Honestly, just skip this and read the comic series.
Opens with lesbian love. And that didn't even save this trite movie.
Says the lesbian ;)
I mean, if you're going to subject us to this senseless dribble, at least give us more than 1/2 second of Gosling's ripped physique!
Says the lesbian, ;)
I laughed so hard I choked on my bagel and jumped universes.
Saw the advance screening in NYC courtesy of NewFest. An endearing rom-com centering a Black trans woman discovering love in high school. And the directorial debut by the incomparable Billy Porter. All around - swoon!
This is all I ever wanted 'Buffy' to really be!
I kept thinking, Damn, Nick Cage looks so much like Steve Carell in this film.
Anybody else?
...
that's it.
CONS: This is a certain style of comedy that I rarely find funny, or even entertaining. The jokes don't land, which is especially unfortunate as the lead actor Zamata is a comedian who plays a comedian in the film. Also the 'entanglement' seemed avoidable and contrived. Also also, I did not feel any chemistry between the actors. None, At, All.
PROS: Black folks enjoying nature, wearing earth tones, financially secured, not being subjected to racism! You just don't know how rare that is depicted in film! Also, Kym Whitley is a national treasure.
But otherwise, you can skip this film.
Slow paced subtle cleverness that makes you want to rewatch earlier episodes as more plot is revealed. Also head-trippy title sequence never got old! Definitely intrigued for Season 2...
I watched this in 3D, and only rolled my eyes 5 times during this Marvel madhouse, so that earns it a 'good' rating.
Elizabeth Olsen kicks so much ass as Scarlet Witch, just such a badass villiain! This film really highlights that she is by FAR the most powerful Avenger. Like, DAMN.
I hate that this was an introduction to American Chavez, whose limited comics runs means many probably didn't know before. And even fans like me never knew her as this messy, confused, less powerful, unself-assured pre-teen. It made her more a damsel in distress than the older college-attending, multiverse-punching, highly sarcastic, short-tempered, out lesbian who had 2 lesbian moms intergalactic supreme being superheroine that she is in her comics.
Given all that, I'd say the film title isn't accurate, I want to suggest others more appropriate:
"Scarlet Witch and the Dark Hold" ~ "America - Punch It!" ~ "Dr. Strange (Love) or How I Learned to Roam the Multiverse" ~ "The Power of 2 Lesbian Moms" ~ "Love Trauma Got Us All Here" ~ "Hey, Did That Just Happen?" ~ "Who is Really Supreme?"
Season 3 returned after a brief hiatus packing full heat, throwing full punches. This show is able to dramatize serious social issues with ingenuous storytelling that seems at times surrealist, random and disconnected... But manages to tie it all in eventually. It's also the subtle things - like how the show title is different each episode, craftily and artistically incorporated into the background of an early shot. Season 3 has Paper Boi finally achieving international stardom. Cousin Earn has evolved to the level of manager that's getting shows booked, money earned, and shit done. And Darius is just as free as he wanna be. Van is also free, but is she too free, maybe even lost?
Fucking brilliant show - thought provoking, hella smart, dark, comedic. Not for everyone, but one of my favorites.
Entertaining rom-com centering 4 Black women in Harlem, including an out masc lesbian. There's some hilarity for sure. But some plot directions annoyed me. Overall, binge-able. And I support Black woman productions!
I added this to my "phucked up kids" list because, despite the premise implying the mothers are awful, THEIR KIDS WERE THE WORST.
Oh yea, and it's a good film.
Spot on sarcastic humor about the dumpster fire 2020-variant that was 2021.
You have to laugh, to keep from crying.
3 words:
Mid
Size
Sedan.
1st - this show has nothing in common with the book, if that's a deal breaker for you. 2nd - queer baiting BIG TIME, which was super annoying for this #RealQueerRightHere. It could've been parallel to Black Mirror's "San Junipero" episode instead of the obsessive-feelings-flirty-stares-naked-slumber-parties hetero confusion that unfolded. 3rd - what exactly was the antagonist's motivation - to prey on emotionally vulnerable "damaged" gamers to encourage them to kill themselves, for quick entertainment? Because he himself was emotionally unavailable and had mommy issues? 4th - Only 6 episodes so you can get through this annoying show quickly.
Lesbians! Butterflies! Lingerie! BDSM role play! All female cast! Bicycles & cobblestones!
= Winning!
I should think the book by Liane Moriarty is better, because this show was lacking.
Then I had a realization - I had just binged 'The Good Place' and 'Brand New Cherry Flavor' before watching this... so I think I'm just sweatin' Manny Jacinto! <3
The darling gem of this entire show is Regina Hall. But overall this show isn't necessarily worth a watch.
I mean, shit is disturbing, sure. But it's an Ari Aster creation, so if you know "Hereditary" and "Midsommar" then that won't surprise you.
I actually loved that it was entirely Black cast, f*cked up as the plot was. I think it could have been a full length film, I had SO many questions by the end. Wonder if this inspired Jordan Peele...? Bold debut Aster, damn!
Absolutely silly but fun low budget close to soft core porn queer sci-fi stoner ridiculousness.
I just loved it.
Saw advance screening in Brooklyn as part of "Rooftop Films" and NewFest LGBTQ Film Festival, with talk back afterwards with the director, crew, and most of the cast (minus Udo). I found this low-budget film, set in the exciting backdrop of Sandusky, OH, endearing with excellent acting and cinematography. Udo Kier wins as a geriatric hair dresser escaping from his nursing home to fill an impromptu request from a former client. I enjoyed!
What is immediately striking is that we have not heard about this "Black Woodstock" event before. Incredible line up of recording artist superstars in a peaceful gathering of hundreds of thousands in the heart of Harlem. The original filmmaker tells how no producers cared to broadcast it, completely discrediting it's significance, even while Woodstock was celebrated that same summer just 100 miles away.
What's immediately touching is watching the emotional journey the past attendees and performers go through while watching the archival footage for the 1st time.
What's immediately poignant is the juxtaposition of white people's praise of the moon landing, also happening that summer of '69, with Black people's criticism of money wasted in a space race that could be better allocated to alleviating poverty & hunger in our communities. (I'm looking at you Branson & Besos).
What's immediately apparent is that we are even now in a 'summer of soul', 50 years later, grappling with vast disparities of economic, social and racial injustice, that continue to not be televised.
Highly recommend must watch. Hope ?uestlove wins an Oscar.
The good: woman directed, there's a couple POCs, and it doesn't end in stereotypical dyke death.
The bad: the str8 male character is annoying, self-involved, saboteur and for some reason that's just fine, and the improv-style seems disjointed.
I almost turned it off the 1st time watching - then I tried again the next day and it was more palatable. Not a fav though.
Thank goodness they stopped the handheld camera in Season 2. That ish was making me sea sick.
I repeatedly state this in comments, because unfortunately it needs to be said. It is refreshingly rare to have such D&I (diversity & inclusion) in the cast of big budget productions, in race, gender identity and sexual orientation. On screen queer acts of love and affection. Black women architects who are smart & unapologetically in charge. Seniors who defy the barrage of ageism. Black men exemplifying brilliance but also social ineptitude. And a Black woman therapist?? Um, never in MY health care network! Enjoyable surrealism.
Completely predictable. I was not entertained or convinced. 2 lead actresses tried their best thought, bless their hearts.
Not sure how I'm so late finding this show, but I haven't actually laughed out loud this hard for a show in a long time.
I binge watched all 6 seasons. You just have to find the humor in bullying, light racism, some misogyny, a bit o' homophobia, ableism, ageism, patriotism and citizenship ... So, really good ole American humor. Good times.
Best highlights:
Amy wears a different name tag every single day - fun to watch and see what her name will be each episode. Brett doesn't speak 1 word for 6 seasons. Garrett's dope kicks collection. Glenn's muppet voice. The Halloween episodes - for the costumes!
Wait....
Did people actually like this movie???
What would happen if people of color had a chance to step through a portal and undo some past injustice? Well, this movie certainly doesn't care to ask.
