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“Review: Waves is a stylish family drama, but shows a naive approach to race - NOW Magazine” plus 1 more

“Review: Waves is a stylish family drama, but shows a naive approach to race - NOW Magazine” plus 1 more


Review: Waves is a stylish family drama, but shows a naive approach to race - NOW Magazine

Posted: 19 Nov 2019 04:00 AM PST

WAVES (Trey Edward Shults). Opens Friday (November 22). 135 minutes. See listing. Rating: NN


The story goes that Waves is inspired by experiences from writer and director Trey Edward Shults's own life. Shults is a white man. Waves is about an African-American family. The racial makeup shifted, as the cast and director explained in interviews, because Shults wanted to reunite with Kelvin Harrison Jr., the young actor with whom he worked on It Comes At Night.

There's something downright utopian about that colour-blind casting, where the same stories and experiences can be shared across racial divides. The story, in as much as Waves commits to one, could have been about any family.

But to do that right requires delicacy and awareness. Waves comes up short in that department while going hard on others. The film is too often caught up in style with near-hallucinatory pastel-and-neon sights and pulsating soundtrack cues, drumming up emotions with a sensory assault rather than insight and sensitivity.

Harrison Jr. plays Tyler, a star athlete who is pushed to excel by a stern but loving father (Sterling K. Brown). That pressure leads to substance abuse and a mid-film tragedy that I won't spoil. Tyler is the focus in the film's first half before the bifurcated structure shifts focus to his sister Emily (a graceful Taylor Russell), who leads the family's recovery from trauma. In both halves, the characters juggle school, family and romantic relationships. Euphoria's Alexa Demie plays Tyler's girlfriend, while Lucas Hedges pops up as Emily's paramour.

The structural split is a hacky gimmick favoured by celebrated filmmakers like Alejandro González Iñárritu and Derek Cianfrance. Shults's direction and DP Drew Daniels's aggressive camera work, as well as the film's vague and ephemeral themes, certainly recalls their films.

But Waves is also full of throbbing beauty, with shots that float Terrence Malick-like to the sounds of Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West. I crave this kind of cross-pollination between art film and hip-hop – like a feature film spin on Beyoncé's Lemonade. I imagine it's a reason why so many of us are ready to heap praise on films like Waves and Melina Matsoukas's Queen & Slim (opening next week). We're so eager to celebrate when prestige filmmaking finds value in our favoured aesthetics and sounds.

We're also eager to celebrate a film that challenges POC actors like Brown, Harrison Jr., Renée Elise Goldsberry (from the musical Hamilton) and especially Canada's Russell with emotional material, giving them just enough room to be great.

The cast fight for attention against filmmaking that draws attention to itself and they often succeed. I can't wait to revisit a soft-spoken, heartbreaking father-daughter scene between Brown and Russell over and over, likely as a clip shown at awards ceremonies. That moment very nearly saves this movie from itself.

The casting naturally adds shades and implications, where race and the pressures being Black are addressed. But Waves doesn't seem particularly concerned with how a story about fatherhood and toxic masculinity becomes a conversation about Black fathers and Black masculinity. Nor does the film consider how its split-narrative structure creates a parallel between the two young men: Harrison Jr.'s Tyler and Hedges's Luke.

The former is Black. Both his sexuality and his masculinity are root causes that propel him toward the film's central tragedy, which casts a shadow over everything. Hedges's Luke, on the other hand, is white. His sexuality comes off as sensitive, awkward and adorable. He's a balm in this narrative and stands in stark relief against Tyler's threatening manhood.

That's an unfortunate contrast that I can't imagine Shults intended. But intention doesn't forgive ignorance. Waves can work beautifully as a flighty family melodrama that has next to nothing to do with race, but only if you have the luxury to think that way.

@JustSayRad

America's most beloved celebrities - Yardbarker

Posted: 19 Nov 2019 10:11 AM PST

Some celebrities seem famous despite themselves. They may be talented, but they aren't necessarily beloved. Some celebrities, though, are not just great at their craft but are also delightful. They are the celebrities we wish we were friends with. It's always a joy to see them pop up, either in a movie or on a talk show or even on social media. Here are some of America's most beloved celebrities.

 
Tom Hanks

CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty Images

Who could play a beloved celebrity but a beloved celebrity? Hanks is getting Oscar buzz for his upcoming turn as Mr. Rogers, the children's TV icon. It's perfect casting because everybody already loved Hanks, a great actor who is almost always charming.

 
Betty White

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

White has been a national treasure for decades at this point. She's been on TV since the '50s, including hit turns in shows like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Golden Girls." Several years ago, a movement was started to get White to host "Saturday Night Live." That's the power of Betty White.

 

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Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt

Vera Anderson/WireImage

Some tabloid folks, and Jennifer Aniston fans, may not love Pitt, but plenty of people do. It's not just for his shirtless scene in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood…" either. He's a great actor, but not all great actors are necessarily beloved. People seem to like Pitt by and large, though — and have since he broke through in "Thelma and Louise."

 
Taylor Swift

John Shearer/Getty Images

Swift has her naysayers, of course, and not just Kanye West. Nobody is universally popular. Yet the pop star has not just a ton of fans but also a gaggle of SUPER devoted fans. That overpowers the folks who aren't as into her to get her on this list.

 

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Dick Van Dyke

Dick Van Dyke

Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Much like White, Van Dyke has been adored for decades. In addition to his acting turns, the song-and-dance man just seems like a delight. Anytime he shows up on TV, he seems so nice and friendly. The guy has had a barbershop quartet for years. That's simply charming.

 

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Beyonce

Beyonce

Larry Busacca/PW18/Getty Images for Parkwood Entertainment

Beyonce has taken the throne from Madonna as the mononymous Queen of Pop. There is less controversy to be found with Beyonce though. Her Beyhive legion of fans are devoted to her to such a level she almost has a cult at her disposal — not that she wants one. Beyonce seems more benevolent than that, although "Lemonade" definitely makes us want to stay on her good side.

 

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Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Turner

Jimmy Fallon has his detractors for him not being political enough, while Stephen Colbert may be too political to be beloved by a super-wide audience (though we think he's great). Let's not forget the late-night lifer over on TBS, though. O'Brien has been a late-night host for over 25 years at this point. He's built a huge fan base that has followed him from time slot to time slot and from channel to channel. O'Brien is so popular that when he started a podcast, it immediately became one of the most popular shows in the world.

 
Sandra Bullock

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The concept of the movie star is changing. There aren't as many of them as there used to be, but we feel like Bullock is one. She was a huge star in the '90s, but "Bird Box" doesn't become the phenomenon it did without Bullock as the star. On top of that, "Sandy" as she is sometimes called, has always seemed pleasant on talk shows appearances.

 

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Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum

HGL/Getty Images for Bauer

Goldblum is an internet darling. You can go to YouTube where about a dozen different shows have gotten him to show up to do something. He's quirky and strange, but his eccentricities just make him more popular. If you're on Goldblum's wavelength, you almost certainly love him, and enough people are to get him on this list.

 

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

"Seinfeld" is an iconic sitcom but a couple of actors from that show have, shall we say, dipped in popularity over the years. That's not the case with Louis-Dreyfus. In fact, if anything the erstwhile Elaine has just gotten more beloved. The Emmys certainly love her, as her haul from "Veep" proves.

 
Bruce Springsteen

David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage

They call him "The Boss" for a reason. Springsteen has been putting on three-hour concerts for packed crowds across the country, and the world, for years. And the fans eat it up. Can you imagine being excited for a concert that has you on your feet for longer than a playoff baseball game? Springsteen fans sure can, and they are happy to do it.

 
Julia Roberts

JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP via Getty Images

It seems actresses aren't designated with the moniker of "America's Sweetheart" anymore. One of the last to earn that label was Roberts. We can certainly see why. She wasn't just a talented actress but also was one who seemed to ooze charm on screen. That remains true to this day.

 

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Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MTV

Sure, Johnson got booed plenty when he was a pro wrestler, but that was because he was supposed to be. Then the man known as "The Rock" for many years turned to acting and, well, he had a knack for it. Johnson is now maybe the biggest action star in the world, and when he isn't doing that he's providing his voice to films like "Moana."

 

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Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Turner

The character that really broke McCarthy through to the mainstream in "Bridesmaids" is maybe a tad abrasive, but McCarthy isn't like that at all. In addition to being a hilarious actress, McCarthy seems like a nice, convivial person. Plus, she's always working alongside her husband, Ben Falcone, and who doesn't like to see a couple who gets along that well?

 

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Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney

Jim Dyson/Getty Images

Yes, McCartney is British, but only one word is needed to prove his popularity in America: Beatlemania. McCartney and his bandmates took this country by storm, and McCartney has never really lost his popularity. It's been decades since the Beatles last made music, but McCartney is still out there touring and basking in the love of fans around the world.

 
Brie Larson

Michael Kovac/Getty Images for LACMA

The Marvel movies are the pinnacle of popular cinema at the moment. There also aren't a ton of prominent women in the films just yet. One of them is Scarlett Johansson who, shall we say, has said controversial things from time to time. Larson, who starred in "Captain Marvel," has a better track record. She also has an Oscar for Best Actress.

 

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Will Smith

Will Smith

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Smith hustles for our love. He's a huge movie star and has been for years. Smith was one of the preeminent stars of the '90s, and yet he's all over social media doing stuff to try and garner fans. Smith has been the consummate showman since the Fresh Prince days. That's how you stay beloved for this long.

 
Amy Poehler

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Poehler's most famous role is one of the most likable characters you'll see on TV in Leslie Knope. However, she's done so much more than her "Parks and Recreation" role. Back when she helped found the UCB, who would have thought Poehler would become such an adored celebrity. Certainly not the people who got pranked in the hidden camera sketches the quartet used to do on their Comedy Central show.

 

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David Harbour

David Harbour

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Harbour was largely an unknown before "Stranger Things" debuted on Netflix. Now he's an internet darling. Yes, his "Hellboy" remake didn't dominate the box office, but he's still Hopper. Harbour will likely be able to ride on the goodwill of that role for years.

 
Jennifer Lopez

Michael Tran/FilmMagic

We're on a bit of a resurgence in the love for Lopez right now. There was a time when there was a backlash, mostly related to her relationship with Ben Affleck and also the movie "Gigli." Fortunately for the singer/dancer/actress, she's largely moved past that. Now she's beloved again and maybe going to get an Oscar nomination for "Hustlers."

 

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Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

Sean Gallup/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

There was a podcast called "Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of All Time. Period." That speaks to the popularity of Washington as an actor. He's won an Oscar, he's starred in big films and he still has name recognition. Also, people seem to think he's really cool.

 

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Maisie Williams

Maisie Williams

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

A few "Game of Thrones" actors built up a lot of popularity as a result of the show. Williams, who started playing Arya Stark as a teenager, maybe made the biggest strides. She's seemed charming and delightful on social media and off the screen. Also, she's good friends with the also quite popular Sophie Turner, who is a bit more of an acquired taste.

 

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Jon Hamm

Jon Hamm

Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic

Hamm starred in one of the most popular dramas of the last 20 years: "Mad Men." He won an Oscar for it. He's also appeared in comedies and proved he can be really funny. He reps St. Louis sports. He's always a great interview. All in all, Hamm is incredibly charming and seems to be able to do whatever he feels like.

 
Meryl Streep

Marilla Sicilia/Archivio Marilla Sicilia/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

The Academy certainly loves Streep. It seems to hand her a nomination for every other film she makes, and yet nobody is complaining about that. Movie fans also love her, otherwise she probably wouldn't keep getting so many chances. She can star in a serious Oscar movie and also sing in a film like "Mamma Mia." Whatever she's doing, Streep is garnering more and more fans.

 

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Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Who is the most beloved game show host ever? We phrased it in the form of a question in honor of long-standing "Jeopardy!" host, Alex Trebek. Bob Barker had a lot of fans back in the day, but he's sort of faded from the popular consciousness. That's not the case for Trebek, who is still hosting "Jeopardy!" even though he's also been dealing with cancer. It will be a true shock to the system when Trebek is no longer hosting the quiz show and dishing out facts, snark and charm.

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