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Showing posts from April, 2023

Film Review: Victim/Suspect

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Victim/Suspect Center for Investigative Reporting Studios, Motto Pictures Netflix Release dates January 23, 2023 (Sundance) May 19, 2023 My Rating 7/10 #whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 66% #whatonwhatsgood Express Review Rachel de Leon, a journalist, looks into multiple cases where young women are charged by police for making false rape accusations even though they were being truthful. Overall, Victim/Suspect is worth a watch.  According to de Leon's research, there are more than 200 cases in which women face charges of false reporting after coming forward.  Description On her first solo investigation, journalist Rae de Leon travels nationwide to uncover a shocking pattern: Young women tell the police they’ve been sexually assaulted, but instead of finding justice, they’re charged with the crime of making a false report, arrested, and even imprisoned by the system they believed would protect them. Directed by Nancy Schwartzman Produced by Nancy Schwartzman, Rachel de Leon,

TV Series Review: Working: What We Do All Day

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Working: What We Do All Day A Higher Ground and Concordia Studio Production Netflix Release date May 17th, 2023  #whatonwhatsgood Express Review Working: What We Do All Day is a four-part docuseries.  President Barack Obama goes around and meets individuals from three different sectors (hospitality, home care, and tech).   In the first episode, for example, we meet Elba (housekeeper at New York’s Pierre Hotel), Randi (a home care aide in Mississippi), and Carmen (delivery driver for Uber Eats in Pittsburgh).  We get to see what they do on a typical day.  Do they have any challenges? The next episodes focus on The Middle Class, Dream Jobs, and being the boss.   Overall, it's quite an entertaining show.   The documentary focuses on how people struggle with making ends meet depending on the job they have.  It also discusses how you can possibly get to the next level. Description What brings you joy in work? What gives you purpose? What makes a good job…good? These are the questions

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Color Force, Good Universe, Scholastic Entertainment Lionsgate Release date November 17, 2023 Description Synopsis: Experience the story of THE HUNGER GAMES — 64 years before Katniss Everdeen volunteered as tribute, and decades before Coriolanus Snow became the tyrannical President of Panem. THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow set

Next Goal Wins

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Next Goal Wins Searchlight Pictures, Imaginarium Productions, Defender Films, Garrett Basch Production Searchlight Pictures Release dates 10 September 2023 (TIFF) 17 November 2023 (United States) Running time 103 minutes Description Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok) and based on a true story, NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy. Screenplay by  Taika Waititi & Iain Morris Starring Michael Fassbender as Thomas Rongen Oscar Kightley as Tavita Uli Latukefu as Nicky Salapu Kaimana as Jaiyah Saelua Elisabeth Moss as Gail Beulah Koale as Daru Taumua Rachel House as Ruth David Fane as Ace Chris Alosio as Jonah Ioane Goodhue as Smiley Will Arnett as Alex Magnuss

TV Series Review: Missing: Dead or Alive?

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Missing: Dead or Alive? Blast Films Netflix #whatonwhatsgood Express Review Missing: Dead or Alive? follows a female-led missing persons unit as they work on cases from 2019 to 2021.  The missing person cases included Lorraine Garcia, Amirah Watson, David Taylor, and Sierra Stevens. Overall, the show is decent. It felt a bit staged at times.  It wasn't my favourite true crime series of the year, but it's worth watching if you need something to watch. Description Follow officers from a South Carolina sheriff’s department as they urgently search for individuals who've disappeared under troubling circumstances. Release date  May 10, 2023 Directed by  Alex Irvine-Cox Executive Producer  Graeme McAulay Co-Executive Producer  Stuart Froude Producer  Meghan Just-Truelove Episodes  4x45-min episodes Season 1 Episode #1.1  S1, Ep1 10 May 2023 My Rating 6/10 #whatonwhatsgood Rating 65% Episode #1.2 S1, Ep2 10 May 2023 My Rating 6/10 #whatonwhatsgood Rating 68% Episode #1.3 S1, Ep3

A Haunting in Venice

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A Haunting in Venice Genre Films, Mark Gordon Pictures, Scott Free Productions 20th Century Studios Release date September 15, 2023 Description Hercule Poirot, now retired, must solve the murder of a guest at a séance he attended Directed by Kenneth Branagh Screenplay by Michael Green Based on Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie Produced by Ridley Scott, Kenneth Branagh, Judy Hofflund and Kevin J. Walsh Starring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot Kyle Allen as Maxime Gerard Camille Cottin as Olga Seminoff Jamie Dornan as Leopold Ferrier's father Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver Jude Hill as Leopold Ferrier Ali Khan as Nicholas Holland Emma Laird as Desdemona Holland Kelly Reilly as Rowena Drake Riccardo Scamarcio as Vitale Portfoglio Michelle Yeoh as Joyce Reynolds Cinematography Haris Zambarloukos Edited by Lucy Donaldson Music by Hildur Guðnadóttir

TV Series Review: FUBAR

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FUBAR Blackjack Films, Skydance Television Netflix Description A CIA Operative on the verge of retirement discovers a family secret. Forced to go back into the field for one last job, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, action, and humor. Nick Santora serves as Showrunner and Executive Producer with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Star and Executive Producer. FUBAR is also Executive Produced by Adam Higgs, Scott Sullivan, Holly Dale, and Bill Bost with Skydance’s David Ellison and Dana Goldberg. Release date May 25, 2023 Genre Action comedy, Comedy-drama Created by Nick Santora (L-R) Fortune Feimster, Gabriel Luna, Travis Van, Monica Barbaro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Milan Carter, Fabiana Udenio, and Aparna Brielle attend the Netflix premiere of ''FUBAR'' on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner Monica Barbaro as Emma Brunner Milan Carter as Barry Gabriel Luna as Boro Pol

Film Review: Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me

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Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me Propagate, Volition Entertainment Netflix #whatonwhatsgood Express Review Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me tells the story of Anna Nicole Smith.  Anna was born Vickie Lynn Hogan.  In the docufilm, we learn how she became a Playboy Playmate, a Guess Jeans pinup girl, a reality star, and a movie star.  but...we also learn about her misfortunes. Anna told a lot of stories...but which one's were true?   There's an interview near the end of her life, where she claims that her mother abused and sexually assaulted her.  Was this true?  In this documentary, we learn that Anna took this story from her best friend during Anna’s stripper days in Houston.  It's a decent film but it makes you wonder did we really know the true story of Anna Nicole Smith?!? She died at the young age of 39.  Description From director Ursula Macfarlane (Untouchable) and producer Alexandra Lacey comes an unflinching and humanizing examination of the life, death

Film Review: To Catch a Killer

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To Catch a Killer FilmNation Entertainment, RainMaker Films Vertical Entertainment Release date April 21, 2023 My Rating 7/10 #whatonwhatsgood Rating 72% #whatonwhatsgood Express Review In 'To Catch a Killer', 29 people are shot and killed on New Year's by a sniper.  Special agent Geoffrey Lammark (Ben Mendelsohn) recruits a young police investigator Eleanor Falco (Shailene Woodley) to help profile an unstable serial killer.  She is also joined by McKenzie (Jovan Adepo).  Eleanor has a history of addiction and has failed at joining the FBI...but Geoffrey Lammark has a good feeling about her. Overall, "To Catch a Killer" is a decent movie.  The opening sequence is quite good.  The mass murderer is a madman rather than a terrorist which I guess is a bit different than your usual action/crime/drama films.  The actual identity of the killer is kept secret until the end of the film making you wonder who is doing these killings.  It's definitely worth a watch. D

TV Series Review: Muted

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Muted Alea Media Netflix #whatonwhatgood Express Review Muted (El Silencio) is a crime-mystery-drama series. It follows Sergio Ciscar who murdered his parents and was incarcerated for 6 years.  Since then, he hasn't said a word. Once he leaves jail, the authorities still want to keep an eye on him.  They want to know if he is a danger to society and why he murdered his parents.  Will they figure out what really happened? Overall, it was a decent story.  If you need something to binge, 'Muted' is an interesting watch. Description Sergio Ciscar is released from prison 6 years after having killed his parents when he was still underaged. During that time, Sergio hasn’t said a word nor has collaborated with the justice system, so the motivations for the crime and the intentions he has by now are a mystery. Ana Dussel, a young psychiatrist, and her team are in charge of determining his potential danger to society by secretly watching him day and night as if he was an animal. Re

Fool's Paradise

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Fool's Paradise Armory Films, Wrigley Pictures Roadside Attractions Release date May 12, 2023 Description A satirical comedy about a down-on-his-luck publicist (Jeong) who discovers a recently released mental health patient (Day) who looks just like a misbehaving movie star. The publicist subs him into a film, creating a new star. But fame and fortune are not all they are cracked up to be. Directed by Charlie Day Written by Charlie Day Produced by John Rickard, Chris Lemole, Tim Zajaros and Alex Saks Starring Charlie Day as Latte Pronto Ken Jeong as Lenny The Publicist Ray Liotta as The Producer Kate Beckinsale as Christiana Dior Adrien Brody as Chad Luxt Common as The Dagger Jason Sudeikis as Lex Tanner Edie Falco as The Fool’s Agent John Malkovich as Ed Cote Jillian Bell as Shaman Alanna Ubach Travis Fimmel Dean Norris as Studio Head Edy Ganem Katherine McNamara Mary Elizabeth Ellis Glenn Howerton Jason Bateman as SPFX Tech Jimmi Simpson as Talk Show Host Cinematograph

Secret Invasion

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Secret Invasion Marvel Studios Disney+ Release date Live-action, original series premiering June 21 on Disney+ Description In Marvel Studios’ new series “Secret Invasion,” set in the present-day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill, and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity. Genre Action-adventure, Spy thriller, Superhero Created by Kyle Bradstreet Based on Secret Invasion by Brian Michael Bendis, Leinil Francis Yu Starring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury Ben Mendelsohn as Talos Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill Kingsley Ben-Adir as Gravik Emilia Clarke as G'iah Olivia Colman as Sonya Falsworth Don Cheadle as James "Rhodey" Rhodes Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross Dermot Mulroney as United States President Ritson Killian Scott  Christopher McDon