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vernelleteague
Reviews
If I Can't (2023)
Ike & Tina in the Hood
Detroit indie films are getting better for sure, and I celebrate Mena Monroe's projects; however, this felt very "What's Love Got To Do With It" in the hood without the singing career to me. Some of the scenes were variations of Ike and Tina, with a bunch of drug dealing and hoes mixed in. The storyline could have been better developed instead of just giving us these out of nowhere situations with no backstory. Emory being randomly killed before he could tell her he was a drug dealer, and Scott turning into Ike Turner randomly with no real signs of his insanity besides the first girlfriend getting her hair done with shades on and the facial expression he gave Harlem's mother after she mushed him in the forehead. Once he starts abusing her, literally no one close to her addresses the elephant in the room in a real way which is almost unrealistic. You know people love to give advice whether you want them to or not!
On one hand, I can understand these movies showing a glimpse into the underworld of the streets...It's just getting old and stereotypical. The disloyal men and hoes, the game, the money, the women putting up with all types of BS for the money, the cautionary tale. The BBL's, beauty salons and bundles. The same hood story told 100 different ways...If you've seen one then you've seen them all. I'm still rooting for these indie producers being that I'm from the Midwest, I'm just praying they broaden their horizons past the hood. Their production quality is improving from project to project though I can say that!
The Dirty D (2022)
It's OK, but same ole' drugs and stripper storylines
I'm disappointed in the direction all these Detroit based movies and shows are going. It's one drug and stripper movie after the next, and this series is no different. Every black "hood" stereotype is crammed into this series, with some soft porn thrown in in case we didn't know what sex looks like. The acting is horrible, but the men do a better job than the women surprisingly. Season 2 is no better, the same drugs, sex and strip club shenanigans as the 1st season. I thought we'd see a better variety in storylines, but I was sadly mistaken. I can tell this group of writers, directors, actors etc. Have potential to make some decent films, if they'd only move past this oversaturated hood drama genre!
Sistas (2019)
Keeps Getting WORSE
I am over this show. I won't return for another season if it makes it to S5. Let's be clear: I am a black woman. So before anyone assumes my review is biased, it's NOT. This show is just a mess. I liked it in the beginning and was really hoping the storylines and writing would improve; however, it just keeps getting worse with each episode! Why is Tyler dragging 17 minutes of dialogue out over 43 minutes???? I'm deducting about 15-18 minutes of commercials which leaves about 40-45 minutes of bad acting and time fillers. I stopped watching TP's sitcoms long ago as they became increasingly silly, but I thought this show would be one of his better projects.... The episodes just drag along with so much fluff that 3 episodes could legitimately be combined into one and the show would flow much better! And to add insult to injury, the writing is just soooo unrealistic! For instance, why is Karen running amuck and no one has checked her yet???? Not one of her friends have put her in her place, but she can say and do anything she wants to everyone else?? Let's be serious, that's not real life! She would've been checked at least 15 times by now. Why is Aiden not fired from the firm??? All of it is just dumb. I was hoping for better, but given the history of TP's ridiculous soap opera/comedy/drama/play-adjacent shows, I guess I was always prepared for the worst.
The Ms. Pat Show (2021)
Couldn't get through the first episode.
Although the show is funny, and I did laugh genuinely at a decent amount of the jokes, I think I'm just over the same old storylines in a lot of these new shows. I will admit that this show has an interesting edge to it, I can do without all the cursing and typical black/white jokes. I want to be a fan of this show and support both Pat and Tammy; however, this just feels like another show taking world issues and putting a "laughing face" emoji on top of them.