Fruitvale Station: The Review

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz and Octavia Spencer
Written and Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Rating: 5/5 Unicorns

Fruitvale Station is the mesmerizing debut feature from Ryan Coogler about the last day of Oscar Grant's ( Michael B. Jordan) life. I have been dying to watch this film since I first heard it was being made. I was ecstatic as it got high praise at both Sundance and Cannes. When I put the DVD in, I was overwhelmed. This was a movie I had waited forever to see but I dreaded the emotions the viewing would have. I knew that there would be tears and that most likely I would be consumed by anger. In the end, I am happy that I got the privilege to watch this film.

Fruitvale Station was well written film with incredible performances. Octavia Spencer's portrayal as Oscar's mother Wanda was heartbreaking. Micheal B. Jordan not only gave an Oscar worthy performance but did the incredible task of breathing life into Oscar Grant. I have to give him and Ryan Coogler props for making Oscar Grant human. He was not portrayed as hero nor as a villain. He was a young man trying to turn his life around. He was your brother, your son, your father, your friend and your neighbor. He was someone you could relate to and root for. Unfortunately, these days there are not too many films that portray black males as human. They are just caricatures of what the media believes about blackness. Throughout the film we remain hopeful that things will work out for Oscar but in the back of our minds we know how his life will come to a tragic end.

The last twenty minutes of the film is heart stopping. You are watching the events unfold and you are disgusted with yourself that you allowed it to happen.I remember thinking to myself this is what film-making is all about. It is suppose to create a dialogue. You are suppose to react to what you are seeing. Ryan Coogler's first film is nothing short of spectacular. It is a shame that this fine film was overlooked by the Academy.I will go on the record and say Fruitvale Station was one of the best films of 2013. 

Just Let It Flow: Recap of the 71st Golden Globes

The Golden Globes are a time when the best in television and film mingle for three hours as they celebrate each other with a countless supply of booze. Some might argue that The Golden Globes are irrelevant and nothing more than the bastard stepchild of the Academy Awards. I believe that The Golden Globes set the tone for the rest of the award season. Some people are all up in arms over the winners last night but it is important to note that the Hollywood Foreign Press is not the Academy. Don't freak out just yet, wait until the Oscar nominations are announced than you can freak out.

Overall, I thought the 71st Annual Golden Globes was a success. There were things that irked me but I want to focus on what was great about the night. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey were sensational hosts. They had some of the best one-liners of the night. Their jokes about George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio had me laughing for hours.When it comes to hosting, Amy and Tina really are the golden pair. I was completely ecstatic about the wins for Andy Samberg, Amy Adams(finally), Amy Poehler(once again finally), Elizabeth Moss, Jared Leto(my favorite in his category), Leonardo DiCaprio( Tumblr rejoice) and Cate Blanchett( rooting for her to win the gold).

I know there is still a good chance that Lupita Nyong'o will win the Oscar but I was disappointed that The Hollywood Foreign Press did not recognize her as the best supporting actress. We all know my love for Jennifer Lawrence is strong but in no universe was her performance stronger than Lupita's. To tell you the truth, I was really pissed that out of the seven nominations 12 Years a Slave walked away with one. I am happy that it won Best Drama but come on it should be sweeping the awards. It's just The Golden Globes, there are several other awards for the taking. I was disappointed that Chiwetel Ejiofor did not win Best Actor in a Drama but if he was going to lose to anyone it would be to the lovely Matthew McConaughey. Isn't it amazing to see how Matthew has reshaped his career. I am so happy for his success.

The beginning of award season may have gotten to a bumpy start, but with the Oscar nominations being announced this week and both the Critic Choice Awards and SAG awards this week the season should be full of surprises. Tell me what was great about last night and what had you shaking your head. I want to know your thoughts. 

State of the Race 2013: Best Picture

Before I breakdown the Best Picture race I want to wish all y'all Happy New Year. We are only days away from the announcement of nominees for the 86th Academy Awards. This is the time in the year when my stomach goes into knots. Will my favorite films of the year get the recognition they deserve? Only time will tell.

The state of the Oscar race is forever changing. Earlier during the season, the buzz was all about Gravity. I watched Gravity but it did not really strike a chord with me. I believe it will be nominated for several awards next week. After the buzz for Gravity died down that is when 12 Years a Slave took over. I believe this film is the one to beat. I have not seen a better film this year, in fact ever. I will be more than pissed if this film does not go the distance. Right now American Hustle is the favorite to win. I have watched American Hustle and I found it to be hilarious. It was fantastic ensemble piece but it no way near the best film of the year. I believe the little gem Nebraska was a superior film. I really hope that it receives several nominations.

I am not too sure how many pictures will be nominated for Best Picture this year. I believe that there will be somewhere between 7-10 pictures fighting for Best Picture this year.
Front-runners

1. 12 Years a Slave
2. American Hustle
3. Gravity
4. Nebraska
5. Captain Phillips

Second Tier

1. Her 
2. Dallas Buyers Club
3. Inside Llewyn Davis
4. The Wolf of Wall Street
5.  Saving Mr. Banks

Possible Contenders

1. The Butler
2. Blue Jasmine
3. Fruitvale Station
4. August: Osage County
5. Rush

Holiday Movie Guide 2013

I have been meaning to post this guide for some time now. It may be a few days late  but here is your exclusive guide to all the films being released over the Holiday season.

Now Playing
Inside Llewyn Davis

Out of the Furnace

December 13
Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Saving Mr. Banks- Limited Release (Expands the following week)
American Hustle- Limited Release (Expands the following week)

December 18
Anchorman: The Legend Continues
Walking with Dinosaurs
Her- Limited Release

December 25
47 Ronin
Believe
Grudge Match
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Wolf of Wall Street
August: Osage County
Lone Survivor

Catching Fire

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Elizabeth Banks, Jena Malone, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Lynn Cohen and Donald Sutherland
Written by: Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Rating: 4.5/5 Unicorns

It is no secret that I am a huge Hunger Games fan. I still have not brought myself to read Mockingjay because I don't want this journey to be over. It is also no secret that I was not a huge fan of the popular movie adaption of my beloved Hunger Games. If I am being honest with you, I kind of hated it. I only gave it a passing grade because I felt it was well acted. I was a little nervous about Catching Fire because I loved the book and I did not want to be disappointed again. I am pleased to say this movie adaptation actually did the book justice. Thank the lord for Francis Lawrence.

Catching Fire picks up right where Hunger Games ended. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) have returned back to District 12 after being victorious in the 74th Annual Hunger Games. In order to protect their loved ones and themselves they must convince President Snow(Donald Sutherland) that their stunt at the games was out of love and not defiance. During their Victor's Tour they become aware of the increasing rebellion against The Capitol amongst the districts. Knowing the power that Katniss possess President Snow announces there will be a twist in the 3rd Quarter Quell (75th Annual Hunger Games), the tributes will be drawn from the winning districts. This act forces Katniss and Peeta to enter The Hunger Games for a second time.

The entire heartbeat of Catching Fire was absolutely spectacular. This film remained true to the book. For those complaining about the ending of the film, read the damn book. The film captured the ending of the film remarkably. I was beaming with joy because they brought that moment to life. If you want to know what happens next, read Mockingjay. Now that rant is out of the way, I must admit Sam Claflin was amazing as  Finnick. He was hot, sassy, strong and vulnerable all at once. One of my favorite elements about Finnick is his relationship with Mags (Lynn Cohen). Watching that relationship on the screen was truly bittersweet. Can we get an amen for Jena Malone's portrayal of  Johanna Mason. She was even more bad-ass than I had imagined.

In this film, we get to see more development in the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale (Liam Hemsworth). For someone who is a big fan of the pairing of Gale and Katniss, I was really thrilled to see all their scenes together. I admit that Peeta and Katniss relationship has really grown on me. I remember thinking about how sweet Peeta was. Damn you Josh for doing such a great job at playing Peeta. Even though shipping can be fun the love triangle really is not a huge factor in The Hunger Games series. These series are about what happens when you stand up for what you believe in. These books are about how one single person can inspire a revolution. It really is beautiful to see a strong and complex female character be a center of a groundbreaking franchise.

From the score to the costumes to the special effects Catching Fire was immaculate. Francis Lawrence has an eye for detail that I really appreciate. In the transition from book to the movie there were a few things that were changed for dramatic effect. I might not like it, but I understand they are catering to a movie audience. If you are the few people who have not seen Catching Fire, check it out. I promise you that you will be entertained. 

12 Years A Slave

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano and Brad Pitt
Written by: John Ridley
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Rating: 5/5 Unicorns

I can count the films that have left a lasting impression on me. Steve McQueens's 12 Years a Slave is the most powerful film I have ever experienced. I do not use those words lightly. You do not simply watch 12 Years a Slave, it is a film that you experience. It is brutal, intense, incredibly moving  and when it is all said and done an extraordinary achievement in film-making.

12 Years a Slave is the remarkable true story of Solomon Northup( Chiwetel Ejofor), a free man who is sold into slavery. You witness the monstrosities that occurred to men like Solomon. You see how slave owners made it their mission to break their slaves. How they had the audacity to justify their actions with the scripture. This film does not sugar- coat the horrors of slavery. It is not easy film to watch but it is essential for the human race to watch this film. You cannot watch 12 Years a Slave without leaving a changed man.

Besides the strong narrative the film is beautifully made. The cinematography is stunning and the score is haunting. Steve McQueen continues to prove himself as one of the strongest and unique voices in film-making. In terms of acting, there is no weak link in this film. All the actors give award winning performances. I will be shocked if Chiwetel Ejofor does not take home the golden statue after this career defining performance. I was incredibly impressed by Lupita Nyong'o performance of Patsey. Her story was one of the saddest tales ever told. There is one scene that involves her being whipped to the inch of death, I am not sure how I got through that scene. She is a talent that everyone will be talking about. I believe she will be nominated for Best Supporting Actress when the Award Season begins.

12 Years a Slave is not only the best film of the year but one of the best films ever made. You will be doing yourself a complete disservice by not watching this film.

Weekend

Starring: Chris New and Tom Cullen
Written and Directed by: Andrew Haigh
Rating: 5/5 Unicorns

What was suppose to be only a drunken one-night stand evolves into something more, something new and completely unexpected.  Weekend is the enchanting second feature by Andrew Haigh that follows two men fall slowly for one another over the course of a weekend.

When it comes to love stories, I am always a skeptic. The majority of love stories always follow the same formula. Boy- meets- girl, boy- loses- girl and then boy- gets- girl back. Boring!!! They are extremely predictable and the script is full of cheesy lines. I am always groaning and having a gag reflex. What I loved about Weekend was the authenticity of the film. It was extremely honest and intimate. Throughout the film I felt like I was a fly on the wall, a true intruder. I really loved the direction choices that Andrew Haigh made.There were several shots that are done through a mirror, as if you were watching the characters in the mirror. Those shots were my favorite because I felt like a nosy bystander. Then there were shots that followed the actors as if you were someone walking right behind them. It was just beautifully filmed. Weekend was also one of the best written films I have ever seen. I would give anything to read the actual script. There was a naturalness to the dialogue as if the film was completely improvised.

Another key to the magic of Weekend are the two leads, Tom Cullen and Chris New. Their chemistry was out of this world. You really believed that they were falling for each other. Their individual performances was nothing short of breathtaking. Tom Cullen was mesmerizing as Russell.You could not keep your eyes off him which is a true testament to Tom's talent. Russell is a bit of a wallflower who is little uncomfortable in his own skin. He is unassuming, bit removed from his surroundings but you have a sense that is looking for a place to call a home. When you learn about his back-story, you really appreciate the acting choices Tom makes. He was just brilliant as Russell, one of my favorite acting performances of all time. I loved Chris's portrayal of the confident and opinionated Glen. Underneath all of that assertiveness you have inkling that Glen desperately wants to be liked but has closed himself emotionally. It was comical watching Glen's walls breaking down because he was trying so hard to play it cool. I loved how both characters were complicated and flawed. What I loved most was how they each were the missing links of themselves. This movie was just flawless.

I wouldn't call Weekend a gay movie. Obviously, the two characters are gay men but just labeling Weekend as a gay movie it feels like you are writing it off. It is an incredibly acted film with an impeccable script. This movie restores my faith in the romantic film genre. It is possible for a film to be romantic, funny, heart-warming and refreshing. In little under two hours, Weekend entered my heart and became my favorite movie of all time. This is a remarkable feat considering I am a bit of a cynic.