Test Pattern

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03/01/2022 Interesting for sure, and pretty strong for a debut feature. I didn't buy the central relationship at the beginning of the film, but I did start to towards the end. Really harrowing subject matter for this one and it presents it in a pretty thoughtful way. The biggest issue is the music. It's able to draw so much tension out of moments that don't have any of it at all but I find so many of the needle drops to be so off-kilter and confusing. It feels like some of these songs were selected to show contrast and nothing more. Not a bad intent, but my goodness Tchaikovski's "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker is such an inappropriate song choice to me for this attempting-to-be-eye-opening film about sexual assault. Had no clue why it was in this movie, let alone the specific scene it was in. Seemed like it only existed for the smash cut away from it, and that isn't motivation to me enough to put in a song that "beautiful" in a film that is anything but. I'd love to hear or see any other interpretations, but I just found the music choices to consistently take me out of the film and completely lose me. Very competent director that I'm sure to check out the next work from, just hope to see the music strategies either changed or reflected more appropriately next time. See more 10/12/2021 I loved the concept of the movie, however, I think that it could have been more to the evidence of the rape. Like why didn't she ask questions if the officer asked for surveillance of the club. The ending was horrible. See more Cave W 04/20/2021 The agenda overrode the characters and the drama. It was so obviously an Issue Movie that it forgot to be a good movie. See more 03/27/2021 Waste of time and money. See more 03/23/2021 Finally, an indie movie with social relevance that understands film making is more than sticking a camera in the corner while two people talk. See more 03/23/2021 IN A NUTSHELL: Part psychological horror, part realistic drama, this debut feature from Shatara Michelle Ford is set against the backdrop of national discussions around health care and policing, the #metoo movement, and race in America. Test Pattern follows an interracial couple whose relationship is put to the test after a black woman is sexually assaulted and her white boyfriend drives her from hospital to hospital in search of a rape kit. Winner of top prizes at the BlackStar and New Orleans Film Festivals, this film offers a unique exploration of sexism from a woman's point of view. Content warning: This film includes a depiction of sexual assault. THINGS I LIKED: Brittany S. Hall is gorgeous and talented, so I'm sure we'll be seeing more of her. She first appeared on VH1's hit reality show "Real Chance of Love" where she earned the nickname "Hot Wings" and was one of the winners of the show. After that, she did Stand Up Comedy in New York City! I thought the title of the movie was interesting. A test pattern is a fixed picture broadcast by a television station to assist viewers in adjusting their receivers. There's a social statement in there. The test refers to the relationship, as well as to the healthcare system. Act 1 does a good job helping the audience to fall in love with the main couple played by Brittany S. Hall and Will Brill. I like movies that are intentionally ambiguous so that the audience can interpret the meaning for themselves. The Mother Bear really comes out in me when I watch movies like this. I want to keep all of my girls safe and I want monsters to pay for their despicable crimes. Interesting musical score. I haven't decided whether or not I liked the choices, but they did catch my attention. Kudos to Evan, the boyfriend, for being so supportive and patient. Not all guys are jerks. I have four sons whom I have taught to treat women well. I'm really glad we didn't have to watch the rape. Not showing us the details was the perfect choice made by the director because even the lead female who was raped didn't remember what happened due to her drinking and taken drugs. For its low budget, it does a good job of taking you on an emotional journey. THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: The director stated, "I made Test Pattern to provoke a meaningful conversation about consent, to incorporate a black female point of view, and to spark debate while we create more nuance in the current discourse surrounding #metoo and feminism; in a movement that often focuses on the pain of white women, to the detriment of women of color, who exist within a different set of struggles and expectations." My biggest complaint about this movie is that the director hasn't decided exactly what she wants to say. She wants the movie to be about race, but the main woman is dating a white guy and would have received the exact same answer at the hospital as a white woman: there are no rape kits at this hospital. I did notice that the director chose to have the doctors and nurses who couldn't help Renesha be white and that the one nurse who finally did was black. There are apathetic nurses of ALL colors. It seemed like the director was pushing this to be a racial issue. The director should have focused more on the ineffective healthcare system and/or the rape culture because her casting choices didn't seem congruent with her claim that the movie is about race. Good friends don't pressure you to drink or stay out late or do anything you don't want to do. If a friend pressures you to lower your standards, they're not a true friend. I hated the best friend who kept pushing her friend to drink and hang out with strangers at a bar. Women of ALL colors need to take responsibility for their choices. If you drink or do drugs, the quality of your decision-making WILL be compromised. (P.S. Gummies ARE drugs.) Let me be clear…I am NOT saying that the protagonist was "asking for it", nor granting any excuse for the animal who raped her. I'm also NOT saying that only women who drink and take drugs get raped. I'm simply saying that I hope women will learn from this cautionary tale and make better choices. Amber, the protagonist's friend never apologized once for her critical role in how their "Girls Night Out" ended. She was a real jerk who kept putting her own needs and wants above her friend's wellbeing. To all my girls who are reading this review, choose your girlfriends wisely! Surround yourself with people who pull you up and support your choices, rather than drag you down into the gutter and pressure you to lower your standards or dismiss your goals. It makes me soooooo mad that scumbag men can be so driven by hormones that they terrible things to another human being. Some people will be very bored and complain that nothing really happens. After experiencing an assault like that, one would naturally feel numb. You kind of get that feeling watching this movie too. TIPS FOR PARENTS: This is NOT a movie for kids to watch. Profanity and F-bombs Alcohol Sexual assault Drugs Unmarried couples are seen in bed together You can see the rest of my review on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel! See more Read all reviews

Test Pattern

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