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Reviews
My Roommate's an Escort (2017)
Smart and Full of Laughs
Well-shot with colourful characters and clever writing, Uhlmann and Rainone should be applauded for their efforts with My Roommates an Escort, SEA:2.
Taking scale into account, or the lack of it, this episodic web series delivers an entertaining viewing experience. The acting is strong, particularly Uhlmann and Rainone's depiction of two opposites who become roommates and eventual BFF's in Kesha and Heather.
The screenwriting is simple yet pushes the story forward, and like any good comedy, the exaggeration of circumstances from episode-to-episode keeps the viewer engaged.
Uhlmann's direction is full pf pragmatism, no doubt a by-product of being a seasoned actor with countless hours on various film sets. MRAE Season 2 is a solid, binge-worthy web series with two intelligent, driven women at its helm.
Captain Marvel (2019)
90s Nostalgia, yes. Action, hell nah.
Acts 1 & 3 are weak AF. Act 2 is worth the price of admission. Several nods to the glorious 90s, which hit the right notes and conjure nostalgic pre-internet memories.
The action sequences are troublesome, snooze fest city to be honest - the film's strongest moments are the subplots of a main character in search of identity and meaning.
Mendelsohn is a scene stealer, as is Sam Jackson. I love Brie Larson, but her performance in this is wooden - she doesn't even scratch the surface of her true aptitudes as an actor in this picture. Jude Law, another actor whom I respect tremendously, is godawful in this.
If you're looking for action, avoid. If it's 90s nostalgia you seek, this film fits the bill.
Unicorn Store (2017)
A charming, whimsical tale of self-discovery.
Ms. Larson could not have selected a more fitting project for her directorial debut in the feature-length category. Within the first two minutes of Unicorn Store, the viewer grasps that this picture is autobiographical in nature; the film opens with home videos from the early 90s depicting Brie in early childhood; her pension and predisposition for art become abundantly clear in these snapshots and they are a logical segway into the main character Kit's current state of affairs.
We are introduced to an adult Kit, early 20s, played effortlessly by Brie Larson; quite frankly it's difficult to fathom whether Ms. Larson is even acting in this piece. Kit attends art school and struggles to conform like the rest of the students. Her rebellious streak doesn't fit in with her peers and soon Kit finds herself flunking out of Art School; her only solace; shacking up with.her overbearing parents until she can figure things out.
After a hilarious scene that is all too relatable on the sofa (watching an endless loop of meaningless television), Kit decides it's time to grow up and joins a Temp Agency as a lowly employee who's sole responsibility is to make copies, ad nauseam. It's a beautiful juxtaposition, placing an artistic, creative soul into a bleak, drab work environment void of hue. Though Kit flourishes initially, it becomes readily apparent that the soul within this character realizes this place isn't the ideal fit.
From here the picture takes the viewer on a whimsical journey of self-discovery. Through a chance encounter with a stranger, played earnestly by Samuel L. Jackson, Kit is given the unique opportunity of fulfilling her childhood dream of owning a Unicorn. But first she must prove herself worthy to take on such a task, a poignant metaphor conveyed beautifully without being on the nose by Ms. Larson. Ultimately, the film's central message is about learning to be in touch with your inner-self & embracing what you have, instead of focusing on your perceived shortcomings.
Other notable stand-outs; newcomer Mamoudou Athie breathes life into the picture and more than holds his own across a dynamic and seasoned actor such as Larson. The film is paced beautifully, with a plethora of beautiful Jonathan Demme-like close-ups throughout & the ensemble cast provide top notch acting. Ms. Larson proves that her foray behind the camera is not a one-off and that she is more than apt to bring her unique and singular voice to future narratives.