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Author: Oluwatayo Adewole

“Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell” leaves the viewer wanting more

Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell
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While the documentary about legendary rapper Biggie Smalls is somewhat lacking, the occasional insider’s look at his all-too-short life makes it worthwhile.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on March 1, 2021March 1, 2021

“The United States vs. Billie Holiday” can’t build a strong case for itself

United States vs. Billie Holiday
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Andra Day shines in Lee Daniels’ otherwise-messy biopic about the Black cultural icon, squandering some fine potential.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021

Shaka King breaks down “Judas and the Black Messiah”

Judas and the Black Messiah - Still 4
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The Judas and the Black Messiah director talks about balancing revolutionary energy with his own personal need to grow as a filmmaker.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on February 9, 2021February 8, 2021

“Little Fish” is a pandemic-set love story you don’t have to throw back

Little Fish (IFC Films)
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Olivia Cooke and Jack O’Connell shine in a melodramatic, but immersive romantic tragedy that mimics the isolation and loss of our current moment.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on February 7, 2021February 7, 2021

“The Long Song” – Masterpiece’s end-of-slavery miniseries is excellent

The Long Song
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Mahalia Bello’s study of the end of slavery in Jamaica, “The Long Song” is incisive, insightful and prioritizes the humanity of the enslaved.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on January 31, 2021January 31, 2021

“The Sister” is fine, but not much more

The Sister
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Hulu’s latest prestige series looks good and features a powerful performance by its leading man, but isn’t anything we haven’t seen before.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on January 19, 2021January 19, 2021

“The Prom” is a glittery, insubstantial musical fantasia

The Prom
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Ryan Murphy’s bajillionth project for Netflix adapts the Broadway musical to spectacular effect, even if the spectacle wallpapers over its lack of substance.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on December 11, 2020December 11, 2020

“Wild Mountain Thyme” gets lost in the fog

Wild Mountain Thyme
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John Patrick Shanley returns with a miscast, disingenuous tale of Irish star-crossed lovers.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on December 9, 2020December 9, 2020

“No Man’s Land” is a thoughtful, gripping modern war drama

No Man's Land
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The Hulu original series about the Syrian Civil War offers strong performances and unexpected dark humor.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on November 19, 2020November 19, 2020

Doc shows how America failed to get COVID-19 “Totally Under Control”

Totally Under Control
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Gibney’s latest piece of docu-journalism is a sharp, but blinkered take Trump’s COVID-era failings.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on October 16, 2020October 16, 2020

“The Forty-Year-Old Version” adds enough rhythm to the same old song

The Forty-Year-Old Version
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Multihyphenate Radha Blank makes herself known in her latest, a familiar story with enough of its own flavor.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on October 12, 2020October 12, 2020

“Tenet” is thrilling if you can look past all the self-seriousness

Tenet
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Christopher Nolan’s latest sci-fi thriller is often something to behold, but it’s nowhere near the brilliant art it thinks it is.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on September 3, 2020September 1, 2020

“Lingua Franca”‘s Isabel Sandoval on the value of taking risks

Isabel Sandoval in Lingua Franca
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We talk to a rising filmmaker about bringing rawness and reality into her work.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on August 28, 2020August 30, 2020

“Centigrade” is a case study in wasted potential

Centigrade
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An interesting concept is buried under limp writing and under developed characters.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on August 27, 2020August 27, 2020

“Lingua Franca” is a heartfelt tale of love at the fringes of society

Lingua Franca
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Isabel Sandoval directs & stars in a layered story of a woman struggling to live in a hostile world.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on August 26, 2020August 25, 2020

“Project Power” turns New Orleans into a superpowered battleground

Project Power
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Netflix’s latest is a zany high-concept thriller that overcomes some ill-timed politics with well-staged action.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on August 13, 2020August 13, 2020

“Waiting for the Barbarians” has too much Depp and not enough depth

Waiting for the Barbarians
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Ciro Guerra’s adaptation of the J.M. Coetzee novel tries to critique the aesthetics of imperialism but falls short.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on August 7, 2020August 7, 2020

“Phantom of the Opera” is a series of dull notes

The Phantom of the Opera
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Joel Schumacher inexplicably drained Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Broadway musical of every bit of its camp and queerness.

Oluwatayo Adewole Posted on July 25, 2020July 24, 2020

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