iloveblackmovies
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The Wackness
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - R
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
VALERIE FREEMAN SAYS:
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - R
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
VALERIE FREEMAN SAYS:
Clifford "Method Man" Smith in "The Wackness".
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MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
Rated - PG 13
4 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
KAM WILLIAMS SAYS:
Very loosely based on the classic tale of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of
Benjamin Button is a melancholy meditation on love, mortality and loneliness revolving around a baby
(Brad Pitt) born old who grows younger over the course of his life. This melancholy parable was story
into a meandering, 167-minute parable of Biblical proportions.
Directed by David Fincher, the film opens in New Orleans at the end of the First World War where we
find Benjamin’s mother (Joeanna Sayler) dying during childbirth being followed by his father’s (Jason
Flemyng) wrapping the inexplicably-aged infant in swaddling clothes and secretly depositing him on
the back steps of the local old folks’ home. Fortunately, he is soon discovered and adopted by the
place’s nurse, Miss Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), a selfless, mammy-like figure who altruistically
decides to care for him the best she can.
Although her odd-looking, little octogenarian is initially beset by an assortment of infirmities, Queenie
can’t help but notice that there is something which sets Benjamin apart from the rest of the residents of
her assisted living facility. For, while they continue to deteriorate and die, he miraculously has his vitality
restored, and gradually gets back his hearing, eyesight, hair, and so forth.
Eventually, Benjamin not only feels fairly spry, but independent enough to bid Queenie and company
adieu and sets out to explore the world on his own. And with an uncanny sense of timing rather
reminiscent of a Forrest Gump, he proceeds to embark on an epic journey which lands him in the
middle of a number of events of historical import over the ensuing decades, such as a World War II
naval battle and a NASA rocket launch.
And whereas Forrest was fond of repeating the refrain “My momma always said, ‘Life is like a box of
chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get,’” Benjamin relies on Queenie’s equally-maternal
words of wisdom, a sage warning that “You never know what’s coming for you.” The parallels between
the pictures don’t end there, either. Like Forrest, Benjamin has an endearing naivete about him, and he
also yearns for an elusive love interest (Cate Blanchett).
All these similarities can easily be explained by the fact that Eric Roth wrote the script for both movies,
and he’s undoubtedly attempting to regenerate some of that magic by resurrecting some of the same
gimmicks that won him an Oscar for Gump. At least Button’s reverse aging theme is unique, allowing
for a sufficiently novel and compelling plotline. Furthermore, Fincher’s painstaking attention to detail
during each era is nothing short of spectacular.
A relatively-morose morality play likely to land its share of accolades during award season provided
everyone stops comparing it to Gump.
Benjamin Button is a melancholy meditation on love, mortality and loneliness revolving around a baby
(Brad Pitt) born old who grows younger over the course of his life. This melancholy parable was story
into a meandering, 167-minute parable of Biblical proportions.
Directed by David Fincher, the film opens in New Orleans at the end of the First World War where we
find Benjamin’s mother (Joeanna Sayler) dying during childbirth being followed by his father’s (Jason
Flemyng) wrapping the inexplicably-aged infant in swaddling clothes and secretly depositing him on
the back steps of the local old folks’ home. Fortunately, he is soon discovered and adopted by the
place’s nurse, Miss Queenie (Taraji P. Henson), a selfless, mammy-like figure who altruistically
decides to care for him the best she can.
Although her odd-looking, little octogenarian is initially beset by an assortment of infirmities, Queenie
can’t help but notice that there is something which sets Benjamin apart from the rest of the residents of
her assisted living facility. For, while they continue to deteriorate and die, he miraculously has his vitality
restored, and gradually gets back his hearing, eyesight, hair, and so forth.
Eventually, Benjamin not only feels fairly spry, but independent enough to bid Queenie and company
adieu and sets out to explore the world on his own. And with an uncanny sense of timing rather
reminiscent of a Forrest Gump, he proceeds to embark on an epic journey which lands him in the
middle of a number of events of historical import over the ensuing decades, such as a World War II
naval battle and a NASA rocket launch.
And whereas Forrest was fond of repeating the refrain “My momma always said, ‘Life is like a box of
chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get,’” Benjamin relies on Queenie’s equally-maternal
words of wisdom, a sage warning that “You never know what’s coming for you.” The parallels between
the pictures don’t end there, either. Like Forrest, Benjamin has an endearing naivete about him, and he
also yearns for an elusive love interest (Cate Blanchett).
All these similarities can easily be explained by the fact that Eric Roth wrote the script for both movies,
and he’s undoubtedly attempting to regenerate some of that magic by resurrecting some of the same
gimmicks that won him an Oscar for Gump. At least Button’s reverse aging theme is unique, allowing
for a sufficiently novel and compelling plotline. Furthermore, Fincher’s painstaking attention to detail
during each era is nothing short of spectacular.
A relatively-morose morality play likely to land its share of accolades during award season provided
everyone stops comparing it to Gump.
Taraji P. Henson and Brad Pitt.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Hancock
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize
Theron star in "Hancock."
Theron star in "Hancock."
The Dark Knight
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
MOVIE REVIEW
Rated - PG 13
2 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
LAUREN FRANCIS-SHARMA SAYS:
Will Smith, Jason Bateman, and Charlize
Theron star in "Hancock."
Theron star in "Hancock."
Movie Review
Rated - R
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
Rated - R
3 OUT 5 POPCORN BAGS
SHAWN EDWARDS SAYS:
the trailer and TV commercials. But trust me, "Cadillac Records" is not a Beyonce movie. Mama
Fierce does deliver a fantastic performance as the heavenly voiced but hellishly tortured soul Etta
James. Beyonce actually delivers the best performance of her career with this gutsy, raw and got
nominated for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues" and she didn't look or sound
like the legendary jazz singer. But as good as Mrs. Carter is in this movie, it still ain't her movie.
"Cadillac Records" is actually a Cliff's Notes version of the history of Chess Records the infamous
Chicago-based music label known more for ripping off its artist's royalties than being the mother of
Rock and Roll. "Cadillac Records" is so loose with the facts at times it's almost pure fiction. A few
important truths are explained like how the label featured a bevy of blues gods including Muddy
Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf and Little Walter. The movie also explains that the Rolling Stones
got their name from a Muddy waters tune and that Chuck Berry successfully sued the Beach Boys for
stealing one of their songs.
It's the performances that make "Cadillac Records" watchable. Jeffrey Wright, who has never had a
bad performance in his life, is amazing as Muddy Waters. His charisma is electrifying even if his
signing couldn't power a flashlight. Mos Def as Chuck Berry is entertaining if not almost a complete
caricature. Academy Award winner Adrien Brody is solid as label owner Leonard Chess and the
before mentioned Beyonce Knowles shines but still isn't forgiven for 'The "Fighting Temptations" and
that dreadful Austin Powers movie.
The historical importance of Chess Records alone warrants a feature film. Just wish "Cadillac
Records" were in the hands of a better director. The TV like look, bad transitions and over-all corny
tone are distracting and amateurish. Nonetheless, if you liked "Ray" or "Dreamgirls" you will love this
flawed but soulful ode to a lost chapter of black history.
Fierce does deliver a fantastic performance as the heavenly voiced but hellishly tortured soul Etta
James. Beyonce actually delivers the best performance of her career with this gutsy, raw and got
nominated for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in "Lady Sings the Blues" and she didn't look or sound
like the legendary jazz singer. But as good as Mrs. Carter is in this movie, it still ain't her movie.
"Cadillac Records" is actually a Cliff's Notes version of the history of Chess Records the infamous
Chicago-based music label known more for ripping off its artist's royalties than being the mother of
Rock and Roll. "Cadillac Records" is so loose with the facts at times it's almost pure fiction. A few
important truths are explained like how the label featured a bevy of blues gods including Muddy
Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf and Little Walter. The movie also explains that the Rolling Stones
got their name from a Muddy waters tune and that Chuck Berry successfully sued the Beach Boys for
stealing one of their songs.
It's the performances that make "Cadillac Records" watchable. Jeffrey Wright, who has never had a
bad performance in his life, is amazing as Muddy Waters. His charisma is electrifying even if his
signing couldn't power a flashlight. Mos Def as Chuck Berry is entertaining if not almost a complete
caricature. Academy Award winner Adrien Brody is solid as label owner Leonard Chess and the
before mentioned Beyonce Knowles shines but still isn't forgiven for 'The "Fighting Temptations" and
that dreadful Austin Powers movie.
The historical importance of Chess Records alone warrants a feature film. Just wish "Cadillac
Records" were in the hands of a better director. The TV like look, bad transitions and over-all corny
tone are distracting and amateurish. Nonetheless, if you liked "Ray" or "Dreamgirls" you will love this
flawed but soulful ode to a lost chapter of black history.
Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters.
Cadillac Records
