GUEST COLUMN: Sports Movies That Inspire Excellence

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Sports Movies That Inspire Excellence

by Devin Caldwell

Throughout modern history, some of the most inspirational movies that have been made are those centered around sports. The stories are intriguing and often focus on the human ability to overachieve, overcome or make a comeback. Some are based on real-life accounts and others are fictional. These films spark many conversations about which ones are the best. Think about a few of these in different sports and the lessons they teach us.

Baseball

These movies make you and your friends want to grab your baseball gloves and hit the ballfield right away. The Rookie is about a 35-year-old science teacher in the football state of Texas who is inspired by the players on his high school baseball team to take another shot at his dream to be a major league pitcher. This true story, which ends with Jim Morris achieving his dream, is a lesson that age is a barrier that can be overcome.

Field of Dreams, on the other hand, is a fictional movie that is no less riveting. This story is about a rural Iowa farmer who builds a baseball field in his cornfield. The field provides an opportunity for past legends to redeem themselves and come back for one more chance. The message here is that everyone deserves a second chance.

Football

Many of the successful football movies are underdog stories in some way. Rudy, for example, was not just about a scrawny high school football player who proved everyone wrong by walking on to the University of Notre Dame football team at a time when it was the dominant college football program in the country. It was about this young man who was the first in his family to go to college, inspiring his younger siblings to also get a higher education. In turn, many filmgoers no doubt were moved to do things that they thought they could not achieve.

Remember the Titans is another movie based on a true story that proves that with effort differences, even those revolving around race, can be put aside. Herman Boone, the Black football coach of the T.C. Williams High Titans, in Alexandria, VA, helps his team of white and Black teenagers to overcome racial tensions following a school integration.

Basketball

Hoosiers is a modern-day David and Goliath story that portrays a small Indiana high school basketball team that won the Indiana state championship in the 1950s. Although fictional, it is based on a real-life school that conquered the giant Indiana basketball programs in this basketball-crazed state.

In another film based on a true story that saw a racial barrier broken, Glory Road tells the account of the Texas Western College basketball team, which won the 1966 NCAA championship with the first-ever all-black starting lineup. More than just a story about a basketball team, this picture delves into the racial discrimination that was rampant at that time.

Hockey

The first hockey movie that comes to the minds of many people is Miracle. The 1980 United States hockey team is the focal point of this film. It stunned the world and the Soviet Union team in the Olympics on its way to the Gold Medal. Again, this is much more than a sports story. It's about overcoming seemingly impossible odds to achieve a goal. It also stirred the emotions of a nation coming out of a decade of struggles.

Although fictional, The Mighty Ducks is another underdog story. It features a youth hockey team led by an attorney who is forced to coach the team as his community service for a drunk driving conviction. Accustomed to losing, the "Ducks" learn what it feels like to be winners.

There are many other films with sports themes that move viewers to believe in themselves. Among these are The Karate Kid, Chariots of Fire, Rocky, Cool Runnings and A League of Their Own, just to name a few. Whether they are based on real-life events or are fictional, they are entertaining and inspirational at the same time. These movies stand the test of time and facilitate memories for many who have watched them over the years.

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COLUMN: Essential Human Trafficking Movies

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Essential Human Trafficking Movies

Sex work is legal in some countries, but in many places, it’s not. Prudishness is generally the reason for that. However, even if you travel to a place where sex work is legal, you don’t necessarily know whether the individual you’re hiring is doing the job voluntarily.

Human trafficking is widespread, both in America and worldwide. It’s a horrific practice and robs individuals of their most basic human rights. Some of those trafficked start doing sex work at a very young age, and they give up hope of ever finding a better life, particularly if it’s all they know.

Several movies deal with this difficult subject matter. They can be hard to watch sometimes, but it’s better to know about these sorts of things happening in the world than to turn a blind eye and pretend it isn’t happening.

In this article, we’ll cover a few of the more compelling human trafficking movies you’re likely to find.

The Taken Trilogy

Some experts say that there are about 20-40 million humans in modern slavery right now. Those who buy and sell them usually do so for sex, but sometimes wealthy individuals use them as servants or for other purposes.

The Taken movies are possibly some of the best-known human trafficking films. They star Liam Neeson, a man with a “particular set of skills.” When a sex trafficking ring kidnaps his daughter during her European vacation, it kicks off ninety minutes of car chases, gunfights, and explosions.

The two later installments continue the story, with some of the slain gangsters’ relatives seeking revenge against Neeson for his vigilantism. Probably the original is the best entry, but all three are big-budget, stylized thrills that are entertaining in a mindless sort of way.

It’s debatable whether this is what human trafficking really resembles. These sorts of features are more about killing a couple of hours than a profound exploration of trafficking and its all-too-real victims.

Trade

Trade is a 2007 film that Roland Emmerich produced. American audiences know Emmerich from his larger-than-life blockbusters such as “Independence Day” and “2012.”

Starring Kevin Kline, it’s based on the Peter Landesman article “The Girls Next Door.” It has a somewhat more serious feel than the Taken movies, and the Sundance Film Festival screened it to a favorable reception.

The action begins in Mexico City, where traffickers grab 13-year-old Adriana off the street. They also abduct Veronica, a young Polish woman who’s vacationing in the city. Adriana and Veronica endure various torments both in Mexico and then later in America.

This is a more thoughtful and restrained film than Taken, but it still ends in rather sensationalistic fashion. However, it’s hard to stay away from that sort of thing if you want a movie to have universal appeal, even when it’s dealing with such serious subject matter.

The Girl Who Played with Fire

The Girl Who Played with Fire is the second of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie series, based on novels by the late Stieg Larsson. They follow Lisbeth Salander, a genius computer hacker, and all-around social misfit. 

Human trafficking becomes a subplot when Dag Svensson, a journalist, writes a prostitution expose. His girlfriend, Mia Bergman, has also chosen human trafficking as her doctoral thesis. Dag exposes individuals running a Swedish human trafficking ring, and Salander’s sometime-lover Mikhael Blomkvist subsequently finds both Dag and Mia murdered in their apartment.

Much like theTaken movies, this is a film where human trafficking drives the plot, but, other than moving the story forward, there’s a little serious exploration of the societal impact that it has. This seems common with Hollywood fare dealing with this topic. Directors seem eager to explore trafficking’s seedier aspects but don’t spend much time dissecting why or how it happens.

CONCLUSION

Frankly, if you want to know more about human trafficking without having to worry about a knife fight or a car chase breaking out, you’d probably do better checking out a documentary on the subject. Born in Brothels is one of the better ones. It’s a 2004 film that focuses on Calcutta’s Red-Light District.  

Tricked: The Documentary is another excellent one. It’s a character-driven film that looks at the evolving sex trafficking landscape from several different perspectives.

Human trafficking is a disturbing concept, but it happens, and probably not enough people talk about it. At the very least, even the more exploitative movies that feature it expand human awareness of the subject, and that, at least, is a good thing.

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GUEST COLUMN: 6 Thought-Provoking and Motivational Movies For Students

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6 Thought-Provoking and Motivational Movies For Students

by Pauline Jensen

After enrolling in college or university, we begin our new aspect of life. High school is behind, and new challenges are ahead. Sometimes, these challenges are way too hard to deal with. As a consequence, we lose our motivation to study, which results in low grades and overall dissatisfaction with studies and education. What to do then? Well, there are a dozen ways to boost your motivation. For instance, you can click here and get model projects to see how to complete it and get the highest grade.

Or you can watch excellent inspirational movies. There are myriads of such films. And you might get interested which one to watch to revive your interest in studies. Here, we will present the best six motivational movies for students of any degree and major. Refill your snacks and water, and get ready for a good portion of motivation!

The Great Debaters (2007)

If you have ever thought that your educational institution is not among the best ones and the quality is rather low, you should watch this movie. This true story shows that no matter where you study, you can demonstrate much better academic performance than those who study at Harvard by having a goal and the right coach.

The movie depicts the story of a professor (starring Denzel Washington) who trains a debating group. Students are lost and afraid to lose their debate rounds against Harvard students. With the teacher's right approach and effective motivation, the group starts working productively, which leads to their win.

The Theory Of Everything (2014)

The Theory Of Everything shows the story of Stephen Hawking, played by Eddie Redmayne. A brilliant physicist had a vivid life, especially during his academic years. His romantic story will show how an individual, who was misunderstood by teachers, faced difficulties within his path.

Many students are rejected by professors and/or get low grades. The latter demoralizes students and makes them refrain from their studies. Stephen Hawking was claimed to have a weak thesis. Moreover, his friends didn't support him in developing the thesis and suggested he give it up. Notwithstanding, Stephen continued to work on his research, finding the love of his life. This story will motivate you to act immediately, as you never know what can occur in the near future.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

The Breakfast Club is a good-old classic movie that every student must watch. Although the story portrays five school students, it is applicable to everyone, regardless of academic level. It shows that you can find friends for life no matter where you study just by starting a conversation and depicting your personal life story.

The Breakfast Club follows five school kids from different backgrounds who are thrown together in a detention center. At first, they are cautious and try to avoid any interaction. However, as time passes, they kick off a conversation, which appears to change their lives and make them best friends forever.

Starter for 10 (2006)

How about watching a British film with Benedict Cumberbatch? Starter for Ten is a must-watch movie for everyone, especially for freshmen. Taking place at Bristol University, it shows how a first-year student tries his best to adjust to the university community. Brian (James McAvoy) looks for himself, wants to build a relationship with the girl of his life, and aspires to get to the University Challenge quiz team.

This romantic comedy is cheerful and exciting. Not only will it deliver you some fun and motivation, but it also will show you what a student's life might look like. Forewarned is forearmed, so make sure to explore different aspects of being a student and get ready for anything.

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Although released in 1989, this story is still impressive and motivational. Starring Robin Williams (John Keating) in a teacher's role, the film demonstrates that many students were under the parents' pressure. The latter strived to make his students A-level specialists no matter what they wanted. Many identities were erased and lots of teachers, but John Keating facilitated that.

“Seize the day” is a famous quote John Keating aspired to convey to students. Declaring poetry, he helped students leave conventions behind and focus on what they were interested in. Thanks to the teacher, students managed to find their voice, develop their stance, and stand out in the mass.

History Boys (2006)

The story takes us back to 1983 grammar school in Sheffield, where six boys receive the highest grades. Getting A-level scores, they begin to consider entering Oxford or Cambridge. After rigorous preparation, they take a seventh-term History exam, ace it, and become students of the most prestigious universities worldwide. They must have thought to expect how their life improves. However, many questions are to emerge.

The comedy-drama helps realize the overall point of education, friendship, and competition. If you seek motivation, watch this movie to understand what to prioritize and what to get rid of for the better.

The Bottom Line

Motivation is an essential component of every major. Without it, you are doomed to fail the course and gain valuable knowledge. You are highly encouraged to watch any of the mentioned motivational movies to maintain your inspiration. Focusing on different questions, they aim to help students find themselves and make use of their studies. If you are looking for more movies, check our review blog to find the ones that fit your preferences the most!

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GUEST COLUMN: Top 7 Romantic Movies That Will Make You Believe In Love

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Top 7 Romantic Movies That Will Make You Believe In Love

by Karl Murphy

Some people love watching action movies, others prefer detective stories, etc. We all have our interests and preferences, but what about love stories in cinematography? A lot of people don't even watch love movies anymore since the love stories depicted are far from reality. Let’s face it, love at first sight rarely has a happy ending due to both individuals getting to know each other better. 

And yes, sometimes what we find out about the other person’s personality is not acceptable or suitable. And romantic relationships are not always about happiness, fun, and pleasure. That’s why dating sites like topforeignbrides.com are so popular nowadays, people know the value of compatibility. But in the movies, the scriptwriters present everything in a way too unrealistic light.

So, why watch romantic movies when they depict unrealistic relationships? Usually, you can predict such movies - a man and a woman meet each other, fall in love, then they break up because one of them lied, then they overcome the struggles and get back together. But there are worthy movies about real relationships. In this article, you can find out about movies that are more realistic and yet optimistic.

Edward Scissorhands

First of all, Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder in this movie already hint to you that it’s going to be good. Second, the movie is not a typical love story - obviously, it was directed by Tim Burton himself. Imagine a peaceful neighborhood, with identical houses, painted in identical vanilla colors. 

It seems that every family is the same. Youngsters date each other in high school, then get married, then have kids. Well, that’s not exactly the fate that awaits the two main heroes of the movie. It’s a story about true love and the struggles that face two individuals from two different worlds. 

Good Will Hunting

It's not a conventional love story for sure. The film is about a psychologist who lost his loved one, and about a younger man who wants to find his place. The younger man is a math genius who can't fit into the world. He is in love, but unfortunately, the woman he loves doesn't respond with mutual feelings.

It's a story that tells us that first of all, we should learn how to take care of ourselves. It teaches us that it's important to love ourselves, that's when we can win other people's hearts. The story also depicts true friendship and some struggles that people face in life. 

Amour

It’s not a traditional love story which makes it even better. The plot is centered around an elderly couple, Anne and George. They have a daughter, both of them are retired, piano teachers. They spent the life together and they clearly still love and care about each other. But the movie is not about their youth, the movie is about what comes later. Even after “They lived happily ever after”.

The story depicted in Amour shows and proves that true love exists, even when you are old and at the dawn of life. It’s a story that can touch anyone’s heart. It’s about life choices and extremely difficult situations that couples may eventually face in their lives. It’s definitely worth watching alone or with a partner. 

Sideways

It's a comedy that will definitely set a great mood. It tells us the story of two friends who drive to Santa Barbara's wine country. One of the two friends is about to get married, so this trip is almost like a bachelor party. 

It's a fun story about love and friendship, loyalty and freedom. Sometimes it questions the sole existence of true love, and yet it proves that it does exist. The movie gives hope that no matter what happens in your life, you have to believe that true feelings do exist. 

Moonrise Kingdom

Love is not always about adults falling in love. And no, Moonrise Kingdom is not about immature kids, like in Romeo and Juliet. Moonrise Kingdom shows pure love. The story is centered around two twelve-year-old teens Sam and Suzy. Both are introverts but extremely intelligent.

Sam and Suzy are from two different worlds. Sam is an orphan while Suzy has parents and three brothers. Both teens are mature for their age, so they fall in love. The movie shows the struggles of these two kids. The film is worth watching whether with a partner, friends or even alone to boost your mood. 

In Your Eyes

A very unusual love story that proves the connection of minds is very important in relationships. It’s a story about Dylan and Rebecca, and their very unusual connection. The movie proves that you can fall in love with someone even if you live miles away. The movie is not a typical love story and when you realize what is happening, you will want to see how it all ends.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

You haven’t accepted this movie to be on the list, have you? But most character’s actions are driven by love. As you probably are aware, it’s about Dracula, Mina, and Jonathan who are in a love triangle. 

Vlad Dracula is cursed after denying the existence of God. His heart was broken after his wife committed suicide. Years later, he sees a picture of Mina who resembles his wife. That’s when the main action begins. Even though it’s a horror movie, it still shows what people do for love. It’s definitely worth watching the movie, plus, the cast is truly amazing. 

Conclusion

As you can see, there are worthy movies that aren’t just about a “boy meets girl” reality. There are interesting movies that you can watch with your partner. These movies have interesting plots and unconventional plots. 

Some of them are funny, some are sad, there is even a horror movie. But they certainly stand out from the crowd of all those “copy-paste” romantic tales. Maybe, these films won’t make you believe in love, but they are certainly worthy of watching. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Karl Murphy is a professional journalist from Des Moines, Iowa. After obtaining his Master's degree, he's launched his career and over its course, Karl was contributing to the popular publications for men. He also develops his blog topforeignbrides.com.

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GUEST COLUMN: 5 Iconic, Irreplaceable Filming Locations

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5 Iconic, Irreplaceable Filming Locations

by Devin Caldwell

A lot of filming is done on sets and backlots, many of which are dismantled almost as soon as filming ends. However, there are certain things that cannot be recreated on a soundstage. Sweeping vistas, iconic streets and irreplaceable grand homes make up an important part of many of the most recognizable films. Here are just a few iconic filming locations used by countless directors over the years.

Washington DC

Cities are notoriously difficult to film in. The locals hate it, because it messes up the traffic patterns, it's difficult to control sounds and background noise and getting all the necessary permits can be a real hassle. That said, cities are often iconic, especially capitals. Perhaps no capital city is more iconic than Washington DC. From it's world-famous government buildings to its well known museums and parks, there's just no replacing DC. If you need to film at the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial, custom pools in Virginia or Maryland simply will not cut it.

New York

However, not all famous cities are national capitals. Take, for example, New York City; it is probably the most recognizable city in America if not the world. It's an extremely popular location setting for all kinds of television shows, movies and franchises. Its recognizability is both its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. Setting your story in New York is often a no-brainer, because everyone is at least a little bit familiar with the city, but it's very difficult to believably set a show in the Big Apple and not film it at least in part on location, because everyone is at least a little bit familiar with the city. It's a rare day in the city when someone isn't filming something there.

Chatsworth

The United Kingdom is home to hundreds of grand homes, palaces and castles, many of which have become famous across the world as locations for movie sets and television dramas. Perhaps none is more immediately recognizable than Chatsworth House. Chatsworth has played royal palaces, wealthy manor grounds and even Pemberley itself. This unspeakably grand mansion is immediately recognizable to all fans of romantic period dramas. For an atmosphere of dignity, grandeur, pomp and circumstance, it's hard to imagine a more appropriate location.

New Zealand

While England is home to some of the most easily recognizable and instantly iconic manmade filming locations, a former English colony takes the crown for epic landscapes. New Zealand was already a popular filming destination before a certain well-known fantasy series launched it into superstardom, but it's certainly best known these days as the home of Middle Earth. This history alone would fuel countless filmmakers and tourists, but it's also practically speaking a great place for filmmakers. There are towering mountains, strange landscapes and beautiful pristine wildernesses on both islands, and all are within relatively easy reach for an intrepid film crew.

Hawaii

New Zealand isn't the only island paradise intimately associated with a particular famous franchise. While Hawaii is perhaps best known as the home of dinosaurs and the people who want to bring them back to life, it's also a popular filming location for other famous movies and television shows. If your film features beautiful beaches, dense jungles, mountains and volcanoes, it's got to be Hawaii. Plus, you get the added benefit of all those beautiful beaches to relax on when you're not busy shooting the next scene. No wonder it's a popular destination.

Filming locations are more than mere backdrops. They make up a vital part of the film's DNA and often become inextricably linked to the film's universe. Visitors flock to them, photographers fall in love with them all over again, and then they become a new generation's filming playground. Many things can be recreated in a soundstage, or in a digital environment, or even on a high-tech LED video wall like the Volume, but nothing will ever be able to replace these iconic filming locations.

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GUEST COLUMN: Great Health Documentaries on Netflix

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Great Health Documentaries on Netflix

by Devin Caldwell

If you’re looking to increase your general knowledge across many health and medical topics, look no further than Netflix. Buried behind the “latest releases” and “trending now” movies and TV shows is a bevy of non-fiction and documentaries dedicated to various aspects of health and wellness including diet, disease, mental health, medication and brain chemistry. Start your own personal tutorial with these films.

Ask the Doctor

Ask the Doctor is an Australian-produced series that features real doctors examining everyday medical questions. Although the three hosts are medical professionals, they are also just a little bit goofy and endearing. They try many of the touted remedies themselves to give a genuine critique on their effectiveness. For example, Dr Shalin Naik delves into his own lactose intolerance and visits a sleep clinic. If you are interested in all aspects of health in general from multi vitamins to diet and exercise, you will probably find this series informative and entertaining.

What the Health

This documentary makes some bold claims including that a plant-based diet can cure you of disease. This film definitely has a point of view, and that is that the meat, dairy and pharmaceutical industries are in collusion to keep the public from understanding how their health is being wrecked by the consumption of specific products. Produced by vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix, this documentary will likely be more if you’re already interested in a plant-based diet.

The Game Changers

Not to be outdone, The Game Changers, produced by James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan, shows the collision of a plant-based diet with the perception of necessary protein-filled eating habits of pro athletes. Originally harshly criticized by Joe Rogan on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, UFC fighter and documentary creator James Wilks supported his argument and research for the film so well, Rogan backed down from his initial criticisms.

Take Your Pills

This short watchable documentary, produced by Netflix, focuses on the effects of medicating those who suffer from ADHD. The main drug prescribed by doctors is Adderall, and the numerous people interviewed both praise and complain about what the pills do to their ability to function. Doctors and patients speak of the potential for abuse of the drug as well as the benefits for those who take it correctly. If you or someone close to you has had experience with ADHD or Adderall, you will probably find this documentary fascinating.

Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak

Produced and released right before the Covid-19 outbreak, this six-episode docuseries follows a handful of key players around the world focusing on virus research and prevention. In eerily prescient interviews, Syra Madad talks about her job training hospital staff how to handle personal protection and the overload of patients during a pandemic that is sure to come one day. Michael Yao of WHO takes the audience through an Ebola management center, and bio-innovator Jake Glanville dreams of one day eliminating all flu viruses with one vaccine. The series is spooky in its timing but also reassuring that there were people on the job from the beginning.

Creative Brain

If you would like your documentary to err on the side of positivity, try Creative Brain from the creative brain of author and neuroscientist David Eagleman. Filled with interviews of creative people such as singer Grimes and actor Tim Robbins, Eagleman attempts to answer questions about how and why humans are creative. Whether he answers the questions to your satisfaction remains to be seen but watching this documentary will no doubt inspire you to take a pottery class or write a novel.

Headspace: Guide to Meditation

These 20-minute little beauties might be just what you need to refresh your mental health. Each of the animated eight episodes is narrated by Andy Puddicombe, former Buddhist monk and digital health company founder. He starts with the benefits of meditation for dealing with everyday situations and ends with a 10-minute guided meditation leaving you feeling more at peace with the stressful world.

When you turn on Netflix, there are hundreds of viewing options. If you simply can’t decide, head over to the health-related documentaries to find something worth watching that is both informative and engaging.

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MOVIE REVIEW: Malcolm & Marie

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MALCOLM & MARIE— 5 STARS

Malcolm & Marie is nothing short of emotional pugilism. Not a hair is harmed on any head, mind you, yet hearts, feelings, and psyches are pummelled and destroyed over the tumultuous course of its 106 hard minutes on Netflix. It is a wringer of an experience that remarkably takes its loud and large volume of delicately vicious battery and orchestrates mesmerizing renewal that is downright captivating. 

Shot in 15 days last summer during the COVID pandemic, the setup of Malcolm & Marie is simple and edited to play as if it’s real-time. John David Washington’s Malcolm is an emerging Hollywood filmmaker. He and his long-time girlfriend Marie, played by Zendaya, have just left his new film’s red carpet L.A. premiere, an event the exuberant creator feels he nailed. They arrive home well after midnight at the decadent modern digs provided to them by the studio. Malcolm is buzzing aloud from all the praise while his lovely date is quiet, hungry, and ready to hit the hay. 

He’s galavanting around the den shuffling some music and downing libations. She’s in the kitchen throwing together a box of macaroni and cheese between cigarette breaks. Stealing all the oxygen he can and saturated with a night of fawning and gratification, Malcolm wants to share that energy and hear more from Marie. Underneath that domestic task and those smoky drags, a festering feeling of resignation and disappointment is brimming inside Marie. 

LESSON #1: PICK UP THE CUES TO AVOID AN ARGUMENT-- As Malcolm rants on his reactions and his industry dreams of seemingly imminent incoming success, she could care less. Even as he moves closer with intimate physical advances, she could still care less. What Marie is holding is something that Malcolm needs to know but is not going to want to hear on his big night. When she warns of that effect, he blows through that provided out. That becomes his second mistake after the first from earlier in the night that is coming to light.

Sure enough, like dry kindling before a forest fire, a small error in words, all over some mac and cheese, becomes the spark that ignites a fiery debate. The grievance is how Malcolm, on his spotlight stage, missed thanking Marie for her contributions to his life and work. He passes it off as forgetfulness, while she channels it as indicative of their entire relationship. After all they’ve been through, how he sees her is questioned in her eyes. When the reasons why each drew those differing lines of distinction emerge, she becomes more and more curt while he is incapable of de-escalating the situation. 

LESSON #2: ART IMITATING LIFE AND VICE VERSA-- Through wounds opened by sharp words, we learn this couple’s history and how a great deal of Marie’s past was streamlined into the basis of his new movie. She feels like spiritual theft occurred, where her story now belongs to him, his external piece of art, and the other actress cast to play the lead. In her own words, she “didn’t mean to give all that away,” showing the fragile and line-blurring balance between art and life. Mix in shame, guilt, and privilege, and the attacks usurp the apologies in Malcolm & Marie.

LESSON #3: REACTIONS TO PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CRITICISM-- To put it bluntly, everyone needs a person that can tell you you’re an asshole when you’re being an asshole. Marie is the person who cannot and will not kiss Malcolm’s ass and it drives him nuts. Her pointed criticism spans across the professional realm and into the personal one, particularly by the time he’s setting off verbal volcanoes on radical art, forced political labels, biased racial lenses, and misplaced film critic praise. Once again, Marie could care less. This is about the two of them and she calls him on it all.

LESSON #4: SAY WHAT YOU MEAN TO SAY-- No matter if the words scripted and directed by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson are blaring, hushed, rapid, or sedate, they bleed with honesty coming from the mouths and invested mettle of Washington and Zendaya. In each spaced scene, the crux of authenticity takes prominence when the gloves come off. Cutting the bullshit includes everything from not saying “fine” if something isn’t fine all the way up to the escalating vitriol that poisons a person’s irrational pride enough to belittle another with embarrassment and cruel labels like “emotional terrorist.” The next level of truths past any previously beaten bushes will surely do that. 

LESSON #5: DON’T TAKE PEOPLE FOR GRANTED-- Marie sees the future and embattled relationship prospects of what this breakout success will bring and do to Malcolm. She sees a lack of jealousy leading to indifference and fears her own marginalization to his fame and work. Zendaya drops an incredible line to say, “Once you know someone is there, you forget about them. It’s when they leave you notice.” Malcolm is the “neediest man” when the reasons for need should be out of love. At the same time there’s a measure of “don’t blame other people for your shit.” Still, there are moments in Malcolm & Marie where the shouting gives way to telling observations and personal outpourings devoid of comeuppance and competition. 

The combative conversation chapters are seamlessly separated by an excellent soundtrack of diegetic spins of varying classics curated by music supervisor Jen Malone and backed by a subtle score from Labrinth. What opens with James Brown, swells with John Coltrane, and finishes with Outkast is flawless for mood establishment. These musical interludes are the slick pacing and welcome breathers between the next flurry of jabs and haymakers. Each conversation in Malcolm & Marie ends with a pretty clear winner where a viewer can turn into a boxing judge scoring rounds waiting for a technical knockout. Good luck picking a side in this mental brawl.

If this kind of shouting match was happening in your presence, you would discreetly leave the room and likely the entire grounds. As a film, watching as a voyeuristic presence to this created production, you simply cannot look away from this lush proverbial squared circle. Cinematographer Marcell Rév’s black-and-white filming takes a variety of key positions for each encounter. When he’s shooting through the windows or doorways inside and outside Feldman Architecture’s award-winning Caterpillar House in Carmel, it’s as if the location is trying to contain what can’t hope to be held. Shifting to tight closeups increases the examination effect when those boundaries disappear or are removed from the perspective. 

Much of the draw comes from the magnetic two performers. The energetic output from John David Washington is blistering, in his most volatile film performance to date. As powerful as he is, Washington is outdone by his on-screen partner. The vivid Zendaya is an arresting and formidable presence. Her silent teetering between poise and collapse match the screams she’s weathering. Both actors hold after lines and painful pauses as if waiting for that invisible and inaudible ringside bell to sound a temporary ending between the heart-bruising episodes.

Words are weapons in Malcolm & Marie. For Sam Levinson, a former Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award winner from the Sundance Film Festival, writing all of this and squeezing these emotions is staggering. Thanks to his invested direction here on his third feature film, we hang on every word through long takes and challenging sections of dialogue within a lengthy and exhausting affair. Compelling catharsis coming from exposed pain like this is nothing short of impressive. Somewhere, above all the hateful words, all the flaws, and all the tension, love still sears the nerves.

LOGO DESIGNED BY MEENTS ILLUSTRATED (#951)

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