'First Match' Review: Netflix Finally Has A Good Film Under The Belt!


• First Match, 2018 • Review • 7.7/10 •

This isn't your typical underdog sports story, this film is about personal survival, the ability to accept hard truths, and resilience in the face of a lifetime of broken promises and disappointment. There's a lot at stake in First Match. And the entire movie is writ large on the face of Elvire Emanuelle, a young actress of remarkable ability and magnetism. The young wrestlers are exuberant; the coach is insightful. Yahya Abdul-Mahteen II is subtle and effective as Mo's dickhead dad. Kimberly Ramirez, Mo's Spanish foster mother, gives a nuanced, heartbreaking performance. Only the stock neighbourhood "fixer" (Allen Maldonado) seems a cliche. The movie is set in Brooklyn at its least gentrified; the gritty streets, the spot-on rap music, and the sympathetic kids with multiple challenges looking for a way out. Overall, it's not a bad film at all. Finally, Netflix has a half decent film to there name!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Paul Thomas Anderson Week: 'There Will Be Blood' Review!

Image
• There Will Be Blood, 2007 • 8.2/10 • Firstly, I would like to start with Daniel Day Lewis' mesmerizing performance as the ruthless oil prospector, Daniel Plainview. The scumbag cons local landowners into selling their valuable land for pittance, and then he comes along like a "straw" and "sucks it all up," leaving him very wealthy and everyone else in his way. Paul Dano, Wow, do you really expect anything less than magic when it comes to him acting, he's a true tour de force. I wish we had preachers like Eli Sunday up at my local church. Johnny Greenwood's score is brilliant, it really gets under your skin, you then combine that with the gorgeous cinematography, smart screenplay and the brilliant acting, you then have yourself a film where even if your not paying complete attention, you will still hate the lead by the end, all the same! Yeah, I did just say that. I'm sorry peeps but it got a little boring at times (it didn't keep me hook...
Read more

Some funny news as Seth Rogen criticises Sony on Twitter!

Image
Seth Rogen has criticised a new Sony Pictures initiative to make family friendly versions of its films available to viewers. Sony’s Clean Version initiative allows home entertainment customers to purchase films that have been edited for broadcast television and in-flight entertainment systems. Under the scheme, “scenes of graphic violence, offensive language, sexual innuendo and other adult content” will be censored or removed from some PG-13 and R-rated movies. So far, “clean versions” of 24 films, including Captain Phillips, Step Brothers and the Spider-Man movies, have been made available to purchase. Rogen criticised the initiative on Twitter : “Holy shit please don’t do this to our movies. Thanks.” Holy shit please don't do this to our movies. Thanks. https://t.co/0lpoESaIQd — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) 6 June 2017 The actor, who has made adult-themed comedies such as Knocked Up , This Is The End and Sausage Party (don't forget the legendary Pineapple Expre...
Read more

'Tomb Raider' Review: First Successful Game Adaptation! Kudos!

Image
• Tomb Raider, 2018 • 7.9/10 • Alicia Vikander gives Lara depth and personality much like Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones. She's vulnerable, but she's also stubborn and focused to survive on her own and has never lost hope that she'll once again see her father. The story is built on the reboot of the video game series, but takes another way after the arrival at the destination where most of the action takes place. When the story follows the video game it has weaknesses (as so many games adaptations do), but when it stands on its own, it shows glimpses of coming adventures for Lara Croft that makes you want more -- much because of Vikanders grounded performance. The script is by no means perfect, the CGI was a bit spotty in places, and yes there are a few cliches and overused story devices here and there, but overall it is an enjoyable film and our first successful game adaptation! Yesss! P.S - Dominc West was the perfect choice for Mr. Croft!
Read more