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Black Panther (2018)
GREAT MOVIE
THE BLACK PANTHER
My late review
I finally saw the movie. I must admit a speculative fiction movie is just not my first choice in movies. After seeing "Furious 7," I promised myself I wouldn't waste my valuable time again. I also admit that my only intentions for seeing the movie was to support this movie because it's based on Afro American History. Although the movie is fiction much of the story is true. I suspect many other people saw the movie for the same reason. It is a great movie.
The movie kept a fast action packed tempo that was easy to follow from beginning to end. There were several A Listed Actors that played their parts to perfection. Whoever chose the cast couldn't have done a better job. Angela Basett, Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jorden, Forrest Whitaker; those names sell movie tickets! I have never saw a more beautiful cast of actors. I'm sure the actors hard bodies were a marketing factor. Their skin was smooth, chocolate, shinny, and even toned. After the movie I had the craving for a Hershey Bar; yes, that good.
Although the entire film wasn't shot in Africa the locations were nothing short of paradise. The use of animated animals was risky but also well done.
I kept thinking, there is no way this movie was written by one person. There was just soooo much going on. The brilliant writers Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole, and Jack Kirby tied the conclusion of the story in to the opening scene perfectly.
The time jump from summer to winter wasn't clear to me. I don't even think the change of seasons was necessary. I think they could have used a better substance for snow. One thing that really stuck out for me was the way one character died in the end of the movie. I don't think the actor acted out a dying man well. I think it took way to long for the character to die. I have to charge the actor and the director for that.
This movie is very educational. It is not your typical super hero movie. I have strong doubt that you will be disappointed. I highly recommend this movie. GO SEE THE MOVIE!
Peace and Blessings
Erik Smalls
Novelist/Screenwriter
Diary of a Badman (2016)
I absolutely loved this movie
"Diary of a Badman," is a modern day crime fiction film that takes place in New York City. Undercover police were pursuing a ruthless Jamaican drug gang. The police gave a description of each of the members at the beginning of the film. I thought, typical drug dealer movie. I was wrong; there was nothing typical about the leader of the drug gang, Bucky, played by Douglas Robbs.
About 30 minutes into the movie the audience got to see, "Bucky's" humane side. That is where the movie shifted to overdrive. I don't usually root for the villain, but after seeing Bucky's inner character I had to. I immediately liked Bucky when I saw him with his guards down, being a decent human being. From that scene on, the story kept a fast pace and the audience got an understanding of why the police described Bucky as an educated man.
The chosen sound tracks complimented each scene perfectly and the picture quality was also perfect. There was a smooth, tight, easy to follow storyline. There were extremely emotional scenes in the film; some were even tear jerkers. There were several suspenseful moments that had me sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. The hairs on my neck stood at attention when Bucky's girlfriend, Munchy was in trouble. I found that scene to be the most intense moment in the film.
Jacinth Sutphin played Munchy, a gorgeous chocolate woman with a meanstreak. She reminded me of the character, Rock a Bye Baby, Wesley Snipes partner in the movie, "New Jack City." I hated Munchy. Jacinth Sutphin showed superb acting skills.
There were some scenes that I felt were rushed and underdeveloped. For example, in the movie, "Scarface" when someone's limbs were being amputated the audience saw blood splattering. That had a way of creating tension, suspense, and pulling the audience into the scene by making the scene more believable. I didn't see those important details in, "Diary of a Badman." Another example; if a character is scared to the point of pissing on themselves the audience should hear the victim stutter while pleading for his life. The audience should see the gun being shoved into the victim's mouth, the look on the victim's face, his body trembling, his eyes darting from side to side. The audience should see the look on the assailant's cold, mean face. Then the audience should see the victim pissing on himself. I didn't see those important details in, "Diary of a Badman."
Although I understood the strong Jamaican dialect it took something away from the movie because it's not a language that I am used to hearing. There were captions at the bottom of the screen.
Despite the minor flaws mentioned I loved the movie. I was taken for a hell of a ride, and I am hoping for a part two. I highly recommend this movie. This movie is not a waste of money.
Creed (2015)
I Strongly Recommend This Movie.
Philadelphia's culture was depicted perfectly. Being a former recent Philadelphian, I had clear identification with the scenes and language. I only lived in Philadelphia for a year, but the town is very small, so it is easy to see the places that were filmed. There were streets in The Badlands that I drove down often, The Library Area that I passed every morning on my way to my shop. Those trail bikes used to freak me out. As a matter of fact, I know those bikes weren't just stunt bikes because that silver quad that was behind the main character while passing Amber Street is always racing through the Badlands. For some strange reason the movie made me proud to have been a part of Philadelphia's culture.
The movie brought back so many memories; the bar/club on Spring Street was one that I used to visit regularly. And how could they not include Maxx, the Philly cheese steak place on Erie and Germantown Avenue. I remember asking a friend. "What the hell is a Jawn?" The same as the main character asked. Its Philadelphian slang. Only a Philadelphian could have made this movie to depict so much of the city's culture precisely.
Stallone looked a mess as I expected. I felt sorry for the old guy as he slowly walked up the library steps, the same steps he used to run up when he was in the film, Rocky. The scenes that were supposed to be tear jerkers didn't come close to jerking tears. I felt Stallone's situation could have been a little more emotionally moving. I noticed several abrupt time-line jumps. I felt there should have been a smoother transition for the main characters change from boy to man. For those reasons I must hold back one star.
The characters in the movie played their parts well. It's not your typical Rocky movie. I do see where the ending sets the movie up for part 2, I am looking forward to it. I strongly recommend you see this movie.
Books written by Erik Smalls:
Never Give Up, Eye For an Eye, Cold Blooded
Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Straight Outta Compton
The movie was great. It has only been showing for three days and has already pulled over sixty million dollars. I identified with the plot from the beginning when the late rapper Eric White; also known as Eazy-E found himself in a situation that I once found myself in as a kid. The movie brought back so many memories of my youth, I felt as though someone had pushed my replay button. My emotions ran wild as each exciting scene was played out. There was a steady fast pace that kept my adrenaline flowing. There were several morals to the story concerning money, friendship, and unprotected sex.
"Straight Outta Compton," is a story of five young men that started a rap group in the 1980s. The name of the group was, "N.W.A..." Eazy-E is the star of the show and the owner of the company/rap group. The actors are the sons of the original N.W.A. Rap Group. The actors seemed to have a knack for the screen; they seemed to naturally play their parts. I felt the story was a tribute to Eazy-E.
A few scenes probably will stay with me for some time; Producer Suge Knight made a mockery of a man. The man obviously wasn't from the west coast. Suge made the man repeat after him, "the west coast is the best coast." It went something along those lines. I can't remember the exact words but I do remember getting extremely upset because it seemed obvious the man was from the east coast. There were several subliminal pot shots taken at the east coast that got me a little emotional. Weather the subliminal pot shots taken at the east coast was a figment of my vivid imagination or not those scenes were emotionally moving; and for that I'm giving the movie another star.
(Spoiler Alert) This movie sparked some controversy concerning the police brutally scenes. Some theaters are reluctant to show the movie because the police brutality scenes may insight violence. Of course, the brutality scenes are of police assaulting young black men. I do understand the concern about violence in the movie theaters because there has been several shooting in movie theaters. I also agree with, Rapper Ice Cube, "there has never been a black perpetrator." Showing the brutality on screen can't make the situation any worse. America knows what's going on, besides we'll more than likely see it again on the news by next month. I was more upset about the east coast subliminal messages than the police brutality because police brutalizing young black men has sadly become the norm. Theaters and movie goers don't have much to worry about.
I recommend you go see this ten star movie. Do not buy the bootleg copy. It is obvious the team that made the movie worked hard for their money. I'm promoting these guys because they did a hell of a job. Let's give them their props!
http://www.amazon.com/Never-Give-Up-Erik-Smalls-ebook/dp/B00H95FTLO
Fast & Furious 7 (2015)
"Fast and Curious 7,"
They should rename the movie, "Fast and Curious 7," because I still don't know what went on in the movie. I remember some Korean guy seeking revenge for his brother's death. The rest of the movie is somewhat of a two hour blur of gun fire, and muscle cars.
There are some extremely hot characters in the movie; Nathalia Emmanuel, Tyrese Gibson, and Dwayn Johnson to name a few. I say Tyrese and Dwayn because my date kept moaning every time, Tyrese was shown in a scene, and off course, Dwayn, "The Rock," Johnson's muscles protruded from every inch of his body.
My knees went weak when I laid eyes on, "The Gorgeous Michelle Rodriguez." I have to give the movie 3 stars, because the producers of this movie was smart enough to hire, Michelle. If you go to movies just to see hot characters like the ones I mentioned this is the movie for you. But don't even think about looking at Michelle; I got dibbs.
What went on in that movie?? Scratching my head.