Rookie Valerie Young and her riding partner, Sergeant Mitchell, drop their lunch break for a rowdy fight outside a casino. When Young fires shots into the air with her new revolver, the daisy chain of fighting ceases. When Young tries to get a handle on the situation, a man sucker-punches her. She tases the man, and Young and Mitchell take him to the police station. The man is Teddy Murretto, and he will be in lock up for a while. Later, Mitchell gets a call about an abandoned unmarked police cruiser with bullet holes on the side of the road. As the cops investigate the scene, a drunk driver hits the car and almost kills the cops. They arrest the driver and asks to bring him to Mitchell’s station. Mitchell agrees to take the drunk driver into custody. The drunk driver can’t stand or remember his name. So, they book him as John Doe and put him into another holding cell. After a throat-closing incident, Young comes down to check on the men. She finds out that Teddy is a con-man that chose to get locked up to keep himself safe. However, this was an ill-calculated move. Across from John Doe, Teddy recognizes the man. His real name is Bob Viddick, and he is a contract killer. Viddick got himself locked up to complete the contract on Teddy. Before the night is over, Young will have to decide who she can trust: a professional, a psychopath, a crooked cop, or a con-man.
This movie takes a second to get started, but it’s necessary to set up all the pieces in the game, like Mouse Trap (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Once all the players, plots, and bullets are in place, the knockdown, drag-out fight begins. Be aware there are no wasted moments on screen. The broadcasts, backstories, and jokes have a point to the overall plot. So pay close attention to everything you see and hear. With that said, let’s not forget the comic relief that is Mitchell. He provides the laughter only a boss looking over childish staff can. This movie takes its time, but it’s worth every second to see these opposing forces battle it out. Based on the ending, maybe we will get a part two. Fingers crossed.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Which one of you gonna arrest me – Teddy
That’s not what you’re in here for. You’re in for a lot more than that – Bob
You got her a gun from a roach coach – Valerie
Evan suffers from social anxiety, so his therapist prescribed him medication and gave Evan an assignment. Evan has to write a letter to himself every day and bring the letters to his next therapy session. Before the first day of school, he tries to write a letter. But the words don’t come easy. In the library, he completes his first letter and prints it. While in line for the printer, Connor sees that no one signed Evan’s cast. So Connor grabs a sharpie and writes his name. Now they can pretend they are friends. Connor grabs the paper off the printer and starts to read it. Connor sees that it has his sister’s name, and he is furious. Connor believes Evan pretended to have a conversation to trick him. So Connor puts the paper in his pocket and walks away. Evan chases after Connor to get the letter back, but Connor, with unadulterated rage, screams at Evan and pushes him down.
Over the next few days, Evan fears Connor will show the school the letter, but nothing happens. Then the principal calls Evan into his office. Connor’s mother, Cynthia, and step-father, Larry, want to speak to Evan in private. They tell Evan that Connor took his life and addressed his suicide note to Evan. Cynthia hands Evan the letter. When Evan tries to explain, Cynthia spots his cast with Connor’s name on it. They ask Evan to come to dinner.
At the dinner table, Evan sits with Connor’s parents and Connor’s sister, Zoe. For years, Evan has had a crush on Zoe but couldn’t get past his anxiety to talk to her. As Evan looks at Connor’s family, he can see they are waiting with bated breath to hear about Connor. Everyone except Zoe. Zoe remembers Connor as a drug addict with rage issues. But Cynthia believes there must be something good about Connor if Evan was his friend. So Evan starts to talk and doesn’t stop. He makes up a friendship with Connor that goes viral and takes on a life of its own. When Evan speaks his truth, he will reveal more pain than anyone could imagine.
When it comes to this type of film, there are three kinds of people. The first hates musicals, so this movie isn’t for them. The next set is musical purists who never want to see plays made into films/. This movie isn’t for you either. The final group is the non-purist who may or may not have seen the play. The director made this movie for you. With that said, this movie has the best and most heartfelt songs from the musical turned book (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). However, it uses the movie format to take advantage of funny cuts and repeats. This movie beautifully expresses two sides to social anxiety and depression.
Some people will retreat within and hide from the world. They have a hard time talking to people or making friends. On the other hand, some people overachieve to mask their insecurities. While everything looks great, they are moments away from falling apart at the seams. Also, this movie doesn’t go for the simple bullying angle to gain sympathy for Connor. He does deal with bullies, but he has rage issues stemming from drug addiction. Zoe and Larry have trouble mourning Connor because they remember the emotional pain Connor put them through. Let’s not forget the social media aspect in this film. In school, Connor has no one. But when his story goes viral, the whole school says they loved him and wants to join a club to help. As the fanfare dies down, so does the club membership. With social media, social warriors emerge with words but little to no action. This film may not be for everyone, but it will strike a chord with everyone who watches.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
On February 25th, 1964, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown watch Cassius Clay beat Sonny Liston in a major upset (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Jim continued to call the match while Malcolm took photos. Then Sam came into the ring to congratulate his friend. The four men decided to meet at Malcolm’s hotel room later that night. Sam arrives first and notices that two bodyguards protect Malcolm’s dump of a hotel room. He sits with his guitar and plays a few notes while dreaming of a day he can go back to the Copacabana after bombing there years ago. As he plays, Cassius, Malcolm, and Jim arrive together and exchange warm greetings with Sam. Sam, Cassius, and Jim are ready to paint Miami red to celebrate the new champ. But Malcolm warns Cassius about temptation. For some time, Cassius sought Malcolm’s religious counsel before his fight, decided to convert to Muslim and join the Nation of Islam. But quietly, Cassius worries about what he will give up and how it will affect his career. Malcolm works with Alex Haley to pen his autobiography because Malcolm can feel death knocking at his door. He consistently looks over his shoulder and notices people watching him. Malcolm didn’t tell his friends, but he wants to leave the Nation of Islam and start an organization with Cassius at the forefront. But first, Malcolm has to ask Cassius. While holding the record for most running yards in a season, Jim Brown feels respected on the field, but not off it. He can see his football career in the rearview and believe it’s time for a change. As they sit in the hotel room trying to convince Malcolm to party, the men will scold each other’s motives, interrogate their role in the black community, and question their future. After this one night, each man’s life will change forever.
Based on the One Night in Miami play, this provocative tale, inspired by real-life events, will leave you awestruck with brilliant performances. The conversations between these men are poignant, striking, provoking, and critical for their advancement. This movie discusses the controversy within the Nation of Islam, colorism, questioning blackness, building wealth, pacifying the masses, and the FBI. Let’s say it’s a lot for one night. But after one night together, these in-depth and controversial conversations inspire change in each man. Whether it’s a song, a name, a job, or a book, the world will grow from it (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I’ll finish him when I’m good and ready – Cassius Clay
Y’all pulled out the knives. And if I get cut, I’m gonna hurt somebody – Jim Brown
Perhaps Louis X isn’t ready to see that truth. Maybe none of them are – Malcolm X
Everybody wants a piece of the pie, but I don’t.I want the goddamn recipe – Sam Cooke
Barney Pudowski is a middle schooler with no friends, and his old friends, Savannah, Rich, Ava, and Noah, make friends based on their B-Bot matches. Marc Weidell created B-Bots for the company Bubble. The B-Bot connects to the Bubble Network, downloads the owner’s information, and finds friend matches based on compatibility. Marc had a hard time making friends as a child, and he hoped the B-Bot would make things easier for other children. Within months Bubble sold millions of B-Bots, except to Barney. Barney’s dad, Graham, is a single, hard-working parent. And Barney’s grandmother, Donka, helps raise Barney with her old-world charm. Graham knows Barney is a great kid. But when Barney doesn’t invite anyone to his birthday party, Graham starts to worry. After seeing Rich and his friends tease Barny about not having a B-Bot, Graham rushes to the Bubble store, but three things stop him from buying the B-Bot.
The store’s closed, there is a three-month waiting list, and people can only purchase it online. Defeated, Graham starts to walk away, but he sees a loading truck loading more B-Bots into the store. He overhears the truckers say a B-Bot fell off the delivery truck and got damaged. Graham purchases the damaged B-Bot from the trucker and gives it to Barney. Barney can’t contain his happiness when he wakes and sees his B-Bot by his bed. Barney puts his hand on the B-Bot, and it has trouble reading Barney’s hand scan. After several attempts, the B-Bot scans Barney but doesn’t complete its download or connection to the Bubble Network.
Barney can see something is wrong with the B-Bot but doesn’t tell Graham. After several mishaps, Barney decides to take the B-Bot back to the store and exchange it for a new one without telling Graham. On their way to the store, the B-Bot, named Ron, sees boys playing on the playground and decides to make friends with them. Without the proper protocols, Ron doesn’t compare social media information before initiating a friendship. Barney knows the boys on the playground because they are his bullies. When the bullies attack Barney, Ron beats up the bullies. Barney knows that B-Bots aren’t allowed to harm humans, but Ron couldn’t download his safety controls. Elated with his new defender, Barney decides to keep Ron and teach Ron how to be a friend. Too bad that the video of the attack when viral. Now Bubble knows it has a rogue B-Bot on its hands that scares parents and intrigues kids. They have to find and destroy Ron before his code spreads.
This movie is I, Robot, The Social Network, and Big Hero 6 combined, and everyone in your family will love it (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). While it entertains, the plot covers complex issues like social anxiety, viral celebrity, online bullying, and friendship. But it does it in a way that doesn’t get too heavy or preachy for kids while entertaining for adults. Now, don’t be surprised if your child wants a B-Bot in the beginning. However, by the end, it will change. Also, the story gives insight into the inner workings of tech companies. Often privacy and safety come second to profits, no matter how good the intentions. And when users find issues, developers make patches in secret and baseless statements. Adults and kids can use this movie as a starting point for a deeper discussion. So get the family together and enjoy this film.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
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