SELAH AND THE SPADES

By -
SELAH AND THE SPADES movie poster
Several factions of students compete for dominance at the Haldwell boarding school. Senior Selah (Lovie Simone) is the head of The Spades, a club known for drug dealing. Her biggest rival is Bobby (Ana Mulvoy Ten), who commands the drama nerds. Staying on top isn't easy for Selah, with added pressure from her mother (Gina Torres) to keep grades up for college prospects. The school's Headmaster (Jesse Williams) is also on her case and there may be a snitch in the group. The pressured teen gets help from right-hand man Maxxie (Jharrel Jerome) and new girl Paloma (Celeste O'Connor), a budding photographer and possible future club leader. Things get interesting when Selah perceives a loss of control.

Writer/director Tayarisha Poe makes an impressive feature film debut with this realistic portrayal of teen angst. While short on plot,
some dynamic performances more than compensate. Lovie Simone is energetic and aggressive as the title character. Celeste O'Connor and Jharrel Jerome believably carry the supporting roles. Some of the lesser players display uneven acting skills, but the leads make up for these minor problems. This dialogue-driven drama with little humor manages to keep the audience engaged with student power struggles and intrigue. The stylized cinematography of Jomo Fray and composer ASKA's electric score add depth to the story. Without really breaking any new ground, this unique point of view is refreshing. The edgy "Selah and The Spades" is a class act. (3.5/5 CAMS)

Rated R (for teen drug content, and language)
Running Time: 97 minutes

Streaming April 17, 2020 on Amazon Prime Video.

Popular posts from this blog

THE MARKSMAN (2021)

By -
Image
Trying to save his Arizona ranch, the last thing loner and ex-Marine Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson) needs is more trouble. When he encounters migrants Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) and her 11-year-old son Miguel (Jacob Perez) running from drug cartel assassins, more trouble comes his way. Promising Rosa he will get Miguel to relatives in Chicago, the hardened Hanson and the young fugitive reluctantly take a dangerous road trip. An unlikely friendship develops as the killers, led by relentless Mauricio (Juan Pablo Raba), get closer. With Liam Neeson the main attraction, a full-blown action thriller is expected. But this latest attempt at making a modern western is surprisingly short on action and thrills. Director Robert Lorenz, who helmed the Clint Eastwood baseball drama "Trouble with the Curve", spends most of this film's length on drama and emotion. Mr. Neeson is up to the task, but this is not what the fans look forward to with a title like "The Marksman". The screenplay by
Read more

THE RHYTHM SECTION

By -
Image
When depressed, drug-addicted prostitute Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) learns the plane crash that killed her family wasn't an accident, she sets out to avenge their deaths. With the help of a former British MI6 agent (Jude Law), Stephanie trains to become an assassin. Under various disguises, she takes on missions that will lead to vengeance. A strong performance by Blake Lively and sudden bursts of action can't save this mostly lackluster thriller. Based on the popular book by Mark Burnell, who also wrote the screenplay, director Reed Morano ("Meadowland") relies heavily on
Read more

SOUL (2020)

By -
Image
Band teacher Joe Gardner (the voice of Jamie Foxx) is offered a full-time position at his school and also gets a dream opportunity: the chance to play at a popular jazz club. But after an accident on a New York City street, Joe ends up in The Great Before where new souls get their personalities formed prior to going to Earth. Desperately wanting to return home, he is paired with difficult soul 22 (voiced by Tina Fey), who is reluctant to become human. Together, they may just find their purpose in life. Leaving sequels behind, Disney/Pixar strikes gold with an imaginative and fanciful animated original. Like their "Onward" earlier this year, interesting characters and fresh storytelling captivate the audience. Director Pete Docter, with help from co-director Kemp Powers ("One Night in Miami" screenplay), goes out-of-body for an experience that has some similarities to his inner body "Inside Out". But the story/screenplay by Docter, Powers and Mike Jones has
Read more