NEW AMSTERDAM – My rating: 8.5/10

New Amsterdam is a new medical drama about a hospital that is breaking all the rules to service it’s patients, NOT by the book.  New Amsterdam is based on the book, Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital by Eric Manheimer. 

Its opening episode is an attention getter when the hospital’s new director and Chief of Medicine, Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold)  fires the entire cardio-thoracic surgical department because of their statistics.  Max’s aim is to reform the neglected facility by tearing up its bureaucracy and provide exceptional care to patients.  Dr. Floyd Reynolds (Jocko Sims) becomes the new head of cardio-thoracic surgery and is in a semi-quasi relationship with Dr. Lauren Bloom (Janet Montgomery).  Dr. Iggy Frome (Tyler Labine) who is the chief of psychiatric is dealing with a teenage patient who feels completely abandoned.  In the meanwhile, Dr. Goodwin has a secret that he puts into the hands of the Chief of Oncology, Dr. Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman). Lastly, Dr. Vijay Kapoor (Anupam Kher) is a seasoned physician who is called upon often to help resolve unknown or rear deceases.  Max has a pregnant wife, Georgia Goodwin (Lisa O’Hare) who is having a difficult time with carrying their baby to full term, not to mention they are not fully seeing their relationship eye to eye, thus had been living apart.

As time goes on, the episodes get better and the plot also enjoys a more seasoned flavor.  I have read many of the critic’s reviews of New Amsterdam and the results were not good.  Some were down right cruel.  I disagree with the critics, as I really like this new and exciting medical venture.  Most critics agree Freema Agyeman is wasted in a boring, mediocre part where I think she is the most exciting character casted.  I’ve been enjoying each episode as they air hoping for a home run because I really like Ryan Eggold from the Blacklist and Freema Agyeman from Sense8.  I’m hoping to see a lot more of them.  It’s also interesting to see what the writers have in store for this hospital.  Most of the critics don’t think New Amsterdam will make it past the first season but NBC has ordered a full 22 episodes.  I recommend New Amsterdam, so check it out!

BLACKkKLANSMAN (2018) – My rating: 9/10

BlacKkKlansman is a biographical crime film co-written and directed by Spike Lee, based on the memoir, Black Klansman (2014) by Ron Stallworth. The film is produced by Lee, Raymond Mansfield, Shaun Redick, Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Jordan Peele. I didn’t know quite what to expect from this movie — I went to see it without much information going in. To my surprise, based on a true story, BlacKkKlansman has turned out to be Spike Lee’s best, complete with a “scientific explanation” of white racial superiority by Dr. Kennebrew Beaureguard (Alec Baldwin), and my personal favorite.

Set in 1972 Colorado Springs, the plot follows the first African-American detective in the police department, who sets out to infiltrate and expose the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. In order to achieve this goal, Detective Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) will need the permission from the police department, Chief Bridges (Robert John Burke) as well as a White counter part, who turns out to be David “Flip” Zimmerman (Adam Driver) to make actual appearances to the KKK.

Ron’s first encounter was with national civil rights leader, Kwame Ture (Cory Hawkins), who has taken the name of African leaders. At the rally, Ron meets Patrice Dumas (Laura Harrier), the president of the black student union at Colorado College. Now a member of the intelligence division, Ron calls the president of the Colorado Springs chapter, Walter Breachway (Ryan Eggold) pretending to be a White man.

Not to be a comedy, there were several scenes that had me laughing my head off. I found BlacKKKlansman to be an inspiration to all humans and a very well acted and well written movie.  Note:  John David Washington is the real life son of Denzel Washington.  There are a host of brilliant actors in the movie with a plot you have to see to believe.  BlacKkKlansman sends a powerful message, which couldn’t have come at a better time.  Hate is so ugly and unnecessary.  What a waste of your mind when all you do is focus on race.  I urge everyone to see this movie, which by the way, is not for kids.  See it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy every second of BlacKkKlansman. Check it Out!

[BlackKkKlansman is Oscar nominated for BEST: Picture, Supporting Actor, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Original Score and Best Film Editing]

 

THE SINGLE MOMS CLUB (2014) – My rating: 8/10

Tyler Perry is the king of happy endings and endings with a good and spiritual message. The Single Mom’s Club is no exception.  It’s the story of 5 women living the single mom life.  We all know it’s not easy raising children with a husband so we know it has to be much harder without one.   These 5 women are raising their children alone either because they are going through a divorce, by choice or the father is absent due to extenuating circumstances.  Because their children are attending the same private school, the moms become friends and decide to form a support group and call it “The Single Mom’s Club”.  The story is descent and the circumstances are somewhat relateable.  Tyler Perry actually stars in this movie as a love interest for Mia Long, who plays May.  Each mom eventually has a love interest and is invested in their child having a promising future.  The story unfolds as each mom tries to put their live and their relationships with their children together.   Wendi McLendon-Covey plays Jan who’s love interest is  Eddie Cibrian who plays Santos.  Amy Smart plays Hilary who’s love interest is Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist) who plays Peter.  Cocoa Brown plays Lytia who’s love interest is Terry Crews who plays Branson.   Zulay Henao Plays Esperanza who’s love interest is William Levy who plays Manny.  The movie is a little corny but sends a good message.  I enjoyed it on DVD.