Chadwick Boseman delivers a strong performance as Jackie Robinson’s story comes to the screen in biopic form in 42: The Jackie Robinson Story. There are some biographical errors in 42 but I’m willing to let it slide because of how important this story is. Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier in 1947. In doing so, he became a hero to many people. Even now, watching the film in 2021, there’s still that heroic…
"42: The Jackie Robinson Story"Tag: André Holland
Actress Rebecca Hall marks her directorial debut with Passing as she beautifully adapts Nella Larsen’s Harlem-set novella for the screen. When I found out that Rebecca Hall was making this film her directorial debut, I thought how is she qualified to tell a story about two Black women. I never looked up Hall’s background before. I would subsequently learn that her mother is opera singer Marie Ewing. Ewing happens to be of a mixed racial…
"Sundance 2021: Passing"
Selma takes us back to the heights of the Civil Rights movement by recreating the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. It’s been just over five years since the theatrical release and the film remains just as powerful. The biggest injustice is that the Academy only gave the film two nominations. That’s right. The film only earned nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song. While I admit to actively rooting for Birdman that…
"Selma Remains Just As Powerful in 2020"
High Flying Bird shows that director Steven Soderbergh isn’t afraid of being an innovative filmmaker even if his retirement was premature. Soderbergh’s new film takes place during a pro basketball lockout. More on the lockout later. This is where we find sports agent Ray Burke (André Holland) in quite the pickle. If the game isn’t in session, he can’t quite bring in the money to fund his career. So he does the next best thing with…
"High Flying Bird: A Sports Film Without Sports"