3 Movies That Fit Perfectly with Your Game Night

Game night is always an exciting way to end the work week with friends and family. This night doesn’t always have to be centered on your and your buddies wasting the night away by playing poker, darts, pools, board games, and other exciting activities. Other people spice things up by playing some great movies to go along with the other activities.

Of course, there are some films that are better-suited game night. You wouldn’ t want to play a horror film for such a fun night wouldn’t you? Well, if you’re having trouble picking a movie, here are a few movies that deserve a spot on game night.

21

If it’s cards night for game night, then you should definitely check out 21. It’s a film about blackjack starring Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, and Jim Sturgess. Bucky Bingo UK says that it’s one of the best films about black jack. In it, Jim Sturgess’ character is a prodigy in blackjack because of his special ability to count cards.

The film teaches you a lot about how black jack isn’t just a game about luck. It’s also a game about logic and fast math. Who knows, you might pick up a few tricks from the movie which you can use for game night.

Pixels

If you and the boys are going to play video games for game night, then the best movie to accompany you guys is the 2015 ode to classic video games, Pixels. It’s a comedy starring Adam Sandler, Peter Dinklage, Josh Gad, Kevin James, and Michelle Mognahan.

In Pixels, a time capsule containing arcade classics was launched into space. An alien race comes across the time capsule and begins to declare war on earth. The invaders come in the form of gaming icons like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and more. Adam Sandler, who’s an expert at these classics is tasked with fending off the invaders.

Tag

This is a 2018 comedy starring Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm, Ed Helms, Hannibal Burress, and Jake Johnson who play as a group of friends. The plot of Tag is as crazy as it gets. Basically, the group of friends are playing an endless game of tag which has been going on since May 1983. The main goal is to avoid being “it” for a year. What makes that year's game of tag special is that Hoagie, played by Renner, is about to be married.

What makes Tag such a great movie is that it’s actually based on a real life story of friends who have been playing the same game of tag for over two decades. If you and your buddies are looking for a great lighthearted film about camaraderie and friendship, Tag is definitely it.

There are many other movies that can accompany your game night. All you need to do is pick lighthearted and fun movies that are all about bonds and friendship. Of course, you are free to ask your friends and family about which films they want to watch. They could have a few noteworthy suggestions too.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" live YouTube recap for "Wandavision" Episode 4

The fourth episode of Marvel’s WandaVision playing on Disney+ sharply broke stride from the sitcom format to be one of the most sophisticated “clips” episodes you’ll ever see for any show. Histories were formed, theories were destroyed, and any lollygagging that annoyed casual viewers was smoked with new stakes. Each week, Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat will host our usual quartet, including myself, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews, and David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel stand to be “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” conducting LIVE “wecap” shows on YouTube. Catch us every Friday at 8:30pm CST! Here’s our talk for Episode 4:

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Human Factors ★★★★

Director: Ronny Trocker Cast: Sabine Timoteo, Mark Waschke, Jule Hermann, Wanja Valentin Kube, Hannes Perkmann and Daniel Séjourné Released: Sundance Film Festival 2021 Intimate tracking shots ensure that Human Factors is a continuous fully immersive experience in this riveting tale as a family’s weekend retreat unearths hidden tensions following a break-in. Such a home invasion […]

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GUEST COLUMN: 5 Simple Ways to Set Up a Successful Student Movie Night

5 Simple Ways to Set Up a Successful Student Movie Night

by Arthur Evans

When you are in college, you are always on the lookout for cheap and simple ways to have fun during your free time. It can be relieving to forget about your exams, assignments, and projects for a couple of hours and have fun. Movie nights are amazing because you have them any time of the year. Therefore, if you want to host your friends in the middle of the semester or over the summer break, you won’t have any problems with the school administration or your tutors. So, how do you go about setting up a movie night? Here are five simple tips:

1. Choose a good movie

Your movie night experience will be greatly determined by what you choose to watch. You’ve probably watched lots of movies that you felt like you wasted your time. Take your time when choosing a movie. You don’t have to make the decision yourself. You can consider consulting your friends since you’ll be watching together with them. If you aren’t into movies, you can watch a show. Go for something amazing that will make you and your friends feel like college students.

2. Don’t forget to buy snacks

A movie is not complete without delicious snacks. Some of the common snacks to grab for your movie night include candy, popcorn, soda, and crisps to name a few. If your movie night is not limited by what the theatre serves you, you will have lots of fun with your friends. You can prepare chicken or pizza. You can also bake or visit an ice cream bar. Your movie night experience will be amazing when you have good food to go along with your movie of choice.

3. Location! Location!

According to assignment writing, finding the ideal spot to watch your movie will greatly enhance your movie night’s experience. Some student complexes have theatre rooms and lounges to enhance the movie-night experience. If this is not available, a private theatre can be perfect for you and your colleagues. If it’s warm outside, setting up a projector can be an amazing option for an outdoor movie experience. Your location will be greatly determined by the number of guests that you’ll invite. If you are going to invite a lot of people, then it will be best to make elaborate plans.

4. Seating

A common issue with movie theatres is that some people won’t get the best spot to watch and enjoy the movie. Unless you have lots of friends, this shouldn’t be an issue. All your colleagues can gather around the television set and see everything clearly. 

Some people usually put cinder blocks and risers under the couch to create a stadium-like seating. This allows everyone to get the perfect seat. In short, there are lots of amazing ways to watch movies in small groups. You can consider making a giant blanket fort and watching the movie. In college, you should have fun with your friends during your leisure time. Let the child within play out!

5. Atmosphere

Among the things that will greatly improve your movie night, the experience is the atmosphere. The movie you choose to watch will affect the atmosphere. For instance, if you are watching a comedy show, ensure that everyone is relaxed and they are laughing aloud. On the other hand, if you are watching a horror movie, ensure that your colleagues don’t get interrupted in any way. Whatever you go for, ensure that everyone feels relaxed and welcomed.

Bonus Tip: Promote it

If you want to have more guests, you need to advertise your movie night at school. Emphasize the fact that it’s going to be a fun activity. Let your guests and friends know what they should bring and whether snacks or dinner will be served for free or sold. Place beautifully designed signs around the school campus and inform your invites about your progress regularly. Whether it’s going to be a PTA or a non-profit organization, ensure that your invites know who the beneficiary will be for people to know who they’ll be supporting.

Best movies for college students:

• The Christmas Story

• The Grinch who Stole Christmas

• The Internship

• The History Boys

• Legally Blonde

• The Man Who Knew Infinity

• Into the Wild

Conclusion

After having a successful movie night, thank all the business donors and volunteers with a note of appreciation. Share with your friends the pictures and videos you took on social media or in the school newsletter. And have the local newspaper publish a good article. This will help in bringing exposure for people who’ll attend next time. 

When you follow the tips that we’ve discussed, your movie night should not only be fun but also successful. Your friends will talk about the event for the next several weeks. And, they won’t miss another one upon invitation. Have fun while you can in college. It’s the best time to discover who you are!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arthur Evans is a highly skilled freelance writer and proofreader from the UK. Being interested in everyday development, he writes various blog posts and discovers new aspects of human existence every day.

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INFOGRAPHIC QUIZ: Guess the film or TV show car in the classifieds

Some movies and series would be nothing without the cars – Doc Brown would’ve had some trouble getting back to the future without his DeLorean and David Hasselhoff couldn’t have done much crime fighting without K.I.T.T. Whilst some cars have been replicated for real life use (The Hoff’s own Knight Rider Pontiac is up for auction!) many only live on in our dreams. What if you could have all the bullet-proof, time-travelling, flying car tech in real life – how much would it cost to insure it? Admiral have analysed our fave pop culture cars and their owners to provide an insight into insurance considerations! These quotes were inspired by Admiral’s latest quiz – shop famous cars and homes in the Classifieds once you’ve done your research!

Back to the Future 

For the standard vehicle, prices could range between £500 ($680) and £1,500 ($2050) depending on other factors such as the driver. Given the high risk and expensive repair costs, the flux capacitor modification would increase the price by 372%. However, if we could incorporate a time travel, crash reversal guarantee to go back and undo crashes, this would reduce the price by 75%. Standard inflation rates apply if you wish to insure for use in future years. If telematics is selected, time travel to times before the invention of GPS wouldn’t be allowed.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 

Ferraris are generally group 50 cars and would be incredibly expensive for young drivers. You may want to consider telematics to be sure your vehicle isn’t being stolen by your teenage son.

Harry Potter 

As the Ford Anglia is a classic vehicle we’d generally be quite competitive, but the Privet Drive area has a high tendency of malicious damage incidents over the last few years and so insurance prices in this area have increased by 47%. That said, we tend to find the occupation “wizard” reasonably low risk, possibly due to the navigational and reaction skills gained through broomstick riding. We’d offer a further discount if you had your own broomstick or use of one. Due to previous expensive claims with whomping willows, we don’t offer recovery after this sort of accident. Optional upgrades available to cover flying use. Please consider our pet insurance to cover your owl.

Knight Rider 

Multiple modifications and high-risk driving will increase the cost to insure, but the very sophisticated ADAS feature on the vehicle (aka Kitt) reduces its risk. While it may not impact your insurance price, we’d suggest the driver attends a course run by IAM Roadsmart so they’re better prepared for high-risk driving. Software updates are encouraged to maintain the car’s safety and security.

The Italian Job 

Unfortunately our car insurance doesn’t cover fleets, but for a small number of vehicles MultiCar may be suitable and could offer discounts of up to £252 ($345). Note that racing or any use for criminal activity is against our policy terms and conditions.

If you’re committed to driving a little less high-risk than these icons, you’ll likely find yourself more favourable to insurers! 

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Little Things

Images courtesy of Warner Bros.

THE LITTLE THINGS-- 2 STARS

The very accomplished Denzel Washington is and has been many superlative things throughout his illustrious career. His signature intensity and ardent commitment to character have filled trophy cases and made him a magnetic draw across five decades now. One thing you could never call him was boring. Sure, the same can’t be said about all of his movies, but he was never (and I mean never) part of the dullness. Well, after nearly 50 films, there’s a first time for everything and John Lee Hancock’s The Little Things, debuting on HBO Max, is the culprit.

It’s ironic to drop the word “culprit” with such assurance to reflect on a movie searching for a narrative one. Theirs inside is a mystery. Ours out here is not. Even worse, Hancock’s far-too-slight thriller drags two more Oscar winners down with Washington in the form of Bohemian Rhapsody frontman Rami Malek and The Dallas Buyer’s Club chameleon Jared Leto. 

Written by his own hand, the Saving Mr. Banks and The Blind Side director applies his craft painting with blood and grime for a serial killer mystery set in 1990. Washington plays graying Kern County deputy Joe Deacon who’s been assigned to visit Los Angeles for an evidence exchange that may connect recent female murders in the city to a possible matching case from his tumbleweed trails. Every physical tick of apprehension shows Deacon is not happy about this pending visit.

LESSON #1: PRECEDING REPUTATIONS-- No less than a minute into Deacon’s arrival at police headquarters, every reaction to his presence signals history and auspicious circumstances. It doesn’t take much of a streaming sleuth at home to hear and see the conflicting positive cordialities and negative awareness being given off by the beer belly battalion of blue brotherhood, an old coroner friend (Michael Hyatt), or the newbies after his time taken aback by his very name. He’s got a known story The Little Things slows plays for all its worth to give Washington a potential spectrum between stalwart and unhinged.

The person hearing and asking the most about Joe Deacon is Detective Jimmy Baxter (Malek). The slick-suited and calculating PR face of the department invites the senior lawman to the crime scene of the newest victim where the wise bloodhound reveals his fortitudine style to fruitfully aid the investigation. The jarring familiarity of the crime scene findings and the foreboding and renewed urge to clear consciences and slay old demons convinces Deacon to stay on to assist Baxter. Their clued-in cravings begin to take interest in a local appliance repair worker (Leto), whose every appearance detail, thanks to the Method actor, screams guilty and too easy.

The Little Things, despite its R rating, is going for the aftermath ambiance route. The vile deeds are done and the cops are left with the gory details that crispen what the film’s title suggests. This low level of cinematic frequency puts emphasis on the nuances of investigation more than the catapult of any chase. That simplistic and plain tone creates more of a chiller than a thriller. Nothing announces that flaccid fact more than softie composer Thomas Newman’s fluttery and choral score that feels more like lotion on the skin than goosebumps.

LESSON #2: IT’S NEVER OVER-- This chiller vibe of The Little Things tries to create several performance stumps for the three headlining stars to punctuate doom-and-gloom portence. Conversations and curiosities measure everything from lifelong responsibilities to man and God in all the violence. Characters warn of unshakeable sights they’ve seen across cases and victims. Either desensitization or vigilance has made them used to the ugliness, but not before waxing speeches circle back the inescapable consequences brought on by that film title element again. Despite trying to bring gravitas into those lines and moments, the results are far too genteel and, frankly, boring. That shouldn’t happen with the immense talent present.

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GUEST COLUMN: 5 Inspirational Sports Movies You Should Check Out

(Image: amazon.com)

5 Inspirational Sports Movies You Should Check Out

by Kevin Faber

Not everyone can play sports but everyone can enjoy a good sports movie. The challenges involved in athletics can be viewed as metaphors for larger human struggles that people face on a day-to-day basis. This makes these stories relatable even for those who do not participate in sports. Sports movies can also be inspiring because they are often based on a true story, illustrating how real people can rise above adversity in their chosen arena, whether athletic or otherwise.

These aren't necessarily the most popular sports movies, but they're films with inspirational messages that should not be overlooked due to relative obscurity.

1. Pride

Set in the 1970s, Pride is based on the true story of the first all African-American swimming team in Philadelphia. This is made possible through the efforts of a former competitive swimmer and a janitor who, despite the pool cost involved, renovate an abandoned swimming facility. The two mentor the young swimmers, teaching them how to overcome challenges and meet adversity in sports and in life, while faced with interference from city officials and sometimes violence.

2. Wimbledon

While Wimbledon is a real sporting event, this movie that shares its name with it and centers around it is entirely a work of fiction. Nevertheless, it is a sweet love story about a talented but not outstanding tennis player who plans to retire after one last Wimbledon, which he qualified for in a wild card with a low seed. While there, he meets a young female competitor, and their burgeoning relationship motivates him to improve his performance. Nevertheless, her father is not pleased with the relationship, fearing that it will prove a distraction that will cause his daughter's rising star to plummet.

3. Cool Runnings

Though based on a true story, most of the events of Cool Runnings are fictional. In reality, the first Jamaican bobsled team were met with mild amusement rather than open hostility when they made their debut at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary, and they did not carry their bobsled on their shoulders after their terrifying crash but pushed it along the remainder of the track. Cool Runnings, therefore, is more of an allegory about the importance of being true to oneself even in the face of pressure to conform. It conveys this message with a light, comedic touch that is accessible and appropriate even for relatively young viewers.

4. Eddie the Eagle

The Jamaican bobsled team members were not the only underdogs at the 1988 Olympics. Michael Edwards, called Eddie by his friends and eventually known as Eddie the Eagle, became the first ski jumper to represent Great Britain at the Olympics in 60 years despite having limited experience competing in the sport at the time.

Due to its climate, Great Britain typically doesn't have a significant presence at the Winter Olympics. It usually has only a few competitors in a handful of events, and slots in the most popular sports go quickly. Having been passed over for the Olympic downhill ski team, Eddie took advantage of a loophole that allowed him to become the sole competitor for Great Britain in the ski jump. He came in dead last and prompted a change in the rules that closed the loophole, but he won the hearts of fellow competitors, event organizers, and spectators around the world for his perseverance. This movie tells his remarkable story.

5. Soul Surfer

Bethany Hamilton is a real-life Hawaiian surfer who, as a teenager, was attacked by a shark and lost one of her arms as a result. Soul Surfer is the story of how she returned to surfing after overcoming the fear and having to re-learn not only riding the waves but just about every other life function as well.

A recurring theme in many of these movies is that winning is not the most important thing. Rather, it is just having the courage and determination needed to overcome the obstacles that stand in one's way. That is a lesson that is applicable to everyone, athletic or otherwise.

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MOVIE REVIEW: The Dig

THE DIG. CAREY MULLIGAN as EDITH PRETTY, in THE DIG: Cr. LARRY HORRICKS/NETFLIX © 2021

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Cinematic Underdogs" podcast talking "Moneyball"

Through mutual social circles within the Facebook group of the Feelin’ Film Podcast, I was approached by Paul Keelan, one of the hosts of the Cinematic Underdogs podcast, to be a guest on their program. Joined by Jordan Puga, they’ve been targeting sports films for extended conversations. They pitched me to talk about Bennett Miller’s 2011 gem Moneyball, continuing a streak of behind-the-scenes sports movies. Talking with Paul as the “bonus episode” following the main show, our conversation went on to cover film criticism tropes, my hot take of The Tree of Life, and eventually, as planned, our impressions and musings on Moneyball.

My thanks go out to Paul Keelan. This was one of the richest movie conversations I had, personally or professionally, in a long time. Give them a like and a subscribe. My fingers are crossed for returning soon for another sports flick. Enjoy my extra section on Moneyball and the team’s full episode embedded below:

MY FULL REVIEW OF "MONEYBALL"

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Cinematic Underdogs" podcast talking "Moneyball"

Through mutual social circles within the Facebook group of the Feelin’ Film Podcast, I was approached by Paul Keelan, one of the hosts of the Cinematic Underdogs podcast, to be a guest on their program. Joined by Jordan Puga, they’ve been targeting sports films for extended conversations. They pitched me to talk about Bennett Miller’s 2011 gem Moneyball, continuing a streak of behind-the-scenes sports movies. Talking with Paul as the “bonus episode” following the main show, our conversation went on to cover film criticism tropes, my hot take of The Tree of Life, and eventually, as planned, our impressions and musings on Moneyball.

My thanks go out to Paul Keelan. This was one of the richest movie conversations I had, personally or professionally, in a long time. Give them a like and a subscribe. My fingers are crossed for returning soon for another sports flick. Enjoy my extra section on Moneyball and the team’s full episode embedded below:

MY FULL REVIEW OF "MONEYBALL"

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United Nations Award-Winning Filmmaker Hunter Hopewell Presents, ‘Shellfish’

Writer-director Hunter Hopewell, who has won over 40 awards including a First-place Award at the United Nations for his anti-bully short film, Numbskull, has wrapped his debut comedy feature film, ‘Shellfish.’ The young filmmaker, who is a Video Producer at The Walt Disney Company, tells his coming-of-age comedy feature, ‘Shellfish,’ through live-action enhanced by a bit of […]

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Misha Green to Write & Direct ‘Tomb Raider’ Sequel

The follow up to 2018’s Tomb Raider starring Alicia Vikander has tied down Misha Green as it’s new writer/director. According to THR – Green who has recently created the popular Lovecraft Country for HBO will take over directorial duties from Roar Uthaug in her first feature film outing. Green has previously written on Sons of […]

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Iconic Nichelle Nichols Stars in Star Trek: Renegades Ominara

Star Trek veteran actress, Nichelle Nichols, whose illustrious career spans sixty years as Lt. Uhura in Star Trek, and Atomic Studios are partnering for an epic TV production of Star Trek: Renegades Ominara in what will be her final on-screen performance. Directed by Tim Russ (Star Trek: Voyager), written-produced by award-winning writer and novelist Frank Zanca […]

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Classic Films in the Present Day

We’ve seen plenty of remakes of Hollywood classics in recent years, but one question always pops up – how do you choose how to replace the original cast in the new version? It just so happens that BetVictor have taken an analytical look at which of today’s stars would be best placed to replace the […]

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Quoted on Urban Parks discussing Boston movies

I was approached recently for my third collaboration opportunity with Quality Comix, a successful comic sales website which puts out their own editorial content alongside their marketplace. Working for a tangent website of Urban Parks, the edutosr there were looking for the best Boston movies. From a big list of possibilities, I picked out a good five to contribute to their list: Good Will Hunting, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Verdict, The Town, and Spotlight. They came to the right place. Check out your boy!

THE COMPLETE URBAN PARKS PIECE

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SHORT FILM REVIEW: The Shout Out

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THE SHOUT OUT— 3 STARS

LESSON #1: THE DEFINITION OF A “SHOUT-OUT”-- According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, a “shout-out” is “a public expression of greeting, praise, or acknowledgement directed toward a person or group often as part of a performance, recording, or broadcast.” Shout-outs a little bonds of connectivity from being noticed. They’re not meant to be Hall-of-Fame speeches and hearty Dean Martin roasts. The important thing is to stay positive.

Shout-outs are cute tributes that are morsel-sized by design, which is what makes the short film medium an ideal spot to play with them as a storytelling engine. Husband and wife filmmakers Charlotte Barrett and Sean Fallon (A Bad Feeling/The Phantom Menace) use The Shout Out to spin the impact, boundaries of length, and that desired purpose of positivity that comes with those quick tributes.

Elizabeth Masucci (Virgin Alexander, Shame) plays a reality show star named Cameron Kim Michaels. The former contestant of The Bachelor is ready to connect and talk to her followers. She has been conscripted to take her popularity and charisma to record personalized shout outs for paying customers and fans on a familiar social media platform. The Shout Out opens with a montage of her vertical video salutes where the handheld camera loves Cameron and Cameron sure loves it right back. The same goes for the alluring Masucci grabbing our attention as this gleaming beauty.

LESSON #2: RECEIVING A SHOUT-OUT-- Barring those people who avoid the spotlight or carry a little stage fright, most folks love getting acknowledged for something nice or good. They get those flutters of fulfillment. Their work or impact was not forgotten. Even the smallness of a quick shout-out becomes a huge confidence booster. Those flutters can grow from the stature of the person giving the greeting. Getting one from a close and loyal friend is nice. We know their support all too well, but getting a shout-out from a larger or more famous person can floor us in a starstruck way.

LESSON #3: THE VALIDITY OF A SHOUT-OUT-- After the aforementioned definition, the next question becomes the cogency. Does the recipient or celebration point at hand deserve this little jingle or is a larger message needed? How genuine is the shout-out or the person giving the message, though? What is supposed to be cordial can feel contrived and fake if the giver isn’t committed or the message isn’t honest or, worse, too honest.

For Cameron Kim Michaels, putting on a semi-fake smile has gotten excessive and exhausting in a hurry. There is work to give a shout-out that is authentic and this starlet has run out of charm. For a message commissioned for a police officer named Chad (Masucci’s Virgin Alexander co-star Patrick Zller) by his mother, Miss Michaels loses it and unleashes an excessive rant that puts Pompeii to shame. Thanks to Chad’s off-screen mother videoing this moment at home, we see Chad’s emotional destruction right next to Cameron’s explosion to finish The Shout Out. 

LESSON #4: THE INIQUITY OF SOCIAL MEDIA-- In a few tidy and compelling minutes, Barrett and Fallon’s scripted short film challenges so many little social media-charged vices. The Shout Out puts the notion of life’s over-documentation and the constant need for attention and feedback on blast. Its exposed take on fake feelings and TMI inner biases are the underlying acids that sour the deceitful sweetness. The creators and performers have taken the titular shout-out idea and turned it into an apt and brilliant call-out instead. Their hot little short punches right between our front-facing camera eyes without a fun filter or superfluous hashtag.

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MEDIA APPEARANCE: Guest on the "Kicking the Seat" live YouTube recap for "Wandavision" Episode 3

After two stylishly establishing episodes, the third episode of Marvel’s WandaVision playing on Disney+ looks to jump a little more on that springboard of grabbing interest. The questions and the role players are multiplying with this comic book deep dive and I’m along for the ride. “Earth’s Mightiest Critics” have punched their streaming ticket for this ride! Each week, Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat will host our usual quartet, including myself, Emmanuel Noisette of E-Man’s Movie Reviews, and David Fowlie of Keeping it Reel, conducting LIVE “wecap” shows on YouTube. Catch us every Friday at 8:30pm CST! Here’s our talk for Episode 3:

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‘No Time To Die’ Pushed Back Again – October Release Planned

The announcement by MGM is likely to have an effect on other major release dates.

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The Ultimate Movie Night with the Prima Projector

With the vast majority of cinemas around the world still shut, most of us long to experience the thrill of the big screen once more. While we’ve been looking to find a way to recreate the experience at home, we came across the Prima Projector, an incredible piece of technology that allows you to cast […]

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Book to Film, ‘Being Dead’ Gets Digital Release Feb 16

Based on the critically acclaimed and award-winning novel by Jim Crace, ‘Being Dead’, starring Elizabeth Marvel (Homeland), Linus Roache (Homeland), Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) and Emilotte Persson, in her feature film debut, will release on February 16, 2021 via Random Media.   Written, directed, and produced by John D. Meyers this passionate film follows Joseph […]

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GUEST CRITIC #56: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

As busy I get from time to time, I find that I can't see every movie under the sun, leaving my friends and colleagues to fill in the blanks for me.  As poetically as I think I wax about movies on this website as a wannabe critic, there are other experts out there.  Sometimes, it inspires me to see the movie too and get back to being my circle's go-to movie guy.  Sometimes, they save me $9 and you 800+ words of blathering.  In a new review series, I'm opening my site to friend submissions for guest movie reviews.

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TODAY’S CRITIC: Lafronda Stumn

Lafronda Stumn is a student at Madisonville Community College and intends to graduate with an Associate's degree in Associate of the Arts. She plans on earning a Bachelors Degree in Motion Picture Studies and English at Wright State University. Her favorite Directors are Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Spike Lee, and her favorite actors are Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, and Halle Berry. Lafronda contacted this page looking for a place to get published and I enjoy giving people that very kind of opportunity. This is her 23nd guest review for Every Movie Has a Lesson. Welcome as always, Lafronda!

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HER REVIEW: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Chadwick Boseman passed away in August after a four-year battle with colon cancer. Director George C. Wolfe didn't notice any illness while filming. Denzel Washington, the producer of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom didn't know of his illness either. Washington went on to say the Boseman had the right to keep his illness a secret, which is understandable considering the publicity would have made him weaker and feebler than he already was.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom stars Boseman and an arrogant trumpeter named Levee Green. Levee was asked by Ma Rainey's white producers to record a session of one song of hers for an record release. Ma Rainey is an hour late after an altercation with a police officer, where her white manager gets her out of that pickle.

Rounding out the cast of musicians are the pianist Toledo (Glynn Turman), trombone and guitarist Cutler (Colman Domingo), and double bass player Slow Drag (Michael Potts). Later on, Ma Rainey played by Viola Davis characters brings along her stammering nephew Sylvester (Dusan Brown) to sing the intro to her song. Also in tow, her younger lesbian lover Dussie Mae (Taylor Paige) has eyes for Levee. 

Levee wants to dominate the recording session. The head of her record company tries to reason with Ma to let Levee take the lead on his trumpet but to no avail. Ma is an assertive woman and despite the film taking place in Chicago in 1927, Ma will stand up for herself to her injustice. She is even bold to be a lover to a younger Dussie when gay relationships were frowned upon back then. This film is about who will win the war in the recording studio between Levee and Ma Rainey and how who reigns supreme on the hot day of July, complete with Ma requesting to drink several Coke soft drinks so she can perform.

There are many great scenes in this movie, including Ma's altercation with the policeman who wants to arrest her. Davis's character has a great monologue about her manager and recording studio head trying to use her as a lady of the evening rather than seeing her as an equal. Ma’s defending using her nephew to sing the intro, despite the vocal problem by Sylvester.

Levee gives a devastating dialogue about when he was eight years old when he saw his mother attacked by strangers. Another outstanding verbal prose by Levee by Cutler discusses religion in a heated debate. Toledo argues with Levee early in the film as Levee urges his senior bandmates to stand up to the injustices black people face with racism and Jim Crow laws.

The direction is strong by George C. Wolfe in his third feature film. I didn't sense the staginess of this film, as opposed to Denzel Washington directing Fences four years earlier. The costumes of Ann Roth and the production design of Mark Ricker add an authenticity in look and ambiance. Davis and Boseman give great powerful performances. They are two people who will stop at nothing to get their way in that one afternoon. The recording session aftermath leads to a tragic incident, affecting characters’ lives forever.

The cinematography by Tobias A. Schliesser is hypnotic in dark and golden hues of the characters, all the way to the glistering sweat of Ma Rainey. She is a plus-size woman, in a time with no air conditioning let alone fans, conveying the urgency to have her way in the recording session and some comfort drinking one long bottle of Coke after another. Lastly, Domingo and Turman give great supporting performances, especially Turman, who conveys a sense of sadness and loneliness of a man who perseveres despite being a black man in a blatantly racist society. The only flaw is the lip-synching of Davis singing Ma Rainey’s song being a little off but overall. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of the best films of the 2020-2021 season.

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CONCLUSION

Thank you again, Lafronda! You are welcome anytime. Friends, if you see a movie that I don't see and want to be featured on my website, hit up my website's Facebook page and you can be my next GUEST CRITIC!

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GUEST CRITIC #55: Mank

As busy I get from time to time, I find that I can't see every movie under the sun, leaving my friends and colleagues to fill in the blanks for me.  As poetically as I think I wax about movies on this website as a wannabe critic, there are other experts out there.  Sometimes, it inspires me to see the movie too and get back to being my circle's go-to movie guy.  Sometimes, they save me $9 and you 800+ words of blathering.  In a new review series, I'm opening my site to friend submissions for guest movie reviews.

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TODAY’S CRITIC: Lafronda Stumn

Lafronda Stumn is a student at Madisonville Community College and intends to graduate with an Associate's degree in Associate of the Arts. She plans on earning a Bachelors Degree in Motion Picture Studies and English at Wright State University. Her favorite Directors are Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Spike Lee, and her favorite actors are Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, Meryl Streep, and Halle Berry. Lafronda contacted this page looking for a place to get published and I enjoy giving people that very kind of opportunity. This is her 22nd guest review for Every Movie Has a Lesson. Welcome as always, Lafronda!

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HER REVIEW: Mank

David Fincher's new film Mank is his first film since the critically acclaimed 2014's Gone Girl. This Netflix film is about the co-winner of the Best Original Screenplay Oscar winner for Citizen Kane Herman Mankiewicz, played by Gary Oldman. 

In this history, Mankiewicz is a full-blown alcoholic with a broken leg following a car accident and sent by a producer John Houseman (Sam Troughton) and Orson Welles (Tom Burke) to write the screenplay in Mexico. Mank is joined by a secretary Rita Alexander (Lily Collins), who is the buffer between Mank, Welles and Houseman. Rita attempts to get Herman to stay sober to write, though Mank constantly relapses from alcoholism.

During his attempts to write, Mank has a flashback as a successful screenwriter in the 1930’s. Mank is friends with Marion Davies (Amanda Seyfried). The actress introduces him to William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance). Mank and his wife Sara go to Louis B. Mayer's party and Heart’s estate. Marion is there as well as they discuss politics and the rise of Nazi Germany. There is also an election for Governor showdown between Uptown Sinclair and Frank Merriam. When Mank and his younger brother Joseph work for MGM in 1934, Mank discovers that Louis B. Mayer (Arliss Howard) is making propaganda films to smear Sinclair. Hearst is funding the campaign to smear Sinclair  The movie is about not only will Mank tolerate the unfairness of the situation but strains his friendship with Marion.

There is a memorable sequence between Mank and Davies outside of the large mansion of Hearst near a luscious water fountain as they discuss politics and the movie industry. Mank and his brother Joseph discuss the consequences of writing the Citizen Kane script about Hearst being the catalyst for the story. Another flashback, this time in 1933, it is movie mogul Louis B. Mayer's birthday and a party is thrown by Hearst. Mank and others at the party discuss politics, socialism vs. communism, Hitler and Nazi Germany.

Back int the present, Houseman later complains that the script isn't finished and has just a few days to complete. There's another pivotal flashback scene on the night of the Governor’s election in 1934. The results force Mank to contemplate his career for exposing Hearst and Mayer's motives as treacherous.

First, the cinematography by Eric Messerschmidt is exquisite and worthy of the Oscar. The camerawork is glorious with vivid black and white hues shining on the screen as a sheer force and dominance. The production design by Donald Graham Burt and the costumes by Trish Summerville are luminous to exemplify the ambiance of the time and place of the '30s and '40s.

Gary Oldman is very good as Mank. Oldman has the vocal mannerisms of Mank down pat. Seyfried is excellent as Marion Davies, who is a lot smarter than people realize. The direction of Fincher and editor Kirk Baxter do a fine job honing a multi-layered picture. Fincher and Baxter do not confuse the audience with the flashbacks back and forth between two decades.

If there is a flaw in the film is that you feel a little detached by the filmmaking. The film is eye candy. Mank has a coldness of tone. The film could have more empathy for the characters, particularly Davies. Overall, the film is a loving tribute to the cinema of that time.  Propaganda during that time is still very relevant to what we as Americans go through in its present, especially regarding our new ex-president.

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CONCLUSION

Thank you again, Lafronda! You are welcome anytime. Friends, if you see a movie that I don't see and want to be featured on my website, hit up my website's Facebook page and you can be my next GUEST CRITIC!

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COLUMN: Three Interesting Films That Reveal A Lot About Water

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Three Interesting Films That Reveal A Lot About Water

Seventy-one percent of the Earth is covered with water, and according to scientists, the planet has approximately 326 million trillion gallons of it in total. It is no wonder that several movies include the unforgiving sea either as its protagonist or its villain. It is also interesting to note that many of the water-related films released in the past few decades incorporate it as a metaphor. Three films in particular offer several lessons that moviegoers can apply in their daily lives. These are Titanic, Cast Away, and Jaws.

Titanic And Swimming Lessons

Titanic is turning 24 this year and its age will likely be celebrated for years to come. Aside from lessons about love, greed and dedication, it also reminds people that knowing how to swim is a skill, and to keep calm during a crisis in a body of water is as important as not panicking during an emergency that takes place on land. Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional deaths around the world, making it a serious public health problem. Those who consider themselves to be good swimmers should remember that Titanic also dishes another important lesson – overconfidence can be dangerous. This is implied in the beginning of the film where they made it seem that the Titanic is unsinkable. Overconfidence makes it more difficult for people to make sound decisions, and in cases where water is involved, these decisions can be catastrophic. 

Cast Away And Water As The Villain

Cast Away is a story about an executive who is stuck on an uninhabited island. While it teaches lessons about survival in general, it also teaches movie-goers that nature is a force to be reckoned with. The film starts with Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks) en route to Malaysia. The plane he is on crashes because of a storm over the Pacific, and Noland is the only survivor. He is swept ashore. While he tries to sail away to get help, he fails, and this makes the huge body of water the biggest villain in the film. There are things that people cannot control, and when these things happen, the only sensible thing to do is to ride it out and survive. 

Jaws And The Open Sea

In 2017, when Jaws turned 42, fans went online to share hilarious lessons they learned from the 1975 classic. Some of these lessons, according to Time, include “If you hear a cello while swimming, get the f**k out of the water” and “Kicking sharks is not an effective defense.” Jaws shows, however, that the open sea can be a dangerous place for those who do not know much about it. It also gives moviegoers a bit of rather obvious advice in the form of the scientist that no one ever listened to. 

Titanic, Jaws, and Cast Away offer a few nuggets of wisdom about the sea. They also remind moviegoers about conventional knowledge that most people tend to forget. 

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GUEST COLUMN: Movie Lessons in Pet Ownership

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Movie Lessons in Pet Ownership

by Adrian Johansen

If you’ve ever loved an animal, you know that they’re not just an accessory to your life. They’re very often the centerpiece of your life story, your entire family history. And that’s probably the reason why pets aren’t just ubiquitous in American homes. They’re also the heroes of Hollywood, the stars of some of the greatest, most iconic, and highest-grossing films.

But animals on screen aren’t just about entertainment. If you’re a pet owner, there’s a lot to be learned by turning to the silver screen. This article looks at some of the best and worst examples of pet ownership in movies — and what you and your furry companion might take away from them!

The Importance of Good Veterinary Care

If you’re a dog lover, then the 1983 box office blockbuster, Cujo is sure to break your heart and send a shiver down your spine. Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, it’s the story of a lovable Saint Bernard that contracts rabies and goes mad, ultimately killing his neglectful “owner” and terrorizing a mother and her young son.

The plot speaks to the responsibility of pet ownership and the terrible and long-ranging consequences of pet neglect. Not only did poor Cujo himself suffer a devastating fate, so too did innocent human beings who were menaced, hurt, and even killed, through no fault of Cujo’s. 

When you become a pet parent, you’re not only obligated to ensure the health and happiness of your fur baby through regular veterinary care, but you’re also responsible for any harm that might occur as a result of your negligence. For example, if you allow your dog to roam the neighborhood unleashed, even under your supervision, you are still likely to be legally responsible if your canine companion gets into a fight with another dog or attacks or bites a human.

Charges of negligence are especially likely if you’ve failed to keep your fur baby up to date on their vaccinations, or if you fail to exercise due caution with more aggressive dog breeds.

The Role of Obedience Training

Of course, diseases like rabies and risks such as a dog attack aren’t the only problems pet owners have to guard against. Your four-legged baby might not pose any threat, but, without proper obedience training, they can still be a holy terror. 

Take, for example, films like Beethoven (1992) or Marley and Me (2008). Both films tell the stories of big dogs with big personalities, causing big trouble. Both Beethoven and Marley soon become the beating heart of their family, a situation any parent of a loving but naughty canine can identify with. 

Nevertheless, pet guardians can learn from these entertaining romps how important obedience training from puppyhood can truly be. It can save a lot of frustration, a lot of stress and grief, and free you to enjoy more peaceful, happier times with your fur child.

The Need to Understand Your Pet

Of course, pet owners don’t just learn pet parenting lessons when our furry friends are being bad. In the delightful animated feature, The Secret Life of Pets (2016), audiences get a glimpse of the world from behind those soulful, heart-melting eyes. 

If you’re a pet parent, odds are you’ve suspected that your fur baby gets into some pretty wild hijinx when you’re not around. And The Secret Life of Pets speaks to that universal suspicion. 

In addition to being a cute and fun imagining of our pets’ realities separate from us, the movie also suggests that it might well be worthwhile to learn more about what’s going on with our babies behind our backs. For instance, you might invest in an in-home wi-fi surveillance system to help you keep an eye on your babies when you’re not at home. Some of these technologies even enable you to talk to your pet from your mobile device. There are even systems that enable you to play with your pet and dispense treats remotely!

Best of all, though, you can monitor your fur child, check in on them to make sure they’re well and safe, and identify any hazards they might be getting into while you’re aways. After all, those clever little souls have a particular knack for getting into trouble you never would have thought of!

The Takeaway

Our pets aren’t just animal companions. They’re our hearts and souls. They’re comfort when we’re blue. They’re entertainment when we’re bored. Above all, they’re the heart of the family, turning our houses into a home through their unconditional love and boundless spirit. It’s no wonder that Hollywood would be fascinated. But watching pets on the silver screen is more than just a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. It’s also perfect for learning lessons in pet ownership that can help you give your fur child the healthy and happy life they deserve.

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