September 10, 2024 Courtesy: Prime Video "The Money Game," Prime Video's latest six-part documentary, debuted today on the streaming network. It follows college athletes who, because of new policies, are now allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) for the first time ever due to previous NCAA regulations. "The Money Game," produced by Campfire Studios, Axios Entertainment, and Shaquille O' Neal's Jersey Legends (a division of Authentic Studios), was directed by Drea Cooper and takes viewers through a detailed look at the cost of playing college sports in a billion-dollar enterprise (college athletics generate $13.6 billion in revenue from over 500,000 students). The commercial enterprise has everyone profiting off the games except for the actual athletes who were expected to play solely for the love of the game, however that changed in 2021 with the Supreme Court's decision to allow students to be compensated for the use of their NIL (which includes a larger settlement of distributing $2.75 billion from the NCAA and schools to college athletes who played before July 2021, forever changing the landscape of college athletics). Courtesy: Prime Video (Olivia Dunn) "The Money Game" gives an inside look with featured interviews and commentaries from college superstars from LSU (Louisiana State University), a juggernaut in college athletics known for its record-breaking national championships. These players now use their ever-increasing platforms on social media like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to take advantage of the new rules where they, too, can profit with a strategic mindset, building their personal and highly groomed brands through several endorsement deals, creating a winning formula for success. With increased opportunities for the featured collegiate athletes of the documentary, Olivia Dunn with 15.6 million followers, Angel Reese with 7.9 million followers, Flau'Jae Johnson with 3.4 million followers, and Alia Armstrong with 53 000 followers, they have all used their massive social following to nurture burgeoning careers. Jayden Daniels is also featured, and while he only has 300,000 followers, he has taken advantage of NIL's new policies, using his newfound leverage to successfully transition from a college athlete who won the 2023 Heisman Trophy to a professional player with great success. Courtesy: Prime Video (Angel Reese) "The Money Game" is a fascinating sports documentary that not only chronicles the new NIL policies but also features the personal and academic lives of these college athletes as they train with determination and grit for their respective sports while capitalizing on their individual pursuits. The fans of LSU are at the forefront with exuberant vigor as college athletics continue to dominate with passion from those who watch. Aided with interviews are Taylor Jacobs, LSU Associate Athletic Director of NIL Strategy Initiatives; Mary Claire Logue, LSU Assistant Director of NIL; Scott Woodward, LSU Athletic Director; and injury attorney Gordon McKernan. A documentary highlight is Shaquille O' Neil (NBA legend and former LSU basketball player), who shared that the more money the athletes make, the greater the expectation for them to be perfect, underscoring the immense pressure of building and maintaining said brand for these athletes. "The Money Game" ambitiously pursues the new NIL policies that are elevated through social media but also sheds light on the potential pitfalls of success. As featured athlete Dunne, who uses the same platform for her success, points out, "social media has gotten way more toxic and mean than when I first started," she says. "But, I always say, the more eyes on you and the more you're doing something right, the more people will try to tear you down..." The days of college athletes struggling through financial hardships are now a thing of the past. With the introduction of the new NIL policies, athletes are now in control of their destinies. However, this also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who have not received the same level of media attention. It's a stark contrast, with some finding themselves on the outside looking in without the multi-million dollar contract waiting for them. "The Money Game" is an eye-opening documentary that immersively highlights college athletics in a society where athletes can profit off their successes while playing the sport they love if they are savvy enough. It transforms the original narrative and offers a new perspective on the choices that the new student-athletes now have, choices that were not offered to them before. _____________________ ____________________ The Money Game is currently streaming on Prime Video.

September 12, 2024 Courtesy: HBO Two plus two equals we're f*cked - Eric. __________________________________ The chaos continues to swirl around our favorite bankers in "Company Man." This time, it's Robert (Harry Lawtey) who feels the squeeze as Pierpoint deems him the most expendable and makes him the scapegoat as the official representative tasked with answering the select committee's probe in the 2 billion pound bailout of Lumi and Pierpoint's involvement. When Robert finds out that Eric (Ken Leung) agrees he's the most expendable, he knows exactly where he stands on the tandem pole. Frankly, it's a bit surprising that Eric signed off on it, but since Eric is all about self-preservation, then it's not that  surprising even when he tries to persuade Yasmin to take a personal day to save her from the chaos. Speaking of Eric, it's Children's Investment Trust Charity Day at Pierpoint, and everyone is dressed in full costume of their choice. When the camera pans to Eric in full Henry VIII ensemble, selling the point to Robert he needs to be a company man while stroking that beheaded object, it elicits more than just a giggle. Sweetpea (Miriam Petche) has valuable information leading to Pierpont's demise and tries to warn both Yasmin and Eric, who promptly dismisses her, but Eric knows that they need to get ahead of the curve, so he calls Bill Adler to get to the truth who admits that Pierpoint is in serious financial trouble and they're getting a new CEO. Adler also has brain cancer, and the two men share a real moment where Eric begins to cry; however, Bill, taking a page out of Eric's book, admonishes him and declares that they are "lifers." Sweetpea later encounters Yasmin (Marisa Abela) in the bathroom. Harper (Myha'la Herrold) who conveniently decided to use the bathroom at that moment, overhears the valuable piece of intel perched in one of the cubicles. She will no doubt maximize her fullest potential with this newest information. Harper, who astutely knows how valuable the intel is, cancels her meeting while Yasmin remains carelessly oblivious. Courtesy: HBO Speaking of the curve, Robert was put through the ringer. He ambushes Henry Muck (Kit Harrington) in the men's bathroom, who tells him he has everything under control. Between having panic attacks and being forced to wear glasses for optics, Robert doesn't believe him because Lisa Dearn, who's leading the committee, is going for the jugular, questioning Pierpoint's complicity and Henry's predatory behavior. Just when we think he's done for, Aurore Adekunle (Faith Alabi), the Cabinet Minister and Energy Secretary, takes full responsibility, absolving Robert and Pierpoint of any wrongdoing for Lumi's collapse and the government bailout. Believing in "accountability in politics," she tendered in her resignation to the prime minister, much to the shock and relief of everyone. However, with a backdoor deal orchestrated by Lord Norton and Otto Mostyn along with Henry, a later celebration congratulated Aurore for becoming "the new prime minister" when she entered the room all smiles, celebrating their victory, leaving Robert stunned. Yasmin joins the celebration where drugs and and alcohol are the life of the party, with everyone doing lines, including Robert and Henry. Yasmin goes to Henry only for her to find out that their "intimate" and "vulnerable" moment that happened in the bathroom earlier that morning, which involved her peeing on him, is not exclusive to her, and she storms out. She's the latest in the line of women servicing Henry's sexual kinks. Henry confronts Robert about his feelings for Yasmin. Courtesy: HBO He meets her outside, and she bemoans her taste in men, with Robert wearing his heart on his sleeve. They're interrupted by a phone call, and Yasmin learns they may have found her father's body. She quickly makes her exit, paving the way for Henry to introduce him to an ayahuasca ceremony where he hallucinates Hari's body with morbid images of self-reflection. Later, when Yas joins Robert in bed, and it's frustratingly platonic, Robert jokes that she is destined to marry her dad. She happily confesses what we've all been dying to know - "That would be impossible because I killed him." Say, what?! __________________________ Industry airs on HBO and steams on MAX Sundays at 9 pm.

August 31, 2024 Courtesy: HBO City of God: The Fight Rages On  is the riveting HBO original series set in Brazil, a sequel to the 2002 award-winning film  City of God . Adapted by Bráulio Mantovani from the novel by Paulo Lins, it continues the story of conflicts between police, traffickers, and militias. The series debuted on HBO Latino and MAX on August 25, 2024, to critical acclaim and has been renewed by HBO for a second season. The six-episode first season will continue to debut new episodes weekly on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Directed by Aly Muritiba and Bruno Costa, The Fight Rages On  is produced by Miramax and O2 Filmes. The series brings back memorable characters from the first film, such as Rocket (Wilson), Berenice, Bradock, Cinthia, Barbantinho, and Melonhead. The ensemble cast includes Alexandre Rodrigues, Thiago Martins, Roberta Rodrigues, Sabrina Rosa, Marcos Palmeira, Andréia Horta, Kiko Marques, Edson Oliveira, Andréia Horta, Eli Ferreira, Luellem de Castro, Jefferson Brasil, Otávio Linhares, Rafael Lozano, Leandro Daniel, and Luiz Bertazzo, adding a new dimension to the story. Courtesy: HBO The first film, set in Rio de Janeiro's infamous favelas, "City of God," between the 1960s and 1980s, followed the escalating war of organized crime, drugs, and gangs with rising tensions with the police. Wilson "Rocket" (Alexandre Rodrigues) narrates as he dreams of becoming a photographer. City Of God was internationally and critically acclaimed, receiving four nominations at the 76th Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay). In The Fight Rages On , 20 years after the events of the first movie, the release of a young trafficker from jail puts the favela City of God back into the midst of a power struggle. Residents find themselves trapped between traffickers, militia, businesspeople, and the government, but the need to break free from this cycle causes the community to unite around a project to confront the oppressor. Courtesy: HBO Wison, who was last seen in the first film, had the choice to expose the corruption of the police and become famous or publish a picture of one of the many victims, which would get him an internship at the newspaper. He now has a 15-year-old promiscuous daughter and has become a famous, if not respected, photojournalist. Continuously caught in the middle of the escalating violent carnage, his estranged daughter forces him to face the hard truth. She accuses him of being part of the problem. The Fight Rages On  authentically captures the grit of the favelas and the impoverished communities that are subjected to the prevalent drug violence and rampant police corruption while the residents continue to suffer. It continues to lay the dramatic foundation for its characters to change or continue to be a product of their environment, making it must-see TV. _____________________ Screenplay by Sérgio Machado, Renata Di Carmo, Armando Praça, Estevão Ribeiro, Rodrigo Felha and Muritiba. Andrea Barata Ribeiro and Fernando Meirelles are producers, and Cris Abi and Gustavo Gontijo are coproducers for O2 Filmes. Mariano Cesar, Anouk Aaron, and Mônica Albuquerque are executive producers on behalf of Warner Bros. Discovery. ____________________ City of God: The Fight Rages On is currently airing on HBO Latino and Max.

August 30, 2024 Lee Daniel's "The Deliverance," the highly anticipated supernatural horror film written by David Coggeshall and Elijah Bynum, premiered on  Netflix  on August 30.  We first covered The Deliverance  on June 11 ( https://www.therealperspectives.com/post/first-look-at-netflix-lee-daniel-s-the-deliverance ), when Netflix released its first promotional photo, giving us a glimpse into this highly anticipated film. It is inspired by the real-life story of Latoya Ammons and her Pennsylvania family, who were victims of demonic possession, that garnered international media attention. Andra Day (The People vs. Billie Holiday) stars as Ebony Jackson, the fictionalized version of Latoya Ammons, an alcoholic and single mother battling her own demons, who moves her family into a new home for a fresh start. However, when strange occurrences inside the home raise the suspicions of Child Protective Services and threaten to tear the family apart, Ebony soon finds herself locked in a battle for her life and the souls of her children. Courtesy: Netflix The ensemble cast includes: Glenn Close as Alberta Anthony B. Jenkins as Andre Caleb McLaughlin as Nate Demi Singleton as Shante Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Reverend Bernice James Mo'Nique as Cynthia Henry Omar Epps as Melvin Miss Lawrence as Asia Colleen Camp as Doctor Hoffsteder Juanita Jennings as Mrs. Tucker Kimberly Russell as Mrs. Ross Tasha Smith as Pastor Powell Courtesy: Netflix When speaking of the film, Daniels, the acclaimed director behind powerful movies such as Precious  and The Butler , said, "In recent years, we've gotten some brilliant horror movies like  Get Out , but my goals were different," Daniels told Netflix. This is supposed to scare you into believing in a higher power because it actually happened. It's a story about demonic possession and the power of faith that's grounded in reality. And that kind of dramatic storytelling has always interested me." Like most of the horror films that came before The Deliverance , it is very similar to timeless classics such as The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby,  and  Poltergeist , however, Daniels has gone on record as saying The Deliverance  is a faith-based thriller and felt he needed to get reconnected to his higher power and urged others to reconnect to theirs. Taking liberties with Amonns' story to cultivate his directorial narrative for the film, Daniel depicts that the exorcism is more of a "deliverance" in the family's home as the focus is less on exorcising a demon from someone and more on the transformation about the experience of deliverance in its entirety. With riveting performances by the entire cast and special consideration to Day, Close, and Monique, The Deliverance  is easily one of the best horror movies of the year. This is a film you definitely do not want to miss. _____________________ ____________________ The Deliverance is currently streaming now on Netflix.

August 29, 2024 Courtesy: Prime Video The highly anticipated season 2 of the global hit The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power , based on J. R. R. Tolkien's mystical fantasy of Middle Earth from the novel  The Lord of the Rings  and Appendices , premiered on Prime Video on August 29 with three of its eight episodes. New episodes will follow weekly until the finale on October 3. Following the massive hit of season 1 created by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, the series was watched globally by over 100 million viewers, making it Prime Video's most-watched series. We saw the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the fall of the kingdom Númenor, and the forging of the Elven rings. The series stays true to J.R.R. Tolkien's original work while taking liberties of it's own, bringing his beloved characters and stories to life in a way that will surely resonate with fans. The official synopsis reads, "In Season Two of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will," the official synopsis reads. "Building on Season One's epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots…as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all...each other." Courtesy: Prime Video The ensemble cast includes - Morfydd Clark as Galadriel Charlie Vickers as Sauron Sam Hazeldine as Adar Robert Aramayo as Elrond Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad Ismael Cruz Córdova as Arondir Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor Ben Daniels as Círdan Rory Kinnear as Tom Bombadil Ciarán Hinds as Dark Wizard Tyroe Muhafidin as Theo Lloyd Owen as Elendil  Maxim Baldry Daniel Weyman as The Stranger Owain Arthur as Durin IV Sophia Nomvete as Disa Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Regent Míriel Markella Kavenagh as Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot Megan Richards as Poppy Proudfellow Season 2 picks up with the dramatic revelation that Halbrand is actually the Dark Lord Sauron. In the opening sequence of Sauron's origin story after Morgoth's defeat, Adar, supposedly going to crown Sauron, wounds him with the spiked crown as the other orcs viciously attack him, where he bleeds out in explosive fashion. Adar, thinking he's dead, crowns himself the new leader while Sauron's blood seeps through the underbellies and morphs into a shapeless hideous creature who then assumes a human form known as Halbrand. He joins a group of Southlander refugees, one of whom wears the symbol of the realm's former king. While escaping, they are shipped wrecked, and Halbrand snatches the emblem from the man who wore it, leaving him to die, where he successfully escapes. The first arc of the first episode connects the scenes to when we first met Halbrand while filling in the necessary connecting plots of season 1. In Mordor, he then allows himself to be captured by the orcs so he can trick Adar into thinking he knows the whereabouts of Sauron to gain his trust. By the time Adar effectively tortures him to his satisfaction, Sauron manipulates him into releasing the rest of the Southlanders and claims Sauron is conspiring with his enemies. Adar lets him go, however his suspicions remains and he commands an orc to follow him. Elrond, Galadriel, and Gil-galad argue about the effects of the elven rings given their power. Newcomer Cidran (the fantastic Ben Daniels, whose character will play a pivotal role) decides to dispose of them but is unable to. He returns, where he, Galadriel, and Gil-galad are drawn by its power and wear the rings. Their combined power restores their magical tree of the elves to life. Courtesy: Prime Video Elsewhere, The Stranger is still amnesiac and trying to master his powers while having premonitions of grabbing a staff. We know he's Gandalf (the series has not confirmed), since the Harfoots Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow are headed to the land of Rhûn. If Season 1 was universally hailed for its cinematography and production values, staying true to the folklore of Middle Earth, Season 2 is even grander in scale. The writers are committed to creating a sweeping, enveloping cinematic experience filled with action sequences, visual effects, and musical scores on par with Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. "The Real Perspectives" had the privilege of viewing the season in its entirety, and without giving too much away, each episode is better than the last, which sets up the season beautifully. Sauron’s evil plans take center stage and disguised as the fair Annatar, he aims to utilize Celebrimbor’s ( the Elven lord) skills to craft powerful rings where his deception will have far reaching consequences for all involved. By the time the end of the season reaches its climax, it more than delivers with an epic battle scene that easily sets up season 3. ____________________ The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power is currently streaming on Prime Video. ____________________ Co-Executive Producer: Charlotte Brändström Producers: Kate Hazell Helen Shang . Co-Producers: Clare Buxton Andrew Lee Glenise Mullins Matthew Penry-Davey. Directors: Charlotte Brändström Sanaa Hamri Louise Hooper. Production companies: Amazon MGM Studios and New Line Cinema.

August 27, 2024 Courtesy: Prime Video Classified  is the fresh coming-of-age drama that debuted on Prime Video on August 22 and is currently streaming on Prime Video . The first season, with eight episodes, stars Imani Pullum as Ella, a rebellious teenager who is uprooted from her home in Oakland, California, and forced to move in with her estranged father in South Africa. As she navigates her new life in Johannesburg, she finds herself in a world of wealth, intrigue, and international espionage. The series, with its vibrant blend of cultures and landscapes, is predominantly set in Johannesburg, South Africa. It originally launched on Netflix South Africa and made its US debut exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Freevee. The series features a diverse ensemble cast, including Christine Horn, Sule Rimi, Mila Rayne, Omhle Tshabalala, Nicola Nothnagel, Motshabi Chakane, Victor Makgati, Richard Lukunku, Kelly Damon, Luyanda Zwane, Shuwa, Paballo Koza, and Neels Clasen. Courtesy: Prime Video Classified  is a promising series that sets it apart from its predecessors primarily because of the location. Very few series are set in South Africa where we see the country's rich cultural landscape and Classified  more than delivers. It's a breath of fresh air where South Africa is often depicted in poverty; here, Johannesburg is allowed to thrive as Ella is thrust into a world filled with abundance - sprawling mansions, elite private schools, and rich kids whose parents are celebrities and politicians. In Ella's case, her stepmother is actually a CIA operative. After being arrested at a protest and facing serious jail time, Ella avoids going to jail thanks to her stepmother, Dianne. Ella thinks she's simply visiting her father and step-family for a short stay, but when she realizes she was tricked, the spitfire teenager does everything possible to return to California to be with her ailing mom and friends but is thwarted at every turn. In a more serious series, it would have resulted in her demise, but thankfully, Classified  does not take itself too seriously. At her elite school, she encounters colorful peers who have become her friends, allies, and frenemies, including the boy she's crushing on. Things get interesting when Dianne enlists her help to become an amateur spy to spy on one of her classmates. By the end of the first season, the situations she found herself in have forced her to see the world through a different lens, and her stay in Johannesburg may not be the worst thing after all. Courtesy: Prime Video With a healthy dose of teenage drama, including love triangles and school cliques,  Classified  offers a unique blend of lighthearted entertainment and suspenseful plot twists. The series does not shy away from international intrigue, keeping the anticipation firmly in place for a second season. ____________________ Classified  was created by Kagiso Lediga and produced by Skybound Galactic, a joint venture between Skybound Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television in partnership with Diprente. It   is directed by Kagiso Lediga and is executive-produced by Lediga, Tamsin Andersson, Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Rick Jacobs, Sean Furst, and Bryan Furst. _____________________ Classified is currently streaming on Prime Video.

August 26, 2024 Courtesy: Peacock The Killer  is the explosive new action thriller directed by the legendary Hong Kong film director John Woo. It is a remake of his classic 1989 film of the same name  starring Nathalie Emmanuel ( The Fast and Furious franchise, Game of Thrones ) as Zee in the lead role as an infamous assassin known in the Parisian underworld as the Queen of the Dead. Distributed by Peacock, The Killer  is produced by Universal Pictures, A Better Tomorrow Films, and Atlas Entertainment, with additional producers Terence Chang, Mark Gordon, Matt Jackson, and Robin Mulcahy Fisichella. The screenplay is from Brian Helgeland, Josh Campbell, and Matt Stuecken. Courtesy: Peacock According to the show's official synopsis, When Zee is given her new assignment from her handler to kill a blind young woman (Jenn) in a Paris nightclub, she refuses. The decision will disintegrate Zee's alliances, attract the attention of a savvy police investigator, and plunge her into a sinister criminal conspiracy that will set her on a collision course with her own past.  The ensemble cast includes Omar Sy (Intouchables, Jurassic World) , Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation, Avatar franchise) , Diana Silvers (Space Force) , Eric Cantona ( The Fragile Colossus, Elizabeth ), Saϊd Taghmaoui ( Wonder Woman, The Kite Runner ), Tchéky Karyo ( Nikita, A Very Long Engagement ) and Grégory Montel ( Call My Agent!, Thirst for Life ). It also features Angeles Woo ( Silent Night, Manhunt ) and Aurélia Agel ( Halo, Black Widow ). Courtesy: Peacock Very reminiscent of John Woo's previous classics "Face/Off" starring John Travolta and Nicholas Cage and Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible 2", Woo once again delivers riveting action sequences and slow motion stylized imagery that evokes feelings of nostalgia from his earlier work. Fans will appreciate the new version of The Killer  in the gender swapped role of Zee replacing Chow Yun-fat in the original film. The relationship between Zee and Jen, as Zee decides to protect her is one of the richer dynamics of the show as Zee develops a moral conscience even at the expense of her own life with Sey, the policeman hot on her trail. With religious symbolism and themes of redemption, The Killer is one of the best action movies of the year. __________________________ ________________________ The Killer is streaming now on Peacock.