When super powerful enemies threaten the safety of the citizens
of Los Angeles, police weapons are powerless against fireballs,
super-speed and super strength. Soledad O’Roark, a female cop (played
by Lil’ Kim) with an independent spirit takes it upon herself to
avenge the death of her fellow Meta-Normal Tactical Unit taskforce
mates. Always unconventional, Soledad has designed a special bullet
that is currently the only weapon that effectively takes these
enemies out and it’s up to her to save Los Angeles.
While the premise has a lot of potential, the execution – the
actors, the dialogue and the story’s progression – could use a
lot of work. Soledad is the main character and her portrayal carries
a lot of weight. The strength of Lil’ Kim’s performance never carries
enough weight to make Soledad a believable character. The melodrama
starts early and never lets up. Dialogue becomes very cliché and
the story gets very stale. Scenes meant to be touching and serious,
become laughable when they’re delivered and the plot fails to draw
the audience in.
Kudos to John Ridley for conceptualizing a strong female character
in a position of power. However, the idea falls way short on delivering
an entertaining story. |
Blues aficionado, John Lee Hooker, is
a legend in the world of music. Now for the first time, a record of
his life and experience as an artist and the influence he’s had on
many of the world’s most noted musicians has been documented. With
interviews of Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana, Robert
Cray, in addition to his closest family members, this documentary
pays homage to the life and contributions of one the most prolific
blues musicians alive today. Unpretentious and full of life, 83 year-old
John Lee Hooker’s music is celebrated all over the world. His love
for the art form took him away from Mississippi, his hometown, against
the vehement wishes of his parents (his father was a preacher) to
tour the country as a teenager playing his music in any venue that
would allow him. He often lied about his age since he was too young
to play in most nightclubs.
A simple man, his love for the blues was rivaled by nothing other
than his love for women. He unabashedly proclaims his appetite for
female company. His existence includes no flashy entourage that many
of today’s popular artists are accustomed to having (his nephew is
his driver and prepares his meal). Although he is responsible for
a multi-million dollar company (the licensing of his music brings
in millions), his only indulgences are the cars that he buys – his
collection still only a modest three. Having seen substance abuse
within his own family and among his friends in the industry, Hooker
vowed early to stay away from drugs and cigarettes. The discipline
has paid off in a youthful vitality seen in people more than half
his age.
Hooker’s story is not a provocative tell-all of salacious tales
and juicy tidbits that our fast-paced society has become accustomed
to seeing. However, it is a very notable chapter of music lore
sure to be appreciated by blues lovers everywhere. |
