Binge-Worthy Gems
Critic's Corner:
Reviews of My Latest TV Show Binges & a Stellar Movie
Queenie
3/5 Stars
Queenie is an adaptation of a novel into a Hulu series. It follows a young English-Jamaican woman as she navigates her writing career, unpacking childhood trauma, and struggles to move on from a long-term relationship. Personally, when it comes to shows depicting women struggling to get over a guy and resorting to cycles of situationships rather than healing properly, it gives me secondhand embarrassment and makes me cringe. I am not saying that from the standpoint of lacking empathy or not being a "girls-girl," but that response comes from a developed sense of maturity I have as a viewer. Therefore, I can see how this show can be hard to watch in this sense, but I can also see how this show's depiction can be relatable within the lines of confusion within the current dating scene today.
Once you get over the frustrations of seeing Queenie make her mistakes within her dating realm, there are some wholesome moments with her family and friends worth watching and moments of how some friendships can only sustain from messy trauma bonding. Nonetheless, I was glad to see Joseph Marcell on the show as Queenie's grandfather, commonly known as Geoffrey the Butler from Fresh Prince of Belair. I would love to see how the next season unpacks more of Queenie's life and self-development.
The Ms. Pat Show
4/5 stars
I was thrilled that Ms. Pat's show returned with a new season! I'm really enjoying modern-day family shows right now, and Ms. Pat's show stands out from the typical modern-day family show depictions. This show has an authentic feel to it. The comedy style of this show is a raw comedy that can also be seen as ignorant, but it's tolerable. All comedy aside, this show does a great job of discussing complex topics such as sexual abuse, addiction, drug trafficking, abortions, domestic violence, and heated moments within a family household in such a productive way. It's rare to find shows that effectively capture and portray the reality of these complex issues, and with the balance of comedy, it truly is a nice blend to address these complex matters.
Dreaming Whilst black
5/5 stars
Dreaming Whilst Black is such a refreshing show about the main character, Kwabena, an aspiring filmmaker trying to navigate his film career while working at his recruitment job. This show is hilarious as the comedy style is very witty. With this show, viewers can see how other African and Caribbean descent individuals living in the UK undergo systematic and blatant racism. Although the issue of racism is shown in its most ridiculous manner, the ignorance that their white peers demonstrate is also comical because of the boldness and lack of common courtesy. Ultimately, this show is such a light watch as it is easy to breeze past the season and a testimony of staying the course of one's endeavors even when faced with hard decisions within one's craft.
Fun Fact: Adjani Salmon, who plays Kwabena, the main character, created this show.
SunCoast
5/5 stars
Suncoast was one of those movies that you stumble across and are surprised at how deep it is. This movie is about Doris, who is a biracial girl who has a problematic relationship with her mom as a result of them both grieving her older brother, whose health is declining. They are just preparing for the moment he passes away. There are so many layers within this movie that it can be easy to choose sides; however, when grief is at the forefront, it shows how people's responses to grief vary. This film may be triggering for many; however, it does a great job of showing an authentic depiction of processing grief. This movie can be found on Hulu.
Fun Fact: Nico Parker, who played Doris, mother is Melanie Thandiwe Newton.
