#Freegame - The Blog - The Professional Pen

REVIEW: THE COLOR PURPLE (2023)

1/1/2024

The Color Purple (2023) Review by The Professional Pen

THE COLOR PURPLE - A lesson in connecting character arcs to theme. #SpoilerAlert

I have experienced every iteration of Miss Celie's story:
- The novel
- The film
- The Broadway Tour ft. Fantasia (at the Pantages in Los Angeles in 2009. Fun Fact: This was the show that reintroduced me to my love for musical theater. It's why I eventually quit my job as an exec at The Syfy Channel and became a touring, performing artist myself. 😉)
- The Tony-award winning Broadway revival ft. Cynthia Erivo

Each iteration takes the epistolary novel of Celie writing letters to God and Nettie writing letters to Celie and turns them into strong vignettes throughout time as Celie learns to love herself, find joy, forgive, and trust God.

Because the story is told this way, you may find it hard to follow the structure. It leaps through time with a mostly inactive protagonist. So why does it work? 👇🏾

REVIEW: CANDY CANE LANE

12/24/2023

Film Analysis of Candy Cane Lane by The Professional Pen

A lesson in inactive protagonists. This story could've worked, but the execution is so poor.

Rotten Tomatoes: 45%
IMDB: 5.6/10

REVIEW: DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW

12/23/2023

Film Analysis of Dashing Through the Snow by The Professional Pen

A lesson in reveals. The reveal does not work to the story's benefit. Let's get straight into it. #SpoilerAlert

Rotten Tomatoes: 43%
IMDB: 5.5/10

REVIEW: LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

12/18/2023

Film Analysis of Leave the World Behind by The Professional Pen

Let's talk breaking the rules. #SpoilerAlert

Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
IMDB: 6.6/10

REVIEW: the blackening

11/28/2023

The Blackening movie review from The Professional Pen

THE BLACKENING - I'm late to the party, but I'm here.

On my way to the ATL for business, I was able to watch THE BLACKENING on my Delta flight. Delta usually has the best and most diverse viewing library. Shout out to them.

Let's discuss black horror films 👇🏾

REVIEW: THE BURIAL

11/7/2023

The Professional Pen on genre and tone in THE BURIAL

THE BURIAL - Based on a true story. Now streaming on #AmazonPrime. No spoilers. Finally, a decent film. Jamie Foxx is a character actor and always shines in biographies. Tommy Lee Jones never disappoints. I became a Journee Smollett fan in LOVECRAFT because it seemed she was finally given a role that allowed her to stretch and show off her acting chops. IMO, she's in her bag. I hope she stays there.

But let's talk about genre and tone.

REVIEW: ELEMENTAL

11/6/2023

Breakdown the ELEMENTAL Screenplay with The Professional Pen

ELEMENTAL is thematic perfection. But what else do we expect from Pixar. Of course, there are on-the-nose moments because it's written for a family audience. Even still, it's a great watch. Let's break down the story elements.

REVIEW: CREED III

4/5/2023

Review - Creed III

CREED III - A lesson on trauma as a character motivation and cause and effect in screenwriting. #SpoilerAlert

YOUR PROTAGONIST DOES NOT HAVE TO WIN

4/4/2023

creed review

A lesson on externalizing internal goals in your screenplay. Case Study: CREED #SpoilerAlert

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