This was a fun movie in the vein of almost every Lifetime/Tubi film about high school and/or cheer. It didn't try to be Emmy-worthy, too deep, or even sensical, and for that I truly enjoyed it. My only complaint is that the casting was terrible. The lead actress looks great but she could never pass for a teenager, she looks very much like a woman approaching her 40's, so it's hard to believe so many people took her at face value as teenaged Cherie. But then, you look at the casting of the "real" teens of the movie, and you sort of get it. All the actors playing teenagers are clearly in their 20's or older, and it shows. Even the daughter looked nearly the same age as the mom. None of the people who are supposed to be youthful reflect that, they all seem too mature. I wish the casting went with someone like Bianca Lawson (or, to be a little biased here, any good POC actress since most tend to look younger than their age like the old sayings go) to play the role of the mother. That would've been convincing, but I guess some of the campiness and unbelievability would've been lost. Either way, I love over-the-top cheesy films like this, so I could overlook this flaw in a Clark Kent/Superman kinda way to enjoy it.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Prankster
(2023)
Okay movie, inconsistent tone
28 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I am writing this a fan of Nex (Bobo) and his channel so I am a little biased. But the scenes with him and the pranks were some of the better ones in the movie. It's clear he is not a trained actor but that fact didn't take me out of the movie too much, especially with his role being so small (would've loved more character development there, for instance we never learned what Bobo actually is...). Biggest complaints would be in regards to the poor writing and editing, awkward tone, slow pace and odd music choices and so-so acting. I get this is a low budget local movie but I've seen YouTube videos with better combinations of those things so there is lots of room for improvement.
I think the biggest question this movie left me with above all is who is this movie for? The immature pranks and 'childhood imaginary friend returning' elements seem like it'd make for a decent kids/family movie but the writing, setting (what kid will relate to the office setting and work politics?) and some scenes are not age appropriate. The only reason it seems like the filmmakers have classified this as a family film is because of the aforementioned elements and the lack of regular/strong cursing. Again, the age group that would find Johnny's plight interesting might be turned off by the more immature elements, and the kids would be bored by the extended business scenes or even scandalized by the girl and guy stripping in another if they are innocent and don't get what's potentially going down.
The actors try hard to bring the tonally confusing writing to life but again it's hit or miss. Johnny is likeable, Connor is silly, over the top and cringey (sorry but that pale outta shape man was TOO naked in this - the actor wants nothing to do with this project now and I get it), Johnny's love interest is supportive but mostly just there (she has potential for personality but the way she delivered her lines completely fumbled it), in fact most of the other characters aren't memorable, just there. They're just office personality types there to be pranked and that's it.
I feel this movie didn't need to be a movie with a big plot/message (about discrimination) that barely makes itself known until last minute in the movie. They could've easily made this a YouTube mini-series with Nex performing pranks on the annoying coworkers, have him either be an alter-ego of a employee himself or remain the imaginary friend, but get rid of all the excess story and office drama. People who are in his fanbase would've enjoyed that just the same. Both younger fans there for the pranks and to see them done on other people (since he doesn't do tricks on people often in his videos), and older fans who would appreciate the fantasy of getting back at annoying co-workers. Opportunity wasted.
I think the biggest question this movie left me with above all is who is this movie for? The immature pranks and 'childhood imaginary friend returning' elements seem like it'd make for a decent kids/family movie but the writing, setting (what kid will relate to the office setting and work politics?) and some scenes are not age appropriate. The only reason it seems like the filmmakers have classified this as a family film is because of the aforementioned elements and the lack of regular/strong cursing. Again, the age group that would find Johnny's plight interesting might be turned off by the more immature elements, and the kids would be bored by the extended business scenes or even scandalized by the girl and guy stripping in another if they are innocent and don't get what's potentially going down.
The actors try hard to bring the tonally confusing writing to life but again it's hit or miss. Johnny is likeable, Connor is silly, over the top and cringey (sorry but that pale outta shape man was TOO naked in this - the actor wants nothing to do with this project now and I get it), Johnny's love interest is supportive but mostly just there (she has potential for personality but the way she delivered her lines completely fumbled it), in fact most of the other characters aren't memorable, just there. They're just office personality types there to be pranked and that's it.
I feel this movie didn't need to be a movie with a big plot/message (about discrimination) that barely makes itself known until last minute in the movie. They could've easily made this a YouTube mini-series with Nex performing pranks on the annoying coworkers, have him either be an alter-ego of a employee himself or remain the imaginary friend, but get rid of all the excess story and office drama. People who are in his fanbase would've enjoyed that just the same. Both younger fans there for the pranks and to see them done on other people (since he doesn't do tricks on people often in his videos), and older fans who would appreciate the fantasy of getting back at annoying co-workers. Opportunity wasted.
Trigger
(IV) (2020)
Stop casting reality stars/influencers
23 November 2022
The storyline was good and the acting from the professional actors like Flex and Wesley was good too. But two of the leads in Jordyn Woods and the Hot Felon guy were lacking because they are simply not actors, just people who do acting as a side gig to legitimize mostly being talentless influencers famous only for their looks, especially the Hot Felon guy. Chris Stokes needs to stop casting these types in his movies because it just looks like you're doing them a Hollywood favor and trying to get clout for your films, just like how he hires his friends and relatives to be regular in his films, at least most of them like Marques actually are actors. If they auditioned you know you would not pick them. First he started with Karruche (who now thankfully does have a real acting career), then Dreya, the ones in this film, Erica Mena and others in more recent films. It's just cringey because they rarely give good or even decent performances.
Man of Her Dreams
(2009)
Casting is Odd
29 March 2022
The last and previously only review of this play is far better than something I could've typed up. So I am writing a review to make a comment on something that wasn't covered in the last one by MahoganyEsquire, and that is in regards to the casting here. Shirley and Jackee are only a year apart, with Jackee actually being older, so why in the world are they playing mother and daughter?? And the young son who was supposed to be a pothead looks at least 38, and so does Kevin. But his fiancee/GF Erica is heading off to college, I think? She looks around that age. I'm not sure how old any of the characters are supposed to be, really, and the way their storylines work and the way they were introduced didn't help at all. Over all the plot was weak, the singing mostly just okay, the humor and some of the Cleatus scenes too long and unfunny, and overall this play is very below average, poorly written and actually confusing even if you are paying attention. It's hard to care about any of these characters as hard as the play tries to get you to.
Fatal Beauty
(2019 TV Movie)
Bonkers, a wild take on the "insane & revenge seeking *insert person noun*" Lifetime genre
26 February 2022
This movie was a wild ride. All over the place tonally with the bizarre twists and character decisions coming fast and furious. I just finished watching and I still can't put all my thoughts into words, my head is still spinning. A Lifetime-esque movie that doesn't take itself too seriously at least, it is unintentionally (or intentionally) hilarious. I can't say it was that great, per lifetime it felt a bit cheap, but at the same time it was enjoyable enough to not be considered "bad".
Howard High
(2021)
Somehow both too polished and too lackluster
15 February 2022
This movie was neither that good nor that bad, but I would say most elements lean on the bad side... As the other review said a lot of elements of this movie was just over-the-top polished eye-candy-ish, almost like a music video (I get it's a musical but many other high school based musicals don't have this same aesthetic), all the girls and guys (only the lead Chrissy looked under 20) dressed and looked like 20 something Instagram models, I mean faces beat, hair laid, dressed to the nines literally every day, sometimes in really inappropriate clothes for their age and the setting, for school and for just hanging out, even the lead had a full face of makeup with lashes and the works in every scene even when she was waking up. Yeah I get makeup is super popular these days with so many beauty vloggers but I'm pretty sure the majority of high school age girls don't go to school and for hanging out everyday with faces full of makeup that sometimes takes a while to do, and also not every girl can afford or feels comfortable in some of the styles the leads were wearing. I was a teen girl once and couldn't relate to any of these "teen" girl characters, except maybe with Nikki in the one song she did with her dad. Also the heavy makeup ages the already much older female cast. It was just all so inauthentic and that's just how the actors looked. You can tell the production wanted everyone (and everything) to look their best but it kinda takes away from the story for me. And then there were the perfectly manicured sets, cinematography, PG drug-dealing/streets subplot and other elements that took away any realism that could be found. And last but not least, there was the autotune. As if anyone sounding less than perfect on a track or like they were really singing acapella was a sin. It was just too much. Compare everyone else to the noted professional singers Marques Houston and Keith Sweat (they still use some in their songs but not too much). Note to the film-makers: it's ok if all your singers can't even sing that well in a musical. That's the charm. Please listen to Work This Out and Status Quo from the HSM movies to see what I'm talking about. Ironically the only songs that weren't autotuned to death was the rap songs which were actually good unlike much of this forgettable soundtrack.
On the other side of things, some of other the elements seemed half-done and lackluster, like the acting (especially Chrissy, super flat), the lyrics and production of the songs, and so on. It also went on, and the flat and uninteresting or inspired dialogue dragged on far too long. The story was kind of all over the place and a little hard to follow (maybe it's just me because I was watching while doing something else). I feel this movie could've done better if it was made in a previous decade, in a time where movies like this could flourish and be popular, and/or by someone who understands the formula of other teen musicals better not someone trying to make attractive background TV.
On the other side of things, some of other the elements seemed half-done and lackluster, like the acting (especially Chrissy, super flat), the lyrics and production of the songs, and so on. It also went on, and the flat and uninteresting or inspired dialogue dragged on far too long. The story was kind of all over the place and a little hard to follow (maybe it's just me because I was watching while doing something else). I feel this movie could've done better if it was made in a previous decade, in a time where movies like this could flourish and be popular, and/or by someone who understands the formula of other teen musicals better not someone trying to make attractive background TV.
In the Cut
(2015– )
Decent, comfort food, not as HQ as older sitcoms
16 November 2021
I've seen glimpses of this show when I've had access to Bounce since it premiered but I recently I finally got to watch some episodes online and could fully evaluate it. This show is filled to the brim with amazing actors who have worked together before (and thus have good chemistry) from great black sitcoms of the past and has some similar/familiar jokes and setups which makes it almost like comfort food for fans of that bygone era of tv. This show could easily exist in the early 2000's. But I think that's where the goodness stops. The writing is weak, the sets are few and far between and look cheap, and the laugh track is basically the soundtrack, somebody's finger is too heavy on that button. Not every line is hilarious...
Most of the leads do well because they're vets in this genre, but everyone is prone to being hammy and overacting on this show because of the low quality writing and I'm assuming, directing, especially the gay and latina characters... Just cringe. This show has potential but it probably needs backing from a major network to get there, and maybe better folks behind the scenes. And no annoying stereotype characters and jokes (one episode had one about Africans and flies that was in very poor taste)!
Most of the leads do well because they're vets in this genre, but everyone is prone to being hammy and overacting on this show because of the low quality writing and I'm assuming, directing, especially the gay and latina characters... Just cringe. This show has potential but it probably needs backing from a major network to get there, and maybe better folks behind the scenes. And no annoying stereotype characters and jokes (one episode had one about Africans and flies that was in very poor taste)!
Alter Ego
(2021– )
Not completely original
23 October 2021
Just writing a review to point out the fact that the show and all the media around it claims that the concept of the show is completely new and original, but in reality it's not entirely. As expected, Asia pretty much started the concept with the Hatsune Miku character and other virtual idols and their performances in person and on TV, and an entire reality show with a similar concept called Dimension Nova came out just last year. I'm surprised they haven't been sued yet by the originators of that show because it's similar, though i guess the concept of the virtual characters being alter egos like video game characters is different from the one of them being virtual idols? Not sure but just wanted to mention something I haven't seen anywhere else online.
Dying to Marry Him
(2021)
I usually enjoy the cheese but...
4 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I'm a sucker for these kinds of cheesy, unrealistic movies, especially any produced by LMN, but this... This was probably one of the worst I've seen by Lifetime, and that's saying a lot. It's easy to say these movies are awful because they aren't high art made for the cinema, instead TV movies churned out like product at a factory but, again, as someone who actually enjoys bad films, this was ridiculous.
Here are my reasons for this conclusion: The villain lady reminded me of an ~evil~ character from a DCOM or a sitcom for kids by Disney or Nick right down to her monologuing aloud. Her acting was hammy, but not in an enjoyable, the actor having fun with the role kind of way. Just... Poor.
Every character and situation was stupid and unrealistic, even for Lifetime standards. Especially the fiance. The evil redhead literally pushed up on him in a completely non-friendly aggressively flirty way and he didn't bat an eyelash or tell his soon-to-be wife. Then there was the wedding cake/dress incident which still didn't completely send him running. Then the stripper scene (also why was these scene shot so hallmark movie-y? Those were the most sfw strippers ever), he didn't recognize her voice? Also didn't he say he didn't even want strippers? And then the whole not recognizing her, really? Like... Why was that not explained in detail? Why does evil red head have zero scars? Also a business-owning woman was wrapped up in plastic bag for an extended period and lived to tell the tale, and nobody concerning her business (and personal life) other than a few clients were really concerned about her whereabouts. Also they apparently were cool with the woman she practically hired off the street with no resume, background check, probably even no tax papers signed, taking over everything?
Lastly, the movie just had an incredibly cheap feel to it. I get it was made during the pandemic but still. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but the way it was shot and how it looks just looks cheap. Also the wedding dress shop set was too sparse and almost looked like a apartment or house? Maybe just me? Also the kids playing (do boys that age typically play wedding dress up with their female friends?) and the "vintage" picture of them taken from deep inside of the closet rather than at the door was just pure cringe. I'm nitpicking but if you're making a movie... Idk I'd put more effort into something, anything that I know thousands will watch...
This will probably be the only review I make on this type of film and for good reason because this has to be one of the worst. I would only recommend it be watched once to just witness how lazy LMN filmmaking can get. Thus I'm giving it two stars for how fun it is to pick out the stupidity, plot holes, and bad hammy acting. But this is not a fun bad movie by any means.
Here are my reasons for this conclusion: The villain lady reminded me of an ~evil~ character from a DCOM or a sitcom for kids by Disney or Nick right down to her monologuing aloud. Her acting was hammy, but not in an enjoyable, the actor having fun with the role kind of way. Just... Poor.
Every character and situation was stupid and unrealistic, even for Lifetime standards. Especially the fiance. The evil redhead literally pushed up on him in a completely non-friendly aggressively flirty way and he didn't bat an eyelash or tell his soon-to-be wife. Then there was the wedding cake/dress incident which still didn't completely send him running. Then the stripper scene (also why was these scene shot so hallmark movie-y? Those were the most sfw strippers ever), he didn't recognize her voice? Also didn't he say he didn't even want strippers? And then the whole not recognizing her, really? Like... Why was that not explained in detail? Why does evil red head have zero scars? Also a business-owning woman was wrapped up in plastic bag for an extended period and lived to tell the tale, and nobody concerning her business (and personal life) other than a few clients were really concerned about her whereabouts. Also they apparently were cool with the woman she practically hired off the street with no resume, background check, probably even no tax papers signed, taking over everything?
Lastly, the movie just had an incredibly cheap feel to it. I get it was made during the pandemic but still. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but the way it was shot and how it looks just looks cheap. Also the wedding dress shop set was too sparse and almost looked like a apartment or house? Maybe just me? Also the kids playing (do boys that age typically play wedding dress up with their female friends?) and the "vintage" picture of them taken from deep inside of the closet rather than at the door was just pure cringe. I'm nitpicking but if you're making a movie... Idk I'd put more effort into something, anything that I know thousands will watch...
This will probably be the only review I make on this type of film and for good reason because this has to be one of the worst. I would only recommend it be watched once to just witness how lazy LMN filmmaking can get. Thus I'm giving it two stars for how fun it is to pick out the stupidity, plot holes, and bad hammy acting. But this is not a fun bad movie by any means.
Tell Your Friends