Robert's Recommendations: "Miracle"

 

by Robert Zenoni

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!!?? Well that's exactly what this movie is about: The 1980 US Men’s national hockey team and coach Herb Brooks and what lead up to the miracle at Lake Placid. This film is hard to wrap up in a review and the movie explains very well that this wasn’t just about a hockey game it was about the idea that when America as a nation is down we certainly are never out. There's lots of patriotism in this movie and it explains why this particular hockey game was important and truly is a "Miracle on Ice".

"Boogie" for the Win?

 

Actress Taylour Paige is great in her role as the title character's love interest and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that both star Taylor Takahashi (in the title role) and rapper Bashar "Pop Smoke" Jackson (who was murdered about six months after the movie wrapped) were high school hoops stars. But I don't think the movie made the most of their skills. The father/son relationship between Alfred "Boogie" Chin and his dad is great but how did that marriage last so long?? I wonder what the director was getting at with the ending because the scene of the "loving family" 18 years ago is world's apart from where those characters are as a unit now. The marriage was a disaster from the beginning and it seems like Boogie should get away from Mrs. Chin as well. 

Also, it occurred to me that normally, Jackson's character, Monk, would be the "villain" in a movie like this. But really, Monk was minding his own business and Boogie targeted him for a rivalry -- because the former is the best high school player in the city. Boogie plan's to secure a full basketball scholarship to a Division I college by knocking Monk off his throne. Consequently, everything that Monk does to his would-be challenger is actually retaliation. If there's a true villain, it's Boogie's abusive (verbally and physically), rage-filled, adulterous mom, who successfully derails his dream. 

Boogie also presents a rarely-seen perspective on Asian-Americans, which is probably needed in light of recent events. Maybe this movie can help to diminish some of the Asian hate we've seen lately. While the cast is pretty diverse, the story is centered on an Asian-American teen and his family. Plus, there aren't many quality basketball movies and this is definitely one of the watchable ones. So, I don't wanna discourage anybody from seeing it but it's not worth risking COVID at a theater. You can, however, see a film with similar themes right away without traveling to a cineplex. The Sun is Also a Star is another coming-of-age story that focuses on the second-generation immigrant experience (both Korean and Black), the pressures of parental expectations and features an interracial teen romance. 

"Boogie" Movie Review

 

by John Zenoni

While there are certain aspects of the latest entry into movies about basketball that I liked, unfortunately ‘Boogie’ falls mostly flat for me. There are some good scenes involving the game itself and this adds some excitement to the movie. But this is a film about teenagers (big issue here as the main ‘teen’ in this film is actually 28 years old and sad to say he doesn't pull off the age difference in my opinion) that has themes that have been seen before and been done much better in other movies.

Boogie, as he's called in the film, is a high school senior hoping to get full rides to colleges based on his basketball play but his angst and attitude is holding him back from his dream. His parents loathe each other - each with different opinions about how their son should play ball, schools he should try to get into, even just being near each other is hard for them. They also are very traditional and old school which also is a challenge for Boogie. The one positive in his life is his girlfriend Eleanor, played by Taylour Paige, who does a great job in the role. She believes in him and tries to get him to stand up for himself.

There's also a protagonist in the film, Monk, who's known around the area as the basketball superstar and who Boogie feels he needs to best in order to obtain his full ride scholarships. The energy between the two is ok but I didn't find it too believable. Needless to say, a ‘match-up’ had to happen of course and the expected outcome occurred. The acting in this film also left a lot to be desired.

I did enjoy that the film had a lot of diversity and I was able to watch the parents talk in their native language, even if it was hollering and screaming at each other during most of those moments.

While this isn't a bad film, let’s just say I'm glad it was a screening and not one I had to pay for.

#boogiefilm

#boogiemovie

#cinemafiends

"The Sanatorium" Book Review

 

by John Zenoni

If you're into murder mystery novels with a Gothic-style that happen to be set in the wintry setting of the Swiss Alps, then I have the read for you - ‘The Sanatorium ’ - a debut novel nonetheless, by Sarah Pearse.

I'll tell you that I wasn't sure this one was going to be to my liking because of the main character and some of her traits that bugged me early on. I admittedly found her initially annoying and a whiner but I'm so glad I finished this read as everything made sense, including her personality and habits, in the end.

The story is about a police detective- currently on leave - and her boyfriend, who are invited to spend time with her somewhat estranged brother and his fiancé in a sanatorium-turned-hotel called Le Sommet. Creepy already, right? Well it gets even more so as horrific events begin to take place, all while the visitors of the hotel are trapped due to a snowstorm and avalanche that has the hotel blocked from anyone getting to it. There are several stories within the main one but they do all tie in together. One of the stories does explain why Elin has the fears and personality she does - her younger brother, Sam, drowned when she and her other brother Isaac were with him. Elin has distanced herself from Isaac as she believes him to be guilty for what happened to Sam. Needless to say, this topic does come up quite a bit in the story. But it's not the main story and I think the author put together an original plot that keeps you engaged and wanting to read more and more. I have to say I especially liked the ending as it could potentially lead us to more adventures/mysteries with Elin.

#bookfiends
#thesanatorium
#sanatoriumnovel
#gothicreadthesanatorium

May 2021 Movie Trailers

 

After the successful debut of his long-awaited and fan-demanded The Snyder Cut in March, Zack's back (with his second zombie movie). And so A Quiet Place.

May 7

Monster

The Water Man

May 21

Army of the Dead

May 28

A Quiet Place II

Bonus

The Bad Batch

June 2021 Movie Trailers

 

June 4

Flashback

June 11

In the Heights

Wish Dragon

The Misfits

June 18

Luca

Fatherhood

"The Ripper" Review

 

by John Zenoni

Another interesting and intriguing docuseries from Netflix is ‘The Ripper.’ This is a very well done series about the horrific time in the late 70’s, early 80’s when the murderer known as the Yorkshire Ripper stalked and killed women in England.

The thing about real life crime shows like this that fascinates me - as I'm sure it does others - is I want to know what could make a person commit such hideous and horrific crimes. Is it the way they were brought up? Things that they were exposed to at some point in their life? Something someone said or done to them when they were young? Well, if you listen to the father of the convicted killer in this series, the man lived what appeared to be an absolutely normal life. According to the father, his son was someone you never would have suspected of doing such a thing. Now whether or not the father was being truthful in his interview is something I guess we have to take for granted but it is fascinating. I could not imagine being the parent of Peter Sutcliffe (the convicted killer).

The series is only 4 episodes long but in my opinion it's packed full of great information, insight, pictures and video of the events happening at that time.

I will say - talking about advancement over the years - that I was amazed at some of the comments and actions made toward women back then, by not only law enforcement or authorities but men in general. In fact, the women got so frustrated and fed up with them having to be told to live in fear and change their lives and habits that they protested on many occasions! There is good insight as well about the protests that took place.

The other piece I found intriguing was that some women actually survived the attack! What's bad is that the very first victim - that we know of - lived and tried to get the police to take her attack serious but it wasn't! She was basically pushed to the side and after Sutcliffe was arrested her story was finally taken seriously. But too little, too late - so many other women lost their lives.

Finally, the biggest blunder is how the authorities handled the case. Sutcliffe had actually been interviewed at least 9 times and he had been pulled aside so many times at work by the police, his co-workers actually nicknamed him ‘The Ripper’ at work! Absolutely sickening to know they could have had this man locked up before another life was taken but he was overlooked many times as a suspect. Very good series in my opinion!

#cinemafiends

#theripper

#netflixtheripper

#yorkshireripper

#fullycinematic

Movie Recommendation: "The Fellowship of the Ring"

 

by Robert Zenoni

Ok, ok I’ll admit my last post (about 1991's Point Break) is a little bit banterous even though I do like the movie. THS HOWEVER IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME and has been for the last 15 years, so let’s dig in. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, made in 2001 and directed by the talented mind of Peter Jackson, based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien. You really have to watch this entire trilogy to understand the love I have for these films, but specifically the one that started it all. These movies follow the story of nine individuals from different races banding together to destroy “the one ring of power” and evil all together. A beautiful story that won 4 oscars and was nominated for 9 others...How could you not love it? Watch at your own risk of becoming a Lord of the Rings nerd like me but I personally guarantee you will enjoy this great film. I admit this is less a review and more of me telling you, "Hey, watch this movie!" But it truly holds a special place in my heart and I wanted to share my love of this movie with all of you and encourage anyone who hasn’t watched -- maybe because of the runtime (3 hours and 48 mins) or just not likening the fantasy/sci-fi genre -- to give this one a chance and you won’t be disappointed. Thank you.

"Super Frenchie" Early Review

 

by John Zenoni

There's something about people who have this intense desire or drive to do dangerous things like race car driving, scaling high mountains, jumping out of planes or jumping off tall buildings that I just do not understand. It's not that I don’t respect them or wish I had that kind of brave spirit to do such things but I just don’t. Keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground is just fine with me!

But BASE jumping I think definitely takes the cake in terms of doing ‘crazy stunts’ or something so intense. This is something I had never even heard of until I watched the 2020 documentary ‘Super Frenchie.’ This is a film about professional skier and BASE jumper Matthias Giraud who tries to balance his passion for jumping while also starting a family. It's definitely an interesting insight into the life of someone who enjoys this sport, knowing that each jump could potentially be his last. This sport consists of someone - at least in this case - skiing down a mountain only to jump off the side with a parachute and hoping they make it down safely. It's definitely a risky sport, to say the least.

There is a moment where Giraud himself has a close brush with death and as he's starting his family he has to decide whether or not he wants to continue pursuing his passion or not. It's interesting to hear the opinions of his parents, wife and Giraud himself about this pursuit.

This is an interesting well-made documentary that shows how fragile life is and yet one we must fully embrace without living in constant fear.

In theaters March 26.

#cinemafiends
#superfrenchie
#superfrenchiefilm
#fullycinematic
#giraudsuperfrenchie

April 2021 Movie Trailers

Due to the pandemic, April may be low on movies but it's high on action. Bob Odenkirk becomes an unlikely action hero and Michael B. Jordan continues to make a pretty convincing case for the title of "World's Biggest Movie Star".

April 2

Nobody

Concrete Cowboy

April 9

Voyagers

April 16

Monday

Mortal Kombat

April 30

Without Remorse

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (formerly titled Connected)

"The Courier" Early Movie Review

 

The Courier is the first spy film of 2021 (James Bond and Ethan Hunt will return later this year) and it's a win. Though it features several key events associated with the 007 and Mission: Impossible franchises -- a mission in Russia, a night at the ballet, cooperation between the CIA and MI6, the threat of nuclear war and loads of suspense -- The Courier lacks the action spectacle that's become a hallmark of both. And it still works. In fact, The Courier is the most watchable non-action spy thriller I've ever seen.

Based on the true story of an early 1960s intelligence-gathering mission, the film examines the events surrounding cold-war era Russian Colonel Oleg Penkovsky's smuggling classified intel regarding the Soviet nuclear program to the west through English businessman Greville Wynn -- all while under the ever-watchful eye of the KGB. Surrounded by covert operatives, civilian informants and lip-readers, Penkovsky and Wynn ferry the Kremlin's secrets during quasi-clandestine meetings and while hiding in plain sight under the guise of the latter as a greedy capitalist unwittingly having industrial trade practices stolen from him by the former. This little-known operation contributed greatly to the peaceful end of the tense, 13 -day Cuban Missile Crisis. And both men put themselves at substantially greater risk than the British and American agents overseeing the operation (Dickie Franks and Emily Donovan, respectively). Worse, their handlers eventually hang them out to dry. Neither had exploding pens or life-like facemasks -- just mini-cameras, lots of guts and a determination to prevent World War III. Did Penkovsky, codenamed "Ironbark", get caught? Did Wynn? 

Star Benedict Cumberbatch's last spy film, The Imitation Game, was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 2015 but The Courier is a considerably better movie. It remains to be seen whether or not No Time to Die (due in October) or Mission: Impossible 7 (scheduled for November) can provide compelling espionage-based drama. The Courier has certainly set the bar high.

Look for The Courier in theaters March 19.

The 2021 Oscar Nominations Are In

 

After a long delay, the nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards have been announced. As usual, there have been plenty of high-profile snubs and no Black auteurs have been nominated for Best Director, despite Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods), Skaka King (Judas and the Black Messiah) and Regina King (One Night in Miami) delivering masterpieces. We've listed a complete list of this year's nominees and highlighted our picks in red. If you're interested in watching, the winners will be announced on April 28.

BEST PICTURE

"The Father"

"Judas and the Black Messiah"

"Mank"

"Minari"

"Nomadland"

"Promising Young Woman"

"Sound of Metal"

"The Trial of the Chicago 7″

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

"Onward"

"Over the Moon"

"A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon"

"Soul"

"Wolfwalkers"

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

"Another Round" - Denmark

"Better Days" - Hong Kong

"Collective" - Romania

"The Man Who Sold His Skin" - Tunisia

Qu Vadis, Aida? - Bosnia and Herzegovina

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Sacha Baron Cohen, "The Trial of the Chicago 7"

Daniel Kaluuya, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

Leslie Odom Jr., "One Night in Miami"

Paul Raci, "Sound of Metal"

Lakeith Stanfield, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Maria Bakalova, "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm"

Glenn Close, "Hillbilly Elegy"

Olivia Colman, "The Father"

Amanda Seyfried, "Mank"

Youn Yuh-jung, "Minari"

DOCUMENTARY (SHORT)

"Colette"

"A Concerto Is a Conversation"

"Do Not Split"

"Hunger Ward"

"A Love Song For Latasha"

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

"Collective"

"Crip Camp"

"The Mole Agent"

"My Octopus Teacher"

"Time"

ORIGINAL SONG

"Fight For You" from "Judas and the Black Messiah"

"Hear My Voice" from "The Trial of the Chicago 7"

"Husavik" from "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga"

"lo Sì (Seen)" from "The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)"

"Speak Now" from "One Night in Miami..."

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

"Borat Subsequent MovieFilm"

"The Father"

"Nomadland"

"One Night in Miami"

"The White Tiger"

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

"Judas and the Black Messiah"

"Minari"

"Promising Young Woman"

"Sound of Metal"

"The Trial of the Chicago 7"

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Riz Ahmed, "Sound of Metal"

Chadwick Boseman, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Anthony Hopkins, "The Father"

Gary Oldman, "Mank"

Steven Yeun, "Minari"

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Viola Davis, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Andra Day, "The United States vs. Billie Holiday"

Vanessa Kirby, "Pieces of a Woman"

Frances McDormand, "Nomadland"

Carey Mulligan, "Promising Young Woman"

DIRECTOR

Thomas Vinterberg, "Another Round"

David Fincher, "Mank"

Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari"

Chloe Zhao, "Nomadland"

Emerald Fennell, "Promising Young Woman"

PRODUCTION DESIGN

"The Father"

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

"Mank"

"News of the World"

"Tenet"

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Sean Bobbitt, "Judas and the Black Messiah"

Erik Messerschmidt, "Mank"

Dariusz Wolski, "News of the World"

Joshua James Richards, "Nomadland"

Phedon Papamichael , "The Trial of the Chicago 7"

COSTUME DESIGN

"Emma"

"Ma Rainey's Blackbottom"

"Mank"

"Mulan"

"Pinocchio"

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

"Greyhound"

"Mank"

"News of the World"

"Soul"

"Sound of Metal"

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

"Burrow"

"Genius Loci"

"If Anything Happens I Love You"

"Opera"

"Yes-People"

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

"Feeling Through"

"The Letter Room"

"The Present"

"Two Distant Strangers"

"White Eye"

ORIGINAL SCORE

"Da 5 Bloods"

"Mank"

"Minari"

"News of the World"

"Soul"

VISUAL EFFECTS

"Love and Monsters"

"The Midnight Sky"

"Mulan"

"The One and Only Ivan"

"Tenet"

FILM EDITING

"The Father"

"Nomadland"

"Promising Young Woman"

"Sound of Metal"

"The Trial of the Chicago 7"

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING

"Emma"

"Hillbilly Elegy"

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

"Mank"

"Pinocchio"