admin, Author at Unspool Hollywood

DESTINED

DESTINED: Film Review

By Yevette Renee

2019
Director: Qasim Basir
Screenwriter: Qasim Basir
Cast: Cory Hardrict, Hill Harper, Jesse Metcalfe, Zulay Henao, Jason Dohring, La Anthony
Genre: Drama

Your Choices Will Determine Your Destiny

Writer and Director, Qasim Basir’s drama DESTINED travels the two parallel life of Rasheed/Sheed (Cory Hardrict) as he navigates through the inner city and corporate boardrooms.

Set in Detroit and filmed in the Motor City, the film provides an ideal backdrop to the violent and gritty life on the streets for Sheed, as he hustles his way to the top in the drug world and becomes a kingpin and for Rasheed, working as an architect in the city that gave us motor vehicle, wit6h his professional hustles up the corporate ladder.

Alternating back and forth between the two distinctly different stories can sometime be a challenge to keep up with, yet Basir does make an effort to provides assistance with understated changeovers as Rasheed pursues his goal of corporate dominance with a project that will have a major impact on the people he knows that still live in the hood and call it home and Sheed’s life on the street.

In addition to the great dual performances by Hardrict, you have Officer Holder/Dylan Holder (Jesse Metcalf), Officer Miller/Nathan Miller (Jason Dohring, who two characters add to the intrigue that is woven between Sheed and Rasheed’s world. Mayor Jones (Hill Harper) gives voice to the community that will be impacted by the gentrification of the projects being pursued by Rasheed. The issue of gentrification plagues far too many communities in America. Most of the people effected in these communities are the most vulnerable population who are unable to afford the cost of living in a place the called home. Giselle Porter, a girlfriend from the past (Zulay Henao) brings further drama.

Watching the lives of Sheed, an successful drug dealer and Rasheed, an equally successful architect, brings to mind a number of former drug dealers that have used their innate understanding of running a business that includes marketing strategies developed on the streets slinging dope, who have transferred their important skill set to lawful and very lucrative careers in entertainment. It makes me wonder how many more young men, given the opportunity, could transfer their skills learned on the street for good causes. It is certainly something worth thinking about.

DESTINED is a unique perspective on how the decisions we make in life, especially in our youth, can determine the path that is before us. A good film to see.

Runtime: 95 minutes

Production Companies: Confluential Films, Whitewater Films, Q Productions
Distributor: XLrator Media
Director/screenwriter: Qasim Basir
Producers: Tommy Oliver, Rick Rosenthal, Matt Ratner, Codie Elaine Oliver
Cast: Cory Hardrict, Jesse Metcalfe, Robert Christopher Riley, Margot Bingham, La La Anthony, Hill Harper, Jason Dorhing, Zulay Henao
Director of photography: Carmen Cabana
Production designer: Deirdre Elizabeth Govan
Editor: Rene Besson
Costume designers: June Abro, Lauren Waterstone
Composer: John Jennings Boyd

TAZZEKA

TAZZEKA: Film Review

By Yevette Renee

2018

Director: Jean-Philippe Gaud
Writer: Jean-Philippe Gaud , in collaboration with Mariannick bellot
Cast: Mandi Belem, Quidad Elma, Abbes Zahmani, Oliver Sitruk, Adama Diop, Khadija Bouzekri
Language: Arabic/French with English subtitles

A Person’s Passion and Motivation Can Propel Them Through Obstacles

With a passion for cooking that was nurtured in a way that only a grandmother can, Elia (Mahdi Belemih) dreams of going beyond the boundaries of his rural village of Tazzeka in Morocco, where he was raised by his grandmother (Khadija Bouzekri),in Director Jean-Philippe Gaud’s first feature film Tazzeka and that is his second film in 16-years.

While working in a local Tazzekan restaurant owned by Youssef (Abbes Zahmani), Elia dreams of going to Paris to further his cooking desires because the small village provides little opportunity to further his culinary ed ucation, especially considering Youssef’s strict authenticity to his already established menu.

Raised by his grandmother, multi-generational family unit that is a common practice. Elia meets Salma (Quidad Elam) who lives in Paris and is visiting her family in Tazzeka.

His grandmother’s fear and her total disapproval of Elia’s going to Paris are potent emotions that hang over Elias as he struggles with his desire to go to Paris.

Director Gaud does a great job portraying the hardship and struggles of immigrants.
It reminds one of the challenges that immigrants face around the world, where people like Elias seek better chances of bettering his economic status.

Writer Mariannick Bellot provides the cast with realistic discourse.

Film comparison to relevant events or movie: As it stands in the United States, under the current administration, just as in the film, it is extremely hard for immigrants to migrate to other country, seeking better opportunities and valuable education. You see so much of what’s going on today in the lives of Elias and others.

Location is well chosen filmed in Tazzeka, Morocco in Africa. The setting it add or subtract from my experience?

The original sound track by Simon Minoun and Chadi Chouman provides added suspense .

Tazzeka is a good film.

Conclusion (Tie back to the thesis, Give guidance to the audience to see or not see the movie)

Run time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Director: Jean-Philippe Gaud
Producer: Jean-Philippe Gaud, Avelle Hutchings
Production Co.: Takka Films
Cast: Modhi, Quidad Elman, Oliver Sitruk, Abbes Zahmani, Adama Diop, Khadija Bouzekri
Writer: Mariannic Bellot, collaboration with Jean-Philippe Gaud
Photographer: Rѐmi Mazet
Editor: Chadi Chouman, Simon Mimou n
Art: Elodie Martin
Set Decorator: Elodie Martin
Sound: Bruno Ehlinger
Visual Effect: Benjamin Ganteille
Original Score: Simon Minoun, Chadi Chouman

LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE

MV5BYzZlODlkNjMtMTdkYS00MDE1LTkxYTgtMTViNzMwMmEyMDI3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjU5MTUwNjY@._V1_SY1000_CR0,0,666,1000_AL_

LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE: Film Review
By Yevette Renee

3/5

2018
Director: Damon Jamel
Writer: James Flournoy, George McDonald
Cast: Cisco Reyes, Jasmine Burke,
Genre: Drama
Language: English

Be Careful About the Advice You Give, You Never Know Who’s Listening

Committed to his DJ at a local Atlanta radio station, Tony Sinclair (Cisco Reyes) strives to build on his career in director Damon Jamel’s Last Night A DJ Saved My Life.

Opening the phone lines to his audience for a call-in, Tony is asked for relationship advice for a female caller. His advice to Robin (Jasmine Burke), “If it’s not working, then leave.” When you are a DJ you never know who’s listening and to his surprise his girlfriend Christine calls in and breaks up with him in the most humiliating way possible.

People often stay in relationships longer than they should. It shows the importance of having your partner’s support your aspirations and goals. Robin is not the only one who takes this advice to heart. A fantastic job taking the title of a song and creating a story line that is true to form to the title. The fame and success he craves as a DJ in Atlanta.

The challenges relationships face when not in agreement with goals and aspirations. Frustration of supporting a boyfriend financially while he pursues his career as a DJ. A career that he is struggling and determined to achieve.

Damon does a fantastic job taking the title of the song and a story line that is true to its inspirational title, because Tony truly does save Robin’s life.

Filmed on location in the Hollywood of the South, Atlanta, GA and add in all the musical talent in the region, you get to listen to some great music. An enjoyable film with great music.

Run time:
Distributor:
Producer: James Flournoy, Frank P. Williams, Tangi Miller
Production Co: In Your Face Filmworks, Star Maxx MediaWriter: James Flournoy, George McDonald
Cast: Cisco Reyes, Jaѐ, Jasmine Burke, Dennis LA White, Omar Gooding, Tangi Miller, Angie Stone, Law X,
Director: Damon Jamal
Writer: Jeffrey T. Brown
Editor: Law X
Sound: J.L. Bolden

WHILE I HOPE, I BREATHE: BAKARI SELLERS

Film Review: WHILE I HOPE, I BREATH: BAKARI SELLER
By Yevette Renee Nelson

August 2019

Director:          Emily L. Harrod
Cast:                Bakari Sellers, Cleveland Sellers, Ellen Rucker Sellers, Gwen Williamson Sellers|
Genre:             Documentary
Language:       English

Age is literally just a number when it comes to the political rise of Bakari Sellers who connects with the residents of South Carolina to win election at 22 years of age.

Director Emily Harrod’s documentary, “While I Hope, I Breath” trails Bakari Sellers. A young, gifted and black man, who became the youngest politician ever elected to a statewide office in South Carolina, after defeating his rival, a 26-year incumbent. He went on to represent the 90^th district in South Carolina’s state legislature. He vacated his seat to run for Lt. Governor in 2014 and lost to Republican challenger McMaster. He went on to become the First Vice Chairman of the state’s democratic party.

Prior to getting into politics, he graduated from Morehouse, a historically black, all male private liberal arts college in Atlanta, Ga and received his law degree from

Homage is paid to the 50^th Anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre at the annual Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial, named after the three black male protesters who were killed by South Carolina highway patrol officers in February 1968 at South Carolina State. An additional 2 dozen people were also injured including Bakari’s father Cleveland Seller, a professor and civil rights activist.

The violence perpetrated on the black community of South Carolina was brought full circle when Sellers acknowledged his good friend, and fellow state congressman Clementa C. Pinckney and eight others were murdered during bible study at the Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church in 2015.

A documentary that gives an open and honest look at Bakari Sellers young life, including his videotaped DUI stop that was leaked.

The documentary is a great way to get his story out, on his own terms. It is apparent as he is getting his story during his meet and greets with supporters and potential voters, that his strong support with African American women is largely responsible for his elections victories. The support of African American women in the 2020 election will also determine who wins the presidential elections.

You know you are in good company when President Barack Obama gives strong words of support. Obama refers to Sellers as “up-and-coming” with an impressive political future, not only behind him, but ahead of him too.

Run time:                    72 minutes
Cast:                            Bakari Sellers, Cleveland Sellers, Ellen Rucker Sellers, Gwen Williamson
Sellers|
Director:                      Emily L. Harrod
Executive Producer:    Marco Williams, Jedd Canty, Charlamagne tha God, Karen Kinney
Producer:                     Emily Harrold, Diane Robertson, Lauren Franklin, Xuan Vu
Production Co:            Lynwood Pictures
Cinematography:        Alexander J. Hufschmd, Kyle I Kelley, Kelly Creedon
Editor:                         Xuan Vu
Music:                         Eric Andrew Kuhn
Sound:                         Michael Jones

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

Beale Street Movie Review

BEAUTIFUL BOY

Movie Review: BEAUTIFUL BOY
By Yevette Renee

October 11, 2018

Director: Felix Van Groeningen
Screenwriters: Luke Davies, Felix Van Groeningen
Cast: Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney, Amy Ryan
Genre: Drama

When The Unconditional Love and Support of a Father is Not Enough

Director Felix Van Groeningen’s first English language film “Beautiful Boy” brings to the screen the love and struggles in David Sheff’s memoir Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction and Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by his son Nic Sheff.

David Sheff (Steve Carell) had a strong male presence in his son, Nic’s (Timothée Chalamet ) life and was his primary custodial parent, yet even with unwavering guidance and economic security, it still was not enough to prevent Nic from succumbing drugs and alcohol which leads to his downward spiral and the vicious cycle of overcoming his drug and alcohol dependency.

People will often say “It’s my life and I can do as I please.” We are all aware of a person’s freedom of choice, yet what they fail to realize is that they are not suffering through it alone. As evident in the pain experienced by David, every day as he makes it his mission to learn and help his son, his wife Karen Barbour (Maura Tierney) as she does all she can to keep her family together, and their two kids Jasper (Christian Convey) and Daisy (Oakley Bull) who have to deal with their big brother no longer being present for family activities and the conversations that must be had because of Nic resorting to theft to feed his addition..

Beautiful Boy gives us a glimpse into the lives of those who struggle with a family member with a drug addictions while at the same time

Release date

September 7, 2018 (TIFF)

October 12, 2018 (United States)

Opens: October 12, 2018

Runtime: 120 minutes
Production Company: Plan B Entertainment, Big Indie Pictures
Cast: Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney, Amy Ryan
Director: Felix Van Groeningen
Screenwriters: Luke Davies, Felix Van Groeningen
Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Brad Pitt
Executive Producer: Sarah Esberg, Nan Morales
Based on Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff
Cinematography: Ruben Impens
Production designer: Ethan Tobman
Costume Designer: Emma Potter
Art Director: Patrick M. Sullivan Jr.
Set Decorator Jennifer Lukehart
Editor: Nico Leunen
Casting Director: Francine Maisler
Distributed by Amazon Studios