Displaying items by tag: Teyana Taylor

SCARY MOVIE

US, 2026, 96 minutes, Colour.

Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Farris, Regina Hall, Tatiana Taylor, Kenan Thompson, Dave Sheridan, Lochlyn Munro, Carmen Electra, Cheri Oteri, Chris Elliott.

Directed by Michael Tiddes.

Unsubtlety personified!  Thumbnail review – or, perhaps, Inanity personified.

Not that the filmmakers intended the film to be subtle or whatever is the opposite of inanity.

It is 20+ years since the series began and this is number six. In those early days, audiences enjoyed the references to the horror films, the parodies, and some scary moments. But, in 2026, everything is played for laughs rather than scares. And, if the audience is unsubtlety-tolerant, they will enjoy some references to horror films of recent years, the Clown, the Terrifier, but it is all mainly variations on the Scream franchise’s Ghostface, lots of Ghostfaces. Lots of Ghostface situations and menace – and slashings. Some of the veterans from the previous films appear again with references to the past and their performances and status.

At the end of the credits, there is a statement from Keenan Ivory Wayans stating that he lays all responsibility for this film on Marlon Wayans, co-writer and playing a number of roles throughout. Actually, looking at the number of times the name Wayans appears, the film seems to be a family enterprise!

Absolutely-tolerant fans only.

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER

US, 2025, 161 minutes, Colour.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicia del Toro, Teyana Taylor, Regina Hall, Chase Infiniti, Tony Goldwyn, James Downey, John Hoogenakkerr, Kevin Tighe, D.W.Moffat.

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

An American movie with quite some frightening impact – even though there are many, many comic moments throughout. It has been written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson who has had a significant 30 year career, many feature films and great number of music videos. For this reviewer, Magnolia and The Master stand out as well as the menacing There Will be Blood.

Anderson has said that he was interested in Thomas Pynchon’s 1984 novel for many years, seeing it as something of a futuristic vision of a disturbed United States, revolutionaries, status quo, clashes and violence… He has taken the novel as a starting point for a 21^st-century futuristic look at this kind of United States. Filming was completed by 2024 but by its release in mid 2025, it does not seem futuristic so much as a satiric imagination of Donald Trump’s America, no longer futuristic, the present. (And it will be interesting to look back on this film when the second Trump presidency ends.)

The opening is quite disturbing, intense revolutionaries, of the left, protests and sabotage down at the Mexican border, the freeing of imprisoned migrants and refugees. More than topical. And then there is the military, the revolutionaries battling the soldiers. The key revolutionary is Perfidia, played by an intense Teyana Taylor. And her comrade is explosives manager, Pat, Leonardo DiCaprio. There is an intense power and sexual struggle between Perfidia and the symbolically named soldier Lockjaw, one of Sean Penn’s best performances. The revolutionaries are shown in a collage of all kinds of explosive protests but, no spoilers, they are dramatically taken down – with unforeseen circumstances and consequences.

However, the action suddenly moves on 16 years, Pat is living with perfidious daughter, Willa, Chase Infiniti, popular at school, Pat changing his name to Bob, tough with his daughter but the consequences of drink and drugs hovering. Long story short, his daughter is taken by the military for interrogation, and Bob has to go on the run, making contact (in an exaggeratedly funny sequence where the bureaucratic revolutionary on the other end of the phone won’t accept that Bob over the years has forgotten aspects of the recognition code), making contact with Willa’s martial arts teacher, Benicia del Toro, and all kinds of action adventures on the way to the hippy convent where she has taken refuge.

Colonel Lockjaw has come up through the ranks and is being offered the opportunity to join one of those secret societies of ageing white men, the Christmas Adventurers!. A lot of satire as we sit in on meetings of the committee. But, they have the power, influence the politicians, pride themselves on racial purity… And Col lockjaw suddenly presents a problem because of his past association with Perfidia.

So, definitely one battle after another, and abuild up to quite an exciting climax with cars speeding along the highway, Willa, Bob, pursued by the elite club hitman, an extraordinary photography of highways through the desert which continuously undulate almost like a rollercoaster ride mounting to a literally smashing finale.

Somebody has noted that Steven Spielberg has seen the film several times – which does indicate that for those who found it impressive on first viewing, it would probably be even more impact the second or the third time round.

1. This film in the career of Paul Thomas Anderson? Critical acclaim? Popular response?
2. The inspiration from the novel, Vineyard, by Thomas Pynchon? The novel from 1984, Anderson developing ideas with the novel as a starting point, for the 21^st-century?
3. The scope of the film, revolutionary groups in the United States, race issues, the Mexican border, sheltering of refugees and migrants? The authorities, the role of the military and the police, increasing authoritarianism? Background of wealthy white older men and secrecy and conspiracies, elitism? Characters within this society?
4. The locations, the range of locations in California, from the forests and woods of the North, to the coastlines of the desert scenery of the South, urban El Paso?
5. The range of music, different moods, the range of songs included, lyrics? And the climactic music of road chase and the undulating terrain and tarmac, rollercoaster-like?
6. The strong cast and performances?
7. The impact of the first part of the film, France 75 and the revolutionary code and behaviour, the introduction to Perfidia, walking along the road, arrogant, in charge, Pat and his explosives, the other members of the group, the American-Mexican border, the infiltration, overcoming the troops, the confrontation with Lockjaw, her taunting him, sexually, overcoming him? The migrants and refugees, the achievement of the mission? Explosions and mayhem?
8. The members of the group, Deandra being more sympathetic, the other women? The collage of the various raids and the spectacular success, explosions, robbing banks…?
9. Perfidia, planting the bomb, Lockjaw and his intelligence, tracking her down, the confrontation, the sexual encounter, his letting her go? His threats, imprisonment, his persuading her to give names and locations, tracking down the various members, action, flights, arrests? Her escape from Lockjaw, but considered a rat by the revolutionaries?
10. Perfidia, pregnant, still acting independently, shooting ranges, going out, giving birth, the relationship with Pat, becoming the father, tending the child, the disappearance?
11. 16 years later, the child, Charlene, now called Willa, cared for by Pat, his name now Bob? At home, the style of the house, his background of drugs, the codes, the machines, his being apprehensive? Her character, independent, going to school, the martial arts classes, Sergio, the dance, the friends coming to the house, the transitional student, pronouns, they? Bob and his reaction, his treatment of Bluto and the others, her defiance? Going to the dance, the visuals of the dance?
12. Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob, addict, protective, the crisis, his friend arrested, his having to flee, trying to contact Willar, getting the help of Sergio, his shop, his contacts, the refugees, the safe house, getting them out of the house, Bob trying to make contact, not remembering the date with the code, the exasperation with the official at the end of the phone, talking to his friend, persuading him to reprimand the contact and his apology? Bob, escaping, leaping over the roofs, falling, tasered, arrested, interrogated, the contacts with the revolutionaries, his escape?
13. Lockjaw, Sean Penn’s intense impersonation of the rigid military man, Perfidia seeing him, overcome by Perfidia, the sexual taunting, his humiliation, his finding her, the sexual encounter, the birth of the child, his tracking her down, arresting her, the interrogation, her giving him the names, the disappearance to Mexico, his rising through the ranks?
14. 16 years later, his quest for his daughter, the invitation to join the Christmas Adventurers’ club, various members of the club, white, older, middle-aged, power, their meetings, discussions, the invitation to Lockjaw, the sudden discovery of the documents, summoning Tim as their action man, to eliminate Lockjaw?
15. Lockjaw, getting the help of the bounty hunter, getting the military, information about the revolutionaries, raiding the dance, taking Willa, the issue of her having a phone or not, the machines to detect her presence? The interrogations, the treatment, her reactions?
16. Deandra, her character, revolutionary, rescuing Willa, taking her to the convent, the eccentricity of the nuns, revolutionaries, marijuana? Lockjaw and his troops arriving, the interrogation of Willa’s friends and their treatment? And his DNA test?
17. Bob, in the car with Sergio, the pursuit, Sergio pushing him from the car for his escape? Bob wiring another car, going to the convent, trying to shoot Lockjaw?
18. The final showdown, the undulating roads, the hills, the rollercoaster effect, the music? And the bounty hunter, his change of heart, taking her to the hardened group, the shootout, her escape, driving? Smith and his mission to get rid of Lockjaw and Willa? His shooting Lockjaw, the crash of the car? The three cars, Willa, Smith, Bob, up and down the undulating roads? Willa and her plan, Smith crashing into her, the testing him with the codes, her shooting him? Bob, finding her, her agitation, the codes, reunited with Bob?
19. Lockjaw, surviving, scarred, coming to the club, being welcomed, his own office, seated in the office, locked in, the gas, his death, carried out?
20. Willa and Bob, mellowing a little, her going to a protest in Oakland?
21. The inspiration from Thomas Pynchon in the past, filmed during the Joe Biden presidency, released during the first year of the second Trump administration, the crises of 2020 file, refugees, power, the Trump cabinet, money and corruption…? And the future of the US?

THE BOOK OF CLARENCE

US/Italy, 2023, 129 minutes, Colour.

LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, R.J.Cyler, Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Micheal Ward, Caleb MacLachlan, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Eric Kofi Abrefa, James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chase Dillon, Nicholas Pinnock.

Directed by Jeymes Samuel.

The Book of Clarence can be recommended for all kinds of reasons, first of all, that it is nothing like what we might expect! It has been written and directed and musical score, by British musician, Jeymes Samuel, stage name The Bullits. His previous film was The Harder They Fall, a strong Western, a focus on black Americans in the 19^th century, victims, dominating, urging the audience to look again at their familiar image of the American West.

The Book of Clarence is billed as a comedy biblical adventure! And it is. And, even though the focus is on Clarence, this can be seen also as a very strong Jesus film, though in plot terms, he is a supporting character.

Once again, the cast is either African-American or of West Indian descent. A glance at the cast indicates popular names like Omar see, David or no, Alfre Woodard, Marianne Jean Baptiste. The exception being Benedict Cumberbatch, playing Benjamin the beggar in the early part of the film and then being transformed, actually by Jesus himself, and making points about false Messiahs at the end of the film. James McAvoy leads the white cast of obnoxiously Roman soldiers.

But, back to Clarence, played engagingly by the very talented LaKeith Stanfield. In fact, the film opens with a kind of Ben Hur chariot race variation, introducing Clarence,  avery 21^st-century, in fact, in the Jerusalem neighbourhood, the Jerusalem “hood”. He is something of a con man, is in debt to a local loan shark, though in love with his sister, into drugs, but also more often into bad luck.

But, impressed by Jesus and his followers, especially since it turns out that Clarence is, in fact, the apostle Thomas’s twin brother (who is mentioned but not named in the Gospels). Clarence actually applies to the apostles to be the 13^th but is turned down, Thomas himself very disdainful of his brother, and Judas urging Clarence to prove his worth by going to a gladiator school and freeing the gladiators – which means that we have besides Ben Hur, homage to Spartacus and gladiator.

But, what makes the Jesus connection even more interesting, and Jesus does appear very sympathetically at various times throughout the film, Clarence is impressed by acclaim for Messiahs and so sets himself up with his friends, refused baptism by John the Baptist, but nevertheless going around preaching, organising fake miracles, profiting highly.

But, can it last? There has been a spoiler right at the beginning of the film with Clarence being crucified. And in suffering, he parallels Jesus, and antagonistic young fellow actually help him carry the cross to Calvary. Clarence does have a conversion experience, compassion, charity beyond himself, some redemption.

It is then that Benjamin emerges, Jesus having giving him money, and a gift for multiplying money which Benjamin spreads around, Benedict Cumberbatch looking like a traditional image of Jesus, but self-seeking and a false Messiah.

The film ends very respectfully of Jesus, a visit to Clarences tomb, and hope of resurrection.

Not what we might have been expecting, but always interesting, entertaining, and, certainly, thought-challenging.

1. Title, striking, biblical overtones? The work of the director, writing, directing, music, race issues?
2. The locations for Jerusalem, the Italian town of Metairie and its presence in other biblical films? The vistas, buildings, the roads, the sea?
3. The first century A.D. variation on Boys in the Hood, the Jerusalem Hood, drugs, gangsters, gambling, debts? Vengeance?
4. The musical score, the range of songs, the final credits?
5. The three chapters for the Book of Clarence? The introduction, Clarence and his mission, the crucifixion? The beginnings of the parallels with the Gospel story of Jesus?
6. The acknowledgement of Roman Empire films, Ben Hur, gladiator…? The influence of biblical films, Jesus films? In the central character and Brian in the Life of Brian?
7. The opening race, introducing Clarence, Mary Magdalene and her defiance, Elijah as Clarence’s friend? The chariot race in Ben Hur, the excitement, the Gypsy area, the intervention of Cabbage and his domination, the crashes, taking Clarence’s coat? The bond between a lighter and Clarence, as brothers, his reaction to the loss? The visit to Jedediah, the confrontation, Clarence and his attraction to Marigny, Jedediah’s sister? Her reticence, shyness? The banter between Clarence and Jedediah? The time limit?
8. Thomas the apostle, called Didymus, the twin, in the Gospels? The imaginative interpretation of Thomas and his twin? Thomas, leaving their mother, following Jesus, stern, loyal to Jesus, 10 minutes older, but deriding his brother, a nobody, doomed to failure? Their various encounters? Clarence and his challenge, Thomas’s reaction to Clarence’s behaviour? Clarence and his visit to the apostles? His suffering and Thomas coming to apologise, reconciliation? Clarence and the scenes with his mother, his debts, after the race, her encouragement, smelly? Her reflections on his life, on Thomas? Encouragement on the way of the cross, at the crucifixion?
9. Clarence and his fascination with Jesus, the significance of the visit to Mary and Joseph, Mary and her explanations, Clarence and the mistaking of the Immaculate Conception for the virgin birth, Mary and her convictions about God’s presence? Joseph, his presence, supporting Mary, calling Clarence a dumb ass?
10. Clarence and his need to raise money, his observing of Jesus, the failed Jesus walking through the on guard, the claim of Messiah? Clarence, not believing in God, defying belief? His theory that knowledge was more important? But his idea of impersonating a Messiah, with the help of Elijah? His paralleling of Jesus miracles, raising the dead, curing the sick…, Elijah performing? The taking up of the collection from the crowd gathering? Believing him as a Messiah? His preaching, the effect on him, those collection of money?
11. His visit to the apostles, the encounter with Judas, Judas and his taunts, urging him to go to the gladiator slaves, confront the torturer, get the release of the prisoners? Clarence going, the reaction of the torturer, singling out Barabbas, the challenge to the fight, Clarence and his moves, Barabbas and his reactions, the torturer allowing Barabbas to go? Barabbas joining the troop of the wood-be Messiah?
12. The encounters with the Romans, white, their arrogance, the reaction to Barabbas, the officer and his javelin is, throwing them out Barabbas, Barabbas and his defiance, escaping, and his nickname of Immortal?
13. Clarence, the effect on his charade, the slaves, getting a conscience, taking the money and buying back the slaves, freeing them? Judas and his response?
14. The encounter with Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the adultery, the parallel of John chapter 8, Jesus and the stones, is suspending them in the air, their falling, defying the authorities, letting Mary go free, the friendship with her?
15. Jedediah, the party, with Varinia, declarations to her, the upset, his feeling betrayed by her?
16. The presentation of the Last Supper, acknowledgement of da Vinci’s painting? The two issue with Judas, betrayal, the scenes with the Jewish authority in the 30 pieces of silver, Judas and the promise of betrayal, at the supper, the issue of Mary’s gravy, the taste, his going out?
17. Jesus, knowing he was betrayed, waiting for the moment, accompanied by Mary?
18. His arrest, the Romans, the encounter with Pontius Pilate, Pontius Pilate and his manner, racial superiority, arrogance, interrogation, the sympathy with Clarence, Clarence and his commitment, defiance, the parallels with Jesus before Pontius Pilate? Condemned to be crucified?
19. The visuals of the way of the cross, the Jesus parallel, the defiant crowds, his mother in the crowd, encouraging him, Elijah and the encouragement? On Calvary, the vivid nailing to the Cross, raised, Henning, hanging, the presence of Benjamin, the past encounters with Benjamin and his spurning him, not recognising him, Benjamin and his worldly defiance? The Romans, the decision to pierce Clarence’s side? Again the Jesus parallel?
20. Benjamin, the begger, spurned by Clarence, the later scenes of his banking, the encounter with Jesus, the money, his clean himself up, becoming like the traditional portrait of Jesus, his gift of being able to multiply the money? His arrest, a false Messiah accusation, being crucified?
21. Clarence, the burial, the stone, the breaking up of the stone, Jesus entering, tender with Clarence, raising him to new life? Immortality?
22. The overall effect of the film, the serious, the comic touches, the criticisms of blasphemy, the Christian defences against accusations of blasphemy? The enjoyment of a biblical epic? Jesus figure treated seriously and with respect? And Clarence paralleling Jesus and becoming a Christ figure?

A THOUSAND AND ONE

US, 2023, 117 minutes, Colour.

Teyana Taylor, Aaron Kingsley Adetola, Aven Courtney, Josiah Cross, William Catlett, Terri Abney, Delissa Reynolds, Amelia Workman, Adriane Lennox.

Directed by A.V.Rockwell.

This is a first feature film by A.V.Rockwell who both wrote and directed. She brings a persuasive female sensibility and sensitivity to this film.

There have been many films about African-American children growing up in New York neighbourhoods – Boyz in the Hood. However, this one has a very striking difference. This is not a film about street violence, gangs, criminals and hardships. Rather, it is the story of a mother devoted to her young son, home life, education issues, his maturing into early adulthood.

And, the film boasts a two-to force performance from singer and video performer, Teyana Taylor. She plays the mother, recently released from jail I Rikers Island, her young son in hospital after a fall from the house where he was in foster care. She abducts him from the hospital, the first finding accommodation with friends, then settling down, meeting up with lucky, a friend from the past (William Catlett), marriage, a father for her son, Terry.

Teyana Taylor’s performance is very strong, in the early two in her early 20s in the first section, young, inexperienced in emotions, brash. Later she will look much older, warn, still assertive, dominating. And this is true of the last section, the convincing poor performance of change over the decades.

There are three time faces in the screenplay. It opens in 1994, the prison release, the abduction, setting up the household, very young Terry, quiet, his life before him. His played very persuasively by the young Aaron Kingsley at a taller.

The next time is 2001, but not focusing on 9/11. Rather, Terry has now grown up a bit, early adolescence, friends at school, experimentation with drugs, some silly reactions to his mother, but receiving a lot of support from Lucky. This section is rather brief.

In, 2005. Terry is almost 18, played convincingly by Josiah Cross. There is still the issues of relationship with his mother, the significance of lucky and his influence, his dying of cancer. There are also education issues with one of the local teachers encouraging him to do special exams in the past, qualifying him for higher studies, and the issue of college before him.

But, there is the complication of his falls identity, the false name and documents arranged by his mother long since, his legal situation, his family situation, the relationship with his mother. The issues are not solved by the final credits but there are hopeful indications.

1. The title? Children, parents, adoption, abductions…?
2. The New York settings, the neighbourhoods in the detail, streets, apartments? Shops? Schools? Hairdressers? The changing neighbourhood, pulling down buildings, ousting tenants…? The political background, the quotations from the various mayors, their commitment to the changes in the city…?
3. 1994, 2001, 2005, the look of each era, styles, clothes, technology developments…?
4. A drama on African-Americans in neighbourhoods – but family and relationships situations, not a story of violence, gun violence in the streets? In fact, universal stories?
5. The opening, Rikers Island, the views, the prison, prisoners leaving? Inez leaving, aged 22, having to make her way? Her personality, assertive, short fuse, determined?
6. The episode with Terry, foster care, his falling from the window, his injury, hospital, Inez going to see him, bonding with him, the toys, her taking him?
7. Inez, the phone calls, looking for friends, connecting with Kim, her mother hostile, Pea, Terry playing with him, bonding?
8. Inez, talent as a hairdresser, the client and her success, finding a job, having to work, accommodation? Setting up?
9. Terry and his story, young, quiet, somewhat bewildered, fostering, and happy, with Inez, bonding with her, her demands on him? With Pea and playing?
10. Lucky, his background, attraction to Inez, moving in, bonding with Terry? The marriage and the wedding, happiness? Everybody celebrating? Kim and her mother?
11. The legal situation, Inez arranging documents, deciding on a false name for Terry, the papers and her hiding them?
12. 2001, Terry at 15, Pea at 15, Simone at the diner and the attraction, her reactions to them? Terry, school, clever? Hanging out with Pea? The issue of his intelligence, Miss Tucker and her recommendations, his sitting for the test, discussions with lucky, his achievement? Yet the issue of staying at home?
13. Inez in 2001, looking older, more determined, bonding with Terry, yet severe, demanding on him, lucky and his going away, the later revelation of his child and the other woman, Inez inviting them in the funeral?
14. Lucky, bonding with Terry, the talking, encouraging him, basketball? Lucky and dinners, the tensions, his frank talking to her?
15. 2005, Terry almost 18, his prospects, Lucky, cancer, the hospital, Inez keeping vigil,, the talking, his death, the funeral?
16. Inez, older, harder, happy, exasperated?
17. Mr Tucker, Terry’s future, wanting the documents, Terry finding them, falls, issues of felony, the social workers, Inez leaving the house, returning talking to Terry, her disappearance?
18. Terry, his future, the effect of his upbringing, Inez as mother, Lucky as father, prospects?