Author: Steven Blackman
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Movie Review – A Real Pain
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“Isn’t everyone in pain in some way?”, a character in the movie asserts. This film explores how pain is experienced from the mundane to the macabre throughout our lives while walking the planet. It is a reflective and introspective look at how we must strive to find ways to be resilient, bouncing back from all…
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Movie Review – Anora
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What is this amazing film? Drumroll, please! The film is called “Anora” after the protagonist, who is a 23-year-old woman (of Russian descent) who is living and working as an exotic dancer in New York City. The opening plot is a simple one. Anora, or “Ani” as she prefers, meets Vanya, a younger Russian national…
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Movie Review-Saturday Night
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Full disclosure, as a lifelong fan of the widely-acclaimed television show, “Saturday Night Live” (now SNL), I was truly looking forward to enjoying this film. My “fandom” dates back to the 1970’s when very few shows, such as “All in the Family” were trying to take a more progressive tack vs. some of the same…
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Movie Review – Strange Darling
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Because of the high critical acclaim (96% Rotten Tomatoes), I approached this Indie film filled with high expectations; and for the most part, it did not disappoint. Strange Darling is about a supposed serial killer who went on a killing spree in the western part of the United States between 2018-2020. It is a horror/thriller…
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Movie Review – Kinds of Kindness
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Make no mistake, this movie is not for the squeamish or meant for most audiences. It is a surreal, dark comedy which might be best categorized in the psychological horror genre. It runs the gamut as to what might disturb the movie-goer including murder, suicide, sexual assault, animal cruelty, cannibalism, etc. As such, movie fans…
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Movie Review – The American Society of Magical Negroes
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“Welcome to the American Society of Magical Negroes!” is said to Aren (Justice Smith) as his world has now completely shifted from the mundane to now possessing magical powers, a la “Men in Black”. (In fact, both films use “erasing your memory” as the ultimate punishment when banished from their respective societies). Anyway, Aren now…
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Movie Review – Maestro
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“I love music so much that it keeps me glued to life,” Leonard Bernstein (Lenny), world-renowned composer, asserts emphatically. This film pays homage to his life, but equally, highlights the blemishes, foibles, and struggles which were inherent in it. I will try to keep this review essentially “spoiler-free” such that you can appreciate the movie…
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Movie Review – American Fiction
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To be sure, this movie is daring and provocative. Done poorly, the film had the potential of being a box office bust. However, this is a directorial masterpiece by Cord Jefferson which is bolstered by acting performances that could bring any screenplay to life. The movie is an adaptation of Everett’s novel, “Erasure” (2001) and…
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Movie Review – Poor Things
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“Are we really just barbarians?”, a character whimsically asks of her friends in the film. This movie is a deeper, philosophical look at the human condition, nature vs. nurture, love, eroticism, and the impact of economic stratification. It is rare that I am truly “hooked” in the first three minutes of a film, but indeed…
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Movie Review – Dream Scenario
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Don’t be fooled by the early trailer for this movie! I was under the impression that it would be more “tame” and “light-hearted” than it is. Make no mistake, while the film has its laughs, it is indeed a dark comedy. As the title suggests, this is truly an “escapist” movie such that it transports…
