Omar Cook Omar Cook

Deadpool & Wolverine Achieve Marvel Milestone

Deadpool & Wolverine, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, hits $211 million at the box office despite its R rating, delivering non-stop action, humor, and nostalgic surprises in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We discuss it here!

 
Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool & Wolverine

Photo cred: Disney

By: Sharmaine Johnson

Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds are taking the Marvel world to new heights with Deadpool & Wolverine. Despite being rated R and excluding the younger audience, it raked in $211 million at the box office over the weekend. After screening the film earlier this week, it's clear that these numbers aren’t surprising—this movie is truly that good!

Deadpool & Wolverine | Official Trailer | In Theaters July 26

Before diving into the rating, here’s some tea on what you can expect. As one of the first Deadpool films to be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and with the rights reconciled with FOX, the plot twists and turns at every moment. Continuing with the familiar themes of family, love, and “mattering,” Deadpool is on a quest for the “right Logan” (Hugh Jackman from the X-Men films) to help him save his family and his world. After tracking down his target, fighting him, and making an “educated wish” that evolves into a partnership, they embark on their mission. Along the way, they not only battle villains but also take jabs at each other—literally. They also encounter old friends previously licensed to 20th Century Fox, leaving Deadpool in awe, which he isn’t shy about expressing.

Deadpool

Deadpool - Marvel Comics
Photo Cred: Disney

This film is fun and full of action from start to finish. Few movies make the credits as fun and engaging as Deadpool does, and in this installment, they take us back to the '90s with NSYNC’s legendary song and choreography for “Bye, Bye, Bye.” The soundtrack is stellar, blending genres seamlessly and featuring obscure tracks that heighten the humor during those graphic, violent fight scenes. With “Deadpool,” you know you'll be laughing from start to finish, but what makes this one special are the jokes that play with licensing issues and common criticisms. Overall, Deadpool & Wolverine is a must-see! 10 out of 10 with no notes.

Deadpool & Wolverine Review
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Omar Cook Omar Cook

Sci-Fi Thriller 'God of Dreams' Explores A World Where Dreaming Is Illegal

Jurian Isabelle’s sci-fi thriller God of Dreams, takes us into a far dystopian future, where the government has outlawed dreaming as a way to control its citizens. We discuss it here!

 
God of Dreams Directed by Jurian Isabelle

God of Dreams Directed by Jurian Isabelle

By: Deion Higginbotham

Director Jurian Isabelle is on the rise in the filmmaking world, and his award winning film, God of Dreams, is one that takes viewers on a psychological journey of fantasy and real life possibilities. This sci-fi thriller God of Dreams, takes us into a far dystopian future, where the government has outlawed dreaming as a way to control its citizens. The government claims that the act of dreaming has been linked to social division, and disruption of the country’s economy. Citizens are forced to take dream-suppressing drugs throughout the day or face stiff consequences. These consequences started as losing one’s freedoms and livelihoods, and now by an act of Congress, The Justice Patrol  is free to execute those who refuse to take the drug on the spot.

God of Dreams - Sci-Fi Thriller

Like most movies that focus on the government taking control, there are always a group of individuals who oppose the rules. These people go by “Runners” because they are  trying to stay ahead of the Justice Patrols. The Runners supply members with fake pills for show and eat only natural food because the government has laced processed foods with the drug as well. I would’ve loved to see what this premise could do With a bigger budget. 

GOD OF DREAMS - OFFICIAL TRAILER

God of Dreams, follows  a teen troubled by the effects of the drugs who begins illegally searching for Dreamers on the internet; her parents, who are concerned she’ll become a Runner. God of Dreams’  world is where insight into humanity and thought-provoking ideas are taken to the extremes. It considers what might happen if the government one day decided that its people had to take a drug to be upstanding citizens. (Think Covid shot maybe),  Writer-director Isabelle also plays around with the idea of the importance of dreaming. 

Omar Cook in God of Dreams

Overall with no budget this was a decent film with a very good cast. The entire crew and cast should be proud of the work they did. Starring Jessie Reeder, Julia Reilly, Keyshawn Pettigrew, Omar Cook, and Ann Nesby, Isabelle gave way for some talented up and coming actors to showcase their skills. As someone who loves Sci-fi thriller I would love to see what this director can do with money from a studio.


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Omar Cook Omar Cook

Mache: Love, Dreams, and Life Choices in Wendy-Seme Orleans' Compelling Film

Diving into the complexities of love, dreams, and real-life choices, Mache is a captivating and thought-provoking short film directed by Wendy-Seme Orleans. We discuss it here!

 
Mache
Love is the magician that pulls man out of his own hat.
— Ben Hecht

This quote resonates with the comedic short film Mache, directed by and starring Wendy-Seme Orleans, who shines his personality both behind and in front of the camera. Mache begins with a young dreamer, Sam (Wendy-Seme Orleans), determined to travel the world and make it to the United States to live the American dream. When he meets a girl named Angela, who is running a fruit stand, he is immediately infatuated by her beauty. What seems like an easy catch for young Sam is abruptly diverted by Angela’s mother, who wields a machete.

Throughout the first act, Sam tries his best to get around Angela’s mother to talk to her, but luck is not on his side. With help from Angela’s sister, Sam and Angela finally go on a date, which ends with Sam taking her virginity. Angela confides in Sam, telling him that this wasn't what she wanted. Sam does the right thing and asks if she will marry him. Sam repeatedly tries to woo Angela’s mother into approving their marriage, giving her gift after gift until she finally gives him the answer he's looking for. Now married to Angela, his wife, Sam is eager to make her happy. Angela’s mom helps pay for Sam to move to the United States to provide for his family.

Mache

When Sam and his best mate Rey return, Angela discovers a pair of panties in Sam’s suitcase. She doesn't say anything to Sam; she just folds them and places them on the dresser. This is the first time the audience sees Angela's realization that her husband may have been unfaithful.

Sam is now living in New York City and loves his Jets. While at a bar, another woman who also loves the Jets approaches him, and they have a moment. Linda writes her number on his hand and tells him to call her sometime. Being new to a big city with not many friends makes Sam feel lonely. He takes Linda up on her offer and goes to her house to watch a Jets game. After a celebratory hug, they end up kissing and hooking up.

Mache is one of those films that comes around every once in a while, making you think you have it all figured out, but then, boom, a plot twist. As time goes by for Sam living in NYC, Angela comes to town for a fashion opportunity. Like the majority of marriages, there's always one that gives and one that takes. While Sam wants Angela to be more like Linda regarding his needs, he starts neglecting Angela’s needs. This raises questions about Sam’s motives from the first time he met Angela until now. Did he love her, or was all of this only because he took her virginity?

The ending of Mache leaves you hanging on every word, waiting to see what happens next. When Linda tells Sam she is in love with him and is pregnant, she asks Sam if he dares to leave his wife. Sacrifices, love, heartache, and real-world consequences are all woven into Mache. Whether you've never been married or have been in love with two people at the same time, there's something in here for everyone. Wendy-Seme Orleans does an excellent job of capturing the moments with him and a stellar cast, making Mache a force to be reckoned with.

Mache Trailer

Mache Short Film Review

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Reflections: A Beautiful Tale of Love, Friendship, and Self-Discovery

When it comes to exploring the complexities of love, friendship, and self-image, the film Reflections takes center stage. We discuss it here!

 

By: Deion Higginbotham

When it comes to exploring the complexities of love, friendship, and self-image, the film Reflections takes center stage. At first glance, it might seem similar to the classic film "Waiting To Exhale," as it introduces us to a group of women, some closer than others, gathering for their monthly book club discussions.

Deanna Chandler, both an actor and director, takes on the role of Brooke, the glue holding these friends together. The story unfolds as they select their next book, sparking a lively conversation about love, money, and self-worth when one of the women recounts a surprising encounter at a gas station. This conversation becomes a model of the underlying tensions among the friends, only to be momentarily interrupted by Brooke's captivating narrative.

Brooke and friends engage in a steamy conversation about love, money, and morals in the film Reflections.

Photo Credit: Tubi

Brooke recounts the story of Jade, a former model/actress at a crossroads in her life. In her quest for financial stability and the means to care for her sick mother, Jade enters into a contract marriage with a closeted bisexual football player. This narrative resonates strongly with the dating pool today, prompting us to question whether there's a price one can put on love.

As we dive deeper into Jade's world, we witness the complexities of her situation. Her love for Pacer, the bisexual football player, deepens, while Pacer's secret lover threatens to expose their affair, leading to the ultimate plot twist. Adding to the emotional turmoil, Jade's ex-lover, Scott, resurfaces, further complicating her journey.

Meanwhile, Brooke's storytelling keeps the friends engaged, providing a parallel to their own relationships and morals. The passage of time, signified by the progression of seasons, brings with it new challenges. Ultimately, Jade discovers she is pregnant, which introduces two unexpected twists that leave viewers craving more.

Reflections exceeded my initial skepticism about Tubi movies. What sets this film apart is its captivating storytelling, exquisite cinematography, and exceptional performances by the actresses. The set décor adds a touch of high-end sophistication to the overall experience. The movie effortlessly tackles issues that people often think about but hesitate to discuss openly.

Reflections is a beautiful, heartfelt portrayal of love, friendship, and the quest for self-worth. It's a must-watch that captures the essence of relationships in a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant way. Don't miss the chance to embark on this unforgettable journey with the characters of Reflections, out now on Tubi.

Thirty Film Review

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Omar Cook Omar Cook

Tiffany Campbell Excels In Romantic Comedy Short Film 'Thirty'

After turning 30, a woman realizes she has succeeded at everything…except love. Tiffany Campbell explores what dating is like at 30 in her romantic comedy short film, Thirty! We discuss it here!

 
Thirty Short Film

Tiffany Campbell Stars in Thirty

By: Deion Higginbotham

Choosing yourself is the first step in living the life you want. So goes this way for Ryann Daniels (Tiffany Campbell) in this short film. On the day of her 30th birthday, Ryann makes a wish that’s straight out of a Disney movie, she is determined to find love. With jokes from her homegirls about her wish Ryann elaborates about how she has taken all of the appropriate steps to determine that she is ready for love. From seeking therapy, and thriving in her career, and even putting God first, now that she is thirty for Ryann the only thing missing is the love of her life. 

Thirty is shot beautifully well! My favorite part is the way the color palette looks on the actors. The director (Oluwatoyin Giwa) and cinematographer (Jamie A. Tobias) did a really good job balancing that out. Ryann downloads some apps and even goes on a few dates with some men but as we all know trying to find someone that’s going to be the only one takes time. These men Ryann meets barely meet her qualifications, one even wearing his wedding ring to the date claiming he and his wife were separated. That’s nothing to the second guy she went on a date with when Ryann asks if he has kids and his reply to that was he doesn’t have kids physically but he has some on the way. Or even the first guy she goes on a date with who tells her he can flip her 500 into 5000. Clearly Ryann underestimated how hard finding the love of her life would be. 

Tiffany Campbell and Nachbi Lacossiere

Tiffany Campbell and Nachbi Lacossiere Star in Thirty

Like all love stories and ROM-COMS it’s always the least person you thought would steal your heart that does. That’s the case for Ryann when she runs into an old friend Dante (Nachbi Lacossiere) who is just as surprised to see Ryann as she is to him. Dante offers her a ride home and Ryann lets him as she doesn’t want to pay thirty dollars for an uber. From the car ride home and good conversation they realize they have been talking for most of the night. Dante asks Ryann out since she didn’t count their first date as a date. The vibes were right and it looks like Ryann has found her prince. Like most new experiences in dating these days, Ryann invites Dante out to see a Giveon concert with her and her friends. The next few clips show the days counting down without a response from Dante. He ghosted her. 

Tiffany Campbell

Tiffany Campbell in Thirty

We as humans experience things that make us feel good. We don’t want to lose that feeling. Ryann is left confused and her feelings hurt. But the thing that clicks for Ryann in Thirty, is she’s done the work. She has friends that love her and that are there for her. The last scene is Ryann looking at herself in the mirror and deciding to choose herself to love, which a lot of people in today’s world can relate to Ryann. Thirty felt real, and authentic. We get so caught up in what it could be and miss all the signs of what it really is. A really great short film with an excellent message. Had the perfect balance of comedy and wasn’t over done. Very relatable and engaging.

THIRTY (2023) | Award Winning Comedy Short Film

Thirty Film Review

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