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'.
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