(film review) - Judas and the Black Messiah

This guy can do no wrong!  To whom do I speak of?  Ryan? Lakeith? Daniel? At this rate, it is a matter of rephrasing that sentence to, these guys can do no wrong!  Although Ryan Coogler was not the director and he has been the director of such great, great movies like, Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther and these are the ONLY 3 movies he has directed, Ryan was the producer of this movie so he helped to make it happen.  For only directing 3 short films then 3 major full-length films which have catapulted Ryan into the stratosphere to be approached and to sign a 5 year deal with Disney, speaks volumes even the deaf can hear.  3 for 3? Ryan is Talented!
Lakeith, such a talented actor! First noted to me by his role in the film 'Get Out' ALSO starring Daniel Kaluuya, such a well written movie, well acted movie and not only did it put Lakeith more on the map, but also gave him more opportunities to act in more roles as this guy IS simply great at his job.  Unfortunately where I hadn't seen Selma, Straight Outta Compton (although I heard 'the guy playing Snoop Doggy Dog is great'), his role in Purge: Anarchy didn't stick with me, but then again, nor did the film, but his role in Knives Out was great. Among an all-star cast, Lakeith held is own and well.
Daniel! Daniel stuck out to me from a TV series called Black Mirror.  His role in that show felt weird, but he was soo so good.  I recognised him as Black Death in Kick-Ass 2 but it was his work on 'Get Out' that people were asking who this guy was.  Daniel has been in great film after great film after great film.  Sicario, Black Panther, Widows (although not so great but he was great in it), Queen and Slim and now this, Daniel is becoming a household name securing his spot in Black Hollywood.  I'm guessing having said that, it goes without saying, this movie is a great watch...yes, of course it is!

Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) was a real life person who was the Chairman of the Chicago Black Panther Party.  In 1969, Fred Hampton was killed in his sleep in a secret Police raid in which a former head of security personnel for Fred, William O'Neal (Lakeith Stanfield), worked as an infiltrator and informant to FBI agent Roy Martin Mitchell.  This film is a biographical Drama of the last 3 years before Fred Hampton's Murder at the age of 21.
This movie explores the role of Fred Hampton in the Black Panther Party, his beliefs, his ideologies and what he wanted to do.  This film also explores the role of William O'Neal and his infiltration into the party, how he gained trust and ultimately had Fred Hampton killed.

As long as I have been alive, the Black Panther Party has ALWAYS been shown as a black militia.  My understanding has always been from what I had seen in pictures, videos and in film.  Black men and women standing in formation brandishing entirely black clothing with black berets and holding guns.  It was understood that the police did not like them and that they often caused trouble for the police.  I understood they were a type of group of people, a political party who were for black people fighting against the injustices of black people in those hard times, but I was never taught in school about what they did, how they did it or why.  Even if you wiki the Black Panther Party, it will tell you that they were Anti-fascism, Anti-imperialism, Anti-racism, Anti-capitalism and for African-American leftism, Black nationalism, Revolutionary socialism, Black pride & Gun rights (the last obviously for defence of self).

The acting is superb by both Lakeith and Daniel whilst Dominique Fishback supporting helped to ground the movie showing us the dynamics of life in that era, the politics and the love, passion and also the unselfish spirit of whom Fred was.  A scene seen in the trailer, Fred is giving a speech, and while he is giving this speech as powerful as it is, Dominique sheds a tear as you fully understand as to why she is caught up in her feelings.  Fred was a man for the people essentially by the people.  If you are able to read between the lines, Roy (Jesse Plemons), along with William were simply puppets to a bigger agenda.  Whilst one was simply doing his job, the other was doing for self.  The film also highlights the callous behaviours of J.Edgar Hoover and the FBI at this time.

This film is heavy emotionally, but manages to ease the weight of digestion with the narrative, dialogue and performances.  The performances were outstanding.  I found myself often saying over and over in my head and sometimes out aloud about Daniel's performance, 'He's soo good'.  They manage to get the point across without hitting you over the head with it, so well done Shaka King for the excellent Directing.  By the end of the movie, you will understand that not all members of the Black Panther Party were militant and there were other factions out there of whom were or seemed a lot worse.

Writing this review was difficult for me because, being black and having not lived in that era but understanding the ordeals black people had to go through at that time AND because black people are still suffering to this very day in 2021, it hurts my soul.  Granted, back then could be deemed more extreme, but I'm sure there is an argument to be made.  During a pandemic in 2020, Black and non-black people alike came together to support one another on Police Brutality, on George Floyd who was killed on camera in front of people in the street like a dog.  Breonna Taylor who was killed at her home in her sleep.  Soo much injustice and to think that Black people, even having endured all they have endured across generations, whilst nothing can be said about jews and anti-semitism, at least they can come together as a community for their people, Fred and countless others have tried and tried to band us together, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King just to name a few, but just like Fred, they are killed.  It's just upsetting.  The film doesn't weigh you down like I probably have, so go watch it, it's a great film!

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(trailer review) - Judas and the Black Messiah

I swear this has to be one of the most humble guys I've seen in acting who is just AMAZING at his craft.  Not to say that other actors are not amazing and/or humble, but I really do feel that Daniel brings a different kind of energy to his craftsmanship.
He was in Kick Ass 2, he was in a Black Mirror Episode, starred in Get Out WITH Lakeith Stanfield, in Black Panther DIRECTED by Ryan Coogler (who also produces this movie) and also in Queen and Slim, a film that made me cry and angry and his performance was also great in that.  he has been in other movies i haven't mentioned, but this trailer alone looks Award winning for this award nominated actor.

There's nothing much I can say in regards to this trailer as the trailer speaks volumes loud and clear, unless there will be some twists involved.  Fred Hampton is set up by close ally and/or friend due to his co-operation with the police who are trying to take Fred down.  I don't know the real life story along with countless others, so I'm totally unaware of how the story is meant to have gone but I'm sure it would be great to learn this story directed by Shaka King.  I've watched this trailer like 3-4 times now and it just get's more powerful with every watch.  I think, the movie being released now would be very poignant to what is happening in society right now and also brings me back to Umbrella Academy Season 2. 1963 and 1969 are only 6 years apart.

Directed by Shaka King and starring Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Martin Sheen, Algee Smith, Lil Rel Howery, Jermaine Fowler, Darrell Britt-Gibson,

(film review) - Queen & Slim

It is nice to learn of Black actors who are NOT your Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker or now, Idris Elba coming up.  We have a Michael B. Jordan, Chadwick Boseman and now, a Daniel Kaluuya.  Strangely enough, the last ones are British and are doing soo well in their field.  I learned of Daniel from the Movie 'Get Out' and I recognised him from an episode of 'Black Mirror', and although his character was weird and intense in that show, I've come to realise that Daniel and his efforts in acting, the way he has honed his craft is simply phenomenal.  He didn't do much in Kick-Ass 2, but in this movie, he showed a side of him we have never seen which also helped to elevate this movie to such new heights.  I'll explain.

Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) is about two people who meet each other, get into a altercation with the Police, end up shooting the Police and then going on the run, the end.

It is really that simple, but for obvious reasons, I cannot go into any more details due to spoilers.  The story has a background of complexity woven throughout it and the characters themselves have layers that slowly get peeled back during the course of the movie because they are both two completely different people who have lived different lives.  Whilst one is religious and would pray before eating food for example, the other was not religious at all and there were reasons behind their behaviour.  But this is a character driven film and not about a gun-ho couple driving through the US murdering people.  They are not trying to seek revenge for all the wrong-doing going on in this world committed by bad people or glory; they are just two people who are thrusted into a situation and only really have each other.

If I'm going to be brutally honest (in which I am in all my reviews), this movie was an oxymoron for me.  I absolutely hated it, but I loved it at the same time.  The content was dark, the film was intense and I was on the verge of tears the entire movie, but the film was also very colourful, vibrant, soothing, calm and at times I was happy and smiling.  The soundtrack alone is amazing.  There were funny elements in this movie yet, there were moments I was soo angry, by the end I couldn't hold back my tears any longer.  I could identify with these characters and their situation.  I could feel their struggles.  It is bad enough struggling as a black person, but to then commit a murder, and the murder being a Police Officer knowing it's a shoot first, ask questions later or death penalty and/or the eletric chair, brought a realism to the movie I could relate to and was extremely sadden by.  These things are happening in the US right now.  What is known as a routine traffic stop escalates into death more often than it actually should, especially when there are no weapons, drugs or bad behaviour behind it.  Some people are being choked out, tazered and/or shot because the Police Officer didn't like a legitimate question asked.  You just need to look in the papers or online and it wouldn't take long before you found an article about a Police Officer killing a person of colour and what makes it worse, getting away with it.  I was angry and I was scared for the two of them.  For the most part, it was knowing that, I was watching two dead people living out the rest of their lives because of the actions of one Police Officer who was doing way too much and being a nuisance.  But when the layers were being pulled back and the characters were embracing their life on the run (and I say that losely) they were getting to know each other and experiencing life a little more care-free and it was beautiful to see.  Take the moment you are in now because tomorrow is never promised.  By the end of the movie, my defensive walk crumbled and the tears came streaming and this very rarely happens.

Other than that, the movie was acted well, shot well, the dialogue was great.  I mean, for first time writer of a movie and first time director of a movie, this film is up there.  Jodie was also great.  This is the first I am seeing of her and I didn't even know she was a model, but you could tell because she moved with grace and she has a model look.  I could understand people might want a Thelma and Louise or Bonnie and Clyde, but this movie is way bigger than that.  It just isn't that kind of movie as it is something that has a message which isn't necessarily about race or cop killing, it is bigger than that.  The impact you have on others.  The need for Justice.  The need to be loved.  The need to just be you and free.  I definitely recommend this and it would be nice if an Oscar was won.

(film review) - Black Panther

Captain America: The Winter Soldier, was a great film.  Arguably for me, the best stand-alone movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Captain America: Civil War, was a great film.  My opinion on the Russo Brothers second movie with Captain America comes in as a tie for me with it's predecessor.  I just don't think it passes TWS, BUT it does do a great job in introducing the Black Panther character flawlessly to steamroll right through this movie.  You got to see this character, his values, how he presents himself, part of his story AND a glimpse of his country.  As soon as he arrives, it's absolutely no nonsense and you immediately loved the character and like me, wanted to know more.  Now having his own movie, it is a wonder how this movie will go.  Directed by the young Ryan Coogler, who also directed Fruitville Station & Creed, Ryan does the most masterful job on showing us who Black Panther is and where he comes from, Wakanda.

Picking up shortly after the events of Civil War, The Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to be greeted by his mother, Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and his Royal Guard the Dora Milaje.  Now that his father, T'Chaka (John Kani) is dead, T'Challa must now take up his Kingship and rule his nation of Wakanda as their new King.  With the emergence of a long time enemy of Wakanda Ulyesses Klaue (Andy Serkis), T'Challa must go on a mission to take down this enemy, but when the mission goes wrong on 'Day-One', this sets some uneasiness with some of the locals and also coincidentally brings forth a new foe Erik 'Killmonger' Setvens (Michael B. Jordan), who is a direct threat to T'Challa and the Throne.  T'Challa must overcome these challenges and threats to himself, his people and the throne.

This is a great and very layered film.  From the beginning of the movie until the very end after the Credits.  The Social commentary and political standpoints in this movie are very apparent, but do not beat you over the head with it.  They address current issues in real life flawlessly as well as negating stereotypes and turning them on it's head.  Very culturally aware and without coming across preachy, is able to drip feed a tiny bit of history of the real world, what has been done, what we do as people and what is likely to happen.  Baring in mind that the MCU is set in the "real world", this movie does a lot to change the narrative a little and opens you up to ideas of what could have been, could be and how things should be.

At first, when I heard and read reviews of this film, I was slightly disappointed once I had finished watching it, but then I asked myself, "what could have been done better?" I thought about this long and hard until I decided that although the film isn't perfect and should have been a little longer, ultimately I needed more from the villain.  This made me realise that, not only was the villain great, his story was also great.

The visuals are amazing.  The colours usedThe acting in this movie from everyone was excellent.  Sure some accents were not THAT great, but you understood where they were going with it and what was being said.  The costumes and outfits were amazing and very well realised and detailed.  Pulling a lot of real life culture into this movies and you could see it.  I've not read a Black Panther comic book, BUT the imagery looked as though it was taken directly from the comics.  The fights scenes although, not a lot, were all pretty good.  The mission fight was just excellent in every way and the use of the camera and the angles were great.  The last fight scene was not THAT great, a little CGI heavy, but they were awful and did not take away from the story.  I do believe that Marvel did a better job in giving us what they have done for a few films now, with their bad guy.  Mentioning the bad guy; excellent.  You understood his motives and although sometimes you just want to hate the bad guy and he must be defeated, he makes you feel sympathetic to his cause.  The film is VERY funny in places, may actually make you cry and I walked away from the film ranting and raving about the character M'Baku (Winston Duke).  People will have their favourites but he was mine.

A lot of people may want different things from this movie due to it being a comic book/superhero movie, but this movie is much bigger than that.  The fact that it didn't really feel like a superhero and it feeling different, but still feeling the same was an achievement which walks the same line as The Winter Soldier for me.  A stand-alone movie that raises the bar and connects to the larger MCU story-arc and will definitely get you excited for Infinity War.  Go watch it...you may even watch it more than once because it is THAT entertaining.