Tag: Alfre Woodard

‘Salem’s Lot (2024) | REVIEW

Ben Mears (played by Lewis Pullman) looks out at the vampires in his hometown in ‘SALEM’S LOT — PHOTO: New Line Cinema/Max (Still image from trailer).

Directed by Gary Dauberman (Annabelle Comes Home) — Screenplay by Gary Dauberman.

This long-awaited Stephen King adaptation has gone through what many would describe as development hell. The film started principal photography in late 2021 and was originally slated to be released theatrically in 2022, but it was shelved or delayed due to a variety of circumstances including COVID-19-related post-production issues. Despite there having been talk about releasing it a year ago around the time of the SAG-AFTRA strikes, it remained shelved for quite some time, which led many to fear that, like Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah’s Batgirl or Dave Green’s Coyote vs. Acme, it could be yet another finished but unreleased and permanently shelved Warner Bros. Pictures product. Earlier this year, Stephen King even got involved and questioned its shelving, but, eventually, it was finally released straight to Max almost two weeks ago. Though not exactly a gem in its current state, there are definitely things to like about this adaptation that has, thankfully, finally seen the light of day.

Continue reading “‘Salem’s Lot (2024) | REVIEW” →

REVIEW: Burning Sands (2017)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a quick review of Burning Sands – Directed by Gerard McMurray

Burning Sands is a story about the hazing that a group of young college students are put through in order to be accepted into a prestigious all African-American fraternity – Lambda Phi. One of the young students, Zurich (played by Trevor Jackson), is a very smart kid, and Professor Hughes (played by Alfre Woodard) takes a special interest in him. As he and his potential future fraternity brothers get closer to Hell Night, the final night of pledging and hazing, Zurich must decide how far he is willing to go to stand by the brotherhood. Continue reading “REVIEW: Burning Sands (2017)” →

REVIEW: A Series of Unfortunate Events – Season One (2017)

Release Poster - Netflix
Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of the first season of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

First things first, I’ve never read the book series that the show is based on, and while I’ve definitely seen the Jim Carrey film, I cannot say that it was memorable for me. I only really remember how odd Carrey looked. And I’ll say this about the show. This must be the first time I’ve ever encountered a great bingeable show – which here means a show that is easily bingewatched – that tells you not to watch it – to look away – with every chance it gets. Continue reading “REVIEW: A Series of Unfortunate Events – Season One (2017)” →

REVIEW: Luke Cage – Season One (2016)

Release Poster - Netflix
Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a season review of the first season of Marvel’s Luke Cage, a Netflix exclusive.

The Marvel Television-Netflix relationship is wonderful. I’m a big fan of most Marvel characters, and I’m always in line for the next big Marvel movie. The first Marvel Television show – Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – didn’t grab me like I was hoping it would. I’ve seen some episodes of it that I enjoy, but I haven’t found the time to revisit the show.

Marvel’s Agent Carter – another ABC show – was more for me. But I have yet to catch up on all of the episodes in season two. While I love the Agent Carter-character, her show isn’t must-watch television. The Netflix-Marvel shows, however, are.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Luke Cage – Season One (2016)” →