mashadowellonline Reviews

Expats (2023–2024)

So far amazing

[10/10 · 31 January 2024]

I LOVE the slow burn of this series so far. I almost didn't watch it because of the lukewarm reviews. Ep 2 is where the story begins to take root. I sense that it was a stylistic choice to have the pilot as it was. Nonetheless, I love it and it's really a well made series. One of the best shots that I've ever seen in a series. I do recommend the series. I wish it was available for bingeing - however l, without it... it's a slow burn! And I'm here for it. My advice is start with ep 2! Lol. Then watch the pilot.

Nicole Kidman does excellent in this project. As well as the other leads and supporting cast.

A Thousand and One (2023)

There is a story here - many of them

[5/10 · 5 January 2024]

I just attended a FYC screening of this project. I attempted to watch this film at home, and I couldn't do it for some reason. So I hopped on the opportunity to see it in a theater.

Pros: 1. Amazing cast 2. I felt there were a few stories in one. You had the release from prison, you have the kidnapping, you have the romance, you had the close friendship that the protagonist had with her friend ( I didn't know if they were lovers or so... just felt something there), there was this weird, but great dynamic going on between the friends mom and the protagonist, you had the protagonist making money from hairstyling, social worker situation, and big time lapse... 3. The Production was high quality 4. The era was exact with the wardrobe, hair, interior shots

Cons: 1. I have no clue what the story was really about. Like the meat of it.

2. There were quick scene jumps, they didn't prep the viewer.

3. I felt like some of the anger was not given a backstory for the protagonist. Yes, we know she kidnapped her son... yet there were like scenes were she was passionate / angry and her scene partners weren't either present to this or so 4. Seems like the husband was just out of the narrative quick - I was like oh okay!

5. The story felt a bit crowded

However, with all of that stated... I applaud this filmmaker for her debut. I can only imagine how very challenging it was to create.

I would have loved to be able to say exactly what this film was about... yet I'm not able to. I deeply loved the build up of the story towards the last 15 mins. The filmmaker kicked ass with that! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Beloved (1998)

A Masterpiece

[10/10 · 20 December 2023]

I've heard about this film for decades. I never watched it because so many people said that it was weird, stupid, scary. However, I watched the Toni Morrison documentary earlier today and it mentions this book. Well, while I read loads of books, my preferred media is cinema. So I just watched it and it was just a great story. What stands out the most to be was how holistic the storytelling was, and also the humanness of the characters. Oprah gave an excellent performance and Kimberly Elise. Thandiwe's performance was great as well, it made me uncomfortable - but it was not because it was bad, but it was unexpected. Especially, since I had not read the book. My favorite scene was when the church ladies came to the house... I'm not sure what it did to me. But that scene was poignant, defining, and just a bit tragic as well.

I recommend this film.

Black Cake (2023– )

High Quality Production

[10/10 · 16 November 2023]

This series is amazing. I almost turned it off because of the first 5 minutes... until I saw actor Glenn Turman. His presence on screen grounded the project for me. As I've watched more and more of the series, I am blown away by the storyline and the series' production value. The entire team has brought forth its 'A game.' If I did have a complaint, I am unsure if the storyline with the two siblings is valuable. Yes, it is valid for a book - not so much for a screen. Every time they were on screen, I wanted to get back to the actual story featuring actress Mia Isaac.

I highly recommend that everyone watch this series.

And Just Like That... (2021– )

I freaking love it

[10/10 · 6 August 2023]

It feels amazing to watch the group of ladies journey through their 50s. Sometimes you cry with them, or laugh. I'm not sure why the majority of the reviews are so awful. Maybe we aren't watching the same series?

I LOVE the inclusion of the cast. I love how each character is dealing with their responsibilities, or no responsibilities. I did cringe a bit with Carrie getting acclimated to the podcast world. BUT that's real for her character! I love watching Miranda navigate her new life. I love watching Charlotte raise her kids, and her involvement with her kids school. Love Che's storyline with her career. I'm so here for Lisa's storyline with her husband and kids. Nya's storyline is a bit slow, but I feel that it's warming up.

I hope that they will have a season 3! I'd love to be cast in it!

The Strays (2023)

I Really Liked it

[8/10 · 28 February 2023]

I stumbled upon this film. I read the bad reviews. Yet, I gave it a chance. I'm glad that I did. The film is sort of anthology film. It gives three perspectives of a Black woman that lives behind her Black children and starts a new life with a new family that is not Black. The film gets good towards the end. The Black kids take revenge on the Black mom and her new family. It's wickedly awkward and awesome. I recommend it. In a way it's scary too. As the Mother character mentions in the film... men do what she's done every day. Yet, when a mother does it... it's like death. The film is a horror film, yet cerebral as well. If you are from a blended family... you may better understand the story a bit more than others. Enjoy!!!!!

From Scratch (2022)

So well made

[10/10 · 27 October 2022]

I'm a better person from watching this. From the direction, cinematography, performance, and writing. The family love just inspired me. The romance just a dream. I love how the love is deep and intimate and beautiful. I love the two families. The father and Lino scenes are so beautiful. I love how imperfect and perfect the mother character was. So honest! Lino was just beautiful with his performance. And Zoe just carried the family with such elegance, stability, and authenticity. She was intentional with every part of her performance. It was such a well grounded and mature energy that she gave.

I LOVED the Italian wedding and the relationship between Zoe and Keith David. And her sisters LOVE omg... such a strong relationship. I LOVE seeing Black ppl like in this film. Proud, loving, strong, and imperfect.

I will be watching this again. I recommend this series. Bravo!

The Shrink Next Door (2021)

I love it so far!

[10/10 · 13 November 2021]

I love it because it explores the social dynamics between siblings, therapists, and living life. It low key shows you how ppl get taken advantage of. It explores so much of real life. Kudos to the writer, the actors, and the entire team! I recommend it!

It's not a slow pace series... it simply evolves at just the right pace to understand what is happening... it's like a con job hall, then self empowerment, and then real life!

Thunder Force (2021)

Corny and Funny

[5/10 · 12 April 2021]

It's was dry humor. Rough script. The direction was not that bad. I was laughing about the Melissa and Jason love story and the Cajun seasoning. 😂😂😂

Them (2021– )

High quality Production!

[10/10 · 10 April 2021]

I'm 18 minutes in to the project and I was like these filmmakers didn't come to PLAY! It's so great! High quality film quality, great writing, great performances! Omg! Bring it! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Africa's Great Civilizations (2017)

This is a must watch for a start to your African education

[10/10 · 3 March 2021]

This was a well made documentary series. I deeply enjoyed how organized it was. I loved that it gave names, dates, countries in Africa for me to pause and then look up. I love how HLG narrated the project with equally passionate scientists, researchers, theologians from around the world. The entire project really is needed; especially as an American of African descent. We've unfortunately been so white washed that we sometimes forget that we come from something better than any other continent in the world... Africa. It's a must watch! I feel that it's best to watch this as young as you can; so afterwards you can do your own research. Knowing this information about Africa will literally make you unstoppable!!!

Malcolm & Marie (2021)

This is a real film

[10/10 · 8 February 2021]

That's all I have to say. I've read the reviews. They're all wrong. Seriously.

One Night in Miami... (2020)

It's my wish that you will watch

[10/10 · 16 January 2021]

Awards. I want this project to win awards. So hopefully, the masses will watch it , and learn a lot. The film said a lot. But most importantly, it showed us how to use art and your occupation for resisting and protest. Specifically, from those four men: Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. It will make you look at yourself and say... "What are you doing to contribute to the American culture?".

In regard to the direction of the film... I loved it because it was so intimate. Regina showed moments in our human experience that we sometimes take for granted; like prayer, fear, joy... and captured it on her cast.

The words written by Kemp Powers were easy to follow and with great depth. Especially, when written from those mega powerful men. Even Betty Shabaz's words were powerful.

Lastly, I read that named talent aka some celebrities would not audition for Regina. AND I'm so glad that they did NOT... because where would she have gotten these gem of actors had she went with a named celebrity? It would've cheapened her project. Especially with the Malcolm X and Sam Cooke characters... those actors did THAT.

Antebellum (2020)

I actually liked the film

[10/10 · 19 September 2020]

I'll need to watch it again. As a former film reviewer/critic for Indiewire's Shadow and Act... I will say that I've screened films that were flat story wise. This wasn't one of those types of films. I felt so many energies with the storytelling... so I'm excited to watch it again.

I really loved the cinematography. I loved the lead actresses performance.

I noticed that before watching the film one need to be up to date with race relations. The filmmakers do make the assumption that all watching are versed! Lol. But I'll take that. I'll research the south a bit more and rewatch. However, somehow, that should've been inbeded into the story.

Anyways, I give it a 10. Because I'm watching it again. I feel kind of excited about it.

Da 5 Bloods (2020)

This film took you on a ride

[10/10 · 16 June 2020]

I was bored and so I was like let me watch a film. I saw this film front and center as a Spike Film and I was like I'm not ready to hear what he has to say. I personally didn't like Blacklansman. I literally saw a Facebook post about it and I was like hell... what do I have to loose. I heated up some food and I sat down to watch it. I expected typical Spike.

So immediately my vision had to calibrate it's self because it felt weird seeing black men talk about being Vietnam vets. I always see white dudes doing that in film. So that felt off... BUT I know these men exist because I meet them a lot. My late step father was one! Anyways that was that. So I fixed my eyes and equipped myself for a Spike joint. So my heart was so warm by seeing the men in present day Vietnam. We don't see black older men with this back drop. Period. So then he starts connecting the storylines... you have all the well developed characters. I love how we're taking into each man's story a bit. So in the beginning it's a lot of backstory goodness.

AND the IT gets real when they finalize matters and trek it. Initially, I was like hey I don't want to see them get killed. But the way Spike poetically correlates their demise with real world reality for the black vet was SPOT on! I got chills.

And like how the PSTD was so real. I was on the edge all during the end.

Delroy deserves an Academy award for his performance. And Spike omg... brother I've been sleeping on you.

These idiots that gave reviews have no clue about the voice that you gave for BLACK vets! Like there will be dialogue and dialogue from this film. Thank you for giving them a VOICE.

It's about time.

Everyone should watch this film. And this is my very first review on IMDB. I needed to record it. I don't care is NOBODY recognizes the greatness in this film I do!!!!