Category Archives: Film

Hate the thief or love the man?

By Wendy Simmons

Oscar award winner Ben Affleck does triple duty on his new film The Town released to theaters nationwide today (Friday, September 17th).

As the writer, director and main character Affleck leads the cast through a classic tale of love and betrayal taking place in Charlestown, Massachusetts. I’m warning you now; you will be hit in the face with the Boston accent while munching on your popcorn.

Charlestown is the real life-leading city for bank robber breeding. This line of “work” is passed down from generation to generation. Although the film was not based on real life accounts, it did a great job of drawing you into a tug of war with your feelings for a man and a thief.  You want to hate the thief but you want to root for the man.

Doug, played by Affleck, is an ex hockey pro construction worker by day and masked robber by night. He and his cocky crew of four rob armored trucks and banks. Jeremy Renner gave a convincing performance as Jim, Doug’s best friend and coconspirator. Jim’s the hotheaded unruly ex-con who cares deeply for his love ones but doesn’t give a damn about anyone else.

Along with two others, these skilled professionals were almost untouchable. So much so that they gave no qualms about briefly kidnapping a hostage after a successful bank heist. But that hostage could be the very one to finger them or to help them. The kidnapped woman, Claire, played by Rebecca Hall, became the romantic love interest of Doug after he tailed her to see if she was in cahoots with the feds. We saw the compassion that he held for her during the robbery and he acted upon those emotions once she made contact with him.  Unknowing to her, she was sharing her feelings, scares and evidence with the very man that helped to take her hostage.

With Claire being a tunnie, an outsider of Charlestown, and Doug being a fully-fledged rep for the town they enjoyed what was different about each other. Her growing feelings weren’t enough to steer him completely away from a life of crime but it did help to show him that his underlined abandonment issues hindered him from moving forward. Once Doug decided to take a leap of faith and leave his comfort zone, he wanted her to join him. But like all good caper films, the thief must complete one last huge heist before taking off. And with the feds watching him, his friends and Claire it’s not going to be an easy walk through the garden.

The men are genius thieves but all great things it must come to an end, on one side or the other.

The Town was an exciting film with a fresh cast. Affleck may regain respect for his craft after this one. Although his copulation of worthy actors, a fine script and direction made this occasionally funny romantic crime drama, a great choice for a matinee the story moved a little too quickly for the impact of their actions to appear realistic making me question just how clever these superb thieves really were.

 Grab a date and some snacks and head to an early show. I give it $$$

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Movie Trailer: “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf”

 

Stepping Straight to DVD…Good Thinking!

By Wendy Simmons

I know some folks may be a little disappointed to know that Stomp the Yard: The Homecoming, sequel to a film baring the same name did not make it to the big screen and after seeing it I understand why.

Don’t get me wrong…it’s not a horrible film but it’s not a blockbuster either.

It keeps in tradition with the original and takes place at the fictional black university Truth revolving around the fraternity Theta Nu Theta, who once again are desperately vying to win the annual Sprite Step Competition.

For those of you that are foreign to this popular tradition stepping is a dance form that has been associated with African American fraternities and sororities since their existence beginning in the early 1900s. To the many Greek organizations in the world, it’s a big deal!

However, what may hold the Theta’s back from winning this competition is the hot headed new inductee Chance, played by Collins Pennie.  He’s an extremely gifted dancer who has gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd while battling in underground dance competitions off the school’s campus. Chance hides this fact from his family, friends and fraternity brothers causing them to be surprised once his seedy interactions resurface and confront Chance head on. People are out to hurt him and are willing to go through whomever in order to get to him.

Along with dodging past transgressions Chance is also trying to cope with the premature death of his mother which has caused a strain on he and father’s relationship…he’s being taunted by an ex-temptress trying to weasel her way back into his life…as well as arrogantly battling the rival fraternity for step supremacy of Truth’s campus. He is too arrogant for his own good and we hope that he eventually revels in the fact that the world does not revolve around him, there are others to consider.

For dance movie fans, there are a lot of action packed dance sequences that will have you feeling like jumping up and giving it a whirl. For people like me…college based movie fans…it gives you a similar feel as the classic Spike Lee joint School Daze.

Accompanying the outstanding dance choreographer and nostalgic feel of college good times there’s plenty of eye candy for the ladies. Pooch Hall of the sitcom The Game costars and Columbus Short, the star of the original Stomp the Yard also makes a cameo. In fact, there are many recognizable faces throughout the film. Jazmine Guy, Teyana Taylor and Terrance J from BET’s 106th and Park also costar.

Although it’s more dance than substance it’s a classic tale of perseverance trumping adversity. 

Not worth the price of admission but good enough to enjoy at home.

I give it $$

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Crime Drama Hits Hard!

By Wendy Simmons

Dark Shields, an independent film from Indept Pictures, is a crime drama that shows the dark side of the good guys. Directed by Larry Greene, who also stars in the drama, the film depicts the lives of five police officers who grew weary of working day in and day out, without the same financial benefits of the hustlers and criminals that they arrest.

Desmond, played by Larry Greene, is the leader of a police detective group and the mastermind to the corruption. He, along with four other officers, robs and kills as they see fit, all to acquire the mighty dollar. Some of these men are fathers, devoted sons, as well as men scrapping for child support; therefore, in their eyes, dirty money is their only way to survive on a cop’s salary.

They justify their actions by adhering to the old creed of “it’s only dirty money held by dirty people’’. However, once they are mixed in a situation that takes the control from their hands, they realize that greed may not be worth the risk.

The anticipation of knowing who comes out on top leaves you on the edge.

Although this movie is not Oscar worthy, it does do a good job with what it was given. It is very action packed and has some surprising moments. The performances were respectable and once these young actors become a little more seasoned, I am sure their talent will take them far.

Dark Shields was screened at the Portage Theater in northwest Chicago. The atmosphere of the old time theater added to movies’ appeal. The director and some of the films actors attended this event.

I recommend viewing Dark Shields because of its old tale of good guys gone bad.

I give it $$ ½

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Sweet Home Chicago!

By Wendy Simmons

The musical genre known as the Blues, was originated, cultivated and integrated in Chicago. We find out more about the integration process in “White, Black and Blues”, a documentary directed by John Anderson.

A screening of the documentary was held at Columbia College and was host to Blues legends and Blues lovers alike.  We were in the company of Barry Goldberg, Corky Siegel, Harvey Mandel, Sam Lay, and Nick Gravenites, who are featured in the documentary. There was a question and answer portion, after the screening, where we learned more about what the men had been up to over the years.

Presented as a rough cut with more to come, the documentary did a brilliant job relaying the personal experiences of men that helped give birth to an American institution.

The basis of the documentary was to tell the story of young white men from the North side of Chicago, who ventured out to the South and West side of the city to learn, listen and appreciate the Blues in its raw form.  While doing that, they honed their skills and showcased them to a crowd of people that were unfamiliar to them. In most of the clubs they frequented they were thought to be police officers. According to the interview with Blues legend Buddy Guy, the white boys weren’t harassed in African American clubs because they were always thought to be cops. Whites didn’t frequent dives like Big Johns, The Blue Flame or Peppers to hear the great sounds of the harmonica, or the drums, so when whites came, eyebrows were raised.

Other African American Blues legends like B.B. King and Sam Lay were also interviewed about the transition of Blues from a small bar in Chicago to the mainstream media. We also got a chance to hear from Marshall Chess. Chess owned a Chicago based music company that was just made famous to my generation by the movie “Cadillac Records”, which depicted the company and its artists. In the documentary, Chess said the Blues would not be where it is today without the white boys from Chicago.  Charlie Musselwhite, Paul Butterfield, Michael Bloomfield and others made the Blues a household name.

The Blues was seen as an underground black thing, but with the help of the young white men, it was transformed into something that was loved as far away as Europe. It also inspired many rock musicians to incorporate the sound into their music.

This documentary made me appreciate Chicago, the city I call home, even more. With the interviews and snippets of live performances, “White, Black and Blues” is informative, personal, raw and very entertaining.  Although it seems like a finished product to me, I look forward to seeing what director John Anderson has in store to make it complete.

Photo by Dan Locke

Prevention Films With A Message Do The Mind Good

By Wendy Simmons

Garrard McClendon

On June 6th, the Gene Siskel Film Center hosted a showcase for Mas Media 7 productions.

Mas Media 7 is a production company, headed by director Mark Spencer, which focuses on “prevention films that work”. It’s a bold concept that focuses on getting a message out, in an unorthodox fashion. Their projects range from music videos and shorts films to public service announcements. The productions focus on the harms of smoking, AIDS Awareness, and even highlight positivity among black males. 

The crowd was filled with people in the entertainment industry; producer, directors, actors, choreographers, etc, as well as anxious spectators, ready for a new scene. The atmosphere of the theater was full of ambition. You could smell the eagerness for a fresh outlook on how African Americans are perceived in the media.

My favorite was a public service announcement that could one day be a very powerful nationwide commercial. This P.S.A., which stood out to me, focused on the effects of smoking. It shows a handsome young man singing The National Anthem while smoking a cigarette. As he sings, we see him age and his health deteriorate while cigarette warnings pop up on screen every few seconds. It was funny but thought provoking and straight to the point.

Another short film focusing on the dangers of nicotine suggested prosecuting a gang leader who sought revenge on a traitor by making him smoke. It was creative but too unrealistic to be affective.

A short film about AIDS, entitled Swan Song, took us through the emotional journey of Natisha. After being diagnosed with HIV and understandably not taking the news very well, she was encouraged to join a therapeutic ballet class. The class was put together in order to teach HIV patients that if they can conquer a ballet and have the courage to perform it in front a crowd, then handling the disease will be a little less difficult. It was a very sweet and encouraging tale of triumph and hope.

Legendary singer and actress, Melba Moore performed during the showcase and stars in a production that was not screened. Talk show host and Chicago’s own Garrard McClendon hosted the event and also wrote and produced one of the projects. It was entitled Dedicated Man and flashes through African American men stating what makes them good men.  While dressed impeccably, they spoke of their desire to succeed, their attractiveness, their vulnerability as well as other features that encompass many men. The black and white film was only two minutes but it drove the point home.

The other projects were good, not great. However, the cinematography was definitely eye catching. The productions were full of clarity and intricate positions. Although I was not wowed by much of the content I do understand and appreciate their effort to spread awareness in a different way. Mas Media 7 will definitely be a production company worthy of competing with the big boys someday.

Review: Get Him to the Greek

by Toyin Alaka

Universal Pictures new comedy Get Him to the Greek opened on Friday, June 4th in theaters nationwide, but, thanks to a special advanced screening, I got to see it on Wednesday, June 2nd. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but here’s what I already knew: Jonah Hill and crew were involved (and I don’t always like their comedy or humor) and it stars Sean “Diddy” Combs and comedian Russell Brand. Based on this, I wasn’t sure if I would see it which is why I jumped at the chance to check it out.

If you’re like me and loved Forgetting Sarah Marshall, you’ll like Get Him to the Greek.  The film centers around Russell Brand’s character from Sarah Marshall, Aldus Snow. Snow is a famous brilliant British rocker who, due to a horrible breakup, has fallen into a drunken stupor known as sex, drugs & rock and roll. 

“Diddy” plays a crazed record executive named Sergio Roma, who bullies and badgers his employees into coming up with out of the box ideas about signing new artists and boosting sales. 

For the first time Jonah Hill plays a semi-serious hard working normal guy.  His character Aaron Green makes a suggestion to Roma that leads him on a tumultuous journey to bring Snow to the U.S. to play at the Los Angeles Greek Theater. Will he make it? 

Get Him to the Greek has tons of laughs as well as a few serious moments. Overall I rate it enjoyable.

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

Review: Just Wright

Chitown, stand up. ‘Just Wright’ gets it just right.

By Wendy Simmons

This very family friendly movie shows that true love comes to those who wait and who are true to themselves. It’s one of those movies where you think you know what’s going to happen, but you’re still anxious to find out.

‘Just Wright’ centers on physical therapist Leslie Wright, played by Quinn Latifah. Leslie is in her mid thirties, and is wondering when the guy she can’t live without will come along. It’s not for lack of trying, but her down to earth, homegirl demeanor causes her to get looked at more as the friend than a lover.

Leslie’s luck seems to have turned around when she unexpectedly meets her favorite basketball player, Scott McKnight, played by Chicago’s own Common. He invites her to his birthday bash but instead of him falling head over heels for Leslie, he is smitten by her god sister and house guest Morgan Alexander, played by Paula Patton.

Like most typical movies, rich Scott and beautiful Morgan begin a fairytale relationship. But this movie isn’t typical and after a series of events, Scott’s fairytale takes a turn for the worst. At that point, Leslie is called on to be the encourager…and she takes her job very seriously.

Leslie’s dedication and encouragement helps to allow her appeal to shine in many different directions. Even though she isn’t the woman most guys chase, she is ultimately the kind of girl most guys want. And it becomes clear once the cloud of vanity whips away and true sunshine is allowed to brighten the day.

I truly enjoyed this movie. The characters are very relatable and realistic. I applaud its ability to take modern day situations and keep it clean enough for all to see. It’s a great story with good actors and a few twists and turns. This may be seen as just another love story but it also has a subtle way of showing that true friendship still exists.

Common did a great job for his first leading man role. And Queen held her own as the headliner of this romantic comedy. I laughed but I also had to look for a tissue. And for the single ladies, it’s a wholesome movie that will help to keep you pushing toward your fairytale.

This is definitely a great matinee movie and maybe even the top pick for an evening show!

I give it $$$ ½

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Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

Review: Why Did I Get Married Too?

By Wendy Simmons

Tyler, Tyler, Tyler! I am shaking my head.

Why Did I Get Married 2, the much anticipated sequel to Why Did I Get Married deals with the interactions of friends and their marriages. Four long time couples vacation together periodically to celebrate the good and explore the bad in marriages.

The weekend gets some added tension when an unexpected visitor pops up. But that is not where the tension ends. Patricia, played by Janet Jackson, is the cultivator of these vacations because she writes relationship books. However, her relationship is not as it seems. And her “perfect Patty” image is tarnished as the movie progresses.

Once the couples go home, we learn more about their strained marriages. Some have trust and infidelity issues, some have issues of lost love, some have issues dealing with providing for home. But they all have major issues!

Now that I have the pleasantries out the way…l was very disappointed with this movie! I was a fan of the original simply because it was not as unbelievable and drama-filled as the typical Tyler Perry production. But the sequel, lived up to his characteristically mind-boggling history of drama-filled movies! There was entirely too much going on! Like I said earlier, these couples had issues! Lots of issues!

In my opinion Tyler Perry throws 10 movie topics into one movie. And because of this, the viewer doesn’t get a chance to connect to the characters nor their issues. And it causes him to have to force an ending that is not fulfilling to the viewer. At least not to this viewer.

Given, the movie said some things that make you think. The movie even made you want to look deeper into yourself. It surprised you from time to time and it also shows that all marriages have problems behind closed doors. For that, it’s a success. But throwing out thought provoking adages and mouth dropping shockers does not make a movie whole. I was not satisfied. I was ready to throw my shoe at the screen when it ended. It may have been a sequel, but I don’t feel like it tied very well with the original. There were things thrown into the movie that did not make sense giving the way the original movie ended.

Although I admire and respect Tyler Perry and his success, I am not a huge fan of his work, and this did nothing but make me continue to have a distasteful opinion of his productions.

This is definitely a wait for tv movie. I give it $ ½.

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Photo courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment