Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 139

Migi to Dali Episode 4 Review

Plot Overview – Based on a manga by Nami Sano, this mystery-thriller series introduces the audience to orphaned identical twins, Migi and Dali, who craftily scheme their way into the lives of an aging wealthy couple Sonoyama Osamu and Sonoyama Youko. The couple believes they’ve adopted a single child, Hitori, with no clue that they’ve unwittingly welcomed two brothers into their home, who have their own agenda. So Migi and Dali take turns to play Sonoyama Hitori.

Unlike the first three episodes, which began with brief flashback scenes, episode 4 of the anime series “Migi to Dali” picks up right where the previous episode left off, introducing a new character called Micchan at the Sonoyoma home. Micchan is a maid who sometimes helps out with chores at the Sonoyoma mansion and she immediately takes a liking to Hitori. The brothers contemplate the potential benefits of Micchan, considering her work in multiple households, which could aid them in their investigation. Meanwhile, they also begin school and aim to improve their grades to befriend the smart students. However, Migi develops a crush on a new girl, leading to hilariously weird consequences.

The new character Micchan initially gave me the creeps, but as far as this episode goes, she turns out to be a sweet lady. It’s the ominous music that accompanies each episode of “Migi to Dali” that makes the anime series appear more sinister than it actually is. Surprisingly, the horror vibe in this comedy-mystery story seems to be working in its favor. There’s a really wacky twist in the second-half of the episode, which was disturbingly comical, and might make some viewers seriously wonder just where the plot is going (at least for those who haven’t read the manga)!

While it was difficult in the first two episodes to tell the brother’s apart, it’s becoming more and more apparent just how different the boys are, despite them pretending to be the same person. Viewers learn of Dali’s new talent in this edition – he can easily imitate people to hilarious effects. Despite some of the odd twists, episode 4 maintains a good pace and advances the plot significantly. Migi and Dali are now attending school, putting in the effort to improve their grades, and have taken on a new mission – to befriend the snooty Eiji Ichijo. The twins believe that Eiji’s home might hold clues to their mother’s death. Whether their suspicions and hunch turn out to be correct remains to be seen.

You can watch “Migi to Dali” on Crunchyroll.

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Dream Girl 2 – Ayushmann’s Not So Dreamy Return

Rating: 2 out of 5.

The 2019 comedy “Dream Girl” directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa and starring Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role was pretty funny and entertaining, but their 2023 spin-off “Dream Girl 2” is a disappointing mess that does have a few good jokes, but is largely a stretched out boring nightmare. In ‘Dream Girl,’ Ayushmann only pretended to be a girl on the phone, but in this new installment, he fully embraces his alternative female personality.

Ayushmann Khurrana plays Karam Singh, a struggling theater artist who’s head over heels for his lawyer girlfriend, Pari Srivastava (Ananya Pandey). But here’s the catch: Pari’s dad (Manoj Joshi) wants Karam to land a steady job, snag a home, and stack up some cash within six months if they want to tie the knot. Karam’s dad, Jagjit Singh (Annu Kapoor), is drowning in debts, and their buddy Smiley (Manjot Singh) drops a crazy idea – that Karam cross-dress and dance in bars to rake in the moolah. With no better options on the table, Karam transforms into Pooja, and that’s when things take a turn for the worse for him, leading to a string of comedic problems.

The first half an hour of “Dream Girl 2” is quite funny and engaging, but things begin to go downhill from there. Besides, Ayushmann Khurrana might sound like the perfect girl on the phone, but he isn’t very convincing as a woman when he cross-dresses. Director Raak Shaandilyaa has co-written the script with Naresh Kathooria, and the duo cram in too many characters and twists, turning the story into a chaotic mess. Paresh Rawal portrays Abu Saleem, the affluent and open-minded father of Smiley’s girlfriend. He consents to their marriage but lays down a condition – Smiley’s heartbroken older brother, Shah Rukh Saleem (Abhishek Banerjee), must wed first. Smiley conspires with Karam to help get Shah Rukh hitched, but their plan backfires when Abu Saleem insists that Shah Rukh marries Puja, who is actually Karam in disguise. If the plot were limited to this situation, delivering laughs, it would’ve been fine. However, the plot involves at least 3-4 more romantic subplots that weren’t necessary. For example, Seema Pahwa plays Shah Rukh’s thrice-married aunt Jumani, who falls for Karam. Even though Seema Pahwa is hilarious as the spoiled, childish, and flirty Jumani, her subplot wasn’t as funny. Vijay Raaz plays Sona Bhai, the owner of the bar where Pooja dances, and in another nonsensical twist, he also happens to be related to the Saleem family.

At 2 hour 14 minutes, “Dream Girl 2” might not be too long for a regular Bollywood film, but it feels painfully stretched out due to the mediocre jokes and ridiculous twists. The cinematography is quite pretty and colorful, accompanied by a foot-tapping background score. The make-up team however, could’ve done a better job with Ayushmann’s make-up. He looks more like a gossip-y neighborhood aunt nobody would cast a second glance at (if not for the shiny clothes) than the femme fatale the script wants him to be. “Dream Girl 2” is barely much different from the 1988 Govinda led comedy “Aunty No. 1”, where Govinda pretends to be a woman for his friends and two men fall in love with his female avatar.

Even for a plain silly entertainer, “Dream Girl 2” isn’t good time-pass. Raaj Shaandilyaa’s recent work, the 2022 mini-series ‘The Great Weddings of Munnes’ starring Abhishek Banerjee is a lot more riotous and fun to watch.

Dream Girl 2 is available to stream on Netflix.

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Sister Death Review: A Slow, Haunting, and Eerie Tale

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter/X | Instagram)

The 2023 horror movie “Sister Death” begins with a creepy black-and-white glitch-y footage of a young girl holding a cross and mouthing inaudible words as people prostate around her. It’s a flashback scene from 1939 in Spain and a haunting background music adds to the eerie atmosphere, helping the film start off on an unsettling note. The actual story is set ten years later, in 1949, where the girl has now grown into a young woman, about to begin her new role as a teacher at a convent school.

Directed by Paco Plaza, who co-wrote the script with Jorge Guerricaechevarría, “Sister Death” (Original title: Hermana Muerte) is a prequel to Plaza’s 2017 horror film “Veronica.” However, you don’t need to have seen the latter to follow “Sister Death.” Aria Bedmar plays the protagonist, Hermana Narcisa, who starts to witness strange occurrences and experience nightmares at the convent where she is teaching. Narcisa soon discovers from her students that the school is haunted by a girl who they claim was responsible for the disappearance of the nun she replaced.

The school used to be a cloistered convent, making it an excellent setting for this horror drama. An introductory shot of the building shows Narcisa staring at its bullet-ridden walls, bearing proof of its violent history and the terrible secrets buried within. It reminded me of the 2018 movie “Eerie,” which was set in an all-girls Catholic school and is also haunted by the ghost of a young girl.

While “Sister Death” proceeds at a relatively slow pace, steadily building intrigue and dread, the creators surprisingly avoid jump scares, keeping sudden loud sounds to a minimum. For example, in a late-night scene, Sister Narcisa enters a creepy storeroom and stumbles upon something disturbing. However, she doesn’t scream and remains composed. Aria Bedmar is riveting as the young conflicted Narcisa, who isn’t sure of her religious calling and is further tormented by disturbing visions. The few times Aria does get to scream in the film, her cries are filled with genuine terror and fear. Unlike the older nuns who are very strict with the students, Narcisa is more compassionate, friendly and understanding. Maru Valdivielso is intimidating, scary and almost sinister as sister Julia, who doubts Narcisa’s credibility and is quite mean to the girl students. Child actor Sara Roch plays one of the students who confides in Narcisa, and the actor is terrific in some of the scenes where she is expected to be spooked.

“Throughout “Sister Death,” the creators toy with the plot, leaving viewers guessing whether the haunted events exist solely in Narcisa’s imagination, or maybe the students are simply playing pranks on the new teachers with horror tales, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The climax does give concrete answers to the viewers on where the convent is really haunted or not. But the climactic events were slightly underwhelming, despite an interesting tragic tale tying up everything. Overall, the atmospheric, grim cinematography of a 1940s convent, coupled with solid acting, makes “Sister Death” a compelling watch for horror enthusiasts.

Rating: 7 pm 10. You can stream Sister Death on Netflix.

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Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 4 Review

Spy x Family Season 2 Episode 3 was a snooze-fest, but thankfully things are back to being fun in the new edition. Titled “The Pastry of Knowledge/The Informant’s Great Romance Plan II”, episode 4 is split into two parts, while the first follows Anya’s shenanigans in her school, the second half involves Loid Forger’s funny informant Freddy’s quest to locate a missing cat.

Read: Spy x Family Episode 1 Review for plot overview

“The Pastry of Knowledge” section is centered around a rumor at Anya’s school regarding special pastries that supposedly enhance students’ intelligence and assist them in becoming scholars. Remember – if Anya becomes a top student, she can impress Damian and their friendship will benefit her father, the spy Loid Forger, in getting closer to Damian’s father through parent-teacher meetings or play-dates. So the first half episode is a comical set of events where Anya and a bunch of kids fight to eat this legendary pastry of knowledge.

The animation in this episode was expressive and well-done, featuring various scenes and mood shifts. The second half focuses on Freddy, who, after passing information to Loid Forger, tries to convince him to help find a missing cat that belongs to a woman he has a crush on. Freddy hopes that rescuing the feline can improve his chances of a romance with his crush, but Loid brutally rejects him. However, to his surprise, Yor decides to help him out. Even this section was pretty amusing, although, the actual plot of Spy x Family sees no real progress. But at least it was an entertaining filler episode.

You can stream Spy x Family on Netflix.

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Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 5 Review

Rookie detective Isshiki Totomaru and his unofficial boss/partner Ron Kamonohashi are back from their hot-spring vacation, which involved solving a mysterious murder, befriending the eccentric Spitz Feier, and now new adventures await the duo.

For a plot overview, read – Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions Episode 1 Review

Titled “The Case of the Hand Collector,” episode 5 of the anime series “Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions” introduces a new character, Eagle Eye Kawasami. He’s a detective with an impressive track record of solving murder cases and is expected to become the future police commissioner. Amamiya, who aspires to be the police commissioner as well and started her career at the same time as Kawasami, isn’t enthusiastic about his arrival. She decides to assign Isshiki as his assistant, as he is the least experienced rookie in her department. “There’s no way I’d give Kawasami any of my good men,” she whispers to herself in a hilarious scene.

While I wasn’t a fan of Eagle Eye Kawasami’s character design, as he appears to be a slight variation of Ron Kamonohashi (more distinct facial features would’ve been nice), he does make an interesting addition to the existing cast of detectives. Kawasami is a stickler for appearance and is constantly walking around with a pair of tweezers to fix any anomalies he spots, like dust on his colleagues’ jackets or a crooked button. Yeah, he is a weirdo, all right. The fact that Amamiya now dislikes someone more than Isshiki would probably give fans more comical moments in the future.

As for the murder mystery in the episode, it’s a gruesome case involving a serial killer who cuts off the hands of their victims, earning them the nickname ‘hand collector’. With Eagle Eye Kawasami’s arrival, genius protagonist Ron Kamonohashi has serious competition for a change, so he is eager to solve the case before the newbie. Despite the tension and chilling nature of the crime, Ron obviously cracks everything with too much ease and the story wasn’t as thrilling as the last two episodes.

I think that the latest episode of ‘Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions’ was probably the weakest so far. However, with its amusing characters, it still manages to be an entertaining watch that doesn’t require too much attention from the viewer. You can sit back and relax while watching this series because the cases aren’t too complex.

You can stream the series on Netflix.

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Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 14 Review

Hope you are here after Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 episode 13. Minor spoilers ahead

C’mon, I seriously wanted to see the aftermath of that crazy fight between Yuji Itadori and Choso from the last episode, but Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 14 doesn’t even feature Itadori. However, viewers won’t have any time to feel any sort of disappointment, because this episode immediately engages you with a tense fight between Mei Mei and the Smallpox Deity.

Titled “Fluctuations,” the episode begins on a grim note, with characters mouthing dialogues on the lines of “Are you willing to die for me?” and I am like, “Whoa, that got dark too fast!”. The first five minutes focus on Mei Mei using her Black Bird Manipulation technique to battle the special grade cursed spirit summoned by Geto. Her ‘bird strike’ technique is pretty morbid, which involves channeling cursed energy into a crow, then hurling them towards an enemy, which leads to the immediate death of both the target and the crow. The rest of the episode shifts its attention to Nanami, Naobito, and Maki encountering a strange and powerful cursed spirit that calls itself “Dragon”. Despite various groups battling different spirits, their common goal is to rescue Satoru Gojo, who has been sealed by Geto, Mahito, and Jogo after months of meticulous planning.

Old man Naobito Zenin had briefly appeared earlier in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Episode 12, where all he did was be a drunken nuisance, demanding alcohol from his juniors. In this edition, he reveals himself as a formidable sorcerer, the kind you’d want on your side when the odds are stacked against you in a battle. However, he is still drunk and talks about the most random things while battling Dragon and their banter was low-key hilarious. Studio Mappa’s animation was on point yet again and we get some cool fight scenes between the shiny red octopus-faced Dragon and the sorcerer trio (Nanami, Naobito, and Maki).

While the first half of the episode was dark in palette, much like the rest of the Shibuya story arc so far, the last 5-6 minutes mark a complete shift in tone as far as colors are concerned. The special grade cursed spirit Dragon uses domain expansion and the Jujutsu sorcerers find themselves in a beautiful blue beach, complete with the calming sound of the ocean, which amusingly contrasts with the dangerous situation they are all in. For a second, the shift in scene makes one feel like they are watching One Piece, but then the familiar faces from Jujutsu Kaisen appear and chaos unfolds.

There’s action, tension, lots of blood, and a bunch of little twists that keep this edition fast-paced and gripping. The stage is set for an eventual showdown between Pseudo Geto and Satoru Gojo’s squad of sorcerers, so the next few episodes should be even more fun.

You can stream Jujutsu Kaisen on Netflix or CrunchyRoll.

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Gen V Episode 7 Review

Whoa, finally an episode from “Gen V” that directly links the story to an infamous event that took place earlier in its parent series, “The Boys”! Titled “Sick”, episode 7 of “Gen V” begins with evil dean Indira reiterating her plans for wanting a contagious virus that can kill superheroes. Marie Moreau (Jaz Sinclair) and her friend finally learn the full extent of what’s been happening at the secret underground facility called “The Woods” and now it’s up to the young superheroes to stop Indira’s nefarious plans.

Read – Gen V Episodes 1, 2, 3 Review for plot overview

Shelley Conn, as antagonist Indira Shetty, feels more annoying than evil or intimidating. Neither her motive nor her backstory is clear until the second half of episode seven. Although the revelation surrounding her is very intriguing, a hint about her motivations early in the series might have made her character more compelling. Claudia Doumit appears for the first time in “Gen V” as Victoria Neuman, an already infamous politician known from “The Boys,” and she is far more terrifying than Indira Shetty in just a few brief scenes.

Overall, Episode 7 is intense, with the volatile Cate (Maddie Phillips) attempting to make amends with her friends for betraying them and tampering with their memories. Maddie Phillips has done a fantastic job with her morally ambiguous character, creating confusion both among her friends and viewers regarding Cate’s trustworthiness. However, her anguish, confusion, and emotional struggle with her powers feel authentic. So, while Cate, Marie Moreau, Jordan Li (London Thor/Derek Luh), and Andre (Chance Perdomo) attempt to expose Indira Shetty, Emma (Lizze Broadway) tries to keep an eye on Sam (Asa Germann), but loses him when she goes out to buy some snacks.

With this episode, “Gen V” comes full circle to closely aligning with “The Boys” in its core premise – it’s humans versus superheroes. But the “Gen V” generation is still far removed from their corrupt greedy heroes and they think they can make a real change in the world with their powers. However, Marie Moreau is once again confronted with the moral dilemma of choosing between doing what’s best for the greater good or what’s best for her personal growth. It remains to be seen if the college gang can successfully expose the truth about “The Woods” to the rest of the world or if they’ll end up being compromised.

Episode seven of “Gen V” has elevated the college-based plot to a more sinister level. It’s no longer just about a group of young superheroes grappling with personal issues while attempting to rescue some of their kind from illicit experiments. Equipped with their unique superpowers, the main squad of the series is already formidable, on par with the likes of “The Seven” (the top superheroes in the country), and they will have rely on these powers to potentially save the world.

While the first half of this installment wasn’t marked by a significant amount of violence, things take a darker and bloodier turn towards the climax, introducing a new twist that alters the course of the story once again. At this point, I find myself wishing that this series had more than just ten episodes because “Gen V” is now demonstrating the potential to become a more expansive and enduring show.

You can stream ‘Gen V’ on Amazon Prime Video.

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Pain Hustlers Review – Emily Blunt, Chris Evans Play Foxy Pill-Pushers

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

How do you go from living in your sister’s garage to a swanky sea-facing mansion in Florida? Well, becoming a successful sales representative for a pharmaceutical start-up is one way to get rich, at least for single-mom Liza Drake in the 2023 movie “Pain Hustlers.”

Based on a novel by Evan Hughes, this David Yates directorial stars Emily Blunt as protagonist Liza, who gets caught up in a federal criminal conspiracy case involving the pharmaceutical company she works for. Chris Evans plays Pete Brenner, who meets Liza at a bar and is impressed by her smooth-talking. He offers her a job at Zanna Therapeutics, a firm on the verge of bankruptcy due to zero takers for their painkiller pill called Lonafen. Broke and desperate for money to support her school-going daughter Phoebe (Chloe Coleman), Liza joins Zanna and turns the company’s fortunes. But nothing good lasts too long.

“Pain Hustlers” opens with documentary style shots, where those involved in the Zanna Therapeutics scandal are being interviewed for the story, so the primary players are quickly introduced. Chris Evans gets the opening dialogues as Pete Brenner, former CEO of Zanna, who immediately strikes you as a cocky, crooked guy who got caught with his hand dirty and yet wants you to believe he is clean. It’s a delight to see Chris picking and portraying diverse characters that are a far cry from his “Captain America” roles. After portraying Kitty Oppenheimer in the 2023 biopic “Oppenheimer,” where she stood out despite her brief supporting role, Emily Blunt deservedly takes center stage in “Pain Hustlers” as Liza Drake.

The ‘American Dream,’ personal greed, and corruption are major themes of “Pain Hustlers,” taking the adage “no pain, no gain” quite literally, with Liza Drake symbolizing the quintessential ‘rags to riches’ story that most average people aspire to. The first half of the film is entertainingly gripping, with a steady pace, transforming Liza from a poor unemployed mother forced to live in a cheap motel, to a marketing star at a pharma firm. The relationships between pharmaceutical representatives and doctors are depicted in the most amusing ways. Zanna employees use the oldest tricks in the sales book to lure doctors – sex, and in this film, both men and women are used as sexual tools to win over their targets. “Greasing doctors is an art, not a science. The real education at our events was us learning the doctors were just as greedy and horny as everyone else,” Liza says while recalling their rise to the top. Brian d’Arcy James portrays Dr. Lydell, the first doctor Liza persuades to prescribe Lonafen, and he plays a crucial role throughout the runtime in facilitating Lonafen’s ascent in the medical market.

Andy Garcia portrays Dr. Neel, the eccentric and affluent owner of Zanna, who may remind some Indian viewers of Vijay Mallya, an Indian fugitive wanted for financial fraud. In fact, the real-life figure Dr. Neel is based on is an Indian-origin man named John Kapoor, who later became an American citizen and was convicted for a multitude of frauds. Catherine O’Hara delivers an entertaining performance as Liza’s mother, Jackie, a free-spirited woman who often finds herself causing trouble for her children. The portrayal of both mother-daughter relationships was quite amusing, while Liza is protective of her daughter Phoebe, and the two share a sweet-friendly relationship, Liza also ends up looking out for her own mom Jackie.

“Pain Hustlers” begins to lose steam in the second half, and perhaps part of the reason is the fact that the writers attempt to redeem Liza’s character and portray her as some sort of a sacrificial ‘hero’. While the opening of the movie convinces viewers that Liza is the anti-hero, a ruthless character willing to do anything for money, the climax didn’t align well with the expectations the first half sets up for Liza’s growth, or well, downfall.

Overall, this film is definitely worth a one-time watch. It has many clever moments, the background music is carefully selected, and the cast does a fab job of keeping you entertained.

Rating: 7.5 on 10.

You can stream “Pain Hustlers” on Netflix.

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Matthew Perry – Beyond Friends’ Chandler Bing

“I need love, but I don’t trust it. If I drop my game, my Chandler, and show you who I really am, you might notice me, but worse, you might notice me and leave me. And I can’t have that. I won’t survive that. Not anymore. It will turn me into a speck of dust and annihilate me.” – Matthew Perry in his memoir “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing”.

Matthew Perry, a name synonymous with the witty and lovable Chandler Bing from the iconic television series “Friends,” has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. But there was much more to the talented actor than his unforgettable role as a sarcastic New Yorker. Here’s a closer look at Matthew Perry’s life and career beyond the confines of Central Perk.

Born on August 19, 1969, in Williamstown, Massachusetts, Perry spent his formative years in Ottawa, Canada. His upbringing in a family where both his father, John Bennett Perry, and his mother, Suzanne Morrison, had connections to the entertainment industry perhaps paved the way for his own journey into acting. This early exposure to show business nurtured his passion for the craft.

While “Friends” catapulted him to international fame, Perry’s journey in the world of entertainment began long before he set foot in Central Perk. He made his acting debut in 1987, and from there, he steadily climbed the ladder of success with guest appearances in popular shows and a growing film career.

Perry’s versatility as an actor became evident as he transitioned between comedy and drama effortlessly. Apart from “Friends,” he appeared in various television series and movies, showcasing his range. His role as Oscar Madison in the TV series adaptation of “The Odd Couple” demonstrated his comedic prowess. Meanwhile, he delved into dramatic roles in films such as “Numb” and “The Good Fight.”

In addition to his acting talent, Matthew Perry also polished his skills as a writer and producer. He co-wrote and co-produced the romantic comedy film “Fools Rush In,” further expanding his creative horizons. This film had marked his venture beyond acting and reflected his multifaceted talents. Beyond his professional achievements, Perry had been open about his personal struggles, particularly his battle with addiction. The stress and anxiety that came with his skyrocketing popularity took a toll on him, leading to his reliance on alcohol and prescription drugs as a coping mechanism.

In a bid to confront his demons, Perry decided to seek help. He entered rehab for the first time in 1997. However, his struggles with addiction persisted, leading to multiple rehab stints over the years. His openness about his journey to sobriety has not only been an act of personal courage but has also served as an inspiration for others facing similar challenges. He became a vocal advocate for addiction recovery, supporting organizations like the National Association of Drug Court Professionals. By sharing his story, he aimed to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and encourage individuals to seek help and support. In his memoir, Matthew Perry also honestly admitted that if he were to turn back time, he would still turn to alcohol, because it helped him get through some difficult times. “If I had to do it all again, would I still audition for Friends? You bet your ass I would. Would I drink again? You bet your ass I would. If I didn’t have alcohol to soothe my nerves and help me have fun, I would have leaped off a building sometime in my twenties,” Perry said in his memoir.

While his public image is often associated with his on-screen persona as Chandler Bing, Matthew Perry’s real-life friendships with his “Friends” co-stars were a testament to the genuine connections formed during the show’s ten-season run. Perry remained incredibly close with Courteney Cox, with Cox even guest-starring on Perry’s sitcom “The Odd Couple,” which ran from 2015-2017, while “Friends” had concluded in 2004. Perry proved himself as a versatile actor, writer, and advocate, while also making a significant impact in the lives of those who have faced addiction.

“That’s probably my favorite thing about myself. Being creative, seeing, learning that if you’re uncomfortable or feeling anxiety, one of the ways to get out of that situation is to be creative.” – Matthew Perry said about himself in a cover story for the PEOPLE magazine in 2022.

Here are some quick facts about the late actor –

Tennis Enthusiast: Perry was a competitive tennis player during his school years and briefly considered pursuing a professional career in the sport.

Acting Debut: He made his acting debut in a 1987 television series called “Second Chance.”

Struggles with Addiction: Perry has been open about his struggles with addiction and has used his experiences to raise awareness about the issue.

Playwright: Perry wrote and starred in the play “The End of Longing” in 2016, which premiered in London.

Film Career: He has appeared in several films, including “The Whole Nine Yards” and its sequel, “The Whole Ten Yards.”

Voice Acting: Perry has done voice work for animated series like “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.”

Odd Jobs: Before his acting career took off, he worked various odd jobs, including as a delivery driver.

Social Activism: He is an advocate for addiction recovery and has used his platform to support organizations like the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

Charity Work: Perry has been involved in charity work and served as a spokesperson for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.

Dedicated Hockey Fan: He is a passionate fan of the Ottawa Senators, a National Hockey League (NHL) team.

Broadway Debut: Perry made his Broadway debut in the play “The End of Longing.”

Hollywood Walk of Fame: In 2004, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Relationships: He has had high-profile relationships with celebrities like Julia Roberts and Lizzy Caplan.

Mentorship: Perry has mentored and supported young actors, including helping Evan Rachel Wood early in her career.

The After Review – Poignant, Theatrical

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Dayo is a cab driver, who used to be a successful corporate worker, but his life took a tragic turn when he lost two loved ones in a senseless act of violence. “The After” is a short film directed by Misan Harriman, who co-wrote the script with John Julius Schwabach. It explores themes of loss, grief, and how even the briefest human interactions leave a profound impact on one’s life.

David Oyelowo plays protagonist Dayo, who is first introduced as a busy yet doting dad, walking with his daughter in a black-business suit and doing a little dance for her on the street. But an accident changes everything for his family and he resigns from his old life and becomes a lifeless cab driver. At just 19 minutes in length, “The After” presents a poignant montage of the various types of passengers Dayo encounters in his new job: bickering lovers, funny friends, feuding families, people in crisis, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, you get the idea. And one day, a ride brings about a much-needed catharsis for Dayo, helping him confront his grief in a way he couldn’t before.

The patchwork shots of various passengers are beautifully executed, and these diverse individuals offer viewers a brief yet intimate glimpse into their stories. In one scene, two women, who appear to be mother and daughter, are on the phone with a caregiver for a family member facing a medical crisis. The call suddenly disconnects while they’re trying to provide instructions, leaving the women in tears as they implore Dayo to drive faster. The scene was intense and heartbreaking.

The last few minutes of “The After,” however, were overly theatrical, and it suddenly feels like you’re watching a play rather than a short film on Netflix. It’s so over-the-top that I wouldn’t have been surprised if Dayo had broken into a sad song about love and loss, although he doesn’t. Nevertheless, David Oyelowo’s portrayal of Dayo is expressive, intense, and draws you into feeling sympathy for his character. After an almost violent outburst of emotions towards the end, the film ends on a calming and hopeful tone.

Rating: 7 on 10. You can stream “The After” on Netflix.

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