Strike Back
TV Show
Based on the novel of the same name by former British SAS officer Chris Ryan, this programme follows...
Dawn Marie (22 KP) rated Anne of Green Gables (1985) in Movies
Jan 19, 2018
Living with Other Creatures: Green Exegesis and Theology
Book
Richard Bauckham offers a fresh approach to the relationship between humanity and creation and our...
How Green Was My Valley (1941)
Movie
Huw Morgan (Roddy McDowall), the academically inclined youngest son in a proud family of Welsh coal...
The Arrival (1996)
Movie Watch
After astronomer Zane Zaminski (Charlie Sheen) discovers a radio transmission that originated from...
Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret's Battles from Washington to Afghanistan
Michael G. Waltz and Peter Bergen
Book
Grappling with centuries-old feuds, defeating a shrewd insurgency, and navigating the sometimes...
Blackbeard
TV Show
The most feared and famous name among names during the Golden Age of Piracy, Blackbeard, is on the...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated King Richard (2021) in Movies
Nov 30, 2021
And this is true, but, that performance just might be Aunjanue Ellis’ performance as “Brandy” Williams (mother of Venus and Serena) and not Will Smith as the Central Character, Richard Williams.
Don’t get me wrong, Will Smith is very good in the title role of this film, filling “King Richard” Williams with swagger and a “I am not wrong” attitude throughout. The issue is that this character does not learn anything or grow during the film. He is cock-sure right at the start and he is cock-sure right at the end.
The surprise to me was Aunjanue Ellis as the put-upon wife, Brandy. Her character hangs in the background, supporting Richard and the girls until Richard pushes her buttons just one time too many and then she steps in. It is in these moments that this film crackles. Ellis has the “Oscar Speech” in this film and she fires some life into the 2 hour and 25 minute proceedings when it desperately needs it.
And that’s the problem, ultimately, with this film. The Direction by Reinaldo Marcus Green and the script by Zach Baylin is too reverential to the subject matter, shying away from the darkness and the tension that is creeping around the edges (which would have been interesting) to show us a pretty standard “if you stick to your guns, you’ll always be right” story that never really has any emotional resonance.
With the dominating (and domineering) performance of Smith, the performances of young actresses Saniyya Sidney (Venus) and Demi Singleton (Serena) are afterthoughts as are the Supporting Performances of Tony Goldwyn and Jon Bernthal as 2 tennis coaches that clash with Richard.
Ultimately, this is a “fine” film with some “fine” performances that will serve as a “fine” tribute to what the 2 Williams’ sisters have accomplished.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Dream Visions and Other Poems: Authoritative Texts, Contexts, Criticism
Geoffrey Chaucer and Kathryn L. Lynch
Book
The texts are extensively glossed and are accompanied by individual introductions and explanatory...
Creepshow 2 (1987)
Movie Watch
An anthology of three more eerie tales, entitled "Old Chief Wood'n Head", "The Raft", and "The...
Horror anthology EC Comics Les Reed Rick Wakeman