Album Review : Drake & Party Next Door , “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U”
On Drake’s most recent album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U which hit store last Friday he joined forces with his labelmate Party Next Door for this collaborative project. The album attempts to address themes related to intimacy and allure but does not reach the high standard established by the artist’s earlier music. Listeners search for the depth and innovation that have been the signature elements of Drake’s musical trajectory.
Christoph Waltz’s natural charm fails to save “Old Guy”
Two-time Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz collaborates with genre director Simon West on “Old Guy,” which The Avenue produces. Greg Jonson writes the screenplay.
“Cleaner” is a quick and enjoyable “Die Hard” variation
Director Martin Campbell delivers another female-led action film in Cleaner from Lionsgate. Matthew Orton, Simon Uttley, and Paul Andrew Williams pen the film’s screenplay. Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists led by Marcus (Clive Owen) takes over an energy company’s annual gala, seizing 300 hostages to expose the hosts’ corruption.
“Zero Day” delivers as a taut political limited series
Two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro makes his second television appearance in the limited series Zero Day from Netflix. The series was created by Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim, and Michael Schmidt, with Newman functioning as the showrunner. Lesli Linka Glatter directs all six episodes, with writing contributions from Roberto Patino, Eli Attie, Dee Johnson, Noah Oppenheim, and Eric Newman.
“Everyone Is Going To Die” takes a different approach to the invasion genre
After gaining some experience with a short film and a documentary, director Craig Tuohy shifts to the horror genre for his feature debut, “Everyone Is Going to Die,” produced by Saban Films. The story follows British real estate entrepreneur Daniel (played by Brad Moore), who seems to have it all: wealth and a young girlfriend named Julie (Marina Lazaris). However, due to his infidelity, he now has a strained relationship with his daughter Imogen (Gledisa Arthur).
Second Listen Sunday : Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston”
This past Friday marked the 40th anniversary of “The Voice,” a.k.a. Whiney Houston’s self-titled debut album hitting stores. So, in that regard, it was only right to give Nippy her flowers for this week’s Second Listen Sunday.
Slow Jam Saturday : Dwele, “Weekend Love”
For this weekend’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to take a trip to Motor City and show some love to soul singer Dwele. It was 2005, and I was living in the UK as part of my Air Force enlistment. Dwele had just released his second album, “Some Kinda,” enjoying some chart success with the lead single “I Think I Love U,” by Mike City.
Sans the long run “The Gorge” delivers old school fun
Modern-day horror auteur Scott Derrickson stays in the genre for his latest “The Gorge” from Apple TV. Zach Dean pens the film’s screenplay, which was voted onto the Black List as one of the most-liked unproduced screenplays in 2020.
Second Listen Sunday : The Four Tops, “Magic”
The remainder of the album maintains a classic R&B vibe, showcasing the group’s signature sound. One of the standout tracks is “Maybe Tomorrow,” featuring the iconic Phyllis Hyman. It transforms difficult circumstances into positive outcomes—essentially making lemonade from lemons.
Slow Jam Saturday : Jesse Johnson, ‘I Want My Girl’
For this week’s selection for Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to venture to the Twin Cities and highlight “I Want My Girl” from Jesse Johnson’s solo debut “Jesse Johnson’s Revue.” The guitarist had already made a name for himself as the lead guitarist in the funk band, “The Time.” As diehard fans know, The Time would disband after releasing their third album, “Ice Cream Castle.”
‘Surviving Black Hawk Down’ is a compelling look at Both Sides of the Battle of Mogadishu
Surviving Black Hawk Down” intensely and in detail examines the Battle of Mogadishu, a pivotal event in America’s military history with Somalia. Ridley Scott’s acclaimed film Black Hawk Down is based on the tumultuous conflict from October 3-4, 1993. By integrating powerful storytelling with personal accounts from American soldiers, Somali fighters, and local civilians who experienced the chaos firsthand, the limited series distinguishes itself through a rich multi-dimensional narrative structure.
Sundance 2025 Review : “Ricky”
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a film critic is the opportunity to attend the Sundance Film Festival and observe an actor for whom one has long stood in support, finally achieving a significant breakthrough role. This sentiment is particularly relevant in the case of actor Stephan James, who collaborates with first-time director Rashad Frett in “Ricky,” an adaptation of Frett’s short film of the same title.