Fatman misses the mark as a Christmas movie
Jolly ole Saint Nick receives a different spin in Saban Films, Fatman from directors Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms. To save his declining business, Chris Cringle (Mel Gibson), also known as Santa Claus, is forced into a partnership with the U.S. military.
Operation Christmas Drop a sappy & cute holiday romance
Netflix brings the magic of Christmas in the sentimental and sappy Operation Christmas Drop from director Martin Wood. Chasing a promotion, congressional aide Erica Miller (Kat Graham) forgoes family Christmas to travel across the Pacific at her bosses (Virginia Madison) behest. Upon landing at a beachside Air Force base, she clashes with her guide, Captain Andrew Jantz (Alexander Ludwig). The latter knows her assignment is finding reasons to defund the facility.
Concrete Cowboy showcases black cowboys in the city of Brotherly Love
Greg Neri’s novel Ghetto Cowboy receives a big-screen adaptation in director Ricky Staub’s Concrete Cowboy. The film opens up in New Jersey and introduces us to Cole (Caleb McLaughlin) amid disciplinary action for his latest school fight. Cole’s fed up mother realizes she’s in danger of losing him to the streets so she sends him to live with his father, ex-con Harp (Idris Elba), in North Philadelphia.
Sleepless Beauty is a painful bore
Sleepless Beauty opens up with a random kidnapping before introducing us to our heroine Mila shopping for a rare fish in a pet store. As the film began and in the first moments, naturally, Mila makes a few mistakes, including not paying attention to her surroundings. When an overzealous suitor shows interest in Mia, I kind of had an idea where the film might go.
True to the Game 2
The second book of author Teri Woods True to the Game trilogy makes it to the big screen in True to the Game 2 from Imani Media Group. Director Jamal Hill helms the film, which picks up a year after the murder of drug dealer Quadir Richards by his rival Jerrel (Andra Fuller).
Black Love & jazz mix in the elegant Sylvie’s Love
My wife will tell you that I am a sucker for a good love story. As I sat down to view Sylvie’s Love during the 2020 virtual Middleburg Film Festival, I had no idea what the film was about.
Regina King directs the stellar One Night In Miami
Award-winning actress Regina King makes her impressive directorial debut in Amazon Studio’s One Night in Miami. Written by screenwriter Kemp Powers (who adapts his off-Broadway Play), One Night in Miami
A modern day fairytale in The True Adventures of Wolfboy
Director Martin Krejcí and screenwriter Oliva Dufault collaborate for a heartfelt debut in The True Adventures of Wolfboy from Vertical Entertainment. Paul (Jaden Martell) lives an isolated life with his father, Denny (Chris Messina), in upstate New York.
His House blends social issues and ghost stories
In association with the BBC and Regency Enterprises, Netflix gives viewers a new fright flick just in time for Halloween with His House. Directed by Remi Weekes, His House tells the story of Bol (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), who fled war-torn South Sudan.
Anthony Mackie leads the complex Synchronic
The filmmaking duo of Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead stays in the genre of science fiction for their third feature film Synchronic from Well Go USA. The film follows New Orleans paramedics and longtime best friends Steve (Anthony Mackie) and Dennis (Jamie Dornan). One day the partners are called to a series of bizarre and gruesome accidents; they chalk it up to a mysterious new drug found at the scene.
Rashida Jones & Bill Murray shine in On The Rocks
Writer and director Sofia Coppola takes a break from serious films and gives audiences something lighthearted in A24’s On the Rocks. Murray portrays Felix, an aging playboy whose daughter Laura (Rashida Jones) has just jumped the broom with the laid back Dean (Marlon Wayans). As the years go by, the couple has two daughters, and Dean becomes a successful businessman and entrepreneur while Laura has regrets that she has yet to follow up on her first successful novel.
Bad Hair mixes eighties R&B and social satire
Filmmaking auteur Justin Simien takes on the horror genre for sophomore directorial effort in Hulu’s Bad Hair. The film is set in 1989 and centers on Anna (Elle Lorraine). As a child, she had a traumatic experience with a relaxer and has sworn off the hair care product. Anna has spent the last four years working as a production assistant at a Culture (a creative take on the heydays of BET).