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Film reviews

Sinners Review

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This is a film in which segregation and vampires contend for a new maker. From the visionary mind of Ryan Coogler, he brings his audience on a journey where power comes first and then an all-around battle leads to the climax. Moments of the film may be silly, quirky, or odd—still, Sinners is a stellar adventure. A vast ensemble of actors takes the cake. Michael B. Jordan plays twins plays Smoke and Stack. They are in uncharted, daring territory that Coogler explores dramatically in Sinners.

The uniqueness of Sinners is visionary right from the start. It is shot in 70 MM projection. However, with many cinemas’ digital elements, in some parts the screen shrinks and grows. The shrinking occurs in low-shot moments and the growing in high-end moments. These elements fuel the film with enticing components right from the start. With the setting in the early 1930s, the themes of racism and inequality throw intense punches in Sinners.

The film focuses on the twins Smoke and Stack, two competitive and greedy characters vying for power. They are both trying to start a new life in their hometown in Mississippi and put behind tensions that have left them out of the picture. Coogler writes about vindictiveness in this film and much of the conversation deals with class issues. Many evil deeds come from Smoke and Stack. Jordan is relentless in his handling of the two-sided characterization. Smoke and Stack have other friends joining their clan, ranging from Delta Slim (played by Delroy Lindo), Pearline (played by Jayme Lawson), Grace Chow (played by Li Jun Li), and Mary (played by Hailee Steinfeld).

Smoke and Stack have old friends and old enemies who join their side. The twists in their personalities are golden in this movie, because wrongdoing leads to bigger things. Their egos are on full display, especially during conversations when they display the attitude that everything belongs to them. The world is one creepy place in Sinners which makes the film so intriguing. makes it so invigorating. The issues of racism and inequality lead to more competition involving money and trash talk, but all of this can only go on for so long. 

Greed and racism fueling the fire is what makes Sinners immersive. The film’s writing establishes a context that strives for power. At the same time, the audience knows its an era where no one can do right, and no one can do wrong—unless authorities come in and take it seriously. The outrage created from the competition between the twins is crazy. However, they have no idea what they are truly in for. 

There is also rivalry with Remmick (played by Jake O’Connell), and some tension related to culture and land. The downside is that the twins have power, but also there is a hidden power that they did not plan for. Remmick has a vampire side to him. This opens a door to new wonders in an era where racism and inequality already cause major hurdles. The additional hurdle of a vampire causes things to really boil in Sinners. The rivalry is somewhat like two HBO series, Deadwood and True Blood, combined. That writing is creative and daring. I was spellbound given the crazy scenarios.

There is no going back once vindictiveness has been unleashed and terror has come to life. I felt like I was watching a dark period piece and at the same time my mind boggled with intense excitement. Egos and empires are elements that have always captivated me. The terror layered on top made my head spin even more. This film succeeds by adding fuel to the fire as anew monster challenges all forms of authority. Jordan sells the film as the king of evil that is upon him. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Sinners.

Film reviews

A Minecraft Movie

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From the mind of Jared Hess, there is classiness and silliness that tango in fruitful directions. For those who are fans of Napoleon Dynamite, the dynamics of A Minecraft Movie have characterizations that feel similar. People with the level of nerdiness (like Napoleon Dynamite) in the world of video games.  A Minecraft Movie is astounding with its introduction of video games and pixels to drive the film’s continuity on a level that all ages can connect with. Once the film began, I felt tingling moments of laughter running through my head. Primarily because of how it swiftly begins with Jack Black’s voice. Then going forward, it continues to be a landscape of an ambience filled with twists, turns, good guys, bad guys, and a lot of gaming galore combined with a plot.

In A Minecraft Movie the audience is introduced to Black’s performance as Steve. Steve has his own struggles and finds inspiration and escape in the world of the “Minecraft” game. He lays out the foundation. Another character is Garrett, and he is played by Jason Momoa. Garrett is an individual who had a life of fame based on his gaming talents and is now in deficits, facing foreclosures on his entertainment store. Finally, there are Natalie and Henry. Natalie is played by Emma Meyers and Henry is played by Sebastian Hansen. They are a brother and sister having their own life of turmoil. With a foundation of hardship, these four individuals all find themselves teaming-up entering into “The Overworld.” The place is filled with magical tricks, and many cubes that come to life in comedic tones and creations. While all have talents with arts and crafts, they must come together to use them as if it were their last chance.

A Minecraft Movie fuels its storyline with the foundation of characters with personalities connecting. Black and Momoa together make for cinematic and classic jam comedy for all ages. The journey taking place in a game is one with many portals to new missions and adventures. It takes the audience a level of depth that is mind-boggling yet enticing. Some moments are hit or miss, but the class of humor does not lose its touch in A Minecraft Movie.

With the missions going back and forth and the many new dimensions of realizations, the fun goes full throttle. It is not amazing, but its characters are top-notch and memorable. From Hess’s direction, I was able to sense his Napoleon Dynamite side in the direction—because the outcomes have moments that are surprises to the audience. This comes around a lot with the blockades occurring in the video game world. It truly shines though with Black and Momoa as they are reminiscent of Napoleon and Pedro set up in the world of a video game. 

There are two lines of dialogue that spoke to me clearly with this one-of-a-kind film. The first line is, “Creativity in this world is key to survival.” That quote thrives positively through the hurdles of all the dimensions and endless possibilities. The other quote is, “LET’S MINECRAFT!” There is a whole lot of that and key moments that I was vibing with immensely. Even though I do not view A Minecraft Movie as amazing, it caters to its audience of all ages in an authentic style of directing and creating key points to add value. Three out of four stars for A Minecraft Movie.

Film reviews

The Alto Knights Review

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Director Barry Levinson has always captured the dynamics of fulfilling matters. The Alto Knights is a true story that keepsfalling stale. With a 20th century setting, the film builds on the fundamentals of cinematics to tell a story of politics, criminality and connection. Much of this movie relies on the performance of Robert De Niro who plays both Vito Genovese and Frank Costello.

The richness of The Alto Knights is in its approach using noir-type writing. Like many other mob flicks, the character development does not sync up with the foundation in The Alto Knights. The only lines that seem straight are in theperformances of De Niro’s characters going up against each other.  Over the years, De Niro has always displayed a loyal attitude with his serious words. Those elements are utilized again, but the continuity is flawed in The Alto Knights.

The plot focuses on both Vito and Frank and their background as crime family rivals. With their various connections and contacts, discrepancies brew below the surface in The Alto Knights. The wife of Frank Costello is Bobbie Costello (played by Debra Messing). Family integrity is presented as critical in a captivating way in The Alto Knights. There are many conflicts and disagreements between Vito and Frank, many related to the mob and previous events. Some issues end of in the courts where more secrets are revealed.

There is no clear line of resolution in The Alto Knights even though there is an attempt to paint a portrait of good and bad. Since both Vito and Frank are criminals, the apple does not fall far from the tree. The dynamics of the story weave frustrating emotions through the film’s central theme which tries hard to fly high. Levinson’s direction does what it can to aid understanding. The execution, however, is mediocre.

The uncharted territory surrounding the mob seems too vast to build an effective storyline. Vito and Frank both look like emperors of the mob. Deep down, the story is about relationships and trust becoming the bigger problem, yet the lines are unclear in The Alto Knights. Unfortunately, the theme of a family sticking together does not sell like it used to. Levinson’s direction this time around lacks to a massive level in The Alto Knights.

On a positive note, the biographical side of the story compelling, especially when related to the evolving era of mobsters and drug dealers. The deep examination of “who one knows” does not reveal any truth but simply adds to a stirring pot that keeps trying to find the pieces. De Niro’s performance is entertaining, yet not amazing because of the script.

Truly, this is one of the most disappointing films by Levinson. I rarely throw movies under the bus and instead try to find the best in all films. This is only the second time that Levinson has directed a mafia flick. His last one was Bugsy back in 1992 and now three decades later, the writing simply got stale when it came time for this film. Deep down, The Alto Knights has a stellar foundation of separating groups from gangs, affiliations, and operations. Frankly, building on this foundation is where all bets are off on any form of achievement this time around. The only real achievement in this movie is seen through the eyes of De Niro. One and a half out of four stars.