Her REEL Review - 'Cause Girls Watch Movies, Too

  courtesy Netflix By Shaquanna Stevens | Her Reel Review Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix release, Straw , starring Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, and Teyana Taylor, arrives with high expectations given its talented cast and Perry’s established presence in contemporary Black cinema. However, while the film aims to tell a gritty story of loss, trauma, and maternal struggle, it ultimately falters in its execution, resulting in an emotionally exhausting experience that struggles to connect. A Promising Cast, A Confounding Story The film centers on Taraji P. Henson’s character, a mother grappling with life’s harsh realities and her young daughter’s wellbeing. Yet, despite Henson’s commanding screen presence and undeniable talent, the character’s development feels uneven and often unrelatable. Early scenes present her as harsh and confrontational in ways that make it difficult for the audience to empathize or understand her motivations. This lack of clear emotional grounding undermi...

Let’s talk about Deadpool and Wolverine . For those who aren’t familiar, Deadpool began as part of the Fox Marvel universe, and with Disney’s acquisition of Fox, this marks Deadpool’s official entry into the MCU. Starring Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, a role he’s been passionate about for years, this film brings back Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and believe me, it feels like a cinematic homecoming. First, I have to give credit where it’s due. Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool. The character has become his magnum opus, and his dedication to bringing the Merc with a Mouth to life is undeniable. Even though I’ve never been the biggest fan of Deadpool’s comic book humor or Reynolds’ comedic style—his National Lampoon days didn’t quite hit for me—I can’t deny that he’s crafted something special here. While I enjoyed the first Deadpool , I found the second one lacking. But this one, pairing him with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, immediately got me excited. Now, let’s talk about Wolverine for a minute. Hu...