I've not watched this show before but one of the stars of the show, Bo Linton, is a child predator who recently got caught by a group who call themselves "CC Unit" attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl off a dating app.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Tournament of Dreams
(2007)
Great film about striving to achieve one's dreams while facing life's adversaries
28 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This was an awesome movie. This was better than Coach Carter and that was a great film. I really honestly enjoyed this film for a number of reasons. I like basketball and movies about the sport.
First, the acting was top-notch for a movie that consisted of mostly actors and actresses who have had no prior professional acting jobs. That is, judging from the fact that some of these actors only have Tournament of Dreams listed as the only movie they've ever been in. It's kind of a shame because I would have liked to have seen Shakira Bryant and Keana Jackson book other acting jobs in other movies and TV shows because both these girls played their roles really well. I hate that Two-Two (Shakira Bryant's character) was killed off mid-movie because she was my favorite character in this movie but I understand as her death played a major role in the movie's storyline.
In line of the good acting, I think the director and casting director both went to great length to get the best actors and actresses for the really small budget they had to work with because in my opinion the casting was really good. The Game, Debbie Allen (who I'm a fan of), and Rae'van Larrymore Kelly were nice as cast members for this film and great acting ALMOST (I stress again, ALMOST) takes away from the fact that it's extremely easy to tell--just by watching it--that this is a low-budget indie.
Speaking of the film's budget, I'm glad to now know that this movie was made for $1,500,000 because I've been dying to know that information because also speaking on the quality, I've been also dying to know how such a low-budget indie could afford names like Tony Todd, The Game, and Debbie Allen but couldn't afford a better quality camera. This movie looks like it was shot on some old cheep camcorder. The cinematography is a bit hard to see. This has to be the ONLY thing I did NOT like about the movie, and it now has me thinking that the budget money could have gone to getting a better camera and less on getting known actors. Also, according to the Trivia section, Meagan Good was going to be in this movie but couldn't due to a scheduling conflict. That sucks because I would have loved this film even more if Meagan Good were in it.
Storywise, I found this an intriguing little story about how the school's principal finding it necessary to cut-out the girls' basketball team due to budget cuts and the girls on that team desperately wanting to save it as they (and their new coach) use basketball as an escape from their inner-city life.
To sum up my review, the subject matter was awesome and inspiring. It's also sad that this film doesn't have much publicity as other films that aren't worth watching. As I previously stated, this movie has that indie feel to it that would be hard to ignore if not for the good acting and choice in cast members. Really, from start to finish, you can tell all throughout the movie that it's a low-budget independent movie.
I love this so much that I want to give it a full 10 score but it is losing a point from my vote for its low quality but kudos to the cast and producers.
First, the acting was top-notch for a movie that consisted of mostly actors and actresses who have had no prior professional acting jobs. That is, judging from the fact that some of these actors only have Tournament of Dreams listed as the only movie they've ever been in. It's kind of a shame because I would have liked to have seen Shakira Bryant and Keana Jackson book other acting jobs in other movies and TV shows because both these girls played their roles really well. I hate that Two-Two (Shakira Bryant's character) was killed off mid-movie because she was my favorite character in this movie but I understand as her death played a major role in the movie's storyline.
In line of the good acting, I think the director and casting director both went to great length to get the best actors and actresses for the really small budget they had to work with because in my opinion the casting was really good. The Game, Debbie Allen (who I'm a fan of), and Rae'van Larrymore Kelly were nice as cast members for this film and great acting ALMOST (I stress again, ALMOST) takes away from the fact that it's extremely easy to tell--just by watching it--that this is a low-budget indie.
Speaking of the film's budget, I'm glad to now know that this movie was made for $1,500,000 because I've been dying to know that information because also speaking on the quality, I've been also dying to know how such a low-budget indie could afford names like Tony Todd, The Game, and Debbie Allen but couldn't afford a better quality camera. This movie looks like it was shot on some old cheep camcorder. The cinematography is a bit hard to see. This has to be the ONLY thing I did NOT like about the movie, and it now has me thinking that the budget money could have gone to getting a better camera and less on getting known actors. Also, according to the Trivia section, Meagan Good was going to be in this movie but couldn't due to a scheduling conflict. That sucks because I would have loved this film even more if Meagan Good were in it.
Storywise, I found this an intriguing little story about how the school's principal finding it necessary to cut-out the girls' basketball team due to budget cuts and the girls on that team desperately wanting to save it as they (and their new coach) use basketball as an escape from their inner-city life.
To sum up my review, the subject matter was awesome and inspiring. It's also sad that this film doesn't have much publicity as other films that aren't worth watching. As I previously stated, this movie has that indie feel to it that would be hard to ignore if not for the good acting and choice in cast members. Really, from start to finish, you can tell all throughout the movie that it's a low-budget independent movie.
I love this so much that I want to give it a full 10 score but it is losing a point from my vote for its low quality but kudos to the cast and producers.
Fruitvale Station
(2013)
OK, I JUST got finished watching this.
13 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Fruitvale Station is an emotionally-moving piece of art. It really is. I cried to (the ending of) this movie, and I have NEVER cried to any movie before in my LIFE, not even to Precious and that was a tear-jerker.
I really don't even know what to say in this review that I've felt so compelled to write immediately after watching the movie. But watching this film was a real emotional roller coaster.
Honestly speaking, I'm not at all familiar with the real-life incident of the how the real Oscar Grant III was shot by police but this film is based on the true story of the life of Grant leading up to his unjust death. It tells the story of a young Black man with a daughter, a girlfriend who loves him and is struggling financially to make ends meet and take care of his family which is really sad in and of itself to say the very least, and then for him to have to die like that? VERY sad.
SPOILER! If you have not seen the film yet and do not want to be spoiled, do not read the below: The saddest of all was the doctors had to reveal to his mom that Oscar died and at the very end Sophina having to tell Tatianna what happened to her father, so sad that it wasn't even shown in the film.
If you're looking for a sad movie to cry to and that doesn't have a happy ending, I would HIGHLY recommend Fruitvale. I think they should do a film on the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case too.
PS - If there's anything negative I have to say about the film I agree with a previous reviewer who said, this should've been just a short depicting Grant's final days. The movie felt short enough and had too many scenes and characters that didn't really relate to the movie. They didn't feel like it anyway. So with that, I will score it a 6 out of 10.
I really don't even know what to say in this review that I've felt so compelled to write immediately after watching the movie. But watching this film was a real emotional roller coaster.
Honestly speaking, I'm not at all familiar with the real-life incident of the how the real Oscar Grant III was shot by police but this film is based on the true story of the life of Grant leading up to his unjust death. It tells the story of a young Black man with a daughter, a girlfriend who loves him and is struggling financially to make ends meet and take care of his family which is really sad in and of itself to say the very least, and then for him to have to die like that? VERY sad.
SPOILER! If you have not seen the film yet and do not want to be spoiled, do not read the below: The saddest of all was the doctors had to reveal to his mom that Oscar died and at the very end Sophina having to tell Tatianna what happened to her father, so sad that it wasn't even shown in the film.
If you're looking for a sad movie to cry to and that doesn't have a happy ending, I would HIGHLY recommend Fruitvale. I think they should do a film on the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case too.
PS - If there's anything negative I have to say about the film I agree with a previous reviewer who said, this should've been just a short depicting Grant's final days. The movie felt short enough and had too many scenes and characters that didn't really relate to the movie. They didn't feel like it anyway. So with that, I will score it a 6 out of 10.
Cory in the House
(2007–2008)
What a RIPOFF
26 September 2013
I take it they were trying to do a boyish, more masculine version of the successful "That's So Raven". First let me just say I find in interesting how this show marks Disney Channel's first ever spin-off show to another Disney Channel series and yet it FAILED, big time. This is a complete insult to "That's So Raven" and to Kyle Massey and Rondell Sheridan.
First of all, the theme song sounds HORRIBLE. I hate it. When I watch the show, I would skip the intro so I don't have to listen to that horrible theme.
The only episode I actually cared for was the "That's So in the House" episode that Raven cameo'd in, and that episode needed a bit of work. I mean, sure, I tried watching other episodes but the show is not at all watchable in the slightest, what a waste of a production. I'm surprised this show even made it to Season 2! No, really, how did CITH make it to Season 2? I'm dying to know!
To sum up, I agree with all the other negative reviews of Cory in the House, the acting is weak, the comedy is either overdone or weak, just... just a completely unwatchable show altogether. I mean, I love Disney shows and movies, but, Disney, please step it up.
First of all, the theme song sounds HORRIBLE. I hate it. When I watch the show, I would skip the intro so I don't have to listen to that horrible theme.
The only episode I actually cared for was the "That's So in the House" episode that Raven cameo'd in, and that episode needed a bit of work. I mean, sure, I tried watching other episodes but the show is not at all watchable in the slightest, what a waste of a production. I'm surprised this show even made it to Season 2! No, really, how did CITH make it to Season 2? I'm dying to know!
To sum up, I agree with all the other negative reviews of Cory in the House, the acting is weak, the comedy is either overdone or weak, just... just a completely unwatchable show altogether. I mean, I love Disney shows and movies, but, Disney, please step it up.
That's So Raven
(2003–2007)
The BEST Ever show on Disney Channel... or all of TV for that matter...
12 September 2013
I'm going to state this like it's more of a fact rather than an opinion but That's so Raven WAS, is now, and ALWAYS will be the best television series EVER on Disney Channel, or on television for that matter. When it was on Disney Channel, I'd watch it EVERY time it would air, even in the year 2013, all these years later and I'm still a huge fan of that show. I'm surprised I don't have That's So Raven on DVD or any of the novels but regardless, I cannot begin to put into words how much of a weakness I have for That's So Raven. It still appalls me to this very day that That's So Raven fails to be among the many Disney Channel shows that didn't have a movie (I'll get more to that a little later in this review).
I love Raven-Symone, and I loved her in the Raven Baxter character. Well, I love her in all her performances, no matter who she protrays or what show she is on. But Raven really hit this one out of the park. Also, I'm going to put out there that I even wrote to Raven back in fall of '05 asking her to ask her producers if I can be in an episode of her show, even if only to be an extra, because I loved the show so much so to actually be on the set of the best show on television, getting to be with the cast and crew... OF the best show on television would've been like a magical dream come true. But unfortunately the letter never got sent because my mum found it and took it from me. Unfortunately my dream of being on the Raven show didn't come to fruition but I'm not letting that stand in the way of jump-starting my acting career. Oh, guess what? I still have the letter I wrote to Raven eight years ago and I do plan to show Raven my letter one day (give it to her in person, not mail it off).
Let me also just say how the show's ratings were OFF THE CHARTS. Usually, Disney shows seem to have this limit (I'm guessing because they think kids have shorter attention spans) to 64 or 65 episodes per show but That's So Raven BUSTED THAT LIMIT! Oh, yes! The high ratings must have gave Disney the okay to order more episodes made. The only explanation I can think of why the movie didn't happen was because maybe Disney thought the show had enough episodes for a movie to not happen or it might've been a loss for Disney, my other explanation is that it could be a race thing because a lot of other Disney Channel shows get turned into films and they weren't even remotely as successful as That's So Raven so I don't know if it would've been a loss to Disney. As far as I know the script for a movie was written but never made it into the production phase.
That's so Raven was ALMOST everything I could ever want in a television show. I say "almost" because I'm more of a drama queen than a comedy critic, so I could easily do without all the comedy aspects of the show. Give That's So Raven more drama and a lot (and a mean a LOT) less comedy and it would've been a real stunner, that being the reason why I'm giving it a 9 although I should give it a perfect 10 to do it justice. If I could vote 9 and a half, I could but I can't so I'mma go ahead and give a full 10. No offense to the actress, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, but I'm glad she left the show because her character didn't feel right on the show. I don't know if T'Keyah left of her own accord or if Disney wrote the character off the canvas but the Tanya Baxter character felt kind of useless to me.
OH! I LOVE the opening theme song! I even have the theme on my iPhone and I listen to the theme over, and over, and over, and over again. I even like that the show has a cold opening (a cold opening is a show with a teaser opening scene, and then the opening credits). I like shows to start like that.
This show would've been perfect just kill the stupid, annoying comedic- sitcom aspects of it. Give it the feel that The Cheetah Girls movies had and it would've been absolute perfection. But this show was absolute gold.
Even though That's so Raven aired its series finale in 2007, it's a shame that in these days, the show is no longer airing on television. ABC would air it on Saturday mornings during the Saturday morning ABC Kids block, which unfortunately is no longer airing. There was the one time, ABC aired That's So Raven at 5:00pm for a full hour. *Sighs* I wish I had a DVR so I could record those two episodes. But I still hold out hope one day ABC Kids will return with a full hour of That's So Raven.
And as I am an aspiring television/film actress-producer, I also hold out bigger hope to be part of a show that's even better and more successful than That's So Raven, and I co-star on that show WITH Raven- Symone!
I love Raven-Symone, and I loved her in the Raven Baxter character. Well, I love her in all her performances, no matter who she protrays or what show she is on. But Raven really hit this one out of the park. Also, I'm going to put out there that I even wrote to Raven back in fall of '05 asking her to ask her producers if I can be in an episode of her show, even if only to be an extra, because I loved the show so much so to actually be on the set of the best show on television, getting to be with the cast and crew... OF the best show on television would've been like a magical dream come true. But unfortunately the letter never got sent because my mum found it and took it from me. Unfortunately my dream of being on the Raven show didn't come to fruition but I'm not letting that stand in the way of jump-starting my acting career. Oh, guess what? I still have the letter I wrote to Raven eight years ago and I do plan to show Raven my letter one day (give it to her in person, not mail it off).
Let me also just say how the show's ratings were OFF THE CHARTS. Usually, Disney shows seem to have this limit (I'm guessing because they think kids have shorter attention spans) to 64 or 65 episodes per show but That's So Raven BUSTED THAT LIMIT! Oh, yes! The high ratings must have gave Disney the okay to order more episodes made. The only explanation I can think of why the movie didn't happen was because maybe Disney thought the show had enough episodes for a movie to not happen or it might've been a loss for Disney, my other explanation is that it could be a race thing because a lot of other Disney Channel shows get turned into films and they weren't even remotely as successful as That's So Raven so I don't know if it would've been a loss to Disney. As far as I know the script for a movie was written but never made it into the production phase.
That's so Raven was ALMOST everything I could ever want in a television show. I say "almost" because I'm more of a drama queen than a comedy critic, so I could easily do without all the comedy aspects of the show. Give That's So Raven more drama and a lot (and a mean a LOT) less comedy and it would've been a real stunner, that being the reason why I'm giving it a 9 although I should give it a perfect 10 to do it justice. If I could vote 9 and a half, I could but I can't so I'mma go ahead and give a full 10. No offense to the actress, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, but I'm glad she left the show because her character didn't feel right on the show. I don't know if T'Keyah left of her own accord or if Disney wrote the character off the canvas but the Tanya Baxter character felt kind of useless to me.
OH! I LOVE the opening theme song! I even have the theme on my iPhone and I listen to the theme over, and over, and over, and over again. I even like that the show has a cold opening (a cold opening is a show with a teaser opening scene, and then the opening credits). I like shows to start like that.
This show would've been perfect just kill the stupid, annoying comedic- sitcom aspects of it. Give it the feel that The Cheetah Girls movies had and it would've been absolute perfection. But this show was absolute gold.
Even though That's so Raven aired its series finale in 2007, it's a shame that in these days, the show is no longer airing on television. ABC would air it on Saturday mornings during the Saturday morning ABC Kids block, which unfortunately is no longer airing. There was the one time, ABC aired That's So Raven at 5:00pm for a full hour. *Sighs* I wish I had a DVR so I could record those two episodes. But I still hold out hope one day ABC Kids will return with a full hour of That's So Raven.
And as I am an aspiring television/film actress-producer, I also hold out bigger hope to be part of a show that's even better and more successful than That's So Raven, and I co-star on that show WITH Raven- Symone!
Streetballers
(2009)
It's alright, but I wouldn't watch it again.
24 June 2013
It's one of those movies... you don't absolutely HATE the film but you watch it once, you get idea what it's about and you forget about it next day and never watch it again.
I actually like urban movies about basketball but I feel this film could've been better done. It's also weird that the title is at the end of the movie. I really wanted to give it a 2 but I'm being to harsh because story-wise it wasn't that bad so I gave it another star, a 3.
It's one of those movies... you don't absolutely HATE the film but you watch it once, you get idea what it's about and you forget about it next day and never watch it again.
I actually like urban movies about basketball but I feel this film could've been better done. It's also weird that the title is at the end of the movie. I really wanted to give it a 2 but I'm being to harsh because story-wise it wasn't that bad so I gave it another star, a 3.
I actually like urban movies about basketball but I feel this film could've been better done. It's also weird that the title is at the end of the movie. I really wanted to give it a 2 but I'm being to harsh because story-wise it wasn't that bad so I gave it another star, a 3.
It's one of those movies... you don't absolutely HATE the film but you watch it once, you get idea what it's about and you forget about it next day and never watch it again.
I actually like urban movies about basketball but I feel this film could've been better done. It's also weird that the title is at the end of the movie. I really wanted to give it a 2 but I'm being to harsh because story-wise it wasn't that bad so I gave it another star, a 3.
Yelling to the Sky
(2011)
Leave this long, boring, and pointless movie ALONE... PLEASE!
15 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
First, I'm going to put out there for no particular reason that this is my first IMDb review and unfortunately, my first review won't be positive. I'm not going to sugar-coat any of this but unless you want to waste or otherwise throw away 96 minutes of your life, do not watch this film. The main thing I'm upset about is that I actually PAID to see this movie (I saw this on YouTube) and ended up being disappointed and was not a very happy customer at all.
I mean, I DESPERATELY wanted to see this movie ever since I saw the SXSW trailer on YouTube a couple of years ago, so you can tell how really mad i am. Seriously? I had to force myself to watch it all the way through and not to fall asleep though it because again, I PAID for this movie with my own money!
The movie is boring, it's hard to follow the story of the film. I mean, you already know the plot as it's all over the internet that it's about this teenage biracial girl trying to survive in her crime-infested inner-city neighborhood by partnering up with her Black boyfriend by selling drugs and doing crime. But that's all you can really get out of the movie, really.
The plot points of this film did not (I'll repeat) DID NOT make sense at all. First, why is Roland buying food for Ola and Sweetness?
There was also a scene where Sweetness is having sex with some guy in Ola's car. Afterwards, we don't see how but somehow or another the car just... crashes! Her sister, Ola, is understandably mad about Sweetness (Ola blamed Sweetness anyway) ruining a car that took her two years to buy but from what we'll see throughout the rest of the film, Ola is being all playful and friendly with her sister and seems to be all friendly to Sweetness after the car wreck. I mean, not promoting resentment or ill will but Ola should at least make her pay to get the car fixed or a new one. And why did those thugs shoot Roland to death? Did a drug deal he was involved in go wrong?
I mean, I would have to go back and watch the movie AGAIN to cover EVERYTHING that went wrong, but I won't even bother.
If there's anything POSITIVE I have to say about this movie, it's that the acting is ON POINT, especially from Zoe Kravitz, who portrays Sweetness O'Hara, the lead role. Antonique Smith is not a bad looking girl herself! As a fan of Gabourey Sidibe, I appreciate her appearance in this movie but it was much too short.
I did like the scene in the movie where after Latonya's girls (Latonya is Gabourey Sidibe's character) turn against her to be Sweetness' friends, Sweetness beats up Latonya in the middle of the school hallway and even that scene was unbelievable. I mean, look at Latonya and look at Sweetness... REALISTICALLY Latonya could've VERY EASILY landed Sweetness in a hospital somewhere for obvious reasons, and later on in the movie Sweetness is all "Oh, I'm sorry, Latonya! It was wrong!"
Uh, Sweetness! Are you actually doing those drugs you were selling, of course it was wrong but you were getting your revenge! You took her friends from her and beat the mess out of her AFTER all the horrible things you've done to her! Why are you apologizing to her?
Now the ending, don't even get me started on the ending. Toward the ending the father follows Sweetness home from school every day because he wants to be back in her life and be a better father. That sure ain't the way. The movie ends with Sweetness crying in her father's arms... for no particular reason (please do correct me if I'm wrong). Wow... just wow...
This movie wouldn't be have as bad if it had better story-flow, give Gabourey Sidibe more screen time and the film a better ending.
I'm gonna give the movie a 3 because of the acting and that it made me a fan of Kravitz, Smith. And I'm already a Sidibe fan but I'm actually being far too nice. I should actually give it a "1" even with the good acting.
Bottom line: Would I recommend this movie to others? Absolutely not. Thanks for reading my review but now you can do yourself the favor of saving your money and 96 minutes of your life. I'm sure Mahoney can step up her writing in her future films.
I mean, I DESPERATELY wanted to see this movie ever since I saw the SXSW trailer on YouTube a couple of years ago, so you can tell how really mad i am. Seriously? I had to force myself to watch it all the way through and not to fall asleep though it because again, I PAID for this movie with my own money!
The movie is boring, it's hard to follow the story of the film. I mean, you already know the plot as it's all over the internet that it's about this teenage biracial girl trying to survive in her crime-infested inner-city neighborhood by partnering up with her Black boyfriend by selling drugs and doing crime. But that's all you can really get out of the movie, really.
The plot points of this film did not (I'll repeat) DID NOT make sense at all. First, why is Roland buying food for Ola and Sweetness?
There was also a scene where Sweetness is having sex with some guy in Ola's car. Afterwards, we don't see how but somehow or another the car just... crashes! Her sister, Ola, is understandably mad about Sweetness (Ola blamed Sweetness anyway) ruining a car that took her two years to buy but from what we'll see throughout the rest of the film, Ola is being all playful and friendly with her sister and seems to be all friendly to Sweetness after the car wreck. I mean, not promoting resentment or ill will but Ola should at least make her pay to get the car fixed or a new one. And why did those thugs shoot Roland to death? Did a drug deal he was involved in go wrong?
I mean, I would have to go back and watch the movie AGAIN to cover EVERYTHING that went wrong, but I won't even bother.
If there's anything POSITIVE I have to say about this movie, it's that the acting is ON POINT, especially from Zoe Kravitz, who portrays Sweetness O'Hara, the lead role. Antonique Smith is not a bad looking girl herself! As a fan of Gabourey Sidibe, I appreciate her appearance in this movie but it was much too short.
I did like the scene in the movie where after Latonya's girls (Latonya is Gabourey Sidibe's character) turn against her to be Sweetness' friends, Sweetness beats up Latonya in the middle of the school hallway and even that scene was unbelievable. I mean, look at Latonya and look at Sweetness... REALISTICALLY Latonya could've VERY EASILY landed Sweetness in a hospital somewhere for obvious reasons, and later on in the movie Sweetness is all "Oh, I'm sorry, Latonya! It was wrong!"
Uh, Sweetness! Are you actually doing those drugs you were selling, of course it was wrong but you were getting your revenge! You took her friends from her and beat the mess out of her AFTER all the horrible things you've done to her! Why are you apologizing to her?
Now the ending, don't even get me started on the ending. Toward the ending the father follows Sweetness home from school every day because he wants to be back in her life and be a better father. That sure ain't the way. The movie ends with Sweetness crying in her father's arms... for no particular reason (please do correct me if I'm wrong). Wow... just wow...
This movie wouldn't be have as bad if it had better story-flow, give Gabourey Sidibe more screen time and the film a better ending.
I'm gonna give the movie a 3 because of the acting and that it made me a fan of Kravitz, Smith. And I'm already a Sidibe fan but I'm actually being far too nice. I should actually give it a "1" even with the good acting.
Bottom line: Would I recommend this movie to others? Absolutely not. Thanks for reading my review but now you can do yourself the favor of saving your money and 96 minutes of your life. I'm sure Mahoney can step up her writing in her future films.
Tell Your Friends