Year: 2021

“One Night in Miami…”(2020). Cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr., Lance Reddick, Christian Magby, Joaquina Kalukango, Nicolette Robinson, Michael Imperioli, Beau Bridges, Jerome Wilson, Christopher Gorham, Jeremy Pope, Nola Epps, Sean Monaghan, Aaron D. Alexander. Director: Regina King. Screenplay: Kemp Powers. Play: Kemp Powers, One Night in Miami…. Web site. Trailer. When we commit to achieving a certain goal, we often believe we need to follow a particular path, doing so with unwavering fidelity. In fact, we may become convinced that it’s the only path to be pursued and that it’s the one that everyone similarly committed must follow. But is that really the case? Isn’t it possible that there might be multiple courses of action? Indeed, might that not be especially true if the objective consists of different components that each needs to be achieved in its own way? And wouldn’t denying such an approach lead to potential failure? Those are among the issues debated in the speculative new historical drama, “One Night in Miami….” On February 25, 1964, the boxing world was stunned when controversial, outspoken but supremely confident underdog Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) upset Sonny Liston (Aaron D. Alexander) to become world heavyweight ...

With theaters reopening and the awards season in full swing, film fans have more new viewing options than they have had in a long time, either from home or in moviehouses. Find out about some excellent new selections and leading awards contenders on Thursday, February 25, on the latest edition of The Good Media Network’s Frankiesense & More video podcast with yours truly and host Frankie Picasso. Tune in at 1 pm ET on Facebook Live by clicking here for a lively discussion of new releases worth seeing (and some worth avoiding). And, if you don’t see it live, catch it later on demand! ...

“Hillbilly Elegy”(2020). Cast: Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso, Haley Bennett, Freida Pinto, Bo Hopkins, Owen Asztalos, Stephen Kunken, Keong Sim, Morgan Gao. Director: Ron Howard. Screenplay: Vanessa Taylor. Book: J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy. Web site. Trailer. How far should we go when it comes to helping others? Many of us would probably say that we should do as much as we can. But what happens when those in need aren’t willing to help themselves? And how can we assess whether their needs are genuine or they are just being irresponsible? There are many fine lines to be addressed in those questions, and that process can be difficult without an adequate degree of scrutiny. Those are among the issues raised in director Ron Howard’s new, memoir-based domestic drama, “Hillbilly Elegy.” Yale University law student J.D. Vance (Gabriel Basso) has led a colorful, if challenging life. Having grown up in Middletown, Ohio, he watched his community deteriorate from a once-thriving industrial center to an all-too-typical example of Rustbelt decline. But J.D.’s challenges have involved more than just the slide of his hometown’s economic conditions; he’s also endured life in an often-dysfunctional family, an upbringing full of highs and lows. And, by ...

Tune in for the latest Cinema Scribe segment on Bring Me 2 Life Radio, Tuesday, February 23, at 2 pm ET, available by clicking here. And, if you don’t hear the show live, catch it later on demand, now available on Sound Cloud and Amazon! ...

“Sound of Metal” (2019 production, 2020 release). Cast: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Lauren Ridloff, Mathieu Amalric, Chelsea Lee, Shakeem Sanchez, Rena Maliszewski, Tom Kemp. Director: Darius Marder. Screenplay: Darius Marder and Abraham Marder. Story: Darius Marder and Derek Cianfrance. Web site. Trailer. When we stumble in life, getting back on track can be difficult, but, when we do, the feeling can be quite gratifying. However, if that reawakening is intruded upon by some kind of new setback, we may be left discouraged and disheartened. All that work may have seemingly gone for naught. But what if this new development is intended to take us to an even higher level than what we’ve achieved through our initial comeback? We’ve likely already seen that our first turnaround brought us redemption we probably never thought we’d attain, so why couldn’t it happen again – and this time on an even grander scale? That’s the challenge faced by an artist looking to walk the path of redemption in the compelling new drama, “Sound of Metal.” After years of struggling to get clean, recovering addict Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed) finally seems to have found himself. As a drummer for a heavy metal duo ...

Reviews of “Pieces of a Woman,” “There Is No Evil” and “Mr. Nobody,” as well as a web site update, are all in the latest Movies with Meaning post on the web site of The Good Media Network, available by clicking here ...