Birth of a Nation: The Review

Birth of a Nation is about the remarkable true story of Nate Turner. Nate Turner was a slave who was also a preacher. He would later lead a slave rebellion that was responsible for the deaths of several slave masters. He was later executed for his actions.

Over the past two months Birth of a Nation has been making headlines, but not for the reasons that Fox Searchlight would have liked. When the film debut at the Sundance Film Festival back in January it was met with wide praise and anticipation. Fox Searchlight purchased the rights to the film for a record $17.5 million.  I was shaking in my boots with excitement thinking about seeing this film. I knew it would be a film that would shake me to my emotional core.

 Two months ago,  it was revealed that the director Nate Parker was accused of raping a fellow college student in the late 90's. He was later acquitted for those charges. It became difficult for the film to shake off that revelation. I admit that my excitement  for the film became clouded. There was such much noise on social media, it was hard to figure out if it was worth seeing the film. I decided to watch the film and judge the film for the work that it was. I left behind any preconceived notions that I might have had.

 What I found out was this film was a masterpiece. Not only was it one of the best films that came out this year, it was probably one of the most powerful films that I have ever watched. The film was visually remarkable. Blood spatter on a cloth  of dying man was almost foreshadowing the rebellion. Corn being filled with blood to portray Nate's grief. The transition of the crying boy to the soldier he would become fighting for the Union. Parker did a marvelous job directing this film.

It is not an easy film to watch. It will sit with you long after the film credits roll. It is a movie that deals with a slave rebellion. There are scenes that show the brutality of slavery. There was one scene in particular that I had to turn my head away. I won't spoil it, but I will say it had to deal with a force feeding.

Aja Naomi King's portrayal of Cherry Turner was simply breathtaking. I hope she gets some award recognition, but it is looking very doubtful right now.

It is your choice to watch this film. I completely understand if that is something you cannot do. For me, this film was worth seeing. 

The Jungle Book: The Review

Starring: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o and Christopher Waken
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Written by: Justin Marks
Based on the novel by: Rudyard Kipling
Rating: 5/5 Unicorns

The Jungle Book was one of the most anticipated movies of the year and after watching it, I can say it did not disappoint. Jon Favreau's  adaptation of the beloved tale is a masterpiece and it is sure to become a Disney classic. Watching it come to life on the screen was exhilarating. The last film I saw that was this visually stunning was Avatar. I was completely engrossed into the story I was witnessing.

It was funny, heartwarming and scary at times. What can I say? Snakes terrify me. The voiceover work was exceptional. Idris Elba delivers an iconic villainous turn as Shere Khan. Bill Murray was sheer perfection as Baloo.

Neel Sethi was delightful. He has a bright future ahead of him after this career making performance.

If you have to see one film this month, make sure you check out The Jungle Book. It was spectacular.

2016 Must See list

Here are eight movies I can't wait to see. 

1. The BFG

 

 I will not cry.. I will not cry. Okay I'm crying.

2. The Birth of a Nation

This film was making waves at the Sundance Film Festival. The rights were acquired by Fox Searchlight( my favorite distributer). I can't wait to see it. 

3. X-Men: Apocalypse

I'm such a X geek it's not even funny.

4. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

So ready to go back to the wizardry world.

5. The Jungle Book

Don't let me down Disney.

6. Deadpool

This movie is going to be amazing. I can feel it in my bones.

7. Finding Dory

8. Star Trek Beyond

Knee Jerk Reactions: 88th Academy Awards

I got locked out of my house just moments ago, so I was not able to watch the Academy Awards nominations live. After checking updates on Twitter, I am completely pissed. I did not win $200 gift card to Amazon because my predictions were so off. They were a couple of sneak attack in there.

Too Much Mayo:  Last year no actors of color were nominated in the acting categories. This year was no different. It is not like people of color are not giving standout performances, they are. Which makes the nominations extremely frustrating for me but I am not surprised. A lot of actors I adore got nominated but I was still disgusted by the nominations. I knew that no woman of color were going to get nominated for the acting categories.I was sure Idris Elba would get nominated for Beasts of No Nation but nothing. I knew Will Smith was not going to get nominated and Michael B. Jordan was unlikely but still a possibility. I wish my darling Jason Mitchell picked a nomination for his riveting performance of Eazy E. It would be been an Adrien Brody winning Best Actor surprise. Throughout the award season, Shameik Moore and the fantastic film Dope have been shut out. The Academy had a chance to make history with the nomination of Mya Taylor for Best Supporting Actress, but they did not happen. The whole acting category is a mess to me.
Best Actress:  Jennifer Lawrence is unstoppable. She just bagged her fourth Academy Award nomination in six years.That is insane especially considering she is getting the Anne Hathaway treatment of 2013. Brie Larson and Saoirse Ronan picked up nominations for Room and Brooklyn. They are the frontrunners for this category and I do not care which one of them wins. They are both amazing and deserve all the success in the world. If Charlotte Rampling wins I would be happy too. She is amazing and this is her first nomination. What needs to said about Cate? She is acting royalty. 

Best Supporting Actor: Tom Hardy and Mark Ruffalo  were pleasant surprises in the Best Supporting Actor category. They are two of my favorite actors in the game right now and I am always elated when they get recognition. Idris was snubbed and I was hoping Michael Shannon would pick up a nomination. I would have jumped over the moon if Oscar Isaac snuck in there for Ex Machina. I feel that Sylvester Stallone has this one in the bag for Creed.

Best Actor: The only category I got completely right. A lot of acting perfection in this category. I think this is Leo's year. What else does this man need to do to win? What else?  If he does not win I hope Bryan Cranston brings it home. If Bryan does win,  he will be only one award short of the EGOT. Oh no, I think I'm rooting for Bryan now. I am officially a bad 90's kid.

Best Supporting Actress: I am pissed that Kristen Stewart did not get nominated for Clouds of Sils Maria. I knew that with a lack of Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA nomination she was a long shot, but I thought there was a chance. I was hoping my girl Alicia Vikander was going to get a double nomination for her roles in both Ex Machina and The Danish Girl. I am happy that she got nominated for The Danish Girl but I wish it was for Ex Machina instead. I think Jennifer Jason leigh is going to win for The Hateful Eight.

Best Picture: I was campaigning for Straight Outta Compton and Mad Max: Fury Road to get nominated for Best Picture. Unfortunately, I was not successful. Yes, Mad Max got nominated but it was not a victory for me. The Best Picture race is not too much Weisswurst festival. There are few films produced by women that are nominated. A few films about women were also nominated. The Revenant  is a victory for Latino filmmakers. I think it is a race between Spotlight and The Revenant for Best Picture. I would be doing cartwheels if Mad Max wins but I don't think it is going to happen. 

Achievement in Directing: The nominations of George Miller and Alejandro G. Inarritu make me happier than a clam. I am shocked that Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg got snubbed. This makes their Best Picture nominations bittersweet. 

Best Original/ Adapted Screenplay: There is a lot of female screenwriters recognized this year. I have no idea who is going to take the prize in either category. I am happy that Straight Outta Compton, Ex Machina and Inside Out picked up nominations. I have not watched any of the films nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay but I am thrilled at Nick Hornby's nomination for Brooklyn. 

Best Original Song: I am saddened that "See You Again" did not pick up a nomination for Best Original Song. It would have been such a great tribute to Paul. I always get emotional when I hear it.  It definitely should be there instead of the disaster that is "Writings on the Wall". That  song was atrocious and that is the nicest thing I can say about it. I am happy that The Weeknd snuck up in there, I was not expecting that. It not a song the Academy would usually go for it. I feel that this award is going to go to Lady Gaga and she deserves it.

Best Original Score: Ennio Morricone has this in the bag. 

Best Documentary Feature: Yes to Amy and What Happened, Miss Simone? 

Best Animated Feature Film: Inside Out has this category but Anomalisa is a strong contender. Shocked that The Peanuts Movie and The Good Dinosaur did not get nominated. I am happy that Shaun the Sheep Movie got nominated. 

Best Animated Short: Why is "Lava" not nominated? That gem made me cry like a 2 year old.  Rooting for "Sanjay's Super Team". 

Achievement in Production Design/ Costume Design: I am rooting for Mad Max for Production Design and Cinderella for Costume Design. Here are two categories that are flooded by female talents. I just wish more females were recognized in the bigger categories. 

Star Wars: It seems that Star Wars: The Force Awakens was not treated with much respect by the academy. It did pick up a lot of nominations but not in the major categories. 

Consensus: I am still going to watch because Chris Rock is going to kill it. He has so much material just based on the nominations alone. The Oscars are becoming my problematic fave.