During the holiday season I enjoy spending time with family and basking in the tradition of catching up on the latest box office films. My favorite selections to commemorate the 2018 Thanksgiving holiday are listed below with a little sneak peek review. Hopefully you’ll find time to see these films at a theater near you.
CREED II
“Are you trying to prove something to other people or prove something to yourself?”
Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson bring a new warmth to the Creed II sequel that is quite inviting and lovely to see on screen. The idea of family and laying hold to your destiny rings true in this film that will have you laughing at one moment, and pissed off at the next scene. Nevertheless, after watching this story unfold you will walk away with a renewed determination, and fire within your soul to conquer anything that stands in your way. Congratulations to director Steven Caple Jr. for doing a phenomenal job working on his first major film project.
WIDOWS
Based off of Lynda La Plante’s United Kingdom TV series of the same name, director Steve McQueen gives you profound storytelling in a slow but gradual thought provoking manner. It wasn’t pretty but these women did what they had to do for survival.
The surprises, twists, and turns were so good, a whole row of women were chatting throughout segments of the film. Viola Davis (Veronica) is one of my favorites to watch on the television or big screen because she will take you on an emotional ride you will never forget. Cynthia Erivo (Belle) makes her shining debut in the first major film role of her career. Bravo to Elizabeth Debicki (Alice) and Michelle Rodriguez (Linda) for playing their roles beautifully as well.
GREEN BOOK
“Genius is not enough. It takes courage to change people’s heart.”
Participant Media and DreamWorks Pictures’ Green Book, set in the 1960’s, details the friendship that ensued when Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South. Viewed as a modern Underground Railroad, “The Green Book” guides them to the few establishments that were then safe for African-Americans to travel for lodging in the United States.
Academy Award® nominee Viggo Mortensen and Academy Award® winner Mahershala Ali are the perfect duo to bring this true story to life. This film will surely send you on a rollercoaster of laughter and deep thought into the treatment of others based upon race, culture and lifestyle. Bravo to executive producer and Academy Award® winner Octavia Spencer for placing her magic touch on this heartfelt story.
