Category: Drama

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 2014, the documentary Next Goal Wins, directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, was released to universal acclaim. The film told the story of the American Samoa soccer team’s struggle to qualify for the World Cup. In 2019, Fox Searchlight Pictures announced that Taika Waititi would helm a feature film adaptation of the documentary. Among the cast included Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, numerous New Zealand-born Samoan actors making their debut, and Armie Hammer. The movie was shot in Honolulu from November 2019 to January 2020 with a $14 million budget. However, after allegations of sexual abuse surrounding Hammer surfaced in 2021, reshoots were done with Will Arnett replacing him. Due to prior commitments on Thor: Love and Thunder, Waititi’s sports movie wouldn’t be released until 2023. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, Next Goal Wins hit theaters in November.

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Synopsis

Since losing to Australia in 2001 31-0, the American Samoa national football team is considered the worst in history. The American Samoa Football Federation head, Tavita (Oscar Kightley), seeks a new coach to end their losing streak. Enter Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender), a Dutch-American football coach struggling with alcoholism and anger issues who’s recently been fired. Executive Alex Magnussen (Will Arnett) and Rongen’s ex-wife Gail (Elisabeth Moss) send him to American Samoa to fix his life. He becomes the football team’s new coach, which he’s not happy with, given his situation and the team’s reputation. However, as he gets to know the team better, especially transgender player Jaiyah Saelua (Kaimana), Rongen starts to change. He gets the team back on track and prepares them to compete in the 2014 World Cup. Will they end their decade-long losing streak or continue being a laughingstock in the football community?

Review

Taika Waititi has become a director that I have mixed feelings about, given his track record. While he’s made some great stuff like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Love and Thunder was a huge disappointment. Next Goal Wins falls somewhere in the middle: not as good as his earlier work, but better than his later stuff. This movie is like any other inspirational sports movie about an underdog team, from Cool Runnings to The Mighty Ducks. The only difference is that this film flat-out tells the audience several elements are embellished to suit the narrative better. This extends to the numerous pop culture references made throughout, including The Matrix, The Karate Kid, and Any Given Sunday. It feels like a much deeper story could’ve been explored, but much of it is sidestepped for entertainment’s sake. Again, it’s not all terrible, but there’s nothing new either.

Michael Fassbender might’ve been an odd choice for Thomas Rongen, but he does a decent job as the struggling coach. His accent tends to slip occasionally, and he comes off so hateful to the players that it’s hard to sympathize. He follows the sports movie trope of the angry, bitter coach who learns to be a better person. Unfortunately, he’s given the most screen time/backstory at the expense of the American Samoa team, who get little development. The one exception is Jaiyah Saelua, played excellently by relative newcomer Kaimana, who’s given more character development. Seeing her relationship with the rest of the team is heartwarming, as they accept her for who she is. Honestly, I would’ve much rather seen her as the lead than the same tired story we were given. It comes off as wasted potential, but what we get does its job well enough.

From a filmmaking perspective, Waititi does an excellent job of capturing the beauty of the Hawaiian landscape. The movie has bright colors, rich sunrises/sunsets, and plenty of tropical foliage that enhances the visuals. Otherwise, most of the film is shot statically and plainly without much in the way of dynamic camera angles. Some of the jokes land, including a bit involving Rogen going through the Five Stages of Grief. The rest mainly consists of poking fun at the Islanders, which seems a bit disingenuous. Parts of the film drag at roughly an hour and forty-four minutes, but it mostly breezes by. Fans of inspirational sports movies will enjoy this, but I can’t help feeling like this could’ve been so much more. Overall, Next Goal Wins is a decent piece of escapism, but it won’t leave much lasting impact afterward.

Buy Next Goal Wins from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4flRtSa.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI was published in 2017. The book tells the real-life story of how members of the Osage people were murdered after gaining wealth from oil. Grann’s book received rave reviews from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Publishers Weekly, so Hollywood soon came calling. In 2016, Imperative Entertainment bought the film rights for $5 million, with Martin Scorsese announced to be helming the project. Paramount Pictures originally announced they’d distribute the film in 2019 but were unsure due to the $200 million budget. While filming was delayed due to COVID-19, Scorsese made a deal with Apple TV+ to co-finance and co-distribute the film. The movie was shot in Osage County and Washington County, Oklahoma, from April to October 2021. After premiering at Cannes, Killers of the Flower Moon hit theaters in October 2023.

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Synopsis

In 1918, Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) returns from the war to meet his uncle William “King” Hale (Robert De Niro). While Ernest was away, the Osage acquired mass amounts of wealth after discovering oil, which upsets Hale despite his appearance. He asks Ernest to work as a driver for Mollie Kyle (Lilly Gladstone), an Osage whose family owns the land. The two develop a relationship and get married, entitling Ernest to a share of the land should Mollie’s family die. While Hale has several Osage killed secretly, Ernest is ordered to poison Mollie’s insulin, slowly killing her without her realizing. News of the murders reaches Washington, D.C., so the Bureau of Investigation sends Agent Tom White (Jesse Plemons) to investigate. Though they try covering everything up, Ernest and Hale must answer for their crimes as everything crumbles around them.

Review

Martin Scorsese is one of those rare filmmakers who still delivers quality cinema even in his twilight years. His latest epic, Killers of the Flower Moon, is no exception, as it gives Oppenheimer a run for its money. First and foremost, the movie is three and a half hours long, but its lengthy runtime is justified. There is so much story to be had that this could’ve worked as a six-hour miniseries on HBO. Plus, it’s one of those movies that keeps you engaged throughout its extended runtime, a rare feat. It helps that the film has an engaging story that continually builds tension and never lets up. It’s a story of love, betrayal, greed, and prejudice that tackles one of America’s more troubled tales. The film also has some incredible production design, which makes you feel like you’re in early 20th-century Oklahoma.

Like many of Scorsese’s films, the performances are excellent all across the board, from the leads to the supporting cast. As easy as it would’ve been to phone in his performance, Robert De Niro proves he can still kill it. Even at 80, De Niro has such a commanding presence as the outwardly friendly but secretly evil King Hale. Leonardo Di Caprio gives what might be the best performance of his career as the conflicted Ernest Burkhart. You can tell he wants to make his uncle happy but also loves his wife despite his terrible actions. However, the real stand-out is Lily Gladstone, who perfectly matches Di Caprio’s wild energy with a quiet, tragic demeanor. If any actor deserves an Oscar, it’s her, just for the lengths she goes through during the film. There are also significant supporting roles from John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser, Louis Cancelmi, and Martin Scorsese.

Scorsese and company went to great lengths to be as accurate to the Osage’s history and culture as possible. While I’ve never read the book or know everything about the Osage Nation, I’m sure Scorsese did his job well. Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography effectively captures the Oklahoma plains’ beauty, and Robbie Robertson’s haunting score compliments the story. Plenty of slow moments might come off as dull, but they help make the harsher scenes more impactful. Without going into spoilers, the best way to describe the ending is bittersweet: there’s some hope, but it’s still tragic. Aside from its lengthy runtime, it’s challenging to think of anything wrong with this film. Between this and Christopher Nolan’s biopic, it will be tough to decide what’s the best movie of 2023. Overall, Killers of the Flower Moon is another epic in Martin Scorsese’s historic career that deserves its critical acclaim.

Buy Killers of the Flower Moon from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Aqgo8b.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Developed by Polys Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment, Gran Turismo was released on the PlayStation in 1997. The game received universal acclaim and sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it the highest-selling PlayStation game. Since its release, the game spawned several sequels and spin-offs, becoming one of the most popular video game franchises ever. In 2008, Sony collaborated with Polyphony Digital and Nissan to start GT Academy, offering players a shot at real-life racing. In 2013, Sony Pictures announced a film adaptation of the games with Joseph Kosinski directing, only to cease in 2018. Development resumed in 2022 with Neill Blomkamp directing, but this time, the subject would be GT Academy graduate Jann Mardenborough. The movie was filmed in Hungary between November and December 2022 with a budget of $60 million. After premiering at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in July 2023, Gran Turismo hit theaters in August.

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Synopsis

Nissan marketing executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) pitches an idea to the Japanese HQ: make Gran Turismo players real racers. Despite its unconventional nature, the board agrees to fund his project, dubbed The GT Academy, and he starts preparing. After being turned down by several prospects, Moore hires racer-turned-mechanic Jack Salter (David Harbour) to train the would-be racers. Meanwhile, gaming enthusiast Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) aspires to be a racer despite objections from his father, Steve (Djimon Hounsou). Jann gets his shot when he places first in a qualifying race and enters The GT Academy, eager to succeed. Despite the odds stacked against him, Jann manages to win and graduates as the representative of Nissan Racing. Even after achieving his dream, Jann struggles with getting his license, maintaining his relationship, and dealing with a terrible accident. Will Jann emerge victorious, or will he end up like his father?

Review

If I’m being honest, the trailers for Gran Turismo did not impress me at all, so I had low expectations. That said, I was surprised with how enjoyable this biopic was, even if it was somewhat predictable. The cast all do a fantastic job, with Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, and Orlando Bloom being the highlights. Madekwe, who was also in Midsommar, makes for a likable lead and comes off as very relatable. Orlando Bloom is also enjoyable, coming off as a business-first guy while showing he genuinely cares. Arguably, the real scene stealer is David Harbour, channeling the same sarcastic energy he brings to Stranger Things into here. Given how he delivers his lines, you sometimes wonder if he was even aware that cameras were rolling. Once again, he’s utilized way better in this than the godawful Hellboy reboot from a few years ago.

Admittedly, as great as the cast is, some actors feel underutilized, namely Djimon Honsou, who disappears for much of it. Neill Blomkamp’s track record hasn’t been the greatest regarding direction, but he did a good job here. While the races don’t have the same intensity as Ford v Ferrari, they’re shot relatively well and do the job. However, several races are condensed into montages, making it feel like they’re just glossing them over. While it would be easy to say this movie is a giant commercial for the games, it isn’t. Sure, there are a few scenes where they go in-depth about the games, but it never feels like product placement. Some of the movie’s two-hour and fifteen-minute runtime could’ve been trimmed, but it never felt dull or overly padded. Overall, Gran Turismo is not the most original, groundbreaking film ever, but it doesn’t need to be.

Buy Gran Turismo from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NQtFKo.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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While watching the documentary series The Last Dance, screenwriter Alex Convery got interested in how Nike signed with Michael Jordan. Convery wrote the script between 2020 and 2021 under the title Air Jordan and was on that year’s Black List. In 2022, Amazon Studios acquired the screenplay and hired Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, with Affleck as director. Before production began, Michael Jordan met with Ben Affleck to give his blessing if the script was changed. Mostly, Jordan wanted specific figures included, namely George Raveling and Howard White, along with the removal of Tinker Hatfield. Jordan also asked for his parents’ role to be further expanded and requested that Viola Davis play his mother. Once the changes were made, the movie was shot in Los Angeles between June and July 2022. While initially planned for a streaming-only release, Amazon decided to release Air to theaters in April 2023.

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Synopsis

Set in 1984, Nike is considering closing their basketball division because of poor sales and competition from Converse and Adidas. Nike’s basketball talent scout, Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), has to find a player to be the new spokesperson. Vaccaro thinks young up-and-coming Michael Jordan (Damian Delano Young) has potential, but he’s considered off-limits because he loves Adidas. After meeting with Jordan’s former Olympic coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans), Vaccaro flies to Wilmington to meet with Jordan’s parents. Vaccaro assures Michael’s mother, Deloris (Viola Davis), that Nike will provide everything the competition can’t. Despite Jordan’s agent David Falk’s (Chris Messina) warning, Vaccaro and Robby Strasser (Jason Bateman) start working on their pitch. They ask designer Peter Moore (Matthew Maher) to develop a shoe specifically for Michael Jordan, which they call “Air Jordan.” The future of Nike’s basketball division depends on whether or not this deal will go through.

Review

Much like Ford v Ferrari, Air is a fantastic biopic you can enjoy whether or not you’re a sports fan. I don’t claim to be a sports expert, but I found the story captivating and was riveted throughout. It helps that everyone in the cast is giving a phenomenal performance, and the script is incredibly well-written. Matt Damon is relatable as the middle-aged, slightly overweight guy trying to do a successful job at work. His scenes with Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck are among the film’s many highlights as they exchange tons of banter. Like every other film she’s been in, Viola Davis gives an outstanding performance as Michael Jordan’s mother. Marlon Wayans does an excellent job in the few scenes he has, as do Chris Tucker and Chris Messina. Honestly, there isn’t a single bad actor in the entire cast.

Returning to James Mangold’s 2019 film about the rivalry between Ford and Ferrari, the film touched on the American Dream. Similarly, Air exemplifies how anyone can succeed with the drive and perseverance to overcome larger-than-life obstacles. Some might see this as a giant advertisement for Nike, but the film is more about proving your worth. Not only is Vacarro’s job on the line but so are the livelihoods of his coworkers and his entire department. The fast pace can sometimes be overwhelming, but the movie keeps the story engaging. At slightly under two hours, there isn’t a spot that drags, and even the slower scenes are entertaining. It’s hard to say since 2023 isn’t halfway over, but this might be one of the year’s best films. Overall, Air works, thanks to its fantastic cast, solid direction, snappy writing, and riveting story.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch ” Air” playing in theaters starting April 5th[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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On a $50 million budget, Creed II was a commercial success, grossing $214 million worldwide, even outperforming its predecessor. Critically, while not as well-regarded as its predecessor, the sequel still saw favorable reviews, which naturally meant another sequel. In 2018, people suggested professional boxer Deontay Wilder could play the son of Clubber Lang, Rocky’s opponent from Rocky III. Michael B. Jordan announced a third entry in development in 2019, and in 2020, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Zach Baylin was hired. Later that year, it was announced that, in addition to starring, Jordan would also be making this his directorial debut. While Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Wood Harris returned, Sylvester Stallone announced in 2021 he wouldn’t return as Rocky. The movie was shot primarily in Atlanta between January and April 2022 on a budget of $75 million. After premiering in Mexico City, Creed III hit theaters in March 2023.

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Synopsis

Three years after retiring from boxing, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) runs the Delphi Boxing Academy to train future champions. When not running the gym, he’s spending time with his wife Bianca (Tessa Thompson) and daughter Amara (Mila Davis-Kent). One day, Creed gets a surprise from his old friend Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors), who recently exited jail. Damian wants Creed to give him a chance at boxing, so Creed reluctantly has him spar at the gym. However, Damian gets aggressive while sparring and is thrown out, but Damian makes it clear he wants a title shot. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Damian gets a shot at fighting the world champion Felix Chavez (José Benavidez Jr.). He wins by fighting dirty, and Adonis learns of Damian’s true intentions and agrees to end his retirement to fight. Will Adonis put Damian in his place, or will Damian retain his world championship status?

Review

While it’s not as great as the original, Creed III easily surpasses the second installment in this spin-off series. First, Jonathan Majors continues to show he’s a force to be reckoned with by giving another fantastic performance. Thankfully, it’s an excellent performance in a good movie instead of a mediocre film like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The rest of the performances are equally outstanding, with Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson doing their best work. Wood Harris also does an excellent job as Adonis’ coach Tony Evers, and Phylicia Rashad shines as Adonis’ adoptive mother. Admittedly, Sylvester Stallone is missed, but his exclusion helps make this series stand apart from the Rocky franchise. This installment firmly establishes that, while part of the Rocky series, this spin-off franchise can work on its own. Thankfully, there are enough references to past movies, so this feels like part of the same series.

With this being his first time behind the camera, Michael B. Jordan showed great promise as a director. He makes the fight scenes more dynamic and fluid with its mix of slow-motion and extreme close-ups. The best part is the fight between Adonis and Damian, where the audience disappears, and the focus is on them. There’s no music, no cheering, nothing but the deep breathing of the two boxers squaring off. It is a well-staged sequence, and it feels like the culmination of all the backstory we’re given on their relationship. The story is incredibly riveting as we explore more of Adonis’ childhood and his guilt over abandoning his old friend. My only complaint is that it does feel predictable at points, but that could be symptomatic of the franchise’s formula. Overall, Creed III is another knockout in this long-running franchise that shows a lot of potential for the future.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch “Creed III” playing in theaters starting Mar 3rd[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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After reading a review in The New York Times, filmmaker Darren Aronofsky saw a play by Samuel D. Hunter. Titled The Whale, Aronofsky was so moved by the show that he met with Hunter, and the two started collaborating. Aronofsky wanted to adapt Hunter’s play to the big screen, but it would take ten years for that to happen. The biggest challenge was casting the lead role of Charlie, a morbidly obese English teacher living alone. One day, Aronofsky watched the trailer for 2006’s Journey to the End of the Night on YouTube, starring Brendan Fraser. Sadly, Fraser’s career had gone downhill after calling out the then-head of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for sexual assault. Alongside Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton were cast in one of Aronofsky’s most challenging films. After earning critical acclaim at the Venice Film Festival, The Whale opened in December.

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Synopsis

Charlie (Brendan Fraser) is an overweight English teacher teaching online courses with the webcam turned off for fear of embarrassment. Since leaving his wife Mary (Samantha Morton) for another man, Charlie has become a recluse with hardly any outside contact. He’s cared for by Liz (Hong Chaung), a nurse who continually urges him to go to a hospital. Knowing he doesn’t have much time left, Charlie tries reconnecting with his estranged daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). She wants nothing to do with him but changes her mind when Charlie agrees to write her essays. Charlie also gets visits from Thomas (Ty Simpkins), a missionary for the New Life Church that tries to evangelize Charlie. Soon enough, Liz brings Mary to discover that Ellie was seeing Charlie, leading him to plead with his ex-wife tearfully. Will Charlie succeed in his endeavors, or will he die not having made amends?

Review

I had been anticipating The Whale for months since hearing the buzz it generated at the Venice International Film Festival. Now that it’s finally out, I can safely say that the movie lived up to my expectations and then some. First, Brendan Fraser deserves all the acclaim he’s been getting for giving the best performance of his career. After a while, you forget that he’s wearing a fat suit and believe he gained that much weight. While it’s easy to sympathize with his struggles, Fraser almost challenges you to accept how grotesque he is. He constantly asks people to acknowledge him for his identity rather than sugarcoat and dance around the subject. Fraser knows how much of a failure he is and wants to feel like he’s done at least something right. He deserves an Oscar for his performance, and I hope this reignites his career.

Of course, that’s not to say the rest of the cast lacks, as everyone, including Fraser, performs well. Sadie Sink is excellent as the broken, spiteful daughter who reluctantly agrees to spend time with her dad. Hong Chau is another standout as Charlie’s only true friend who still cares for him despite his stubbornness. Ty Simpkins is also great as a missionary who wants to help Charlie despite his flaws and past actions. Darren Aronofsky continues to impress as a director, choosing to film the movie in a 4:3 aspect ratio. This helps to make the film feel more claustrophobic and isolated like you’re right there with Charlie. Like many of Aronofsky’s works, this will divide some people, especially with its depiction of fat people. Overall, The Whale is an excellent film about grief, shame, and remorse, punctuated by a career-defining performance from Brendan Fraser.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch “The Whale” playing in theaters starting December 9th[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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Born and raised in Brooklyn, Keith Miller is a writer, director, artist, and curator known for tackling racial issues. After making some short films in the early 2000s, his first feature was The Visit in 2006. He followed this with two more short films, The Fire & The Wood in 2008 and Prince/William in 2010. In 2012, Miller got his first massive exposure with Welcome to Pine Hills, which won numerous festival awards. The film won Best Narrative Feature at Slamdance and the Grand Jury Prix at SIFF, to name a few. Sometime later, Miller met a local man named James “Primo” Grant, a longtime member of the Bloods. Miller was so captivated by his stories that he cast Primo and some other locals for his next project. That project was the 2014 pseudo-documentary/drama film Five Star, which similarly earned critical acclaim.

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Synopsis

After being released from prison, Bloods gang member Primo (James ‘Primo’ Grant) wants to return to everyday life. He regrets being away from his wife and children and wants to compensate for the lost time. Meanwhile, a young man named John (John Diaz) wants to be a member of the Bloods with Primo’s help. It turns out John’s late father was the one who got Primo involved in the gang in the first place. While this happens, John develops a relationship with a local girl named Jasmin (Jasmin Burgos), and they hit it off. Despite objections from his mother (Wanda Nobles Colon), John agrees to do a run for Primo to prove his worth. Primo warns John of how dangerous this route is, but John is insistent on proving himself. It’s a tough life on the streets of Brooklyn, whether you’re a wannabe gangster or a Five Star.

Review

To get this out of the way, Five Star is slow and not what you would call “exciting.” This movie is a “slice of life” film rather than a dramatic thriller or a pulse-pounding action film. It’s about the daily lives of people struggling to survive in an environment that doesn’t offer many chances. It also shows how living the gang lifestyle isn’t as glamorous as some people make it out to be. On the one hand, you have Primo, a longtime gang member who wants to get out of the business. But on the other hand, you have John, who wants to prove that he’s cool despite the risks involved. Seeing two different perspectives on a similar issue and how experience can shape things is an interesting dynamic. It’s a great take on issues that aren’t often discussed in movies anymore.

Considering the cast consisted primarily of non-actors, everyone did a solid job, especially since they add to the realism. James ‘Primo’ Grant nails the part of an aging gangster wanting to get out of the life he once knew. John Diaz works as a young wannabe gang member who’s naive to the world’s ways and aims to be significant. He has decent chemistry with Jasmin Burgos, and you hope they make it as a couple. Wanda Nobles Colon also works as the voice of reason for John, who tries to warn him about what happened with his father. Keith Miller does a good job capturing the urban feel and making everything feel lived in. At slightly under 90 minutes, the movie feels padded and slow-moving, but it’s still a fascinating look at urban life. Overall, Five Star isn’t for everyone, but a particular audience will appreciate it.

Rent Five Star on Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/3SIagMh.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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Where to watch Five Star (2014)

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