#AlvinaAugust

[wherever-i-look-blog]

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist: Season 2/ Episode 4 "Zoey's Extraordinary Employee" – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers) With Zoey and Max on pause, does that mean Zoey may pick things up with Simon – or maybe even someone new? https://wherever-i-look.com/tv-series/zoeys-extraordinary-playlist-season-2-episode-4-zoeys-extraordinary-employee-recap-review-with-spoilers?feed_id=2458&_unique_id=6010e747969b9

[sleepynegress]

For those who love Hallmark’s cozy romance movies but don’t care for the lack of diversity. They are putting in a little more effort than usual this year.

This came across my twitter feed and I thought I would share... From Eion Bailey’s (Once Upon a Time) instagram on the movie, Deliver by Christmas:

baileyeion  This summer I was offered a Hallmark Christmas film about finding love. Hallmark has been in the news a few times in the last couple of years, first for being accused of not allowing interracial couples in their backgrounds (let alone their leads), and second for pulling a commercial that featured a same sex marriage ceremony. After many raised their voices the commercial was put back on, and now this.

Some of you know I am married to a Black woman and we have two sons. Just days before I received the offer to do the film my wife showed me a news story about flyers delivered to hundreds of homes not far from where we live. The flyer featured a photo of a couple, a Black man and a White woman, they look happy, in love, likely married. What was written beneath them was a description of how dangerous their union is, for themselves, their children, and society at large. The author, or authors, denounced interracial marriage as “a health risk to society”, and listed a number of "medical facts” about the low IQ’s of the children who come from these unions.

It was interesting to marvel at the concepts promoted in this ‘Public service announcement’ in 2020. I feel such deep sadness for the person or people who wrote this message with such a profound schism at its core; A Happy couple, in Love, linked to the authors own suffocating illness, Fear.

What energy it must take for someone to construct a house in their mind of such exclusion, a house where understanding is not welcome, all the windows sealed, curtains drawn, the front door boarded up, the inhabitants deathly afraid of,,, drum roll please,,, Love.

Everything I do is connected to either Fear or Love; I doubt there is anyone who operates on a different paradigm. What separates ‘who we are’, from ‘what we could be’, is how often we choose one or the other.

I am grateful to this cast and especially the wonderful @alvinaaugust, my partner in this film. It’ll be the first movie my kids will see where the woman I fall in love with looks like their mom. They might not see the significance in this, it is just reflecting their life, and that is just the way it should be.

Hallmark has another interracial movie featuring a bridge officer from ST:DISCO (Ronnie Rowe) called Jingle Bell Bride and (I’m astounded!) an LGBTQ+ cozy romance called The Christmas House about a married gay couple looking to adopt a kid. It stars Mean Girls’ Jonathan Bennett. When Hallmark finally releases all the promo for the season I’ll post a full line-up of their diverse holiday offerings. It’s still not where it should be IMO... But progress is good.

[doomonfilm]

Review : Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

I’m a sucker for a red-band trailer.  We get so used to seeing those green-bands, that when a red one comes along it’s instantly intriguing.  You mix that in with product that looks like it may deliver, and you’ve got a winning recipe for hooking viewers.  I should know, because that’s exactly why I am hype about seeing Bad Times at the El Royale. 

The El Royale is a lush hotel split right down the center by the California and Nevada border, a shell of itself thanks to gambling restrictions and the changing times that were the 1960s.  Singer Darlene Sweet (Cynthia Erivo) crosses paths with Daniel Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a man dressed as a preacher, while attempting to check in.  The two join the slick talking Seymour ‘Laramie’ Sullivan (Jon Hamm) in the lobby as the group waits to be checked in, finally being assigned rooms by Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman), the hotel concierge.  A mysterious woman (Dakota Johnson) also checks in at the same time.  After settling in, Sullivan begins to inspect his room, only to discover a disturbing amount of wire taps in his room.  Further inspection of the hotel reveals a secret passageway where Sullivan discovers a handful of troubling things he reports to his ‘superiors’ : Flynn is found removing floorboards from his room in search of something, Sweet has attempted to soundproof her room so she can sing, the mysterious woman (Emily) is found to be holding the young captive Rose (Cailee Spaeny) hostage, and a movie camera is found set up.  As the night unfolds, the different individuals interact (and conflict) with one another, all unaware of the danger on the way in the form of Billy Lee (Chris Hemsworth), cult leader and idol of Rose, who has come to provide gasoline for the ever growing fire of mystery and intrigue that is the El Royale.

Like Pulp Fiction or Four Rooms, the film has a non-linear narrative with a wonderfully deceptive and suspenseful way of unveiling itself.  The main points and events of this film are easy to put together chronologically in our minds, but the way that the bits of key information are scientifically sprinkled throughout the film only lead to rewarding reveals as we move forward through the experience.  Characters that seem to be of key importance may not always be safe, making connections with any of the characters an exercise in futility.  The idea of madness introduced at the beginning of the film slowly grows and gains momentum, until the madness threatens to consume all characters that remain.

The 1960s setting is not only presented in terms of production aspects, it is ingrained into the texture of the film.  On a surface level, the choice is pleasing... there are wonderful wardrobe choices that reflect the era, such as the dresses, high-waisted jeans, rich colors and hippie regalia.  The soundtrack is amazing, with a rich combination of Motown r&b, deep soul and album rock cuts.  Where the era really comes into play, however, is in the referential subtext weaved into the dialogue and key events in the film.  Several scandals specific to the era are insinuated, be it illicit affairs between certain rich (and recently deceased) politicians and starlets, the underlying bubbling darkness generating out of the hippie era, or even the powerful men in the shadows keeping tabs on Americans secretly.  Even the Vietnam war is integrated into this modern day folk tale.

The set design for this film is stellar.  The colorful split between the Nevada and California sections of the El Royale hotel are visually stunning, being wholly informative of the states each side represents while also being pleasing to look at as the handful of characters interact with one another.  It’s slow, methodical destruction as the story progresses mirrors the growing darkness present in the film.  Some of the sets and locations used to illustrate personal aspects of the characters also stand out, especially the recording studio set where Darlene is personally challenged, and the locations that Billy Lee’s cult wander through and bond in.  The momentary visit to Vietnam is haunting.  The design of the observation area in the El Royale is wonderfully dark and dungeon-like, completely in contrast to the rest of the hotel.

Jon Hamm goes big and boisterous right from the jump, purposefully playing off-putting to hide in plain sight.  Cynthia Ervio gives one of the strongest and most consistent performances of the film, never letting her focus on her passions leave her unaware of present danger.  Jeff Bridges plays the old man drowning in regret well, making the best of his final shot that counts, and attempting to make an honest connection or two along the way.  Dakota Johnson plays her mixture of concerned sister and righteous savior with precise balance, and in stark contrast to Cailee Spaeny’s spontaneous free will.  Lewis Pullman gives another strong performance, albeit toned down and subdued, which allows for quite the punch near the end.  Chris Hemsworth embodies the ‘turn me on and turn me loose’ ethos he has become known for, with writer/director Drew Goddard giving him all the tools he needs.  A handful of other familiar faces make nice cameo appearances.

As an aside, Bad Times at the El Royale served as a wonderful celebration for my achievement of #TopBrass status with the #AlamoDrafthouse Victory Rewards program.  The movie was as entertaining as anything I’ve seen this year, but it may take another watch or two for me to truly assess its placement in what will be a tough year of films to rank.

[darkstorm1720]

I'm watching Nancy Drew 3x13 "The Ransom of the Forsaken Soul" @kennedy_mcmann @DebAmelia @RileySmith @scottwolf #SineadCurry #TonyAli @alvinaaugust #WillChilton @EdenSummerG @maddisonjaizani #TunjiKasim @leahmlewis @psmartinfans

[daily1864-blog]

So excited for siren tonight. I can’t wait #siren @TheOtherDavidK @SirenTV @ElinePowell @RealTammyGillis @MillanTesfazgi @HannahLevien @culu @HugoAteo @GeorgiaGSWaters @alvinaaugust @_freshfreckles @Sedale3t @RenaOwen @Fola_Evans #Merfamily @nataleelinez https://www.instagram.com/p/B0opk1BpvWS/?igshid=liahz0eoxo0f

[deletingpoint]

Alvina August‏ @AlvinaAugust Build a snowman OR make your own stick man & call him Twigs. I couldn't have asked for a better TV daughter? #spnfamily @cw_spn #tashabanes Tweet

[spn-j2-blog]

(с)@kararoyster,@AlvinaAugust

[geekclubhouse]

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced the home release information (4K Ultra HD/Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital HD) for BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE! Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman, Jeff Bridges, Callee Spaeny, lewis Pullman, Manny Jacinto, Mark O'Brien, Jonathan Whitesell, Sarah Smyth, Bethany Brown, Cynthia Erivo, Alvina August, Sophia Lauchlin Hirt #20thCenturyFoxHomeEntertainment #4KUltraHD #AlvinaAugust #BadTimesAtTheElRoyale #BethanyBrown #BluRay #CalleeSpaeny #ChrisHemsworth #CynthiaErivo #DakotaJohnson #DigitalHD #DVD #Fox #JeffBridges #JonHamm #JonathanWhitesell #LewisPullman #MannyJacinto #MarkO'Brien #NickOfferman #SarahSmyth #SophiaLauchlinHirt #NothingButGeek #NBGeek #NBG https://ift.tt/2DyPtHx https://ift.tt/2DzjxCK

[nbutgeek]

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has announced the home release information (4K Ultra HD/Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital HD) for BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE! Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman, Jeff Bridges, Callee Spaeny, lewis Pullman, Manny Jacinto, Mark O'Brien, Jonathan Whitesell, Sarah Smyth, Bethany Brown, Cynthia Erivo, Alvina August, Sophia Lauchlin Hirt #20thCenturyFoxHomeEntertainment #4KUltraHD #AlvinaAugust #BadTimesAtTheElRoyale #BethanyBrown #BluRay #CalleeSpaeny #ChrisHemsworth #CynthiaErivo #DakotaJohnson #DigitalHD #DVD #Fox #JeffBridges #JonHamm #JonathanWhitesell #LewisPullman #MannyJacinto #MarkO'Brien #NickOfferman #SarahSmyth #SophiaLauchlinHirt #NothingButGeek #NBGeek #NBG https://ift.tt/2DyPtHx https://ift.tt/2DzjxCK

[darkstorm1720]

I'm watching Nancy Drew 3x12 "The Witch Tree Symbol" @kennedy_mcmann @DebAmelia @RileySmith @scottwolf #SineadCurry #TonyAli @alvinaaugust #WillChilton @EdenSummerG @maddisonjaizani #TunjiKasim @leahmlewis @psmartinfans

[daily1864-blog]

Lucy relaxing 😎. My mood waiting for Thursday so I can watch @siren @theotherdavidkaye @elinepowell @realtammygillis @millantesfazgi @hannahlevienofficial @hansumlum @hugoateo @georgia_scarlet_waters @alvinaaugust @freshfreckles @sedale3t @renaowen @folaevansakingbola (at Lutz, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0i7K6QpYCH/?igshid=huivistnaojr

[darkstorm1720]

I'm watching Nancy Drew 3x11 "The Spellbound Juror" @kennedy_mcmann @DebAmelia @RileySmith @scottwolf #SineadCurry #TonyAli @alvinaaugust #WillChilton @EdenSummerG @maddisonjaizani #TunjiKasim @leahmlewis @psmartinfans

[darkstorm1720]

I'm watching Nancy Drew 3x10 "Episode 10" @kennedy_mcmann @DebAmelia @RileySmith @scottwolf #SineadCurry #TonyAli @alvinaaugust #WillChilton @EdenSummerG @maddisonjaizani #TunjiKasim @leahmlewis @psmartinfans

[darkstorm1720]

I'm watching Nancy Drew 3x07 "The Gambit of the Tangled Souls" @kennedy_mcmann @DebAmelia @RileySmith @scottwolf #SineadCurry #TonyAli @alvinaaugust #WillChilton @EdenSummerG @maddisonjaizani #TunjiKasim @leahmlewis @psmartinfans

[darkstorm1720]

I'm watching Nancy Drew 3x06 "The Myth of the Ensnared Hunter" @kennedy_mcmann @DebAmelia @RileySmith @scottwolf #SineadCurry #TonyAli @alvinaaugust #WillChilton @EdenSummerG @maddisonjaizani #TunjiKasim @leahmlewis @psmartinfans

[darkstorm1720]

I'm watching Nancy Drew 3x05 "The Vision of the Birchwood Prisoner" @kennedy_mcmann @DebAmelia @RileySmith @scottwolf #SineadCurry #TonyAli @alvinaaugust #WillChilton @EdenSummerG @maddisonjaizani #TunjiKasim @leahmlewis @psmartinfans