Anyanwu Reviews

Oppenheimer (I) (2023)

This film is a masterpiece of cinematic art.

[10/10 · 13 August 2023]

This is a great work of cinema. The through line is the walking on the sides of the moral line that Nolan projects in the film. What one needs to know before going to see this film is born in the title. This film is about the internal anguish, at times, Oppy, himself is not sure of. It's about a man who has the power but waivers about his conviction of the exertion of that power. This is a power he believes he must exert. His power is like Sophie's Choice. He has to choose one or the other and either decision provides both good and evil outcomes. There are winners and losers. Humanity wins and loses at the same time. I think writer/producer/director Nolan puts this across very succinctly. Technically the audio visual choices are superior. The sound editing and score gives you the feeling of a snowball rolling down a hill. It doesn't let up. Just goes faster and gets larger as it keeps going Down.

Babylon (I) (2022)

Forget that It wasn't huge in the theater.

[8/10 · 18 June 2023]

Forget what you heard. This film reminds me of A Dirty Shame by John Waters. Hilariously over the top. The movies needed a film like this. Big loud and funnily sexy. Olivia Hamilton is great as Ruth Adler the female director. There's a helluva lot to look at and hear in this film, especially if you're into film and listen and look closely. Watch it. The film drops a lot of lines that pertain to other films, film stars and the high society of the time. It's fascinating the correlations of the characters in the film to their real life actors of the time. The New York Times has a great article of the period referencing the book Hollywood Babylon.

Emergency (2022)

Do Not Believe any hype about this film.

[3/10 · 30 May 2022]

I don't care what Rotten Tomatoes or Sundance said. This is not a good movie. It tries to stay within the realm of reality but the decisions made here are just, just not believable within the context of who the characters were supposed to be. This kids are supposed to be in college, I guess. One of them is supposed to be going to Princeton. He's working toward a ph.d. One guy allows one person to persuade him not to do what he very well knows he should do. It's just not believable. The premise is serious yet the principle characters deal with petty issues that totally gloss over the seriousness of the predicament. They deal with their own personal insecurities about identity and worth but it just doesn't fit the tenor of the film. The film attempts to be funny in a Kumar and Harold go to White Castle sort of way. It's not that funny. No way close. The character, an young Black man from African and the other a young Black man from the U. S. is not lost in the makeup of the characters of this film and the context of the situation. This was not addressed in terms of the differences that are said to be had between an African from the continent versus and African from the U. S. as they relate to law enforcement and racism in general in this country. The film has a good idea but totally has to be reworked script wise and edit wise and direction. It's just not that good.

Y: The Last Man (2021)

Really the book is just a little better, but not by much.

[3/10 · 25 September 2021]

I'm writing this out of frustration. I did not really hold much promise when I saw that this was coming to the screen. We're 4 episodes in and it's overwhelmingly as bad as the book but just a little worse. The premise is really interesting. It's what drew me to the book, sometime after it was really pushed out to the public. The issue: Y. While reading the book, "graphic novel" I most often skipped past the parts with Y. He's too immature, silly and really slows down the overall story. The character in the film version is worse. Bottom line: I can't stand the guy. I say kill him and deal with the consequences.

Predestination (I) (2014)

Yes, it is really good.

[8/10 · 29 August 2021]

Brilliantly creative. Snook and Hawke are excellent. The Speirig Brothers are extremely talented writers and directors.

The Thing from Another World (1951)

Great Story but doesn't reach a high scary/horror level

[6/10 · 24 October 2020]

The Original The Thing has a great story. The tension does ratchet up in the last few minutes of the film. The issue is that the horror story involves a love story that throws the scary off. The direction of the actors is weird. All of the characters seem to have a cavalier perspective of the terror of the new invader. Even after the first encounter everyone seems to be pretty chill. They just listen to the encounter while frozen boy is up on the loose. Jokes keep coming through out the film with creature running amuck. It's worth watching because it is the predecessor to one of the great horror films of all time, John Carpenter's film of the same name. What Carpenter does is ratchet up the tension and suspense. Superior physical special effects up the scary weird ante. Worthy of watching because the Hawkes story is solid. The premise is great. Enough to keep coming to it in film two more times. Watch it.

Sweetheart (I) (2019)

Not bad for a simple horror film.

[6/10 · 16 January 2020]

Doesn't follow most of the horror film cliches. Cool to see Kiersey star in a film. Very interested to see how she would carry it. She was great in Dope. Cheap on the hip hop tracks on end credits. Keep it horror throughout. It's not a bad film if not just to see how she deals with The obstacle. It probably could have done without the additional actors. Keep it short and let her find her way out. Monster should not have been revealed until the very end. That would have added to the tension.

12 Pups of Christmas (2019)

If I go this low it's everything including production values.

[2/10 · 25 December 2019]

Agree with everything said here. The snide stuff about the lead character makes sense. The issue with not giving her credit makes sense that she's upset but she gets back at the CEO is high schoolish. If she's upset, and she should be, she should not go on the trip with him unless he resolves that issue fairly. It should be handled like an adult not like a sophomore in high school. Melodramatic music kills me. I know it's a Hallmark type movie but that sappy music kills me. No chemistry between the two leads. Don't shoot from the back of the head in a car. Lazy. It's winter in NY. and no snow. And finally, where are the damn puppies! They are not an integral part of the story, but they should be.

Support the Girls (2018)

Very Dissapointing. Not Funny.

[3/10 · 24 December 2019]

This is a very disappointing considering it's Regina Hall and she seems to be almost always good and in good roles. Why she took this role I don't know. This was disjointed, had technical issues( lower source sound during dialogue). This was a frustrating movie to watch. It was not funny. The whole drama thing in the service industry in this movie just comes off as b.s. It's not like the acting is bad it's just that the writing is not good. it was just boring, and slow. I wouldn't recommend it.

6 Underground (2019)

An action movie for popcorn lovers. This thing is nonstop.

[8/10 · 13 December 2019]

Yeah, it's a Michael Bay movie but it even goes beyond him, you would think. This thing doesn't stop. Yeah, over the top blah blah blah but you want to watch it to see where it goes. It's a movie you watch when you just want to watch a movie and not think a lot. Action personified. It goes beyond normal action. It is really ugly, blood and guts stuff. Really glitzy, really a lot of money poured into production. High end look, locations, everybody looks great. Ryan is as you'd expect him. Stupid crazy editing and set pieces. Current soundtrack with tracks from the charts. I suspect a sequal

Joker (I) (2019)

Joker: Masterfully portrayed by Phoenix

[8/10 · 17 November 2019]

The first and most important issue is that Joaquin Phoenix played the hell out of the role of Joker. His physicality is what struck me most. The way he moved, the little idiosyncrasies. He was all in to the character. The filmmakers really took the time to think through all of Joker's motivation. All of the issues that created him both internally and externally. I was really surprised that social issues were such a strong back drop for Joker's development. Joker will cause conflict with the viewer cause he is a very sympathetic character. The audience wants to support the Joker. The great conflict now comes will that support, as twisted as it is, and some justified really trump the reason, rise and support for the creation of Batman. Right now it seems that support is more for the Joker seeing all that he has gone through. He represents all the poor, abused, the uncared for, forgotten and downtrodden of our society. The invisible people we don't see everyday. Bruce Wayne comes from a place of security and support. Is his tragedy more important, more horrific than the Joker?

Inside Man: Most Wanted (2019)

Terrible movie

[3/10 · 14 November 2019]

Aml's character was stereotypically foolish. Smiling, fast talking it was terrible. With stories and bull as a negotiator. From Denzel to this. Do not, repeat, do not spend your time. No tension, why? Dude's smiling all the time. He pontificates on text book procedures etc. Terrible story. I have to give it a 3 only because production values are high. They spent enough money to make it look slick. But, only redeeming issue is Better call Saul's Rhea Seehorn. Hopefully she'll find better projects. They link back to Denzel's prior Inside Man but that doesn't help. Roxanne McKee maybe a lttle bit too clean as a perp but her no nonsense is believable. on the whole just what the first one.

See You Yesterday (2019)

The Third Act.

[6/10 · 23 May 2019]

This was a really good idea. What stuck out to me was the stereotyped character CJ. Young Smart Black Female Angry Reckless. Why? We know she lost her father. But why anger? I know it's a character trait that's easy to brush on a character but it's too easy. And we see it too often! Where? Amy Belafonte character played by Saniyya Sidney in The Passage series. Judy Robinson character played by Taylor Russell in the Lost in Space series. We've seen this character before. Why not contemplative, thoughtful and just plain smart? Passionate, yes but smart. Which means she thinks and plans for contingencies "for contingencies" and she respects the dilemma, therefore she is not reckless. CJ is angry the whole film. Her few soft moments don't play well cause she's angry all the time so they don't seem realistic. The Third Act. Writing a screenplay is easy. Writing a really good screenplay is really hard. The Third Act here was lazy I'd say. I don't like to bash but it's like they got tired at the end. They didn't really know how to resolve the story so they left it in a revolving door. There were so many simple things that could have been done stop the incident that were obvious. It takes more thought and courage to write a third act that is different and leaves us happy or at least saying that was interesting. Because of CJ character being blindly reckless we're left with her continuing her quest. Her quest has her doing the same thing but expecting a different result. That is called crazy. That makes no sense for a girl who is scientifically "method" smart.

Captive State (2019)

Not a bad watch.

[7/10 · 19 March 2019]

This film was not bad. I'm glad I went. It's worth watching. It has a different perspective on alien invasion. The concept of near future sci-fi is always appealing to me. I was disappointed in our main character, the young kid. The script fails him in portraying him to be smart but he's not. They'd be invaded for, I think, 9 years already. You know they know all your whereabouts and have you under surveillance. That's what the implants are for. The Resistance plot was interesting. Not enough Vera Farmiga though, she's such a great actress. Really like the casting. Worth looking at a different sci-fi film set in the near future with humans plotting the resistance against their captors.

Somewhere in the Middle (2015)

Solid all around film

[8/10 · 23 August 2017]

This was a solid film all around. A cut above the standard relationship films. Solid acting, well photographed. What sets it apart is the nuanced script spoken and non spoken. Also, what was refreshing was the subtle take on the sexual dynamics. Nothing seemed forced. The film shows how relationships and really people's lives can turn on subtle manipulation and the slightest turn in how we deal with each other. I would highly recommend this film if interested in relationship type movies. If this is Chris Webber's first foray into features, making choices, decisions and getting involved with projects like these he will have success.

Detroit (2017)

High mark for exposure.

[8/10 · 21 August 2017]

SPOILER ALERT: Saw the film opening weekend. Had to, I'm from Detroit. Gave it an 8 on IMDb just for exposing the story to the general public. The actor that portrayed Officer David Senak, the main racist officer, may get an academy nomination. My understanding is that he was played close to the real man. He shot 5/6 people during the riot. My understanding is that the guard, Dismukes, played by Boyega actually brutalized some of the teens. He is portrayed as a hero but was the opposite. Those who testified specified that HE tortured THEM, so there is not mistake about that. It was he that was a consultant to the film therefore him coming out as he did, as a hero trying to help, makes sense. The main issue was there was no context of how this came to be. The revolt came as a result of...? No context of the buildup and no context of what happened after regarding the Algiers. There were people's trials, as I understand, at the Shrine of the Black Madonna, where people where packed in to address the situation. So the revolt just shows the audience people stealing etc etc. So no context of the rebellion, the security guard took part in the beatings and did not testify at all. That being said, having been around the film industry, I'm guessing this played out one of two ways. Filmmaker is a women. She wants to make this film about 1967 Detroit. Studios will not give her money to do a complete story as it was, Oscar or not. She's still a female filmmaker. So you do this movie. OR she just wanted to tie in current events with this film and only focus on how things have not changed. Showing... the audience what you see now is no different than what it always has been. DETROIT is how it has been. In cold blood. The Detroit police, was, "the gestapo" and that's what they did. They killed. Bigelow just wanted to focus on the complete racist, and evilness of the Detroit Police specifically Officer Senak and how what he did at the Algiers, killing those teens, is not any different than the police brutality now.

The Dark Tower (2017)

Cool film to watch

[7/10 · 6 August 2017]

SPOILERS I'll be brief. The Dark Tower was a cool film to watch. Not great but interesting enough to keep my attention. Mainly cause Idris Elba is a cool brotha to watch. He's intense, brooding and cool with firearms. I like that he did not joke and played serious the whole time. The kid provided the jokes. Nothing great but fun to watch him use guns and the action stuff. The spoiler is from fault in writing. Kid, if Gunslinger save your life two times you do not go against him. He is whatever he says he is and he is pretty much your god, cause you are alive. That's a fault in the script. Don't see your standard kid questioning a guy who just saved your life twice within a matter of days.

100 Streets (2016)

Sappy but not so much because of the acting-worth a look

[6/10 · 17 June 2017]

Right, so this is a sappy film. But, not cause of the acting in my opinion. Looks at the choices people make and how they deal with the realities that life presents them. The acting is good all around. Idris, Gemma, Franz Drameh and Ryan Gage put in good performances. Yes, it's stereotypical and predictable. The stories do not intersect are separate stories taking place at the same time. What throws it off and makes it sappy is the writing and the score/music. Seeing as Idriss Elba was the music supervisor this is kind of disappointing. I know his music chops are strong but the music made the whole film melodramatic. This is what gives it the syrupy feel. The screenplay is not interesting at all and presents characters in a particular light with little context. It's a good idea for a film, whose story structure has been done before. It lacks more the depth in writing to really draw you deep into the characters whose lives are on edge.

Split (IX) (2016)

Pretty Standard stuff for the most part.

[4/10 · 1 May 2017]

I'm in most of the courts of the people that said this is bad. This was pretty much middle of the road when it comes to this kind of thriller or "horror". Cool idea regarding the disorder stuff. But, this runs with the movies like I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER et al. The way the characters react to surviving and stuff like that. We are much smarter than that and the same old tropes that we see in characters are just annoying. Even down to young girls running around with no bras. So old. We can give it a couple of pts for the last seen just on principle. But as a film I am not in the court that says M. Night is back. But I don't give it a 1 cause the script although with some non plausible concepts was still there.

Chappie (2015)

Not happening

[3/10 · 10 May 2015]

First, we must put it on the table. Chappie is racist using stereotypical affectations of culture to make him cute and cool. He chooses to emulate the speech patterns of someone who wants to do him the most harm. He wears gold chains, moves his body in this "hip", "urban", "black", "street", etc way. It just looks bad. I think the concept of transferring consciousness is really interesting and bodes more exploration. I would have liked it a lot more if the appropriations of Black culture were not used to express Chappie's mode of communication. It's just a very stereotypical method of conveying humanness. It was disappointing.

Unfriended (2014)

Not worth it really

[3/10 · 10 May 2015]

Don't go see this movie until you can see it for free. It wasn't really worth the $1.50 I spent. I was disappointed. If you like or love horror films, and I mean really are into horror this will not fill that itch. It's not scary at all. There is a cool concept of the whole film shot on social media, that's a cool concept but there is very very little tension, it's not very subtle or anything. Just plain not scary. If you're into things that are REALLY HIGH SCHOOL AND TEEN BULLYING then have a go. I heard these guys on npr say that the movie works. I now have a great evaluation of the critics on that show. Not good. It's more comical than anything. I had to go see Run All Night to erase this movie's taste from my mind.

The Babadook (2014)

Well done but really not scary.

[5/10 · 11 December 2014]

It's been awhile since I've posted a review so I hope this helps. I did not come away from this film feeling haunted. A strong, mind that I did not say great, film leaves me with a feeling of dread even after the film. It really has to make me feel uneasy while watching and keeps my eyes glued to the screen. Lucky McGee's The Woman did that. The Babadook did not. It was well done in the sense that it sets the mood for bad things to happen but it did not push through all the way toward terror and dread. Jennifer Kent did a great job in her first film both in writing and direction. I would say Andres Muschietti's Mama had a stronger feel for horror. I'm not a fan of the stereotypical woman who is generally weak in the face of major horrific issues whether they be internal or external. And this may be My problem. One, a soft female protagonist and Two, the origin of the evil force. I went on the statement put out by William Friedkin that this was a great horror film. Friedkin's endorsement was the impetus since I rank The Exorcist as the greatest horror film of all time. Alien is next. Both have smart, strong female characters that face an evil that is external to their understanding of reality. So The Babadook scores low for me there. My criticism is probably more a result of my preference than what the film really delivers to a general audience. I cannot see why anyone would give it one or two stars. I think you have to have a bad looking film for that. But, I thought the mood that Kent sets was great it just didn't send me over into that dreaded feeling. And I surely didn't think about it once the film was over.

A Haunting in Georgia (2002 TV Movie)

Bad re-enactment

[2/10 · 1 October 2014]

This is a bad film. We know we have re-enactments and the real people who experience this as talking heads. But, what the film does is repeat scenes to extend the length of the film so to get sold or something. They just show the scenes over to take the place of actual filming. The film follows reality shows like Ghost Adventures to show actual paranormal phenomena. The filmmakers use re-enactments to show the audience what happened to the family at that time. By using what seems to be the actual people the story comes off as weak. The cut aways to lightning and clouds moving fast just emphasizes the cheapness that this movie was made. It seems to have been made in the '80s but finally edited and put together and sold/released in 2002. Someone must have forgotten about this film, remembered it then put it together. This is a cheat. Don't watch it unless it's free.

Black Coffee (I) (2014)

Bad movie.

[3/10 · 9 August 2014]

This was a bad movie. In the bookstore the camera rarely moved. The same establishing shot showing the door was used each time. That says the filmmaker was lazy. Same thing for every scene that takes place where the cousin was selling coffee. The scenes were long and talkie and they weren't funny or poignant. SO MUCH talking. Basic tenet in film is, "show me, don't tell me." This was a high school film done with a better camera. It's telling when the editor is not listed on the IMDb page. The pacing coupled with the unnecessary long dialogue scenes just made it excruciating to watch. The writing for the characters was atrocious. In the 21st century a Black female confident in her abilities entrepreneur lawyer is going to let some man cock block her life? Not buying it. And our painter has to move in on the lawyer on the pick up mode from jump. Beautiful woman discount indeed. Clichéd and stereotypical. The soundtrack was sappy and not happening. Just a bad film all the way around.

Godzilla (2014)

We want Godzilla, not sappy emotional reunions

[5/10 · 3 June 2014]

I'm going to give this a 5 because it's Godzilla. He is the greatest monster in movies of all time. I love how he states this in the movie. It' a like he does a most muscular pose in making his point.

The main problem, and there were many, was that there just wasn't enough of him. We don't want to see sappy family reunions, we want to see the baddest monster of all time. He is the god of monsters and it's him we want to see. Ken Watanabe stands around the whole movie looking stunned and amazed. He was never proactive yet he has the most info on the monsters of anyone in the film. And the whole thing about the military firing guns. It's like they have no idea what they're up against, as if guns will help. That's just a leap of logic in 2014. If you know a weapon has no use, the military in that context is impotent, so more intelligent and creative methods should have been shown to initiate military operations.The whole family sappy film stuff is just too much. When did I feel the most emotion, not when the family got reunited I'll tell you that. I teared up a little at the other moment. If you like Godzilla you'll know when. The movie was 30 minutes too long.