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Meaty-Yum Steve's Best Of Black Independent Movies
10 is exception.
5 is good.
I'm not going to list anything under 4.
Reviews
Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black (2024)
Tyler Perry refuses to allow other writers into his writers' room, and it shows.
Tyler Perry refuses to allow other writers into his writers' room, and it shows. Perry continues to write for his specific audience, which could be his downfall.
**HIS audience** can be defined as those who don't look too deep for plot lines or story arcs. Perry writes on the level of a simplistic pop-up book.
This movie was too linear and unbelievable. Here are some key points:
1. The movie is set 90 minutes outside of Atlanta, though Perry never specifies the location. This is important because, as you watch, you'll notice that characters seem to teleport back and forth during driving scenes. If a writer mentions the time or place, it becomes a character and needs to be treated as such. This was one of my pet peeves with "Power."
2. Dallas is an abusive mama's boy. His personality would never have allowed Ava to move to Atlanta. Additionally, Dallas is such a jerk that he wouldn't have permitted Ava and Rona to remain friends despite him being friends with Rona's husband.
3. Where does Dallas work? Despite being constantly drunk and high, he supposedly has a job. Where?
4. In my opinion, Dallas wasn't abusive enough. There is only one physical fight scene between Ava and Dallas. Dallas should have been physically manhandling Ava throughout the movie. I never felt scared of Dallas; I felt sorry for him.
5. Ava's transformation happens too quickly. She spends a weekend away from home, hangs out with her ex-boyfriend, and suddenly finds the strength to leave Dallas. Being with someone for twenty years, it's going to take more than a weekend to get the strength to walk away.
The best portrayal in the movie was the sheriff, who couldn't do anything to stop Dallas and his family.
Overall, Tyler Perry does not do enough research on his characters, settings, and objects. But, as I said before, he writes for HIS audience. For now, Perry has the budget and brand that separates him from a poorly filmed independent movie you'd find on Tubi. People like Briana Cole ("The Marriage Pass"), Silk White ("All I Want Is You 2"), or Dennis L. Reed II ("Please") stepping up with every movie and will surpass him. It's just a matter of time.
Mea Culpa (2024)
Started Off Strong And Then...
Mixed feelings-it's not as terrible as some made it out to be, but it definitely falls short. The writing is the biggest issue. It feels like it's leading you in one direction, then abruptly shifts without enough coherence. Tyler Perry might benefit from collaborating on the writing front.
If you're looking for a well-crafted film, check out "The Marriage Pass" on Tubi. It's miles ahead in terms of storytelling.
What didn't I like? Let's see...
1. The mother faked her cancer to gain sympathy voters PRIOR to her son running for mayor.
2. Mea has been paying all of the bills. In that stack of bills, she mentions paying the mother's medical bills. But if the mother is faking her cancer treatments then who has Mea been paying for? Clearly, some Chemo company is sending her a bill and she's paying it.
3a. Charlise had an affair with the painter, Zyair. How could she not tell Mea when this happened? Or when she got caught by her husband?
3b. If Charlise is Mea's best friend, how did she let this lie go on for so long?
4. While Reneé may have confirmed the way Zyair seduces his women, she didn't confirm he was a killer. So her LONG DRAWN OUT scene wasn't necessary.
5. How did Jimmy, the private investigator get the email about the mother-in-law lying about having cancer?
6. I get that Zyair didn't do it. But Mea or Jimmy should have been able to get video evidence from the area that would proved Zyair didn't do it.
7. "Mea and Zyair sleep together after she is mistakenly led to believe by Jimmy that Kal is seeing another woman, when he was actually visiting Azalia at a hotel room where she is recovering from chemotherapy."
So if the mother is faking her cancer, then who was in the hotel room?
8. "Mea is a defense lawyer who Zyair approaches to take on his case. Not respecting boundaries, he barges in to her law offices without an appointment to convince her. Zyair insists that Ray hates him, but claims he doesn't know why. Mea promises to look over his case and get back to him."
So, Zyair never figured out that he was sleeping with the defense lawyer's wife?
The Marriage Pass (2024)
The Ending
Compared to some of the independent movies I've seen, this is probably the best. The camera work, the acting, the editing was all top notch. The styling, the scenes...perfect. The sex scenes were believable.
IMO this movie sets the bar VERY high for others independent film makers to look at.
The concept is very basic. BUT the one thing many Black films get wrong is the plot twist. The Marriage Pass has an INCREDIBLE plot twist. You see it coming but you don't.
IMO a good plot twist should make you want to see it again. And that's exactly what I am going to do after I submit this review.
NOTE: TUBI is a distribution channel. This is not a "Tubi" movie.
Three (2024)
Not So Fast
I ran to IMDB to give a glowing review because I really appreciated the movie not glorifying violence and putting Black people in good positions like tech but then it switched up and for no real reason.
There were so many ways to end that story and I would love to talk to Nina Stakz to understand why the movie took the third Act down this path.
I felt the ending was rushed. Did they run out of hard drive space?
It started when Ashley took the gun out of her purse from no where to defend her friend. Ashley is from Paris and no longer lives in the US. She is visiting her friend and leaving back to Paris. Why would she have a gun in her purse?
Sloppy. Sloppy. Sloppy.
No.
Betray (2023)
Solid Beginning, Cheap Ending
Everything was okay about this movie.
I did feel the chemistry between the character's played by Shi Smith and Jalen Moffitt. I didn't buy into Smith calling for Moffitt. She seemed out of his league.
The set design and editing were good. The dialogue was good. I think what was refreshing was to see an actual love story take place without drugs involved.
Now the ending...
It was okay but I didn't feel the need to go that route. Shi Smith killing everyone at the end was interesting but a bit of a stretch. A more realistic ending and I would have given this movie a 9.
If Jaron Lockridge is reading this, it would have been interesting to see Latrice Dominique's character get rid of Smith and Moffitt somehow.
All I Want Is You 2 (2023)
Best Editing Ever
Let me start by stating, when I refer to this as a "Tubi Movie" it's not an insult but a way to easily identify the genre of movie that I am reviewing. I do not mean to offend.
With that said, the story telling in this movie was the best. The movie could have been linear but the writer choose to narrate it in a way that you already know the outcome but now you're going to see what took place. Lisa Brown tried this with These Men For Everybody but slightly failed because the ending did not make sense.
The only part that was cringy was the final scene. The acting in the scene was HORRIBLE. In fact, I saw that clip on YouTube which made me watch the movie. After seeing the movie, I felt the movie was solid with the exception of THAT scene.
Sloppy Seconds (2023)
Sloppy Ending
This movie had a lot of promise but some how threw it all away in the final 10 minutes.
The first two Acts introduced the father one way. Act three made the father a monster - which was fine IF THE MOVIE REVEALED THAT SLOWLY. As the credits role, you might feel inclined to rewind the movie to make sure you didn't miss anything but you didn't.
I support this genre of film BUT there really needs to be some serious checks and balances. The editing was good. The acting was as good as it gets for this genre.
It's okay to take a hard left, but tell the audience to buckle up.
I wish I was in Detroit to lend my services but I'm in NYC.
These Men for Everybody (2022)
A Few Plot Holes But Entertaining
Overall, this movie was a good watch. As usual, Crystal The Doll holds it down in her leading role. The movie starts off well, but there is a major plot twist. This is where the movie falls short because if you watch the movie a second time, you *should* be able to see clues leading up to the twist. OR they could have put the twists in the end credits similar to Wild Thing.
As with most movies of this caliber (Independent Tubi Movies), they need to learn better editing and story telling skills. I honestly believe in this genre of movie BUT very few of the leaders in this area are trying to step their game up IMO.
Secret Invasion (2023)
SMDH
There was one thing that Marvel got wrong that is UNFORGIVABLE.
The Skrulls never had a problem with Fury UNTIL Fury left AFTER the Snap. This means, The Skrulls would not have replaced Rhodey in MCU Phases 1, 2 or 3 UNLESS Gravik was moving on his own.
The show could have centered around the Skrulls voting out Talos and showing the rise of Gravik.
For a spy story it was poor. The Rhodey reveal was obvious. The biggest shock was that Fury married a Skrull which was probably one of the few plot lines that worked.
Overall, it was poor writing and poor direction from a director who was not familiar with the expectations of the MCU or it's fan.
Kevin, please don't make this cannon.
They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
Timesuck
Some elements of the movie are good but overall the ending has much to be desired. I will probably not watch this again.
I was shocked Disney allowed two of it's biggest stars to appear in this film.
This movie desired to be deep like Get Out but it made it too complicated. Concepts of unhealthy ingredients in the Black community have already been raised, so this is nothing new.
They never explain how this agency made money or received its funding. Even Star Wars explained the cost of cloning and how they were able to pull that off.
Also, the audio wasn't good. Especially in the beginning with the boy talking. I had to put on closed captions.
There are some good scenes but as a whole the movie IMO isn't great. That's 2 hours of my life I can't get back.
Bruised (2020)
Worth Seeing A Least Once
I wasn't going to see this but after a friend told me it was decent I watched it. For a director debut, it's good. I might watch it again. It did deal with a few topics that were hit or miss but overall, it was worth watching ince.
A Thousand Words (2012)
You Missed The Whole Point Of The Movie
It's not Coming To America, Trading Places or Beverly Hills Cop but it's still worth waiting. The message was solid. What comes out your mouth has power. Don't waste your words. Actions speak louder than words.
Could it have been better? Yes, but so could Star Wars 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 9.
See You Yesterday (2019)
It Wasn't That Bad
Everybody is a critic!
Is this the Matrix? No. But it is a fun movie that your can just enjoy. I liked it because it portrays Black kids that are intelligent who still have to deal with everyday hood life things.
Astro did an excellent job as the brother.
And for the reviewer who said she was an intelligent girl who made dumb choices - yes, that was the point. She was smart book wise but when it came to matters of the heart she was dumb.
Just Mercy (2019)
Timesuck
It was a good movie. I felt that better editing could have told a quicker story. It didn't need to be 2 hours long.
Miss Me This Christmas (2017)
Bad Casting & Set Design
The casting for some characters were off and somethings didn't make sense. The husband is the CEO of his label and I felt his office didn't reflect that. The wife was a former artists who didn't really seem like an artist. And there was a major editing mistake.