MOONLIGHT (2016) – My rating: 9/10

If you’re expecting a great story, you’ve picked the right movie.  Moonlight is about the life of Chiron “Little” (Alex Hibbert) from the age of 6 through adulthood. He grew up with an abusive, junkie mother, Paula (Naomie Harris) and no father.  His only friends were Kevin (Jaden Piner), who he grew attached to and Juan (Mahershala Ali), a grown man and crack dealer, who takes Chiron to his house where he lives with his girlfriend, Teresa (Janelle Monáe).  Chiron was bullied terribly as a little boy all the way up though adolescence, about the age of  high school. One day Chiron as a teenager, (Ashton Sanders) who was frequently bullied by Terrel (Patrick Decile), changed all that.  Obviously, he was surrounded by some of the most deplorable situations imaginable, but managed to beat the odds.  I can only say Moonlight is profound and touching.  It digs deep into the life of an unusual situation one would not necessarily know how to deal with since adult Chiron, now known as Black (Trevante Rhodes) is dealing with so many issues at once.  Black’s character changes somewhat during the years but he continues to remain shy.  We could see what a strain it was for Black to act normal, as he came off quite uncomfortable.

This story is softly and delicately told.  Of course I’ve left the best of the story out of this critique, as it would spoil any surprises and motivation to see it away.  Directed by Barry Jenkins, I say it’s a job well done.  I highly recommend Moonlight to all adults, as it has already won a Golden Globe for Best Picture.  Check it out!

[MOONLIGHT has WON the 89th ANNUAL OSCAR AWARD for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Adapted Screenplay.  Moonlight was also nominated for Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Cinematography, Film Editing and Original Score]

 

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MISTRESSES – My rating: 6/10

I feel somewhat reluctant critiquing Mistresses because I’m not certain it’s going to be renewed.  I understand the British version is a big hit, but that’s in England.  In the US it’s considered just okay.  In my opinion the plot is a little ridiculous.  Mistresses is a drama about the scandalous lives of four girlfriends.

 Savi (Alyssa Milano), a successful lawyer is married to Harry (Brett Tucker), a restaurant owner and chef.  They want to start a family (he more than she). Savi ends up having a one night stand with Dominic, a lawyer on her job, played by Jason George .  She becomes pregnant to her husband’s delight but has to come clean since the father in unknown and the baby could be black.

Season 2:  Savi’s baby problem is resolved since she was in a horrific car accident in last season’s finale, causing a miscarriage.  She divorces her husband anyway, in favor of her baby daddy. For the record, Savi seems very uncomfortable in this relationship — the chemistry is just not there.

 Josselyn (Jes Macallan), Savi’s younger sister is a savvy real estate agent and a single, serial dater who strikes up a love relationship with a female client. Josselyn ends up sleeping with her French boss, causing her current gay relationship to come to an end. Additionally, Josselyn is wild and loves to party.

Season 2:  Josselyn is no longer a real estate agent.  She along with her sister’s x-husband, Harry, are party planners, complete with catering.  For the record, this is an unlikely pairing since Harry will be constantly running into his X, plus he’s a professional.

 April (Rochelle Aytes), an entrepreneurial, store owner is a  recent widow with a young daughter.  April seems to be the only normal one in the group until her dead husband reappears, complete with a mistress and child, clamming blackmail as the reason he faked his death.  April is currently dating and now has to figure out what to do going forward.

Season 2:  April has met someone new and is throwing her prudish ways out the window to enjoy lots of sex with her new hunk.  For the record, no mention of her resurfaced, dead husband.  Life goes on as usual.  I think they replaced the person playing her daughter.

Karen (Yunjin Kim), a successful therapist with her own practice, has an affair with her dying, married client, Thomas Grey (John Schneider).  After many complications, Karen ends up sleeping with Sam Grey, Thomas’s son.  If matters weren’t bad enough, Thomas’s wife fines out and has Karen arrested for aiding in her husbands death, which she did not do.

Season 2:  Karen no longer has a private practice since Sam got killed and his mother was arrested for the murder.  For the record, this story is pretty gray since there was a struggle at the end of last season, between Sam and Karen and Sam’s mother when the gun went off.  It seems odd that anyone was arrested for this accident/incident.  There was no motive for killing Sam.

Mistresses aired for 13 weeks in June of 2013.  I just learned Mistresses has been picked up for a second season and will air June of 2014.  I don’t know how they will resolve Sevi’s potential baby daddy, Jason George, since he also plays Dr. Bailey’s husband on Grey’s Anatomy.  He was away for a while but has returned.  It’s unrealistic to think 4 friends have this kind of life or maybe I’m the one that’s out of touch.  Mistresses airs on ABC.

Season 2:  Still unrealistic and has started off rushed with most of the characters emotionally detached. For the record, I will be surprised if Mistresses makes it a 3rd season.  Only time will tell.

 

A MADEA CHRISTMAS (2013) – My rating: 6.5/10

Okay, I reckon most of you think this movie is a bad choice.  There are so many other films I could have reviewed but hey, give a brother (Tyler Perry) a break!  I didn’t elect to be depressed or weepy so I picked a movie that was upbeat and funny.  And FUNNY it was!  The acting was so so — some of the actors were familiar to me and a welcome site.  The story is about Lacey (Tika Sumpter), a Black teacher and Conner (Eric Lively), a White semi, quasi chemist,  married and living together on a farm.  His parents (played by Larry the Cable Guy and Kathy Najimy) were made aware of their son’s union but Lacey’s mom (Anna Maria Horsford) and aunt (Madea) were not.  So, a surprise visit by Lacey’s family at the same time as Conner’s parents made for a hilarious situation.  This movie sends a profound message about prejudice and love.  Tyler Perry always has a spiritual moral to his films — and that’s what I love most about him!  If you just want to sit back and laugh, relax and escape from it all, see A Madea Christmas, otherwise wait for the DVD.

12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013) – My rating 10/10

You couldn’t ask for a better film depicting Black history.  12 Year’s a slave covered most of what went on during that time.  From prominent Black families to hopelessness as slaves to the hatefulness and defiling of a race.   Chiwetel Ejiofor has been a busy man — I just watched him starring in the mini series (Dancing on the Edge), an HBO production.  All I can say is Chiwetel is brilliant in every film he’s plays.

No one really thinks about how African Americans were kidnapped into slavery or the jealousy displayed by slave owner’s wives when their husbands committed the ultimate insult by raping the enslaved women and even producing children as a result.  There is so much to the ordeal of bringing a race of people to a foreign land and forcing them to become slaves while defining them as nigger animals who were treated worst than dogs.  These actions helped to mode the Black race into what it is today.  People really don’t understand the plight of the African American.  Movies like this, help to clarify some of the problems that are still prevalent today.  I believe 12 Years a Slave deserves best picture and best actor as maybe best actress.  Well Done Steve McQueen, Well Done!

FRUITVALE STATION (2013) – My rating: 10/10

*** SOME SPOILERS ***

Fruitvale Station is flying way under radar.  Chances are, you’ve never even heard of this movie!  It’s based on a true story that won’t make you feel good.  LA police have a reputation for stereotyping,  excessive violence and racism.  This is the story of a 22 year old, black father who is down on his luck but is trying to fight wrong doing with all his mite.  He has lots of support from his family, who he also gives lots of support.  His mother portrayed by Octavia Spencer, (Oscar winner for her role in The Help) could possibly get another nod for Fruitvale.  After seeing 2 Guns, this movie definitely pulled the plug on my happy endorphins.  The events of this film went down something like the Trayvon Martin story.  By the end, I was in tears, as was the entire audience.  There were about 10 of us in the theater — as I mentioned, this movie is flying way under the radar.  I am happy to see the truth brought to light.  It isn’t very pretty but it’s real.

See Fruitvale Station, if not for entertainment, see it for the educational value.  See it because, as they say, “the truth will set you free”.  I’m not feeling very free right now and I don’t think justice was served but I also know nothing we can do will bring back the dead! I would like to see an end to this sort of thing.  Judge for yourself.  Fruitvale Station is an excellent movie, well acted and we get the message!