Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a thrilling and stylish genre neo-noir film that pays homage to the 70's blaxploitation classics and who done-it films. Directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr., the film follows Jodi Jackson (Hailey Kilgore), a gas station attendant and aspiring singer who gets caught up in a robbery and a dangerous web of crime and betrayal. The film features a stellar cast of veteran actors, such as Damon Wayans as Wally, the shady convenience store owner who owes money to the wrong people, and Pam Grier as Mama, the ruthless leader of a criminal organization who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. The film also showcases the talents of young actors like David Iacono as Eddie, Jodi's loyal boyfriend and music manager, and Jeremie Harris as James, Mama's son and enforcer. The film is filled with twists and turns, as well as witty dialogue and memorable characters. The film also boasts a catchy soundtrack that blends soul, funk and hip hop, creating a perfect mood for the story. Cinnamon is a film that Quentin Tarantino would have loved to make, and that fans of his films will surely enjoy. It is a tribute to the genre that made Pam Grier a star, and a showcase for the new generation of actors who are ready to take on the mantle. Cinnamon is a spicy and satisfying film that will leave you wanting more.

Cinnamon, has all the flavors! Action, romance, comedy, drama, thrills AND chills, with a dash of mystery & music sprinkled on top. A top tier ensemble cast brings to life this wildly entertaining and wonderfully written/directed filn by Brian Keith Montgomery Jr.. Including, The first lady of action, Mz. Pam Grier, who only has one line in the whole movie yet, speaks volumes as the menacing matriarch of her country crime family, despite being deaf. Damon Wayans' on cue comedic timing creates a convincing characterization of the conniving convenience store owner/used car entrepreneur, Wally. Hailey Kilgore lends her exquisite voice and earnest vulnerability to this hidden gem. As David Iacono serves up a slice of bittersweet yet, seriously saucy, truth to this tale. While, Nicole Sky, as Toni the pizza delivery girl, just straight up delivers. So, if you're sick of the same ol' tired, tasteless attempts at today's cinema, add Cinnamon to your watch list. You won't be disappointed.

I recently watched Cinnamon (2023) on Tubi. The film follows a young couple eager to make it big and resorting to creating their own opportunities. The young woman's job is a tool for money laundering, prompting them to steal the cash with dreams of heading to Los Angeles. However, their journey turns out to be much tougher than they anticipated.

This picture is both written and directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. (Lori Sheedy: F You). The cast includes Damon Wayans (In Living Color), Pam Grier (Coffy), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty), Hailey Kilgore (Respect) and Lauren Buglioli (Florida Man).

Damon Wayans stands out as the highlight of the movie, with his commercial being my favorite scene from this picture. The dialogue is generally well-written, but the storyline falls short of expectations. I found the acting of Iacono and Kilgore, as well as the direction of their characters, lacking. It's also puzzling why Pam Grier chose this role, as it doesn't make the best use of her talents. The film concludes with a worthwhile showdown that's fun to watch unfold, even if the end is predictable.

In summary, Cinnamon had the potential to be a solid film but falls short when all its elements come together. I would rate it 3/10 and suggest skipping it.

The story was a basic: boy meets girl, boy looses girl, boy gets girl in the end, that leaves you with, and like that I'm stopping. You'll have to watch. The story was well written, it stayed to the point, and never left you: bored, wondering, shaking your head, or feeling like, "Hollywood must think I'm stupid".

The acting was beyond believable & even though it's a, Bonnie & Clyde, film you still find yourself hoping for the best. The Actors (Director, Editor, Lighting, Wardrobe, Etc, Etc, Etc...capped to replace the roles) kept you engaged & I like the, Sweetheart Chemistry, between the main characters & how it was portrayed. The comedy was where it needed to be, & stopped when it needed to stop.

The Continuity was another great aspect of the film. There's nothing I hate more than when, the protagonist of the story, is running through a mud filled jungle, to come out with white socks. One, was does that say how the stories going, and two, about the detailed passion of The Director? Everyone did their part to make this movie what it was. An excellent film to watch.

I've sat through bad features on my screen (Scorpion King, True Blood, any Jurassic Park after the original, Watchmen...which I was really excited for) and this was NOT one of them. It's a shame an independent film like this can't get a, For Your Consideration, billboard. I don't understand (and would love to hear why) anything under a 8 star rating would be given. Like I said in my title, " Maybe I need Film Schooling".

This is a piece of a review from Tribeca Capsule Reviews - by Mike McGranaghan. "Here's yet another crime movie that unsuccessfully tries to emulate the style of Quentin Tarantino." This bs comment is getting so old already, it's like every time a film is made, particularly the ones that have Black lead actors they're accused of trying to emulate the thief himself, Quentin Tarantino.

They said the same thing about, "The Harder They Fall". But they never mention how the biggest thief of all time had admitted to stealing in a 1994 interview with Empire magazine by saying, "I steal from every single movie ever made." And his visual references to other movies have become his trademark. But "they" don't have anything negative to say about that.

So, if any other filmmaker does anything similar to what he has done, they have to be emulating after him. His style? Give me a break already with that bs! "Almost all of Tarantino's eight films have a main source for his thievery. For "Jackie Brown," it was the 1974 film "Foxy Brown." For "Kill Bill," the 1973 Japanese film "Lady Snowblood." And his "Inglourious Basterds" is, in a lot of ways, similar to the 1967 war film "The Dirty Dozen." So, who the hell would want to emulate after him!

This is an entertaining film and it has nothing to do with, or was even made with the thief Tarantino in mind.