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Pray Away: New Trailer delves into the Scary History of Exodus International

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Sometimes reality is scarier than fiction.

Directed by Kristine Stolakis, the new trailer for Pray Away tells the story of the development of Exodus International. In the new footage, the trailer focuses on the damage left behind when one tries to erase another’s story. By using theology as a hammer, those involved at Exodus denied the gay community their identity and left a broken imprint in their lives.

Pray Away begins almost 50 years ago. According to the site’s description, “In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the “homosexual lifestyle.” They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world.
But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away.

After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, Pray Away chronicles the “ex-gay” movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes.”

At first glance, the names Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum are the ones that may seem most surprising in their attachment to the film. Known primarily for their efforts in the horror genre, a documentary about conversion therapy doesn’t appear to fit in their wheelhouse (or Blumhouse, if you will) at first glance. However, one can certainly see these influences on display in the latest trailer. Though only a trailer, this is clearly a film that is going to delve into the terrifying and traumatic abuse of the LGBTQ+ population at the hands of the evangelical community. In this way, the film may be even scarier than American Horror Story or anything that the Blumhouse has to offer. After all, this story isn’t fiction. This is history.

Pray Away comes to Netflix on August 3rd, 2021.

To view the trailer for Pray Away, click here.

Audible – Teen Angst in Silence

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The teen years can be a challenge. It is a time when people struggle with their identity and their place in the world. Even for the most “normal” of teens, these years can be a struggle. Add to that having to deal with a disability. In Matthew Ogens’s documentary short Audible, we meet a young football player at a school for the deaf as he struggles with teen angst, deafness, and the loss of a friend.

Amaree McKenstry-Hall plays for football for the Maryland School for the Deaf. At the beginning of the film we see the team losing its first game against a deaf school in sixteen years. It also breaks the 42-game winning streak against all teams. For regular high school athletes, this would be a difficult time. We watch as Amaree and his schoolmates deal not only with the defeat, but with the struggles of facing a world as a deaf person. When school is over Amaree and his classmates will face discrimination and isolation.

As we get to know Amaree, we learn that his father left when he became deaf, and the two are working on rebuilding a relationship. His father, a onetime drug dealer, is a minister in a local church. He also is a bit unsure of his relationship with a girlfriend. Amaree’s biggest emotional challenge is dealing with the suicide of a classmate.

All of these are issues that many teens face. As such this is very much a look at coming-of-age in America. But when you include the challenges of getting ready to move into living fully in a hearing world, it all becomes multiplied.

Because it is a short (running time:39 minutes), it doesn’t have a chance to go very deep into Amaree’s stuggles, but we do see enough to understand that like all teens, he has many pressures. But we also see that he has qualities that may be helpful as he moves on in life.

AUDIBLE/NETFLIX © 2021

Audible streams on Netflix.

Photos courtesy of Netflix.

Inspiration and Success: 1on1 with Dennis Quaid (BLUE MIRACLE)

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Dennis Quaid knows what makes a great story.

With films ranging from the dramatic (Far From Home, Traffic) to the lighthearted and fun (Innerspace, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) and a career that spans over five decades, Quaid’s repertoire has always been diverse. However, more recently, he has been drawn to more inspirational stories. For Quaid, these types of films not only tell great stories but he also hopes that they will encourage people at a time when things are darkest.

“[Inspirational films] make great stories,” he contends. “There’s enough sad stories to go around this world, just turn on the news. People go to the movies to feel things. They go there to forget about the bad stuff that’s in their lives and their worlds and imagine kind of a pure world. but they go there to feel things and to relate a human experience. [These inspirational stories are] the best of a human experience. Hope.” 

With his latest project, Netflix’s Blue Miracle, Quaid returns to this style of inspirational filmmaking. Filled with drama and an inspirational message, Quaid was drawn to the film because of the experience that he had when he first read the script. 

Blue Miracle. Dennis Quaid as Captain Wade Malloy, Jimmy Gonzales as Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

“Well, it was the story itself,” he begins. “When I read a script, it’s the only time that I have a first-time experience of the movie like an audience member. And that’s what I judge it on. Is this a movie that I would like to see and experience? And, that was a no brainer with us because it’s such an incredible story.”

Directed by Julio Quintana, Blue Miracle tells the amazing true story of Casa Hogar, a Mexican orphanage that works with young boys on the street. With bills piling up and creditors demanding payment, Casa Hogar’s director Oman (Jimmy Gonzalez) desperately searches for answers to their financial problems. In a last ditch effort, they reluctantly team with a burnt-out deep sea fisherman Wade Malloy (Quaid) in the famed Bisbee’s Black & Blue fishing tournament in an effort to bring home the big financial prize. 

Since Blue Miracle is a true story, it provided Quaid the opportunity to give voice to an actual person onscreen. After speaking with the real Malloy and those that knew him, he believes that the man was deeply affected by the experience.

“There is a real guy,” Quaid recalls. “I did meet him at the time but I felt like I didn’t have to. For one thing, we didn’t shoot in Cabo. We shot in the Dominican Republic because they had a tank there. I talked to a lot of people who knew him and his relationship to the orphanage and all that. It was very murky, especially at the beginning of his motivations and everything that evolved over the time that they spent together. I think the orphans learned a lot of things from him and him from the orphans. I think he gained humility in doing this accomplishment that was impossible.” 

Blue Miracle. Pablo Rodriguez as Young Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

Having made such films as The Rookie, Soul Surfer and the upcoming American Underdog, Miracle is another example of a great sports film in Quaid’s repertoire. When he considers what it is about the world of sports that provides such great drama, Quaid states that there is an inherent struggle to sports that’s worth exploring.

“Drama is an inherent part of sports, especially in a live situation because you don’t know the outcome of everything,” he points out. “There’s a struggle. Sport is always a constant struggle. The same people don’t win each week and you really have to put a lot into it to achieve. It’s always open to an injury and it’s over (or, at least, set back). So, there’s a lot of great stories in sport: comebacks, achievements, overcoming adversity.”

As Malloy, Quaid plays a character that is at first obsessed with winning the tournament and reclaiming his former glory. However, as the film progresses, Malloy also has the opportunity to grow as well.

“Winning is the thing that means the most to him,” reflects Quaid. “I think his values are misplaced at the beginning of the film because he won the first time. He won this tournament legitimately and he cheated on the second time. I think his values are misplaced and with this relationship that he has with the kids, he changes. I think he learned a couple of things.” 

Blue Miracle. Anthony Gonzalez as Geco, Dennis Quaid as Captain Wade Malloy, Miguel Angel Garcia as Moco, Jimmy Gonzales as Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

With this in mind, when asked what he believes it means to be truly great, he also argues that real success stems from one’s desire to do something without the adulation.

Says Quaid, “Greatness? I would say, ‘what makes somebody a success?’. That’s when somebody does something they really enjoy. While they’re doing it, it’s not about the adulation. It’s not about the awards. It’s not really even about the money. It’s about how much they enjoy doing it and what they get out of it. That’s the purity and you can only feel that when you’re actually doing it.”

Though the film has an inspirational bent, Quaid ultimately hopes that Blue Miracle simply entertains the viewer and gives them an emotional boost.

“I hope [viewers] are entertained,” he answers. The message itself, it’ll show itself, but it’s a piece of entertainment as well as a true story. I just want people to enjoy themselves for a few hours.”

Blue Miracle is available on Netflix now.

To see our conversation with Dennis Quaid, click here.

Blue Miracle – Fishing for the Lost

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“My prayer worked! I can’t believe it!”

Based on a true story, Julio Quintana’s Blue Miracle is a story of answered prayers, but it is even more a story about finding rebirth in the people around us. It is the story of a washed up boat captain, a fishing tournament, and an orphanage facing eviction. It is billed as a story about saving an orphanage, but there is much more to be saved in this story.

Casa Hogar is a boys’ home in Cabo San Lucas. The boys are cared for by Papa Omar (Jimmy Gonzales), who was himself orphaned as a child. But money is tight. The bank is threatening foreclosure. What will become of the boys? Will they have to go back out on to the streets? Omar is determined that will never happen.

Blue Miracle. Anthony Gonzalez as Geco, Dennis Quaid as Captain Wade Malloy, Miguel Angel Garcia as Moco, Jimmy Gonzales as Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

After a hurricane blows through, a prestigious fishing tournament which is usually for well-heeled fishermen, opens to local fishermen for no entrance fee. Wade Malloy (Dennis Quaid), a boat captain who has twice won the event (but in now broke and broken) tries to enter, but as an American doesn’t qualify as local. So he is paired with Casa Hogar who along with Omar, brings a few of the boys, who must actually do the fishing for a trophy marlin. They have three days to try to catch the biggest marlin and bring in enough money to save Casa Hogar and restore Malloy’s ego.

The theme of the film is established very early when Omar is awakened and told that one of the younger boys has gone out into the night. He knows just where to find him—sleeping at the port, wishing for his mother to come find him. Omar, who we see has a large cross tattooed on his back, heads off to gather the boy in. He carries the sleeping child back through the dangerous streets—even a minor gang war. The scene is much like paintings that depict the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-6; Matthew18:12-13).

Blue Miracle. Jimmy Gonzales as Omar, Steve Gutierrez as Tweety in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

The rest of the film is a series of lost sheep experiences. The two main lost sheep are Malloy, who has become so involved with what he calls “a calling to greatness” that he has lost touch with all the things of value in his life. He only cares about the next marlin (and not getting that, stewing in his misery). In a twist, his son now lives away from him and barely knows him, while the orphans are fatherless.

The other main lost sheep is Moco, an older street-harden kid that Omar is trying to get to come into Casa Hogar. When Omar tells him he could use his help, Moco replies, “I only look out for myself.” He stole Malloy’s watch, and to avoid jail returns it under Omar’s supervision. When he and Malloy are on the boat together, there’s friction.

Blue Miracle. Dennis Quaid as Captain Wade Malloy, Jimmy Gonzales as Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

Even Omar has a certain lostness, in spite of his confidence and maturity. He as much as Malloy or Moco needs to be rescued from the wolves around him and within him.

It isn’t so much a particular “shepherd” that finds these lost sheep. It is the interactions between them all. Each in his own way discovers that he is lost when one of the others shows him the way to return to the safety of the fold.

Blue Miracle. Pablo Rodriguez as Young Omar in Blue Miracle. Cr. Carlos Rodriguez/NETFLIX © 2020

The film provides the orphan boys with witty dialogue and allows them to be the main purveyors of wisdom (the wisest is the smallest of them). The film is a feel-good story without going overboard with sentimentality. It allows us to not only celebrate the good that comes, but also to consider the ways we and those around us are in need of someone to lead us back from time to time.

Blue Miracle streams on Netflix.

Photos courtesy of Netflix.

Army of the Dead: Snyder Adds Blood to the Big Score

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After the release of his 2004 hit Dawn of the Dead, Zack Snyder finally returns to the zombie genre with big expectations for Army of the Dead. Set in a zombie riddled Las Vegas, $50 million dollars are on the line for Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) and his team. But this isn’t just any heist. It’s a zombie heist. Filled with explosions, gore, death, and even a zombie tiger, Ward tries to escape his burger flipping hell by assembling a rag tag group of zombie experts and stone cold killers to commit the most dangerous heist of all.

With the best elements of both the heist and zombie genre, Army knows the tropes that viewers have seen for years and uses the best ones, including assembling the rag tag team of “losers” trying to score big money and the infamous “you son of a bitch, I’m in” vibe from heist movies. However, as a horror movie, Army all manages to play with these stereotypes and flip them around. For example, as the plans fall through, people get slaughtered in gruesome ways at the hands of the overwhelming hoards. As the zombies devour the crew and hopelessness overwhelms them, the fun heist elements die out.

Embedded in the film is a theme of greed becoming people’s demise. Driven by the cash, Ward and his team care more about the reward than each other. As a result, many deaths throughout the film are all directly related to them acting selfish. Though, this carries a certain irony to it as well. [Spoilers] In fact, considering that the whole purpose of any heist movie is for characters to get to the money so that they can live a luxurious life, it’s a little ironic that the only person who didn’t want the money for themselves ended up surviving. [Spoilers End]

My favourite part of Army of the Dead is the opening credits sequence as it shows us the beginning of the pandemic. Set to the song Viva Las Vegas, the sequence highlights the team members’ backgrounds and establishes all the world building necessary. By contrasting the gore and hardcore action with lively music is a nice touch and really sets the viewer up for the fun that one would expect from a heist movie in a post-zombie world. Army of the Dead really allowed Snyder freedom to use his skills in the horror genre, while throwing in the action sequences viewers have loved from films like 300 and his DC involvement (and yes, that includes lots of slow-motion shots).

Another thing that I enjoyed is that Snyder adds to the lore of the world that he’s created by making the zombies intelligent and even creating a hierarchy amongst them. In many ways, it creates a Planet of the Apes kind of vibe. Unlike other zombie films, these creatures are an intelligent species trying to coexist with humans and grow. These ideas made it particularly interesting to see how a zombie society works and, from an action standpoint, viewing how they would have their own type of warfare that utilizes their strengths.

If you like zombie and heist movies, then you’ll love Army of the Dead. With his return to the genre, Snyder has done well by offering all the action, gore, and most of the great moments that you’d expect from both genres. (And it doesn’t hurt that it’s all wrapped up in Snyder’s unique stylistic box as well.)

Army of the Dead premieres May 21st on Netflix.

Oxygen: Breathing to Remember

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While watching films of gripping intensity, we often feel as though we need to remember to breathe. 

But what about a film that’s wants you to breathe to remember?

Directed by legendary director Alexandre Aja, Oxygen tells the story of a young woman (Melanie Laurent) who awakens in a cryogenic pod. Without any memory of who she is or ties to her old life, the woman panics and struggles to break free. With her oxygen level depleted, the woman must crack the code of her memory and her mysterious tomb before time runs out.

Oxygen is an ambitious piece that will leave you gasping for air. An absolute nightmare for anyone claustrophobic, Oxygen keeps the entire film within its confined quarters. While there are very few examples of this type of storytelling, this is an ambitious task for any narrative. With a minimal cast and a tight location, it’s extremely difficult to keep the audience’s attention. (Ryan Reynolds’ pre-Deadpool film, Buried is another example of this.) While Oxygen doesn’t always manage to work, the film’s twist half way through the film is unexpected. Without giving anything away, Aja manages to open up the world so broadly that it gives the film the energy boost that it needs to remain compelling.

As the film’s central focus, star Melanie Laurent has the camera firmly placed on her the entire film and does her best to keep the audience engaged. (Although it’s also worth noting that the film does give some minimal breaks from the location via flashbacks.) The great challenge of a character such as this is that it removes the actor’s ability to truly interact with her surroundings and puts a greater emphasis on the script itself. Even so, Laurent does some good work here and continues to breathe life into the film. 

In many ways, Oxygen wants to explore the connection between memory and identity. Waking up with no recollection about her name and/or life, this young woman feels an even deeper sense of isolation. Although locked in her high-tech coffin, what is most terrifying to her is her inability to recall her life before that moment. In essence, because she can no longer remember anything, this young woman’s peril extends beyond her physical problems and seems to erase her from history. Without her memories, what defines her life?

Without a story, how does she know she matters?

While we don’t often associate our memories as the defining characteristics of our lives, Aja creates a compelling argument that our mind is the very thing that defines us. As she fleshes out her life, her story helps her to understand not only her situation but what makes her who she is. As a result, with each piece of her life she recovers, this young woman regains increasing motivation to live on. In this way, Aja uniquely connects our memories with our place in the universe. To him, it appears as though we know we matter because of the loving marks we’ve left on others along the way.

While Oxygen will not be for everyone, the film is hardly on life support. Led by some intriguing ideas about the meaning of our memories, Aja gives Laurent enough room to breathe to give the film life, even when other examples of the genre run out of air. 

Oxygen is available on Netflix on Wednesday, May 12th, 2021.

Monster: The Angles of Truth

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MONSTER (L-R): A$AP ROCKY as WILLIAM KING (as RAKIM MAYERS), KEVIN HARRISON JR. as STEVE HARMON, JENNIFER EHLE as KATHERINE O’BRIEN. Cr: NETFLIX © 2021 

Admittedly, Netflix can be hit and miss with their dramas. Since they produce so much content, it’s completely understandable that there would be a great deal of films and series that are worth sleeping on. 

Monster is not one of those films.

Directed by Anthony Mandler, Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a promising, young high school student who lives in Harlem. At the age of seventeen, Steve is on the cusp of adulthood and seems to have a great deal going for him. He is adored by his girlfriend and family. His film teacher views him as a young man of integrity. However, his world is rocked when he is suddenly arrested and charged with felony murder. As he fights for his life in the court system, Steve also must come to grips with his own choices and pray that his life is not ruined by them.

MONSTER: JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON as RICHARD ‘BOBO’ EVANS. Cr: ANNA KOORIS/NETFLIX © 2021 .

Monster is a bold film that challenges our assumptions about others. Bolstered by an exceptional cast, the film features some extremely strong performances. Led by Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Jeffrey Wright, the film gives some small but important roles to such talent as Jennifer Hudson, Nas, Tim Blake Nelson, ASAP Rocky and John David Washington. (Any film that has the option to use John David Washington in a minimal capacity must have some incredible people on its roster.) While their roles are often brief, each actor has the opportunity to have their ‘moment’ and show their talent.

However, anchoring the film is another stellar performance by Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves). With each performance, Harrison has shown his ability to bring a sympathetic voice to his characters, even as they are involved with dangerous or violent actions. (Honestly, I don’t think it’s inappropriate to compare him to a young Daniel Kaluuya, if he continues to take on roles where he can grow.) In Monster, he allows Steve to remain somewhat murky in his motivations in that, while we root for his innocence, neither are we certain of it. Though still young, Harrison remains one to watch.

MONSTER (L-R): KEVIN HARRISON JR. as STEVE HARMON, NASIR ‘NAS’ JONES as RAYMOND ‘SUNSET’ GREEN. Cr. DAVID DEVLIN/NETFLIX © 2021

Using time-shifting to outline its narrative, Monster does an excellent job of keeping the audience guessing as to what really took place. Growing up in an at-risk community, Steve’s journey is one of complexity, even if the court case attempts to make it about right and wrong. With each character interaction, we get a more fully formed picture of the type of young man that Steve is and his role in the neighbourhood. To his teachers, Steve is seen as a highly intelligent, budding young filmmaker. To his girlfriend, he’s a caring young man who treats her well. To the more troubled characters on the street though, he’s a potentially good contact who may be worth using to their advantage.

In Monster, truth is never straightforward. Though people are often willing to make snap decisions about others based on race, age or social status, the film argues that there is always more to who we are than any particular labels. Like Steve himself, the story explores what it means to listen to the stories of others and allow that to flesh out our judgments of others. In Monster, labels limit our understanding. (In fact, the title Monster refers to the fact that the jury views him as only one way for his potential involvement in the crime for which he’s accused.) While the film never justifies what takes place, it’s emphasis on the full embodiment of truth does provide context to the events and create sympathy for those who were involved.

MONSTER: KEVIN HARRISON JR. as STEVE HARMON. Cr. NETFLIX © 2021 

Well-written and executed, Monster is an excellent example of the type of content Netflix can produce. It is willing to take risks its structure, features some incredibly talented performances and allows the story to ask some different questions. Though not a fun film to watch, Monster remains an engaging piece that feels honest about the way we view one another… and that’s the scariest truth of all.

Monster is available on Netflix on Friday, May 7th, 2021.

Jupiter’s Legacy: Processing The Power that We Leave Behind

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JUPITER’S LEGACY (L-R) LESLIE BIBB as GRACE SAMPSON, JOSH DUHAMEL as SHELDON SAMPSON, and BEN DANIELS as WALTER SAMPSON in episode 2 of JUPITER’S LEGACY. Cr. STEVE WILKIE/NETFLIX © 2020

The legacies that heroes leave behind are supposed to inspire people and give them something to look up to. But what if your own parent was one of these heroes? Talented ex-marvel writer Mark Miller’s comic book series ‘Jupiter’s Legacy’ uses the superhero setting to dive into the topic of family dynasties and the scars that they can leave behind. 

Jupiter’s Legacy takes inspiration from DC’s Justice League with its characters, and appears to be Netflix’s answer to rival Amazon’s superhero show, ‘The Boys.’ Coming to Netflix this May 7, can this live action series compete in this already overcrowded and competitive market that’s filled with big names such as Marvel, the Arrowverse, DCEU, and Amazon?

JUPITER’S LEGACY Episode 101 of JUPITER’S LEGACY Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2021

In Jupiter’s Legacy, the driving force behind superhero group “The Union” is to uphold “the code” which they view as the core of what makes you a great hero (and a good person). The greatest hero is Sheldon (Josh Duhamel), aka the Utopian who stands by the believe that heroes don’t kill anyone no matter what, don’t govern politics, and try to save as many lives as possible. (Fairly standard superhero stuff, actually.) 

From the beginning of the first episode, there’s an obvious difference in ideology between the old guard and a new generation of heroes, including Sheldon’s son, Brandon (Andrew Horton). Expected to be a hero as great as his father, Brandon struggles with his own identity and feels the weight of the world on his shoulders as he’s pressured to take over his father’s position. In these moments, the show really portrays the impossible standard of being born into a family with such a high legacy to uphold. What’s more, Sheldon’s daughter, Chloe (Elena Kampouris) also has superpowers yet decides to go the opposite route, rejecting her family’s legacy and decides to party it up as a celebrity. (In this way, Chloe’s character draws a parallel between rich heiresses who have all the resources in the world but decide to rebel against all the family and societal expectations of their path in life.) 

JUPITER’S LEGACY (L-R) JOSH DUHAMEL as SHELDON SAMPSON in episode 3 of JUPITER’S LEGACY. Cr. MARNI GROSSMAN/NETFLIX © 2020

There’s also an interesting debate that takes place after Brandon watches his closest friends die at the hands of a villain. Tramautized by the event, Brandon ultimately decides to kill the villains in order to save his parents from becoming their next victims. Sick and tired of these villains, the public loves that Brandon kills them, which is strictly against the code of The Union. These events lead to The Union questioning whether their old ways still work anymore (and whether or not they ever did in the first place). These conversations are fascinating as they bring in strong points from both sides, such as the ideas that killing villains would prevent them from creating further death of innocents and whether it is doing more harm than good letting them live. On the other hand, the main counter argument is that nobody should be judge, jury, and executioner. To them, nobody should decide who lives and dies, especially those with so much power. This debate persists throughout the series and is incredibly relevant with today’s views on police brutality and how criminals are treated within the detention system. 

JUPITERÕS LEGACY (L to R) JOSH DUHAMEL as SHELDON SAMPSON and IRON ORCHID in episode 101 of JUPITERÕS LEGACY Cr. ADAM ROSE/NETFLIX © 2021

One of the things I most enjoyed about Jupiter’s Legacy was the fact that they took inspiration from the non-linear storytelling that made Arrow so enjoyable. By showing the origins of how The Union got their powers, what drove them and how that has shaped current character motivations and storyline the series fleshes out their characters well. A major concern that often takes place in superhero shows is that the action can get sloppy and, due to budget constraints, the scenes with powers look ridiculous. (Not to point fingers but Season One of Supergirl is a prime example of this.) No matter how good the writing is, laughably bad CGI and poorly choreographed fighting scenes can be detrimental to the immersiveness of any show.  Thankfully, Jupiter’s Legacy does not have that issue at all. Their effects and action scenes are done well and are comparable to movie level quality, which I find incredibly important in a superhero show in order to not to be taken out of the experience.

Overall, Jupiter’s Legacy is a very fun watch that is able to stand on its own. Though borrowing from the legacy of DC’s Justice League, Legacy dives into stories that viewers have not seen before revolving around superheroes which makes it worth recommending.

JUPITER’S LEGACY (L to R) TYLER MANE as BLACKSTAR, ANDREW HORTON as BRANDON SAMPSON, and TENIKA DAVIS as PETRA SMALL in episode 101 of JUPITER’S LEGACY. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2021

Jupiter’s Legacy is currently streaming on Netflix.

Selena: The Series, Part 2

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selena netflix

Family is everything.  But what if your family doesn’t quite understand you?  What if they think your dreams are too much for you to handle?  

Part 1 of Selena: The Series gave us an in depth look into the early years of Selena y Los Dinos, and a glimpse into their lives as they became more and more successful.

Season 2 goes full speed ahead with their lives in the public eye and explores not only their professional ventures, but dives deeper into their personal relationships.

selena

The cast playing the Quintanilla family and the remaining Selena y Los Dinos members continue to flourish as we see an even greater chemistry between them.  Unsurprisingly, Christian Serratos still nails her portrayal of the incomparable Selena, navigating the different sides of Selena as she matures.  Noemi Gonzalez and Gabriel Chavarria shine as they become more comfortable in their roles as Suzette and A.B.  And we get a more personal and vulnerable side to Chris Perez, played by Jesse Posey.

It was clear that Selena had much respect for her fan base and that they were very important to her.  She refused to be disingenuous to them despite certain pressures to do so.  It would seem that the fans saw themselves in her and she therefore didn’t want to contribute to a disconnect between them.  As we learned in the Part 1, people are brought together through Selena and the music.

Selena was obviously owning the game in her music career, but she had other dreams too.  She never hesitated to explore those dreams, like fashion design and her boutique.  Though the more Selena took on, the thinner she was spread.  She was doing so much on her own that it became too much.  But telling her to stick to singing was the wrong way to get through to her.  She seemed stubborn in the best way, refusing to admit that her dreams were too much for her to handle.

As Selena becomes more popular on an individual basis, we can tell that the rest of the band feels distanced.  This is confirmed when Abraham (Ricardo Chavira) absent-mindedly stated that Selena’s voice is all that matters and that’s why the people come to see the performances.  This clearly rubs the band the wrong way.  It’s interesting to see how the family and band navigate this new dynamic of Selena’s individual success.  In fact, Selena isn’t the only one who is exploring opportunities outside of Los Dinos.  This overarching individuality seemed to permeate the band.  They even began recording individually, causing more of a divide.  It was clear that a spark was missing.  Thankfully, the band realized that they must come together to produce the best product.  They thrive most when they are all in it together and show their support for one another.

We also see how marriages are affected by the music career and touring.  Suzette’s fiance is patient and tries to travel to see her whenever he can.  A.B.’s wife is stuck at home with two kids and even when he’s in town, he’s barely home, spending most of his time at the studio.  And Chris feels like Selena doesn’t have time for him because she spends so much of her time working.

As someone who does not speak Spanish, I appreciated the addition of subtitles during the musical numbers as it really gives a better feel for the story and what the songs are about. 

All in all, the second installment of Selena: The Series is very entertaining.  It’s exciting to binge watch, whether you’re a super-fan or not.

Selena: The Series, Part 2 is streaming on Netflix beginning May 4, 2021.

The Mitchell’s vs The Machines: Family Bonding While the World is Ending

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When we look at our technological abilities, it may not be that far fetched that one day all of the computers and smart assistants and smart home devices will rise up and take over the world.

Or maybe it is. Either way, that is the premise for Netflix’s newest movie The Mitchells vs The Machines, and let me tell you, I am here for it.

Longing to be accepted by her father for who she is and what she loves to do, aspiring filmmaker Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson) is ecstatic when she is accepted into film school on the other side of the country. Making a last-ditch effort to reconnect with his daughter, Rick (voided by Danny McBride) cancel’s her flight and packs up the family for a cross-country road trip. Katie’s mom Linda (voiced by Maya Rudolph) is hopeful the trip will resolve the struggle between Katie and Rick, and little brother Aaron (voiced by Writer and Director Michael Rianda) is simply happy to have a few more days with the sister he adores. Rounding out the family is hopelessly cross-eyed and goofy pup Monchi (voiced by Doug the Pug), and the adventure begins.

That’s also when the revolt begins. Without giving too much away, Mark Bowman (voiced by Eric André) of the giant tech corporation PAL is kidnapped by his own creations, and the world descends into chaos as robots round up everyone on the planet. Except the Mitchells. Surprisingly prepared for the apocalypse based on Rick’s insistence on survival training (and everyone having their own Number 3 Robertson Head Screwdriver), the Mitchells continue their trek across the country with a new mission – to save the world.

This hilarious film about family bonding, how we connect with one another (and our technology), and the importance of accepting even when we don’t understand comes from the teams behind The Lego Movie and Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse. As such, the animation is on point, the dialogue is witty yet poignant, and I left with the same feeling from those other two films: warm and hopeful.

Hopeful that when we embrace what makes us unique, we can achieve anything.

Hopeful that when we set aside our phones and screens, we can truly see the person sitting next to us.

Hopeful that when we find the balance between using technology and being preoccupied by it, we can create amazing tools for good.

Everyone in my house loved this movie (even though clocking in at almost 2 hours did mean some restless kiddos), and I absolutely recommend you check it out this weekend.