Black Dynamite-ish

I tried. I really did try to love it. Black Dynamite is a loving send up of blaxploitation films of the 70's commonly associated with their shoddy production quality, their inevitable villain of "the man," and lots of breasts. There was a lot of stuff I liked about the filme, but it just fell flat for me. FLAT. And I totally know what they were going for. Blaxploitationn films are supposed to have that grainy look, that ridiculous plot contrivance, and sickening story exposition. And I can commend the filmmakers (dir. Scott Sanders, writers Sanders, Byron Minns, and Michael Jai White) on their aesthetic. It genuinely felt authentic and real, but this film managed only a couple of genuine chuckles. However, there were plenty of people (predominantly white) in the theater letting out voluminous belly laughter at some of the film's more broader comedic moments like when Black Dynamite busts down a door, sending an elderly woman flying across the screen.

For the most part, this movies just fell short of the mark for me. Cheifly, because I'm into more clever, less broad comedy. Still, what saved Black Dynamite from me hitting the old trail was Michael Jai White's performance. He was definitely entertaining. He plays it without winking at you; it's just straight up and down commitment to the character. And his violent explosions are too much fun not to guffaw over. Also, it's nice to see so many black people in one movie. Literally, I recognized every actor in here which is pretty sad I think. Well acted though and you can feel the amount of fun they had. Too bad the demographic of which this film reflects probably don't know of its existence. Bottom Line, it didn't do much for me, but comedy is so hit and miss. I don't share the same sense of humor as the filmmaker, but the movie is good enough for me to recommend to someone who does.

And in that tunnel, the only light they had, was inside of them

Been a long time. I shouldn't of left you w/o a cold film review to step to, step to. but seriously I figure it was about time for another movie review. After having watched Push or Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (i'd rather call it by its orginal name), I'm kinda at a lost for a worthy comparison. From the first trailer I saw back in April of last year, I knew it was going to be a brick of a film, as in much like being hit with one. It comes pretty close to describing the experience.

Precious is an illiterate teenager, pregnant with her 2nd child by her father. She lives with her welfare-laden mother while her grandmother takes care of her child with down syndrome who she calls mongo. It was entirely too easy for this film to become a sadfest. Melodrama is could've bogged this story down, but Lee Daniels brings some real grit and searing reality to this film. The world Precious lives in is embodied with a hopeless feeling and unrelenting circumstance. Her mother's apartment literally looks like a dungeon where Daniels reflects this poisonous atmosphere Precious inhabits. Her terrifying environment is anchored and intensified by a truly heartwrenching portrayal of the mother by Monique. Let it be known. Best Supporting Actress will go to Monique off the strength of that last scene. It was simply otherwordly, but grounded in a visceral honesty.



There is a lot to praise about the movie. Largely taking place from Precious' pov, I think it really serves itself well with the voice over because the arc of her character is represented in the her v.o. She starts with a somewhat self loathing weight in her voice, but as she begins to fight the circumstances in her life you feel the expression when her intones are more complex and knowing. I had a couple of problems with some of the editorial choices. I wished some moments had hung in the air instead of disappearing in a fade out like in the first fight between Precious and her mother. The dramatic last scene left me hanging a bit. It was so unbelievably powerful and saddening that i wished a bit more could have been fleshed out to balance. Still, I think Precious is a strong film. It's amazingly acted specfically Paula Patton, Monique of course and Gabourey Sidibet who's making her debut. This movie had such a strong heart. There is so much heart in this movie and I hope it continues to do so well.