You can count on Sameen

cover story

Us Star celebrates Us celebs. This week, we have Sameen Amer for you, who, however trite it may seem, needs no introduction. She is an integral part of Us – our all-weather friend. Read on and discover how her family, friends and associates view her ...

Asfiya (former editor, Us Magazine)

Sameen contributed regularly to Us Magazine during my time as editor there. Her work stood out from the rest showing clarity of thought, background research, and simple and effective language. On top of that, she was reliable as a contributor when I started assigning work to her. She always kept deadlines and presented latest information and story ideas herself.

She is a star performer as per my experience. I have stayed in touch with her even though I left Us Magazine in 2005. If she lived in Karachi, she would have been my permanent team member in all my editing and publishing work.

After having such a long association with her, I now think of her as my little sister, sweet, funny, talented, loving, and of course annoying at times! :-) I wish her the best in her career and life.

Rahma (former sub-editor, Us Magazine)

Sameen is a sensitive writer who brings a lot of thoughtfulness into her work. I worked with her for almost 5 years in which she wrote extensively on music, film, and digital culture.

It was a joy to engage with her and her ideas.

Fatima (former sub-editor, Us Magazine)

When I got a call from the Editor of Us asking me if I knew Sameen, I just laughed. Of course, I remember Sameen Amer. From the days when I started reading Us to actually working for Us, Sameen has been an important part of the magazine. She is not just a contributor, she is Us family. Sub-editors came and went but Sameen stuck to writing for The News. I am so glad to read her articles in other sections of the newspaper, too. She has truly grown as a thinker and a writer.

She is any sub-editor’s star because she is reliable. ‘Reliable’ is not just a word for us, it’s our complete work environment on which our lives are based. Sameen never misses a deadline, her articles needs zero to minimum editing, her style is engaging and she understands how a magazine works, so she does not give the editors a hard time in any way.

It’s been a pleasure to have known her in a professional and slightly personal capacity as well. She is not just a very engaging writer but also a great person to know. It’s always refreshing to see her byline in the newspaper and know it is something to look forward to. Good luck in all your future endeavours, girl and keep writing!

*****

Things you probably didn’t know about Sameen

(i.e. the part wherein Sameen’s family and close friends embarrass the heck out of her)

Nilofar and Amer (Sameen’s (longsuffering) parents)

You may expect all parents to say more or less the same thing about their child, but we are not exaggerating when we say that we think Sameen is the best daughter in the whole wide world. She is genuinely a very good person and cares a lot about the people and animals around her.

Since she was a child, she loved to read books, which might have been what drew her towards writing at an early age. She was never a fussy child, but has always been a very fussy eater.

Anny (one of Sameen’s BFFs; also her impromptu therapist)

As well as being a great writer with a very dry sense of humour, Sameen is a real animal lover. I really admire that about her, the way she gets so passionate about helping as many of the strays that live in her area and further afield. She's very modest about it, but I'm pretty sure that the cats she helps appreciate her love and care. Cats apparently see us as on par with kittens, because we can't hunt on our own, but I'm sure the cats around Sameen’s area consider her a super hero kitten. In fact my nickname for her is Sammy Wammy Super Girl (and if she doesn't edit that bit out I'll be amazed!).

Hazel (Sameen’s oldest – not in age! – friend; generous sender of Nirvana merch)

You may not have realised now (what with her long-term Nirvana obsession) but in the ‘90s (a very young) Sam was a huge fan of the boy band Boyzone. She has an online friend in England – me – who she met because we were both fans. Neither of us can remember exactly how we met apart from it having something to do with us both being fans of the pop group.

Bushra (Sameen’s class-fellow from uni; honorary big sis)

I have known Sameen since her teens. Though quiet and reserve on the outside, she is an entirely different person on paper. Her writing is fiery and sharp and at its best when she is writing commentaries. I believe she will be brilliant at writing satire too. She analyses thoroughly and writes beautifully, and certainly is ready for international prime time.

Daud (Former promoter of underground music; current friend of Sameen)

Sameen is incredibly kind and caring. Simply ask her cats, Jolly and Lucky; they are her darlings. Sameen is also a prolific and brilliant music and entertainment journalist. But most of all, she's a wonderful friend, and in her I know that I always have someone willing to listen and care.

*****

Sameen - up close and personal

Name: Sameen Amer

Date of birth: 25^th May

Star: Gemini

School: Beaconhouse School System

University: National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences

Education: O Levels, A Levels, BS(CS), MBA

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Favourite book: The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Favourite author: Douglas Adams

Favourite movie: WALL-E

Favourite TV show: Breaking Bad

Favourite band: Nirvana

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Dark humour or sarcastic humour?

All humour is awesome. Dark wit makes for terrific television. Sarcastic wit is brilliant.

Comedy is the best thing that has ever happened to mankind. Well, comedy and antibiotics. And chocolate. Comedy and antibiotics and chocolate.

Marvel or DC?

Marvel! MCU > DCEU. Fact.

Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?

One ring to rule them all!

John Grisham or P. G. Wodehouse?

Wodehouse, who is the very reason I fell in love with the English language in the first place.

Groot or Casper?

Groot! Groot! Groot! Always Groot! We are Groot!

Ludo or scrabble?

Candy Crush.

Beyoncé or Madonna?

Not a fan of either; not my kind of music. But one of them is actually really talented, and the other one is Madonna.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate please.

Vanilla only when it’s sandwiched between chocolate and turned into an Oreo.

Cricket or hockey?

Whichever ends sooner. (Because we’ll lose either one so the torture might as well end quickly?)

Day or night?

What is this “day” you speak of?  *rolls over and goes back to sleep*

Cake or pizza?

Pizza, followed by cake. And then more pizza. And more cake.

*****

Excerpts from articles

MMXVII

March

- Pippa Middleton’s wedding: The sister of a woman who married a man who is the son of the son of a woman whose ancestors somehow managed to convince their country that they were superior to everyone else … married some rich guy. This classified as news in 2017.

Also, the aforementioned woman who married a man who is the son of the son of the woman who just happened to be born into a posh family … conceived another child. This qualified as a noteworthy piece of information in 2017 (September).

Also, the brother of the aforementioned man who is the son of the son of the woman who heads an archaic and utterly irrelevant institution … got engaged to a subpar actress. This made headlines in 2017 (November).

All of which leaves us to wonder … maybe nuclear annihilation by North Korea wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.

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Mastering the Art of Cooking

Meat pie

v  Ingredients:

·         3.14159 kg boneless meat

·         3.14159 cups flour

·         3.14159 sticks of butter

·         3.14159 eggs

·         3.14159 teaspoon spices

·         3.14159 teaspoon salt

·         3.14159 teaspoon pepper

v  Method:

-          Take some veal. Stare at the veal. Think about where it came from. Realize this was once a baby cow. You can’t possibly eat a baby cow. Why did you even buy this in the first place? Put away the veal.

-          Take some beef. Stare at the beef. Could this have been the baby cow’s mom? Or dad, you don’t know the gender. You can’t eat someone’s mom or dad. Put away the beef.

-          Take some mutton. Stare at the mutton. Realize this was once a beautiful sheep or goat. Feel sad. Put away the mutton.

-          Take some chicken meat. Stare at the chicken meat. Think of how cute chickens are. Be upset. Put away the chicken meat.

-          Feed the meats to the cat.

-          Become a vegetarian.

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The immaculate cat

Fur donor

Real fur is cruel and fake fur looks, well, fake. But don’t worry – the cat knows how weary you are of both fox and faux fur. That is why it very helpfully leaves a layer of fur on all your clothing. Now you too can be posh and trendy and proudly walk around with a real fur covered top or sweater, cruelty free and prepared for you with love by your very considerate feline friend. See? The cat gives and it gives…

Muse

The cat has been the muse for many artists, writers, and filmmakers, dutifully inspiring them to produce some iconic works that would have simply been inconceivable without the feline.

Just think about it.

Would people have flocked to the cinemas to watch That Darn Hyena? I think not.

What would have become of Puss in Boots? Dog in Clogs just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?

The Cat in the Hat simply wouldn’t have worked without our furry friend, because The Dolphin in the Beret doesn’t even rhyme!

And Lewis Caroll would’ve been in a real pickle if it weren’t for the cat. The Cheshire Carp? Cheshire Caribou? Cheshire Cassowary? Cheshire Cormorant? Cheshire Chamois?! That’s just madness, I tell you, madness!

Paradox generator

Just ask Schrödinger.

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Once Upon a Time

On an otherwise uneventful morning of an otherwise unremarkable year, a single-digit old me was busy throwing a tantrum over having to go to school. Usually a rather placid child, I only had two major sources of grievance in life: 1) socks, which were a plainly uncomfortable and ridiculously unnecessary part of day-attire in non-winter months, and 2) school, which made me wear socks as part of the day-attire in non-winter months. My parents, not the biggest fans of my periodic protests against these major inconveniences in my largely pleasant existence, understandably preferred the more agreeable version of their only offspring, and to calm me down on that particular morning, my dad offered me an incentive: if I’d stop whining and go to school, he’d get me a special present when he picked me up that afternoon.

I did, eventually, go to school that day and, quite predictably, had a thoroughly rotten time. And when dad came to take me home that afternoon, I was in total sulk mode and had completely forgotten about his promise, but turns out he hadn’t: waiting for me on the front seat of our car was an assortment of big, brightly coloured (and insanely expensive) children’s storybooks. The very sight of the grand bound-paper creations achieved their purpose: the brooding was immediately suspended, replaced first by the simple excitement of getting a present, and later by immense awe – for someone who was still learning to read, the whole concept of words coming together and opening doors to enchanting worlds of endless imagination was an entirely fascinating discovery. And that is how I fell in love with books.

*****

Us Magazine, The News International - 31st May, 2019 *

Why are people hating on Batwoman before it has even been released?

trailer review

Batwoman is all set to join the CW superhero family with her own show later this year, and the whole thing has somehow become way more controversial than it should be.

Australian actress Ruby Rose stars as the protagonist Kate Kane, Bruce Wayne’s cousin, who takes over Batman’s mantle to protect Gotham as a vigilante. A quest to save her kidnapped girlfriend spurs the street fighter to don Batman’s very long cape (The Incredibles’ Edna would clearly be disappointed) and fight for justice.

Seemingly it’s as overly dramatic as everything else in the Arrowverse, and yes, admittedly the trailer for the upcoming television series isn’t exactly spectacular. From the few lines we’ve heard so far, the script seems pedestrian and the series seems to be banking a little too much on the gender of its protagonist.

But if you make the mistake of scrolling through the comments the trailer has generated online, you’d think the project was some sort of a crime against humanity.

The complaints are along the same lines as came out when Ghostbusters was remade with a female cast, Captain Marvel was announced with Brie Larson as its star, and Daisy Ridley was made the lead of Star Wars. Apparently there is no place for a woman – especially a woman who is vocal about her gender – on any screen, big or small. It feels as if the moment a powerful female character steps into the lead or the actress portraying her makes a statement about female empowerment, the project immediately gets inundated by a torrent of misogynistic hate.

It may be worth noting that all three of the aforementioned projects, while no masterpieces, did turn out to be just fine despite the negative reaction they received. How anyone can have such a strong, vitriolic reaction to something that hasn’t even been released yet is beyond confusing. We know very little about how the Batwoman series will actually turn out from its trailer, but apparently even a 3 minute preview is enough to upset the keyboard warriors who have been complaining so loudly about this title that you’d think it was a personal insult to each and every one of them.

The Arrowverse isn’t high art, and the dark, intense Batwoman seems in keeping with the rest of the franchise. Many DC fans are actually looking forward to the series. And while the show may not be for everyone, who knows how many young women might relate to the protagonist or find inspiration in her strength?

Maybe instead of unleashing harsh vitriol on a show they haven’t seen, a show they probably aren’t the target audience of, the detractors could take solace in the fact that they don’t HAVE to watch Batwoman. We are lucky we live in a time when there are so many entertainment options; it is astoundingly easy to ignore the programs we don’t like. And in the end, if Batwoman does turn out to be terrible, then everyone can just stop watching it and it will simply go away on its own. Because ultimately that is how the television business works.

Batwoman will join the Arrowverse in fall 2019.

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blogs - 28th May, 2019 *

In the picture - Wine Country and The Highwaymen

movie reviews

Amy Poehler’s directorial debut Wine Country is light on laughs; crime drama The Highwaymen takes an interesting look at the efforts to bring down Bonnie and Clyde

Wine Country

Starring: Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Paula Pell, Emily Spivey, Jason Schwartzman, and Tina Fey

Directed by: Amy Poehler

Tagline: Friendship is a trip.

Amy Poehler brings together some of her Saturday Night Live alumni friends in her film Wine Country, an ode to female friendship that follows the story of a group of gal pals spending a weekend together in Napa.

Six middle aged women who befriended each other decades ago while working at a pizza place reunite to celebrate a birthday in this star-studded comedy that marks the Parks and Recreation actress’s big screen directorial debut.

Poehler plays the group’s (seemingly self-appointed) ringleader Abby, who is planning a weekend getaway to mark the fiftieth birthday of Rebecca (Rachel Dratch), a therapist who is in denial about the sad state of her marriage. Going along is Naomi (Maya Rudolph) a mother of four who is afraid of receiving test results from her doctor; workaholic business woman Catherine (Ana Gasteyer) who is perpetually on her phone; antique shop owner Val (Paula Pell) who just had a knee replacement surgery and is looking for love; and Jenny (Emily Spivey, also the co-writer of the comedy alongside Liz Cackowski) who isn’t very enthusiastic to join the trip.

The ladies end up at a house owned by Tammy (Tina Fey) who can tell that the weekend is likely to lead to more mayhem than merriment.

With a cast this impressive, Wine Country should be a riot. But instead of living up to its comedic promise, the movie ends up being disappointingly bland. Neither fun, nor particularly funny, the film is burdened by a very weak script that is in desperate need of more polish. Fresh ideas are in scant supply here, as are properly amusing setups. The characters are one dimensional and tiresome, and a huge waste of the talent of the actresses portraying them.

Wine Country lacks the vibrant energy, zany antics, touching warmth, and sharp wit that you are likely to associate with names like Poehler and Fey. It does give you a chance to spend an hour and a half in the cinematic company of these lovely performers, but beyond that, this predictable girls’ trip doesn’t yield the fun and excitement that you would hope for.

Rating: 2 out of 5

*****

The Highwaymen

Starring: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson, Kathy Bates, John Carroll Lynch, Kim Dickens, Thomas Mann, and William Sadler

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Tagline: The legends who took down Bonnie and Clyde.

John Lee Hancock offers a very different take on the whole Bonnie and Clyde saga in The Highwaymen, viewing the end of the notorious outlaws’ reign through the eyes of the men who delivered their comeuppance.

Former Texas Rangers Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner) and Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson) are enlisted by governor “Ma” Ferguson (Kathy Bates) to stop the crime spree of Bonnie Parker (Emily Brobst) and Clyde Barrow (Edward Bossert) – two “cold blooded killers who are more adored than movie stars”.

The aging lawmen reluctantly reunite and set out on a long journey pursuing the felons who seem to be one step ahead of them at every turn. Their physical and mental strength is tested along the way, while questions are raised about the moral implications of the actions on both sides of the chase.

The film is based on a very intriguing real-life tale and offers some interesting observations about law enforcement, politics, fame, and notoriety. Instead of glorifying the romanticized Depression-era criminal couple, Hancock (working off a script by John Fusco) casts the criminal duo in a more negative light without taking away their human elements. The focus may be on the efforts of those who ultimately ambushed Bonnie and Clyde but the inevitable hail of gunfire at the end is still shocking in its intensity and grotesqueness.

Strong performances by Costner and Harrelson as well as their chemistry carry the film as it goes along its unhurried route, giving viewers the chance to really soak in the whole situation, although some might be less than thrilled by its leisurely pace.

It isn’t as dynamic or memorable as it could have been, but The Highwaymen still builds a compelling drama using a fascinating chapter from history combined with some solid acting and impressive camera work.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

- Sameen Amer

Instep, The News on Sunday - 26th May, 2019 *

Big Little Lies - now with yet another Oscar winner!

trailer review

Two years after the misadventures of the Monterey Five earned Big Little Lies massive critical acclaim, the series is all set to return to HBO for a second season this summer with a cast that now includes yet another Oscar winner.

Meryl Streep joins the star studded ensemble that already features Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, and Laura Dern, and we are clearly about to experience, yet again, just how interesting and compelling strong, powerful women can be in leading roles.

The drama, based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, premiered in 2017, and won eight Emmy Awards as well as several other accolades for its first season. As we return to the story, it seems that the events of season one are casting a shadow on the lives of the women who were involved in the murder at the centre of this literary adaptation.

(Caution: season one spoilers ahead!)

Madeline (Witherspoon), Celeste (Kidman), Jane (Woodley), Bonnie (Kravitz), and Renata (Dern) are facing the guilt and pressure of keeping the secret behind the murder of Celeste’s abusive husband Perry (Alexander Skarsgård), while Perry’s mother (Streep) is seeking answers for the death of her son.

Some fans have had trepidations about Big Little Lies returning for a second outing. It was, after all, originally billed as a miniseries and it did have a fairly satisfying finale. Plus Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallée, who helmed all 7 episodes of the previous season, will not be reprising his duties in the second season. 

The trailer, though, is very likely to allay any concerns.

The reins have now been handed to British filmmaker Andrea Arnold, with all 7 episodes written by series creator David E. Kelley, and the brief preview suggests that the show will retain its many strengths – the remarkable music, the dazzling cinematography, and of course the terrific acting – as it delves deeper into the lives of its characters. The fittingly ominous vibe leaves you with the sense that things might not bode well for at least some of the people involved.

The addition of Streep is, obviously, such a big draw as well. We rarely get to see this legendary actress in small screen projects, so it will be great to witness her immense acting talents here and see what she brings to the drama as her character tries to unravel the dark secrets and perhaps even seeks some sort of revenge, depending on the direction the show chooses to take. And it will, once again, be amazing to see so many remarkable leading women in one show.

The second season of Big Little Lies premieres on HBO on the June 9, 2019.

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blogs - 18th June, 2019 *

Dead to Me - charming, intriguing

web series review

Dead to Me

Starring: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Max Jenkins, Sam McCarthy, Luke Roessler, and Edward Asner

Created by: Liz Feldman

Tinged with flavours of crime and mystery, the female-led comedy-drama has risen triumphantly and blessed us with some very intriguing television series over the last few years. With fierce women in the driving seat, shows like Killing Eve, Big Little Lies, and Good Girls have captivated viewers with their fascinating characters, interesting twists, and dark wit. Joining the list is the new Netflix web television series Dead to Me, another dark comedy with a mystery woven into its fabric.

Created by Liz Feldman, the program arrived on the streaming giant earlier this month. The terrific Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini lead the cast, telling the story of a complicated friendship with secrets lingering underneath the surface.

Applegate portrays Jen Harding, a real estate agent who is raising two sons while mourning the death of her husband who was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Her sudden bereavement and the frustration over the unsolved crime that took her husband’s life as well as her pre-existing anger issues are making it difficult for her to cope with the situation she finds herself in.

Cardellini plays Judy Hale, a nursing home employee who is grieving the loss of her fiancé and is more troubled than she initially lets on.

The two women meet at a grief support group and strike up a friendship but it soon becomes apparent that everything isn’t quite as it seems. The lies begin to unravel as we learn about the actual events and intents that led them to this point.

The first season of Dead to Me takes quite a few turns along its ten episode journey, but the mystery elements don’t always work quite as well as one would have hoped. Perhaps the series waits too long to make its reveal; you’ve already figured things out long before it actually unveils a twist.

But watching Applegate and Cardellini work off each other is such a joy that it makes it easy for the viewer to be invested in the tale of these complex, flawed women. The ladies are funny, charming, and moving, and make their characters seem convincing or at least interesting even when the writing isn’t at its strongest. It’s because of their talent that once you start watching the series, you don’t want to hit pause as you can’t wait to see what (possibly irresponsible, perhaps even self-destructive) thing they do next. It’s a good thing all ten episodes were released all at once because the dramedy proves to be very binge worthy.

The supporting cast – which includes James Marsden as Judy’s love interest, Max Jenkins as Jen’s real estate business partner, and the always wonderful Ed Asner as Judy’s friend from the retirement home where she works – is also impressive, and the characters are each very well cast.

Dead to Me is at its best when it is examining the bonds of a therapeutic female friendship or exploring the depths of grief and the impact of losing someone. It may not seem quite as novel seeing how it follows in the footsteps of acclaimed shows, like the aforementioned Big Little Lies, and there are a few moment when one character or the other will frustrate you by doing something implausible. But the series has so many intriguing elements going in its favour that it is very hard to resist its charms. 

Its mystery could have been a little sharper and its storyline a little more taut, but thanks to the shining talent of its leading ladies, Dead to Me works quite well and is an entertaining new addition to its subgenre.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Express Tribune Blog - 17th May, 2019 *

In the picture - Russian Doll and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

television series reviews

Russian Doll doesn’t let its unoriginality get in the way of delivering an entertaining, affecting tale; Crazy Ex-Girlfriend bids farewell with a season that manages to recapture many of the show’s strengths

Russian Doll

Season 1

Starring: Natasha Lyonne, Greta Lee, Yul Vazquez, Charlie Barnett, and Elizabeth Ashley

Created by: Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler, and Leslye Headland

It may not have the most original premise, but the Netflix series Russian Doll doesn’t let its unoriginality get in the way of delivering an entertaining, affecting tale.

Darkly amusing and touchingly poignant, the web series follows the story of a woman who is stuck in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the same night.

The protagonist is Nadia (Natasha Lyonne), a software engineer celebrating her 36th birthday at a party thrown by her friend Maxine (Greta Lee). She eventually ends up wandering the streets, searching for her missing cat Oatmeal, but gets hit by a car and dies, only to find herself back at her birthday party, with everyone around her oblivious to her predicament.

No matter how she navigates the evening, all arcs end in her death, and all deaths lead her back to the same party, leaving her to relive a different version of the same night over and over again.

A new player enters the tale a few instalments into the first season’s 8 episode run, giving the show another curious element to work with.

The series charms viewers from the very start, but initially it does struggle to differentiate itself in a well-worn subgenre. Time loops are a mechanism that has been repeatedly used in Hollywood outings ranging from the comedic Groundhog Day to the action-packed Edge of Tomorrow. Russian Doll especially can’t escape comparisons to the Happy Death Day franchise, wherein a woman is stuck in a time loop on her birthday.

But as things get progressively stranger, the series does find its footing, benefiting from its dark humour, standout soundtrack, and a terrific lead performance by Natasha Lyonne. There aren’t any shocking twists here, but ultimately where Russian Doll emphatically excels is in its interesting, impactful take on childhood trauma, grief, addiction, and mental health.

The basic storyline itself may be familiar, but how things unfold is still entertaining, plus there is emotional weight behind the story which makes it easy to be invested in the fate of the snarky protagonist. And it’s this combination of dark wit and emotional resonance that ultimately makes Russian Doll a worthy addition to Netflix’s impressive roster.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

*****

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Season 4

Starring: Rachel Bloom, Vincent Rodriguez III, Donna Lynne Champlin, Pete Gardner, Vella Lovell, Gabrielle Ruiz, Scott Michael Foster, and Skylar Astin

Created by: Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna

After entertaining us with its unique wit for nearly four years, The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has bidden us farewell with a charming fourth season that manages to recapture many of the show’s strengths, but also takes an unexpected casting turn.

The musical comedy drama – which tells the story of Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom), a lawyer who, after a chance encounter with a childhood boyfriend, Josh Chan (Vincent Rodriguez III), leaves her prestigious job in NYC to move to his small town – arrived like a breath of fresh air in 2015, and quickly established itself as a bold, offbeat comedy unafraid of broaching complex topics.

As the fourth season rolled around, we found Rebecca dealing with the consequences of pleading guilty to attempted murder at the end of the previous season, and subsequently trying to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life, with a little help from her friends Paula (Donna Lynne Champlin), Heather (Vella Lovell), and Valencia (Gabrielle Ruiz). A chunk of the season finds her torn between her feelings for Josh, Nathaniel (Scott Michael Foster), and Greg (Skylar Astin), as she tries to choose between the three.

The choice she eventually makes, while in keeping with the show’s themes, is not as inventive as it could have been. Plus it’s the recasting of one of her love interests that doesn’t work quite as well as the show would have hoped. Originally portrayed by Santino Fontana who left the program in season 2, Greg is brought back here with Skylar Astin playing the character. The series takes this recasting as an opportunity to comment on how we sometimes see people differently, but while Astin isn’t bad in the role, he can’t quite match Fontana’s performance, and it simply isn’t very satisfying to not have the original actor reprise the role and wind up his character’s arc.

What makes season 4 special though is the continued development of its characters, many of whom – especially Nathaniel – show considerable growth. Plus its comments on mental health and female camaraderie remain as rewarding as ever. And, as always, there are memorable musical moments aplenty here, guaranteed to please fans of the series.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has been a terrific showcase for the writing, acting, songwriting, and singing talents of Rachel Bloom, and as we say goodbye to her first television project, we can’t wait to see what she does next.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

- Sameen Amer

Instep, The News on Sunday - 12th May, 2019 *

Far From Home - MCU moves on after the traumatic Endgame

trailer review

With Avengers: Endgame busy decimating its cinematic competition and destroying box office records in the process, Marvel has unveiled the trailer for its next big screen adventure, Spider-Man: Far From Home. The clip gives us a very brief peek at the upcoming film which serves as the twenty-third instalment in the most successful franchise in movie history.

(Spoiler alert: both the trailer and this article contain Endgame spoilers, so proceed with caution!)

Set after the events of Endgame, MCU’s second Spider-Man episode – following 2017’s Homecoming – explores its titular character’s struggle to come to terms with Tony Stark’s death while finding his place in the post-Endgame world.

In the aftermath of the whole Thanos escapade, Peter Parker (played once again by Tom Holland) is compelled to go from being Tony Stark’s protégé to following in Iron Man’s footsteps. Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) is there to provide support to the protagonist, as he mourns the loss of his mentor and realizes that the world needs a new Iron Man. A potential candidate to take on that role, Spider-Man seems reluctant to accept that mantle, torn between embracing his superhero responsibilities and just living the life of a teenager.

Several familiar faces are on hand to help steer him in the right direction. Chief among them is former S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who appears to be taking a no-nonsense approach in managing his asset. Fury’s associate Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) is also present, but we’re told that Thor is off world and Captain Marvel is unavailable (as usual).

Peter’s classmates and friends are also back, including best mate Ned (Jacob Batalon) and potential love interest MJ (Zendaya). All of them seemed to have (conveniently) disappeared in The Snap, and are now going on a European vacation along with Peter. The trip should give them a chance to get accustomed to the changes the world has experienced and come to terms with the five years discrepancy, with half the population having lived without their loved ones until they re-emerged half a decade later.

The most prominent newcomer to the franchise here is Jake Gyllenhaal, who portrays the mysterious Mysterio, a man who claims to be from an alternate reality. He is recruited by Nick Fury to help Spider-Man stop the latest forces that are trying to cause havoc on Earth, although his real intentions – and whether he turns out to be a hero or a villain – remain to be seen.

Venturing into the multiverse could open up a lot of possibilities for future adventures. The Iron Spider Suit looks sleek and it should be fun seeing it in action. Plus there’s emotional heft to the tale as prior events cast a shadow on the proceedings.

The trailer for Far From Home gives us the sense that the franchise doesn’t intend to slow down in the absence of some of its most beloved characters. Hopefully the film can also provide the fandom some catharsis over Tony Stark’s death and answer some of the many, many questions left unanswered by Endgame while serving as a bridge to Phase Four. We can hardly wait!

Spider-Man: Far From Home arrives in cinemas on July 2nd 2019.

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blog - 9th May, 2019 *

Blinded by the Light - inspired by The Boss

trailer review

Of late, the international film industry seems very enamoured with projects based on the lives, music, and/or impact of the world’s greatest musicians. The (otherwise disappointing) Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody just won Rami Malek an Oscar earlier this year. The Elton John biographical musical Rocket Man is set to arrive in cinemas soon. Yesterday – the Danny Boyle-directed comedy about a musician who proceeds to take credit for The Beatles’ songs after finding himself in a world where he is the only one who remembers the Fab Four – is also awaiting its summer release.

Also inspired by the world of music is Blinded by the Light, a British drama about a guy who is obsessed with one of America’s most iconic artists.

The movie is based on the book Greetings From Bury Park, the memoir of journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, who was born in Pakistan and emigrated to Britain with his family when he was a child. 

The story revolves around a British Pakistani teenager who becomes obsessed with Bruce Springsteen, much to the chagrin of his conservative family.

The protagonist, Javed (Viveik Kalra), wants to become a writer, a choice his family disapproves of. When a classmate introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen, Javed’s life is changed forever. He is blown away by the powerful lyrics, immediately relates to the things that the New Jersey artist is singing about, and ultimately finds the inspiration in The Boss’s words to pursue his own dreams.

The trailer suggests that Blinded by the Light will offer a charming coming of age tale and broach the subjects of identity and family ties while exploring the power of music. Director Gurinder Chadha doesn’t seem to be taking the project in a very inventive direction and hasn’t enveloped the story in an interesting or offbeat concept – like Boyle’s Yesterday appears to be doing, for instance. But the tale she is working with is appealing enough as it is, and the project is very likely to yield pleasant, if unsurprising, results.

Admirers of Bruce Springsteen will surely enjoy this film, but the central artist probably won’t be a limiting factor. Music fans who have fallen in love with the work of any artist will relate to that feeling of discovering a wonderful performer at just the right time and how important that experience can be, especially as a teenager.

Blinded by the Light finds Kalra making his film debut in the lead role, and also features Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra, Nell Williams, Aaron Phagura, Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, and Dean-Charles Chapman in supporting roles.

The film is set to be released in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2019.

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blogs - 7th May, 2019 *

In the picture - Avengers: Endgame and Triple Frontier

movie reviews

Avengers: Endgame ranks among Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most exciting episodes; Triple Frontier is an intense and engaging, albeit a tad uneven, heist thriller

Avengers: Endgame

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Bradley Cooper, and Josh Brolin

Directed by: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Tagline: Avenge the fallen.

The world’s biggest movie franchise reaches its crescendo with Avengers: Endgame, the most epic adventure that has ever befallen the superhero world. And boy, what an adventure it is!

The culmination of 21 uber-popular blockbusters, Endgame arrives 11 years after Iron Man kicked things off in 2008 and marks the conclusion of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity saga.

Things pick up where they left off in Infinity War (2018), as the world deals with the consequences of The Snap. The surviving Avengers – including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) – must reassemble and try to figure out how to undo the damage caused by Thanos (Josh Brolin) in order to save half of all existence (and ensure that Spider-Man can return to cinemas this summer).

They go about their mission with their trademark gusto, blessing us with an absolutely exhilarating outing guaranteed to keep fans riveted from start to finish. The Russo brothers give us some more well-executed action while doing a fine job tying up the many disparate storylines that have led to this point. The many callbacks to Avengers past embedded in Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely’s screenplay remind us just why we are so invested in the fate of these superheroes and add emotional heft to the tale. 

But in the midst of the otherwise very engaging proceedings, things do go a bit “wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey”; there are moments where our heroes seem to be jumping through convenient loopholes and you might be left wishing you had a PhD in MCU physics so that you could make sense of the plot mechanics. Parts of the storyline seem overly convoluted; some even seem to contradict the film’s own established rules; and ultimately many questions are left unanswered.

None of this, however, takes away from the movie’s entertainment value and very significant emotional impact. The film is deeply poignant; the character arcs that meet a resolution are particularly touching. It’s a rewarding experience that benefits from the fact that not only have we spent over a decade with some of these characters, but they have been brought to life by some wonderful acting performances. The perfect casting remains one of the most significant assets in Endgame. Everyone – especially Robert Downey Jr. – is terrific here, and helps elevate the proceedings.

Amusing, engrossing, exhilarating, visually spectacular, fast paced, and fairly breezy for a movie that is three hours in length, Avengers: Endgame will not disappoint fans, even if it may leave them trying to unravel some of its intricacies. This is one of the most exciting superhero events we have ever witnessed. And it may be a while – if ever – till something like this comes along again.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

*****

Triple Frontier

Starring: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, and Pedro Pascal

Directed by: J. C. Chandor

A group of former soldiers come together to rob a crime lord in Triple Frontier, an action thriller that appears to have emerged from development hell with much of its intensity still intact.

The film was written by The Hurt Locker scribe Mark Boal and meant to be directed by Kathryn Bigelow, before numerous changes in front of and behind the camera derailed the project as production lagged. The reins were eventually handed to J. C. Chandor, and a fairly solid cast assembled for the thriller.

The central character is Santiago “Pope” Garcia (played by Oscar Isaac), a private military adviser who has spent years trying to capture a formidable drug lord. When an informant reveals the criminal’s location as well as the fact that all of his cash is stashed where he lives, Pope decides to recruit his old Special Forces friends to steal the crook’s money while delivering his comeuppance.

The team he assembles includes realtor Tom “Redfly” Davis (Ben Affleck); motivational speaker William “Ironhead” Miller (Charlie Hunnam) and his MMA fighter brother Ben “Benny” Miller (Garrett Hedlund); and former pilot Francisco “Catfish” Morales (Pedro Pascal).

The traumas of warfare emerge as they set out on their mission. Greed eventually interrupts, causing complications, and the group’s camaraderie is eventually tested as things go very wrong.

Some of the choices at a couple of crucial moments don't entirely ring true, plus a few instances defy plausibility. But Chandor successfully builds and maintains the tension, ensuring that the tale remains interesting.

The talent of the cast also helps, with Isaac holding the film together quite well. But the script doesn’t give most of the characters enough details and depth, and defines them mostly by the scars of their military careers instead of giving them more comprehensive backstories.

Still, while it may be a tad uneven, Triple Frontier manages to maintain the audience’s interest for its two hour running time. Heist caper fans are likely to enjoy this drama, even if the film won’t necessarily end up lingering in your memory.

Rating: 3 out of 5

- By Sameen Amer

Instep, The News on Sunday - 5th May, 2019 *

The Silence - a cheap knockoff of A Quiet Place

movie review

The Silence

Starring: Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, Miranda Otto, Kyle Harrison Breitkopf, and John Corbett 

Directed by: John R. Leonetti

Tagline: They're listening.

It would seem obvious that following a well-made, successful film mere months later by what appears to be a cheap knockoff is not the best of strategies, but clearly Hollywood didn’t get that memo.

Almost exactly a year after A Quiet Place arrived in cinemas, Netflix has unveiled The Silence, a movie that follows pretty much the same premise, albeit a lot more shoddily. 

Just like the John Krasinski hit, John R. Leonetti’s thriller is set in a world which is under attack by creatures that hunt by sound and tells the tale of a family with a deaf teenage daughter trying to survive the apocalypse.

Stanley Tucci plays Hugh, the father of Ally (Kiernan Shipka), a teenage girl who lost her hearing in a car accident. Because of her deafness, her family – which also includes her mother Kelly (Miranda Otto), brother Jude (Kyle Harrison Breitkopf), and grandmother Lynn (Kate Trotter) – has learned sign language. 

When a team of researchers inadvertently release blind winged animals that have evolved into dangerous predators that hunt by sound, the fate of the human populace hangs in the balance.

Hugh and his family, accompanied by his best friend Glenn (John Corbett), search for safety while trying to figure out how to stay alive, supposedly taking advantage of their knowledge of sign language to communicate in silence.

But here’s the thing: they all know sign language, yet they keep talking! They keep risking death by speaking out loud even though they shouldn’t have to. Which makes no sense. 

Yes, this is just that kind of movie.

The evolutionary premise itself is interesting, and The Silence – unlike A Quiet Place and its thematic cousin Bird Box – does make an attempt to explain the creatures’ origin, but even that comes off as clumsy, with several questions remaining unanswered. What, for instance, had been the food source for this horde of overgrown bat-like monsters while they were trapped in the recesses of the cave? What animals did they manage to prey on in what appears to have been an isolated cave system? And how did they manage to multiply into such large numbers? It’s hard to make sense of it all.

Tucci appears to be trying to give a convincing performance, and Corbett is good in his supporting role. But the rest of the cast is far from stellar. Shipka, in particular, can’t communicate the gravity of the situation her character is stuck in, and the film’s decision to give Ally a teen romance sub-plot only makes things worse.

The film doesn’t give us any reasons to care about the characters or be invested in their story, plus their continued survival only mystifies given their inability to actually stay silent.

Based on Tim Lebbon’s 2015 novel which predated A Quiet Place by nearly three years, The Silence does nothing new, and basically comes off as a sub-par, lower-budget prequel to the 2018 movie starring Emily Blunt (who happens to be Tucci’s sister-in-law). 

For the most part, the movie just goes through the usual, hackneyed ideas that have already been worn out by the post-apocalyptic genre. There are very few points in the film where the proceedings have any sort of intensity, and there are no points at all where there is any suspense. Even when it tries to do something horrifying or gut-wrenching, it fails to deliver the punch that a better movie would have been able to make.

The Silence doesn’t manage to captivate its audience like it should, and it certainly doesn’t bring anything new to its genre. But ultimately there is something it does achieve: it makes you appreciate A Quiet Place even more.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blog - 4th May, 2019 *

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston’s comedic chemistry buoys Murder Mystery

trailer review

Based on his long list of frequent collaborators, it is only logical to surmise that it must be fun to work with Adam Sandler. But while everyone may have a great time making movies with him, the end results aren’t always as much fun to watch as they may have been to make, which explains why the critical attitude towards most of Sandler’s films has been mixed, if not altogether negative. Still, there have been a number of Sandler movies – including Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Reign Over Me (2007), Funny People (2009), and the more recent The Meyerowitz Stories (2017) – that have managed to charm viewers along the way.

Here’s hoping the upcoming Murder Mystery will fall in the latter category.

Set to premiere on Netflix next month as part of Sandler’s ongoing multi-picture distribution deal with the streaming giant, the film finds him reuniting with his Just Go with It (2011) co-star Jennifer Aniston for some comedic hi-jinks.

The movie tells the story of a long-married couple who run into some unexpected trouble on their muchly-delayed honeymoon.

While on a European vacation, police officer Nick Spitz (Sandler) and his wife Audrey (Aniston) – who happens to be a fan of mystery novels – are invited to a yacht by a mysterious stranger (Luke Evans) where they get framed for a crime they did not commit and end up becoming the prime suspects of the murder of an elderly billionaire.

Hilarity (hopefully) ensues as the couple try to unravel the mystery and clear their names.

Director Kyle Newacheck doesn’t seem to be trying anything very inventive here, but the trailer certainly offers a few amusing moments and suggests that the film will be enjoyable. Plus Aniston has oodles of charisma, and her pairing with Sandler works well here. Their comedic chemistry will surely make it fun to watch the duo trying to (ineptly?) work their way out of their messy predicament.

It won’t redefine cinema, but it will hopefully serve as a fun comedy flick this summer.

Murder Mystery arrives on Netflix on 14 June 14 2019.

- Sameen Amer

The Express Tribune Blog - 1st May, 2019 *