Taraparain
Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.
Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Kayden
This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama
Monica
There were quite a few scenes in this that made me laugh. I could identify with the awkwardness of sharing space, especially when you've grown accustomed to living on your own. I think it is definitely tougher on a guy to adjust to living with a female.The scenes that stuck out the most were the following:1. Kim (the girlfriend)decided to use James' hand as the sink while she was brushing her teeth. 2. Kim wanted James' to take out the trash, even though there was only a paper towel and a banana in the trash can 3. The absolutely worst proposal ever that was still accepted. 4. The mannequin head guy scene: simply because it was so absurd and featured Kevin HartHowever, there were a few things that were touched on that I wanted to see some type of closure on but it never quite came to fruition.Loose ends (or things that make you go Hmm): 1. Why exactly did James get evicted? It looked like he was still employed. They kept hinting he was spending all of his money to impress his girlfriend, but it still didn't quite add up to me. 2. What was the deal with the baseball card? There was this guy that kept coming in the store wanting to buy it, but James refused to sell it. Even after the guy volunteered his services to help James out of his situation, we still don't know whether James decided to let go of the baseball card. 3. After the guy Leona was dating gave a big speech to James about "age ain't nothing but a number" (aka defending their relationship), the guy turns around and breaks up with Leona not too long after he and James have the conversation. 4. The scene where James kissed Leona: just seemed very awkward and forced. Especially when Carville and Kim try to become part of the kiss scene. 5. Did Big Boy really have to be sprinkled all through the movie? I could understand maybe here and there, but on some parts, it just really didn't make sense. 6. After seeing Kim's erratic behavior, why would James still want to sleep on her couch? In some cases, it's just better to be homeless or better yet, sleep in the back room of the Stuff Shop.Is this a movie that will make you laugh? Yes.Is this a movie you can look at and can relate to, as it pertains to relationship dynamics and living situations? Yes, particularly if the relationship is new.The comedy of this actually saved the rating from being much lower.Is this a movie I would spend money on? No, I actually wouldn't. The comedic bits aren't enough to bypass the absurdity of some parts and the non-essential nature of other parts. I would not have watched this in the theater. It's highly unlikely I would even purchase the DVD. One's best bet is to do what I did and just look at it on instant stream on Netflix.
jaylove02
People who are giving this two thumbs up... did we watch the same movie? Now I love all types of movies. I like independent films, sci fi, mysteries, rom-coms, low budget, I like them all. But this was just... trash. The girl was horrible, she over-acted everything (maybe she was supposed to) and every 5 minutes my cousins and I found ourselves groaning out of the stupidity and frustration. Every time Kim was on scene, I cringed. Her dad? Seriously? The fact that they hadn't had sex yet, were dating for three months, and slept in the same bed? I hardly know any man that would stand for that. And he was good looking! I understand movies are movies.. but my goodness - this was bad. Thank God for the guy's best friend - he provided the most comedic relief! Kevin Hart couldn't even salvage this. I don't like how people are giving this good reviews because it wasn't a stereotypical black movie and what not.. it was just awful.
PA Alease
A few years ago, I met a young man named Jameel Saleem through Facebook and a mutual friend, Chyna Lane, who worked with my daughter, Amina Robinson on Precious. He reminded me so much of my youngest son with his deep set in eyes and heavy eyebrows, and his first name was actually spelled identically as my oldest son's middle name.He was gracious enough to accept my friend request and then I began to see all of the great things this fine young man was doing; not the least of which was an enormously funny web series of vignettes, delightfully rendered takes on an un-romantic relationship with his girlfriend, called, "Exit Strategy."I couldn't get enough of them and would watch them over and over, laughing hysterically each time. Now this is important: If you can watch something over and over and laugh hysterically as though it is the first time you are seeing it, it's good, it has staying power, it is a classic in the making.Over time, I had the same pleasure to meet Kimelia Weathers through Facebook; a dynamo, adorable and funny. Both of these young people are bright, shining new stars on the horizon, enormously talented. I asked Jameel and Kimelia when and if Exit Strategy would ever become a movie, because I knew it would be good as a full length feature. They said they were working on it....and voilà!Exit Strategy the movie premiered in AMC Theatres in the Philadelphia area on February 10th, 2012, and I was honored enough to meet them when I got to the theater. Not only was the movie very well written, but it was even funnier, and the characters played by Jameel and Kimelia were extremely convincing as "the psycho girlfriend," and the "battered non- boyfriend." The premise was hilarious: who wouldn't want to move in with a girl you only knew for three months, but not want to be in a relationship with, because you're getting evicted from your apartment -- right away.Although he tried unsuccessfully to move in with his friends and coworkers, he wound up with Kim in her pink place. And the fun begins there, and doesn't stop. The closeups on the characters' faces allows you to feel each and every moment of their experiences and that is superb acting in my view.This movie is a must see... and will be a definite "enjoy." I know I did. In a word, loved.
shaywanting
I took a chance on this "indie" film one night (playing AMC Philly) and left with not only a new opinion about indie films in general and specifically the urban romantic comedy genre, but I walked out with a smile. No bombs, no nudity, no kids out of wed lock, no dirty language, and amazingly - for urban - no drugs and guns. And yet, still very relate-able, honest -- and great acting (full cast) and unnoticeable directing by Michael Whitton. I really admired his choices, both for the actors and camera angles: unlike most independent flicks I see, which are often overbearing artistically and aesthetically too artsy -- Exit Strategy surpassed my expectations of first-time filmmaking. I'd like to see Whitton helm a 50 million dollar machine. Apparently, from what I read, it was made on a scant budget, but it didn't look like it at all. A solid visual movie feel to it. The editing was unique... very -- for a romantic comedy, but I must say it surprisingly worked quite nicely. Right to the point. Smash flashbacks and forwards made it exciting to watch. Very creative. Very. I wish more films came out like this. This film is raw, funny, complex, and mirrored real life entertainingly. Low budget doesn't mean low quality with this film.
