BLACK PANTHER Review: I realize the film is significant for many reasons, but to me, one extraordinary aspect stands out above all others…
by Lisa Johnson Mandell
Marvel Comics geeks are swooning over what they say is one of the most brilliant and soulful adaptations ever, and zillions are celebrating the fascinating and diverse aspects of Black Panther.
And while there’s no denying these features are praiseworthy, long overdue and adroitly executed, what really blew me away was the women. Physically, mentally, spiritually, socially–it’s the females in this film who truly conquer, while the men spend a lot of time grappling with each other in the mud.
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned trapped-in-an-insane asylum flick? Olivia de Havilland launched the genre with The Snake Pit (1948) and Joan Crawford elevated it in the exploitation era with Strait-Jacket (1964). Our fascination with the loony lockdown continued with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1974), Girl, Interrupted (1999), and Shutter Island (2010) to name only a few.
12 Strong Review – Unlikely heroes are a bright spot in a never ending war
DOWNSIZING Review by Staci Layne Wilson
I’ve been waiting all year for a film that would make me want to stand up and cheer—a film that would renew my joy in cinema, as well as my faith in Hollywood. Wonder Woman was exciting and inspiring, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri blew me away with its outstanding performances and nuanced craftsmanship. But finally, along comes Star Wars: The Last Jedi and I am left in wonder, awe, and yes, even joy.
Some movies grab you with a hook, then peter out. Others may start slow, but burn bright at the end. The Post is one of those very rare movies that has a great middle. It drags like a dull dissertation for the first half hour, then devolves into schmaltz at the climax. But oh, that midpoint! It’s really quite remarkable.