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In this episode of The Cinematic Schematic, we’re turning up the steam and busting out the tennis rackets, Luca Guadagnino style, in our review of the Zendaya star vehicle, Challengers.
Today’s Review Challengers
To provide you with the best analysis regarding the sport of tennis(or is it filmmaking?), Daniel Bokemper from The Cinematropolis and Flick Attack and deadCenter Film Festival shorts programmer Paris Burris rejoin us.
Left to Right: Daniel Bokemper, Laron Chapman, Paris Burris, and Caleb Masters
Ice-Breaker: Creating a New Steamy Sports Sub-Genre
Time Stamp: 2:41
Before we make the first serve of our review, we get to know the players with two ice-breaker questions.
- What sports drama would you like to get a steamy big-screen revival, and who should make it?
- What is your favorite Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score?
Do you have any thoughts on these pressing topics, listener? Please send your thoughts and feedback to our email at thecinematropolis@gmail.com, or comment on Facebook, Instagram, or X.
Review: Does Challengers Deliver a Crowd-Pleasing Win?
Time Stamp: 19:18
There’s a kinetic energy apparent in Challengers right from the first frame. But does the rest of the movie deliver on the compelling premise? In our spoiler-free review, we’ll cover:
- Our overall reactions and initial thoughts on the film
- How well the cinematography, soundtrack, and editing come together to present the sport
- Our letter-grade ratings
- Alternate media recommendations
Challengers Spoiler-Discussion: But Is It Really About the Tennis?
Time Stamp: 1:02:00
Believe it or not, this film is more than steamy threesomes and sweaty tennis matches. In this spoiler-filled section, we’ll discuss:
- How is the film using tennis as a vehicle for the complex drama between Tashi, Patrick, and Art?
- Are we satisfied with how the film presented the love triangle?
- Is this movie bringing anything fresh to the big screen related to normalizing conversations around sexuality?
- Who “wins?” in the moment following the climactic conclusion?
Special Guests
Daniel Bokemper
Contributor at The Cinematropolis and Flick Attack
Follow Daniel on X @Daniel_Bokemper
Paris Burris
deadCenter Shorts Programmer and Founder of OKC’s Femme Film
Follow the deadCenter Film Festival on Facebook, Instagram, or X
About Challengers
According to IMDB, Challengers is described as:
Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, turned her husband into a champion. But to overcome a losing streak, he needs to face his ex-best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend
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