Category: Drama

King Richard

King Richard

In “King Richard” we get a view into the humble start of Venus and Serena Williams tennis careers. Richard Williams had a plan, a 78-page plan that he executed on and was determined to get his daughters, Venus and Serena into the Tennis Record Books. This movie is about that journey. 

The story starts off with the Williams family’s early life in Compton, CA. The Williams sisters trained on the neglected tennis courts in Compton, often times late into the evenings. Their Mother, Oracene provided the balanced perspective and great intuition to help keep the girl’s lives as normal as possible. The story continues to the family’s move to Florida and Venus’s signing with Reebok.

The movie is very moving! The execution is good. Will Smith is very impressive as Richard Williams. 

If you are a fan of Venus and Serena Williams, this movie is definitely worth a look. 

“King Richard” is in Theaters and Streaming on HBO MAX

This is a 5 Star Movie!!

The Last Duel

The Last Duel

“The Last Duel” is a cinematic feast and thought-provoking saga set in the midst of the 100 Years War (13th Century). During that time the ubiquitous power of men, the frailty of justice and the strength and courage of one woman who is willing to stand alone in the service of the truth is examined. This movie is based on actual events that did take place. The movie climaxes with what is known as France’s “Last Duel” between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris who were once good friends that became bitter rivals. The Story unfolds from there…

This is a Ridley Scott production! Ridley Scott makes very good movies.

The story is Compelling, Intriguing from a historical point, Bloody and Violent. 

One interesting thing to note…Ben Affleck is Blond in this movie and I did not recognize me at first.

If you like historical drama, “The Last Duel” should not be missed.

“The Last Duel” is in Theaters.

This is a 4 ½ Star Movie!!

The Many Saints of Newark

The Many Saints of Newark

“The Many Saints of Newark” sort of takes you back to when Anthony Soprano was growing up. Anthony grew up during the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history. He became a man just as rival gangsters began to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city. Caught up in this whirlwind time is Anthony’s uncle Dickie Moltisanti whom he idolized. Dickie Moltisanti struggled greatly to manage both his personal and professional responsibilities. The influence he has over his nephew will help make Anthony into the powerful mob boss that we all came to know as Tony Soprano. Basically, this is the prequel to “The Sopranos” that appeared on HBO for many years. 

The movie is dark, unnerving and a bit pathetic. I found myself gasping at times at some of the scenes.

The movie is executed very well, but not that engaging or entertaining. The cast of characters is spot on!!

If you are a fan of the HBO Series “The Sopranos”, “The Many Saints of Newark” should not be missed.

“The Many Saints of Newark” is in theaters and also streaming on HBO MAX.

This is a 2 ½ Star Movie!!

No Sudden Move

No Sudden Move

Set in 1950’s Detroit, “No Sudden Move” is about a group of small-time Criminals who are given a job to steal a document, but they do not know who their boss is and they have to work together to uncover what’s really going on. Then the job at hand goes terribly wrong and the Criminals find themselves up against each other and not knowing who to trust.

This is a Steven Soderbergh production. This crime caper is crazy cool! There are no special effects, just plain old-fashion fist fights, regular hand guns and pistols. The movie weaves its way thru Detroit, MI during a time of change…

The cast is HUGE and they all make this movie entertaining, enjoyable; funny at times and even a bit silly.

“No Sudden Move” is not at the box office. It opened July 1st and is streaming on HBO MAX. Check it out!!

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

On The Basis of Sex

IN HONOR OF JUDGE RUTH BADER GINSBURG’S PASSING…THIS IS A REPUBLISH FROM DEC 26, 2018

“On The Basis of Sex” is based on a true story about how Justice Ruth Ginsburg came to be in the Justice System and on the Supreme Court. The story is inspiring and well executed. It’s the 25th Anniversary of Judge Ginsburg’s appointment to the Supreme Court, so the recount of her journey is very timely.

The movie recounts the trials and tribulations that then Attorney Ginsburg dealt with to bring a ground-breaking case before the US Supreme Court to overturn a century of gender discrimination. The story unfolds from there…What a compelling story!!

This is the second of 3 Political themed movies that opened during the 2018 Holiday Season. “On The Basis of Sex” is open in Limited-Release. This is a must see!! Try to catch it if you can.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Black Panther in 3D

THIS IS A REPUBLISH FROM FEB 17th 2018

“Black Panther” is a bold departure from the normal Marvel Universe movie. The movie is extremely colorful, has visual interest and has a detailed back-story. The detailed back-story is played out and sets the stage for the events that happen throughout the movie.

“Black Panther” tracks T’Challa who after the events of “Captain America:Civil War”, returns home to eventually become king, but there is someone who has other ideas. The story unfolds from there…

“Black Panther” is extremely entertaining. The visual effects are awesome. There is plenty of action and suspense. The costumes adorned are beautiful. The cinematography at times is breathtaking.

One aside is that the villains are a bit weak…but this is the first installment. This first installment is off to a great start.

If you are even mildly interested in the Marvel Universe, “Black Panther” is a “MUST SEE”.

This is a 5 Star Move!

Marshall

THIS IS A REPUBLISH FROM OCT 17th 2017

“Marshall” is based on one of the early trials that Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was involved in trying.
As a Young Civil Rights lawyer, Thurgood Marshall goes to Connecticut to defend a black chauffeur (Sterling K. Brown) who is charged with sexual assault and attempted murder of a white woman who is his employer (Kate Hudson).
In attempt to get a fair trial, Thurgood partners with a local Jewish lawyer, Sam Friedman (Josh Gad). This movie portrays the injustices that are often executed in a segregated court. The story unfolds from there…

“Marshall” is awesome! The movie is extremely well executed and will hold your attention. The movie gives you a glimpse at just how great Thurgood Marshall was even in his early days as a young lawyer with the NAACP.

This is a 4 ½ Star Movie!!

Get On Up

THIS IS A REPUBLISH FROM AUG 2, 2014

Do you know who the #1 Soul Legend was for many years…?

“Get On Up” is the sanitized Biopic of Soul Music Entertainer Mr. James Brown.

Don’t expect a story that is chronological. “Get on Up” jumps back and forth constantly. You must pay close attention. Director Tate Taylor does tie everything up in a neat package toward the end, but until that time it’s a confusing mess.

Actor Chadwick Boseman is electrifying. His portrayal of James Brown the entertainer was excellent. He has the dance moves, foot work and the splits down cold.

During this movie I was transformed back in time. I grew up with James Brown music. I still have all of the 45’s, LP’s and CD’s. The sound track on this movie is awesome. I was dancing in my seat the entire time…

It’s tough to do a Biopic of an entertainer. You have to piece the story together. I don’t believe that “Get On Up” gives us the complete story of James Brown, I believe it skims the surface.

If you are a fan of the #1 Soul Legend Mr. James Brown, then “Get On Up” should not be missed.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

The Way Back

FINALLY…A decent movie!! I haven’t written a post in three weeks!!

Ben Affleck is Jack Cunningham who back in high school was a basketball superstar who could have been the next big thing in the Pros, but he walked away from it all.
Years later Jack has a chance to come back to basketball when his old Alma Mater reaches out to him asking him to come coach the struggling team. Jack is very reluctant, but his old principal is very persistent. The story unfolds from there…

“The Way Back” is a great story about life and its struggles. There isn’t much of a plot, but you get the gist of what’s going on. The story is moving and some parts are relate-able. Ben Affleck gives an excellent performance. His seriousness and sincerity are on point.

“The Way Back” is definitely a surprise to me. I did not know what to expect going in. The movie is definitely worth a look.

This is a 4 ½ Star Movie!!

The Photograph

“The Photograph” is a story about a famed photographer Christina Eames who unexpectedly dies and leaves letters to her estranged daughter Mae Morton (Issa Rae) and the man she loved, but never married.

After retrieving the letters and instructions from a safe deposit box, Mae finds herself on a journey that leads her to delve into her Mother’s early life and it sets up an unexpected romance between Mae and a star journalist Michael Block (LaKeith Standfield). The story unfolds from there…

You know they say “Love is Complicated” that rings true in “The Photograph”. The story is a back and forth novel unraveling piece by piece. As the pieces come together the story becomes more intriguing and includes a few surprises along the way. The movie has a good cast and will keep you entertained. Opening on Valentine’s Day was a good move for the “The Photograph”.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!