Why Black Panther is the Crown Jewel of the Marvel Franchise

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Why Black Panther is the Crown Jewel of the Marvel Franchise

Black Panther is hands down the best film in the Marvel Franchise!!!  Why?  Black Panther is on the road to do for Marvel what The Lion King did for Disney.  The Lion King had Mufasa, Simba and The Pridelands...Black Panther has Wakanda, King T'Challa, Nakia and Killmonger.  Black Panther also manages to show tender young love between a man and a woman, a man and his parents and unflinching love for one's country no matter what the sacrifice.

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AMERICAN ASSASSIN→

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AMERICAN ASSASSIN

Based on the mega-bestselling book series by the late Vince Flynn, American Assassin introduces film audiences to one of contemporary fiction's most popular hero working in the shadows:  CIA super-agent Mitch Rapp.  Dylan O'Brien, who portrays Rapp is putting the Bourne franchise and Matt Damon to shame as he ascends into an action star for this millennia.

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DETROIT

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DETROIT

The old adage  - "the more things change...the more they stay the same" have never been more true than during the 21st century.  Living in a time when people of color are being knocked off like a mob hit has sadly become a reality.  A reality that beyond the onset of the Civil Rights movement, we thought our quality of life had improved and a sector of society was well on their way to becoming equals in America. We indeed believed that a change had come.

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GIRLS TRIP→

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GIRLS TRIP

Girls Trip had me laughing so hard that I could hardly catch my breath.  The last time I laughed like that in a movie theatre was when I watched Bridesmaids.  This movie works for one reason and one reason only...Tiffany Haddish.  If the character of Dina doesn't work, the energy of the entire film would be off and you could create less about the characters..  Thankfully, Haddish's take on Dina is right on time.

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OKJA

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OKJA

Okja is a super pig.  Not just any super pig, but one that has been genetically mutated and cloned for the pure purpose of turning into jerky for profit.  Sounds disgusting, right?! The way science has advanced, the possibility of this on the horizon is greater than not.  But, Okja isn't just about a super pig or a contest or even the greed of humanity to make a buck at any cost. It's about bringing attention to the cruelty of animals in slaughter houses and in this case, that bond is unbreakable for Okja and her loyal, beloved caretaker Mija (An Seo Hyun).

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HIRED GUN: OUT OF THE SHADOWS - INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

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HIRED GUN: OUT OF THE SHADOWS - INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

What is a hired gun?  It's a musician that has the ability to read charts fast, fit in like a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle and be ready to tour at a moment's notice.  Sounds like a great way to earn a living right?  Not all of the musicians  interviewed would agree with you.  As a matter of fact, several members of Billy Joe's band referred to him as 'heartless'.  Most attribute this attitude as an aftermath of his former manager stealing 90 million dollars and vanishing into thin air.  That kind of betrayal would leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth.

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SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING

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SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING

Spidey is back and with a new best friend...Tony Stark!  That's right Robert Downey, Jr. aka Ironman is a mentor for the young Peter Parker, who is trying to figure out how to make good use of his special gifts.  The last time we saw theses two in the Avengers flick, there were rumblings that this relationship would be on the horizon.  Not to mention that we had a teaser of our current Wonder Woman - Gal Godot as well.

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BABY DRIVER

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BABY DRIVER

When I tell you that this is the best action movie I've seen in awhile...I do not exaggerate! The car stunts in this flick make the Fast and Furious franchise look like a movie about bumper cars.

From the first frame to the last, I was riveted by the acting, stunts and overall story line.  It sort of has a little Godfather quality in the respect of "...every time I try to get out...they pull me back in."

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LA FILM FESTIVAL 2017: SHOT CALLER→

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LA FILM FESTIVAL 2017: SHOT CALLER

It's bad enough to be incarcerated, but it's even worse when you realize your life ceases you know it.  The humiliation, the fights, the struggle just to start alive or not be physically violated is a reality many inmates across the country deal with as routinely as brushing one may brush their teeth.  But, here in California gangs in prison make up 1% of the population and are responsible for 30% of the murders.  It's a culture where most of these men (part of a sector called Aryan Brotherhood ) are serving life without parole so they have NOTHING to lose.

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CARS 3→

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CARS 3

I think if I had known about a female race car driver, I could've probably been the 1st African-American chick to blaze NASCAR!!! Naw, not really, but in Disney/Pixar's latest in the Car franchise - Cars 3, there is some serious female empowerment going on!

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THE FREEDOM TO MARRY→

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THE FREEDOM TO MARRY

The Freedom to Marry chronicles Wolfson, Bonauto and a few couples along the way who they fought the good fight with.  This documentary, at times, was just as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, but inspiring all at once.

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Wonder Woman→

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Wonder Woman

This prequel, which delves into the origins of this strong-willed amazon,  is a rollercoaster ride from first frame to the last.  Taking place roughly a century earlier, Wonder Woman comes to "Man's World" for the first time during World War I.  It was not lost on me that this is literally the third film I have seen this year directed, written and produced by a woman  (Patty Jenkins)and starring a woman!  Who says women don't rule the world!!!

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Sophia Coppola Makes History at 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival

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Sophia Coppola Makes History at 70th Annual Cannes Film Festival

Oscar-winner Sofia Coppola made Cannes Film Festival history  becoming the second woman in the event’s 70-year history to win best director for her Focus Features release The Beguiled. Previously, Soviet director Yuliva Solntseva won for her 1961 war drama Chronicle of Flaming Years about the Russian’s resistance to the 1941 Nazi occupation.

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BEATRIZ AT DINNER

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BEATRIZ AT DINNER

Beatriz, an intuitive healer and massage therapist, drives to Newport Beach for a session  with one of her most  loyal clients, Cathy (Connie Britton).  When her car breaks down and am unable to get it fixed until the following morning, Cathy invites Beatriz to stay for dinner and that's when the fireworks begin.

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ILLICIT

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ILLICIT

Sasha and Guy Curtis appear to be a beautifully educated couple who are both successful in their own right..  Sasha, a former model, is now mostly a housewife and Guy is a supervisor for former felons trying to get on the right track.  When one of those felons takes advantage s when things go terribly awry for the Curtis family.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Its' been a minutes since we have seen Captain Jack Sparrow or the film franchise that was spawn from a Disneyland ride in 2003.  Now, 14 years later, if you love the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, you won't be disappointed with "Pirates of the Caribbean:  Dead Men Tell No Tales".  Back in his Oscar nominated, unforgettable role of Captain Jack Sparrow, actor Johnny Depp performs this character as though he were a second skin.  It's so organically natural for him and the jokes never cease to amuse.

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SNATCHED→

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SNATCHED

Snatched sheds the light on this unconditional love under the most trying of circumstances.  Starring Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer, this mother/daughter buddy comedy takes a dark twist that you never see coming.  Nevertheless, you still howl at these two golden-haired beauties as they embark upon an unexpected vacation adventure that brings them closer than even they would've never anticipated.

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Born In China

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Born In China

In celebration of Earth Day,  DisneyNature  releases  "Born In China."  This remarkable documentary is narrated by John Krasinski and takes audiences on a breathtaking journey into the wilds of China.

Directed by Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan, produced by Disney’s Roy Conli and renowned nature filmmakers Brian Leith and Phil Chapman, "Born In China" shows an authentic side of nature in China that global audiences have never seen before,” says director Lu Chuan.   “These animals are metaphors.  They give birth, like we do and do their best to raise their cubs, like we do.  They succeed and they fail. Their drive to do what is best for their families resonates with all of us.”

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MISS SHARON JONES→

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MISS SHARON JONES

Too short.  Too Black. Too Fat.  This is what record execs told Sharon Jones while she pursued a record deal.  Man, did she prove everyone wrong...including herself!

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