The Invisible Guest

Written and directed by Spanish Oriol Paulo, this Crime/Mystery/Thriller originally known as ‘Contratiempo’ was released in 2016 and despite it’s excellent story and execution only garnered 1 win and 2 nominations that year. Joined by Mario Casas, Ana Wagener, Jose Coronado and Barbara Lennie all actors from Spain; did an extraordinary job with bringing the story and characters to life.

With a run-time of 106 minutes and a budget of an estimated 4 million euros there was great pacing, fantastic framing and a dynamite story that kept it’s audience sitting anxiously on the edge of their seats. The soundtrack was riveting and the twists in the plot were quite satisfying! 

Journey with Jair recommended! 

No Good Deed

I had the pleasure of watching 2014’s ’No Good Deed’ and I must comment that my first thoughts were that it was uplifting to see a strong female lead on screen, and see two people of color do a magnificent job. I enjoyed the high film quality of this film, the camera techniques, frames, shots and climatic music. 

Putting those those things aside, I must divulge that the thriller became less authentic or believable because of the perpetual amount of upper-cut-swipes English heartthrob Idris Alba endured by our fearless super-hero of a mother played by Taraji P. Henson. I had a strong inkling this film was written by a woman, and I was right. 

Written by  Aimee Lagos, who also wrote ’96 minutes’ and ‘Underground’, this story although solid, seemed to give off the essence of ‘let’s bash men for the century’ as there weren’t any positive images/roles of any men in this film. The only other man that had most screen prescence after our two main characters would be Henry Simmons who played our main character’s husband. Before he even came into frame the audience was told we should be suspicious of or hate him. 

This was my interpretation of the film; however it can easily be flipped to mean the opposite that our unstable escaped convict played by Elba, was actually the one who had immense hate for women, and this was an ode to all women fighting back. No matter your take on this film; it is definitely worth a watch. With an estimated budget of $13 million USD it grossed $52 million USD back at the box-office and garnered 2 nominations and 2 wins that year!

Deidra and Laney Rob a Train

This 2017 Netflix Original Comedy/Crime/Drama was not at all what I expected. Besides, the surprisingly diverse cast, there were a number of well-known names attached to this project. Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live), Missi Pyle (Big Fish, The Artist, Gone Girl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), and Danielle Nicolet (Central Intelligence) to name a few. Written by Shelby Farrell and directed by Sydney Freeland, both women who have not worked on a copious amount of projects, it was a collaboration that flowered empowerment and aspiration despite the malfunctioning of family-life.

Starring new and promising actors, Ashleigh Murray and Rachel Crow who played our main characters Deidra and Laney respectively, the story was one that kept viewers wondering if and when they would get caught. Great acting, superb music and clean enough story, it’s a worthy film the whole family could enjoy!

Besides terrible casting, as not one family member in my opinion looked a minuscule resemblance of the other, I found the film to be excellent for teens and the younger crowd, as they could relate with the teens rebellious spirits but also master boosting their confidence and ambitions when they need to. I also feel that this story paid homage to the late, great Harriet Tubman, in an unspoken and special way.