Vibrations

**Always delightful to hear actors and 'brand-new' actors speak about their craft & the joys of bringing stories to life! :)) I love the gifts given by the director to the actors and the realization that we as humans have the power within to find all that we need.

Concussion

“Nothing hits harder than the truth”.

This 2015 Dramatic Biography starring Will Smith was supremely talked about. Partly because it was snubbed as a choice for Best Film for the 2016’s Oscars and partly because it was so good. Dr. Bennet Omalu was the Nigerian neuropathologist  who first made the discovery of CTE, an American-football-related brain trauma that affected many retired players. It was a remarkable discovery and a great role by Smith whom played Omalu. 

Bringing this unbelievable story to the big screen is Peter Landesman (Kill the Messenger, Parkland), who wrote and directed this feature. English Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) and Albert Brooks were among the actors that gave solid work. I wasn’t blown away by any single performance, but found the usefulness of the film’s message beyond significant.

The “America is my dream place and I want to be American” attraction by our lead Omalu played by Smith I felt to be a bit overplayed but overall it was a decent movie and impressive story.

After Earth

"Danger is Real…Fear is a Choice."

This highly anticipated film brought to you by director M. Night Shyamalan (known best for 'Then Sixth Sense) and starring father-son duo Will and Jaden Smith was high on my list of films to see this year. I'd been keeping my eyes on the reviews (all of which rang poor) knowing that I would want to see and review myself because the media and world ultimately have nothing good to say.

Story by Will Smith and adapted into screenplay by M. Night Shyamalan and Gary Whitta, this film had all the makings for success. Not to mention the star names producing and lending their talent for this $130 million USD budget. Sophie Okonedo and Zoe Kravitz also had memorable roles as mother and daughter respectively. However, despite good story, great actors and big budget, they still failed at the box-office grossing only $60 million USD back.

With a run-time of 100 minutes and great pacing, cinematography, CGI and acting, I have to say that the what made this film's downfall is that there were too many elements that were already done before. It was very reminiscent of the 'Star Wars', 'Star Trek' films and after Hollywood already revived it's one millionth classic 'Star Trek', it was not what audiences around the world were looking forward to.

The lessons in this film were pristine and necessary, teaching us to be soldiers of strength, truth, and that fear has no place among the great. The majority of the film was mainly Will Smith and his son and although I am proud of them and in awe of their accomplishments, I think that $130 million USD could have been used a little better to make bold differences and something a bit more fresh to bring to the world. Sometimes keeping it simple is best.