Geek For E!

Geek For E!

Creators of the TwitView! Reviews in 140 characters or less.

Judas and the Black Messiah (in theaters and streaming exclusively on HBO Max, FRI 02.12.21) – Win Tickets Now!

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Judas and the Black Messiah tells the true-life story of Fred Hampton who was the Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party that was fatefully betrayed by an FBI placed informant into the organization.  Academy Award nominee Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) stars as Hampton, with thriller alum LaKeith Stanfield (Sorry To Bother You) starring as William O’Neal the fateful betrayer. 

CONTEST:

Find the Facebook post from us that brought you here and post up your best homages to actor Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield or meme a message on the Black Panther Party.  You can get creative with your posts, just stay PG-13.  To be eligible, YOU MUST add the hashtag #JudasAndTheBlackMessiah to your post. If GeekForE ‘LIKE’s’ your post, you are a winner and we’ll Inbox you your unique redemption code.  The code can be used at participating movie theaters or through Fandango online (we’ll send you the additional details!)  Facebook voting begins right now, and all LIKE’s will be issued by THU 02.11.21 (just in time for the show!)

Movie Review: The Mauritanian (in theaters FRI 02.12.21)

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(G4E Reviewer: Matthew Snider) I went into this film blind, as in knowing nothing, seeing nothing, something that put me in a good place to really dive into the drama that unfolded.

The Mauritanian or prisoner 760 is based on a true story about one of the hundreds of detainees that were unlawfully kept in-prisoned in Guantanamo Bay after the 9/11 attacks on US soil.

The premise as described on Wikipedia is as follows: The film follows Mohamedou Ould Salahi (Rahim), who is captured by the U.S. government and languishing in Guantanamo Bay detention camp without charge or trial. Losing all hope, Salahi finds allies in defense attorney Nancy Hollander (Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Woodley). Together, they face countless   obstacles in a desperate pursuit for justice. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by formidable military prosecutor, Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch (Cumberbatch), eventually reveals a shocking and far reaching conspiracy.

The Mauritanian brings to light a true story of one Mo Salahi who unravels and is built up all throughout this wonderful film. The pain, the confusion, the hatred, the broken hope and the restoration and forgiveness that is woven in and around this drama is one to really sit with.

The film brings together a heart breaking story of truth and lies, of death and life, of despair and hope, and of good and evil. 

Yet it doesn’t have a villain. 

Not the justice system, not the guards at Gitmo, not the Christian attorney or even the Islamic people group as a whole. This film really shows you people. Hurting and lost people.

In some of the last words we hear from Mo at the ending of the film, he explains to the judge that in the Arabic language, the word for Freedom and Forgiveness is the same.

With this powerful line delivered with such heart and faith, it truly gives us a picture of what humanity, in such a time as this, really needs to look too.

We need to believe the best about each other, and to forgive so that we can find freedom in all our circumstances. The Mauritanian is a film of black and whites, and a large grey area, but plays on both sides of the line. It plays on your heart strings and asks you to see people, not just a movie.

4 out of 5 stars (Matthew Snider, G4E)

PVOD & Twitter Watch Party: The Croods: A New Age (FRI 12.18.20 @ 7PM)

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The future ain’t what it used to be.

DreamWorks Animation’s THE CROODS: A NEW AGE is on PVOD this Friday, December 18th

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | #CroodsNewAge

The Croods have survived their fair share of dangers and disasters, from fanged prehistoric beasts to surviving the end of the world, but now they will face their biggest challenge of all: another family

The Croods need a new place to live. So, the first prehistoric family sets off into the world in search of a safer place to call home. When they discover an idyllic walled-in paradise that meets all their needs, they think their problems are solved … except for one thing. Another family already lives there: the Bettermans. 

The Bettermans (emphasis on the “better”)—with their elaborate tree house, amazing inventions and irrigated acres of fresh produce—are a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. When they take the Croods in as the world’s first houseguests, it isn’t long before tensions escalate between the cave family and the modern family. 

Just when all seems lost, a new threat will propel both families on an epic adventure outside the safety of the wall, one that will force them to embrace their differences, draw strength from each other and forge a future together. 

The Croods: A New Age features the voice talent of returning stars Nicolas Cage as Grug Crood, Catherine Keener as Ugga Crood, Emma Stone as their daughter, Eep; Ryan Reynolds as Eep’s boyfriend, Guy; Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine) as Thunk and Cloris Leachman as Gran. They’re joined by new stars Peter Dinklage (HBO’s Game of Thrones) as Phil Betterman, Leslie Mann (Blockers) as Hope Betterman, and Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: Episode VIII-The Last Jedi) as their daughter, Dawn. 

The film is directed by Joel Crawford, who has worked on multiple DreamWorks Animation films, including Trolls and the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and is produced by Mark Swift (Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted).

Genre: Animated Comedy

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke, Leslie Mann, Peter Dinklage, Kelly Marie Tran

Directed by: Joel Crawford

Produced by: Mark Swift

Movie Premier: Antebellum (FRI 09.18.20, on PVOD everywhere)

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“Enter to win a copy of Antebellum available to watch on Friday, September 18th.” To enter, check the details below the banner and movie synopsis, and we’ll see you (virtually) at the movies!

Veronica Henley (Monae) stars as a 21st century high-powered woman of industry who finds herself stalked, kidnapped and enslaved in a horrifying reality that may or may not be real.  Trapped in a slave world, she’s forced to confront her past, present and future demons in a race against time for her very life.  Produced by the minds that brought you ‘Get Out’ and written/Directed by Advocacy filmmakers Bush & Renz, this insane and mind-bending suspense thriller will have you gripping the cushions!

For more information on the film, visit the official site: www.antebellum.movie. Share your thoughts with us on social using the tags; @AntebellumFilm #Antebellum

CONTEST: If you didn’t know, ‘Antebellum’ will be released directed to premium streaming this FRI, 09.18.20.  Winners of our contest will receive a ‘1-time use electronic code’ which will allow you to stream the entire film from the comfort of your home…free of charge!  How do we pick you for the code?  Check it out below!

Find our Facebook page and post up your best images of star Janelle Monae – as many as you can.  Add the hashtag #antebellumfilm to your posts and sit back.  If G4E ‘LIKE’s’ your image, that LIKE will be turned into an entry for our random drawing of stream codes.  SO, post as many images/hashtags as you can – you only increase your chances of winning (although you can only win a code once!).  The writers of G4E will take all entries/LIKE’s and draw names – if you are a code winner we will direct Facebook Messenger you the stream code for the film.  All winners will be notified by THU 09.17.20 @ 9PM (so you can make your weekend plans!)  Remember, our LIKE is your entry to the contest – we will contact you directly via Messenger if your LIKE/Name is drawn as a winner.

MOVIE SCREENING: Do The Right Thing & Get Out (WED 08.12.20 @ 7PM)

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Don’t call it a comeback geeky faithful, we’ve been here through all this crazy COVID stuff but we’re not letting it get us down.  If you can’t go in a theater, how about going to one outside?  Sounds crazy for Millenials, but Gen X & Y know all about drive in-movies and now with coronavirus at our door, drive-ins are making a comeback.  Luckily we have one here in the Maryland area (also another a bit up north and further south in VA, but that’s a story for another day).  The good news is, the movie studios are embracing the drive-in format to promote new and old films.  Now, let’s not get carried away when we start thinking about what the film selections will be in the drive-in format.  It’s extremely unlikely that say, Warner Bros will make a special 70MM to drive-in movie format copy of their incredible new sci-fi thriller ‘Tenet’ which was due to come out like five months ago.  But it is very likely they’ll dust off some of their older, quality and entertaining releases to the drive-in format.  And that brings us to our special ticket giveaway for this week courtesy of Amazon Studios & actor/producer Michael B Jordan (Creed, Fantastic Four).  Check the details below the banners and we hope to see you (and all the humans you can comfortably, and social distance style, fit into your car) at the movies!

Amazon Studios and Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society present to you ‘A Night At The Drive-In.’  A nation-wide screening of selected films celebrating multi-cultural voices.  This week, nation-wide is your opportunity to catch Spike Lee’s 1989 comedy-drama-thriller, ‘Do The Right Thing.’  The film centers on one of the hottest days in 1980’s Brooklyn and the simmering racial tensions that come to the surface as the heat heightens; culminating into a powerful and thought-provoking narrative about race, class, gender and even ageism in America.  One of Lee’s best works and it cemented him as a versatile, opinionated and worldly Director.  Directly following that film, will be Jordan Peele’s 2018 thriller ‘Get Out.’  Set against the backdrop of current day America, the film takes you on a journey deep into the bowels of race, trust, prejudice, belief, love, and betrayal (of yeah, there’s some comic relief too).  The world knew writer and Director Jordan Peele had talent from his previous work in comedic stage and TV acting, but winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for this film cemented his moxie and slow draw film style into the cinematic landscape.

We’re super stoked that Michael B and Amazon are doing this and when asked why he was embarking on such a bold summer move, he said “with this drive-in summer series, I hope that friends and families are able to not only enjoy, but to learn and grow. Now more than ever, amplifying Black and Brown stories means engaging culture to speak to hearts and minds about the world we live in. As we use this opportunity to reimagine community and proximity, I am excited that these films will be shared and celebrated all across the country.”

As part of the concessions for the screenings, all attendees will receive refreshments provided by Black and Brown owned businesses, which are Path Water, Pipcorn Popcorn and Partake Cookies.

SCREENING INFO:

Box offices opens @ 7PM and closes at 10PM – you are free to arrive and claim your ticket anywhere in between. The first film begins @ 8:30PM (hey…the sun has to go down right?). COVID policies are in effect – you must wear a facemask for entry and there is a $15 charge to bring in outside food.

TICKETS: Check our Facebook page, that’s where the ticket code will be posted in the 9PM hour (FRI 08.07.20)

Some helpful tips for attending films @ Bengies:

  • The theater and box office open at 7PM, and best seating goes to those who get there early, but NOTE!  4×4’s and SUV’s only get one row of dead center parking (at the back of the lot), otherwise you are located to the 45 degree left or right of the screen
  • You are not allowed to run your car during the film.  If you try and cheat by turning the key over without engaging the engine (cause you need some AC bad), make sure your car battery is strong.  If not, no worries, Bengies is prepared with mobile car jumpers (no charge), however, once they start your car – you will have to leave the facility
  • You cannot sit any higher than your vehicle.  What does that mean?  If you drive in with a Ford F150 with a nice towbed and decide you’ll place your lawn chairs in the bed to get as high a seat as possible…you’ll be asked to take them down.  In fact, Bengies has staff wandering around with stretches of rope to help you bring your rear hatch doors down to no higher than your vehicle’s height.
  • Don’t test them on the personal food.  If you plan to bring your own food, pay the $15 fee at the gate.  There are roaming Bengie staff looking for you, and they know what their food items look like!  You’ve been warned.

TwiView: The High Note (2020)

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The High Note is all about reaching for your dreams and never giving up in the face of adversity. Maggie (Dakota Johnson) is an overworked, and probably really underpaid personal assistant to music superstar Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross). Both women yearn to move forward in their careers. Maggie wants to be a music producer, and Grace wants to reach new heights with her music. But reaching for their dreams doesn’t come without pitfalls and setbacks.

So how is the movie? I am in love with The High Note. The High Note is just the movie needed right now. The situations portrayed in the movie are relatable for so many that the movie sucks you in and you cannot help to love and cheer for the characters. I want to buy the Blu-ray and soundtrack right now and put them on repeat because the soundtrack and Tracee Ellis Ross are so superb. I give The High Note an A. The movie also stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ice Cube, Diplo, Bill Pulman, Zoe Chao, and June Diane Raphael. The High Note is PG-13 due to strong language and ever so slight suggestive references and will be available at home on-demand starting 5/29/2020. – (R. Barry)

TwiView: Onward (2020)

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Pixar movies always hit you with a one, two punch. They hit you with laughter, then punch you in all the feels, and Pixar’s new movie Onward is no different. In Onward we follow two brothers, Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley Lightfoot (Chris Pratt), who want nothing more than to see their father again. When their mom, Laurel Lightfoot (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), gives them a gift that gives them the chance to bring their father back for one day they go on an epic quest full of magic and discovery.

While not the best movie Pixar has released Onward is still a highly entertaining fantasy movie full of magic, elves, centaurs, manticore’s, and beyond. The story and most of the humor seem geared towards the older crowd, but the animation and some of the humor younger kids will find funny. (If you have ever played Dungeons and Dragons it will be hysterical.) As a parent, the concepts and story moved me to tears so pack a tissue or two. Onward also stars Octavia Spencer as The Manticore and Mel Rodriguez as Colt Bronco. I give Pixar’s Onward a solid B+. Onward is rated PG for some action/peril and is in Theaters 3/6/2020.

TwiView: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), A-

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You know it’s hard to reboot a videogame into a movie with the right formula.  Many have tried and failed (anybody ever see Super Mario Bros?), but hats off here because this Sonic works and borrows just enough visible cues from the game to make this a delight for the 6, 16 and even 60yr olds of the world – and that’s no small feat.  The story centers on our blue hero who is chased from his home world and into ours only to be comically and relentlessly hunted by the evil Dr. Robotnik (of course it’s Jim Carrey, who else could portray a methodical genius and a haphazard buffoon at the same time!).  Aiding Sonic on Earth is an upstart Montana town Sheriff James Marsden (Cyclops of X-Men fame) who struggles with his place within a small Montana town and yearns for some action.   When Sonic and Robotnik hit the scene, we’re all treated to a videogame style melee that hits all the marks.  I was truly surprised at how enjoyable and just plain fun this was to watch.  I’m even going all-out on my fearless box office forecast:  It will be #1, it will beat Fantasy island & The Photograph on its way to a $40M+ box office weekend.  A- (why a minus?  Just something about the demographic makeup of the fictional town of Green Springs, Montana – but it’s a movie, so I’ll let it slide)

TwiView: Bad Boys For Life (B+)

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TwiView: Bad Boys For Life (in theaters now!) They’re back! Will Smith (Mike Lowery) and Martin Lawrence (Marcus Burnett) return after a 17yr hiatus and the two haven’t skipped a beat. Still just as funny, and despite their ages, just as action-packed. BB4L centers on a revenge plot being taken against Mike Lowery that inevitably pulls everyone from his past into focus. The ‘boys’ reluctantly team up in attempt to thwart the plot but also to help Mike get his mojo back (we know, how did he lose it right? And why would the boys be reluctant to join up?) Oddly, after 17yrs the series is not stale, and Miami looks as stylish and as hot as ever. What separates this 3rd chapter of the BB series from other buddy-cop stories and their third chapters (we’re thinking Lethal Weapon series) is…nothing, ok maybe a little something. Of course it has the same formulaic lost love that needs to be rekindled, the same tragedy scenario that befalls one of our heroes, and the obligatory death of a major character. Where BB4L separates, is a really unexpected plot twist that you don’t see coming, but you’ll get a small kick out of it all the same (can someone say the ‘Bad Boy Universe?’). BB4L has the laughs, the explosions, and the hot cars to take its place in the pantheon of action-comedy hits and our only complaint is that even though the characters got older (like Grandpop, gray haired and hittin’ the Grecian formula!), their action-moves did not. These characters are 50yo+ and still jumping, flying and kicking a lot of ‘arse’ – hey maybe they’re just in great shape and we’re jealous! You won’t mind though it though as you’re being treated to a barrage of bullets, one-liners and oh yeah, Reggie (memba him?). BB4L is rated R with a 2hr and 4min running time. We give this solid little threequel 4 out of 5 stars. Fearless Box Office forecast: $51M opening weekend).  Oh yeah, BB4L is taking a page from Marvel, so stick around for the credits!

BB4L (2020)
This time, it’s personal

TwiView: Dolittle (2020)

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After losing the love of his life Dr. Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.) shuts himself and the doors of his animal sanctuary off from the world. That is until Queen Victoria (Jessie Buckley) is taken ill, and Dr. Dolittle is summoned to help her. With the help of a young boy Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett) and Dr. Dolittle’s animal friends, Poly (Emma Thompson), Chee-Chee (Rami Malek), Yoshi (John Cena), Plimpton (Kumail Nanjiani), and Dab-Dab (Octavia Spencer), they all set sail to find the one thing that will cure the Queen.

Dolittle will have you laughing out loud from start to finish. It is also a movie that helps to remind us there is nothing we can’t overcome. Especially when we have great friends by our side. Dolittle has an amazing all-star cast that also contains Antonio Banderas as King Rassouli, Michael Sheen as Dr. Blair Müdfly, Jim Broadbent as Lord Thomas Badgley, Tom Holland as Jip, Craig Robinson as Kevin, Ralph Fiennes as Barry, Selena Gomez as Betsy, and Marion Cotillard as Tutu.

While it was refreshing to see Robert Downey Jr. in a role outside of Iron Man it was really the animated animals who stole the movie. Chee-Chee (Rami Malek), Yoshi (John Cena), and Plimpton (Kumail Nanjiani) have some of the funniest lines in the movie and will have you rolling with laughter. Dolittle is rated PG, and is a movie all ages can see and enjoy. I give Dolittle a B+. You can find Dolittle in theaters Friday, January 17, 2020. (R. Barry)