"When the Streetlights Go On" Review

 

by John Zenoni

Well, "When the Streetlights Go On" is a series of short episodes about how teens cope with the murders of two sisters in their small town (Colfax, Illinois). But I watched them all strung together at once as a single movie. I tell you, Quibi, the mobile streaming app that produced it, is really trying to get people to subscribe.

Now as far as this story, I really loved the opening segment and I was hooked within about the first 20-30 minutes. But it went from high to low towards the end. The concept itself wasn't original but there were some good moments. The parents -- Where the hell were the parents? I would have liked to have known more about the dynamics and why the one daughter was 'the precious one' and why the other was ignored and made to feel less special. I feel like there was a story about Becky being grungy. Did she turn out that way as an act of rebellion after being ignored? Speaking of which, I know this is minor but I couldn't stand Becky's (the younger sister) hairstyle. WTH? It looked like a horrible wig. Not to mention that side hairdo of Queen Latifah's! What was that? I love her but she looked ridiculous with that hair.

As for the other characters, I'm sorry but the 'big' jock, Brad, got on my nerves and there's no way that he'd be threatening to anyone, as small as he was. But I did think that Casper made a pretty believable 'bad guy'. And the main character, Charlie, is definitely a redeeming factor.

Overall, "When the Streetlights Go On" has some good moments but I was definitely disappointed with the ending. I give it a 3 out of 5.

December 2020 Movie Trailers

Updated 12/10/20

December 4

Mank

Half Brothers

December 11

I'm Your Woman

Songbird

December 18

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Greenland

December 25


Wonder Woman 1984

Soul

One Night in Miami

News of the World

December 30

Monster Hunter

The Best TV of 2013

 

Without a doubt, the best TV of 2013 was provided by the fourth season of Community. 

*5. "Advanced Introduction to Finality" (Community)

Jeff graduates from Greendale and a glimpse into the (alternate) future reveals that Troy and Britta are together and have a son. 

4. "Basic Human Anatomy" (Community)

On their first anniversary, Troy realizes that he no longer wants to date Britta. The Dean harasses Jeff as usual.

3. "Heroic Origins" (Community)

A look at the past explores Annie's crush on Troy in high school.

2. "Conventions of Space and Time" (Community)

Abed reveals that he knows that Troy and Britta have been sleeping together. And Annie reveals that she's imagined that she was married to Jeff...and Troy.

1. "Intro to Knots" (Community)

Annie throws a Christmas party...at Jeff''s apartment. Professor Cornwallis realizes that Troy and Britta are dating.

"Infidel" May Be the Last Movie I See in Theaters

 

by John Zenoni

Well, having read the recent news that Cineworld, the parent company of Regal Cinemas, might close all the UK and US theaters as soon as next week, I had to get in one more flick at the cinema. I ended up seeing a non-high profile film, at least it's one that I haven't heard a lot about, called “Infidel.” It felt great being back in the theater, even if I was only one of three people there, and this film did not leave me disappointed.

“Infidel” is a film about American journalist Doug Rawlings, a Christian blogger who's invited to Iran to discuss his religious beliefs on television. Needless to say, his comments don't sit well with some people and he's arrested and imprisoned by Iranian officials who accuse him of spying for the U.S. He is eventually charged with espionage and held captive for some time.

The film stars Jim Caviezel in the title role and he does a very good job. He definitely is believable as a man of passion about his beliefs.

His wife Liz, played by Claudia Karvan, is a State Department official and she tries to get the American government involved. However, she soon realizes that the American government will not get involved and decides she's going to go to the Middle East to try and get him back herself. This is really the best role in the film as Claudia Karvan is excellent as a wife desperate to get her husband released.

The rest of the cast is very impressive as well and the tension definitely keeps you captive, no pun intended, throughout the film.

I will say that there were a few moments where I thought, ‘No way would that happen’ or ‘Why would you do that?" -- so it's not a film without its faults.

The other thing is that after reading some reviews when I got home after watching the film, I discovered that there are quite a few positive and negative commentaries regarding the facts as the film is ‘inspired by true events.’

But I'm looking at the film from a thriller perspective and in that regard it definitely works. I definitely recommend this one. Hopefully, it will not be my last in a theater but if it is, I'm glad I picked one that isn't too bad.