CHARLIE’S ANGELS (2019) – My rating: 7.5/10

Charlie’s Angels is an action-comedy written and directed by Elizabeth Banks from a story by Evan Spiliotopoulos and David Auburn. It is the third installment in the Charlie’s Angels film series and serves as a continuation of the story that began with the television series of the same name by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts and the two previous theatrical films, Charlie’s Angels (2000) and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003). I absolutely didn’t want to see Charlie’s Angels because it sort of symbolizes flesh peddling.  This version had more substance and less sex but was still based on sexy women luring men by showing excessive skin. I’m just saying!

A team of ladies, employed by the Townsend Agency and known as Charlie’s Angels, are led by senior operative John Bosley (Patrick Stewart). Their mission is to capture international embezzler Jonny Smith (Chris Pang) in Rio de Janeiro and turn him over to American authorities. A year later, Elena Houghlin (Naomi Scott) who is a programmer engineer, employed by entrepreneur Alexander Brock (Sam Claflin), wants to expose Brock as well as Peter Fleming (Nat Faxon) who is head of development, for covering up a device that she helped invent called Calisto. The device is not ready to go into production but has been given the go-ahead by Fleming despite being told by Elena that Calisto has the potential to trigger fatal seizures when in use. Fleming convinces Brock to back him in signing off on production, immediately.

With the help of Angel Jane Kano (Ella Balinska) and Angel Sabina Wilson (Kristen Stewart), Elena meets with operative Edgar “Bosley” (Djimon Hounsou) to turn over her findings, but an assassin named Hodak (Jonathan Tucker) ambushes the meeting and subsequently kills Edgar and leaves Elena to drown. Jane Kano rescues Elena and brings her to operative Rebekah “Bosley” (Elizabeth Banks) with the help of her partner, Sabina Wilson. Meanwhile, John Bosley, who has since retired from the agency, discovers that Rebekah has tagged him with the agency’s specialized subdermal implant without his knowledge. Rebekah tasks Jane and Sabina, joined by Elena, with breaking into Brock’s corporate headquarters to steal the remaining Calisto prototypes before they can be duplicated.

This time around, Charlie’s Angels was better than it’s predecessors but still not considered great.  What made it better was the plot and the seriousness of the characters as they went after their enemy.  The fighting didn’t look so choreographed and the dialogue was comprehensible.  There was less flesh peddling and I really enjoyed the movie.  There have been many changes like a whole agency of Angels instead of just three. The name Bosley is a title as well as a position of authority.  Michael Strahan has been introduced as a Bosley of the agency’s New York branch. Robert Clotworthy is now the voice of Charles “Charlie” Townsend, owner of the Townsend Agency, formerly held by the late John Forsythe. Elena appears to be a new recruit and most likely will appear in future Angel’s films.  I liked Charlie’s Angels and recommend it. It received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $51.5 million worldwide. Check It Out!

BLACK NATIVITY (2013) – My rating: 9/10

Not only is this a feel good movie, it sends a powerful message of forgiveness and redemption.  IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD!  Having lived in Harlem the first 13 years of my life, I can attest to a village that didn’t allow children on the streets during school hours or back talk to adults or any type of disrespect to elders.  Most parents disciplined their children and didn’t try to be their friends.  Church was a way of life and teenage pregnancies were not celebrated.  Black Nativity stars Jennifer Hudson as Naima, Forrest Whitaker as Reverend Cornell Cobbs, Angela Bassett as Aretha Cobbs, Mary J. Blige as the Angel, Tyrese Gibson as Loot and Jacob Latimore as Langston.  I had no idea what to expect but boy was I pleasantly pleased.  If you’re human, emotions will arise and hallelujahs will be shouted.  A mother and son facing eviction is challenged to deal with their past in order to move forward in a positive way.  Naima, a single mom, sends her only child, during the Christmas holidays, from from Maryland to Harlem, NY to live with grandparents he doesn’t know.  Having mixed emotions about leaving his mom, Langston makes decisions based on his current circumstances. The music is outstanding, the singing superb and the acting by such a stellar cast, fantastic.  While this film is a shoe in for Christians, I think everyone will agree, Black navitivy is good for anyone’s soul.  I for one, have made plans to purchase this one for my library of exceptional movies.

RESURRECTION – My rating: 7/10

OK, the suspense level is high, the mystery level is high but my expectations are  apprehensive at best.  Because of Flash Forward, I am skeptical about this new series, starring Omar Epps as immigration agent, J. Martin Bellamy.  The story focuses on Arcadia, a small town in Missouri.  First, an eight year old boy who drowned 32 years ago, trying to save his aunt who fell in the lake, resurfaces, alive and well and unaged.  His parents, Henry and Lucille Langston are played by Frances Fisher and Kurtwood Smith, respectively are 32 years older and now suddenly have their son back, except that he’s still 8 years old.  Their son, Jacob is played by Landon Gimenez.  His DNA matches his father’s and his memory is impeccable.  Next, Caleb Richards, who died of a heart attack and has been dead for 8 years, resurfaces with no knowledge that he died of a heart attack.  No one knows what’s going on.  At last episode, Tom, the local preacher, discovered his former fiance, who committed suicide 12 years ago, has also been resurrected and was seated in his church alive and well.  All of this makes for an exciting series but so did Flash Forward, which was about almost everyone in the world falling unconscious for 2 minutes.  For those 2 minutes, you were able to see your future or not.  Those who didn’t see their future knew they didn’t have one.  The network left us hanging in midstream, without closure.  ABC is known for pulling the plug without explanation.  I’m sticking with this one in hopes that they will let Resurrection run its course.  I heard it’s still in the probationary stage.  I find it entertaining — check it out!