Movie Review: 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood'

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Opinion, Film, Entertainment

With the release of Quentin Tarantino’s ninth film, “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” he’s cemented his status as the most innovative filmmaker in movie history. Films like “Inglourious Basterds” and “Django Unchained” pulled the proverbial strings of Hollywood's elite and have since represented the director’s mantra as a director. He’s simply taken risks others aren’t willing to take. And for those that have, few have reached his level of marksmanship.

Op-Ed: Could Netflix get 'Blockbuster'd'?

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Entertainment, Opinion, Film

Imagine if Netflix got “Blockbuster’d.”

As much of a cultural impact the streaming service has had since its expansion in 2011, seemingly reshaping how the world consumes TV shows and movies, picture the world’s largest on-demand site becoming the equivalent of a 90s pop culture reference.

Movie Review: 'Spider-Man: Far From Home'

January 06, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film, Entertainment, Opinion

As fans anticipated the release of “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” the pressures that preceded the film were comparable to few Marvel projects. The movie is the second Spider-Man installment under the production of Keven Feige and Marvel Studios, and represents the final piece in the franchise's 23-film story arc that first began with 2008’s “Iron Man.”

Movie Review: 'Creed II'

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film

Just as the films that followed the Oscar-nominated “Rocky” in 1976, “Creed II” is a story of a heroically stout fighter, played by actor Michael B. Jordan, who’s pitted against the odds and overcomes obstacles both in and outside the ring.

It’s a formula that’s worked throughout the 40-plus years since the birth of the series, which spawned “Creed” and its subsequent second film. And it’s one that continues to work.

Producer Matthew Rhodes and his Journey to Blockbuster Success

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Entertainment, Film

Following his freshman year at Ohio University, Rhodes left his parents' home in Cleveland, Ohio, and purchased a bus ticket to the epicenter of TV and movie production: Los Angeles, CA. With barely any money in his pockets, and Rhodes steadily inching closer toward homelessness, he stood outside production company studios asking producers for an opportunity, even offering to work for free.

The Process of Hollywood Stardom

January 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film, Entertainment

Jordan Tyner, a 25-year-old Columbus, Ohio native, has steadily climbed the Hollywood ranks as a freelance production assistant. Though he’s seemingly in the infancy of his professional career, Tyner has already worked with some of the biggest names in the industry.

The Man, The Myth, The Industry Legend

January 02, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Film

With more than 25 years of experience as a Hollywood executive and producer, it’s safe to say Kyle Bowser has a knack for creative development. Though his professional trajectory wouldn’t be considered conventional, or even conventionally unconventional, Bowser made a mark on the industry almost instantaneously.

Clone Wars: How Desiigner has been compared to an Atlanta rap legend

December 29, 2019 by Earl Hopkins in Music, Culture, Community, Education, Film

Since the release of Kanye West’s album “The Life of Pablo,” 19-year old MC Desiigner has become the most controversial artist of 2016.

Prior to his signing with G.O.O.D. music, a young Sidney Shelby III would fly out to LA to meet West in a car outside of LAX. The two would listen to what would become “Father Stretch my Hand Pt. 2,” the record that essentially anchored his new found eminence in rap.