You either like this movie or you don't. I didn't.
It was unfinished.The acting was ok. The build up was a let down.
24 Reviews
'Eh
daughterof_ann27 April 2020
Been done before but better!
sheast21 April 2020
Missed Opportunities Abound
njm09236 May 2020
The plot structure had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, it all ended up just scratching the surface, trying to plant seeds & then abandoning the rest of the process altogether. The result? Some seriously weak tea! It's not good, but it's completely horrible, so I guess it's ok if you're thirsty enough.
Unfortunately unrealistic
tshary1716 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Quite a promising concept, but totally unbelievable in its depiction of contemporary rich kids who have the morality of vipers and the drug habits of disco-era degenerates. For some odd reason, there's not a single cell phone, laptop, or computer in the whole movie despite being set in a high school full of wealthy delinquents. Plus the administration allows the cool kids' drug operations to persist-- since the entire staff is just one guy, and there's not a single teacher in the whole place. The ultimate lack of resolution to the story is as bankrupt as the future of these aimless posers.
I appreciate that the film features a multiracial cast, and mostly teens of color, which is still lacking in American movies despite the industry's efforts to increase diversity. But the sheer venality and villainy of these students makes them worthless as role models, denying the film's evident ambitions to promote young Black female empowerment. Another film from the same year, 'Premature', achieves that ambition so much more, and is far more fulfilling.
I appreciate that the film features a multiracial cast, and mostly teens of color, which is still lacking in American movies despite the industry's efforts to increase diversity. But the sheer venality and villainy of these students makes them worthless as role models, denying the film's evident ambitions to promote young Black female empowerment. Another film from the same year, 'Premature', achieves that ambition so much more, and is far more fulfilling.
Decent movie for Children
a-kastenas8 April 2020
The only way I see it - it's a movie for Children perhaps young teenagers who have imagination running wild.
Children when they are 9 or 10 see 17 year old youngsters as adults. They seem smart, powerful and tricky. However they still remain teenagers, not adults.
I do see this film as somewhat appealing towards young audiences especially for children who have older brothers and sisters whose life seems mysterious and fun.
This is a movie about nothing but a fantasy world, nothing real about it.
It's an interesting idea, and I see this film gaining popularity among children who are tired of watching cartoons all day long.
Suitable for Children and young teenagers, target audience is 9 to 13. For the rest of the audience this might be a waste of time unfortunately.
Children when they are 9 or 10 see 17 year old youngsters as adults. They seem smart, powerful and tricky. However they still remain teenagers, not adults.
I do see this film as somewhat appealing towards young audiences especially for children who have older brothers and sisters whose life seems mysterious and fun.
This is a movie about nothing but a fantasy world, nothing real about it.
It's an interesting idea, and I see this film gaining popularity among children who are tired of watching cartoons all day long.
Suitable for Children and young teenagers, target audience is 9 to 13. For the rest of the audience this might be a waste of time unfortunately.
Not what I expected
camrynpatrice20 April 2020
When I saw the trailers of the movie, I thought this would be an Euphoria style drama with boarding school drama. However I was quite mistaken. This movie turned out to be more rush job thrown in drama. For me it felt like more of the bones for a great series then a fully flush movie, where you can see a clear plot point and understanding ending. Instead you get more question of why this and how that. I mean the story seems good but you left empty handed really bad.
I love Ana and all....
xxcaeliihunn20 April 2020
Great directing, good acting and good dialogue but sparked spark
scoobyjack823 April 2020
I think there was a something holding me back from totally engaging in this movie despite the great production elements. I think it was brought down by a familiar story that really didn't "pop" or distinguish itself. I think the director has great potential though.
Squanders a great cast and interesting concept
eddie_baggins5 August 2020
Promising much with a potentially gripping boarding school set drama centered around a collection of teenage factions that hold a monopoly over their upper-class education facility, Selah and the Spades is all shine and no substance as debut director Tayarisha Poe is unable to bring her story to vivid life.
Sharing some DNA with early 2000's high-school indie Brick, Spades is in many ways a hip and now affair, surrounded by some of the hottest new talent in the industry with Lovie Simone and When They See Us star Jharrel Jerome leaders of an impressive young cast, but the at first intriguing story of Simone's faction leader Selah and Celeste O'Connor's newcomer and potential protege to Selah Paloma quickly gives way to a film that never feels at home in itself or crafts a central narrative that ends up being worth our time exploring.
Introducing us in the first few minutes to the various groups that run drugs and plan extra curricular activities in the school grounds of Haldwell, Spades seems like it is setting up a unique and vibrant world within a world for us to journey through but like most of the film, this idea seems only half explored at best with little care or thought given on how these elements combine around an otherwise generic fish out of water/coming of age story that doesn't have the substance or vibrancy to stand out from a crowded marketplace.
Not afraid to tackle some dark themes but never diving into them in a way that makes Spades feel overly insightful, Poe and her actors don't back away from taking Spades down an untypical route in some instances, with Selah a curiously detestable central figure and the grounds of Haldwell itself acting as a character in its own right but the actors best work and Spades visual prowess are only able to carry the uninviting and bland story so far.
With Simone and O'Connor acquitting themselves to their respective roles and Jerome doing well with limited material to work with or screentime to allow him to shine, Spades main trio of performers come out on top in a film that never builds in a way that feels worth it, especially in regards to an utterly bland finale that will make you wonder if reels of the film were lost before the credits hit the screen.
Final Say -
This Amazon Prime distributed offering has potential that is never met as Selah and the Spades fails to utilize the performers or story at its disposal in a way that makes this untypical school set drama worthy of your time.
2 prom nights out of 5
Sharing some DNA with early 2000's high-school indie Brick, Spades is in many ways a hip and now affair, surrounded by some of the hottest new talent in the industry with Lovie Simone and When They See Us star Jharrel Jerome leaders of an impressive young cast, but the at first intriguing story of Simone's faction leader Selah and Celeste O'Connor's newcomer and potential protege to Selah Paloma quickly gives way to a film that never feels at home in itself or crafts a central narrative that ends up being worth our time exploring.
Introducing us in the first few minutes to the various groups that run drugs and plan extra curricular activities in the school grounds of Haldwell, Spades seems like it is setting up a unique and vibrant world within a world for us to journey through but like most of the film, this idea seems only half explored at best with little care or thought given on how these elements combine around an otherwise generic fish out of water/coming of age story that doesn't have the substance or vibrancy to stand out from a crowded marketplace.
Not afraid to tackle some dark themes but never diving into them in a way that makes Spades feel overly insightful, Poe and her actors don't back away from taking Spades down an untypical route in some instances, with Selah a curiously detestable central figure and the grounds of Haldwell itself acting as a character in its own right but the actors best work and Spades visual prowess are only able to carry the uninviting and bland story so far.
With Simone and O'Connor acquitting themselves to their respective roles and Jerome doing well with limited material to work with or screentime to allow him to shine, Spades main trio of performers come out on top in a film that never builds in a way that feels worth it, especially in regards to an utterly bland finale that will make you wonder if reels of the film were lost before the credits hit the screen.
Final Say -
This Amazon Prime distributed offering has potential that is never met as Selah and the Spades fails to utilize the performers or story at its disposal in a way that makes this untypical school set drama worthy of your time.
2 prom nights out of 5
good
coolbeanz50008 April 2020
Teen Angst (Love and other casualties)
kosmasp19 May 2021
You've probaly seen themes of this in other movies and tv shows ... probably better handled than here overall. Still this is a decent look into the mindset of not yet adults and what they go through and what they think while doing so ... which of course is fodder for quite a few cliches to say the least.
It is also predictable, but has fine actors doing everything they can to make this look and sound better. While I am not sure if they are able to elevate it for everybody, some may at least feel this way. Not a great movie, not a really bad one either at least in my book.
It is also predictable, but has fine actors doing everything they can to make this look and sound better. While I am not sure if they are able to elevate it for everybody, some may at least feel this way. Not a great movie, not a really bad one either at least in my book.
The title was the star...
perezdk22 April 2020
This couldn't have been the weakest rendition of Cruel Intentions ever conceived. It would have been better if the "writer" plagiarized 99% of CI script and just placed black actors in the major roles.
This could have been a spectacular mini series. The character build moments were there. It could have been broken down to Selhas diary where each day/chapter is a new group breakdown and character building stage.
All that potential spent on a blown load of poor scenarios and glim writing.
#Fail
best days of your life?
kevin c2 May 2020
Movie night with Iris.
Rough around the edges tale of high school hostile cliques. It has hints of Catcher in the Rye. And has to be applauded fro a black, female dominance.
There is a stylised, numbness throughout. Indeed it doesn't really lead anywhere. The film has an interesting take on what high school is really like - not the Hollywood coming-of-age drama. School is dull and messy, like everything else in real life.
Rough around the edges tale of high school hostile cliques. It has hints of Catcher in the Rye. And has to be applauded fro a black, female dominance.
There is a stylised, numbness throughout. Indeed it doesn't really lead anywhere. The film has an interesting take on what high school is really like - not the Hollywood coming-of-age drama. School is dull and messy, like everything else in real life.
don't waste your time
mudbone-4288520 May 2020
Doubt even children would find this film entertaining!
roxmewild21 June 2020
I have watched my fair share of Bad movies , many I decided would probably have appealed to a much younger audience than myself So on that basis took it into consideration when I rated the movie ,however this movie was So Bad that I seriously doubt even a young audience would enjoy!
It failed on so many levels the highest being that it lacked any story whatsoever am perplexed why whoever paid for it to be made was thinking or more appropriately not thinking maybe they needed a tax deduction although I think a charity donation would have been more useful!
It failed on so many levels the highest being that it lacked any story whatsoever am perplexed why whoever paid for it to be made was thinking or more appropriately not thinking maybe they needed a tax deduction although I think a charity donation would have been more useful!
Interesting premise, bad execution
mmikec18 June 2021
This high school drama is not classic school drama and introduces few new concepts (like school factions) which is a welcome surprise in this genre.
However, the movie is often pretty boring. Despite the solid performance by the cast, I found most characters unlikeable (especially the main character). The idea behind the movie was ambitious, but it just fell flat. The idea of factions is a good one, but it is not as explored as I thought it would be.
However, the movie is often pretty boring. Despite the solid performance by the cast, I found most characters unlikeable (especially the main character). The idea behind the movie was ambitious, but it just fell flat. The idea of factions is a good one, but it is not as explored as I thought it would be.
Like lady Gaga said....
ravensloa17 April 2020
Refreshing and stylish
edensapir0121 April 2020
Selah and The Spades is a gem, no other film like it. Bold and experimental filmmaking helped subvert this genre, upside down on itself - and I loved everything minute of it. The entire film wasn't perfect but nothing really is. Def check this movie out asap - can't wait to see this director (Tayarisha Poe) do more work!
Refreshing and stylish
edensapir0118 April 2020
Selah and The Spades is a gem, no other film like it. Bold and experimental filmmaking helped subvert this genre, upside down on itself - and I loved everything minute of it. The entire film wasn't perfect but nothing really is. Def check this movie out asap.
A Little Artsy Gem
zac-6827413 May 2020
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