I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love a bad arse chick in a movie. I love a girl who isn't dependent upon a man to get the job done, to rescue her, or to protect her from the villain. It's not necessary. We're not all damsels in distress. Erin, played by Sharni Vinson a small time Australian actress, is the kick arse type of female in the movie You're Next, and proves she can handle things herself.
Simply, You're Next is about a wealthy family being terrorized and picked off one by one by animal masked marauders. The only hitch in their murderous plan is Erin, the girlfriend of one of this families' sons. She has some very interesting survival instincts which slows them down, and she fights back until the very end. At one point, I thought she was gonna be like who's got next? Instead of them picking her off, she took them down, one by one.
This movie is action packed, a little unpredictable, very bloody, and slightly gory. I loved it! Breath holding and pulse racing, it had me cheering and laughing at the seemingly beauty at which Erin beats the life out of folks. Why this is happening is unsurprising, but who's behind it all is not. I love that I was shocked when the culprit was revealed because although the answer ran across my mind, I didn't want to believe it, and neither will you. I totally would watch this again and pick up a few more survival techniques. I just hope I'm never in a situation where dudes are shooting at me with crossbows and trying to hack off my head with a machete. If so, I hope I could be as tough as Erin, and be like naw fools you're next.
Next week: Vin Diesel reprises is best role as Riddick, and I can NOT wait!
Friday, August 30, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Kick Ass 2 - Where super nerds go to meet...
I'm sure most of you are not going to go see Kick Ass 2, and I'd understand why, but if you want some mindless humor and light-hearted comedy then give it a try. I have the first one on dvd because I thought it was a really clever message behind a very cute movie. I can't say Kick Ass 2 is quite as cute, but the clever message is still the same.
Kick Ass 2 stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the home-made super hero, Kick Ass, who is trying to figure out how who he is when he's not being a super hero who has inspired many others to join rank. Chloe Grace Moretz is Hit Girl, a young bad arse super hero who is mourning her father, Big Daddy, trying to be a normal teenager, and discovering her purpose in life without the mask. Jim Carrey is Colonel Stars and Stripes, and he helps Kick Ass get a group of super heros together to take down the riff raff of New York City. The king of the the riff raff, home-made super Villian, The MotherF*cker, is set on revenge against Kick Ass who killed his father. The MFer is played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, the nerd in Superbad. John Leguizamo and Morris Chestnut round out this quirky cast.
This isn't a great movie by any means, but it is action-packed, gory, inspirational, nerdy, and funny. I can't say that I liked it as much as the original. No big surprise there. At one point, I said to myself this is the corniest, dorkiest, nerdiest movie, but I'd watch it again if nothing else was on tv. You may want to wait until it comes on tv, but when it does, check it out, and let your inner super nerd fly free.
Kick Ass 2 stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the home-made super hero, Kick Ass, who is trying to figure out how who he is when he's not being a super hero who has inspired many others to join rank. Chloe Grace Moretz is Hit Girl, a young bad arse super hero who is mourning her father, Big Daddy, trying to be a normal teenager, and discovering her purpose in life without the mask. Jim Carrey is Colonel Stars and Stripes, and he helps Kick Ass get a group of super heros together to take down the riff raff of New York City. The king of the the riff raff, home-made super Villian, The MotherF*cker, is set on revenge against Kick Ass who killed his father. The MFer is played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse, the nerd in Superbad. John Leguizamo and Morris Chestnut round out this quirky cast.
This isn't a great movie by any means, but it is action-packed, gory, inspirational, nerdy, and funny. I can't say that I liked it as much as the original. No big surprise there. At one point, I said to myself this is the corniest, dorkiest, nerdiest movie, but I'd watch it again if nothing else was on tv. You may want to wait until it comes on tv, but when it does, check it out, and let your inner super nerd fly free.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
The Butler - 2 Different Views
The plight of the black American has been long, hard, and rough. Our history has been a painful one; our present is painful yet less daunting than our past, and our future, although still troublesome, is hopeful, at least to me it is. The movie, The Butler, gives 2 different perspectives of black history. Based on a true story, one view is that of Cecil Gains, a butler to 8 different presidents in the White House, and the second is that of his son, Louis Gaines. Louis is a young man who goes from being a Freedom Rider to a Black Panther to a Congressional contender.
Cecil Gaines is played magnificently by Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, and Louis Gaines is played by David Oyelowo. Cecil's wife is played by Oprah Winfrey who, despite my reservation, did a fantastic job. She is a loving mother, a cheating wife, and a rough and tough drunk. I've heard that she may get an Academy nomination, and I'd be ok with that as long as Forest does too. There are other huge names in this move who play their roles fantastically: Robin Williams as Eisenhower, Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan, Liev Schreiber as Johnson, John Cusack as Nixon as well as Cuba Gooding Jr, Mariah Carey who does ugly very well, Terrence Howard, and Lenny oh-so-sexy Kravitz just to name a few.
Lee Daniels, the director, does an excellent job of showing how a black man brought up in a cotton field in Georgia sees America versus one who was raised in the suburbs of DC. Cecil was just trying to make a better life for his family by working hard with pride and elegance. Louis was trying to make a better country for all black people through sit-ins and protests. He spends countless nights in jail with other Freedom Riders and Black Panthers including his on-again off-again girlfriend played by Yaya DaCosta from America's Next Top Model. She makes a fantastic transformation. At one point, she serves Angela Davis realness to the point of forgetting who she truly is.
I was deeply moved by Forest Whitaker's portrayal of Cecil Gaines; his devotion to his job and his family. I was vividly reminded of the struggle, the pain, the dedication those young people went through for black Americans like me to be treated equally and fairly. The Butler is a great movie giving you two different ways of seeing a tough time for a tough group of people. Good job Lee Daniels, Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Louis Gaines, and Cecil Gaines.
Cecil Gaines is played magnificently by Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, and Louis Gaines is played by David Oyelowo. Cecil's wife is played by Oprah Winfrey who, despite my reservation, did a fantastic job. She is a loving mother, a cheating wife, and a rough and tough drunk. I've heard that she may get an Academy nomination, and I'd be ok with that as long as Forest does too. There are other huge names in this move who play their roles fantastically: Robin Williams as Eisenhower, Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan, Liev Schreiber as Johnson, John Cusack as Nixon as well as Cuba Gooding Jr, Mariah Carey who does ugly very well, Terrence Howard, and Lenny oh-so-sexy Kravitz just to name a few.
Lee Daniels, the director, does an excellent job of showing how a black man brought up in a cotton field in Georgia sees America versus one who was raised in the suburbs of DC. Cecil was just trying to make a better life for his family by working hard with pride and elegance. Louis was trying to make a better country for all black people through sit-ins and protests. He spends countless nights in jail with other Freedom Riders and Black Panthers including his on-again off-again girlfriend played by Yaya DaCosta from America's Next Top Model. She makes a fantastic transformation. At one point, she serves Angela Davis realness to the point of forgetting who she truly is.
I was deeply moved by Forest Whitaker's portrayal of Cecil Gaines; his devotion to his job and his family. I was vividly reminded of the struggle, the pain, the dedication those young people went through for black Americans like me to be treated equally and fairly. The Butler is a great movie giving you two different ways of seeing a tough time for a tough group of people. Good job Lee Daniels, Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Louis Gaines, and Cecil Gaines.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Fruitvale Station - Enough is enough
I'm a little late going to see Fruitvale Station, but it's not from a lack of trying. I almost gave up trying, and was going to wait, but I'm glad I didn't because this movie was excellent and a must see by everyone. **SPOILER ALERT**Fruitvale Station is based on the true story of the death of young innocent 22-year-old, Oscar Grant, who was shot by a California Police officer in the back after a night celebrating New Years with his girlfriend and friends. The incident was caught on video camera back in 2009. The movie depicts his last day alive and the events leading up to his death.
Oscar Grant is played by Michael B. Jordan who does a wonderful job playing the struggling young man trying to do the right thing by his girlfriend, his little girl, and his family. Mr. Jordan has been working steadily since 1999, and after his performance, we may see him around a lot longer. Academy Award Winner, Octavia Spencer, plays Wanda Grant, Oscar's mother. She's the matriarch of the family and shows the struggle of being a single mom trying to raise a black man. She's phenomenal! The movie is great not because of the cinematography or the action or all of that other stuff that people rave about in movies, but because of the simplicity of the story, and the ease at which it shows how this simple man easily lost his promising life. (Any life is promising despite your mistakes at 22.)
I don't like getting political or playing the race card, but after the Treyvon Martin verdict, political and racial emotions are running high. Fruitvale Station only further those strong feelings about how young black men are treated in this country and how little their lives are valued. I boohooed during this movie and I can usually fight back the tears during a movie, but I'm just so tired of the injustice and the carelessness of the lives of black men. At one point in the movie, Wanda Grant was praying for the life of her son, and I found myself through the tears praying for my brothers and all the black men I see on the streets every day. I even asked God how much longer will we be persecuited and treated unfairly because of the color of our skin. The black man's life has never meant anything since the first time an African was taken from his home to become a slave here in America. Enough is enough and maybe movies like Fruitvale Station and public trials like Treyvon Martin's will help bring awareness to this problem. I'm hopeful and doubtful at the same time but when I see the white lady next to me crying just as much as I was, I feel it is possible. Some people just aren't aware of the injustice because they refuse to see it. We will have to work together to stop it, and it won't happen overnight. More movies like Crash, Fruitvale Station, and other racially charged movies will help.
Oscar Grant is played by Michael B. Jordan who does a wonderful job playing the struggling young man trying to do the right thing by his girlfriend, his little girl, and his family. Mr. Jordan has been working steadily since 1999, and after his performance, we may see him around a lot longer. Academy Award Winner, Octavia Spencer, plays Wanda Grant, Oscar's mother. She's the matriarch of the family and shows the struggle of being a single mom trying to raise a black man. She's phenomenal! The movie is great not because of the cinematography or the action or all of that other stuff that people rave about in movies, but because of the simplicity of the story, and the ease at which it shows how this simple man easily lost his promising life. (Any life is promising despite your mistakes at 22.)
I don't like getting political or playing the race card, but after the Treyvon Martin verdict, political and racial emotions are running high. Fruitvale Station only further those strong feelings about how young black men are treated in this country and how little their lives are valued. I boohooed during this movie and I can usually fight back the tears during a movie, but I'm just so tired of the injustice and the carelessness of the lives of black men. At one point in the movie, Wanda Grant was praying for the life of her son, and I found myself through the tears praying for my brothers and all the black men I see on the streets every day. I even asked God how much longer will we be persecuited and treated unfairly because of the color of our skin. The black man's life has never meant anything since the first time an African was taken from his home to become a slave here in America. Enough is enough and maybe movies like Fruitvale Station and public trials like Treyvon Martin's will help bring awareness to this problem. I'm hopeful and doubtful at the same time but when I see the white lady next to me crying just as much as I was, I feel it is possible. Some people just aren't aware of the injustice because they refuse to see it. We will have to work together to stop it, and it won't happen overnight. More movies like Crash, Fruitvale Station, and other racially charged movies will help.
Friday, August 2, 2013
2 Guns - 2 Good
2 truths:
As a black woman, I'm supposed to think Denzel is the end all to be all in good looking black actors. Truth is, he's alright. Although he looks very hood handsome in this movie with his fedora, gold teeth, and silk shirts, there's many more handsome men out there. Sadly, they aren't on the big screen or the small one for that matter. Denzel is also getting older and has an old man's body which I really don't want to see. He just doesn't do it for me, and if you are honest with yourself, you'd agree with me.
2. Ever since Denzel won his oscar for Training Day, Denzel is always getting called for the n*gga role (my black friends will understand what I mean). Truth is, he never plays a role with diversity or complexity anymore. Malcolm X was the last role of interest for me (until now), and I've seen damn near every movie he's made since X. Mr. Washington needs to get on that Morgan Freeman (who's played God), Will Smith agenda, and play roles that aren't defined by race before Idris Elba, my husband who I feel is much better looking and way sexier, takes his crown.
2 stars:
The movie 2 Guns stars Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington. They compliment each other greatly in this movie about 2 undercover law enforcement agents with separate agendas. Their comedic timing is perfect. It felt like they've been working together on and off the screen. I would definitely love to see then together again in a sequel or something else.
2 stories:
There's the story of these two trying to take down a mexican drug lord, and there's also the story of them trying to figure out who framed them for robbery, why, and who each of them really are. All of these are intertwined really well. The average movie goer will constantly be guessing and trying to figure things out; I, of course, figured out everything about 1 hour into the action.
2 countries:
Mexico and Texas (I know Texas is a state, but it's huge enough to be it's own country and it is in the USA so it's the second country) are the background for this movie. There's lot's of border crossing to make one's feet hurt. The plot also throws in a government conspiracy about how Mexican drug lords keep getting drugs into the US. This Texas girl was proud to see all those Texas license plate, and a movie full of Texans that don't sound like country hicks. Good job Mr. Director (Baltasar Kormakur)!
2 Chainz:
No, 2 Chainz isn't in this movie. I just ran outta 2s. I went into this movie thinking it was gonna suck. The previews don't look that great. I only went to see it because I knew yall were gonna want to know my thoughts. Surprisingly, I loved it! It had great action, Paula Patton's boobs (that one is for the fellas), lot's of gun play, drama, and comedy. What more could you ask for in a movie. I'd see it again and again (may add it to my dvd collection). Thanks for being my motivation. I saw a great one because of yall.
As a black woman, I'm supposed to think Denzel is the end all to be all in good looking black actors. Truth is, he's alright. Although he looks very hood handsome in this movie with his fedora, gold teeth, and silk shirts, there's many more handsome men out there. Sadly, they aren't on the big screen or the small one for that matter. Denzel is also getting older and has an old man's body which I really don't want to see. He just doesn't do it for me, and if you are honest with yourself, you'd agree with me.
2. Ever since Denzel won his oscar for Training Day, Denzel is always getting called for the n*gga role (my black friends will understand what I mean). Truth is, he never plays a role with diversity or complexity anymore. Malcolm X was the last role of interest for me (until now), and I've seen damn near every movie he's made since X. Mr. Washington needs to get on that Morgan Freeman (who's played God), Will Smith agenda, and play roles that aren't defined by race before Idris Elba, my husband who I feel is much better looking and way sexier, takes his crown.
2 stars:
The movie 2 Guns stars Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington. They compliment each other greatly in this movie about 2 undercover law enforcement agents with separate agendas. Their comedic timing is perfect. It felt like they've been working together on and off the screen. I would definitely love to see then together again in a sequel or something else.
2 stories:
There's the story of these two trying to take down a mexican drug lord, and there's also the story of them trying to figure out who framed them for robbery, why, and who each of them really are. All of these are intertwined really well. The average movie goer will constantly be guessing and trying to figure things out; I, of course, figured out everything about 1 hour into the action.
2 countries:
Mexico and Texas (I know Texas is a state, but it's huge enough to be it's own country and it is in the USA so it's the second country) are the background for this movie. There's lot's of border crossing to make one's feet hurt. The plot also throws in a government conspiracy about how Mexican drug lords keep getting drugs into the US. This Texas girl was proud to see all those Texas license plate, and a movie full of Texans that don't sound like country hicks. Good job Mr. Director (Baltasar Kormakur)!
2 Chainz:
No, 2 Chainz isn't in this movie. I just ran outta 2s. I went into this movie thinking it was gonna suck. The previews don't look that great. I only went to see it because I knew yall were gonna want to know my thoughts. Surprisingly, I loved it! It had great action, Paula Patton's boobs (that one is for the fellas), lot's of gun play, drama, and comedy. What more could you ask for in a movie. I'd see it again and again (may add it to my dvd collection). Thanks for being my motivation. I saw a great one because of yall.
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