Australian Director Tom Danger joins Silas to talk about his new film, Sweethurt, and to answer the world-famous 7 Questions. Available as a Video and audio only Podcast.
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Review: Rye Lane
Rye Lane(2023)
PG-13 ‧ Romantic Comedy ‧ 1 Hours 22 Minutes
Written by Nathan Byron and Tom Melia
Directed by Raine Allen-Miller
THE CAST
Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson
THE STORY
(In their own words). Yas (Vivian Oparah) and Dom (David Jonsson), two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- Moment of Brilliance – The karaoke scene in this film where Yas and Dom sing Salt And Peppa’s Shoop together….is probably my single favorite scene of the last year. It’s an absolutely adorable scene that makes the movie for me.
- The Creativity – This film elevates a seemingly simple romcom to a work of art through a bold color pallet, fun cinematography, and very clever writing. Interesting movies are less about the story they are telling and more about how they tell the story. This story is told in a very creative and wonderful way.
- The humor – It’s a very funny romcom. The writing is clever, the actors delivery honest and fun performances that fit into this comedic world.
- Black Excellence – I don’t even want to talk about it because it really doesn’t have much to do with the film…but I feel like I would be remiss to not mention all the Black excellence in this film. This is a Black love story. It is full of wonderfully written Black characters, written by at least one Black Writer, Nathan Byron. To be honest, I couldn’t figure out if Tom Melia was Black as well (it’s very hard to find pictures of writers). The director, Raine Allen-Miller, is Black and is making an outstanding feature debut with this film. From head to toe, this film is pouring with Black excellence.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the film
- While it is a super creative film, it does fall into the traps of many romcoms in making a clumsy ending wrap up the story.
THE COMMENTS
While it is a romantic comedy, a big part of me want to tell you that this is a film about healing. I was once told that a breakup is kind of like a death. There is normally grieving from at least one party and it can be really difficult to learn how to move forward from after this change in your life. I think this film does a great job of exploring how these characters try to cope after a break up.
THE LESSON
Breakups are hard. How you react to a breakup doesn’t necessarily define you as a person.
IS IT REWATCHABLE
Yes
THE FINAL WORD
Rye Lane is a very special film. It is a very creative, British romantic comedy film that takes us through the lives of two people trying to process their recent breakups. The film features some wonderful writing, cinematography, and acting. It contains possibly my single favorite scene of the last year or so. Featuring a mostly Black cast, this film shows some wonderful promise from first time director Raine Allen-Miller.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Rye Lane gets a very strong Like It.
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming exclusively on Hulu
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review: Champions
Champions (2023)
PG-13 ‧ Comedy ‧ 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Written by Bobby Farrelly
Directed by Mark Rizzo
THE CAST
- Woody Harrelson as Marcus, a disgraced G-league basketball coach
- Kaitlin Olson as Alex, Johnny’s sister and Marcus’ love interest
- Matt Cook as Sonny, an assistant coach
- Ernie Hudson as Phil Perretti, a fellow coach and Marcus’ friend
- Cheech Marin as Julio, the manager of the rec center where the Friends practic
- Mike Smith as Attorney McGurk
- Scott Van Pelt as himself
- Jalen Rose as himself
THE STORY
(In their own words) A former minor-league basketball coach receives a court order to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Despite his doubts, he soon realizes that together they can go further than they ever imagined.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film;
- All of the intellectually disabled actors are played actors with those disabilities and they do a fantastic job.
- This movie made me smile the entire time. It was just such an enjoyable movie to watch. Touching, poignant, funny…it really hit all the right notes for me.
- Woody Harrelson does a wonderful job acting and working with all of the actors/players and brings a level of prestige to a film.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film;
- The writing isn’t the best. It borders on an after-school special level. It’s not intolerable, but that is I believe in large part due to the actors bringing more to the script than is there.
- While mostly really respectful to the actors with the disabilities, there was one female character where I didn’t think the jokes worked because the humor may have been more directed at her than with her.
THE COMMENTS
- This is an English-language remake of the 2018 Spanish film Campeones directed by Javier.
- This is a film that is elevated by the actors. The script itself is a bit predictable, mildly preachy, and razor this with its premise believability. But the actors elevate this out of what it could have been.
- My biggest fear about the film would be the misuse of the intellectually disabled actors and would be them making a lot of jokes at their expense. But that isn’t what happened. The film is very respectful.
- I think casting Woody Harrelson in the coach position was perfect because of my knowledge of him as a person made me feel okay watching it. I assumed that he wouldn’t do a film that made fun of the players. Also, in my personal universe the film would take place in the same universe as White Men Can’t Jump.
THE LESSON
Being a champion has nothing to do with outcome, it’s a way of living.
IS IT REWATCHABLE
Absolutely.
THE FINAL WORD
Watching Champions is giving yourself an opportunity to smile for two hours. Heartwarming story and performances that elevate the script made it a solid sports-comedy film. The actors in the players in the film are in real life part of the intellectually disabled community and it was fantastic to see them have an opportunity to show a story with respectful portrayals and fully developed characters. Give yourself an opportunity to be happy and see this film.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Champions gets a Like It.
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review: The Menu
The Menu (2022)
R‧ Horror Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 46 Minutes
Written by Seth Reiss, Will Tracy
Directed by Mark Mylod
THE CAST
- Ralph Fiennes as Julian Slowik
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot
- Nicholas Hoult as Tyler
- Hong Chau as Elsa
- Janet McTeer as Lillian Bloom
- Judith Light as Anne
- John Leguizamo as Movie Star
- Reed Birney as Richard Liebbrandt
- Paul Adelstein as Ted. Lillian’s editor
- Aimee Carrero as Felicity
- Arturo Castro as Soren
- Mark St. Cyr as Dave
- Rob Yang as Bryce
- Rebecca Koon as Linda
- Peter Grosz as Sommelier
THE STORY
“Young couple Margot and Tyler travel to a remote island to eat at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant run by celebrity chef Julian Slowik, who has prepared a lavish molecular gastronomy menu where food is treated as conceptual art, although his approach to cuisine has some shocking surprises for the wealthy guests.”
MORE DETAILED STORY
(In their own words) A couple, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), travel to a coastal island in the Pacific Northwest to eat at an exclusive restaurant, Hawthorn, where the reclusive, globally celebrated Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish tasting menu for select special guests. Joining the couple are three young, already inebriated tech bros, Bryce (Rob Yang), Soren (Arturo Castro) and Dave (Mark St. Cyr), an older wealthy couple and repeat clients, Anne and Richard (Judith Light and Reed Birney), renowned restaurant critic Lillian Bloom (Janet McTeer) and her slavish magazine editor Ted (Paul Adelstein), and a famous middle-aged movie star (John Leguizamo) with his assistant Felicity (Aimee Carrero). Hosted by the immaculately dressed front of house staff led by general Elsa (Hong Chau), the evening unfolds with increasing tension at each of the guest tables as secrets are revealed and unexpected courses are served. With wild and violent events occurring, Slowik’s motivation begins to rattle the diners as it becomes increasingly apparent that his elaborate menu is designed to catalyze to a shocking finale.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- The story – It’s a very creative story, one that I don’t think I’ve heard before. It’s suspenseful, thrilling, really funny, and you have trouble predicting where it’s going to go. Wonderful satire.
- The themes – There are just so many wonderful themes about class warfare. Rich vs Poor, Have vs Have Nots, Givers vs Takers. There are so many underlying themes, the more you talk about it, the more you see.
- The writing – This is a really well written film. Subtle, great dialogue, and layers upon layer of meaning behind everything.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- More backstory of most of the cooks would have really helped understand more.
THE LESSON
The rich don’t deserve bread.
THE FINAL WORD
This is a film that the audience should really devour. It is a tasting menu of satire, horror, comedy, thrills, and terror. Wonderfully written and speaks volumes about the role of class and the divide between the rich and the poor. This is not just another horror movie, it’s a warning that there is a breaking point and a message to the servant class about the power of saying ‘No.” Ralph Fiennes is a stand out as the celebrity chef Julian Slowik.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
The Menu gets a ‘Love It”
THE MEME REVIEW
THE TRAILER
Review: Bodies Bodies Bodies
Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)
R ‧ Horror Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 35 Minutes
Screenplay by Sarah DeLappe
Story by Kristen Roupenian
Directed by Halina Reijn
THE CAST
Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson.
THE STORY
(In their own words)
When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- The comedy – very funny film. Possibly now a current favorite horror comedy.
- The suspense – Trying to figure out who the killer is, waiting for twists, waiting for the next death, trying to figure the whole thing out, was amazingly exciting.
- The satire. The satire of the film to me seemed to be a commentary on the juxtaposition of the starring generation. This is a generation that is really in touch with their emotions and aware how their words can harm other people. Yet at the same time they feel empty.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- It’s definitely a film of convenience. Set up too perfectly.
- Some exposition to explain dumb things people did, seemed unnecessary.
- My lack of a time machine to go back in time and watch this again for the first time.
THE REVIEW
After every screening I see, I’m supposed to give notes to the PR firm holding the screening, let me share with you what I said to the things I told them:
“A refreshingly and surprisingly wonderfully done horror comedy, with an emphasis on the comedy.
Honest performances, never over the top, played for keeps never for laughs, but the laughs kept coming.
Pete Davidson is fantastic.
Wonderful ensemble! Acting, chemistry, they did it all so wonderfully.
Can’t wait to see it again.
It is the “do-not-miss horror of the year.”
Spot-on satire of a generation that has amazing levels of empathy and understanding of other people’s difficulties yet can’t find their own purpose.”
That should give you a sense of how I felt about this film.
They say it is a lot harder to write a review of a film you like than to write one for a film you hate. It’s really hard for me to write this review. I just want to gush over how much I enjoyed this.
I feel like I watch a lot of TV and film, and I just couldn’t predict this film. It’s horror, but it wasn’t as gory as I was afraid it would be. It showed it was also a comedy, but it was WAY funnier than I predicted. I thought I knew who the killer was, then I thought I knew who they were trying to make me think the killer was, then I thought I knew the red herring, cause it’s actually this other person….I was never right. I could just never predict what would happen. And that is absolutely exhilarating.
I don’t think the film will be considered a film to “change the genre” but it at minimum should set a bar of excellence because this film is truly wonderful. The writing is wonderful. The script is witty, the characters are fully developed, they are driven with clear motivations, they reveal things at just the right times, there are wonderfully developed social commentaries throughout the film, which is so wonderful to see in a horror comedy.
The acting is surprisingly awesome. Pete Davidson was just terrific and it makes me want to go watch his other films to see if I’ve been missing something.
THE LESSON
This movie is stacked full of lessons! It really is!
Lessons in white privilege, in ableism, in understanding the hardships others experience and trying to be an ally. But ultimately I came away with this:
Being an ally is great….but making yourself empty inside is horrible.
REWATCHABLE?
Absolutely. One of the first movies in a while that I can’t wait to watch again.
THE FINAL WORD
If you want a great laugh and scream movie, Bodies Bodies Bodies is it. It definitely has the blood and guts of a horror film. But it’s comedy makes me forget all that. This is close to the most fun I’ve had in a theater this year.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Bodies Bodies Bodies gets a Love It
THE TRAILER
Review: Bullet Train
Bullet Train (2022)
R ‧ Action Comedy Thriller ‧ 2 Hour 6 Minutes
Directed by David Leitch
Screenplay by Zak Olkewicz. Based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle (published in English as Bullet Train) by Kōtarō Isaka.
THE CAST
Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Benito A Martínez Ocasio, and Sandra Bullock.
THE STORY
(In their own words) Five assassins find themselves on a fast moving bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka with only a few stops in between. They discover their missions are not unrelated to each other.
THE BEST
Three BEST things about the film
- The story – Very compelling story and I really like the way it was presented.
- The comedy – really funny film. Impeccable comedy and funny characters.
- Brad Pitt – Such an enjoyable performance. You could tell he was having fun with the role so it was fun for us to watch. He plays an “Assassin” who is trying to change himself and not kill people anymore. He’s been doing a lot of therapy and he just wants to do “grab and go” jobs now. He also thinks he is bad luck now, because people around him tend to die, even if they aren’t connected to the job he’s doing.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- Honestly, I don’t have many complaints about this film. My major issue is probably that we somehow filled this Japanese story set in Japan with a bunch of people who aren’t Japanese. I’m nearly positive that in the original book, they weren’t a bunch of American and British people in the story. However, there is also something to be said that this film likely wouldn’t have gotten viewed by many if it didn’t have a big star attached to it like Brad Pitt. Further, to a degree the race of the people doesn’t matter. It’s not like they cast white people in roles that really relied on being part of Japanese culture.
- Violence. There’s a lot of violence in the film. If you are shy to violence, this may not be for you. Much of it is done in a comical way, but it’s still there. Is it gorey? Not exactly, but there is a level of exaggeration. Not as bad as The Kingsmen or Kill Bill, but there is a level of it that you have to be able to deal with.
- I love Sandra Bullock and was looking forward to some Sandra Bullock physical comedy, however that’s not the role she has for this. She serves mostly as a voice actor for this film.
THE REVIEW
Bullet Train is a high speed adventure with surprisingly well rounded characters. In this kind of
action film, you don’t expect the arch of the film to take you through so much character building. We end up with some really fleshed out characters that make you root for them throughout.
The film is an exaggeration. That’s the “world of the play.” When looking and examining a film like this you can’t judge the action sequences by the terms of a realistic drama, you have to look at the world that is created for the audience. Does the movie stay within the laws and world framework that they establish early on. While Bullet Train is in an absurd world.
It is in a world of exaggerated violence, characters, and therefore it is not a stretch when the world of physics get pushed to their max, and beyond. There are people who will judge this film based on how realistic it is and that simply isn’t fair. If the film breaks its rules it has established, it is jarring and the audience can feel it, that never happens in the film.
Bullet Train is my kind of action film. It is smartly written, full of comedy, suspenseful all the way until the end, and has some hidden lessons. In this film it comes from Brad Pitt’s character, Ladybug, who is about teaching yourself to have a good mindset.
To me, the film is less of a “who dunnit, and more of a “who DIDN’T do it.” It is full of twists and callbacks to earlier actions, people, and items, so you really have to pay attention during the film.
Bullet Train is easily one of my favorite action films of the year.
THE LESSON
Thomas The Train can really teach you to know people.
THE FINAL WORD
Bullet Train is funny, suspenseful, and full of exaggerated displays of violence. One of Brad Pitt’s most entertaining roles in quite a while. Bullet Train is a fun ride that doesn’t disappoint. One of my favorite action films of the year.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Bullet Train gets a Love It.
THE TRAILER
Review – The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)
R ‧ Action/Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 47 Minutes
Written by Kevin Etten & Tom Gormican
Directed by Tom Gormican
THE CAST
- Nicolas Cage
- Pedro Pascal
- Sharon Horgan
- Ike Barinholtz
- Alessandra Mastronardi
- Jacob Scipio
- Neil Patrick Harris
- Tiffany Haddish
THE STORY
(In their own words) Unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, actor Nick Cage accepts a $1 million offer to attend a wealthy fan’s birthday party. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when a CIA operative recruits Cage for an unusual mission. Taking on the role of a lifetime, he soon finds himself channeling his most iconic and beloved characters to save himself and his loved ones.
THE REVIEW
Nicholas Cage is obviously a massive talent. He has what most actors dream of….a distinct voice and style of acting that draws people.
Above all though, he’s an artist. I believe that it takes true artistry to be self-reflective and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a great opportunity for Nicholas Cage to be self-reflective and self-deprecating. Nicholas Cage shows he is not afraid to make fun of himself and how self aware he is of how the public at large sees him. The film is a clear fictional version of Cage, but clearly painted with a lot of truth. Truths that lesser men may not be able to handle.
The essence of the story is that a financially struggling Nicholas Cage takes a million dollar paycheck to attend a fans birthday party. While there, he learns that his fan may be a high profile drug lord and the FBI wants his help to save a woman they believe is being held on the estate.
The results of this are a wonderful, refreshingly original comedy. Cage is a comedic force in the film. It’s a great tribute to Nicholas Cage that will be enriched by how many films of his you have seen, the good and the bad. The film is part buddy comedy, part action comedy, but whatever it is doing, it is consistently funny.
I love how self aware the film is…, it’s so layered. It’s almost a movie within a movie within a movie. Are we watching what happened or a story told about what happened?
There are really only two points of the film I didn’t care for. One, is that I think a film focusing on the celebrity of a Hollywood actor shouldn’t have so many other recognizable faces co-starring. I think it takes us out of the film. It constantly reminds me that the story isn’t real because Nicholas cage is pretending he’s talking to an agent when it’s obviously Neil Patrick Harris. Give us unknown actors for these roles.
The second point is the end of the film. I can’t tell if they just ran out of time, or just weren’t sure how to end it. But I felt as if I was robbed of a solid ending to the film with a little bit of slight of hand.
THE BEST
BEST things about the film
- Original
- Self-Aware
- Pacing
- Very funny.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- I don’t feel like we get the ending we deserve.
- I wish other actors in the film were not so well known. I really like the idea of Nick Cage the movie star being amongst all these regular people. But having other semi-stars around him takes away the potential realness feelings of some of the scenes. I really wish the roles played by Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris, and Pedro Pascal were played by unknowns, even though they do a fine job.
THE LESSON
Being a Hollywood star doesn’t mean life is easy.
THE FINAL WORD
A very funny love letter to Nicholas Cage that could only work being starred by Nicholas Cage himself. It is hilarious, self-aware, and very inventive.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent gets a Love It.
THE TRAILER
THE REVIEWER
ABOUT SILAS
When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas Lindenstein can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.
Review – The Lost City
The Lost City (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Action/Adventure/Comedy ‧ 1 hour 52 Minutes
Story by Seth Gordon, Written by Oren Uziel; Dana Fox; Adam Nee; Aaron Nee
Directed by Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
THE CAST
Sandra Bullock; Channing Tatum; Daniel Radcliffe; Da’Vine Joy Randolph; Brad Pitt; Oscar Nuñez
THE STORY
(In their own words) Reclusive author Loretta Sage writes about exotic places in her popular adventure novels that feature a handsome cover model named Alan. While on tour promoting her new book with Alan, Loretta gets kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire who hopes she can lead him to an ancient city’s lost treasure from her latest story. Determined to prove he can be a hero in real life and not just on the pages of her books, Alan sets off to rescue her.
THE REVIEW
Let me get straight to it with film because it’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about a comedy. The Lost City is easily the best comedy I’ve seen this year and I honestly can’t imagine enjoying another film this year as much as I did this one. It ls laugh out loud funny, perfectly paced, wonderfully acted, and had the audience I watched the film with absolutely rolling from beginning to end.
Sandra Bullock returns to this genre that she absolutely owns in The Lost City playing romance novel author Loretta Sage. While I wouldn’t have really considered Channing Tatum as a good pairing for her, this movie showed me that these two need to work together a lot more. The comedic timing and chemistry between these two was flawless. I don’t think there is another current leading actress who performs physical comedy as well as Sandra Bullock does; from her awkwardness of sitting on a stool to rolling out of a hammock, she finds a way to bring laughter to such simple movements. Her reactions to her circumstances or Channing Tatum’s butt are never too far keeping her grounded in the real world, but stretched just far enough to milk the scene for all the comedy she can.
Daniel Radcliffe shines as the villain of the film, billionaire Abigail Fairfax. While Radcliffe’s charm makes you instantly disarmed, that only feeds into making his villainous acts a little unexpected and therefore impressive. He’s a wonderful comedic villain, which I wasn’t expecting, and really wants me to see him as a bad guy in a more serious film.
The Lost CIty is an adventure that I don’t want to spoil. Is some of the plot a little predictable? Yes. Do they take quite a lot of liberties in dealing with plane flight times? Yes. But those minor elements are easily dismissed when you are presented with such a wonderful, well-crafted, fun adventure. And there are enough unexpected surprises in the film to make up for anything. Also, when predictable moments happen, the comedy that they create out of the situation is superb.
THE BEST
Three BEST things about the film
- Very funny. Extremely. I was shocked at how much I laughed at this film. Probably the funniest comedy of the year.
- Lots of unexpected turns that are also memorable.
- Wonderful chemistry between leads.
THE WORST
The three WORST things about the Film
- Minor issue with ending.
- Some predictable moments.
- Lacks logic to timeline of events.
THE LESSON
Don’t be afraid of opening the door and seeing what’s next.
THE FINAL WORD
Easily the funniest film of the year and I find it hard to imagine anyone with a heart and soul not liking this film.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
The Lost City gets a Love It.
THE TRAILER
THE REVIEWER
ABOUT SILAS
When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas Lindenstein can be found in the greater metro Seattle, WA working as a real estate agent helping people buy and sell homes, or performing stand up comedy to fellow nerds. He has a wife and three children and desperately wants to learn to make the perfect homemade pizza.