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Film Review: The Black Phone

by Desha Winborne

Director: Scott Derrickson

Writer: Joe Hill

Cast: Mason Thames, Madeline McGraw, Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Davies, and E. Roger Mitchell

A young man is abducted by a maniac and shoved into a soundproof basement where his only companions are the disembodied voices coming to him from the black phone mounted to the wall. Each call from the phone provides a clue for how to escape the lunatic’s clutches. Will he uncover the secret to the clues and find his way home? Or will he lose the game and become just another voice on the line?

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Film Review: Birds of Prey

by xoJohn

Director: Cathy Yan

Writer: Christina Hodson

Cast: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett Bell, and Rosie Perez

Breaking up with the Joker may be best for your mental health but as Harley Quinn learns, it can be detrimental to your physical health. Without the crazed villain protection, Harley is thrown to the wolves making matters worse is the price placed on her head. Despite having her own safety at risk, a newly single Harley Quinn joins forces with crime fighters, Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from criminal mastermind Black Mask.

Director Cathy Yan breathes new life into the DC universe with this long-awaited sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad. Though new to the superhero genre, Yan has brought the franchise to new heights with this colorful action-packed comedy. The film is all about girl power as it chronicles, Harley Quinn’s newly discovered freedom as well as introduces three new heroines into the DC Cinematic Universe: The Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya. Though Harley Quinn is one of DC’s most notable characters, her story is often overshadowed by the Joker. As his love interest, she mainly offered a certain comic relief and often goaded him into bizarre but comical acts of villainy, the yin to his yang the duo was one of DC’s most celebrated couplings. Birds of Prey, and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn, gives this villain turned heroine an opportunity to shine on her own. The film is narrated by Harley and filled with her trademark wit and destructive personality. Though many assume her antics were heavily influenced by the Joker, in her own words we discover she was her own woman all along.

Joining Harley Quinn on her personal journey of discovery, the “Birds of Prey” offer their support by saving Harley from herself more than once.  Misogyny, chauvinism and toxic masculinity are all tackled in this film without any preachy heavy-handed speeches, just a foursome of powerful women, kicking ass. DC Comic book fans should note that The Huntress in this film follows the Helena Bertinelli timeline in which a young Helena witnesses the death of her family and becomes the Huntress as she seeks revenge on the killers. For the film they’ve taken Huntress’s no-nonsense persona and made it comically awkward, even depicting her practicing her catchphrase in the bathroom mirror. Mary Elizabeth Winsted straddles comedy and action with ease making Huntress, fierce and but relatable. Jurnee Smollett is Black Canary, a nightclub singer with a supersonic voice.  The film hints at her abilities early on as she belts out a sultry version of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s World”, shattering glass with the final note. Comic fans are well versed with this heroine’s otherworldly abilities but, Black Canary’s wings were clipped for this film, hopefully saving the awesome magnitude of her powers to be displayed later on. National treasure Rosie Perez gives us Lethal Weapon vibes as the loose cannon Detective Renee Montoya, a disgruntled member of Gotham PD, who eventually sides with the vigilantes over the boys in blue. Montoya also has the distinction of being DC’s first openly gay character, a fact that is glossed over in the film despite the appearance of one of her exes. Despite Birds of Prey being the truncated title, the story is mainly a coming out story for Harley Quinn, an allegory for moving on and rediscovering yourself. Birds of Prey is a well thought out, hilarious thrill ride that catapults Harley out of the Joker’s shadow and into the spotlight where she belongs.

Catch Birds of Prey in theaters, Friday, February 7, 2020!

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Director: David Leitch

Writer: Chris Morgan

Cast: Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 137 minutes

Agent Luke Hobbs is called on to save the world yet again. This time, he must locate a dangerous virus that could wipe out humanity. Though prepared to work alone the hulking agent is forced to team up with mercenary Deckard Shaw, despite having tried to kill him on more than one occasion.

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Writer: Chris McKenna

Director: Jon Watts

Cast: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, and Jake Gyllenhaal

In the aftermath of the greatest threat the Earth has ever faced, Peter Parker is struggling to find his balance. Fighting desperately to grieve his fallen mentor, protect his neighborhood, and have a social life, is exhausting for the teenage hero. When he finally has the chance to take a short break from the chaos, the world needs him to step up once again, this time all on his own. With so much at stake, will Spidey rise to the occasion or will the young Peter find himself in over his head?

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Film Review: Little

by Desha Winborne

Director: Tina Gordan

Writer: Tracy Oliver

Cast: Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, and Justin Hartley

Jordan is a tech mogul with a chip on her shoulder. After years of being bullied as a child, she grew up to be a bully herself, wreaking havoc on anyone who crosses her path. Of all of the people, Jordan terrorizes her assistant April gets it the worst. All of Jordyn’s bad behavior comes to a screeching halt when she’s cursed by a little girl she insulted. The curse makes Jordan look 13 again, forcing her to relive the worst years of her life and perhaps learn a lesson or two.

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Director: Kevin Kolsch and Dennis Widmeyer

Writer: Matt Greenberg

Cast: Jason Clark, Amy Seimetz, John Lithgow, and Jete Laurence

In search of a more relaxed lifestyle, Dr. Louis Creed and family move from fast-paced Boston to the small rural town of Ludlow. Not long after their move, they discover a mysterious cemetery in the woods behind their home. The cemetery is a macabre monument of sorts, where locals have buried their furry family members for decades. Tragedy strikes when their own cat, Church, is struck by a speeding semi. A kind neighbor offers to help bury the feline and leads Dr. Creed to a mysterious clearing just beyond the cemetery.

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Last night in New York City, The New York Public Library was filled with over 200 guests for a private screening of Emilio Estevez’s newest film, The Public. Estevez wrote, directed, and starred in the film. The movie was also executive produced by Living The Dream Films founder, Ray Bouderau. His credits include London Fields and The Clapper.

Emilio Estevez with Executive Producer Ray Bouderau at the premiere of The Public on April, 1st at The New York Public Library.

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Film Review: Halloween (2018)

by xoJohn

Director: David Gordon Green

Writer: David Gordon Green

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, and Will Patton

Laurie Strode has been to hell and back more times than she can count. Lingering in the back of her mind is the ever-present threat of her big brother and personal boogie man Michael Myers. After years of fearing Myers escaping and evading capture Laurie has been preparing for a final showdown. After 40 long years, Laurie finally comes face to face with the evil that has tormented her. This time she’s not only prepared to fight, but she is also ready to end it and finally, close this chapter for good.

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