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I was able to review the film “Raymond Lewis: L.A. Legend” by producer and director Ryan Polomski. I have to say that I was very much enthralled by the documentary and seeing a historic figure’s rise and fall encapsulated in one segment of film was nothing short of amazing.
It revolves around the courageous and incredible story of Basketball player Raymond Lewis that chronicles his time on the court and his ultimate downfall.
Producer and director Polomski has crafted a whirlwind of a documentary that demands to be seen by the mainstream consciousness. Its gravitas and easy-going nature contribute to the film’s mesmerizing execution.
While many documentaries might gloss over facts and details to make their subject look more stoic and heroic, this documentary does not mind sharing the gritty and harsh reality that Lewis had to struggle with. The work doesn't try too hard either and makes for interesting viewing, almost like watching it on A&E or Netflix, where it belongs for the maximum amount of exposure.
It’s just sad to see that Raymond Lewis’ life did not get the credit that it deserved when he was alive and well, playing basketball.
The film is currently playing on TUBI, Roku and VUDU.
A critically acclaimed documentary that tells the incredible story of a basketball phenom from Watts, California whom many believe was blackballed from the NBA in the’70s – and his unlikely and heartbreaking journey in becoming a hoops legend.
Ryan Polomski
Director
Ryan Polomski
Director
Raymond Lewis
Caldwell Black
Jerry Tarkanian
Gene Shue
Bob Miller
Randy Echols
Adrian Chivers
Dwight Slaughter
Lorenzo Romar
Doug Collins
(Archival Footage)
Pat Williams
As I typed this, Chris Evans was being “cancelled” on Twitter. I did a little research on this since I always thought Chris Evans was well-received. It turns out the backlash is because of a white savior movie he made called Red Sea Diving Resort.
In Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It (1986), we follow the love life of powerful female protagonist Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) and explore the relationship dynamics she has with her partners. She sees three men simultaneously: Greer Childs, (John Canada Terrell) Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee), and Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks). Though an 80’s film, She’s Gotta Have It is surprisingly progressive with its themes of female sexuality, although at some points in the film it is handled clumsily. Overall Nola is an incredibly compelling character especially for modern women, as we as a society acknowledge female sensuality more and more without the negative stigma.
A young girl named Hailey Mays sings a country song that is named after the film's title.