The Reel Critic Roundtable: Coming 2 America
The Critics discuss Coming 2 America. While we all think it is worth a look we didn’t agree as to why.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Coming 2 America, Boogie, and Raya and The Last Dragon
This week the critics discussed the much anticipated sequel to Coming to America, Coming 2 America. They also talked about Boogie and Raya and the Last Dragon. And these three Critic Choice Awards member had to spend some time discussing the upcoming Critics Choice Awards.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Blithe Spirit, I Care A Lot and Truth to Power
This week, the critics discussed, the movies Blithe Spirit, I Care A Lot, and Truth to Power. We also discussed, diversity in the industry and how there is so much lip service and not deep systematic diversity within the film industry – extending to film critics.
The Reel Critic Roundtable
The Critics discuss the movie The Little Things starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Cicely Tyson, The Little Things and Supernova
The critics discuss the life and legacy of Cicely Tyson and the movies The Little Things and Supernova.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: Our Friend and The White Tiger – Oh and Lupin!
In this episode, Shawn Edwards and Ronda Racha Penrice Join me to discuss the films Our Friend and The White Tiger. As usual we discuss other industry news, one of which is the success of the Netflix series Lupin.
Reggie Ponder Interviews Sam Pollard for his movie MlK/FBI
I got a chance to speak to director Sam Pollard about his documentary MLK/FBI. This was part of the AAFCA roundtable.
You can see what the other critics had to say at the AAFCA Youtube channel https://youtu.be/4v03OBDEkHg
Fatale – Movie Review
What’s It about:
After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, his career, and even his life.
Who’s in it:
Cast: Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Tyrin Turner, Damaris Lewis. Director:Deon Taylor
What’s to like:
A Black film about a fatal attraction has been done before but I don’t think it has been quite done like this. A solid cast, an interracial relationship, a successful Black Business and some twists and turns makes this something you won’t see coming but is worth seeing. I was curious as to how Academy Award winner Hilary Swank was going to play as a sexual interest and Fatale gave me more to think about than a mere one night stand. There is real chemistry between Michael Ealy and Swank but it is that “I wish I didn’t get involved with her” kind of chemistry. An oil and vinegar that might be good on a sub sandwich but not on a great burger. What Fatale does well is set you up in a way that you guess what is next, you talk to the screen and you notice the setting, scenery and shots. Fatale is a tense and fun film which makes everyone suspect You know how you ask when watching a movie “did a Black person write this?” Well, the dialogue and situations (that crazy cousin), while universal, have those things that only come from understanding the culture. Mike Colter plays a great business partner or not, but I like his performance. I can’t help but mention, that as beautiful as Damaris Lewis is as Ealy’s wife, you wonder why he would stray in the first place but that is what makes it interesting.
What’s not to like
Some of this will have you saying “really?”, so you will have to suspend belief. You will say things like “I wouldn’t do that” or “this wouldn’t happen to me” but I think Fatale works as a piece of escapism and intrigue and more importantly, conversation.
My rating
Worth watching – 3 Reels
The Reel Critic Roundtable: One Night In Miami
The Critics, Kathia Woods, Shawn Edwards and myself discuss the Regina King directed movie One Night In Miami. One Night in Miami is the story of four men who confront their challenges, their triumphs and theirs hopes. It is a reimagining of the real life gathering of of Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) the night Clay upsets heavy weight campion Sonny Liston. One Night In Miami is based on the award winning play by the same name. The film stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge & Leslie Odom Jr.
The Reel Critic Roundtable: MLK/FBI, Outside The Wire and One Night In Miami
This week the critics: Kathia Woods, Shawn Edwards and myself discussed the MLK/FBI documentary, Outside the wire and One Night In Miami. We also discussed a few issues surrounding streaming including the closing of Family Video, Netflix releasing a new movie every week in 2021 and the fact that Mandalorian becomes the first non-netflix show to top Nielsen streaming chart.
