Writer/director Dee Rees’ 2011 feature film debut Pariah was a depressing but touching look at black lesbian life. This follow-up film is no less weighty. The key difference is the budget ($10M) for this film is bigger and it is used wisely on a top-notch tech crew and fine actors that elevate this southern WWII-era […]
It’s a good time to take a break from the parade of bleak dramas, testosterone-laden superhero epics and bad moms comedies and watch a good old-fashioned mystery thriller. It’s how Agatha Christie, the world’s best-selling author, would have wanted it. She built her reputation on detective novels that endeared her to readers and firmly placed […]
Denzel Washington may be the most accomplished actor of our generation. Like a chameleon, he’s morphed from the stern father in Fences to a dorky, introverted attorney in this meandering crime/drama/thriller. His talent is more than enough reason to sit through the two hours and nine minutes of misguided, anticlimactic storytelling. Writer/director Dan Gilroy’s […]
Considering all his major accomplishments, why didn’t someone make a film about Thurgood Marshall’s life that was comprehensive? He was the lawyer who won Brown v. Board of Education, and was the founder of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, United States Solicitor General and the first African American Supreme Court Justice. But […]
Last Flag Flying (***) There is a deep sense of camaraderie in this year’s NYFF opening night film. It’s a drama centered on war veterans that is filled with personal history, inner demons, discord and hope. The stirring script, by Darryl Ponicsan (author of the book the film is based on) and director/writer Richard Linklater […]
If My Big Fat Greek Wedding had a bi-cultural Australian child, it would be Alex & Eve. Think back to 2002 and the surprise success of that romantic comedy that starred and was written by Nia Vardalos. Was it the greatest rom/com of all time? No. But there was something infectious, loving and humorous […]
For the 42nd year, the Toronto International Film Festival gathered the highest quality films from around the world and screened them for nearly 500,000 filmgoers. The streets of downtown Toronto were abuzz with movie lovers and celebrities who were enthralled by the 255 films that graced TIFF. Watching world premieres was an exciting experience. Equally […]
The 2017 the Toronto International Film was a big hit this year, attracting nearly 500,000 film lovers who viewed over 255 films. Black films, movies with black artists and other productions from around the world were a key part of the festivities that were enjoyed by all. Check out the best of the best […]
Among the worst tragedies there is often a ray of light because undeterred people are not afraid to fight. These everyday saints are on view in this simple yet heroic story about two friends whose bond is stronger than a crooked Brooklyn District Attorney. In the wake of misguided and somewhat exploitative films like […]
On August 9, 2014 in Ferguson Missouri, Michael Brown, who was unarmed, was shot dead by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. His body lay on the ground for four hours, cordoned off by cops. This incident sparked a cycle of unrest in this northern suburb of St. Louis that evolved into demonstrations and a […]