What to Watch This Weekend: Werewolves Within, F9, Mary J Blige, Good On Paper, Nobody, Echo Boomers, Spirit Untamed, Luca

For A Lycanthropic Whodunit: Werewolves Within (Theaters)
Werewolves Within has a quirky cast of characters, a dark sense of humor, and an over-the-top ridiculousness that will keep you entertained and guessing throughout this horror whodunit.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Soulful Documentary: Mary J. Blige's My Life (Amazon)

Mary J. Blige's My Life tells the story of this influential artist who inspired and gave a voice to so many young men and women and gives insights on what makes her sound so special.  For more information, check out the review!

For An Insightful Rom Com: Good On Paper (Netflix)

Good On Paper is a modern, insightful, hilarious, and very personal journey for Shlesinger that helps to highlight the female perspective on success and love.  For more information, check out the review! 

For A Ridiculous Revving Adventure: F9: The Fast Saga (Theaters)

F9 hits the NOS on all the Fast Franchise themes, with plenty of family, fast cars (and other vehicles), and a whole extra helping of insane action and ridiculousness.  For more information, check out the review!

For Some Angsty Action: Echo Boomers (Free on Roku)

Echo Boomers has an excellent cast, an exciting story, and some very visceral scenes of destruction in this encapsulation of millennial and financial angst.  For more information, check out our review!

For The Kids: Luca (Disney+)
Luca is in the vein of A Little Mermaid, but its beautiful animation, imaginative story, and focus on tolerance and being yourself is a timeless message that appeals to kids and adults alike!

For An Action-Filled John Wick-like: Nobody (Redbox)

Nobody is a middle class, family man John Wick, with high energy and varied action, a mysterious story, and an epic, final fightsravaganza.  For more information, check out the review!

For A Happy Horse Adventure: Spirit Untamed (PVOD)

Spirit Untamed rides into theaters with a fun, rebellious cast of characters and a story for equestrian and adventure lovers to enjoy.  For more information, check out the review!

Mary J. Blige's My Life Review: An Insightful Look At This Soulful Artist

Release date: June 25, 2021
Running time: 82 minutes
Directed by  Vanessa Roth
Produced by Ashaunna K. Ayars and Q. Nicole Jackson
Executive Produced by Mary J. Blige, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Tara Long, Mark Ford, Kevin Lopez, Jeffrey Harleston and Jody Gerson

Nine-time Grammy®-winning recording artist and Academy Award nominated singer and actress Mary J. Blige set the music world on fire with her trailblazing 1994 LP “My Life,” a collection of powerful confessionals about her battles with abuse, depression and addiction that forged a profound and enduring connection with millions of fans around the globe. In Oscar®-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth’s documentary Mary J. Blige’s My Life, the singer, producer and actress reveals the demons and blessings that inspired the record and propelled her from the soul-crushing world of New York’s housing projects to international stardom. In the process, she celebrates the 25th anniversary of her most influential work by performing the album live for the first time. 

Amazon has been knocking it out of the park with these music documentaries and Mary J. Blige's My Life is no exception.  Although it is probably the weakest of these films, it is still a powerful documentary that looks into the life of this influential artist.  This movie gives the viewers something I have been asking for the last two that came out, more information about the backstory of this international artist.  And Mary J. Blige makes sense to focus on this as she has such a powerful, inspirational story behind her rise to superstardom.  Her background is tied into who she is and how she performs that it makes sense to focus on this aspect.  I really liked the focus on what made her sound so unique and perfect for the time.  

But one thing you will notice about this film is the effect that Blige's music has on the fans.  There are many testimonials peppered throughout this documentary that showcase just how important she is to her fans.  Mary J. Blige gave a voice to so many and it is inspiring to see this relayed on screen.  And unlike the other Amazon documentaries, Mary J. Blige's My Life is much more in a documentary format.  It has statements from the artist herself, but it also contains testimonials from prominent artists about her music and singing.  These are a whos who of music personalities and it is insightful to hear her peers discuss what makes her style so special.  

However, although I did enjoy it, the film was a slow endeavor.  It had lots of testimonials and information from Blige herself, but the film had a relaxed, laid back pace to it.  It made for an insightful film, but one that also felt like it dragged.  Additionally, for a movie about her music, it didn't seem like it was featured that much of it.  I wanted to hear more from her catalogue, and hear more stories about how different songs came into being.  They were there, but I definitely but I just wanted more of it.  Blige is a prominent artist but I haven't heard many of her songs in years, so it would have been a nice excuse to reacquaint myself with her catalogue.   

Mary J. Blige's My Life tells the story of this influential artist who inspired and gave a voice to so many young men and women and gives insights on what makes her sound so special.

Watch it.

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Mary J. Blige's My Life is available on Amazon Prime Video on May 21, 2020.