If Beale Street Could Talk is an adaptation of the James Baldwin novel of the same name. It's about a young couple who are just starting their lives together as Fonny, played by Stephan James, is arrested for a crime he didn't commit and Tish, played by Kiki Layne, has to figure out how to get him out while pregnant with their child. The film also stars Regina King and Colman Domingo as Tish's parents and it is written and directed by Barry Jenkins. I mention the author of the original work above because if If Beale Street Could Talk is able to do anything it is able to provide a nearly perfect adaptation of the novel with the interior thoughts of the characters in tact and on the screen. Ho
Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse is an animated film about Miles Morales learning to become Spider-Man, aided by some inter-dimensional refugees, after a genetically altered spider gives him superpowers and an evil Kingpin tries to break into the multiverse. It is directed by Bob Persichetti, Bob Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman. The voice cast includes Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, Kimiko Glenn, Nicolas Cage, John Mulaney, and Lily Tomlin. "With great power, comes great responsibility." It's been a cultural touchstone since 2002 when the first modern conception of Spider-Man hit the big screen. Two sequels followed, then the franchise rebooted
Roma is a film shot in gorgeous black and white about Cleo, a domestic servant to an affluent family in 1970s Mexico. It stars Yalitza Aparicio and is written, co-edited, photographed and directed by Alfonso Cuaron. I struggle with how to start this review as most of my readers will likely not see it as I saw it. I spent the money and took the time to go and see it at a movie theater. There have been other critics or cinephiles who have strongly encouraged this viewing style and as I heard the scoffs and giggles of the folks around me as the Netflix logo appeared, I realized it may be become revolutionary or counter cultural to see certain movies on theater screens. It may be almost as stran
The Favourite is a film that takes place during the reign of Queen Anne and is about the two women who jockey for her favor and her ear in political matters. It stars Olivia Colman as Queen Anne, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone as Lady Sarah and Abigail Hill respectively. It's directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. If you've ever undertaken the journey of seeing a Yorgos Lanthimos film you know that a cloud of darkness hangs over the comedy of them. Pitch black is too light a descriptor for most of his comedies as they are often leave one crying and aching as they laugh. Yet, this one has a different feel and maybe it's because it's a film he didn't write. I have found the last few films of his to have w