Dune (2021)

Dune (Denis Villeneuve, 2021)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Based on Book, Adventure

Mesmerizing. Beautiful. Evocative. I loved every minute of Dune and I am beyond excited to see more of this epic. Denis Villeneuve fully immerses us in the worlds of Caladan and Arrakis. The atmosphere of each place was created with painstaking detail and the effects are awesome. I truly felt like I was there--the lighting (so good), the sounds (oh, the tension and suspense from the score), the architecture, the sand and storms, everything. Glorious cinematography! Some reviewers have pointed out that there isn't enough story. It is true that much isn't explained. But I would argue that the story is absolutely there, it is just being told visually and is revealed slowly and while our main character learns it. I found that fascinating and gripping. Timothee Chalamet is incredible, as always, as Paul Atreides. And he is joined by an all-star cast, including Javier Bardem who is utterly brilliant as Stilgar, a Fremen leader. Of course this film is different from the books (I've only read some of the first book) and that doesn't and shouldn't matter. I'm still a firm believer that the two are separate and can't be compared. GO see this. It is fantastic.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Invictus

Invictus (Clint Eastwood, 2009)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=5, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Biopic, South Africa, Apartheid, Rugby

Such a moving film with an incredible performance by Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. It is hard to imagine the conviction and strength of character and spirit that Mandela had in order to endure imprisonment for so many decades and then forgive his enemies when be became the nation's leader. And his wisdom on how important rugby would be to unify the country (at least begin to) is amazing. This is a compelling story to watch and an important one to remember.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 1

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 1 (Jennifer Corbett and Dave Filoni, 2021)

Click here for the basics

Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

I was super excited when The Bad Batch was announced as I loved the introduction to this troop in Clone Wars. This new series did not disappoint. The animation is stellar, the storylines work, the characters are all interesting and each has their own quirks. While this isn't as good as Rebels or The Mandalorian, it is still really engaging. Introducing a child, Omega, was a fun twist and I can't wait to see how she fits into the bigger picture of the Star Wars universe.

The recent Star Wars shows have done a wonderful job at weaving together to make a cohesive universe. It's fun to be reminded of other storylines, events, and even see characters from other shows (Rebels, Clone Wars, The Mandalorian) show up in The Bad Batch.

Season 1 Rating: DSQ=10, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=4

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Judas and the Black Messiah

Judas and the Black Messiah (Shaka King, 2021)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Biopic, Civil Rights, Black Panthers, Fred Hampton, Race, 1960s

This is an important film about people and events that this country doesn't talk about, that I never learned about in school. Everyone needs to know who Fred Hampton was, who Bill O'Neal was, and what the FBI did. The film is edited so well--switching back and forth between the empowered Black Panthers, led by Fred Hampton, and the terrified and guilt-ridden informer, Bill O'Neal. It is disturbing and makes the viewer feel awful and angry. Masterful performances by Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield. I hope people watch this and learn. Very apt timing, unfortunately, as history seems to always repeat itself again and again.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here