“Black Panther”
A genre-changing super hero movie that’s funny, fun and woke- about as socially conscious as a superhero movie could get. What makes this movie so great is how well drawn each character is. And you relate to every one of them. Not easy in a super hero movie. The women are fierce and vital. The film is set in the African technological utopia Wakanda, though there are scenes in Cali and South Korea. The cast includes the new king- Chadwick Boseman (who played Jackie Robinson in “42” and a young Thurgood Marshall before he became the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice in ”Marshall”, Lupita Nyong’o (“12 years a Slave” Oscar winner) as the woman he’d LIKE to be his queen, Angela Bassett as his mom along with Forrest Whitaker, Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out”), Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”), Andy Serkis (ironically best known for his non-human roles as Caesar “Planet Of The Apes” & Gollum in “Lord Of The Rings”), Martin Freeman (best known for “The Hobbit” and, saving the best for last, Michael B. Jordan as the main villain. Jordan steals the movie from Boseman. I first saw him in “Fruitvale Station” (you gotta see it- feels like a true documentary – it’s that authentic) and then starred in “Creed”- both directed by the man who helmed THIS movie, 31 (!!!) year old Ryan Coogler. My only complaint with this film is the fight scenes and chases don’t feel as fresh as the rest of the movie. “Black Panther” is about as purr-fect as a superhero movie gets.
4 stars
Eddie The Produce Guy ran into director Ryan Coogler and sent me this photo:
“Early Man”
From the creators of Wallace & Gromit” and “Shaun The Sheep”, this animator centers on a caveman who, through soccer, unites his tribe against an enemy. Fun for parents and kids- even the youngest kids.
3 stars
“Loveless”
Up for best foreign film at the Oscars, set in Putin’s Russia. The title refers to the 12 year old son of a bitterly divorcing couple who have both moved on to new partners and new lives, without any thought for their unloved son. The kid is basically about to be discarded by his parents- and runs away when he hears them talking about putting him up for adoption. On the surface, it’s the story of a toxic marriage but at its heart, it’s the story of a spiraling society. While’s it’s set in Russia, it’s just as relatable to American audiences. It will haunt you.
4 stars