Tag: Romance
Bloodline: Season 1 (Netflix)
NOTE: This review contains MILD spoilers for the first season of Bloodline (Netflix).
Blackmail, drugs, lies, and more…. it’s ALL in the family! Who CAN’T relate to family drama? We know that parents can play favorites, we have roles w/in our families, and some have a harder time than others as adults (though raised in the same environment). Can we let go of long-held grudges? How far would we go to protect what we built?
I began watching this show w/o any prior knowledge, so had no expectations. I saw one ad and knew that the parents were being played by GREAT actors (Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard). I ended up getting REALLY into it after the first 3 eps (it’s NOT for the impatient viewer), and watched all 13 eps in one week. (Season 2 will be out in 2016.)
The tight-knit Rayburn family, headed by Sally (Spacek) and Robert (Shepard- still trim and striking at age 70), are respected/well-liked members of the community in a small beach town in the Florida Keys. They run a lovely inn that is their pride and joy, aside from their grown children. The second oldest son, John (Kyle Chandler- huskier than before but still handsome), is the sheriff w/ gorgeous wife Diana (Australian actress Jacinda Barrett) and two adorable teens (a boy and girl). Another son, Kevin (noted Broadway actor Norbert Leo Butz), is fiercely protective of the little marina that he runs and deeply in love w/ his wife Bonnie. The baby of the family is the also the only girl, Meg (Linda Cardellini from ER fame- looking better w/ age), a lawyer who helps her parents with their business. Meg’s long-time boyfriend is Marco (Enrique Murciano from Without a Trace), a tall/handsome deputy working under John, and hailing from a big family of Cuban-Americans. What could upset their (seemingly) happy/ comfortable lives?
Into this picturesque scene comes oldest brother Danny (Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn in a breakout role), the black sheep of the family. All the sibs wonder why he has returned; Kevin doesn’t hide his disgust and disapproval. Sally is overjoyed to have her firstborn home, especially when he takes an interest in the business (giving tours on the family boat, taking visitors fishing, and sharing his knowledge of the area in general). It turns out that Danny has a way w/ kids.
John, at first, is cautiously optimistic- he and Danny are very close in age and used to be tight as kids. He is also wary, b/c Danny has been in trouble w/ the law before. Robert is distant and cold, and it takes SOME time to figure out exactly why. (There are innovative flashbacks and flash forward scenes which give us bits and pieces into the conflicts w/in the family.)
Danny also gets close to his old/best friend, Eric O’Bannon (character actor Jamie McShane), who’s into making easy money. Eric’s little sister, Chelsea (Chloe Sevigny- recently on The Mindy Project), begins to flirt w/ Danny- the guy she probably had a crush on as a young girl. However, there is more to Eric’s schemes than what we first see. (This is a thriller, NOT only a family drama. There are some gruesome scenes that could be difficult for some viewers.) I recommend this show to those of you who like to a good book, or those who want to get a sense like that from a series. Is Danny a villain? Or is he an antihero? Well, he’s certainly a complex/mysterious guy! I especially liked the scenes between Danny and John; the actors must’ve developed a LOT of chemistry before/during filming. Character dramas are SO rare (in network TV), but I find them VERY appealing!
House of Cards (Season 3)
NOTE: This review contains MILD spoilers for the latest season of House of Cards (Netflix).
Frank & Claire in front of Air Force OneWell, those two crazy kids FINALLY made it… to the White House! However, it’s NOT all easygoing at the top for Frank (Kevin Spacey) and Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), or very exciting (as MANY viewers, including ardent fans, have commented). A FEW eps were a BIT tough to get through- a rarity for this series in seasons 1 and 2. There is less scheming, fewer asides to the audience (by Frank), and more talk re: policy changes (this is NOT The West Wing).
Surprise: Doug survived the attack at the end of S2!This is a BIT of a spoiler- Doug (Michael Kelly, slowly being revealed) survived the attack in the woods at the end of Season 2. A LOT of time is spent on his recovery in this season- TOO much IMO! Yes, Doug has a lonely life, sleeps w/ pros, and lives for his work (even when President Underwood has NO time for him). We get to meet his older brother, his wife and kids, and learn more about that aspect of Doug’s life.
Frank reaches out to the (Putin-like) Russian prez- a FUN adversary!I really liked the scenes between Frank and the tough-as-nails Russian president, who is like a taller version of Putin. This guy is NOT intimidated easily by Frank- GREAT to see! The actor did VERY well w/ the role. Forget boring/wimpy adversaries like President Walker and even Raymond Tusk, this prez won’t back down easily!
Frank & Claire sit for their official portraitThis season is MAINLY about the (worsening) relationship between Frank and Claire. They’re even sleeping in separate bedrooms (GASP)! Robin Wright continues to shine, BUT we wouldn’t expect less. Claire has a new role (aside from First Lady) this season, as you will learn.
Frank drinks & talks w/ his (potential) biographer.Frank recruits a novelist to write his biography, BUT the writer goes off on his own direction. Sorry, but he’s a boring character. There is a journalist (played by Kim Dickens) recently the detective on Gone Girl) that is a BIT more interesting, BUT thought she’d have more to do.
Heather Dunbar is a VERY strong counterpoint to Frank!I LOVED seeing Heather Dunbar (played by the statuesque Elizabeth Marvel) as the total opposite of Frank in her demeanor, morals, tactics! She takes on Jackie Sharp (Molly Parker, seems underused) in a debate scene (which is quite dramatic). I’d seen Marvel on several eps of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Is Dunbar really as clean (moral) of a candidate as she seems? What’s going on w/ Gavin? Will Remy be back? And how will Rachel be dealt with? You’ll find out… IF you make it through the season.
2015 New African Film Festival – Triangle: Coming to America
This film (released in Ethiopia in 2012) was the centerpiece of the festival; the theater was almost full when I went to see it on a Saturday night. The audience included viewers of Ethiopian and Eritrean heritage, particularly in their 20s and 30s. My friend had seen it the previously and raved about it. Writer/director Theodros Teshome (who held an after-show Q&A w/ two of the lead actors) was inspired to write this film after hearing the story of a fellow Ethiopian man’s dangerous/illegal journey to the U.S. Teshome then performed some research, and discovered hundreds of similar stories of immigration. He quickly realized that this story had to be told.
Kaleab (Solomon Bogale, dubbed “the Denzel Washington of Ethiopia”) is part of a small group of Ethiopians being led through the desert by an Arab guide (who is dressed traditionally in a white jilbab and turban). The Arab carries a rifle for protection, but he also uses it to threaten the group. We learn that Kaleab’s good friend, Jemal, and his young wife are leaving b/c they eloped against her parents wishes. Jemal provides some well-needed humor, but he can also fight (though short and wiry).
Along the way, this group merges with a small band of Eritreans, which includes a young woman named Winta (Mahder Assefa). Unlike some of the others, Winta doesn’t have a relative or friend traveling w/ her, so Kaleab watches out for her. Jemal and his wife urge Kaleab to speak to Winta, though he is shy/reluctant. There’s more than love in the air- they must deal w/ a sand storm, then another storm at sea (on the way to Italy). One man (who used to be a soldier/lived overseas) is heartbroken when he loses his lovely young wife to pneumonia after landing in Italy. He wails and says he doesn’t have the desire to go on, leaving her body buried in a strange land. The others, particularly Jemal, convince him to forge ahead.
On the journey, Kaleab helps Winta, then she returns the favor (in a big way) when they reach Mexico. Shared hardship, respect, and kindness between them grows into love. I think this theme of the story helped the viewers deal w/ the hardships- a bit of hope, silver lining, and such. I was surprised that such a serious tale could be told w/ bits of (real-world) humor. The audience enjoyed the film a LOT- I could tell from reactions during and comments afterward.
In the Q&A session, Teshome said that there will be a part two of this story, which will be about these characters’ lives in America. He explained that it’s very difficult to make a film in Ethiopia, though there is a wealth of acting talent and a great interest in movies from the general public. The special effects had to be created in LA, which took up most of the (VERY modest, even for an indie film) $650,000 budget. The cast and crew spent four days shooting in the desert. It takes a good chunk of money to get theaters to screen films, but after two shows at AFI, more were added at the Columbia Heights Educational Center. One woman said that she came all the way from Ohio to attend this festival-WOW!
Empire: Season 1
Thank you, cable! Success of your sophisticated, smart (yet FUN), ensemble shows is making network TV better… a LOT better! Also, I have to give respect to Shonda Rimes (esp. on ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder). Yes, I still watch Scandal, but who DOESN’T love Viola Davis!? Not unlike HTGAWM, FOX’s music-infused family drama, Empire (which several Fb gal pals were praising), has changed the face of TV.
WARNING: This review contains MILD spoilers!
WHY is this (midseason) show so ground-breaking? Empire (created by Danny Strong and produced by Brian Grazer, Lee Daniels, and Francie Calfo) focuses on a successful African-American family in NYC. (Everyone can relate to family drama, right?) They’re running a successful company (Empire Entertainment), which includes musical talent (Timbaland is the show’s music producer), tennis shoes, champagne, etc. (If you’re a fan of hip-hop, this would be the hook for you.) The business is headed by charismatic, dapper, and strong-willed patriarch, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard). He’s a man’s man who doesn’t suffer fools; he segued from being a musician to producer, then eventually… entrepreneur (EX: P. Diddy). At the start of the series, Lucious is in a relationship w/ Anika (Grace Gealey), head of Empire’s A&R division (meaning that she signs/develops new talent).
Lucious’ ex-wife, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), is claiming her own power by managing teen pop singer Tiana (Serayah) and their middle son Jamal (Jussie Smolett, younger brother of Jurnee). Hmmm… why was Cookie put in jail for so long (17 years)? Do she and Lucious still have a future together? She provides the a LOT of the humor for this show!
Lucious and Cookie have two other sons- Wharton MBA, Andre (Trai Byers), and impulsive 18 y.o. rapper, Hakeem (Bryshere Gray). Jamal (considered Cookie’s fave) and Hakeem (chosen as heir by his father) have a contentious relationship for the first half of the season, though the unconditional love between brothers is always underneath. (ALMOST everyone can relate to sibling drama, right?)
They call us Takeem. -Tiana explains to Cookie about the celeb couple nickname fans have given her and Hakeem
Tiana and rising star Hakeem seem to make a natural pair, BUT they are NOT as simple/innocent as they appear! Will these kids have a future… or only sing together?
An honorary member of the family is a man that grew up on the streets of Philly with Lucious, Vernon (Malik Yoba, best-known for New York: Undercover), a father-figure/mentor to Andre (the CFO and non-musical son). I started watching when I saw a TV promo w/ Yoba; he’s not in a LOT of scenes, since his main focus these days is on community development. Aside from the strong cast, there are MANY guest stars on Empire. (Those up on the current hip hop music scene can probably spot who these are more quickly.)
Good Enough
See, it doesn’t matter what you think
I’m still a man
Not only is Jamal talented (his songs are the best IMO), he’s the most kind, honest, and likeable character on the show! He comes out of the closet (to live openly as a gay man)- something that his father can’t accept. (We learn about the drastic measure Lucious took when guest-star Raven-Symone shows up.)
See, it doesn’t matter what you think
I’m still a man
Not only is Jamal talented (his songs are the best IMO), he’s the most kind, honest, and likeable character on the show! He comes out of the closet (to live openly as a gay man)- something that his father can’t accept. (We learn about the drastic measure Lucious took when guest-star Raven-Symone shows up.)
Keep Your Money
Can’t ask for a hand-out
It’s time to be a man now
When Lucious belittles his attempt to go his own way, Jamal refuses his cash. As the show develops, we see how Jamal is redefining masculinity within his family, by writing his songs (personal/touching)… and network TV!
Knightleyemma 