The baby-faced assassin gets his flowers from director Peter Nicks in the crowd-pleasing documentary Stephen Curry: Underrated from A24 and Apple TV. While I can’t dribble a ball, I’ve always felt the sport of Basketball is the perfect platform for a player to showcase their true personality. Unlike hockey or football, no helmets or facemasks exist, and only nine players are allowed on the court. This antidote creates an atmosphere where the player’s athleticism, passion, and joy are fully exposed for everyone to see. Although Stephen Curry may not be the most talkative personality in the NBA, he is not reserved. When you watch the highlights of his championship wins or game-winning shots with the Golden State Warriors, it’s evident that he is not afraid to express his emotions during high-pressure moments. Curry grew up in a sports-oriented environment with a family of athletes, including his father and brother, who played in the NBA. The beginning of Stephen Curry: Underrated shows that he has several championship rings and has achieved great success in his career. However, the documentary’s main focus is not on whether this is true but on why he has achieved such success. Director Peter Nicks chooses to delve into Curry’s college years to uncover the answer. The documentary highlights Steph Curry’s journey from an undervalued point guard to a national sensation at Davidson College. Flashbacks to the mid-2000s show how he rose to fame because of his on-court talent and his carefree and playful personality off the court. When we look back to 2008, Asher Roth was due to become the next big thing in Hip Hop, the MCU was kicking off, and Barrack Obama was running for president. Steph Curry and his team’s NCAA tournament appearances turned a small North Carolina liberal arts college into a sensation across the country for a brief period. Underrated may be an enjoyable film with a few entertaining glimpses, but it falls short of making a compelling argument for its existence. The input from Curry’s teammates and coaches, including Bob McKillop, who the Davidson court takes its name after, could be more extensive. Additionally, the Wildcats’ 2008 footage may be more appropriate for an exclusive, short film at the NCAA Hall of Champions or an episode of 30 for 30. Finally, in hearing about Steph Curry’s gameplay, were hear more from Jim Nantz, Gus Johnson, and Sean McDonough’s commentary than from Steph himself. Curry’s career narrative is already well-established, and die-hard fans of Steph won’t learn anything new. However, those who jumped on the Golden State bandwagon in 2015 should give it a view. Final Grade: B+ Stephen Curry: Underrated is available to stream tomorrow on Apple TV.
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Martial arts auteur Siyu Cheng delivers his latest action-packed fest in “The Tai Chi Master” from Well Go USA. The Tai Chi Master” examines the journey of Zhang Junbao, a dedicated disciple of Wuji, who emerges as a crucial figure during significant upheaval.
On a musical level, the documentary is a library of Williams’ great works. It’s dramatic performances of his most famous songs, such as the classic “Star Wars” marches, the grand piano music from “Jurassic Park,” and the melancholy music from “Schindler’s List.” Each song is part of a narrative, a call to revisit old films and remember their heart-wrenching connections. Its thrilling finale (which celebrated his work on “Harry Potter”) also underscores the longevity of his music among audiences today.
Megan Fox teams up with director S.K. Dale to bring her feminine wiles to the world of A.I. in “Subservience” from XYZ Films. Will Honley and April Maguire wrote the film’s screenplay. Alice (Fox) is a lifelike, artificially intelligent android who can care for any family and home. Looking for help with the housework, struggling father Nick (Michele Morrone) purchases Alice after his wife Maggie (Madeline Zima) becomes sick. Alice suddenly becomes self-aware and wants everything her new family has to offer, starting with the affection of her owner — and she’ll kill to get it.