REVIEW: EUROVISION SONG CONTEST-THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA

3/5

A Song Of Ice And Fire.

123 Mins. Starring: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens, Demi Lovato, Graham Norton & Pierce Brosnan. Director: David Dobkin. 

Nil poi! After deerstalking searching under a Sherlock magnify glass for the jokes in the 'Step Brothers' and 'Talladega Nights' reunion of 'Holmes and Watson' with John C. Reilly. Let's go back to a time when hearing about the concept of a Will Ferrell comedy from the 'Anchorman' star was legendary like Ron Burgundy. Will Ferrell stars as a figure skating champion that some people call, "the illustrated man" because he has three tattoos ('Blades Of Glory')? Amazing! Will Ferrell plays a Basketball player/coach in the seventies who also has a 'Sexy' soul song out, all whilst inventing the halftime show with bear cage matches ('Semi-Pro')? For a hoops aficionado like me, awesome. Will Ferrell finally assembles the news team that were standing there the whole time for an 'Anchorman' sequel ('The Legend Continues')? Perfect...even if the bonus movie DVD extra ('Wake-Up Ron Burgundy') from the first film was funnier. Will Ferrell channels his love for Eurovision and all things Nordic to play a contestant standing in the shadow of the fact that his dad is James Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan! Mamma Mia! I know we're not talking about Mastercard here, but priceless. Especially as COVID-19 put an end to 2020's biggest event too. We need this comic relief, especially those of us whose European youth is nostalgic to sitting up all night to not only watch all the nations sing, but all the nations vote in a event as epic as the performances prior. Only to realize yet again that England has come away with as many points as we score from the penalty spot in the World Cup. Eurovision is never coming home, but in Ferrell's fierce 'Story Of Fire Saga' it can at least come to our living rooms as we have to still cast the big screen from our laptops with many cinemas still corona closed in quarantine lockdown from a social distance.

'Birds Of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn'. What's your beef with long titles? 'The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby' Will has always had a way with them. Besides previously you could have just said, "that Harley Quinn one". Now we are all staying safe and at home you can just type "Euro" in the search bar of Netflix and pretend like you weren't trying to find some fancy foreign film that you claim is "arty" as you close the laptop lid down whilst your significant other or mother walks in the room. What?! This doesn't happen to you? You could do a lot worse with your evening than spending some silly, stupid fun with the King of Slapstick Comedy himself. Sticking to the script of his schtick. What more would you expect from a man whose character name is literally Lars Erickssong? Another overgrown man-child that wants to leave his Icelandic, sleeping fishy town of Húsavík. But why? Look at how subtly cinematically beautiful it is. No wonder Thor chose this as the ravishing realm home of his post 'Ragnarok' new Asgard. But this time the "fleshy disco ball" is Ferrell. And as 'Wedding Crashers' director David Dobkin reunites the Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughan classic comedies stars Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, he brings the real world of the 40 country, 20,000 strong Eurovision audience to 200 million around the world is now on a virtual stage for anyone with an internet connection and somebody else's Netflix password. ABBA, Bucks Fizz and Celine Dion have all won Eurovision. Now it's time for Will to find his way.

Eurotrash has never sounded so good...and you know what that show used to be about, don't pretend like you don't. A star may not exactly be born here...but some incredible covers are adopted for some showstopping scenes featuring actual acts. And just wait until you hear the actual song itself. DING, DONG! Complete with mountains, ahead of its time keyboard social distancing and more waterfalls chased than TLC (like Michael Keaton in 'The Other Guys', "We gotta 'Creep'"). In knee high, kinky, 'Space Force' boots, looking like something out of 'Game Of Thrones', sharing the same hairdresser as hippy Bill Walton did when this Grateful Dead fan was trail blazing in Portlandia, Ferrell (whose career looked like it was going 'Downhill' until said movie this year. 'Daddy's Home' again like the sequel. Giving it to American tourists like Starbucks on every Pumpkin Spice smelling corner) is something else here. Something straight out of a SNL skit...and one of his gems too. Like when he sucked the life out of his Air Supply, Simon to his Garfunkel. But don't expect any Fleetwood Mac like romance here with his co-star Rachel McAdams. As Lars Singsong or whatever his name is warns his performing partner about what happens when music groups dip their microphone in the company ink. You know what happened to Post Malone!?! Besides they may just be brother and sister like we still haven't worked out with The White Stripes. One things for sure McAdams is on the form of her life. And 'The Notebook', 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Game Night' versatile star may be one of Ferrell's best co-stars that have recently ranged from Amy Poehler ('The House' that actually wins this time...who would have thought it) and Kevin Hart ('Get Hard'. Like Will, funny but a little soft in the middle). But this is more than just double trouble tonight. Add powerhouse pop star Demi Lovato playing it up as a Nordic megastar and that is SO Graham Norton actually as himself with his classic, comedic commentary that is as signature to this show as synth and autotune (how has T-Pain not won this whole thing yet?! Oh wait...Europe). Add a perfect Pierce Brosnan (don't worry he doesn't sing like, 'Here We Go Again') as a bearded pops and you've got our vote tonight. But it's 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Legion' star Dan Stevens whose classic contestant cliche steals the show like this 'Lion Of Love' exhibit in 'Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb' did. Eurostepping like James Harden with this saga of Iceland and fire. Even with the stage left this year, this one really sings. No contest. Enjoy the biscuits. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Blades Of Glory', 'A Night At The Roxbury', 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping'. 

T.V. REVIEW: WATCHMEN

4/5

Watch This. 

9 Episodes. Starring: Regina King, Tim Blake Nelson, Yahya Abdul-Matten II, Jean Smart, Hong Chau, Louis Gossett Jr., Don Johnson & Jeremy Irons. Creator: Damon Lindelof. 

Tulsa shock. This weekend at a Trump rally in Oklahoma for his followers who believe the confederate flag is the American one (you can't have stars with stripes unless all the stars are united) less people showed up than my 13th birthday party. Let the record show I was an unpopular kid. And apparently we have Tik Tok users, K Pop fans and of course Trump's "popularity" to thank for that. I think they call that karma. It couldn't have happened in a more fitting place. Maybe those in Tulsa, Oklahoma were at home watching 'Watchmen', the series that came ten years after 'Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice' director Zack Snyder's 2009 living and breathing comic book of a graphic novel movie changed the game. As this weekend for Juneteenth HBO (whose new Max service is going to take us to 'The Snyder Cut' of Zack's original intended 'Justice League' movie after years of fans campaigning for its release) who have boasted everything from 'True Detective' to 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' made their series from 'The Leftovers' creator Damon Lindelof free for the weekend to stream, no subscription required (but what about those last three episodes guys outside the U.S.?). But why did they make this stellar season starring 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Oscar winner Regina King (this shows crowning achievement), 'The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs' himself Tim Blake Nelson (always on fine form when things matter, like this year's 'Just Mercy' with Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx), 'Aquaman's' Black Manta, Yahya Abdul-Matten II (another DC Universe crossover and rising hero of our times), 'Frasier's' own Jean Smart (with a superhero name herself), successfully shifting the tone of this series mid-season, just like 'Downsizing' and 'Inherent Vice' star Hong Chau, the 'Roots' of absolute legend and Doomsday clock catalyst Louis Gossett Jr., 'Miami Vice's' Don Johnson (back rolling up his sleeves with this and Rian Johnson's 'Knives Out') and Alfred himself, Jeremy Irons, delightfully stranger and better than ever (come on, this is getting ridiculous) you ask? Just watch.

Tulsa, 1921 the iconic yellow 'Watchmen' words read planted in the middle of a city in carnage. It's Black Wall Street and fires are raging as everything people can get their hands on are thrown, windows are smashed, bullets are shot, blood is spilled. Black lives are treated like the don't matter and cowards are hidden under white hoods. Sound familiar? Like Charlottesville last year, or everything the police have done to people like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Trayvon Martin and countless more whose names or story go untold, but one judged like a cover by those who truly aren't going by the book (especially the good one), just judging by the color of skin that is much more beautiful than ours, as they try and cover everything up. What has lead to the protests that march in unison today like a million men wanting peace in a world of no justice. Shamefully I was ignorant to the history of the Tulsa massacre, but Lindelof's show wasn't and after this weekend hopefully we all won't be as another lesson as learned as the bleached and tanned Trump looks up to the bleachers of the nose bleeds and sees nothing but upturned seats like your local cinema closed right now. And this time he can't blame corona or whatever repugnent racist phrase he calls it, especially as he used to believe it didn't exist like he thinks climate change doesn't. Are you starting to feel the cold yet Donald? Those acoustic guitar playing fans of his outside better learn four more chords...because they aren't going to get four more years. Period. It ends this November with Biden. Even if the wake of his destruction will take years to repair. Just like all of the hope and change of ObamaGREAT that Trump like an insolant child undid in months, with no care. The man with the MAGA hat made America hate again. We need a First Lady like Michelle to carry the torch of liberty. Justice for all.

Politics as usual? Too much? Especially for a Brit with Brexit and Boris to deal with who now living in Japan should just mind his own business? Isn't this supposed to be review? Shut up and talk about dribbling, basketball writer, right? Well yes and 'Watchmen' like it's Dr. Manhattan project reveal is a first rate first season-with big superhero moments and like the movie a super nostalgic soundtrack too-that you should watch now whilst you still can for free, or even pay to play. Because people who never needed to, or should have had paid the price. And no reparation could ever pay them back properly. Not for all they've lost. So shows like this will speak for the voices that don't go heard. And you thought it was all about superheroes? Art needs to paint us a bigger picture. Even if it is dressed up in a cape with the last face you expected to see behind the mask. This is important storytelling right now, like when comics were a reflection of our times. Even if this is a different world were Robert Redford is President. Like the iconic opening credits to Snyder's 'Watchmen' taking us through history from the Cold War to sailors kissing their ladies in Times Square ticker tape like "War Is Over" and JFK's assassination behind the grassy knoll as Bob Dylan who just delivered a rough and rowdy 17 minute retelling of that this weekend tells us the 'Times They Are A-Changing'. Or Marvel's game and face of superhero changing 'Black Panther' standing being the revolutionary political party in the 60's. Like the X-Men's Professor Xavier and Magneto representing the violent and non violent sides of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X respectively with respect. As timely as movies like 'Mercy' being made available for free like museums of history and all the things you need to see like Ava DuVernay's '13th' documentary or 'When They See Us'. Or Spike Lee's 'BlackKklansman' and now 'Da 5 Bloods' (if you want to talk about what America did in the Vietnam War, to Black Lives too) streaming on Netflix. Or how about Dave Chappelle's latest stand-up on YouTube that is no joke and exactly why it's called '8.46'? I again shamefully had no idea and now I'm nothing but angry, like he and we all should be. Because just like Black Lives, Black History matters...regardless of the month. It's more than a Twitter trend that lasts two weeks for some privileged people trying to look good for likes. Black Lives STILL Matter! Even when the media that deems leaves. And if it's happening right now...on your very doorstep. 35 blocks of Tulsa, Oklahoma were destroyed in 1921 and 36 people lost their lives (26 black)...officially. But it was said hundreds did, whilst 800 were admitted to hospital and 6,000 black residents were interned in large facilities as they lost their homes and livelihoods. And some Americans still don't admit this happened like 'The Promise' of the Armenian genocide. And you want to talk about a rally or a T.V. show? Well as this one begins with a young black family putting their son in a box in a back of a truck heading out of town with friends. All because he has a better chance of surviving their as bullets tear through it and out of the peephole one makes he looks out and sees the same spot he said goodbye to his folks being blown to pieces, what more can we say? As this young boy who has just become a man all too young finds a baby crying wrapped in the American flag. Cradling it and telling it, "it's OK" as no one else will. You think stories like this aren't real like a note that simply says, "take care of this boy" than you have no idea like what's on the other side of the paper or constitution. They're being told now. Stop, look and listen to what's going on. Because like Marvin it will make you want to holler until like Sam Cooke a change comes. It's been promised like the land that Martin dreamed of for far too long now. Wake up! It's time. Tick. Tock. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Watchmen (2009)', 'The Leftovers'. '13th'.

#ComicalColumn THE HOLLYWOOD CUT

A League Of His Own. 

After assembling the Avengers in 2012 to great shawarma swarming success, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' director Joss Whedon proved Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr.'s 'Chef' cooked up 'Iron Man' franchise starter was the right pot stirrer to set off the Avengers initiative like a gas oven, or Samuel L. Jackson appearing in your penthouse (what you don't have a penthouse?!) uninvited, late at night like you've left the stove on. No matter how many green guys or hammers fell in the middle of nowhere like a frozen capsicle, the Avengers were here to stay. Even the ones from Budapest, no matter how you remember it. 'The Avengers' changed the comic book, cinematic game just when you thought the M.C.U. was something Heat Ledger's Joker wanted to be locked up in. And the 'Serenity' of Whedon like a fanboy 'Firefly' was given the 'Age Of Ulton'...for three hours.

'Ultron' may have given us James Spader, Vision and what would result in Cap being worthy of lifting the hammer of Thor (I knew it), but it also gave Whedon more problems that the more press promotion interviews he'd have the more he'd promote exactly that. Let's just say like Loki in his final frame of the first movie his hands were tied...even if his mouth wasn't gagged. What happened to that original appearance from Captain Marvel? Do we really have two Quicksilver's running at the same time (with Evan Peters' 'Days Of Future Past' X-Men rumoured to be making a multi-verse appearance like Aaron Taylor-Johnson's at home with Disney +'s new 'WandaVision' series for your television sets this fall)? And how the f### does the "age" of Ultron last just one movie? The film was fun, but this sophomore slumping sequel lacked the spark of the first film before the Russo Brothers tidied all that destruction (that movies like 'Batman v Superman' were much maligned for) up with the 'Civil War' Sakovia accords and their history making and breaking 'Infinity War' and 'Endgame' double. Remember the best, most heartbreaking death scene in the opening of 'Endgame' were Hawkeye loses his whole family in a thunder strike before becoming lost in Tokyo as the Ronin samurai in Japan? Well SNAP! That scene wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Joss. Fighting for the family time of Clint Barton's nest to not be cut for time in 'Age'.

Edgar Wright's 'Ant-Man' (imagine that hot fuzz with a Cornetto baby drivers). Most recently Scott Derrickson's 'Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness' (although the addition of Sam Rami may just bring back your friendly (not if you've watched Michael Cera in Jessica Chastain's 'Molly's Game'), neighbourhood Toby Maguire) featuring a study in the Scarlet Witch like Thor's 'Ragnarok' did a comic crossover Planet Hulk. More directors have dropped out of Marvel movies than we've had Spider-Men. But it's not just the M.C.U. DC have had their fair share of problems too...but Martha's the word on that. And now with game changers before 'Black Panther' and 'Captain Marvel' in 'Wonder Woman' and fun films like 'Aquaman', 'Shazam' and the 'Suicide Squad' emancipating 'Birds Of Prey' for Harley Quinn can we not call it like it is now...even? The successful shows DC have to their credit too on the box more than level the playing field like Tim Roth becoming an Abomination. So let's not be green with envy now Marvelites. This isn't the Lakers and Celtics. There's room to like both like Schwarzenegger and Stallone.

HBO this weekend have made their latest 'Watchman' series available for free worldwide, without a need for a subscription service. Watch this! In reaction to the recent Black Lives Matters protests, the 'Watchman' series has an important story to tell you about what happened in Tulsa in 1921. The same weekend Trump can't even draw a crowd there. They're probably at hope being told how it really is by HBO. The original 'Watchmen' movie was directed by Zack Snyder. The same Snyder of the criminally underrated like Ben Affleck's Batman, 'Dawn Of Justice'. The same Snyder who after hosting a 'Man Of Steel' locked down, quarantine watch party with special guest, Superman himself Henry Cavill announced that the 'Justice League' movie would be coming to HBO's new streaming service HBO Max next year...his Snyder Cut that is. Time to fix that moustache problem. Zack Snyder left the 'League' after a family tragedy and a new director with a superhero reputation stepped in to stick the landing. But making it more like a Marvel movie the gritty DC style looked like it was subserviently bowing to the mainstream masses. And who was the director in charge of all that? Joss Whedon! Now a few years and a Batman change later to Edward Cullen of all people (but go bats### crazy. Robert Pattinson will own this be twilight, now winging it) it looks like justice is about to be served with this new assemble. Comic book cults can't wait to see the cut they've been scratching for the minute they left cinemas after watching Whedon's decent but not definitive movie (the one DC product that actually isn't up to par). Although some see in this social media age of this actually being a case of studios bowing to trolling toxic fandom online. 'Fury' and 'Bright' director David Ayer who says he has his own cut of 'Suicide Squad' with more underrated Jared Leto for the pack disagrees. We do too. We say it's studio heads finally listening to the people they should be with faith...the fans. The people that actually want the product. Not those in charge just concerned with charging the most money it can make. And now with this news we may finally have a new trend of seeing big tent pole blockbuster movies across all sorts of franchises as the vision of the original director intended, no more fingerprints like 'Men In Black'. Here they come off the cutting room floor like countless others we don't know about or will never see like Nicolas Cage's Superman (could be a good thing) and Clint Eastwood's Batman (do you feel lucky...punk). All for a new age in Hollywood that needs a new direction (not director) post COVID cinema closure to get peeps back in seats. Now if only Mickey Mouse could put those big ears to use and listen. The people have spoken. Cut. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

STAND-UP REVIEW: DAVE CHAPPELLE-8.46

5/5

Netflix Is More Than A Joke. 

Review? You can't review a thing like this. Dave Chappelle is f###### furious! And he should be. We all should be. He shouldn't be told to shut up and tell p### jokes like Los Angeles Laker LeBron James shouldn't be told to "shut up and dribble" by some c### (King...hey, we understand). The G.O.A.T. King of Comedy didn't attend the Grammy's he won this year at the STAPLES Center as he was at home crying "like a baby" like we all were after the tragic, still unbelievable loss of Kobe and GiGi to begin the COVID-19 worst year of 2020 that has lost so many loved ones and now has erupted in violence and police brutality after those who had a problem with American football and legend of the people Colin Kaepernick taking a knee in peaceful protest, didn't have one with a crooked cop putting one on George Floyd's neck until calling for his dead mother he couldn't breathe anymore in a country lead by a so-called President with both his hands on his phone. Thinking that illuminating light still won't reveal that orange face under that white hood. It only seems like yesterday that Kobe was "saving the world", one about to elect Trump in 2016 by hitting 60 in his final game like, "Dear Basketball...Mamba out", Chappelle flipping between channels with cops shot in Dallas on every other. You see Chappelle's couldn't go to the La La Lakerland home of the purple and gold in this Hollywood city of stars this calender as both the number 8 and 24 jerseys were hanging for. That's the date of Dave's birthday man. So coming out of quarantine like the most important and influential musician to his comedian Donald Glover's Childish Gambino album  by the '53.49' number, '3.15.20.' released right as we went into lockdown, what's this 8.46?

That's not only the time Dave Chappelle was born but the length of time that f###### cop (whose name we won't say. He only deserved to be referred to as a prison number from now on) had his f###### knee on George Floyd's neck. 8 MINUTES AND FORTY SIX FUCKING SECONDS. Sorry for swearing, but we're way past censorship now. Chappelle compares this to the time he first moved to California and was shook one scared of his first earthquake that lasted a grand total of 35 seconds. I can relate Dave, now living in Japan. If one here lasts even longer than the time it takes to look up from what we're doing I react like I've just seen that glass in 'Jurassic Park' vibrate...and I don't stay perfectly still. Two seconds. 35. 8 MINUTES AND FORTY MOTHER FUCKING Seconds! Do you know how much hatred you have to have in your heart to assume that position for THAT long?! This cop still had his knee on George's neck when the paramedics took his pulse. Are you out of your God damned minds? Like Marvin Gaye said and he does all over the other thing you need to watch on Netflix like Ava DuVernay's '13th' documentary and 'When They See Us' (that scene where he says, "no one gives a f### about me" to the prison guard is about the size of it) and 'Do The Right Thing' and 'BlackKklansman' most important and influential director in the once United States of America, Spike Lee's greatest and most thought provoking movie yet, 'Da 5 Bloods' starring Delroy Lindo and 'Black Panther', James Brown, Jackie Robinson and Thurgood Marshall, Chadwick Boseman, what the f### is going on? Well Dave's about to tell you as he lights a cigarette takes a stool and thumbs through a Moleskin notebook that actually looks like a Bible. In the middle of a peaceful Beaverbrook, Ohio, taking to a candlelit stage one June evening in front of some socially distant spectators, temperature checked for the history making first live show. This writer was fortunate to see Chappelle on Broadway (too scared to approach him after the show) about a couple of weeks away from a year ago in New York round July 4th when I was celebrating the independence day fireworks and the same month of my birth 1985 setting of Netflix's season 3 of their best (until now) shows, 'Stranger Things'. At that show they locked our phones in cases so we wouldn't film for our own streams (good call). Imagine a year later fans seperated by ball player heights, needing a thermometer and donning face masks like the Far East always with iconic Chappelle Show logos like the chain on Chappelle's chest or the one rapper, activist and close friend of Dave, Talib Kweli debuted on Instagram to promote his podcast last week. Imagine all that. You don't have to be Gal Gadot to wonder women and men. Imagine all that's happened in 2020 this time last year. But this time the 'C' in this calendar of coronavirus stand for, "courage" right now.

Consequence raps over A Tribe Called Quest's 'Stressed Out' classic whilst a more than stressed Chappelle takes to the stage to deal with all the consequences (why is the people that are persecuted and not the ones doing the persecution that always have to deal this way?). On stage his show takes a minute to get off the ground (but you f##### know the reasons why) like fellow legend Jerry Seinfeld's latest one. But just like at comedian in a car he once got coffee with once it starts up it really goes, as Netflix show they and this is more than a joke. "Am I boring you" Chappelle asks a compelled crowd who are actually hanging on to his every word as America is for its dear life. Breaking more than funny bones like his 'Sticks and Stones' like his 'Equanimity and the Bird Revelation', the Mark Twain Prize winner for American humor (which you can also see on Netflix) shows satire is his greatest strength as America's greatest comedian has just became the country's greatest social commentator with this guerilla concert were scared to death we still don't give a f### about what Ja Rule thinks at a time like this. It's not about celebrity as Chappelle is trusting "the streets to speak" and couldn't be prouder of all the protestor standing up for all we've lost. TRAYVON MARTIN. ERIC GARNER. PHILANDO CASTILE. BREONNA TAYLOR. The list goes on, but we hope no more. As no more black men and women should lose their lives to corrupt police brutality. Until white people can see that all Black Lives Matter, all lives cannot. "Not if black lives don't" his Leonard Washington character says in response to his white-faced one saying that, "all lives matter" in Chappelle's classic 2016 SNL skit of 'The Walking Dead's' Negan swinging Lucille and barbed wire. Slinging barbs here playing for more than laughs-but dropping a warm anecdotal joke in here and there (like joshing that his 'A Star Is Born' co-star and friend Bradley Cooper has done enough 'Hangover' movies)-Dave knocks this one out of whatever park they're lawn chair sitting in. "Normally I wouldn't show you something so unrefined", Dave Chappelle says in a statement that comes with this video via YouTube. "I hope you understand." And oh how we do as his fidgeting and restless look of unease whilst delivering this mad but moving monologue on the state of those fighting to be United ones right now is a symbol for the "this is America" he is living in today. If only everyone else could too. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Da 5 Bloods', '13th', 'When They See Us'.

REVIEW: DA 5 BLOODS

4/5

Mo' Better Bloods.

155 Mins. Starring: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Veronica Ngo, Johnny Tri Nguyen, Mélanie Thierry, Jasper Pääkkönen, Paul Walter Hauser, Jean Reno & Chadwick Boseman. Director: Spike Lee. 

Apocalypse NOW! Burning cross. John David Washington and 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' star Laura Harrier guns drawn on a Dolly shot draw forward like his dad Denzel used to on the same 'Malcolm X' movie he made his baby debut on. Cut to Charlottesville. That car cutting through all those people protesting. No justice, no peace like 'Chi-Raq'. 'BlackKklansman' based on police officer Ron Stallworth's stirring true story, by the book of the same name was already as incendiary as it was groundbreaking. All the way down to the spelling of the title and Hollywood and Calypso legend, civil rights activist and the man who taught Bob Dylan his chops, Harry Belafonte breaking the fourth wall to tell us first hand the United States divided history with race. But the way the real life story of how Stallworth (played perfectly by a breakout John David Washington about to hit a tentative 'TENET' theatre with 'The Batman' Robert Pattinson and director Christopher Nolan, six feet near (far...wherever you are) you soon) infiltrated a chapter of the K# K### K### over his book with the help of his Jewish partner (played perfectly too by 'Marriage Story' leading, leading man and Kylo Ren himself, Adam Driver (not "circumstanced") played out unbelievably by true was a testament to the power of cinema, storytelling and the 'Inside Man' (now how about a like father like son team-up for the sequel?) 'He Got Game' (Zion will have it like Ray Allen 2) and 'Mo' Better Blues' director Spike Lee's legendary and still legacy making talents, crushed in purple to symbolise the late, great Prince like a 'Girl 6' soundtrack at the Oscars as 'Green Book' was not his cup of tea. Out of nowhere the ignited ending flipped to the real life new report of Charlottesville with no time to look away (we shouldn't) in "some (ALL) of these images are disturbing", with the "President" of these "United" States calling those who took the lives of peaceful protestors, "good people". It was all you needed to see and hear to end this previously untold chapter of history that today, this is America. Don't you catch you slipping though like those who turned the most important artist of our generation Childish Gambino's biggest statement on viral video into joking memes and stupid lip sync soundbites when it really should be about affording more respect to what means that much. They said that was Spike's best yet. Even if they overlooked the 'Chi-Raq' study of the Iraq like violence that has turned Chicagotown into a war zone like when Capone was untouchable, like the underrated his remake of the South Korean 'Oldboy' with Thanos himself, Josh Brolin. But today they're saying the same thing about his back in Vietnam (where "this Budweiser is for you', a billion served McDonald's and Francis Ford Coppola 'Apocalypse Now' posters (for an epic dance off moment where these seniors with swagger need no Dolly (wait until you see the actual one here) like Parton) have replaced all the lives and limbs lost), war of race, man's minds, PTSD and a soldiers heart for his band of brothers looking for a 'Triple Frontier' of buried treasure (but you know all about the story of the man in a sinking ship who anchor chained himself to his own gold) and family in 'Da 5 Bloods' now streaming on Netflix like Lee's new direction reboot series (which you really need to nostalgically see) on his first feature, out of this world like his Air Jordan iconic Mars Blackmon character, 'She's Gotta Have It'. But like rival, divisive and controversial director Quentin Tarantino making major history rewriting statements with the war and western double act of 'Inglorious Basterds' and 'Django Unchained'. And here Spike shows sympathy to both sides of the war like Clint Eastwood's 'Letters From Iwo Jima'. Just when you thought he peaked early with the groundbreaking, 'Do The Right Thing' (which was not only before its time but Radio Raheem (Rest Peacefully Bill Nunn) tragically foreboding to today as cops out their knee on the necks of innocent men (Rest in Power George Floyd) whilst crying foul at Colin Kaepernick taking one before a football game in the name of peace for the flag) like Q.T., 'Pulp Fiction', Spike Lee is his doing his best work (like the courtside Knick superfan documenting the late, great Kobe over a game in La La Lakerland) once upon a new time in Hollywood.

40 Acres and a Mule. A Spike Lee joint like no other. From the knockout "they never called me..." Ali opening that soundbites into the best use of Marvin Gaye's real what's going on of 'Inner City Blues' that will make you want to holler as black and white photos in the same portrait of 'She's Gotta Have It' portray a whole new story of discrimination that told again and again these days sadly seems all too f###### familiar. This movie made me scream, shout, cry and cheer. 'Da 5 Bloods' is the best thing Netflix has streamed since 'Roma', or Scorsese's, De Niro, Pacino and Pesci 'Irishman'. Now does that sound like the Academy's cup of tea Oscar? How about one for 'Crooklyn' and 'Clockers', Spike Lee regular, 'Malcolm X' reuniting Delroy Lindo at his nuanced best? I mean how can you not give an award for the acting required to play a Trump supporter right now (and how about the Kanye passcode diss)? The reaction to him wearing a MAGA hat is akin to a white hood. A moment with a gondola salesman is as heartbreaking as it is infuriating. A man who still has a beating heart and is the bruised and broken, but embracing, emotional core of this movie. All the way to his fourth wall dynamite break. So give it. Just like the 'Romeo Must Die' stars performance on the news, coaxing two criminally stupid anchors who though the "N" word was a double standard between its usage from white to black to put their mouth where their ignorance was. "So say it", he glared in a cauldron or rage viral moment that was so vital it looked real, although it was a a scene from 'The Good Fight' spin-off of 'The Good Wife'. The 'Gone In 60 Seconds' actor charges up race issues here as fast and furious as gold shells falling from a chopper like a Schwarzenegger commando in a forest of predators. Even if the enemy's face is not what you think, but actually a little closer to home instead. But how about the rest of these brothers in arms, embracing after all these years with a warmth that could bring light after the morning of the closest war that knows the smell of napalm is not victory as they check back in with each other at the hotel? 'The Last Black Man In San Francisco' actor Jonathan Majors is a major talent as some young blood with epic emotional stakes. While 'The Wire' and 'Three Billboards Outside Of Ebbing Missouri' scene stealer Clarke Peters is the Hathaway soul of this movie. Europe and Broadway star Norm Lewis truly sings in this Saigon and what more can we say about the star of 'The Wire' and Spike Lee regular (like the 9/11 tribute 'The 25th Hour') Isiah Whilock Jnr and the role and performance of his life than, sheeeeeeeeeeeet!?

Black Panther. The Marvel classic comic creation predated the political party, but showed side-by-side solidarity to it like the X-Men did their Professor X and Magneto, peaceful and by any means necessary, side of the coin character representations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. When the 'Black Panther' movie came out in 2018 it changed not only superheroes and the game...but the world. But the Jackie Robinson star of '42', James Brown star of 'Get On Up' and Thurgood 'Marshall', Chadwick Boseman was already a hero himself. And he represents so much "We control our rage" more here in catalyst, gold standard throwback flashback filmed fantastically like archival footage for a real history lesson like knowing who Milton Olive is (Black History matters every month) or the percentages of forgotten black soldiers sent to die for a country that wouldn't even fight for them back home, as soldier of fortune, "Stormin" Norman. Even in a medal studded cast of French, 'Babylon A.D.' star Mélanie Thierry, 'BlackKklansman's' Jasper Pääkkönen (circumstanced) and Paul Walter Hauser (who was so good as 'Richard Jewell' in the Clint Eastwood movie) and 'The Professional' of the 'Leon' Legend himself, Jean Reno. Not to mention a lighter snapping and cigarette record scratching Veronica Ngo. Disarmingly charming and captivating as 'Good Morning Vietnam' like radio personality Hanoi Hannah. Be safe. Or Johnny Tri Nguyen's gracious guide showing us the way. Chadwick, a charismatic inspiration from the very git. Add another hero to the '21 Bridges', 'Infinity' and 'Endgame' stars hire in this anything but civil war. But we're going through an even more painful one right now as we tweet or take to the street to protest that all lives don't matter if all Black Lives don't (just watch the end of the Season 1, 'She's Gotta Have It', #DaJumpoff). Just like the American auteur 'BlackKklansman', 'Da 5 Bloods' couldn't come at a more critical time in America where POC should be able to do much more than simply breathe, like everyone's God given right and police who use a knee and have a problem with taking one should have more than their badge taken...but the freedom they're supposed to protect, serve and uphold with courtesy, professionalism and respect too. Just like slave owners are the real ones who belong in chains, corrupt and racist officers of the "law" are the ones who truly belong behind bars. In this world of social media self promotion-especially when it comes to blogs like this-I've been at a crossroads at what to do. Especially in a world we're some people for likes preach equality and unity, but practice privilege and a lack of love, peace and understanding when social media can't see. Should I shut the f### up and listen and learn like when I shared Leon Bridges lyrics to his new 'Sweeter' song in a recent article because his words are more important? NO! I mean they are but I have so much more to say...and even more to do. I owe it. We all do. I would never take or appropriate from another culture. But hip-hop inspired the way I write in flow and I've earned a career off writing about basketball. Two forms of entertainment that predominantly comes from black culture. Even without that gift to my work by grace how can I stay silent? How can any of us?! Even if we are looking for the right time. The time is now. F### racism and love peace! But if there's no justice than we have own finger instead of two. Like my President Barack Obama said, "we will extend our hands if you unclench your fists." Dear fellow white people, I feel like I'm not doing enough. And that's the point. I'm not. We're all not. We should all feel like that. Because it's in how we think, what we say and what we do. How we treat everyone on an everyday basis with no days off when no cameras are watching. We can all do more. We can always do more and we won't stop until all Black Lives Matter like they always should have and all blue ones with red on their shirt from an innocent man should no longer hide behind their badge like racists their hood. A burning cross isn't Christian, because God is love and the only thing that burns in fire is the devil. Heaven can wait as there's hell to pay first for all the wrongs that need to be made right tonight. When did Martin's dream turn into America's nightmare? Blood on blood. Blood brothers. "War is not the answer. For only love can conquer hate." Hold up your fist like firing guns in the sky instead of at each other. Black Power and Black Lives Matter...forever. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'BlackKklansman', 'Chi-Raq', 'Apocalypse Now'. 

#SceneStealing GEMINI MAN (2019)

Identicals Attract. 

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

(In the latest of our #FilmsForFridays #SceneStealing series we get on your bike with Will Smith AND Will Smith for Ang Lee's 'Gemini Man'). 

Colombia. The streets are awash with colourful condos and sunbathe. And a puddle from the 'Welcome to Miami' like shower that was probably mere minutes ago, but on the surface looks like days gone. Will Smith (whose 'Focus' with Margot Robbie (whose 'Birds Of Prey' Harley Quinn featured in our last 'Scene') began this 'Stealing' series) sees a reflection in said precipitation that looks awfully familiar as he watches his 6 like Drake. Revolver hidden by his side like looking stupid with an umbrella right now, his uzi under five pounds of pressure feels like it weighs a ton, on the run from a public enemy in the scope. Two suppressed shots are fired under his shirt that break glass like seven years bad luck and we're off to the races were a nation of a million wild horses couldn't hold him back or drag him away. He poles around some flags and hides being the most beautiful automobile you've seen this side of the Buena Vista Social Club...that's about to need a new paint job. For the first time the creed of this assassin is scared like Michael Fassbender when those first week reviews came out. He makes a break for it moving across some magnificent murals that just made this movie all the more cinematic, hiding behind more concrete cover. Blue jeans holstering his handgun, before reaching into his man bag for more toys. Some machine gun funk and something that looks like an apple, but will keep more than the doctor away. He assembles the gun in attack mode with Schwarzenegger, 'Terminator' robot like muscle memory precision and mounts it on its side against the rock like Connery and Cage. He scopes his shooter who rabbits quickly.

Boy that kid looks awful familiar.

No time to think. Or it will be 'No Time To Die' Mr. Bond. Just run. Because this fresh kid has got his own bag of tricks. A gun that bends and curves bullets like Neo couldn't dodge. You know he's 'Wanted' now. A padlock bullet bursts open followed by the doors it used to hold. Smith fires some shots off and makes for it, like he does the stairs that greet him in this complex. Yet more mirrors see something coming up behind him as a balcony firefight that swings between the trees and ducks and covers leaves a melee mess worse than the critics of this much-maligned (but actually perfect for its own original concept, early 2000's time) movie. A grenade drops in like a penny out of nowhere and Smith seats it away like a giant before the balcony turns into a shooting gallery and then both marksmen take their positions before the smoking gun starts them off again. "STOP RIGHT There!" There's that mirror again that you don't want to look into like the morning after. "WHO ARE YOU?" Smith shouts like he already knows. "I don't want to shoot you." "Fine. Don't shoot me," the kid replies nonchalantly. "Mind if I shoot you," he asks with added cockiness of his age and stage. Will may have the high ground (or stairs) like Anakin. But this kid has his way. "Did they show you a photo of me?" Wait a minute does Will think this kid is his son? "They just told me you were old!" Ouch! C'mon man!

More guns, but no roses comes out yet in Colombia as its time to get dirty...on dirt bikes. Smith makes another break for it after they play hot potato with grenades and a shot better than Michael making a last play against the Jazz dance. The hunter well and truly being that hunted cliche now as this young kid flips down buildings after him like a free running gymnast who could also take off from the free throw line. But this 'Last Dance' has a few steps left as this scenes location but action does not change like fellow fall underrated sci-fi hit movie, 'Terminator: Dark Fate' from the factory to the highway like a 'T:2' with Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor too (which we have also scene stole). We're off to the races and more beautiful borders of murals again as Smith races in the street on his bike like a steel horse or Tom Cruise and Cam Diaz 'Knight and Day' bull stampede run. Handling this animal like Chris Tucker mounted his motorcycle hilariously during 'Rush Hour'. Man you've never had a tour of this countries city so compelling as these tie bikes battle with silent bullets. Pigeons fly like John Woo doves for this Ang Lee set piece before the kid literally throws his exploding bike at Smith down below before inhumanely running into another one via doing the same to two men who used to stand beside them. Moviegoers are beside themselves now. It's all about to rev up again. Full throttle! Smith looks in his rear view mirr...SMASH! That's gone. More bullets try to sting him from behind like flies. Forget cover, Will needs a diversion. He finds away by taking out one of the tyres of a car between them minding it's own business and staying in its lane. It can't help but spin and swerve. Yet the kid dodges it on his front wheel like he's been performing dirt bike tricks when Evil Knievel was still trying to swing from his crib. No bullets left the kid has had enough now as Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Benedict Wong look on in concern from their own royal box view of this fight. Side-by-side these two lookalikes on bikes are scrapping like siblings now. Push and shove fighting over a favourite toy. Then in a childish, cheeky but cool gambit move this kid edges forward and trips Smith's bike using his back wheel as careening off his chopper Will almost gets crushed by a car.

SLAP! Here's to my favourite moment of the movie. What did the bike wheel like Dave Chappelle's Rick James' five fingers say to the face. Stunting on his front wheel again and some epic scoring the kid slaps Smith down with his back one leaving a bloody and scabby beard for the rest of this movie after this close shave that should have killed him. The kid donuts, revs and trips Smith again...but this time he's on no bike. Man that's got to hurt. The kid gets some run up space on his horse...and then charges. But this time Will sees him coming his way and the man that almost played Neo pulls off a move straight out of 'The Matrix' in slow motion for you (or the world's most impressive push up) to avoid this trailing tyre tread. Kid comes back like a battering ram at this cars hood. Right between the you know what's. He jumps to the top for his next trick. Finds position like one of these dirt bike riders up the side of a mountain and then comes down. "STOP!" Smith tries for another car. The kid takes one last run up. Revving the handlebars now like he's about to jump through a ring of fire. He loses his cap (man that fades familiar) and let's dirt fly as his bike crashes into the car like Smith tumbling over the bonnet to get away. Out flicks a knife. Smith puts up his Ali dukes. It's hand to hand for this combat now between these two killers for hire. But then flashing lights. Police sirens. Will turns around. The kids in the wind. Hands up. Here's to Will Smith's "bad" movies (yet the less said about the contrived 'Collateral Beauty' the better. At least his performance was perfect). That are better than most of your so-called favourite actors best work. Like the cult Netflix hit 'Bright'. Or the father and son post 'Pursuit' pre M. Night Shyamalan 'Split' resurgence in 'After Earth'. And we all remember the 'Wild, Wild West'...which this writer actually watched and enjoyed yesterday. The steampunk fun mix of western and sci-fi featuring Will Smith changing the game as a cowboy will always be an underrated seminal moment in movies (no matter what the original star of the show says) and still blazes like saddles. As he puts on his stetson, cocks his "let's stick to what we do best" rifle with "I make this look good" swagger and puts down any racist redneck before they even have chance to let the most vile word in the human language leave their mouth (like Will poignantly and powerfully told Stephen Colbert years ago, "racism isn't getting worse. It's getting filmed."). Now how's that for inspiration? Smith may have passed on being the one like Keanu Reeves in 'The Matrix' for this, but like 'John Wick' himself says, "I like 'Wild, Wild West'" and if you let your own opinion instead of critics and pass it on whisper hearsay inform your choices, you just might enjoy it too. And man that wicked, wicked song. Same goes for the twinning of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' director Lee's (who brought cell structure and that seventies show soul to his underrated 'Hulk' movie) 'Gemini Man' starring Will Smith and erm Will Smith. Albeit in young 'Fresh Prince' faded form for a 'Bad Boy' back on the boil for life like his 'Aladdin' love action Genie gave him three more wishes. Sean Connery. Mel Gibson. Harrison Ford. That's how long 'Gemini Man' was in production for. Aging action heroes who would probably need CGi for both young and old characters right now if they really ended up playing the part. But in reflection there's no better 'Gemini' than Smith or May 30th. And when it comes to the hell to burning rubber like leather action scene like a speeding motocross, we can't find many outracing set pieces quite as identical.