February was an exciting month for films! I realize that 3/4 of these films are horror films which explains why I haven't been sleeping so well these days. Started off the month with a bang with the all female-directed, horror anthology film, XX, which feature 4 killer tales by 4 killer directors. Then I was entranced by M. Night Shyamalan's split-personality film, Split,starring James McAvoy like we've never seen him before! There was the Oscar nominated documentary I Am Not Your Negro that offered a refreshing perspective on not only the history of racism in America but the possible solution for progression. And then I capped off the month with the uber haunting and nuanced political satire, Get Out. All these films are so timely and executed to perfection, go watch them!
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, Common
Country of Origin: USA
Rating: R
Time: 122 Min.
John Wick is baaaacck and he is not messing around. As much as I was elated to hear that Keanu Reeves was reprising his role as Wick, all I could do was wonder "Why is he back?!" in John Wick: Chapter 2. Turns out for Wick to be able to quit the hitman game, he had to ask a favor from an Italian drug lord. And because of a marker aka a "blood oath", Wick has to now pay him back. Can't John Wick just live in peace?
It's no surprise why director Chad Stahelski was able to craft such an adrenaline-pumped and innovative action film as he was a stuntman for more than 20 years before he got a chance to release his directorial debut feature, John Wick. I went a little bonkers when I saw the trailer and for good reasons because there was a mini Matrix reunion and you know how much I love The Matrix! John Wick: Chapter 2 was one hell of a good time with a star-studded cast, ultra-violence and expansive look at the hitman culture! I can't wait to see what the third film has in store for us!
Oscars 2017 was a wild trip. From Jimmy Kimmel's outrageously satisfactory roast of Matt Damon to the Big Picture screw-up, this Oscars was one for the books. I recap some of my favorite highlights as well as list my predictions and wins down below. My most favorite part has to be when the all the La La Land producersknew that they lost but gave their winning speeches anyways. Whew! What a way to end Black History Month! A huge congrats to the Moonlight team, they deserve all the awards!
Red = Who Won
Blue = Predictions
BEST PICTURE
Arrival
Fences
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
Hidden Figures
La La Land (Will Win)
Lion
Moonlight (Who I Want)
Manchester by the Sea
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Casey Affleck (Manchester by the Sea)
Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge)
Ryan Gosling (La La Land)
Viggo Mortensen (Captain Fantastic)
Denzel Washington (Fences) (Will and Who I Want to Win)
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water)
Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) (Will and Who I Want to Win)
Dev Patel (Lion)
Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea)
Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals)
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Isabelle Huppert (Elle) (Will and Who I Want to Win)
Arshad and I did another trailer reaction and this time to J.D. Dillard's Sleight! It premiered at Sundance last year and got picked up by Blumhouse Productions and WWE. After his mother's death, a young street magician (Jacob Latimore) turns to dealing drugs to support his little sister. When she is kidnapped by his supplier, he uses his magical abilities and intelligence to find her. I adored Chronicle so I know I'm going to enjoy Sleight especially because it is set in the inner-cities and the combination of the environment and this kind of story is something I've never seen before. I know we said the film comes out April 7th but it comes out on the 28th so get ready!
