Film Reviews & Movie Analysis

The idea for this Top Five only came to me this week (and I normally have a couple of topics planned in advance) and once the idea was in my head I couldn’t put it on the back burner. This is for the people out there doing the most and doing it well, who climbed to create what they wanted to see reflected on screen, and yell with a voice that stood out from the crowd.

FILM

1. Matt Damon & Ben Affleck x Good Will Hunting (Co-Writers)

This winner of a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Screenplay, was written by both Matt Damon and his bestie Ben Affleck. The pair were already coming up as actors but this was the perfect opportunity to propel themselves further as Damon took the front seat as protagonist Will Hunting. I know they’re incredibly happy but can we please just take a second to sneer at how douchey they look in that picture? – Thanks.

2. Nia Vardolos x My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Writer)

As a woman of Greek decent, it was only fitting she take the reins to explore the inner family dynamics and obstacles that may comically arise when a woman decides to marry outside of her Greek Orthodox culture and religion. Based on Nia’s one woman play, the movie received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Also shout out to producers who included Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson.

3. Tiny Fey x Mean Girls (Writer)

Though her role was on the minor side, Fey still penned one of the most quotable movies of the noughties. Means Girls was adapted from the idea of the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman, which Fey then turned into a work of plausible fiction by weaving in truthful elements of her own High School experience. All I have to say to that is, if any of what went down even has a semblance of truth, I’m glad I went to a little no nothing school on the outskirts of London.

4. Bradley Cooper x A Star is Born (Director, Co-writer, Producer)

A few months ago Mr Cooper would not have been on this little list. We all knew him as the good looking, Hungover, American Hustling, Guardian of the Galaxy with a Silver Linings Playbook. But the depth he displayed on the latest A Star is Born remake moved many to tears… or made them acknowledge that he was more than just a pretty face. This was his first dive into an active behind the scenes creative role and he blew audiences and critics alike, away.

5. Tyler Perry x Madea (Writer, Director, Producer)

A grossly over-looked and under-appreciated champion of African American movies, Tyler Perry is more than just the eccentric and wise Madea, he is also writer director and producer of the film franchise. I’m sticking to movies here but let me just direct you to his Wikipedia page where you can read all about his partnership with OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) and the fact that he owns the set where The Walking Dead and Black Panther were filmed. I know right. I had the same reaction too.

Interesting (but now unsurprising after my surge of research) fact: In 2011, Forbes listed Tyler Perry as the highest paid man in Entertainment. The silent hustle is real.

TELEVISION

Being a lot smaller scale (though equally as loved) television allows for more trial and error. If ratings aren’t going the way a network intended shows can be quickly axed, actors replaced, and money saved…. Not that the majority of these actors x creators had that experience.

1. Mindy Kaling x The Mindy Project (Creator and Writer)

Known to audiences from her time on the American version of the UK series The Office, Mindy was also part of the writing room before she had her own show; The Mindy Project. From reading her two autobiographies; Why is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? and Why Not Me?, it’s clear that Mindy put a lot of her actual personality; anxieties, hopes and eccentrics into character Mindy Lahiri – which she of course plays. It’s a refreshing and wholly original look at a modern successful Indian woman in the Big Apple.

2. Whitney Cummings x Whitney (Creator and Writer)

Based on experiences from Whitney Cummings’ life, and segments from her comedy routines, I don’t know much about the latter but if her series was anything to go by; I’d thoroughly enjoy it. Though this little unheard of series only lasted a total of thirty eight episodes over two seasons, it’s a hilarious gem – but be warned it’s only for those with a humor on the dark/crude/risque side of things. You know it’s funny too because the actors themselves find it difficult to keep their faces straight.

Okay all this talk makes me think it might be due for a re-watch!

3. Insecure x Issa Rae (Creator, Writer)

Appearing for the second Top Five in a row is Issa Rae for her generationally culturally relevant series Insecure. Having started as a lowly YouTube series; Awkward Black Girl, the online series got the ultimate glow up when it was picked up by HBO and Issa stayed at the helm. Steering the show from both behind the camera and in front, Issa’s quirks on screen are only so authentic because there is a high level of truth to her acting.

Given the chance to blossom and bloom, this has quickly and unsurprisingly become a staple show in the lives of many young black women.

4. Reese Witherspoon x Big Little Lies (Executive Producer/Production Company)

This one is a teeny weeny bit of a cheat. Championing female’s behind the camera as well as in front, Reese Witherspoon plays neurotic Madeline Mackenzie, whilst also acting as Executive Producer and owning the company who acquired the rights to the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty. Choosing to adapt works that she truly believes in, clearly she has the magic touch as this series brought on an A+ star cast which went on to win Golden Globes, Emmy’s and a cheeky Teen Choice Award.

5. Grey’s Anatomy Cast x Grey’s Anatomy (Director, Writer)

Would it even be a Top Five if I didn’t cheat twice?

Along with Kevin McKidd (Dr Owen Hunt), other frequent actors x directors of the long running beloved series include Chandra Wilson (Dr Miranda Bailey) and Debbie Allen (Dr Catherine Avery). Other cast members have also had their time behind the camera including Ellen Pompeo (Dr Meredith Grey) and Jesse Williams (Dr Jackson Avery). Shonda Rhimes is an absolute legend, and the fact that the actors are given the opportunity thought they lack outside experience shows how good it is to work for a person who supports you, and allows you to expand and diversify.

This list was surprisingly ease to fill – including my two little cheats at the end. Though I know this is nowhere near everyone, who would you add to this list?

My Last Top Five: …Predominantly Black
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