Customer Reviews

Premium

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

When the movie first started out and it was set up like a movie inside a movie, I was a little concerned. I didn't know if I could get into the typed letters at every scene and when Cool did the burger commercial but complained about stereotypical roles, it reminded me a little of "Bamboozled." But I'd never heard of Code Black films until a couple of weeks ago, and the more he talked about his struggle as trying to be a Black actor with positive roles, the more it made sense that movies like this need to be put out. Very gradually, the movie grew on me.

"Premium" is about a woman (Zoe Saldana) who is about to get married, but after going to a gas station, she surprisingly meets her ex fiance, Cool. Old memories come back to her and she tries to scurry away before they can engulf her thoughts and make her think twice about her engagement. The problem is she ends up in a car accident and right back at that same gas station to get her car fixed and maybe her relationship(s) fixed too. Her fiance meets Cool. Cool reacts. Her fiance reacts. She reacts. Watch the movie to find out how these three work this confusing situation out.

Pros: I spent 75% of the time watching this movie peeking through my fingers. There were so many uncomfortable moments (I mean that in a good way--as in, I felt like I was Zoe Saldana's character and pretty much every reaction she went through, I could sympathize with her), and I kept mumbling "Aw man, this is awkward." The beginning was shaky, the middle was interesting, and the end was exactly how I expected it to end, but not how I wanted it to end. I'm not a hopeless romantic; I'm a realist. But sometimes realists can be romantics too. In this movie, romance and love meet with the ideals of marriage and the decisions made are hard but true. Hill Harper is a GREAT actor. I hadn't followed his acting career at all up until this moment, but I had to grin at the bed/blanket scene. That was definitely a switch of roles!

Best Scene: The garlic scene--you know you're comfortable in a relationship when you can talk like that to each other, plus the face Zoe made was hilarious. I thought that scene was very cute.

Cons: The only con I can give to this movie was that in the beginning of the movie, Zoe's character asked for unleaded gas. At the end of the movie, she asked for premium, but it looks like she was in the same car. I remember having a car repair a couple weeks ago and a mechanic at my dealership saying mixing gas is not a good idea. I know that's technical, but it was something I caught. Other than that, this was a pretty good film.

Premium is one of the BEST movies I have seen to date. The story is relational to everyones lives in so many ways! Pete is a visionary and the potrayal of what happens is so on point to the lives of every human being. You will find yourself looking inward and remembering right along with Cool and Charlie. This is as Chatmon calls a REAL "New Wave in American Cinema" If this is the beginning, than I know we have the Next Great director on our hands. Not to mention the talent and range portrayed by Missick and Saldana. Be on the lookout for these "A" listers!!

I saw an advanced screening of this film in NYC. It was great. The story is sweet, charming and funny. Dorian Missick is charming and charismatic as "Cool" and the supporting cast is supurb as well. Pete Chatmon, who wrote and directed it is going to be a superstar!~

This movie kept me up all night, and I really only put it on as something to fall asleep to! The acting was great, I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, and the storyline was real. It's a definite keeper for me that I will be watching again, in the future.

I did not like the movie. I think the price was a little to high because the movie was poor. It didn't hold my interest.

Kudos to the filmmaker and his multi-talented cast for putting together one of the most refreshing films I've seen in a long time! It's not often that we get to appreciate the organic, home-grown goodness of a truly original script. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the lead characters, Charli and Cool (Zoe Saldana & Dorian Missick), as well as the rest of this loveable cast. It was nice to see familiar faces like Frankie Faison and Hill Harper play such original characters, very different from their previous films. I especially appreciate Chatmon's talent for writing clever dialogue (which is extremely funny too) and his dedication to the authenticity of the human spirit.

The experiences of these characters hits very close to home for many people, including myself. But to see it portrayed on screen helps to remind one of the beauty of our everyday lives. This is the perfect romantic comedy/contemporary-coming-of-age story, enjoyable for all audiences, and it definitely leaves me hoping for a sequel!

I believe Chatmon when he says Double7Films is making a new wave in American cinema. Chatmon has made a socially aware yet sensitive and universal story with no strings attached. The filmmaking is spot on and the humor is witty. The characters are unique and multidimensional. In the end, you can't really ask much more of a film. And this is only Chatmon's first feature? Not a film to miss.

Premium was one of the best films I saw last year.
In a climate of formulaic plots and predictable storylines, I found Chatmon's writing to be authentic and CREATIVE, two elements often missing in today's cinema. I enjoyed the perfomances of the actors, especially Zoe Saldana. I don't think I have ever been moved by any of her performances until seeing Premium. I really liked her and belived her and I attribute that to direction, once again, Chatmon bringing something fresh to the screen. Dorian Missick was textured and Hil Harper, tangible.

I love seeing people of color on screen with purpose and presence. This film delivers that for me and I will buy it to have it alongside the other credible films in my library.

I'm constantly on the lookout for richly developed characters and sincere storytelling, and if you feel the same way, you'll be delighted by Pete Chatmon's PREMIUM. There is a ton of heart in this film. It made me laugh, but it also made me think - about relationships, about stereotypes, about the decisions we make and how they shape the course of our lives. This is not a typical "black film" with an exclusive audience - its universal themes apply to everyone. Great performances by all the actors, including Dorian Missick and Zoe Saldana, enhance what was already a very entertaining and well-written script. Props to Chatmon, who beat the odds to make this touching film, despite limited resources and all the obstacles that accompany independent filmmaking! Whether you are an aspiring artist struggling to make your own creative visions into a reality, or simply maneuvering through life's ongoing issues of love and longing, you will gain something from watching PREMIUM.

I absolutely love Hill Harper and adore Zoe Saldana. It is a shame that this is the best that these amazing African American actors can get in terms of work. Hill Harper's character is days away from marrying his beautiful fiance Charli (Zoe Saldana) when Charli runs into her former fiance and still aspiring actor Cool. Cool's reappearance in Charli's life makes her rethink her pending marriage. It's not that this is a completely horrible story, but the story line and production are average at best. These movie is slow in parts and contains out of place comedic scenes that border on buffoonery. Too bad for these amazing actors and some of the other good African American characters in this film.