All posts by Kenna

LAND

“LAND” an Amazing Journey of Becoming Self-Reliant

drama, romance, , ,
LAND

From the talented and legendary actress Robin Wright comes her directorial debut, LAND. The poignant story of one woman’s search for meaning in the vast and harsh American wilderness. 

In the aftermath of an unfathomable event, Edee, played by Wright, finds herself unable to stay connected to the world she once knew.

When she faces uncertainty, she retreats to the magnificent but unforgiving wilds of the Rockies. After a local hunter, played by Demián Bichir, brings her back from the brink of death, she must live again.

The movie sounds like the perfect opportunity for a directorial debut because of the small cast and relatively simple storyline. 

Co-written by Jesse Chatham and Erin Dignam, the movie also stars Kim Dickens and Warren Christie. Dignam worked with Wright in the movie Denial. Dignam wrote and directed as Wright starred with Jason Patric. 

“Killing Beef” Exposes Cultural Problems for the Black Community

crime, documentary,
Killing Beef

After recovering from a near-fatal shooting, former drug dealer and award-winning journalist Samson Styles searches to find the meaning of his life and reconciliation with his shooter, in this meaningful journey that takes the form of a life-lesson explained to a young boy.

Synopsis: “Killing Beef” is a street term and is a double entendre. The beef is a conflict often between young men and/or their crews. “Killing” beef can mean a pattern of deadly violence – or it can mean a peaceful resolution of a conflict.


Black-on-black crime rooted in conflict continues to take the lives of too many young black men across the country. Too many, this cycle of violence is senseless.

Though I agree with Styles approach to do something about it. However, let us look at solutions that are working today. For example, The Way to Happiness Foundation has statistics that show its effectiveness. Its program is available to any educational institution. 

Fatale

“Fatale” Brings Scorn Woman and Bad Cop to the Forefront

crime, suspense, thriller, , , ,
Fatale

Directed by Deon Taylor, Fatale may fall into being like the 1987 film Fatal Attraction, starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close — never scorn a woman.

After a wild one-night stand, Derrick, played by Michael Ealy, a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for is a determined police detective, played by Hilary Swank, who entangles him in her latest investigation.

As he desperately tries to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, career, and even life. The movie is touted as “a suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller and an unpredictable game of cat and mouse where one mistake can change your life.”

David Loughery wrote the script, featuring Mike Colter, Danny Pino, and Tyrin Turner.

Enjoy the following clips. Though blocked in some countries, you might be lucky to see them.

The Boss Baby

“The Boss Baby: Family Business” Amazingly Funny and Silly Cute

animation, children movies, family movies, kid movies, sequels, , , , , , ,
The Boss Baby

Directed by Tom McGrath is the sequel to The Boss Baby, starring James Marsden and Alec Baldwin as the Templeton brothers. They are adults now and drift away from each other. Tim is now a married, stay-at-home dad. Ted is a hedge fund CEO.

But a new boss baby with an innovative approach and a can-do attitude is about to bring them together again… and inspire a new family business.

Also starring in the movie are Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Greenblatt, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Eva Longoria, and Amy Sedaris.

The Boss Baby: Family Business DVD is now available, with the movie streaming as well on Amazon.

Chaos Walking

“Chaos Walking” Ridley and Holland Star, Trust and Relationships

adventure, based on a book, science fiction, space opera, , , , , , ,
Chaos Walking

Directed by Doug Liman from the best-selling young adult novel The Knife of Never Letting Go, Chaos Walking starts in the distant future. Todd Hewitt, played by Tom Holland, befriends Viola, played by Daisy Ridley. She is a mysterious girl who crash-landed on his planet, where all the women have disappeared and are afflicted with “the Noise,” which forces men to display their thoughts.

In this dangerous landscape threatened by her life, Todd vows to protect Viola. He will have to discover his inner power and unlock the planet’s dark secrets. 

I am not sure which book of the trilogy the movie follows. Some say it’s a combination of two of the books. Another exciting aspect when comparing the book and the film is that Viola and Todd are 12 years old in the first book, while the film has them as adults.

The film is streaming on Amazon so that you can watch it. These two actors are talented, but the storyline, I’m sorry to say, didn’t capture the audience.

Liman also directed suspense thrillers The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow. The movie also stars Mads Mikkelsen, Demián Bichir, Cynthia Erivo, Nick Jonas, Kurt Sutter, and David Oyelowo.

All My Life

True Story Captures “All My Life” as an Amazing Story

drama, romance, true stories, , ,

Based on a true story and directed by Marc Meyers, All My Life follows a powerful love story that moved an entire nation. A true story about a journey of an engaged couple who make the hard decision to speed up their wedding in the wake of a devastating discovery. 

Jennifer Carter, played by Jessica Rothe, and Solomon Chau, played by Harry Shum Jr., are a sweet, fun-loving, newly engaged couple whose entire life seems ahead of them. But when Sol is diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in December, their plans for a summer wedding become impossible. 

In a race against time, Jenn and Sol’s friends and family launch an online fundraiser to help the couple create their dream wedding in just two weeks. They unleash an outpouring of generosity and attention from people worldwide who want to celebrate the power of love with them. 

Through it all, Jenn and Sol’s commitment to each other only deepens, becoming a heartwarming reminder that the strength of genuine love knows no limits. 

The rest of the cast includes Kyle Allen, Chrissie Fit, Jay Pharoah, Marielle Scott, and Keala Settle.

When the World Shuts Down, Love is Amazing in “Songbird”

drama,
Songbird

Co-written and directed by Adam Mason, Songbird seems relevant today as the story begins in 2022. A pandemic ravages the world and its cities. Centering on a handful of people as they navigate the obstacles currently hindering society includes disease, martial law, quarantine, and vigilantes.

The cast includes Alexandra Daddario, Jenna Ortega, and Demi Moore.

In all fairness, do we want to watch a movie this close to home? People need to learn how to be a cause over any pandemic. The answers are here: Stay Well.

Wander Darkly

“Wander Darkly” Genuine and Daring Relationship Revisited

drama, thriller, , , , , , , , , ,
Wander Darkly

Written and directed by Tara Miele, Wander Darkly follows new parents Adrienne and Matteo, played by Sienna Miller and Diego Luna.

They’re forced to reckon with trauma amidst their troubled relationship. They must revisit the memories of their past and unravel haunting truths in order to face their uncertain future.

A traumatic accident leaves a couple in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments. By reliving fond recollections from the beginning of their romance while also navigating the overwhelming truths of their present, they must rediscover the love that truly binds them together.

The film looks like a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past to face their uncertain future.

The rest of the cast includes Beth Grant, Vanessa Bayer, Brett Rice, Aimee Carrero, Tory Kittles, James Landry Hébert, Dan Gill, Ethan Cohn, and Lamont Thompson.

News of the World

“News of the World” Tremendous Story, Unconditional Friendship

adventure, based on a book, drama,
News of the World

Directed by Paul Greengrass, News of the World follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, played by Tom Hanks. It’s five years after the end of the Civil War, and he is a veteran of three wars, now moves from town to town as a non-fiction storyteller, sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and gripping adventures from the far reaches of the globe.

In the plains of Texas, he crosses paths with Johanna, played by Helena Zengel, a 10-year-old taken in by the Kiowa people six years earlier and raised as one of their own. Johanna, hostile to a world she’s never experienced, is being returned to her biological aunt and uncle against her will.

Kidd agrees to deliver the child where the law says she belongs. As they travel hundreds of miles into the unforgiving wilderness, the two will face tremendous challenges of human and natural forces as they search for a place they can call home.

Greengrass co-wrote the screenplay with Luke Davies based on the National Book Award finalist and best-selling novel by Paulette Jiles. The film’s music is by eight-time Academy Award® nominee James Newton Howard.

Iron Mask

Liberal Perspective of the Classic “Iron Mask”

action, adventure, drama, fantasy, , , , , , , , ,
Iron Mask

Directed by Oleg Stepchenko, for the first time, screen legends Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan face off against each other in battle in this epic fantasy adventure, Iron Mask.

To save his homeland from certain doom, a kung fu master, played by Chan, must escape from the maniacal James Hook, played by Schwarzenegger, to send his daughter a secret talisman that will allow her to control a massive and mythical dragon.

This larger-than-life, globe-trotting tale – ranging from the impenetrable Tower of London to the fabled Silk Road and China’s Great Wall – also stars Rutger Hauer in one of the screen icon’s final performances.

The rest of the talented cast includes Jason Flemyng, Yao Xingtong, Anna Churina, Yuri Kolokolnikov, Martin Klebba, Charles Dance, and Christopher Fairbank.