head. But after a short while, she decides that she should stay for as long as possible and enjoy all that Paris has to offer, including cheese, while she finds herself and her direction, and potentially… love along the way. All of which really does seem like a by the numbers reset story. Since Ella does all the things that one comes to expect in this type of story. After all, she dips into her savings to stay in Paris and enjoy its comforts and its freedom, and of course, there is a love affair present here where two men vie for her attention and her heart. But all of that exists to make the viewer comfortable, as though they are indeed just settling in for more of the same and once that comfort is present, does this story shift gears and offer up different concepts. For instance, the decision to just quit her job is revealed to be more than impulse and foolish and reckless abandon to be a ‘free spirit’. It’s about finding freedom for Ella, about having control and a say in her life’s events and that is a concept that is rarely explored in these films. The same goes… for the fact that this story focuses heavily on Ella taking time for herself, to really reflect upon her life and how she got to this point, so she doesn’t make similar mistakes going forward. Which brings about gentle moments of inflection and even moments of powerful self-discovery. Wherein Ella begins to uncover the truth she seeks about herself, and she is even honest about what she wants in her love life, to the point where she sets boundaries and offers respect and isn’t some foolish, love-lorn woman that will only find peace through matters of the heart. That part of the journey is about finding someone to compliment her over making her complete, because… she wants to feel as though she can be more and is on a path that is fulfilling and nurturing for her soul and that is just wonderful to see present in this type of story. Not to mention, the movie acknowledges the risks of going this route financially and how it might be best to have something to fall upon before we go this route and that makes, for one refreshing story. One that engages and teaches, courtesy of those magnificent plot points and some fine acting as well. With Bethany Joy Lenz leading the charge as Ella, since she portrays Ella with an honesty and a vulnerability that we can relate to through and through and well, all of these elements make this story, essential viewing. Simply because this really is that rare ‘reset your life’ story that is grounded in realism over fantasy, since it correctly and wonderfully points out… that starting over in life is more than just packing our bags and taking a chance on life and love. It requires dedication, self-care and self-work and an understanding that we need to make peace with ourselves, in order find peace in our lives. Written by Juanita ‘Obi-Juan’ Bonner Caution: This article contains minor spoilers for the motion picture, ‘The Fall Guy’. As the summer movie blockbuster season kicks into high gear. I wanted to take a moment to discuss The Fall Guy (Universal Pictures; 2024). A film that, for me, has all the elements a true summer blockbuster needs to make it worth your while. So, grab your popcorn and settle in while we look at three reasons why The Fall Guy is the perfect summer blockbuster. Nostalgia Meets Meta Billed as an action comedy, The Fall Guy is loosely based on the TV series of the same name (20th Century Fox Television; 1981-1986). Of course, we see Easter eggs paying homage to this series. Including our lead – Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) – who shares his name with the Lee Majors lead of the 80s. Colt also drives one of the same brown and gold GMC K-2500 Sierra pickups as his 80s counterpart. There’s even a newer version noted to be “product placement.” *NICE!* Even if you’re just hearing about this television series for the first time, one must admit that as far as nostalgia goes, this is excellent!! Plus, there’s a mid-credit cameo by Majors himself. Along with Heather Thomas, who also starred in the series. *AWESOME!* Tying even more to the 80s series, Gosling’s character ends up smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery. Not quite the same as Lee Major’s character, who plays a stunt man by day and a bounty hunter by night. Still, the film does a fantastic job of marrying the two by setting Gosling’s Colt Seavers on the hunt for answers. Beyond the OG series, we are taken into an extremely meta environment as we’re watching a movie of people making a movie wrapped inside a whodunit crime caper. There are constant film references. Jokes on and about the industry. Name drops and more. With plenty of self-deprecation, it never feels over the top. It’s cheesy in all the right places. As well as generally fast paced and downright hilarious throughout. And let’s not forget some banging music with the likes of Kiss, AC/DC, Taylor Swift, Phil Collins and more! *HECK YEAH* With all that going for it, you’d think it would be enough. Yet… one of the biggest things to sell this film is character dynamics. Of which, we see in spades!! Character Chemistry Gosling’s love interest – Jody Moreno – played by the beautifully talented Emily Blunt, is the flawless yin to Colt’s yang. Their chemistry is electric and is an absolute joy to watch. A love affair gone wrong after Seavers’ suffers an injury during a massive stunt. The audience watches as the pair are suddenly thrust together once again on the set of Jody’s new movie Metalstorm… HAHAHA, that name!! Adding the romance element to an action comedy isn’t usually done in such bold fashion. But writer Drew Pearce (Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation; Paramount Pictures – 2015), weaves all three elements splendidly and I LOVE IT!! Both Gosling and Blunt are at the top of their comedic game here and their romantic harmony shines bright! Simply put, The Fall Guy is surprisingly a PURE romcom (*YEP!!) wrapped inside an action movie which was something I didn’t even know I needed… LOL!! Though I could go on and on about our leads, they aren’t the only ones with enigmatic chemistry. Many of the other characters blend very well across the film. Including Colt’s best friend and Metalstorm’s stunt coordinator Dan Tucker (Winston Duke). They are hysterical together and truly come across as though they’ve been friends for years. We also see very strong performances from Aaron Taylor-Johnson who plays Tom Ryder. A huge action star and a ridiculously silly – albeit somewhat true –parody of what we see in the industry today. Hannah Waddingham as Ryder’s manager and the producer of Metalstorm, is the textbook eyeroll as an industry giant whose main concerns are money and image… OF COURSE!! Another fun character is Ryder’s personal assistant Alma Milan (Stephanie Hsu) who’s brilliant against Gosling’s seemingly aloof yet ultimately witty portrayal. Finally, many of the movie within the movie characters as well as those in pursuit of Seavers round out a powerhouse team of talent and all of them bring the laughs throughout. Though, there’s one more thing that makes this film blockbuster material… oh, the wonderful stunts!! A Love Letter to the Stunt Community Directed by David Leitch, an actual stunt performer himself, The Fall Guy is literally a love letter to the stunt community. And boy does it live up to this homage. Having directed such huge hits as John Wick – uncredited (Summit Entertainment; 2014), Atomic Blonde (Focus Features; 2017) and Deadpool 2 (20th Century Fox; 2018), Leitch knows EXACTLY what goes into the bones of an action movie. Couple this with his stunt background, he knows even more what it takes to pull off mesmerizing over the top action sequences. Of which, The Fall Guy, is jam-packed. *DAMN STRAIGHT* Including, at 8.5 rolls, breaking the Guinness World Record for the most cannon rolls in a car. Completed by Logan Holiday, this feat is spectacular to watch. *AWESOME!!* As are the fight scenes, car chases, “on-set” action, and more. It’s also worth noting that those in the stunt industry are often overlooked when it comes to praise for any given film. The Fall Guy aims to change that by showing us just how much stunts and those who perform them matter. As it stands now, awards such as The Oscars, do not recognize stunts as a category and it’s high time that changes!! #OscarsForStunts *HECK YEAH!!* Finally, this amazing love letter is introduced by Leitch and Gosling in a small, yet comical, prologue which kicks off the fun and let’s the viewer know that we’re in for a treat. From there, the laughs, action, stunts and chemistry build into a silly and glorious climax that give us – the viewer – exactly what we want… EVERYTHING!! Ticking all the megahit boxes can be difficult, but with a mix of action, comedy, romance and meta overload, The Fall Guy is a hoot and a half. It brings all the feels and then some!! *BIG GRIN* And though it’s currently available to stream, I encourage any movie fan to hit the theatres on this one. For The Fall Guy is, as they say… a good time at the movies… and TRULY IS the perfect summer blockbuster… and you should see it if it is still available in your area!! Until next time. |
Archives
June 2024
|