Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s receives a television adaptation in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty from HBO. While Rodney Barnes, Max Bornstein, and Jim Hecht handle the scripting duties.
Episode 1 begins in 1991 as Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Quincy Isaiah) gets life-changing news before returning to the late seventies and introducing us to Dr. Buss.
John C. Reilly instantly commands the screen as Jerry Buss, a real estate mogul looking to purchase the Lakers. Reilly brings an everyman approach to the role, and you naturally want to see his character succeed. I enjoyed this performance from Reilly because he avoids the comedic style we have come to know him for. Instead, here he has a dramatic side with joy in his heart.
I am happy the casting department chose an unknown as it gave me a chance to fully embrace Magic’s story as he rises to the top. Newcomer Quincy Isaiah is a real find as one of the all-time great point guards. Isaiah brings the swagger and confidence his real-life counterpart is known for. The supporting cast includes Rob Morgan as Earvin Sr., Jason Clarke as Jerry West, and Solomon Hughes as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I also must shout out the acting talent of DeVaughn Nixon, who portrays his father, Norm Nixon.
Nixon has a great moment with Quincy Isaiah in Episode 1 that put a smile on my face. It was great to see so many moments I have read about recreated on the screen. As a non-sports fan, I found the first episode very informative, and I foresee it going over very well with the masses.
Episode 1 of Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty premiers this Sunday, March 6th, on HBO. New episodes will air every Sunday for the next ten weeks.
Final Grade: A
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.