Episode #194: The Greatest TV Couples Of All Time

Guest and comic Tara Weidner joins Silas for this episode to discuss The Greatest TV Couples Of All Time.

Review – The Fallout

The Fallout (2021)
Review by Silas Lindenstein

Release date: January 27, 2022

By http://www.impawards.com/2022/fallout_ver3.html, Fair use

Rated R ‧ Drama ‧ 1 hour 32 minutes
Written by Megan Park

Directed by ‎Megan Park

THE CAST

Jenna Ortega, Maddie Ziegler, Shailene Woodley, Julie Bowen, John Ortiz, Niles Fitch, and Will Ropp

THE STORY

“High schooler Vada navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family, friends and view of the world are forever altered. ” IMBD

“The Fallout is a compelling exploration of the inexplicable resiliency of life and the hope that emerges out of loss. A raw and honest coming-of-age story for this generation, Jenna Ortega and Maddie Ziegler star in Megan Park’s directorial debut.”

THE REVIEW

To be honest, when I first saw the trailer for this film, I didn’t think I would watch it. The premise of the film, dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting, hits too close to my heart. I have three children and the idea of a school shooting is one of the most terrifying things I can think about.

But the film got some early praise from fellow reviewers and a lot of good buzz from its premiere at the South By Southwest festival last year. And I began to think about it more; if my teenager can handle going to school each day well aware of the dangers she now faces, if she can do active shooter drills since she was in Kindergarten, the least I could do was be uncomfortable during a movie to better relate to her. And isn’t that a goal of why we often watch a film? To better relate to people like the subjects.

I’m very glad that I chose to watch it. It is moving, powerful, and wonderfully well put together film.

The film doesn’t waste much time getting to the inciting incident. After a little brief series of scenes getting to know the main character Vada, played beautifully by Jenna Ortega, showing what she and her life is like before the shooting, she makes a trip to the bathroom after receiving a phone call from her little sister who just got her first period. While in there, she exchanges a couple awkward words with classmate and instagram star Mia {Maddie Ziegler). It’s then that shots start going off in the hallway and the girls run to a bathroom stall to hide. A few moments later they are joined by fellow classmate Quiton who runs in, covered in blood, after his brother was killed and died in his arms before he fled for safety. The three strangers huddle together until the all clear is given and they leave the bathroom and face the fallout in their lives from the event.

What follows is an examination of grief, shock, and second guessing of safety that no child should have to go through. We see how these teens and Vada’s best friend all cope with the tragedy in different ways. Ways that range from self-destructive to becoming an activist for change. We get to see how this event affects Vada’s relationship with her family. What we see if a very honest and believable portrayal of this kind of event. The movie delves into the depths of what it is to be human.

The directing of the film is very calculated and raw, allowing the actors time to feel the moments from the beginning. First time director Megan Park draws out very subtle, honest, and engaging performance from the actors. One of the most important jobs of the director is to make sure the tone of the film is right, which again, Park does a stellar job of making the film cohesive and consistent. Her first film shows the talents of a veteran director and I look forward to seeing what other works she creates.

The writing of the film is quite beautiful. The dialogue is natural and film flows so naturally, you can’t see the strings that carry the film from each beat to the next. Again, those are skills of a great writer and director.

THE BEST

Three BEST things about the film:

The acting. Jenna Ortega will be an early contender for best youth performance.
The writing. Very genuine and honest.
The directing. Nearly perfectly crafted story. Engaging choices.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the film:

The only bad thing about the film is how likely the events of the film are to happen.

THE LESSON

Grief is different for everyone. How someone copes with tragedy is an individual thing.

THE FINAL WORD

THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

The Fallout gets a Love It.

Where To Watch

An HBO MAX original film, see it streaming on HBO MAX.

Trailer for the film

Episode 193: Silas’ Top 11 Favorite Films of 2021

Silas breaks down his favorite 11 films from 2021.

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.

News – Picard Season 2 Trailer Out!

Time to start getting psyched for Season 2 of Picard on Paramount+. I was a huge fan of season one and the additions to this season’s cast are really exciting.

Paramount+ just released the first trailer for Season 2 and I wanted to share it with you all.

Silas’ Top 11 Favorite Films Of 2021

We are now getting deep into the award season for the best films of 2021. And yes, most of the films being honored are very good films, but are they necessarily my favorite films of the year? Not necessarily. I can appreciate the artistry of most of these award winners and get why they won, however often they aren’t films I would care to watch multiple times. So, here is my personal list of my favorite films that came out in 2021.

11. Malcolm & Marie

A filmmaker on the brink of Hollywood glory and his girlfriend, whose story made his career, find themselves pushed towards a reckoning as a single tumultuous night decides the fate of their relationship.

Initial Release: January 29, 2021

Director: Sam Levinson

Starring: Zendaya; John David Washington

Rated R

Romance/Drama ‧ 1h 45m

Available on Netflix

Why I liked it? I loved that it was shot in black & white because it really puts the focus on the actors. And really, that’s what this film is about, the actors. It’s a two person film, which you don’t see a lot of, and it’s an amazing opportunity just to watch two actors bounce off of each other – action & reaction – pinch & ouch. I liked the film for the acting.

10. The Tender Bar

Set in 1970s Long Island, 9-year-old J. R. Maguire and his mother Dorothy move back in with his grandparents following her breakup with his father. There, he forms a bond with his Uncle Charlie, the owner of a local bar. Charlie acts as a surrogate father to J. R. and encourages him in his pursuit of becoming a successful writer. Charlie’s mother is determined that he will go to Yale or Harvard and become a lawyer.

Release date: December 17, 2021 (USA)

Director: George Clooney

Starring: Ben Affleck; Tye Sheridan; Lily Rabe; Christopher Lloyd; Daniel Ranieri

Drama/Coming-of-age Story ‧ 1h 46m

Rated R

Available on Amazon Prime

Why I liked it? Ben Affleck does a wonderful job in this film. I nominated him for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Uncle Charlie. I think the directing by George Clooney is wonderful in the moments he creates and the tone that he sets. There’s nothing new about this film, but it made me feel good.

9. Zola

Zola, a Detroit waitress, is seduced into a weekend of stripping in Florida for some quick cash — but the trip becomes a sleepless 48-hour odyssey involving a nefarious friend, her pimp and her idiot boyfriend.

Release date: June 30, 2021 (USA)

Director: Janicza Bravo

Starring: Taylour Paige; Riley Keough; Nicholas Braun; Ari’el Stachel; Colman Domingo

Crime/Dark Comedy ‧ 1h 27m

Rated R

Available on Video On Demand

Why I liked it? It’s a very original, crazy story. You really have no idea where the story is going to go. Riley Keough does a fantastic job as the stripper bringing Zola into this crazy world and Colman Domingo is a fantastic bad guy.

8. Spider-Man: No Way Home

With Spider-Man’s identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero. When Peter asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

Release date: December 17, 2021 (USA)

Director: Jon Watts

Writers: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Stan Lee (based on the Marvel comic book by)

Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch

Action/Adventure/Fantasy ‧ 2h 28m

Rated PG-13

Available in theaters and on Disney+ later this year

Why I liked It? The greatest Spider-Man film made to date. And one that couldn’t have happened without the over a decade building of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And it was just incredibly fun, which is why we go to movies in the first place. It’s a film I could probably watch ten times without batting an eye.

7. The Map Of Tiny Perfect Things

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things tells the story of quick-witted teen Mark, contentedly living the same day in an endless loop whose world is turned upside-down when he meets mysterious Margaret also stuck in the time loop. Mark and Margaret form a magnetic partnership, setting out to find all the tiny things that make that one day perfect. What follows is a love story with a fantastical twist, as the two struggle to figure out how – and whether – to escape their never-ending day.

Release date: February 12, 2021 (USA)

Director: Ian Samuels

Writer: Lev Grossman

Actor: Kathryn Newton, Kyle Allen

Romance/Sci-fi ‧ 1h 39m

Rated PG-13

Available on Amazon Prime

Why I liked it? It’s a great twist on the “Groundhog Day” genre of time loop scifi. I absolutely love this genre. What really stands out about this film is the writing. The writing on this is really nice. It’s a sweet story and if you enjoy the genre you should really check it out.

6. Licorice Pizza

The story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.

Release date: November 26, 2021 (USA)

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson

Starring: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie

Drama/Comedy-drama ‧ 2h 13m

Rated R

Playing In Theaters

Why I like it? Wonderful acting, wonderful writing, a compelling story. It’s really just full of everything that makes me love to watch movies. Alana Haim delivers an award deserving performance.

5. Don’t Look Up

Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.

Initial release: December 5, 2021

Director: Adam McKay

Story by: Adam McKay; David Sirota

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep

Comedy/Disaster ‧ 2h 25m

Rated R

Available on Netflix

Why I like it? I think this is one of the sharpest and on the nose satires to come out in ages. I thought it was hilarious, smart, and unexpected. The acting and the cameos are all on point. Meryl Streep is especially wonderful playing the president.

4. Encanto

The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift — every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.

Release date: November 24, 2021 (USA)

Directors: Byron Howard, Jared Bush

Music by: Germaine Franco

Story by: Jared Bush; Byron Howard; Charise Castro Smith; Jason Hand; Nancy Kruse; Lin-Manuel Miranda

Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Carolina Gaitán, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderrama

Musical/Comedy ‧ 1h 39m

Rated PG-13

Available on Disney+

Why I like it? It’s not just a great animated film, it’s a great film. My daughter was excited to see it because finally Disney had a movie where the character reminded her of herself; just a regular, quirky, and brown girl. The film is actually much deeper than it originally appears. Having two little kids, I have seen the film more than any other film since Frozen 2. And I actually like it more each time. To top it off, an amazing soundtrack by Lin Manuel Miranda.

3. In The Heights

In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.

Initial release: June 4, 2021

Director: Jon M. Chu

Music by: Lin-Manuel Miranda; Alex Lacamoire; Bill Sherman

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Jimmy Smits

Musical/Drama ‧ 2h 23m

Available On Demand

Why I like it? This musical had me smiling from the first number. I thoroughly loved the music, the story, and the way they adapted the stage musical to screen. The actor’s pleasure in doing the film shows in the production. It really is a different kind of musical than you’ve ever seen.

2. Tick Tick Boom

Based on the autobiographical musical by playwright Jonathan Larson. It’s the story of an aspiring composer in New York City who is worried he made the wrong career choice, whilst navigating the pressures of love and friendship.

Release date: November 12, 2021 (USA)

Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Music by: Jonathan Larson

Adapted from: Tick, Tick… Boom!

Screenplay by: Steven Levenson

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Joshua Henry, Judith Light, Vanessa Hudgens

Musical/Drama ‧ 1h 55m

Available on Netflix

Why I like it? This film is incredibly moving. The film connects to anyone who is afraid they don’t have enough time left to leave their mark on the world. Andrew Garfield is fabulous as Jonathan Larson, really the perfect choice for the role, and he’s surrounded by a wonderful supporting cast.

CODA

Ruby is the only hearing member of a deaf family from Gloucester, Massachusetts. At 17, she works mornings before school to help her parents and brother keep their fishing business afloat. But in joining her high school’s choir club, Ruby finds herself drawn to both her duet partner and her latent passion for singing.

Release date: August 13, 2021 (USA)

Director: Sian Heder

Starring: Emilia Jones; Eugenio Derbez; Troy Kotsur; Ferdia Walsh-Peelo; Daniel Durant; Marlee Matlin

Screenplay by Sian Heder, Based on Famille Bélier by Victoria Bedos

Drama/Romance ‧ 1h 51m

Why I like it? This film has two of my favorite scenes from any movie in a long time. They say that great moments in acting and film are like a pearl, and the goal is to make so many pearls that you have the biggest pearl necklace possible. This film made more necklaces than any other film this year. It’s incredibly touching, funny when appropriate, and brings you into a real world that most of us would never think about.

ABOUT SILAS

When he’s not reviewing films or interviewing people for the Black & A Half podcast, Silas 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 Power Of The Dog

The Power of the Dog (2021)

R ‧ Drama/western ‧ 2h 6 m

Written by Jane Campion

Directed by ‎Jane Campion

THE CAST

THE STORY

(In their own words) Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

THE REVIEW

The Power of The Dog is an incredibly well-crafted film. The cinematography is at times breathtaking, not just in the gorgeous views it shows of the landscape (it’s supposed to take place in Montana but budget constraints had it filmed in Australia), but because the cinematography really helped tell the story. The actors are first rate; Kirsten Dunst has completed transformed from her early work to such a strong, powerful actress. In this case, showing a woman being slowly broken by the constant badgering of a brother-in-law, Phil Burbank played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Always a good actor, Cumberbatch plays the badgering bully of his brother and his family. He really showcases the nuances to this complex, powerful and unlikeable character.

Though despite the great artistry of acting and production design, I couldn’t help but be completely bored through the first 30-40 minutes of the film. Were it not for needing to review it, I would have shut it off. Which, would have made me miss the surprising turn the film takes in the last third of story. While it seems to be a slice of life film to start, it turns into a little bit more……not exactly a thriller…but not everything is as it seems.

While the last part of the movie saved me from boredom I couldn’t see myself watching this film a second time. It’s just too slow without enough of a payoff. .

THE BEST

The BEST things about the film:

The cinematography.
Unexpected direction.
The craftsmanship of this film.
The acting by Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst is incredible.

THE WORST

The WORST things about the Film:

So slow.
First 40 minutes are really, really boring.
Unrelatable.

THE LESSON

Be kind, because you just don’t know.

THE FINAL WORD

One of the most beautiful films that has ever bored me.

THE VERDICT

My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.

Like it for craftsmanship.

Lose it for entertainment.

ABOUT SILAS

Episode 191: Don’t Look Up With Guests Chelsea Day and Eric Stewart

This episode is a full discussion of the new Netflix star studded satirical comedy Don’t Look Up starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. Silas was joined by two friends, Chelsea Day and Eric Stewart to discuss the film. #SFCS

Episode #174: Amos Mack & Why Daddy Can’t Count To Ten

Comedian and author Amos Mack joined Samantha and Silas to discuss his new Children’s Book “Why Daddy Can’t Count To Ten”.

Episode #157: On The Scene With Lowell Deo

Actor and former news reporter Lowell Deo joins Samantha & Silas for an episode that makes Silas laugh harder than most.

Ways to support Black & A Half!!!

Please give us a 5 star rating and review & subscribe to us on iTunes!

Become a supporter on Patreon for a small monthly donation: www.Patreon.com/blackandahalf

Get free stock to trade by clicking these links and support us at the same time.

ROBINHOOD – Get a free stock and we will too when you sign up for the stock trading app Robinhood at https://join.robinhood.com/silasl

WeBull – Sign up Webull and get anywhere between 2-4 stocks depending on the promotion when you deposit $100 or more. We get two free stocks when you make that deposit within the first 30 days. Sign up for WeBull here.

Sponsorship

This episode is brought to you by Silas Lindenstein at Boutique Brokerage, real estate agent and host of the top 25 apple podcast – You’re Buying A Home with Silas Lindenstein listen to that here. If you are in the Seattle area and looking to buy or sell a home. Email Silas at Silas@SilasGetsReal.com or text him at 206-351-9230.

If you are out of the Seattle area but looking to buy or sell a home, you can also support Black & A Half by getting a real estate referral partner from Silas. Email him for more info.

Beyond Technique Coaching by Samantha RundSamantha is an actor, comedian, and coach who has performed on stage and screen across the country. Recently, she can be seen on 3 Busy Debras on Adult Swim. She is passionate about enriching and empowering people’s lives through the arts. Her coaching business Beyond Technique Coaching uses performance principles to help people bring more of their whole selves ( voice, body, and mind) to their lives and work. www.samantharund.comToggle panel: Theme SEO Settings

Episode #156: Allan Aquino & The Quest For The Unknown Pinot

Actor Allan Aquino joins Silas & Samantha this week. We learnabout him growing up in Chicago as an Asian American actor and his journey to Seattle.

Ways to support Black & A Half!!!

Please give us a 5 star rating and review & subscribe to us on iTunes!

Become a supporter on Patreon for a small monthly donation: www.Patreon.com/blackandahalf

Get free stock to trade by clicking these links and support us at the same time.

ROBINHOOD – Get a free stock and we will too when you sign up for the stock trading app Robinhood at https://join.robinhood.com/silasl

Sponsorship

If you are out of the Seattle area but looking to buy or sell a home, you can also support Black & A Half by getting a real estate referral partner from Silas. Email him for more info.