www.thecurvyfilmcritic.com
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.
Read MoreDescribed by his Mom as a "wild stallion", this overzealous Australian teen booked his first film "10 Things I Hate About You," shortly upon arrival in Tinseltown. However, it was his big break opposite Mel Gibson in The Patriot that put him on the map and Brokeback Mountain made him an A-list star.
Read MoreSnatched 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.
Read MorePicking up where “Guardians of the Galaxy”—2014’s highest grossing film of the summer—left off, Peter Quill aka Star-Lord and his gang of eccentric characters patrol and protect the universe, doing mercenary work in the wake of the popularity and fame garnered from saving Xandar. Set to the magnificent backdrop of Mixtape #2 (Parliament Funkadelic's "Flashlight" is one of my favs), doing a seat boogie while rooting for the Guardians to prevail over evil was definitely part of the experience. No one was happier to see a thief, a thug, an assassin and an angry little tree reunited!
Read MoreRemembering the L.A. Riots and the Rodney King beating vividly, I was surprised to become enlightened about all the elements and incidents that were popping off. I had no idea that a young LatashaHarlins was shot in the head over some orange juice by the shop owner. No idea that Karen Toshima, a budding artist, was gunned down in Westwood. No idea that James Mincey, Jr. was murdered based on the stereotype that he "looked" "big and threatening" or that innocent families had their homes ransacked for drugs leaving their abode inhabitable.
Read MoreIf Beyoncé' lit a match under millennial women with her concept album "Lemonade", Smurfette is the ringleader for the Female Smurf Nation. At least until she stumbles upon the "lost village", which is saturated with female Smurfs. These dolls have a strong sense of self, confidence and identity. For all these reasons and more, Smurfs: The Lost Village will really strike a chord with young girls.
Read MoreLove and stories about love never go out of style. These types of stories make us sentimental, long for a lost love or a love that was never to be realized. Disney's Beauty and Beast stays true to form with this latest incarnation of "a tale as old as time"!
Read MoreI'm getting real tired of history lessons from Hollywood feature films. All I ever heard growing up was about Harriett Tubman, Crispus Attucks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Nat Turner and Rosa Parks.
Read More
This much-anticipated installment takes us back to the humble beginnings of how Princess Leia ends up with the plans for the Death Star, setting up for the epic saga we now know as Star Wars. It is that moment when you realize, "Oh yeah...this is why I love tis franchise"!!!
Read MoreAs a kid, My brother and I would wait in anticipation of ANY Charlie Brown special to come on television. Nowadays, kids can watch them anytime they want on YouTube, DVD or any VOD that airs them. One of our favorites was "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,"which celebrates 50 years on the airs TONIGHT on ABC-TV.
Read MoreBased on a true story, on April 2010, the "blowout preventer" failed to engage, hydrocarbons shot up the well at an uncontrollable rate and causing a series of explosions on the Deepwater Horizon. The well was capped on 15 July and it was permanently sealed on September 19,2010 killing 11 people from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. This film couldn't be more timely. It's a perfect example of how corporate greed puts the almighty dollar ahead of preserving the sanctity of human life.
Read More
bi
The Birth of a Nation has been the center of controversy from the start. First there was the confusion with the title for a remake of D.W. Griffiths racist travesty - The Birth of a Nation. I was relieved to discover that absolutely was not the case.
Secondly, there was the historical acquisition from Fox Searchlight at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year for 17.5 million dollars. Oh yeah, and after 12 Years a Slave, a ROOTS reboot on the History channel and the John Legend produced series Underground numerous people from all walks of life and nationalities were feeling a little "slave fatigue". Last, but not least, were the released transcripts online from a rape trial involving Director/Producer/Screenwriter and Star of The Birth of a Nation - Nate Parker.
Let's be clear, Parker was tried and acquitted of all charges. Yet, despite all of the criticism, the studio supported Parker and moved forward with their October 2016 release date.
I'm not gonna lie. Being a rape survivor and reading the transcripts, I felt some kind of way about the whole situation. Having said that, I made a conscious decision to separate the art from the artist. By his own admission, Parker was "young and dumb" making a mistake that has infinitely colored the lanes of his life and career.
While there are many filmmakers who have been accused of such indiscretions, the most famous ones, Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Fatty Arbuckle, Charlie Chaplin been accused of everything ranging from underage sex to murder. What I won't do is focus on the artist and HIS indiscretions and focus on his art. Once again, let me be clear. I am not saying I am ok with Parker's past actions, but this column is about the film, my thoughts and whether or not I think you should check it out.
Based on a true story, The Birth of a Nation tells the story of the abolitionist slave Nat Turner. Raised like a slave, but treated nearly equal to the his plantation owners, Turner was taught how to read. The first book he learned to read was the Bible, which ultimately led to his traveling all over the state of Virginia preaching the gospel.
Like any human being whose patience has been tested and tried time and time again, Turner is fed up and planned a revolt against those who have treated slaves less than human, like property or worse than their most reviled farm animal.
I can tell you now, this film will be the talk of awards season for the reasons I mentioned above, but mostly because this film couldn't be more timely. During a time in which Americans are dealing with rampant racism, injustice and a clown show for a political race of President of the United States...The Birth of a Nation will make you angry, make you think and make you feel. It will also make you respect history and prove once again that the more things change the more they stay the same.
There is not one false note or performance and when they start handing out nominations Aja Naomi King should be at the top of the list. Her simple, heartfelt performance as Cherry will make you grin, cry and have empathy all at once. If you love her on ABC's How To Get Away With Murder, trust me you have no idea what this doll is capable of and you will very pleasantly surprised.
Armie Hammer is nearly unrecognizable as Sam Turner. He's definitely conquered much since his days in The Social Network and his performance here is quite a revelation.
Of course, I would be remiss in not mentioning the performance of my friend and former Hart of Dixie castmate Esther Scott as Nana. Nana is layered with lovely complexity thanks to Esther, who's been around the industry for a minute. Here's hoping that this film give her the shine she deserves.
The same can be said for my former Huntress castmate Jason Stuart is deliciously despicable as slave master Joseph Randall.
Penelope Ann Miller is absolutely brilliant...that is all!!! Aunjanue Ellis is an anomaly! That doll literally can inhabit ANY role and make it spectacular.
It was very interesting to me that a clip I saw of Gabrielle Union at the Los Angeles Film Festival was missing from the final cut. As matter of fact, her role is basically nonexistent. No doubt due to all the controversy regarding the rape issue, there were basically no sex scenes seen at all.
The Birth of a Nation is, however, extremely bloody and violent. After all, it is a slave revolt. It suffices to say that I spend a good portion of my time with those scenes...eyes closed.
Last, but certainly not least, let's address the filmmaker, director, actor and writer of The Birth of a Nation...Nate Parker.
As a first time director taking on all hats, he does an exceptional and admirable job. My favorite things were the composition choices used and the choice to execute the passage of time. Artistically, it was absolutely outstanding. Parker's acting chops were fantabulously displayed in a scene in which he verbally spars with a clergy member and when he watches a slave who refuses to eat have his teeth excavated with a hammer. The emotion without dialogue was really so incredible moving.
The Birth of a Nation will make you feel raw emotions and evoke compassion, empathy and sympathy for all of its characters. Most of all, it will make you want to do something. Anything, to ensure that this chapter of history is never, ever again to be repeated. Here's hoping the millennial 'birth of a nation' includes more love, understanding and communication amongst all individuals around the world.
Fox Searchlight will release The Birth of a Nation nationwide on October 7th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18z1EQCoyg
Sony Pictures Animation’s previous two SMURFS movies were live action films in which real humans interacted with more realistically designed and animated Smurfs, and the stories centered as much around the human characters’ issues. SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE has nothing to do with those other films.
Read MoreThis summer's box office seems to be relying heavily on a "Summer of Sequels" ranging from Finding Dory to Conjuring 2. Do some of these films require a second look or are studios just cashing in on the success of days gone by? I don't know about you, but I could care less what the reason is. I just want to grab my popcorn and snacks and get my movie groove on...lol. Take a look at the sequels taking over the screens for the summer of 2016.
Read More
