CINNAMON (2023)

CINNAMON (2023)

Tagline: None.

(Thriller, Crime, Always Hard To Pick A Switch Off The Tree) [R]

Note: This movie was released on streaming services under the rating TV-MA. I think it would have landed a [R] by the MPA due to language, but who knows. They seem to be run by a bunch of pervs who don’t care about guidelines now. CINNAMON is the inaugural project filmed under Village Roadshow Pictures' Black Noir Cinema banner and is co-founded by NBA all-star Kevin Garnett.

Why Is He Mad At The Pies Though?

In this one, Jodi Jackson works for a used car salesman named Wally at a gas station he owns. She meets this guy Eddie on the bus and he’s a thief, but shows her some kindness and even helps her set up a makeshift recording studio under the stage name Cinnamon. Jodi becomes disillusioned with the time it’s taking to make it big, so between her and Eddie, they decide it’s time to take one drastic step. Meanwhile, Wally has his own issues after his business partner becomes suspicious of Wally’s success. It won’t be long before Cinnamon and Wally’s worlds collide. 

One thing I liked about this thing is that it’s told in 3 acts. The first focuses on Eddie and Jodi (Cinnamon) while the second moves to Wally and the Walkers. The final act then takes us to the pizza the dope and the dead man. I won’t give away what that’s all about. As the story unfolds things get more and more twisted and intriguing. This layered approach is really solid giving this thing a lot of punch that really lent itself well to the performances. I think the movie probably could have used 1 more act to flesh a few more aspects of Cinnamon’s life out. We really don’t find out as much about her as I would have liked to have seen them explore. 

I’ve seen a lot of Damon Wayans (EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY) stuff over the years and this one is a really fantastic performance from him. Hailey Kilgore (Amazing Stories) is outstanding as Cinnamon even though it’s probably not the best life choice to fall in love with a thief. Pam Grier (GHOSTS OF MARS) plays Mama in this and wasn’t given a ton to do, but she was effective in the role. Jeremie Harris (VAMPIRES VS. THE BRONX) is awesome as James Walker and is a very good antagonist. Lauren Buglioli (WHITE ELEPHANT) definitely takes a back seat in this, but she also doesn’t feel out of place. Hats off to Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. who was behind the director’s chair on this. He’s done mostly shorts till now, but I anticipate that changing quickly. 

Contrary to popular belief, Tubi Originals is actually churning out some good stuff under their umbrella even when they aren’t directly involved in the production. Both TERROR TRAIN films are incredible and PASTACOLYPSE was a lot of fun, but this is probably the best-produced and directed film I have seen. One thing some people might not know is that Tubi is owned by FOX Entertainment Studios. They are under FOX Entertainment which was formed after Disney bought 20th Century Fox. FOX Entertainment is not owned by Disney. Disney actually owns the FOX Entertainment Group which is a completely separate company. Anyway – I mention all of this because I think it’s really awesome that Tubi was created and is now giving a huge platform to a lot of independent directors that we may have never seen otherwise on this level so quickly. 

I am sure this didn’t have a huge production budget, but the team at Village Roadshow Pictures Black Noir Cinema gave us a diamond in the rough here and I am all about it. I think you really have to dig to find too much to complain about here. Great acting, great pacing, a very interesting plotline, and very minimal cringe.

Overall I have to give this one a solid 6 out of 7. 

GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF VILLIAGE ROADSHOW ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.