Zora Iman Crews comes on to talk about her upcoming Mockumentary The Daphne Project.
Episode #204: Zora Iman Crews
Episode #203: New Documentary – Accepted
This week, Silas is joined by director Dan Chen and two people who were subjects for his premiere documentary Accepted, Isaac and Aighty. This documentary focuses on a K-12 school in Louisiana with a 100% college acceptance rate and a 33% Ivy League school acceptance rate. But something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Listen up and then watch the film coming out this July 1st.
Review: Jurassic World Dominion
Jurassic World Dominion
PG-13 ‧ Adventure/Sci-fi ‧ 2h 26m
Screenplay by Emily Carmichael and Colin Trevorrow
Story by Derek Connolly
Directed by Colin Trevorrow
THE CAST
Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudou Athie, BD Wong, Omar Sy
THE STORY
(In their own words) Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, dinosaurs now live–and hunt–alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures in a new Era.
THE REVIEW
If this movie was a dinosaur, it would be a Funasaurus Rex.
This is the sixth film in the Jurassic park/world franchise. The original was a masterpiece, in part because it was the first time we saw dinosaurs on screen at that quality of animatronics with touches of CGI, and it was the first time exploring this universe. Not to mention it being directed by Steven Spielberg who is a master storyteller. At this point in the franchise, there are just naturally going to be less mystery and less surprises about this universe. One of the biggest mistakes sequels make is trying to recapture the former glory by repeating the same tricks, by following the exact same formula. Also, with CGI becoming so much cheaper and studios wanting to utilize it, I think it hurts franchises like this. The limitations of CGI actually help in creating mystery and with story telling. I am of the strong opinion that limitations are great for storytelling.
Where this film exceeds is in its special effects and the storytelling.
The special effects; at times it’s hard to tell which is a practical animatronic dinosaur and when it’s CGI, the biggest give away is when it does “too much.” But also, the CGI itself is pretty incredible. There are times I had to tell myself “dinosaurs aren’t real, this is just a story, breath, Silas. In through the nose, out through your mouth.”
Storytelling; I liked that it managed to tell a somewhat new story within this established universe. Are they stories I’ve never seen? Not really, but I loved the way it was told and that they put them in this world. The story is split in the first two-thirds between two narratives – one following the original Jurassic Park stars and the second by the Jurassic World stars, until they inevitably meet up. This isn’t a spoiler because you know this is something that has to happen.
Let me say this though, if you are coming to a film about dinosaurs walking modern day earth as a result of cloning technology and the complete breakdown of the amusement park they were built for, you need to be watching this film with a very open mind. You need to be watching this for the fun of it, for the wild entertainment, to enjoy it like an amusement park ride. This is not meant to be Shakespeare, we know we are not watching a serious academy award contender. This is not going to be a Million Dollar Baby with dinosaurs.
Do I wanna see crap? No. Do I expect crap? No. Not at these ticket prices. What I want is to be swept away into a fun story that doesn’t make me think too much, and plays within its own defined laws of physics, science, and stretched believability. I think Jurassic World Dominion does that.
Two people behind me thought it was hard to follow the story because it jumped around so much. I think maybe they are idiots and I guess they don’t like subplots. It followed the story telling technique of something like Empire Strikes Back, which while I love it, isn’t exactly rocket science.
THE BEST
Three BEST things about the film
- Special effects. The animation is really incredible. The use of “practical dinosaurs was great. Hard to distinguish which were CGI and which were animatronic.
- They actually found an original story to tell within this Jurassic Park world setting. This wasn’t just a rehash of old plots, it had definite nods to the past, but those were mostly pretty subtle.
- Pacing and surprises. The film went by really fast. There are definitely a fair number of twists and turns in the film to keep suspense up throughout the film.
THE WORST
The three WORST things about the Film
- There’s a lot of movies to watch before this to get the full emotional depth the film would provide.
- There’s only so many ways to get eaten by dinosaurs, so there are limits to what the film can do with action scenes.
- Even if you suspend your belief for the dinosaurs, you have to really not have your thinking cap on as far as physics and laws of science would work. Don’t think too hard for this film.
THE LESSON
There are actually many lessons from this film.
1. Biotech companies that alter food are nearly always questionable
2. Our desire to mess with natural law will lead to our deaths.
3. Humans tend to fail to learn from their mistakes when there’s money to be made.
THE FINAL WORD
This movie is a thrill ride for your soul, not for your brain. Grab some popcorn but not a big drink because the runtime is so long.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
I give Jurassic World Dominion a Love it, because it is something I definitely want to see again.
THE TRAILER
THE REVIEWER
ABOUT SILAS LINDENSTEIN
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 Batman
Review by Silas Lindenstein
The Batman (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2h 56m
Written by Matt Reeves, Peter Craig
Directed by Matt Reeves
THE CAST
Robert Pattinson as Batman
Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle (Catwoman)
Paul Dano as Riddler
Colin Farrell as Penguin
Jeffrey Wright as James Gordeon
Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennywise
THE STORY
(In their own words) When the Riddler, a sadistic serial killer, begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption and question his family’s involvement.
THE REVIEW
Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of Batman films and a lot of portrayal of Batman in live action films. I really didn’t think there was any new way I could see Batman presented. I am so excited that I was wrong.
The newest incarnation brings us Robert Pattinson donning the role of Gotham’s caped crusader in the Matt Reeve’s directed film The Batman. The film doesn’t take much time in introducing what this film is about and how the tone will be set. There has been a murder and the police are at a loss. So Detective Gordon (Jeffery Wright) brings in the vigilante Batman to take a look, because he seems to spot things others don’t. This is the first Batman film to acknowledge Batman as a great detective, the comics always referred to him as the world’s greatest detective but it has always been lost on the screen adaptations. This was wonderful to see him working the clues of the case.
The setting is year two of Batman. So it’s a young Batman, one gaining experience and learning his place in Gotham. Initial reaction of Pattinson being cast in the role was generally mixed. Pattinson’s performance will definitely create some great discussion as he completely owns the characters and breathes fresh life into the character. This may well be the greatest Batman we’ve seen yet. He is steady, nuanced, and is able to deliver the most emotion we’ve seen from a Batman while wearing a mask.
In this version, we see Bruce Wayne as Batman for most of the film. The few times he isn’t in costume, he does a fine job showing us how lonely Bruce Wayne is. Most films discuss how Batman is a loner, but then he’s constantly surrounded by people, this is a lonely Bruce and lonely Batman.
The other stand out element of the film was how genuinely thrilling the story is. I literally found myself moving forward during the movie because I was enthralled trying to figure out the mystery they presented with the murders. I felt thrilled the entire story. Not because of surprises or twists, but because the story was engaging. That has never happened to me during a Batman film before.
Let’s also not forget the rest of the cast. It is a stellar performance from top to bottom. Paul Dano’s Riddler is possibly the creepiest Batman foe we have seen yet. The makeup artistry to change Colin Farrell into The Penguin must be remembered for award season next year.
The tone, the style, the story, Matt Reeves gets it all right for this film. I feel confident that critics and audiences alike will be raving about this film. It’s the perfect blend of artistry and entertainment.
THE BEST
BEST things about the film
- Batman was finally treated as an incredible detective for the first time in cinema.
- The story is actually thrilling.
- The Riddler is a wonderfully menacing villain.
- Batman’s tone was hit perfectly. He’s always talked about being a loner but never is. This Batman is lonely.
THE WORST
WORST things about the Film
- It does start feeling a little long near the end.
- Not my favorite Bruce Wayne.
THE LESSON
Vengeance is two sided.
THE FINAL WORD
This is the Batman I didn’t know I needed to see. A gritty Batman that all fans must see.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
The Batman gets a Love It.
THE TRAILER
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 – Uncharted (2022)
Uncharted (2022)
Pg-13 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 1 Hour 56 Minutes
Written by Rafe Judkins, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway
Directed by Ruben Fleischer
THE CAST
Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg
Sophia Ali
Tati Gabrielle
Antonio Banderas
THE STORY
Street-smart Nathan Drake, is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter, Victor “Sully” Sullivan, to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan, and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.
THE REVIEW
I really crossed my fingers coming into this film. I really loved the Uncharted video games, they already felt like films that you could control, but Hollywood doesn’t have a great track record with turning video games into films. I’m happy to report that Uncharted was everything I hoped for.
Uncharted is fast paced, funny, and unlike many of its genre of movies….is actually interesting. Tom Holland does an admirable job playing Nathan Drake, the lead of the Uncharted series. Holland is naturally charismatic and fully embraces the role. He even moves like the video game character in very subtle ways, like the way he leaps out of windows gives a nice nod at the mechanics of the video game.
While playing the video game Uncharted, I often felt like I could just be playing a movie, with long cinematic scenes, decent dialogue and pretty clear paths you have no choice but to take in the game. Watching the film I occasionally thought, I could be playing a video game right now, thinking what I would be doing to solve the puzzles that the characters were faced with.
I also liked that the writers didn’t feel compelled to try and make Drake have a forced love interest in the film, as is a trap they often fall into for these action films. Drake is very focused on his mission; find his brother and the treasure.
Holland’s co-star Mark Walberg is consistent as Sully, the untrustworthy friend of Nathan’s brother. Walberg plays the role like he does most, nothing incredible, but generally believable, charming, and funny when he needs to be. Holland and Wallberg certainly have nice chemistry throughout the film, but we get the sense that both of them would have “nice” chemistry with anyone you pair them with. They don’t make a duo that you hope to see again and again, but they don’t miss the mark either.
What missed the mark for the movie for me was the lack of super memorable moments or lines in the film which is critical to build these kinds of franchises. Think Indiana Jones seeing the giant ball coming at him, or the moment he shoots the swordsman to avoid a dual. Uncharted needed this, or at least some dialogue I won’t forget. Yes, there are a couple action scenes that are super well executed and I will remember those, but at least one is taken directly from the game. Which I don’t think is even bad, in my opinion. It just adds to the sense of your favorite video game come to life.
Overall it is a fun film. Is it a riveting drama that will change the way you look at gold profiteering. No. It’s just a fun film that should be treated much like a video game. Sit down and enjoy and get lost for a couple hours in the adventurous tale they present.
THE BEST
BEST things about the film
- Very fun.
- Seamless special effects.
- One of the best adaptations of a video game to film.
- No forced romance plot.
- Felt like the video game came to life.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- Not a lot of background on the characters.
- Predictability.
- “Bad guys” motivations not really fleshed out well
- Lack of memorable lines or moments.
THE LESSON
Searching for treasure will help you find a lot of things. Just not usually treasure.
THE FINAL WORD
One of the best video games adapted to the big screen. It’s a fun, fast paced popcorn film that doesn’t disappoint.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Uncharted gets a Like It
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 – KIMI
KIMI (2022)
R ‧ Thriller/Crime‧ 2 hours 29 minutes
Written by David Koepp.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
THE CAST
Zoë Kravitz and Rita Wilson.
THE STORY
A tech worker with agoraphobia discovers recorded evidence of a violent crime, but is met with resistance when she tries to report it. Seeking justice, she must do the thing she fears the most: she must leave her apartment.
THE REVIEW
On paper, KIMI seems like it would make for a great thriller. A modern day thriller using an “Alexa” type device called “KIMI”, Angela, is a tech worker for the device who overhears an apparent assault crime while monitoring streams. Now she is pushing her bosses to get the police involved while her bosses try to silence her and keep the event out of the public eye.
It felt like this could be a new The Net with Sandra Bullock, but it falls so short of that. Kimi continually sets up interesting elements of the story and then tells them in the most boring way possible. People are wearing masks and Angela seems to have developed agoraphobia from the Covid pandemic, but we don’t really explore that much. The KIMI device raising some questions about privacy in our ever-increasing digital world, and yet not much of any eyebrows are being raised. Angela is suffering from agoraphobia as a probable result of the lockdown, but it isn’t really explored deeply.
The villains of the film….meh. Connection to the characters…zilch.
The setting of the film, beautiful Seattle is one of the treats. The other is watching the very talented Zoe Kravitz attempt to defy such an uninteresting script.
THE BEST
Three BEST things about the film
- Zoe Kravitz does a very nice job in the role.
- Interesting concept.
- Takes place in Seattle.
THE WORST
The three WORST things about the Film
- For a thriller it lacked ‘thrills.”
- Huge missed opportunity to make statement on these AI type devices
- Lacked connection with characters.
THE LESSON
Smart devices are used to make life more convenient, but it can’t help write a script.
THE FINAL WORD
Alexa, find something else for me to watch.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
KIMI gets a Lose It
THE TRAILER
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 – I Want You Back
I Want You Back (2022)
PG-13‧ Rom Com ‧ 1 hour 51 Minutes (111 Minutes)
Written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berge
Directed by Jason Orley
THE CAST
Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Gina Rodriquez, Manny Jacinto
THE STORY
(In their own words) Newly dumped thirty-somethings Peter and Emma team up to sabotage their exes’ new relationships and win them back for good.
THE REVIEW
I Want You Back is fun Rom-Com that ponders the question, is love lost worth fighting for? Is a no-holds-barred, take no prisoners approach to winning back your ex really what’s best.
Peter and Emma work in the same office building and have a chance meeting in the stairwell as they are both finding a place for good cry. Turns out, they were both dumped by their significant other the same previous weekend. Misery loves company as this chance meeting of strangers turns to friendship. But they both have a yearning for their former loves, and one night out partying and lamenting they come up with idea. Emma will seduce Peter’s Ex’s new boyfriend and break them up so his ex will come back to Emma. And Peter will befriend Emma’s ex, and start convincing him to leave his new girlfriend and go back to Emma. It reminded me of the deal in Throw Mama From The Train, with a fundamental difference (aside from not murdering people). To the audience Peter and Emma need to remain unlike-able while they attempt to do something kind of crappy. Break up a couple for no other reason than to make themselves happy.
0ne of the interesting things about this rom-com is that there is no bad guy. There’s no arrogant or cheating boyfriend where the woman should be leaving for our hero. None of that. The exes actually seem in really nice relationships. To pull this movie off though, we have to like Peter and Emma. Which is definitely where this film has its strengths. Charlie Day does a fantastic job as Peter. He is extremely likable and gives us a fully fleshed out character. His portrayal is nuanced, subtle, and very committed to each moment. To a lesser degree so is Jenny Slate as Emma. While she is clearly a very strong actor, her character isn’t nearly as likable as Peter. But she does a great job portraying a lonely character who is both lost in love and life until she meets someone who believes in her.
The test of a good rom-com is whether you feel better about life after seeing it. And it succeeds in doing that. It is very smoothly shot, funny, and heartwarming.
THE BEST
Three BEST things about the film
- The likability of the main characters was off the charts
- The lack of villains.
- An Easter egg, where Manny Jacinto makes a nod towards, The Good Place, an NBC sitcom that he starred in .
THE WORST
The three WORST things about the Film
- There was no bad guy/gal to root against. The only people you root against are happy, otherwise you are rooting against the main characters.
- Predictability.
- Unnecessary anger at the end.
THE LESSON
Don’t be determined that you know what your life is supposed to be like.
THE FINAL WORD
A fun and funny film about learning to let go of the ones who once loved you.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
I want you back gets a Like It.
WHERE TO WATCH
I Want You Back is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Here’s the trailer
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.
Video – The Book Of Boba Fett Finale Aftershows
Brian Trendler and Silas Lindenstein discuss the season finale of The Book Of Boba Fett, episode #7 “In The Name of Honor” on Brian and Silas’ aftershow The BookEnd.
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.
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
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