Tag: marlon wayans

HIM – Review

As I mentioned in another recent review, the studios are shifting with the change of seasons. With Fall a few days away, most would be releasing their big “awards-bait” prestige projects. Ah, but this week’s new big release doesn’t fit into that strategy as much as it meshes with two other staples of the cooler temps. First, it’s set in the world of high-stakes pro football (yes, the 2025-26 games have already begun). Oh, and Halloween is just a few weeks away (most stores have had the “spooky aisles” set up since late August). Really, a “horror sports flick”? I can recall a few thrillers like the original STRANGERS ON A TRAIN and THE FAN. Plus, the musical classic DAMN YANKEES has its supernatural Faustian main plot. And, of course, there’s the hockey mask-wearing J. Voorhees. So, it’s time that the “passers of pigskin” get their chance to terrify in HIM.

The title pronoun may just refer to Cameron Cade, who we first meet as an obsessive football fan who’s only seven or eight years old. He’s “glued to the tube” for all the games played by his fave USFF team, the San Antonio Saviors, who are led by their star quarterback (and Cam’s idol) Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). The story springs ahead via a montage of images of Cam grabbing headlines on the field in high school and college. Unfortunately, Cam’s papa passes away before the pro teams begin “sniffing around”. Luckily, his devoted mama, Yvette (Indira G. Wilson) is his “rock”. While tossing a few balls late at night on his old high school field, Cameron (Tyriq Withers) is gravely injured by a masked assailant (perhaps dressed in a mascot costume). After a major surgery and lots of rehab, Cam appears to be nearly healed of his massive brain injury. But can he resume his quest for “gridiron glory”? Thanks in part to his aggressive agent/manager (Tim Heidecker), the Saviors will give him a most unusual “try-out”. Cam will travel down to the home/training compound of his idol, Isaiah (who may be in his final season), who will see if he’s ready to be their new quarterback. The White “estate” covers several acres in the desert, cut off from the adoring throngs, although several scary fanatics hover near the fence. There Cam also meets the “doc” (Jim Jefferies) and the flamboyant “online influencer”, Isaiah’s wife, Elsie (Julia Fox). Cam is put through grueling physical torments during a series of exercises that take a dark, sinister turn. Cam soon realizes that Isaiah’s not just interested in prepping his body for life in the “pros”. The increasingly intense White may be trying to possess Cam’s soul.

Withers is truly put through all manner of dramatic and physical “paces” as the often confused, but still “laser-focused” young Cameron. He’s a compelling presence as he looms over most of his castmates, searing into them with his questioning, expressive eyes. Most importantly, he draws us in to see Cam’s pain and torment. The cause of much (almost all) of it is Isaiah, played with pitbull-like ferocity by Wayans. He’s eager to break out of the comedy genre, so this screen vet nearly devours anyone vying to share the screen with him. Certainly, he gets our rapt attention even as his methods are murky and muddy. Luckily, many of the supporting players bring some much-needed humor to relieve the tension. Fox is a zany, quirky online “gadfly” as she hawks her new-age trinkets and attempts to be a nurturing matriarch to Cam, while still leading an unending line of grinding strippers. Heidecker puts a hyperbolic spin on the JERRY MAGUIRE-super sports broker trope, careening like a mad dervish after downing a massive mocha. The best laughs are generated by stand-up superstar Jefferies, who delivers doses of surly snark along with whatever’s really in his ever-present hypo (probably not vitamins).

Justin Tipping, in his sophomore directing effort, really seems to be “going for it” as he throws every flashy effect and editing flourish “at the wall” to see if the visuals can “stick” onto the script he co-wrote with Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. And it is exhausting, making us more weary than any film under 100 minutes should. The MTV-inspired cuts and razzle dazzle create a heady fever dream while keeping us as perplexed as Cam. The heavy, clunky religious riffs seem to be pointing to White as Satan’s recruiter, though Isaiah would appear to be equally content with eliminating this new “GOAT”. As for the horror aspects, there are a few effective “jump scares” along with lots of gooey gore and even several X-ray enhanced set pieces (tackling skeletons). But all the sound and fury (and N-bombs, pounding music beats, and gyrating groupies) don’t tell us anything new about the “quest for success”. The revelation about the wealthy owners (wow, they’re actually evil monsters) feels like the retread of familiar cliches. It all leads to an off-the-rails finale that results in a big fumble and eventual defeat for the ultra-hyper HIM.

1 Out of 4

HIM is now playing in theatres everywhere

First Look – Trailer For Producer Jordan Peele’s HIM Movie Features Marlon Wayans

What would you sacrifice to become the greatest of all time?

From Oscar® winner Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, producers of the landmark horror films Get Out, Us, Candyman and Nope, comes a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost, featuring an electrifying dramatic performance from Marlon Wayans (Air, Respect).

https://www.himmovie.com

HIM stars former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers (Atlanta, the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer) as Cameron Cade, a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life, and identity, to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma.

Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie White (Julia Fox; Uncut Gems, No Sudden Move). But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.

The film features a dynamic supporting cast including alternative comedy legend Tim Heidecker (First Time Female Director, Us) and Australian comic Jim Jefferies (The Jim Jefferies Show), plus MMA heavyweight fighter Maurice Greene and hip hop phenoms Guapdad 4000 and Grammy nominee Tierra Whack, all three in their feature film debuts.

HIM is directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks) from an acclaimed Black List screenplay by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series Limetown) and by Justin Tipping. The film is produced by Ian Cooper (Nope, Us), Jordan Peele (Candyman, BlacKkKlansman), Win Rosenfeld (Candyman, Lovecraft Country) and Jamal M. Watson (Hala, Sprinter) for Monkeypaw Productions and is executive produced by David Kern and Monkeypaw’s Kate Oh.

AIR – Review

Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in AIR Photo: COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

Wow, the last few weeks at the multiplex could almost be summed up in a slight twist on the title of the signature tune of the movie’s most popular singing cowboy, “We’re Back in the 80s Again”. Who’d have thought that the “go-go” decade would be such fertile ground for current filmmakers? Now, there was music with SPINNING GOLD (though much of it covers the late 70s), and the toy/game trifecta of D&D, the Mario Bros., and TETRIS. Well, this new release concerns a big fashion item, though it has similar themes to that last film. Like that story, its main focus isn’t the “product”, but the hustling guy (like Henk) who will risk everything for a “piece of the pie” (as in that 80s TV sitcom). So, here’s an “inspired by true events” modern fable of an “average Joe” whose big dreams could, at any second, evaporate into thin AIR.

The “Joe” in question is actually nicknamed Sonny, Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), who is the high school basketball scout for Nike in 1984. This was the era of the big athlete star endorsement “war” in the footwear industry. At that time Nike, headquartered in Washington state, was a force in running shoes, but lagged far behind Converse and Addidas in basketball shoes (barely in the double-digit market share). Back at “home base”, Sonny attends a frustrating strategy meeting led by frazzled marketing director Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman). With the top 4 NBA future stars scooped up, the remaining prospects are bleak. Late that evening at his modest pad, Sonny pops in several VHS tapes full of college highlights which convince him that the “star of tomorrow” is Michael Jordan. He’s in that elite four, but Rob insists that Addidas has him almost locked up. Sonny then goes to former Olympic basketball coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans) for insight into MJ, then confers with co-worker exec Howard White (Chris Tucker) for further advice. Unfortunately Sonny’s boss, Nike head Phil Knight (Ben Affleck) doesn’t share his dream and refuses to increase his quarter-million dollar signing budget. Plus MJ’s cutthroat agent David Falk (Chris Messina) jeers at their meager offer and won’t grant Nike access to his client. But then Sonny does a “Hail Mary” and travels out to North Carolina, to the Jordan home for a brief face-to-face “sit-down” with the family matriarch, Michaels’s mama Deloris (Viola Davis). When word leaks out Sonny’s Nike pals and Falk are horrified at his hubris. But it works, and the Jordans agree to a meeting in only a few days. It’s “crunch time”, so Sonny, Rob, and design leader Peter Moore (Matthew Maher) make Nike HQ their weekend home to create a “sales pitch” and most importantly, come up with the shoe that will bear the superstar’s name, the Air Jordan. But will all their hours of sweat be for naught after the shoe giants meet with the family?

Add Sonny to the growing list of affable movie everymen played with charm and charisma by the dependable Damon. he gets us rooting for this underdog from the start, even as we watch his “lifeforce” leave his body during a soul-draining staff meeting. His Sonny formulates his goal and Damon, despite his extra “heft” will push through every obstacle, and we’re riding by his side. And how great is it having him back sharing scenes with his BFF and Oscar-winning screenwriting partner, Affleck? It may seem like he’s not putting much into playing Mr. Nike. but Ben conveys the mogul’s spacy, often detached, Zen mantra spewing “big boss”. Still, the passion explodes, showing that Affleck can be quite intimidating if you “poke the bear”, which Sonny frequently does. But he’s an ocean of calm compared to the manic “rageaholic” unleashed by Messina as the vitriolic furious Falk. He’s a take-no-prisoners ultra-caffeinated spin on Jeremy Piven’s Ari Gold on “Entourage”. Also solid is Bateman, who tweaks his usual snarky “attitude-dude” to make Rob a real partner to Sonny, though he doesn’t hesitate in putting his pal back on the right track. The film’s real MVP is Davis as the steely head of the Jordan household and financial future. She is surprisingly friendly to Sonny but is quick to silence him when she detects a hint of BS in his bravado. The scene late in the third act, in which she phones Sonny and tells him “how it will be” is almost a master class in acting (her FENCES Oscar could be getting a sister next year). Wayans scores in a wonderful scene with Damon, while Tucker shows us that his engaging motor-mouthed persona is missed (he’s been away for seven years).

In addition to his work as the Nike head “honcho”, Affleck makes a most welcome return to the director’s chair. Sure, we all know the outcome of all the wheeling and dealing, but he is still able to wring suspense from this modern-day shoe saga. Credit must also go to screenwriter Alex Convery’s witty, sharp script that really gives each great actor a moment or two to truly “shine”.Right from the superb 80s montage, Affleck takes us back nearly 40s years with authentic fashion, vehicles, and a splendid pop soundtrack. And what a smart move to keep the great Michael a peripheral character, much like Spielberg not showing us Bruce the shark until the JAWS hunt. But perhaps it was a “nod” to classic Hollywood films that would show the president (or the holy figures in religious films) only with shots from the back or closeups of his hands. It really adds to the drama and the mythic stature of MJ and the whole legend. As I said, we know the history, but Affleck and the cast make us really care about the people. And in the era of noisy franchise blockbusters, well it’s truly a breath of fresh AIR.

3.5 Out of 4

AIR is now playing in theatres everywhere and is streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video

Win Passes To The St. Louis Advance Screening Of AIR – In Theaters April 5

From award-winning director Ben Affleck, AIR reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand. This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time.

AIR features an all-star cast, including Matt Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst Dassler, and Julius Tennon as James Jordan.

AIR reunites Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, marking the first time Affleck has directed his longtime friend and collaborator.

Amazon Studios will release AIR exclusively in theaters globally on Wednesday, April 5th 

The Advance Screening is on Tuesday, April 4th, 7pm at AMC Esquire 7.

The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Seats will not be guaranteed. Rated R.

Enter at the link below.

http://amazonscreenings.com/main/sweepstakes/WAMGair

Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in AIR Photo: COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser in AIR Photo: ANA CARBALLOSA © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon And Viola Davis Star In Big Gam Spot For AIR – The Story Of Michael Jordan And Nike’s Air Jordan

Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR Photo: COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

From award-winning director Ben Affleck, AIR reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then-rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand. This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time. 

Check out the brand new AIR spot from the Big Game and see the movie courtside April 5.

AIR features an all-star cast, including Matt Damon as maverick Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Additional cast includes Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser, Chris Messina as David Falk, Marlon Wayans as George Raveling, Chris Tucker as Howard White, Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Gustaf Skarsgård as Horst Dassler, and Julius Tennon as James Jordan.

AIR reunites Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, marking the first time Affleck has directed his longtime friend and collaborator. 

Viola Davis plays Deloris Jordan, Michael’s mother, who was a fierce advocate for her son, was instrumental in negotiating this unprecedented deal, and was committed to ensuring her son’s legacy. 

AIR will be distributed by Amazon Studios exclusively In Theaters April 5, 2023.

Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan in AIR Photo: COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
Chris Tucker as Howard White in AIR Photo: COURTESY OF AMAZON STUDIOS © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC
Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, Matt Damon as Sonny Vaccaro and Jason Bateman as Rob Strasser in AIR Photo: ANA CARBALLOSA © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC

RESPECT Starring Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin – Available to Own on Blu-ray and Digital November 9th

“Jennifer Hudson stuns with her performance” – Brian Truitt, USA Today

JENNIFER HUDSON STARS IN RESPECT, THE REMARKABLE BIOPICAND DAZZLING CELEBRATION OF ARETHA FRANKLIN’S INCREDIBLE LEGACY – AVAILABLE TO OWN FOR THE FIRST TIMEWITH ALL NEW NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN EXTRAS. RESPECT SHOWCASES A SPECTACULAR ENSEMBLE CAST INCLUDING FOREST WHITAKER, MARY J. BLIGE, MARLON WAYANS, MARC MARON, AUDRA MCDONALD AND TITUSS BURGESS. OWN IT ON DIGITAL NOW BLU-RAY AND DVD NOVEMBER 9, 2021 FROM METRO GOLDWYN MAYER (MGM)AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Experience the cinematic music event of the year featuring Oscar® and Grammy® Award winner and vocal powerhouse Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) as legendary singer Aretha Franklin in the inspiring true story RESPECT, available to own for the first time on Digital now and on Blu-ray™ and DVD November 9, 2021 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Hailed by critics as “electrifying” (David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter) and “extraordinary” (Pete Hammond, Deadline), MGM’s musical biopic gives an authentic inside look at the life and legacy of one of the greatest, most influential recording artists of all time. 

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, RESPECT is the remarkable journey of the music icon’s path to find her voice. The film on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital comes packed with all-new exclusive bonus content including behind-the-scenes featurettes about Jennifer Hudson’s transformation into the Queen of Soul, director Liesl Tommy’s filmmaking process, the creation of the beautiful sets and custom wardrobes, Aretha’s experience at Muscle Shoals, and more taking audiences deeper into the empowering story and world-renowned chart-topping music that has become a global anthem for strength, independence and positivity. 

Directed by Tony Award nominee Liesl Tommy (“Insecure”, “The Walking Dead”) from a screenplay written by Emmy Award® nominee Tracey Scott Wilson (“Fosse/Verdon”, “The Americans”) and story by Academy Award winner Callie Khouri (“Thelma & Louise”), RESPECT is the biggest female-led musical drama in recent history and a must own film with extraordinary showstopping performances to watch over and over in spectacular Dolby Atmos quality sound, available exclusively on Blu-ray. 

Hand selected by Aretha herself, Hudson leads an all-star ensemble cast including Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker (Black Panther, The Butler), Marlon Wayans (Sextuplets, Fifty Shades of Black), six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald (Beauty and The Beast, “Private Practice”), Marc Maron (Joker, “Glow”), five-time Emmy Award® nominee Tituss Burgess (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”, The Addams Family), and Grammy® Award winner and Academy Award® nominee Mary J. Blige (Mudbound, Rock of Ages) along with Tony Award® nominees Saycon Sengbloh (“The Wonder Years”, “Delilah”) and Haley Kilgore (“Amazing Stories”).  

The RESPECT Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features Jennifer Hudson’s uplifting vocal performances of 17 Aretha Franklin classic songs along with the original song “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” – which Hudson wrote alongside four-time Grammy® Award winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee Carole King and Jamie Hartman [Lewis Capaldi, Christina Aguilera]. The soundtrack is now available to own on digital/streaming services, CD and vinyl from Epic Records. 

BLU-RAY & DVD EXCLUSIVE BONUS FEATURES:

  • The Making of Respect – Explore the unique telling of this Aretha Franklin story, what the project meant to all involved and how music played a pivotal role in crafting this film.
  • Becoming Aretha – Take a behind the scenes look at Jennifer Hudson’s incredible transformation into the Queen of Soul including her commitment to the character, her connection with the late singer, and why inhabiting the legendary artist felt more like destiny than anything else.
  • Capturing a Legacy – A celebration of director Liesl Tommy’s artistry and professionalism as the cast and crew express their appreciation and admiration for her and her process.
  • From Muscle Shoals – Sit-down with the cast, crew and some of the original musicians that recorded with Aretha at Muscle Shoals to learn about this crucial time period in Aretha’s life and how it helped propel her evolution.
  • Exploring the Design of Respect – Production designer Ina Mayhew and costume designer Clint Ramos discuss the research they conducted in order to create the beautiful sets in the film as well as the various custom-made wardrobes that span three decades of style.

 RESPECT will be available on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital.

  • Blu-ray™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
  • Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly buy or rent.

RESPECT – Review

R_25682_R (l-r.) Hailey Kilgore stars as Carolyn Franklin, Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin and Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin in RESPECT, A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert

As Summer’s season of movie escapism draws to a close, the Fall and Winter awards season gets a bit of an early start as a new film in one of Oscar’s favorite genre “hybrids” is released. On Friday we get a new entry in the “musical biography” line of award ‘”showcases”. Yes, playing a popular singer/performer has proven to be quite a “gold gatherer” for many actors and actresses. Most recently Rami Malek took the big trophy for “channeling” Freddie Mercury in 2018’s BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY and the following year it was Renee Zellweger in the title role of JUDY, as in Ms. Garland. Of course, the years have seen several tune-filled biopics take home the “gold’ from James Cagney’s George M. Cohen, that YANKEE DOODLE DANDY to Jamie Foxx as RAY Charles. So will the Academy face, and embrace, the music as the story of the “Queen of Soul”, Miss Aretha Franklin, is dramatized in RESPECT?

The film of her story begins fairly early. We’re introduced to little “Ree-Ree” (Skye Dakota Turner) at around age five, as her father, Baptist minister C.L. Franklin (Forrest Whitaker” wakes her from bedtime to sing for the adults at an “after church” boozy social.. Of course, she wows the crowd there as she does in front of Daddy’s congregation. But things aren’t harmonious at home as Ree-Ree happily spends weekends away with her mom, Barbara (Audra McDonald), the ex Mrs. Franklin. When tragedy strikes, the tot’s spirit is almost crushed until music rescues her. As a teen, Aretha (Jennifer Hudson) continues to sing at Daddy’s church, but he has bigger plans for her (aside from helping raise funds for her pal MLK). The two travel to New York, where he negotiates a contract with John Hammond (Tate Donovan) at Columbia records. While Aretha struggles to find her voice (Hammond assigns her pop standards and remakes of other singers’ hits), she reconnects with a suave “bad boy” from Detroit, Ted White (Marlon Wayans) who offers to be her new manager. This angers Daddy, but she takes a chance on Ted when Columbia drops her. Luckily he gets her a deal with Jerry Wexler (Marc Maron) at Atlantic Records, who gives her full creative control, though he suggests she travel to Alabama to record a new jazz/blues tune with the talented studio musicians at Muscle Shoals. The collaboration on “I Never Loved a Man” clicks, though Ted’s ego and fiery temper erupt, as he begins abusing his star (and now wife and mother of his son). Thus begins a tumultuous trek to super-stardom as Aretha tries to free herself from the emotional tug-of-war between Ted and the reverend while attempting to drown her inner darkness with booze and live concerts. Will her musical talents grant her peace and serenity?

As you’ve probably guessed from the marketing barrage, this biopic is meant as a showcase for its star, Hudson, in the hopes that it will rocket her back onto the movie “A-list”. It seems that, after winning a much-deserved Oscar in 2009 for DREAMGIRLS, Hollywood has had problems finding the perfect film “fit” for her. Well, after several small roles in some “indies”, and a stint in Broadway’s revival of the musical “The Color Purple”, Hudson has honed her acting skills and commands the screen as she recreates Franklin’s dynamic stage presence. Off-stage, things don’t go quite as smooth or as silky as her rich singing voice. The Franklin character seems to bounce from buoyant to broken with little reason. Hudson handles the big emotions well, but is often overshadowed by the men vying to control “the Queen”. That’s certainly true of the confrontations with the Reverend, played with intensity and passion by Whitaker, who can fill up several big tents with his “semonizin'”. Then there’s her “arch-enemy”, Ted who has a smooth, devilish charm thanks to the surprising Wayans (who was a delight in the recent ON THE ROCKS). We see him as a master of seduction, denying his gifts to Aretha to keep him on her mind. These early bits of affection make his dive into the “dark side” especially disturbing, as Ted displays his violent hair-trigger temper, that kicks in despite his wife’s “tiptoeing on eggshells” around him. Ah, but there is one “good guy’ in this story. That’s Maron as Wexler, whose endearing blunt proclamations jolt life in the often turgid tale. Who wouldn’t want a fellow like that in your corner to cut through the BS? Some of the even smaller roles stand out. McDonald brings warmth and dignity to Ree-Ree’s adored mama. Titus Burgess also scores as the sympathetic and straightforward James Cleveland. And though she’s only got a couple of scenes, Mary J, Blige is in full diva mode as the haughty Dinah Washington who steers Franklin to greatness.

Introducing a new generation to the wonders of Ms. Franklin’s artistry is quite commendable, but you know what that “road to Hell” is paved with? The script seems to roll out every “rags to riches”, “stardom suffering” cliche we’ve seen in so many better musical biographies. Plus they were done superbly in so many efforts. The abusive, controlling spouse was more compelling in WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT. The “booze battles” and “on stage collapse’ just reminds us of the superior COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER. Perhaps they’re so glaring is because they seem rushed. Even at nearly 145 minutes, the life and career of the Queen, only taking us to 1972 (she passed in 2018), feels like a quick highlight “reel”. A TV miniseries might have been better suited, though the one from last year on cable with Cynthia Erivo had its fumbles. I had seen the first couple of hours and was surprised how the big-time feature movie sugar-coated much of the story, Ted’s shady former business is hinted at here, while the TV version had him in full “love-broker” (from the 1982 classic NIGHT SHIFT) mode (it’s teased with some bloody crumbled currency). And usually, I decry the overuse of smoking, int his film we merely see Hudson holding a cigarette, while the real Aretha had to later fight lung cancer. I will say that the recreation of the era’s fashions is done well, though we never see Hudson in some of Franklin’s more, “out there” outfits (during the end credit montage we see when she went blonde). I did find Ted’s ill-fitting fedoras a bit much. And the film does start to spark in a couple of scenes that try to illustrate the “creative process”. The first is with Muscle Shoals, and later we see Franklin and her two sisters working out the title tune in the pre-dawn hours (much to Ted’s annoyance). But soon we rushed through more life and career milestones, though new children seem to pop up after a record album montage that denotes time passage, almost as an afterthought. The songs (many are just presented as “snippets” and segments) are compelling, but the pedestrian direction from TV vet Liesl Tommy never injects that energy into the often overwrought (Aretha verbally blasts everyone in sight, family and staff, during some downtime at home) life story. Aretha Franklin will forever deserve our admiration and RESPECT. This film, well not so much. You’re better off downloading a greatest hits compilation,

2 Out of 4

RESPECT opens in theatres everywhere on 8/13/2021

Jennifer Hudson Is Aretha Franklin In RESPECT Movie Trailer – In Theaters August 13

To become the queen, she needed to find her voice.

Academy Award® Winner Jennifer Hudson is Aretha Franklin. Watch the new trailer now, and don’t miss RESPECT in theaters this August.

Director Liesl Tommy makes her feature film debut with Respect. Tommy is the first Black woman ever nominated for a Tony Award® for Best Direction of a Play in 2016 for Eclipsed, and is an Associate Artist at the Berkeley Rep and an Artist Trustee with the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees.

With a story by Callie Khouri (Oscar® winner for Writing, Thelma & Louise) and Tracey Scott Wilson, and screenplay written by Tracey Scott Wilson. Wilson and Tommy have worked together creatively since the 2009 play The Good Negro written by Wilson, directed by Tommy at The Public Theatre. Wilson was a writer on FX’s The Americans which garnered her a Peabody Award as well as Emmy® and WGA Award nominations.

The cast includes Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Kimberly Scott, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan and Mary J. Blige.

Hudson debuted the trailer on Good Morning America. Listen to what her favorite Aretha Franklin song is.

See it only in theaters on August 13, 2021.

R_25682_R (l-r.) Hailey Kilgore stars as Carolyn Franklin, Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin and Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin in RESPECT, A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert
R_17527_RC (l-r.) Henry Riggs stars as Tommy Cogbill, Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin, Hailey Kilgore as Carolyn Franklin, Saycon Sengbloh as Erma Franklin, Alec Barnes as Jimmy Johnson, John Giorgio as Chips Moman, Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler and Joe Knezevich as Tom Dowd in RESPECT, A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert
R_22584_RC Tituss Burgess stars as Reverend Dr. James Cleveland and Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in RESPECT, A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert © 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved

ON THE ROCKS (2020) – Review

Okay, who’s ready for “family time” at the movies? Now I’m not talking about the standard “family flick” that’s usually the big animated musical fable that many use as a weekend afternoon “out of the house” excursion. And lots of you may feel a tad skittish about trotting all the kids over to the multiplex (soon we hope). This week we’ve got a real “family” film dealing with lots of adult themes that are aimed at the “grown-ups”. Oh, and it’s focused on a rare “family dynamic”: the father-daughter relationship (or to be precise in this case, mother-grandfather). Often we see dynamic clashes between mother and daughter (2017’s SNATCHED comes to mind) or brittle reunions of fathers and sons as when Indy and his pop went on that “last crusade”. On TV this pairing has been a staple from “My Little Margie” to “Gidget” leading up to the recent, sublime duo of Keith and Veronica Mars (more please Hulu). Oh, did I mention this film is also a most anticipated reuniting of the director and actor from one of the early 2000s most beloved movies? Like the former flick, there’s a marriage at its center, which, like the many cocktails downed over its 90 or so minutes, is ON THE ROCKS.

But things weren’t always that way. We first meet Laura (Rashida Jones) and Dean (Marlon Wayans) on their wedding night, still giddy about their future as they doff their gown and tux to enjoy the honeymoon suite’s hot tub. Jumpcut to that future. They’re living in a plush Manhatten condo with their two daughters, about 9 and 5 years-old. While she’s running the household and trying to finish a new book, he’s dashing and hustling with the new PR firm he formed. Actually, Dean’s gone a lot. And when he is home he’s glued to his phone. This doesn’t concern Laura till one night. Dean returns from a trip in the wee hours and hops into bed with her, waking her with kisses. But when she says hello, Dean is stunned as though he has woken from a trance, rolls off of her, and goes into a deep sleep. Later, when she unpacks his suitcase, Laura finds a women’s toiletries travel case. When asked about it, Dean says it belongs to his co-worker Fiona, who couldn’t fit it in her luggage. That evening at his company’s launch party/open house Laura meets “Fi-Fi” (Jessica Henwick) who is dismissive of her as she runs to be by Dean’s side as his “work wife”. Laura’s “radar” is up and on, though her Gran, Mom, and sister think nothing of it. Then Laura phones her father about it. And he agrees, so much so that he flies in. Felix (Bill Murray), who used to own a “high end” NYC art gallery, adores his grandbabies and his daughter “Shorty”. Over drinks, he bolsters her fears, but Laura isn’t convinced. Then Dean tells her that he can’t be there for her birthday (first time ever) and gives her an early present, a deluxe kitchen mixer/processor before he jets off to a meeting …at a resort on the beach in Mexico…with Fiona. When told about this, Felix erupts, insisting that they also make that “South of the Border” trip. But if they confront Dean, can the marriage be saved?

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this low-key family “dramedy” is the surprisingly potent, enduring star power of Murray. Yes, he’s been an “above the title” leading man for over 40 years now, but as that whisp of hair goes shiny silver, he can move us unexpectedly by revealing new textures beneath his “laid back” forever cool persona. Is it old fashioned charm or his unique charisma that still connects? Murray utilizes all of it as the rakish Felix, who’s always “hustling”, whether it’s attending a wake to scope out a potential art score or casually “schmoosing” a server (“You studied ballet, right?”). But he’s pure in his love of his daughter. Does that account for his zeal in uncovering her marital worries? Partly, but more likely it’s a form of atonement. In their quieter conversations, Felix cuts through his anthropological and biological justifications (“Monogamy’s not in the male DNA”) and shows us a man of many years facing past regrets, hoping that his helpful actions will somehow ease the guilt of his weaknesses. This aging player’s more tragic than funny. And Murray is more than up to this acting challenge with his most subtle work in years. Luckily, he’s got a terrific screen partner in Jones, who has mostly made her mark on TV with the great comedies “Parks and Recreations”, “Angie Tribeca” and “#BlackAF”, here establishes herself as a gifted film actress. Her Laura still has a great passion for life and her family but thinks that perhaps she’s lost her hubby’s eye, that her domesticity has made her less worldly and interesting. But she’s got to put up a “solid front” as she hides her discomfort at the office party, then feign joy over an appliance gift, while also disappointed that Dean will be away on her birthday. She is also smitten with Felix but finally vents her anger over being swept up in his “mindset” as she calls him out on his “science” excuses for bad behavior. Jones makes Laura a great heroine to root for, and gives the story its beating heart. Another pleasant surprise is Wayans, who jettisons his zany comic persona, to be an affable, but often clueless “everyman”, who just can’t quite “get the vibe” of his partner, nor her pop. An added bonus is the fabulous Jenny Slate who elicits lots of laughs as the “emotional vampire” Vanessa. another mom at the school where Laura’s eldest attends, who drones on about her romantic problems as Laura is trapped with her in a hallway or at the school entrance. Slate’s way overdue to lead another quirky comedy.

Oh, the reunion I mentioned earlier? It’s a reteaming of Bill Murray with director/screenwriter Sofia Coppola, seventeen (really) years since the much loved LOST IN TRANSLATION. Ms. Coppola again takes double duty (triple since she’s also a producer) and has created another relationship and bonding fable between the generations that offers lots of wit while not backing away from life’s darkest fears and worries (what if he’s moved on). Though not using the exotic locales of the earlier project, Coppola finds the spacious beauty in the canyons of NYC, even in the big rental buildings and the “old school watering holes”. Ah, but there is that third action section in Mexico where the ocean breezes seem to slow down time, but not ease Laura’s near-panic. All are captured in warm golden hues by cinematographer Phillipe Le Sourd and accompanied by the soulful music score from Phoenix. And although most of the humor is subdued, a scene in which Felix picks up Laura in a classic 60s convertible for a night of spying uses some great slapstick (the car looks great, but sputters and backfires as they zoom past angry commuters) and is topped with another remarkable bit of Murray charm (it works on the ladies, but what about “John Law”). As far as daughter/father family dramedies go, ON THE ROCKS is on the money, a very bright spot in a dark dreary year.

3.5 out of 4

ON THE ROCKS opens in select theatres on Friday 10/2. It will be streaming on AppleTV beginning on 10/23.

Jennifer Hudson And Mary J. Blige Shine In First Trailer For Aretha Franklin Biopic RESPECT

Jennifer Hudson stars as Aretha Franklin in RESPECT A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert / © 2020 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, RESPECT is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice.

Director Liesl Tommy makes her feature film debut with Respect. Tommy is the first Black woman ever nominated for a Tony award for Best Direction of a Play in 2016 for Eclipsed, and is an Associate Artist at the Berkeley Rep and an Artist Trustee with the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees. 

Check out the first trailer starring Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan, and Mary J. Blige. See the film this December.

This is going to be fantastic! Jennifer Hudson has previously won a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for DREAMGIRLS! She was also awarded a Golden Globe, BAFTA Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for her role as Effie White in the film.

Time for the two-time Grammy award winner to clear a space for another Oscar Statuette.

This is sure to be an Oscar contender next year. Bet on Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Hudson (Best Actress), Mary J. Blige (Supporting Actress), Forest Whitaker (Supporting Actor) and hopefully for director Liesl Tommy, and possibly cinematography, production design, costume and hair & makeup.

Jennifer Hudson stars as Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington in RESPECT A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert / © 2020 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved
Actor Jennifer Hudson and director Liesl Tommy on the set of RESPECT A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert / © 2020 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved
(ctr) Marlon Wayans stars as Ted White and Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin in RESPECT A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert / © 2020 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved

With a story by Callie Khouri (Oscar ® winner for Thelma & Louise) and Tracey Scott Wilson, and screenplay written by Tracey Scott Wilson. Wilson and Tommy have worked together creatively since the 2009 play The Good Negro written by Wilson, directed by Tommy at The Public Theatre. Wilson was a writer on FX’s The Americans which garnered her a Peabody Award as well as Emmy and WGA Award nominations.

Jennifer Hudson stars as Aretha Franklin and Forest Whitaker as her father C.L. Franklin in RESPECT A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Quantrell D. Colbert / © 2020 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved

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