Movie review: She's Gotta Have It (2017 series)

 

 Based on the movie with the same name, She's Gotta Have It follows the life of Brooklyn artist Nola as she pontificates about sex, freedom, and other topics while coordinating relationships with three men; Jamie, Mars, and Greer.

DeWanda Wise (Nola), Anthony Ramos (Mars), Lyriq Bent (Jamie), Cleo Anthony (Greer), Margot Bingham (Clorinda), Chyna Layne (Shemekka), Joie Lee (Septima), Santana Benitez (Lourdes), Elise Hudson (Rachel).

She's Gotta Have It from Spike Lee begins with some introductions before moving to the main story which is quite simply a mess. For all the talk about this being a feminist film or a good representation of polyamory, it is neither. And while billed as a comedy there were not many laughs in this one. Nola, while professing to be a 'sex-positive, polyamorous pansexual', instead appears to fear commitment which is dressed up as 'sex-positive', lacks solid communication skills and to some extent honesty which are both necessary for polyamory, and happily trades her sexuality for a wad of cash. In fact, she seems to lack control of her life in any way other than having three men who want to sleep with her.

Wise was okay as an actress, though she felt immature at times. Ramos was possibly the most amusing person in this comedy and did nicely. Bent and Anthony were mildly interesting with solid delivery. The remainder of the supporting cast was okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were decent enough though long musical interludes overwritten with lyrics in later episodes became annoying. Dialogue was horrible throughout with very little relationship management or open conversations. Sound and soundtrack were good with some nice tracks.

Overall this series reboot of the original film feels like nothing more than following Nola around with the promise she will grow out of being a physical and emotional vampire. Sadly, personal growth is missing so nothing changes. Fans of the original film may enjoy this one. For the rest of you, take a pass.

With plenty of sexuality, nudity, some foul language, and adult situation, save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 12.28.17
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Drama, TV Drama, Romance

Movie review: The Dark Tower

 

 Roland, the last Gunslinger, is committed to preventing destruction of the Dark Tower by the Man in Black, Walter. Based on the book series by Stephen King, the Dark Tower holds the universe together and will result in darkness covering the world if it falls.

Matthew McConaughey (Walter), Idris Elba (Roland), Tom Taylor (Jake), Dennis Haysbert (Steven), Claudia Kim (Arra), Jackie Haley (Sayre), Michael Barbieri (Timmy), Fran Kranz (Pimli), Abbey Lee (Tirana).

The Dark Tower is a difficult film to review with the best description I've heard as; The film is inspired by the books, but not based upon them. The film is missing much of the original book, though given the depth of the book it is understandable, and in comparison to the entire book series it fails. However, as a film without reference to the book The Dark Tower is pretty good. The film implies characters, the story, and overall plot that have much more depth. And we want to see more. Those who have read the books will crave that depth.

Acting was decent with both McConaughey and Elba delivering pretty well. Should this mature into a franchise I can see both of them becoming quite popular. Taylor fit well and seemed to work well with others. Haysbert, Kim, Haley, and the remainder of the supporting cast did reasonably well and delivered good energy.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were nicely done if not fitting with the books. All depended strongly on CGI and were blended well with a fairly realistic feel. Dialogue was okay but could have added more depth on a few levels. Sound and soundtrack were appropriate throughout.

While The Dark Tower may not be the movie many of us King fans had hoped for, the film really is pretty good. The characters and main plot are introduced and the film presents good technical quality. Those who have never read the Stephen King series will probably enjoy this the most.

With a fair amount of violence and gore, some mild foul language, and some potentially disturbing scenes, this surprisingly should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 12.24.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi Based on a book, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Adventure, Action

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Zoombies

 

 When a zombie virus quickly spreads through a safari park the remaining guests and staff must contain the animals before the virus escapes and infects the entire city.

Ione Butler (Lizzy), Andrew Asper (Gage), LaLa Nestor (Thea), Kim Nielsen (Dr. Rogers), Marcus Anderson (Rex), Brianna Chomer (Amber), Ivan Djurovic (Kifo), Aaron Groben (A.J.), Kaiwi Lyman (Daxton).

Zoombies begins with some brief plot setup as we are introduced to the Eden Wildlife Zoo. The zombie virus quickly makes an appearance and from there the film is off an running. As guests and staff begin to realize the danger of the situation, the action ramps up and film generates a bit more depth. With everything in motion the remainder of the film is little more than waiting for the obviously inevitable, and less than imaginative, ending.

Acting was mediocre from the start. Nielsen feels uncomfortable and almost afraid of her role. Butler was mildly interesting but put a lot of energy into her role. Chomer was little more than annoying, as was Asper. The remainder of the cast felt just as inexperienced and lacking authenticity.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were decent right up to the point they were blended poorly with CGI. Speaking of CGI, it was pretty awful and about what we have come to expect from Asylum films. Dialogue was corny, campy, and lacking depth completely. Sound and soundtrack were mild at best.

Asylum took two great things, zombies and the Jurassic Park concept, mashed them together and successfully ruined both in one film. Cheap production quality and technical work, combined with low-budget acting, did a good job of making a decent movie worse than expected.

With some violence and disturbing images, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 12.19.17
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, B-Horror, Campy Horror

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel