Beautifully shot, with exceptional music and a really interesting story. Sustained a mood throughout that was very reminiscent of Lynch and Hitchcock.
Reviews
4 Reviews
What Happened, Miss Simone?
(2015)
Essential Viewing.
10 June 2020
"How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?"
Miss Simone's words and they resonate more profoundly then ever.
The documentary was meaningful and sad and beautiful and tragic and 100% necessary.
There's a point in the film where someone close to her says that everyone has the same experience when they hear Nina Simone for the first time. When you hear her the second time, you know exactly who it is. (paraphrased)
This documentary has been in my watchlist for over a year, and I knew it was going to be emotional... but now, more than ever, seemed like the perfect time to take it in and learn more about her life. And in doing so, you come to understand that she lived a life that had so much purpose and intent.
Of all the interviews in the movie, I found the ones with Malcom X's daughter, Attallah Shabazz to be the most interesting: "Are we allowed to be exactly who we are? Was Nine Simone allowed to be exactly who she was? As fragile as she was strong, as vulnerable as she was dynamic, she was African royalty. How does royalty stomp around in the mud and still walk with grace? Most people are afraid to be as honest as she lived."
The documentary was meaningful and sad and beautiful and tragic and 100% necessary.
There's a point in the film where someone close to her says that everyone has the same experience when they hear Nina Simone for the first time. When you hear her the second time, you know exactly who it is. (paraphrased)
This documentary has been in my watchlist for over a year, and I knew it was going to be emotional... but now, more than ever, seemed like the perfect time to take it in and learn more about her life. And in doing so, you come to understand that she lived a life that had so much purpose and intent.
Of all the interviews in the movie, I found the ones with Malcom X's daughter, Attallah Shabazz to be the most interesting: "Are we allowed to be exactly who we are? Was Nine Simone allowed to be exactly who she was? As fragile as she was strong, as vulnerable as she was dynamic, she was African royalty. How does royalty stomp around in the mud and still walk with grace? Most people are afraid to be as honest as she lived."
El taaib
(2012)
Solid Work
19 May 2020
Not sure why this doesn't have a better overall rating. The story is meaningful and all the actors responsible for executing it are above average to exceptional. A solemn dramatic slice of life from a part of the world that is largely underrepresented. Definitely worth the watch.
Haywire
(2011)
Much Better Than Expected
13 May 2020
This was a film that had it flaws but Carano was not one of them. First time I've seen her in a film and it's a shame we didn't see more of her in the years that followed. The story jumps back and forth in time, to the point of distraction at times, but Carano is solid throughout. There is only one sequence I didn't like, in terms of the action sequences. In every other, she is looks every bit the bad ass Soderbergh thought she was going to be. She's attractive, very convincing physically, and most important, likeable. I only wish the script had been a little better... and it's a shame because the entire cast is stellar and Carano's performance specifically, is worth the price of admission alone. Definitely worthy of a viewing, and definitely worthy of more attention than it was given.
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