TV REVIEW: SNOWPIERCER - Season 2

 

3.5/5

All A'Thawed. 

10 Episodes. Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, Rowan Blanchard, Mickey Sumner, Alison Wright, Iddo Goldberg, Kate McGuinness, Sam Otto, Sheila Vand, Mike O'Malley, Annalise Basso, Steven Ogg, Shaun Toub, Lena Hall & Sean Bean. 

Is it the end of the line for Sean Bean? From 'Lord Of The Rings' to 'Game Of Thrones', this walking spoiler dies in everything. And the only way the 'Sharpe' actor made it to the second season here whilst keeping his head (or his arm...as this show would literally have it like 'The Winter Soldier') is because he actually wasn't in the first one...but at least he was in spirit. 1,034 cars long, we give you your Mr. Wilford. The Wikipedia like W to this train. But going off the rails in its sophomore season, is 'Snowpiercer' Season 2 running out of track? Is your loyalty still to the train? In this age of binge like a 'Star Trek-Discovery' it's better to make this a weekly journey...and that's not just because of the cliffhanger nature of this series, akin to a 'Wayward Pine'. Sure that keeps the excitement levels turning on these tracks, but this show like a federation 'Discovery' would surely suffer from binge fatigue. Especially with the double decker finale like ABC. It's perfect entertainment, but not mindlessly so in epic escapism. You have to think about this s###. And just like 'Wayward Pines' was a poor detectives 'Twin Peaks' this piercer as cold as it gets doesn't come close to the pieces of snow 'Parasite' Oscar winning host and director Bong Joon-ho gave us in 2013 as he made Captain America eat babies. Even if it does expand on the universe of its executive producer with enough plot hatching eggs this Easter to crack any body part. From mobile icing devices in this Apple age that saves tailies sticking all sorts of appendages out of holes on the side of the train until sledgehammers rock them like Peter Gabriel, to Pan Am stylistic first class references to catch whilst you can. Now there's nothing wrong with snow, but we just don't know how many seasons of this cold we can take? Maybe it just mirrors too much of what's going on in the planetary pandemic real world right now through these sheets of ice for us to truly enjoy in our great depression. Brrr! 

Crabs in a barrel with that, "if I can't have it, neither can you" mentality will have everybody pulling each other down to their collective demise when they could let some just reach the top. Turn that barrel over and what have you got (apart from a lot of spilt crabs)? A train. With all these crabs racing to the front that Ed Harris used to occupy on the big screen and now Sean Bean does on the small one in penguin pinstripe and furs. And they're all here, but this time breakout season star Daveed Diggs is forming an alliance down the lines with 'Labyrinth' legend Jennifer Connelly. Retracing her villainous steps like the time she marked those revolving stones with lipstick as a teenager, with a new anti-hero perspective here. The more she steps into the light the more we see the darker depths of Diggs character and just how far he's willing to go down the train as he digs in. And as an actor Daveed delivers it all perfectly in not just his sobering sacrificies, but what he takes from the tail as a result. Cutting it and them off like a dog. Whereas the 'Requiem For A Dream', 'A Beautiful Mind' and 'Hulk' actress Connelly just gets better with age and stage, going to friendly fire Netflix/Disney + war with husband Paul Bettany currently playing solemn sitcom house with Elizabeth Olsen, tuned into 'WandaVision'. Fun fact that you probably already know like the fact that Bettany's Vision started out as Iron Man's J.A.R.V.I.S. vocal assist, like a remote butler, the voice in the Stark designed 'Homecoming' Spider-Man suit is none other but Connelly's. Now how fitting is that? Almost as fitting as the truce called between the tailies and the top of the train that shows that like the nature of anything in this grey area world that's not black and white. No one is all bad...and no one is all good. But you'd be surprised on this train that like Springsteen sang once, "contains losers and winners". 

First class vs the working class heroes. They've all punched their ticket and perhaps even above their weight. 'Frances Ha' star Mickey Sumner's former hospitality character going for broke and getting in way over her head. Fellow great British character actor of 'The American' Alison Wright keeping her accent and the show she steals yet again with the peaks of her performance. Always to be counted and called on in her line of duty. 'Peaky Blinders' star Iddo Goldberg's haunted character as close to Connelly as any. The mental and physical scarring of 'Roots' and 'Hollywood' actress Kate McGuinness. The soul of this sardines in a can crowded series. Characters and actors like Sam Otto reappearing in a different light in the bowels of the trains tail with his 'Winter Song'. Squirrled away with the rebellious Annalise Basso, now emancipated. Or an underused but undeniable Sheila Vand. There's just so many to account for like the 'Glee' of Mike O'Malley now playing world weary wonders. The conviction of confliction by 'The Walking Dead' real and raw revolutionary Steven Ogg. And of course who could forget how different and definitive the villainous Shaun Toub feels no? All those years after helping Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark get out that cave in 'Iron Man'. He has his own hole he lives in now...with everything he could ask, want and demand for. Still, through all the carriages it's singer/songwriter Lena Hall who really holds her stage again in all its grandness. Capturing grace amongst all the Gatsby debauchery and showing darker shades of her character as she walks hand-in-hand down the aisle depths of an abusive relationship. Not only with a certain passenger, but also the passage of points of loyalty and good and bad sides of the coin in all its grey area dividedness. Manipulating these mannerisms, this is were the mirth and menace of Sean Bean shines like all of the lights lit for Mr. Wilford. One moment were we makes a skinny Josh Brolin take a bath with him is truly chilling as the razer blade clicks. This is for all the beans. Forget a hill of them. Or his visionary delusions of Willy Wonka/Greatest Showman grandeur. But even the legend is outshone by the fellow new arrival he's bringing to this meeting of the trains in this second season play. The less we reveal about 'Girl Meets World' actress Rowan Blanchard's character the better. But just like that great concept of a 'Boy Meets World' reprisal she started in, when you find out more about her (character and actor), you know she's going to be at the helm of stardom for a very long time. World meet Rowan. Some may say this crowded train leaves for little character development, but locked down at home watching the tube, have you taken a walk around and looked outside recently? All our characters are under construction of real reflection. This show is bigger than the sum of its working parts. It couldn't be any more telling of our times than how Joon-ho originally intended to in lines of social commentary back almost a decade ago than it is right now. These passengers may be moving, but because of the end of days of a planet in panic they are still stuck in the same place on this train that feels like a sinking ship. Sound familiar? Dystopia apocalyptic films always felt too close to home, but now we're collectively confined to ours, it really does feel all the more as real as it gets. And the human horrors that haunt us here remind us of the reasons we can't sleep at night right now. Struggling to survive whilst others thrive. Everyone battling for position without realizing we can all stand together...if you want it. What's this world coming to? The end of the line? And how about this? Now coming out of winter in this game of trains, as this thing Scalextric's itself on the track for another go round. Can we stand another cycle? Or will all of this eventually defrost in a world that's getting warmer as our hate gets hotter? We're about to feel it now. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Snowpiercer (2013)', 'Star Trek-Discovery', 'Wayward Pines'. 

TV/BOOK REVIEW: THE QUEENS GAMBIT

4/5 & 4/5

The Crown.

7 Episodes/322 Pages. Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Moses Ingram, Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Harry Melling, Marcin Dorociński, Isla Johnston & Bill Camp. Director: Scott Frank. Writer: Walter Tevis.

Late to the game, straight hungover out the bath like I was partying in Paris with a model (I wish), it's time to punch the clock. Last fall 'The Queens Gambit' miniseries on Netflix starring 'Morgan', 'Split'/'Glass' and 'The New Mutants' Best Actress Anya Taylor-Joy was a Golden Globe capturing monster. Rising faster than this orphaned prodigy above the ranks. Becoming the streaming services most watched series in a month. Making chess cool again. Because it was always as sexy as it was stimulating...think not? Forget blitz chess. Try playing 'Strip Chess'...trust me. With decadent, debonair direction from the Best Adapted Screenplay twice-over Oscar nominated Scott Frank (the Lopez and Clooney cool 'Out Of Sight' and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine's last stand in the neo Western of 'Logan'), this period piece looked as hallmark haunting to the time as Taylor-Joy's 'Peaky Blinders' to the brimstone of old Birmingham. And what a joy she really was as she played a blinder. But like the chicken and the egg, how about what laid the foundation to all of this? Walter Tevis' terrific book that was doing the Amazon rounds on Black Friday during the shows initial stellar streaming run across the board. So much so after subscribing and purchasing, when we had got round to this book in our pile and show in our continue watching section we decided to watch and read at the same time in this age of binge. 14 for 7. Chapter for episode. No stranger to games over the decades Tevis wrote the book on Paul Newman's young to seasoned Hollywood gambling career. From the pool shark beginnings of 'The Hustler', to back on the green felt for 'The Color Of Money' with another young LA upstart looking to take your money and make change in some kid called Tom Cruise decade's later. Walter also wowed the world with two science fiction epic novel masterpieces that even forefather Philip K. Dick (who gave Cruise's best of the 90's career a fresh, future forward jolt into the new millennium with 'Minority Report') would be proud of ('The Man Who Fell To Earth' and 'Mockingbird'). But which is better? Novel or adaptation? Well for your modern chess openings how about we file how these two would fare battling it out in black and white? Let's play. 

White Queens pawn moves forward two spaces. 

Tevis to his testament knows how to set a scene like a table for dinner or board for game and what he does in this chess stories opening is no different playing his own gambit like Channing Tatum hopefully wants to do one day for the 'X-Men', as Anya already has in the long-delayed 'New Mutants' which came out to little fanfare in last years cinematic quarantine. Definitely in response to this show which has locked down everything else like forcing your hand to make a sacrifice and topple your King. The planets pandemic took to this 'Gambit' like a card dealt poker face. Last year's real marvel in the endgame of movies. The show starts the same. Honouring Tevis' rule book to the letter sportingly like the city and time typography across the screen in all its colour. Killing it like eve. 

Black Queens pawn moves forward two spaces. 

Pills and bottles on the books board instead of knights and rooks, the Queen of this Gambit Beth Harmon was addicted to the adrenaline of more than winning. That's the substance to this stylised story. Scott explores this frankly, but also funnily. One spoonful of sugar scene in the medicine cabinet were a young Harmon (played inspiringly by Isla Johnston) is just as hands in the air holding nothing hilarious as it is when it floors you in the book. You'll fall for it again and again. But it's the stirring scenes with classic character actor Bill Camp (who is always great, but something else entirely here), whose janitor Mr. Shaibel teachers her about this game with chain clicked light bulb and steel table closeted resignation and sportsmanship. Setting the tone for the rest of the series like his character does by the book. It's a beautiful arc in one episode and chapter that in each verse results in earned emotion by the end. So much so you'll feel it dropping in all its water on the pages or your popcorn as you binge the same. 

Queens side bishop pawn moves forward two squares. 

Moses Ingram's influential Jolene will take your heart in this queen of one's like the one Dolly Parton sang about. Whilst 'A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood' adopted mother Marielle Heller will move you to the core with her heartbreaking bruised soul. 'Love Actually' and 'Game Of Thrones' famous face Thomas Brodie-Sangster really comes of age and his own pirated, leather and fedora cool like he did in fellow Netflix miniseries 'Godless' (a godsend to the Western genre like his pistol spinning kid). And even Harry Melling (who was also hauntingly good at being bad in last years Tom Holland Netflix ensemble 'The Devil All The Time') comes out from under the typecast stairs of 'Harry Potter' to work wizardy wonders on a different platform. But it's 'Hurricane' actor Marcin Dorociński who like a quiet storm strikes fear into the hearts of this mental maddening game of cerebral wits all the way to your cerebellum as Borgov. Even his name makes him sound like a Bond villain. Just like the big boss you just can't defeat at the end of a games level. Cold and calculated and sharp as cutting down all your defences, King to Queen. When he strikes your clock it almost sounds like the swish of a switchblade as he looks at you with daggers. To you it's a nightmarish shock. To him a shrug of nonchalance. You can see page to screen, all the actors breathe new life into their characters. But no more than Joy who chin to resting palms stares straight at you. Right through to the soul with a fourth wall break, before she does the ceiling of all the pieces coming to visionary power together. You see the shadow above her crown. It's her throne now. 

Now let the real games begin. 

And with three moves that's 'The Queen's Gambit', but who wins? Call it a draw or an adjournment to a possible season two, but the Netflix show and the Tevis book it was based on mirror each other like the pieces on the board in black and white. But read all about this, when it comes to everything else playing right now...checkmate. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Playing: 'Innocent Moves', 'The Hustler', 'The Color Of Money'. 

REVIEW: ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE

 

4/5

Justice For All.

242 Mins. Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, Joe Morton, Billy Crudup, Ciaran Hinds, Willem Dafoe, Jeremy Irons, J.K. Simmons & Jared Leto. Director: Zack Snyder.

'Lawrence Of Arabia' isn't even as long as this s###. Seriously that clocks in at just under 227 minutes of runtime across the desert. This? Well we've waited almost four years for the ultimate edition of 'Justice League' like the underrated dawn that came before. So what's four more hours? An extreme epic, that's what it is. And they said the age of heroes would never come again. But it had to. We've been screaming, "release the Snyder Cut" for years and here it is in the name of real fan service, not toxic trolls in tandem with fandom (perhaps the real chemtrails can be traced back to those who just consume entertainment to find something to complain about. Why waste your time? Any of you). This is the big one. 'Zack Snyder's Justice League'. Driving a stake into 'Buffy' director Joss Whedon's much maligned botched job. "I tried", said a homeless man's Easter Egg sign in the 2017 clusterf###. From everything that's come out about this man since, from Ray Fisher to Charisma Carpenter, he should have tried harder. WAY harder! As a man he must be held accountable for the abuse he is accused of if found guilty. And we stand by Fisher, Carpenter and countless more too. As a director no matter how good his 'Avengers' assemble ensemble and 'Vampire Slayer' was, he tried to make the dark DC world of 'Justice' in a league with Marvel's humor, which is in one of its own (and Anthony a Mackie was worried 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' was going to be a flop). Which is ironic considering how cynical his 'Age of Ulton' and avenging press tour of passive aggression was. Although he should be credited for fighting to keep Clint Barton's family alive in the 'guess who's coming home for dinner in tights' scene that led to the most emotional 'Endgame' opening moments and that Ronin soldier lost in Tokyo's translation. We wouldn't have the Hailee Steinfeld, Kate Bishop 'Hawkeye' series on Disney + without it, or him. Also here we are missing a great Gotham moment with 'Mindhunter' Holt McCallany and that nice newspaper headline that asked if like Superman, Prince and Ziggy Stardust returned to their home planets he added. But that doesn't make up for the mistakes he has made in movies and the wrong he is said to have done in the real world. Snyder himself was victim of snide comments and social media jibes for his beautifully graphic novel style of directing when he had to leave the 2017 'JL' production due to a tragedy in the family. But look what we were left with without him. Now in a redemption he didn't need to earn when everything burned he really fights for the right side. Standing in solidarity like uniting the seven and raising money for suicide awareness and aid charities like 'Us United'. In loving memory of his lovely daughter. For Autumn...for always.

Snyder's stunning and sublime direction off the cells of a comic canvas come at you in a symphony of signature slow motion and operatic outstanding moments. Now all that's left to do at the coral of this living, breathing (and of course brooding) comic-book is marvel...no pun intended. The toys in this sandbox have all the moving parts for your iconic action figures. Last Christmas, '1984' reminded you of how much of a wonder Gal Gadot is as the woman of justice now Snyder takes this league and says it's good...but it could be better like a 'Mandalorian' or Baby Yoda for your Disney +. Like the King of Atlantis, Aquaman sitting on Prince's lasso in Whedon's version, the 'Fast and Furious' and forthcoming Agatha Christie to Kenneth Branagh Poirot, 'Death On The Nile' actress is just fabulous. And that's the golden neon truth like the technicolor wonder years of the 80's. And speaking of sleeping with the fishes, the Arthur Curry who talks to them has been redefined with dominance by Jason Momoa. With rumors of his other HBO franchise 'Game Of Thrones' having a spin-off revival, Momoa makes Curry, the former 'Robot Chicken' gag chuckle and cluck hot like the dish. Whilst his stunning solo movie showed that he could realm ravish Thor's world of Asgard (like Cate Blanchett destroying it all in two minutes...sorry to Mark Ruffalo you), just like he could muscle up with it. Arm for arms in this war chest that DC reopens. Ready to run like Ezra Miller's fun and free Barry Allen who one day might make it to the finish line of his own solo 'Flashpoint' movie. Although 'Watchmen's' Dr. Manhattan, Billy Crudup crossing the streams won't. Still, that doesn't stop him from playing pops in prison here with a touching moment through the perspex that's anything but phoned in. Just like the first time we see Barry break his bonds (or his sneakers), touch frosted glass like it was silk and rescue what could have been the love of his life passing him by with Quicksilver stops for snacks (what's with the wiener?). And how about the iron man of Ray Fisher's kinetic cyborg and his middle of a socially distanced streets, hooded isolation? Now we get the real directors cut and the original origin stories they deserve, we get to see that "snow" motion American Football scene on the gridiron that looks as epic as anything touching down here for your varsity jacket, or the time Tom Hardy's Bane, "let the games begiiin". Justice for Fish. Scene stealing, no Teen Titan. The depth and emotion of his character arc are defining and epic. It makes you think what Whedon really did to him and his character in his cut. But, with all due respect to Robin and the spray painted Easter Egg in 'BvS' that shows just how subtle Snyder can be in sobering sojourns when he's not soaring the stratosphere, how about the real dynamic duo? We may be excited for Robert Pattinson, but how good is it to see Ben Affleck back in noir as the Bat? Possibly the best Bruce Wayne of all-time when it comes to that "I'm rich" superpower side and best line of the brooding Batman suited and cloaked in loneliness. He brings a darkness to the knight and speaking of back in black, that tone fits the Captain America stars and stripes of Clark Kent's Superman perfectly too side-by-side, now these two heavyweights realize their mum has the same name (sorry I Christoph Waltz, "couldn't resist"). That black suit just hits different like a CGI moustache (sorry...we also couldn't...yep), but imagine if we could have got a Nicolas Cage mullet too for this cut. Self-destructing the notion that the fallout of the last movies effects was a mission impossible to redeem in the first five seconds we see him arrive like glasses of water out of 'Jurassic Park'. The cavalier Henry Cavill was born to play the Man Of Steel like Chris Evans Captain Rogers, or like we wish that was him in the 'Shazam' cafeteria cameo with the lunch tray. Symbols of hope, united after their own civil wars with billionaire, playboy philanthropists. Your critical kryptonite doesn't work anymore. Is it a bird? Is it the same? Now all we need is a Green Lantern. We saw Ryan Reynolds was watching. 

Rogue galleries and those not living long enough to see themselves become the villain could be filled here however with an all-star cast filling out the bench. Of course there's Amy Adams fresh off her 'Hillbilly Elegy' with Ron Howard and an Oscar and Razzie nominated Glenn Close, showing just how she made Lois Lane her own scoop. And of course the legend of Diane Lane, the reason why you are saying that name and the touching moments between the special ladies in Clark's life he would, "fight, fight, fight" for. As legendary as the '300' men one woman and her world could inspire in Connie Nielsen. The emotional gravity and groundwork of "I...don't...know...how...long", Joe "can...hold..this" Morton brings these capes right back down to earth as he holds on to the hope for his sons black box resurrection longer than he did the trigger in the 'Judgement Day' of 'Terminator 2'. Whilst 'Spider-Man', Norman Osborne, Green Goblin legend Willem Dafoe and Amber Heard fill in the 'Aquaman' exposition. Speaking of your friendly, neighbourhood web crawler, its great to see a perfect cast J. K. Simmons as Jim Gordon, like it is to see him back as the menacing journo Jonah Jameson in the Marvel multi-verse of more spiders than your bedroom in Summer (sorry). It's a shame to see him replaced (although the restrained passion of Jeffrey Wright is going to be redefining). Just like the Batman/Bruce banter of butler and 'Watchmen' series star Jeremy Irons as Alfred  (but then again, Andy Serkis people) for the 'Watchmen' movie director (did you forget how good he is?), with all the Kings horses and all the Kings men delivering one of the best rewrote lines like a raging bull as the red capes are coming back like Jesse Eisenberg's legacy remaking Lex Luthor (still can't believe someone had to tell Bryan Cranston and our hopes and dreams of him breaking bad and bald again as Luthor to leave after Jesse originally read for Jimmy Olsen (which he would have geeked out been perfect for...Eisenberg, not Cranston)). The only relationship closer than this guardian is that of hero and villain like a Celtic and Laker, Schwarzenegger and Stallone in the 90's. And if you thought Ciaran Hinds hallmark voiced villain Steppenwolf doing his best impression of the Destroyer off Thor was still a step behind, despite the improved CG (that left a little in the kitty and to be desired for Darkseid) then how about the clown prince of crime? Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix?! Not quite. How about an improved Jared Leto fresh off his award nominated 'Little Things' head-to-head with fellow Academy alumni winners Rami Malek and Denzel Washington? Now there it is Batmaannn. No longer "damaged" after 'Suicide', but in a straight jacket and SWAT vest with long acid hair, don't care and 'Morbius' Ruby blood red lips, this is one Knightmare we don't want to wake up from. Dancing in the pale moonlight, we want to see an Affleck and Leto Batman movie like we wish we could have a directed solo one from the 'Argo' Oscar winner, with all due respect and anticipation for the dawn of 'Planet Of The Apes' new generation Matt Reeves. Or the premonition of another long coat walk through the trenches of our deepest and darkest fears were "honor is a distant memory". Society, the joke is no longer on Jared. It's on us. If you know what I meme. He's back on as The Joker for yet another redemption, filling in all the Easter Egg exposition you may Wonder about like a "man's job". Cards laid out. All in. Now what a pack and a great deal taken to the max for HBO. With so many directors visions left on the cutting room floor, this one finally exists in the light of a new day, making everything right, like it's supposed to be. Sure there's problems (no more than any Marvel movie or season finale), but what hero doesn't go through trials? In the end, Snyder saves the day. It was the only way. Not the movie we got, but the movie we deserved. Cut, print and that's a wrap. Justice...served. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Justice League (2017)', 'Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice', '300'.

REVIEW: COMING 2 AMERICA

 

3.5/5

Coming Back 2 America. 

110 Mins. Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Kiki Layne, Shari Headley, Teyana Taylor, Bella Murphy, John Amos, Wesley Snipes & James Earl Jones. Director: Craig Brewer. 

Trailer Park boys. A long way from a palace of royalty, but what you gonna do? Just before last year, before coronavirsus made cinematic releases fly the coop, 80's legends from the King of stand-up Eddie Murphy, to the King of the late night Arsenio Hall were unknowing trailer neighbors to a pair of 90's icons. Def Comedy Jam stand-up late night showstopper Martin Lawrence and the Freshest Prince of them all, Will Smith. The partners in buddy cop marriage like 'Another 48 Hrs' were filming 'Bad Boys For Life' to complete the trilogy for my generation that came out early last calendar. Murphy and Arsenio? Why after 30 years they were 'Coming 2 America' again. You couldn't turn this photo-op that could break the internet like a Kardashian champagne campaign for Instagram. A showcase of legacy making Black Excellence over the decades in a year were we were reminded Black Lives Matter. All this happened all before 2020 or COVID-19 that dethroned all of us all over the world. Showing us without social distancing or prejudice just how everything was way back when...and way back then. Cinematic classics reminding us of when the late, great Chadwick Boseman (he was still alive long after this point in a year were we already thought we lost so much from our loved ones to the Black Mamba and Mambacita) had us all crossing our chests and screaming "WAKANDA FORVEVER" in what was the endgame of his last stand in this life that we lead right now that feels like we're fighting in an infinity war. But before T'Challa and the kingdom of Marvel's Wakanda, King Eddie Murphy's African land of Zamuda celebrated black royalty in 'Coming To America'. Now over three decades later, coming off a 'Dreamgirls' career turn in Netflix's 'Dolemite Is My Name' that got Oscar snubbed too, Murphy's law is about to go back to his prime with Amazon for the 'Coming 2 America' sequel that's more like coming to Africa for more celebration and coronations of lives that have always mattered. A stunning looking sequel that surviving a few sophomore come veteran slumps is still deliriously funny...if a little raw 'round the edges. 

Prince Akeem is his name and coming to Queens to be the King is his game. In the first comedy classic of the golden era like an Aykroyd 'Trading Places', this young Prince like 'I Wanna Be Your Lover' almost renounced his throne for the one he wanted to be his queeeeeeen...even if no one on the subway gave a s###. Ever since he screamed "YES AMERICA F### YOU" like it was the friendliest gesture in the world, we knew we were going to like this guy with the Magic Johnson megawatt smile, innocent to the bad apples in New York City. Now the 'Beverly Hills Cop' famous face is partnering up with 'Dolemite' director Craig Brewer to bring back the crown as we watch the throne again on our smartphones. Now calling back in 'Nutty Professor' character fashion to the quartet of Sexual Chocolate and the My-T-Sharp barbershop characters, Eddie who has done a lot for us lately is playing all the prosthetic parts like his 'Pink Panther' idol Peter Sellers. It's still one of the sharpest tools in his acting box and reaching into his bag again for his hot chocolate microphone this man's talent as live as Saturday Night SINGS as it tickles our ribs like dusting shaved hair off your neck to be swept up with the rest of the clippings. Dusting off some old brooms, Arsenio who even brought his show back gets in on the act too. Whether it's eating us up in drag or giving R&B soldier Tank's Bishop Cognac or NBA legend Chris Webber's player priest in Kyrie Irving's 'Uncle Drew' a run for his collection plate money. These two go together like dollars and sense, Smith and Lawrence, or Eddie and Danny or Nolte. There's no King without his aid and Arsenio is the comedy Best Supporting Actor gold. Put him in the same Hall of Fame as his late night one. Ain't nothing 'Semmi' about it. The royal penises are clean your highness. 

Ludicrous King s### need all the Kings men and this has one royal family you can like right now. Full of jewels of cameos in the crown we won't spoil (but how about having your funeral narrated by the man who was born to be the voice-over commentator of our lives?) except the place used here was actually filmed in the Port of Miami (now you know why they met those 'Bad Boys' too) of Boss rapper Rick Ross' mansion on the hill. Even though we wish we would have another stick up from Samuel L. Jackson. I mean the L (that stands for "legend" in our eyes) really is in everything, but not this again? Another Legend is in the form of John fresh off his 'Bigger Love' and 'Conversations In The Dark' who gives us not just the new 'Coming 2 America' theme, but a post-credits Zoomed 'She's Your Queen' live performance in the most perfect, holy ghost highest note that shows his falsetto is as flawless as his tinkling of the ivorys. Still in an all-star class cast we have plenty on hand here to kiss the ring all the way to the top of the throne in Mufasa King of Kings, James Earl Jones, whose character is still a bed-ridden lion when it comes to the laughs. Hear Vader growl like a sabre for the sceptre. But it's the woman who really roar in a film that stands in solidarity with the womens movement as much as it does the Black Lives Matter one that marches like a million men...and women. First there's Murphy's Queen. Yes Lisa! 'The Preachers Wife' star Shari Headley looks and more importantly is better than ever on her own agency. BESIDE every great man is a woman...and beside every great woman is a man too. Even Eddie's daughter Bella Murphy brings it in a breakthrough performance. But it's criminally underrated like her breakout movie 'If Beale Street Could Talk' amazing actress Kiki Layne with a name fit for the stars or walk of fame that really delivers here (whilst her on-screen sister Teyonah Parris does breaking the sitcom screen fourth wall and barriers of 'WandaVision') on the notion that the throne should know no gender, but just greatness. She's all that. Even if the 'Superior Donuts' of Jermaine Fowler are the bag of potato chips. The young Prince who sing along to the tribal remix of the purple ones 'Sexy M.F' is on his own ascent from the Oscar worthy 'Judas and the Black Messiah', to the Marvel world of the forthcoming 'Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur'. Duetting in maybe matrimony with the Kanye 'Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' choreography and Iman Shumpert reality of VH1 star Teyana Taylor and its a wrap. But for all the new royal blood, how about the legendary subjects? Still standing and flooring them like a mic drop Tracy Morgan gets the laughs and licks in. Yet it's great 'Ghostbusters' star Leslie Jones who is absolutely on fire. Almost too in the worst of places as she does her best Erykah Badu candle trick that could put Gwyneth Paltrow's out of business. Even the 'Good Times' of 'Roots' legend John Amos-who over the decades has graced his greatness from everything from situation comedy (how about Will Smith's hilarious break-up with him in 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air'), to the situation room (with the dramatic chops aside the Sheen of Presidency in 'The West Wing')-is back. Going for a billion served with McDowell's coming to Africa in a worldwide flurry. Still, its a sharpshooting Wesley Snipes with a kalashnikov, snickering and stepping in the name of scene stealing to the funniest thing he's done since he dropped that meta line in his 'Expendables 3' highlight ("what did they finally get you for?" That look in those eyes. "TAX EVASION!"). Now the jokes are on those who thought they couldn't come again. When you think of garbage, you don't need to think of this sequel. Now how's that for a round trip for Eddie who says a third jaunt to America could be coming a sweet sixteen years later when he's 75? Zamunda Forever. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Coming To America', 'Dolemite Is My Name', 'Black Panther'. 

#ComicalColumn THE GRIEF OF THE SUPERHERO GENRE

 

Good Grief

By TIM DAVID HARVEY

(WARNING: Contains MAJOR spoilers for both 'WandaVision' and 'Wonder Woman 1984')

Beyond capes for our fear, superheroes have longed saved us in solace. No matter how many Spielberg's or Scorsese's try to dismiss and diminish this great genre in the movies...they probably read a coral of comics as kids. From Peter Parker's alter-ego Spider-Man showing bullied kids that they could rise above the abuse like the webs weaved above the skyscrapers of lower Manhattan and become heroes themselves in a flash. Or the real world reflection of the war and peace protest of civil rights in Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. with the X-Men's Magneto (no, he's not in 'WandaVision' sorry. Despite which ever fan was infecting your YouTube look away now real with 'Fietro' fake made trailers) and Professor X. We can all be heroes, from Captain Marvel to the Black Panther and his rich kingdom of Wakanda...forever like Chadwick. Even billionaires Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark showed us the compelling comparisons of an embarrassment of riches, but the struggles of loneliness in bed with the bottle or something beautiful.

Twin titans Marvel and DC have duplicated these definitions like their definitive characters crossing over in their collective visions over the decades of their age too. Like Batman and Iron Man both being expensive suits for playboy philanthropists whose power is being rich. Or superheroes that could foot-race beat Superman in a Quicksilver 100 years dash Flash. Whether Ezra Miller, Aaron Taylor-Johnson...or Evan Peters (whoever the hell he really is). Heck, even the wartime to modern day ages of the stars and stripes of Captain America and Wonder Woman all the way to 1985 like George Orwell feature a war hero who seemingly dies in the skies only to be resurrected decades later without a scratch or wrinkle on his 100 year self like he was taken off ice. Oh and Steve Rogers and Steve TREVOR are both played by a guy called Chris. The difference? We couldn't even tell you in all that handsomeness. But that's the point...no, not that they're GQ tailor made Esquire, but the stories of their fellow in-house comic empires share similar strands.

2020 was the worst year on record. With the coronavirus pandemic like an apocalypse keeping us on house arrest prison in our own homes, taking many lives and livelihoods. We all needed a hero...or at the very least something good to watch on TV. And from a Disney Plus to HBO taking it to the Max with Warner Bros, Marvel and DC gave us both with 'WandaVision' and 'Wonder Woman 1984' in this age of the power of woman. Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff, AKA the Scarlet Witch and Gal Gadot's Diana Prince AKA Wonder Woman. Both dealing with loneliness and isolation from the Pedro Pascal in Gordon Gekko slick lizard suit form 'Wall Street' 80's, to every white-picket age of great American sitcoms from the black and white 50's to all your fourth wall modern families gathered around the table, or on the sofa like 'The Simpsons' with a remote. But don't adjust your sets...this isn't a couch gag. It's a therapists chair for our darkest desires and strains of our minds switching like channels between our own made-up realities in escapism, to what's real right in front of us. Whichever way we choose to accept. They didn't even intend to be this real world influential either in all their epic escapism. Both were made before the planets pandemic. Coincidence or in the stars meant? 

Wanda and the Wonder of Prince have more to worry about then running out of things to watch on Netflix however. They have both lost the love of their lives. Diana, Trevor played by 'Star Trek's' Captain Kirk himself, Chris Pine and Maximoff her Vision. The android hybrid of Ultron and Tony Stark's mind and Iron Man J.A.R.V.I.S. played by the 'Legion' of Paul Bettany. Trevor sacrificed himself so Diana had more time, whilst Wanda was forced to kill Vis to save the world, but then had to watch him die twice as Thanos turned back time with the stones he had collected and did it once more himself. Heavy! So to deal with all this punctuated pain what did these heroes do in perplexion? They brought them right back...again. Prince wishing on a stone for her Captain Steve back because as Pascal's character (a far cry from 'The Mandalorian') says, "life is good, but it could be better", as Trevor played invasion of the body snatchers with a local man with a silver Casio. Whilst Wanda after initially being believed to have swiped Vision's spare parts from the labs of a S.W.O.R.D. facility actually manifested another Vision with all his memory made our of blood, wires, bone and her love into this reality. Albeit one where she kept a whole mind controlled town hostage, locked down under a quarantined bubble that seemingly looked as safe as sitcom suburbia, but inspired something a little more insidious. 

So both superhero icons in their storied lore dealt with their heartbreak in the same, but also somewhat contrasting ways. Both mourned something they lost moons ago by bringing it back to whatever reality they still believe existed as they tried to hold on to what their heart kept locked away. Both lost something they couldn't afford to be without and trying to force their way and lives against nature and the order of things came at a great cost to not only themselves and their confused and curious lost loves, but the world's built and in turn destroyed around them. So in this lesson of love and life both had to let them go once again, like we all do when time and time again we think about the lost ones we love forever in memory. Wanda had to open the doors to her world to set her people free which meant saying goodbye to her whole family. And in a sacrifice just as stirring and maybe the most epic and emotional moment in DC movie history that showed like Bettany and Olsen just how compelling the Gadot and Pine chemistry, Wonder Woman renounced her wish to have Steve back as he disappeared into the background, so she could run and save the world again. From Pine's pining, "I'll always love you Diana" to Vision's not a dry eye in the suburban house, "goodbye, my love" the emotions we are left with our both potent and palpable and cathartic and consoling. We've all lost and given up so much over this last year and some cape crusades aren't going to do much to help that. But bringing it all home and sitting next to us so we're not alone they do offer us something in their tender touching moments. Something we all need right now more than a hero...they give us a hand. A friend. Like Vision said, "but what is grief, if not love persevering?" Reminding us of what we had and have. Turning pain into power, grief can be good for us if we use it to heal. Now it's time we save each other. 

TV REVIEW: WANDAVISION

4/5

BeWitched. 

9 Episodes. Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Kathryn Hahn, Teyonah Parris, Kat Dennings, Randall Park & Evan Peters. Director: Matt Shakman. 

Don't adjust your sets. This is a Vis' called Wanda. Sitcom styling in great American white-picket fence television history in front of a live studio audience on every households tube. 'Bewitched', 'I Dream Of Jeanie', 'I Love Lucy', 'Mork and Mindy' with its classic creative credits rolling. Na-noo, Na-noo. Even a 'Fleabag' of some 'Modern Family' Deadpool like fourth wall breaks to bring us up to click speed. A scripted love letter to the 30 minutes or less genre. From black and white to the golden era. All whilst you pop out to put the kettle on during your repulsor sounding 2000 toaster, Stark Industries commercial break Easter Egg you'll love like a thousand more. One that pokes satirical jabs at chauvinism before the skull and octopus bones comes in like a preheated nuclear TV dinner. 'WandaVision' may be as confusing as long division, but such is the duality of comedy and tragedy in its nuanced nature. But we'll get back to that after this brief break from our regular scheduled programming and some real life for you to marvel at Captain behind the snap as you zap. 'WandaVision' is wonderful and we're absolutely in love with it. And you will be too like, "is this really happening". Copying the Tom King comics were the six feet under Vision wants to make a regular home his castle like the whole nine yards. With Halloween costume Easter Eggs and changing Twitter hash-tag emoticons for the trend, and the paranoid over paprika androids domestic life of bliss with a twist. 'WandaVision' is just like 'Wonder Woman'...'1984' a character study and portrayal of grief, the price of love. When we can't afford to let go. No matter how much it will cost us in Wanda's playing sitcom house like Hugh Laurie, redecorating like married...with children(?). This from a guy who preluded this series by watching the scene in 'The Avengers: Infinity War' were Wanda had to kill Vision, all just so Thanos could use the time stone, turn it all back and do it himself. Yeah I apparently like torturing myself as well as repeating things too like a rerun. But did we forget just how great the acting was here in no time at all like their brief honeymoon in hiding like retreat to Scotland? Now the mourning after begins. Even if only existentially. 

Speaking of fearing the reaper. Marvel used to be the place Academy actors careers went to die (see 'The Hurt Locker's' Anthony Mackie and Jeremy Renner who despite star turns in the respective 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and 'Avengers: Endgame' will get to remind us just what they're thespian made of in the Disney + series 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' and 'Hawkeye' respectively), and no actor had more potential in the early 2000's than the British/American star of 'A Beautiful Mind' and 'Legion', Paul Bettany (remember him albino stealing the show from the most famous actor in the world Tom Hanks in 'The Da Vinci Code'?). But now the man who every opportunity offered from the M.C.U. went from Tony Stark's SIRI as J.A.R.V.I.S. to the Vision android who was born yesterday in the 'Age Of Ultron' is given new life again. His voice has been there since the beginning. His vision shines on. Bet on Bettany. In bubbling British charm chaps. But this is Wanda's show. Olsen owns this. Elizabeth Olsen has twin starred with Marvel's before. From 'Civil War' Vision altering, cameoing Hawkeye, Jeremy Renner (in the brutal and punishing winter of one of 2017's best, 'Wind River') and low-key songs with Loki (Tom Hiddleston's Hank Williams in the inspired 'I Saw The Light'), to even Thanos himself (in Spike Lee's outstanding 'Oldboy' remake with Josh Brolin) and who could forget the Quicksilver brother of Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the mighty 'Godzilla' playing her husband (awks on an 'Oldboy' creep level)? But the 'Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene', 'Ingrid Goes West' and 'Kodachrome' (there's a lot of perfect portraits waiting for you to develop amongst all the negatives on Netflix...this is one of them) indie actress more than holds her own like she does as a celebrity sister (strangely she used to appear on sitcom sets as a kid whilst her double trouble child stars the Olsen Twins were keeping a 'Full House') She is the glue that sticks and keeps everything about this show together and under one roof like a dome with her beautiful bond with the great beyond. Now let's hear it for those residents people. Ever since she beautifully told KiKi Layne to "unbow your head sister" in Barry Jenkins' as mesmerizing as 'Moonlight', 'If Beale Street Could Talk', Teyonah Parris' star shine has been utterly compelling and here she threatens to steal the show in more ways than one. Ashes to all the way down to dusting up what happened when everything cleared up and came back together after the snap. And for all the fourth wall breaks she has a moment that really opens doors and breaks on through to the other side. The other side that features returning Marvel character actor favourites and more comic relief for this sobering sitcom in the form of 'Thor's' Kat Dennings and 'Ant-Man's' Randall Park. Glad they survived the snap and boy do they click like the remote you shouldn't switch over. But let's get to the real show stealer here in 'Bad Moms' and 'Mrs. Fletcher' herself Kathryn Hahn. Everyone this classic character actress meets in the street will be asking her to do that wink from now on. If you nudge, nudge know what I meme...I mean, 'mean'. Just wait until she changes each week like our adjusting couple (adjusting to life and love after death). She was the best thing about this show all along with the best, most meta one liner of the most meta show ("WOW. That accent just comes and goes doesn't it?"). We wish we could say more, but like the casting of 'X-Men' star and ultimate Easter Egg  Evan Peters we don't want to crack open and be quick to spoil. 

Just know we've loved this shows run like Lucy, or Vis and Wanda do to more than death do them part. I haven't seen grief played so compellingly since the horrors of 'Hereditary' in all its family matters. Even if my scared wuss ass only did finally grow a pair to watch that Ari Aster movie last week. Sometimes we channel hop. How many times can 'WandaVision' change the game in just one season...and as a miniseries at that? That's the closest thing you'll get to a spoiler from us all the way to the formidable finale and emotionally evoking end. You can read the rest of the timelines and 'scribes if you want all that. Just know that this superhero series soars as the show goes on for Marvel who have gone from big-screen to TV, but become even wider in scope and world building beyond their cinematic universe. And it's not just fantastic fan service for Marvel Studios' first series showrunning production (the ABC 'Agents' and Netflix street-level 'Defenders' were part of the M.C.U., but a different crew) that perfectly unfolds in parts like their page-turning graphic novels. It's a collective comic coral that envelopes everything you've seen and thought couldn't be believed, signed, sealed and delivered. It's yours and like Wu-Tang Clan, it's for the children too. And after waiting around longer than the release of Scarlett Johansson's 'Black Widow' movie with Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour for the movie like credits roll every week like Marvel fans always do, how about a penultimate post-credits scene and cracking Easter Egg to set up Fridays finale in all its shades of scarlet? And how about the Bettany visionary line about perseverance? The most eloquently beautiful dedication to the heart I've heard since Her Majesty the Queen said, "the price of love is grief". But give 'WandaVision' the crown when it's comes to television. Netflix or a Disney +. This showstopper from former child-actor Matt Shakman ('Just The Ten Of Us') changing the game and screen for Marvel is both powerful and personal. A love letter to situation comedy that writes deeper to the heart of matters broken in our collective locked down planets pandemic. Quaranting with you on your tube and in your bubble, this marriage is one of cinematic convenience for the M.C.U. It's like they just dreamed it up. Imagine. A visionary wonder. Tune in. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Avengers-Age Of Ultron', 'Wonder Woman 1984','The Dick Van Dyke Show'. 

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW: BIGGIE-I GOT A STORY TO TELL

  

4/5

Reborn Again. 

Listen up, I got a story to tell. The King of New York died March 9th, 1997. So to mark the month of mourning on March 1st, Biggie has a 'Story To Tell' too like the last track off his 'Life After Death' definitive, double disc classic. At least they waited a day though. February 28th crosses the point on the calendar New York lost one of its greatest Knicks. The pioneer of the Point Forward position (what's up Draymond Green, Julius Randle), Anthony Mason. Not the same Mase that was a Bad Boy too, but one that used to shave 'Dogg Pound' into his dome for games like Rodman spray canned his hair and according to the rumor that Fat Joe a few years ago perpetrated was the victim of the events of the song 'I Got A Story To Tell'. Which apparently wasn't a story, but a track by track take and account of a real life scenario (although this heresay hasn't been confirmed by anyone close to Big). One that Christopher Wallace on the wax lyrical song says took place in the home of a New York Knicks NBA player, in bed with his wife. An event that ended with the player coming back earlier (the game must have been, "rained out or something" the Notorious one hilariously remarks about the Worlds Most Famous (indoor) Arena of Madison Square Garden), to which a desperate Biggie improvised by getting dressed Fresh Prince (how about that Vegas, "Gimmie the loot. Gimmie the loot" reference?) quick. Instead of opting for the penthouse window-ledge, B.I.G. then proceeded to throw on the wife's scarf like a ski-mask, grab a pillow case and put his pistol to her head, pretending to be sticking her up (s###...he kind of was). Pretending and then proceeding to actually rob the athlete who was giving up "mad paper" like when the Knicks re-signed Houston for mo' problems. Sure Biggie tells this story better than me, but releasing this documentary the morning after the day Mase died in anniversary lacks tact. But we just hope this was as much a coincidence as we believe this story to be a fabrication for fun and not based on factual events. 

Netflix have a story to tell too though. And the streaming service that have given us moving music documentaries from 'Quincy' to 'The Two Killings Of Sam Cooke' do it B.I.G. with this Notorious one. And stripping away the Hollywood hype like movie mythology we get in buoyed biopics (like the pretty good 'Notorious' which always had mo problems being named after one of the greatest movies of all-time...let alone rappers), this one takes it back to the Brooklyn born roots of the rapper that lie in Jamaica. Not Jamaican, Queens, with all due respect, but the actual beautiful land of Jamaica for the kid (he passed ages 24...can you believe that in all its senselessness?) who became the King of the five boroughs like the crown of that famous red room photo Oscar winner Marhershala Ali posed under for Netflix and Marvel's 'Luke Cage'. Or even the epic and iconic Source material cover of this man taller than the Twin Towers. But, "blowing up like the World Trade" it was all good and 'Juicy' baby, baby like "Super Nintendo. SEGA Genesis" for Big Poppa. One who spread love the Brooklyn way when he wasn't sipping champagne when he was thirsty before he fell years prior to the towers. Still you best believe if this man was still here there would be, "sold out seats to hear Biggie Small speak". You can see it in the yellow Bad Boy basketball jerseys that are still rocked like fictional Bel-Air High ones that "pass it to Will" in the same color. Or the love Brooklyn spread and paved his way down the streets of his funeral precision. When tears were replaced with cheers for the man who just wanted to keep dancing on that 'Party and Bulls###', as that classic catalyst joints producer Easy Mo Bee drove this Notorious thug down the belt of New York City late at night in harmony like Bone. 

'Ready To Die'? Nah this young gun was 'Ready To LIVE' like the t-shirt of his man Damion Butler in this film. The best friend of the Bad Boy for life who documented it all on a hand held camcorder like these moments golden should be immortalised so we can always hold them. All for some profound personal and private snapshots of this young man's short life...oh and on that note, it turns out Will Ferrell's Robert Goulet, he CAN croon. Now back to it. When it came to Biggie's dominant debut and absolute hip-hop classic he just wanted to show you how it really was. From "f### the world, my mom's and my girl", to the last dial tone of his fallen body and phone on the last shot of 'Suicidal Thoughts'. Quite possibly the deepest and darkest rap track of all-time when it comes to personal power. Hearing him formidable frame thudder like thunder off the chair still puts a cold chill down this die-hard fans spine. Netflix cross their streams with everything these days from shows series in season, to Oscar contenders. But to their credit they don't tell Biggie's story with a view to make money off his passing, but to document a true tale off his passion. It's not all about the Benjamin's this time as all his albums play back-to-back from CD changers to Spotify playlists. You don't have to make this a movie. The rap Godfather who looked older and game wiser than his less than a quarter century time in his iconic presence lived his life like one in a Bond villain bowler hat. Shooting like 'Scarface' in the mansion with his little friends, to the red dots on your head that served as a 'Warning'. And like they say with P. Diddy by his side like Pacino and Coppola, or Scorsese and De Niro, this producing director and star power dynamic duo like Shaq and Kobe (can't wait for THAT Netflix documentary) was no act like Eric B and Rakim were no joke. Sean Combs offers inspired insight here without ab-lib, "take that, take that, take that" taking over the show. As does Christopher Wallace's mother Voletta. From laughing at who was going to take care of her son ("this guy called Puffy...Puffy"), to her moving memories that will leave as many dry eyes as Biggie's comedy punchlines ("I get more butt than ashtrays"). Wallace's wife, the legendary Faith Evans, family, friends and members of Junior M.A.F.I.A like Lil' Cease are also on hand. But milk cartons are out for luminaries like The LOX and the relationship with Lil' Kim. This disappoints a little for the over an hour and a half documentary that also glosses over the beef with the late GOAT Tupac Shakur a little too much (but we all know why that is) and the still unsolved double murder investigation. Still seeing these two rapping together as friends will live in the love of our memories longer than the pain of what lead to their passing and to this stories credit it doesn't try to make excuses, hits or money off including 2Pac's name. The same goes for the Notorious protege you may know about. He goes by the name Jay-Z and is just seen here in a classic, throwback photo you'll love like the dough, "gassed off Shaq". They used to say who is the best rapper Jay-Z or Nas, like they did Big and Pac', but this film isn't about the life of hip-hop. It's a story about one of its greatest rappers, dead or alive's lives. This is Notorious' to tell and it doesn't get much bigger than this. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Notorious', 'Biggie & Tupac', 'The Two Killings Of Sam Cooke'.