Category Archives: FIlm

02Jun/23

Swinging Beyond Limits: The Stunning Visuals and Compelling Narrative of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

June 2, 2023FIlmMarvel, miles morales, sony, spider-manDapper Dr Feel

A visual development image featuring Pavitr Prabhakar (aka Spider-Man India),s Gwen Stacy, and Miles Morales fighting The Spot in the city of Mumbattan on Earth-50101 – a kaleidoscopic hybrid of Mumbai and Manhattan for Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations’ SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.

Synopsis: Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.

Where to Watch: In theaters

Date of Release: June 2nd

Length of Time: 140 mins

Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Karan Soni, Jason Schwartzman, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Rachel Dratch, Jorma Taccone, Shea Whigham, and Oscar Isaac

Why Should You Watch?

Just when I thought Sony couldn’t outdo its first Spider-Man animated film featuring Miles Morales, they managed to put together one of the best-animated films I’ve ever seen. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (SMASV) is an exceptional film that manages to combine stunning visuals with a compelling narrative, resulting in an absolute must-see for fans of the Spider-Man franchise or anyone seeking an action-packed, visually impressive adventure.

The gorgeous animation style sets SMASV apart from other Spider-Man films. This installment uses diverse artistic techniques that breathe life into every frame. The 2D and 3D animation blend makes each scene a work of art, with dynamic cityscapes and surreal color palettes that grab your attention from the opening scene to the final moments.

Beyond the visuals, Across the Spider-Verse also features a gripping story that explores the multiverse and introduces new versions of Spider-Man to the audience. The narrative is tightly woven and manages to strike the perfect balance between humor and heart. The character arcs are well-developed and keep you invested in the story, whether you’re a long-time fan of the Spider-Man franchise or a newcomer.

Can we talk about Moore as Miles Morales, though? His performance was superb! He was able to execute great comedic timing onscreen. Moore’s voice presence solidifies him as one of my favorite voice actors because he knows how to project his acting through his voice. I love the relationship Miles has with his parents Rio (voiced by Lauren Vélez) and Jefferson (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry), and their adjusting to changes in Miles as a young man and as a hero. They played the perfect parent duo, especially when disciplining Miles.

Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (PART ONE).

Once again, Moore used his acting ability to show his range and to hit the emotional notes needed to make the audience experience Miles’ emotional state. There were definitely moments when my heartstrings were pulled. Between him and Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy/Spider-woman, I was on an emotional rollercoaster.

We get more of a glimpse of Gwen Stacy’s background and home life, and just like any iteration of Spider-man, it is filled with tragedy and emotional obstacles. The bond between Gwen and Miles is strong, and the chemistry between the two voice actors makes this possible. You can’t help but root for these two to connect and find some way to be together.

Some other versions of Spider-man from the first film do appear in this sequel and although they don’t have much screen time, as a fan of the first film, I was happy to see them make it into this movie…especially Peter B. Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson) who served as mentor to Miles in the first film.

My favorite of all the versions of Spider-man is Jessica Drew/Spider-woman (voiced by Issa Rae) and Hobie Brown Spider-punk (voiced by Daniel Kaluuya). They both make kick-ass introductions, are funny, and, of course, are cool as hell. Spider-punk is a Black British who is about fighting the system, especially the totalitarian government that rules over his dimension. His weapon is a guitar, which adds to his coolness factor in the film. Jessica is a Black pregnant version of Spider-man who is witty, wise, and more level-headed than the leaders.

Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara/2099 Spider-man is a compelling character driven by traumatic events. He operates by the book to ensure the different timelines are safe. Interestingly enough, he doesn’t utilize humor like the other versions of Spider-man. Once you learn his origin, you will understand why. His disdain for Miles compels the other Spider-people to attack him, resulting in an intensely thrilling one-against-many battle.

Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) and Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animations SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.

Alongside the incredible animation and story is an electrifying soundtrack that perfectly captures the tone of the film. Since the world of Miles Morales is more urban and centered around hip-hop (Metro Bommin did his thing!)and modern music, I would not expect anything less appropriate. The music helps punctuate the more emotional moments while elevating the action scenes to new heights. Sound and visuals work together in exquisite harmony to create an immersive and thrilling viewing experience.

Now let’s talk about the easter eggs; there are a bunch of them. So many, in fact, that it may require a rewatch to catch them all. The comic book fan in me was filled with excitement with every connection that showed up onscreen. From the MCU to the Sony-verse, it’s all there; and trust me, you don’t want to take a bathroom break lest you miss something awesome.

Conclusion

Overall, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a feast for the eyes and ears that will leave you wanting more. I promise you this: you WILL want more after the final act! It’s a testament to the possibilities of storytelling through animation. It should be regarded as one of the best-animated films in recent years and one of the best superhero films, period. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and watch this phenomenal film on the big screen for the full effect.

26May/23

Immersed in Enchantment: A Captivating Review of The Little Mermaid

May 26, 2023FIlmDavid Daveed, Disney, Halle Bailey, Little MermaidDapper Dr Feel

Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo by Giles Keyte. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Run Time: 2hr and 15mins

Rating: PG

Where to watch: Theaters

Release date: May 26th

Synopsis: A young mermaid makes a deal with a sea witch to trade her beautiful voice for human legs so she can discover the world above water and impress a prince.

Starring: Halle Bailey (“Grown-ish”) as Ariel; Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Eric; Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton”) as the voice of Sebastian; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jacob Tremblay (“Room”) as the voice of Flounder; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as The Queen; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; with Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”) as King Triton; and Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”) as the infamous Ursula.

Is It Worth Watching?

When it was announced that The Little Mermaid was being brought to life in a live-action film, my worries that it would be a failed attempt started to bubble up. As the cast was announced and I learned that Halley Baily was going to be Ariel, my concerns subsided a little; still, I was not quite sure what Disney had in store. Soon enough, I found myself at a press screening fully immersed in the film. To say I enjoyed it would be an understatement. Let’s get into what I loved about this beautiful film.

Bailey as Ariel was endearingly beautiful; her performance nothing less than magical. She embodied every bit of the character that I loved growing up, even down to her body language. Specifically, there was something about the overhead shots of her facial expression as she dreamed of the world on land that moved me. I felt her need to be a part of the world above.

Of course, she killed the singing parts. Her voice was smooth, elegant, and moving…just as anticipated. I’m pretty sure the soundtrack will get tons of streams because of her. Much credit is due, though, to the music composers as the arrangement was amazing. It’s no surprise that producer Lin-Manuel Miranda (creator of Broadway’s “In The Heights” and “Hamilton“) had a hand in that.

Daveed Diggs gave a commendable performance as Sebastion. He was most notably funny when his character interacted and sang with Scuttle, voiced by Awkwafina. The song performances were enjoyable, but for some reason, the original performance by Samuel E. Wright just holds a special place in my heart. I might be a little biased because I watched the movie several times growing up, probably too many times to count. Wright’s performance was so amazing that Disney gave him his own concert.

(L-R): Halle Bailey as Ariel, Sebastian (voiced by Daveed Diggs), and Scuttle (voiced by Awkwafina) in Disney’s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Awkafina’s Scuttle was hilarious and just as good as the original performance. In my opinion, she made the lovably annoying character that much more charismatic. She was one of the funniest in the film.

Javier Bardem played a convincing King Triton, but I wasn’t surprised since he masters pretty much any role he plays. He brought the right amount of strength and regalness to the role of King Triton, very much resembling that of the original Triton from the animated feature. There was wonderful father-daughter chemistry between him and Halle.

Melissa McCarthy continues to impress me with her more serious performances. She was menacing, manipulative, and nothing less than exceptional as the evil Ursula. I was quite impressed with her musical number. Combined with the special effects and make-up, she was convincingly scary. Her evil laugh was something that stuck out to me and really brought home how evil Ursula truly is.

Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Disney’s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

I did enjoy the other characters (including Eric and Flounder), but the side character I liked most was Sir Grimsly, played by Art Malik. Malik’s performance was warm and loving. He gave off the feeling that Grimsly was heavily invested in Eric’s happiness. I also saw him as a surrogate dad and mentor, which Eric needed.

I must applaud the costume design for this film. The various color schemes and patterns used to represent each mermaid and each person on land were awesome. I particularly liked the costume of Ariel’s Sister, Tamika (played by Sienna King). Her outfit was exceptionally beautiful with an orange and blue pattern. Plus, she had natural big hair, which I loved!

The CGI and special effects were done well. It’s especially difficult when scenes are primarily underwater, but the effects team did a good job. The only gripe I have is that when Ursula grew to her enormous size (as she does in the animated feature), it doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing. But this scene is one that’d be difficult to pull off for any effects team.

Overall, The Little Mermaid is a captivating and well-crafted film that everyone can enjoy! From the design, music composition, costumes, and acting, this is one of the best live-action films Disney has made. Check out the film with family, friends, and lovers of the childhood classic on Friday, May 26th.

22May/23

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3; Just in Time For Mental Health Awareness Month

May 22, 2023FIlmAction, Groot, Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel, MCU, Vin Diesel, Zoe SaldanaDapper Dr Feel

Starring: Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Bradley Cooper voices Rocket Racoon, Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary, and Vin Diesel as Groot.

Synopsis

The Guardians must band together to save the life of one of their own. With the clock ticking, they must journey to various planets and face various powerful foes, all while each character deals with internal obstacles seen in the previous installments.

Is It Worth Watching?

I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have “the feels” while watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 (GGV3) because, boy, did it have some very emotional moments. Kudos to filmmaker James Gunn for unpacking so much in this film. Although our beloved characters are experiencing a lot personally, the collage of storylines is not overwhelming and, more importantly, won’t leave audiences confused. Let’s go through the good things about this film.

The story focuses on the intelligent and quippy Rocket Raccoon and its origin. We finally gain insight into why Rocket is not only rude at times, but also guarded. Rocket has had some trauma in his life (which has been set up since his introduction). We find out how badly he was manipulated and abused by his creator, The High Evolutionary. Not only will we see Rocket’s past in this film, but we’ll also come to realize just how smart this character is.

For the psychology majors and mental health professionals, I am sure the characters are of interest as the trauma and grief of Rocket and Peter Quill are explored in depth. We see Peter is still struggling to get over the death of Gamora and coping with the rejection of the alternate version of Gamora (the newest member of the Ravagers). Quill spends most of his time trying to convince the alternate version of Gamora that they once were lovers all while the team goes on an adventure to save Rocket.

Starring: Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax, Bradley Cooper voices Rocket Racoon, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Vin Diesel as Groot, Karen Gillan as Nebula, and Pom Klementieff as Mantis.

More character depth is explored with Nebula, as she is no longer the completely guarded and defensive soldier she was once built to be. Although she’s been souped-up with stronger battle gear and more damaging weapons thanks to Rocket, she is now more apt to try understanding the predicament at hand before unleashing her fury.

Drax and Mantis continue to bring their fun banter and chemistry displayed in the highly praised Disney Plus Christmas special. While still hilarious, they also show some growth as characters. These are actually my two favorite characters (outside of Groot) because of their funny dialogue. At times, I did think that Drax was leaning too much into comedy and displaying less of the menacing, stoic persona we see in the comics, but this version works for him in the cinematic MCU.

The High Evolutionary is one of the top villains in the MCU because of his power and his no-nonsense attitude toward his work. This character is so powerful that he created worlds and populations of people; he is basically a god with a lust for perfection. He created Adam Warlock who, despite exhibiting some characteristics of a man-child, looks to be one of the most powerful beings in the MCU. Although I was not expecting the overpowered version of Adam Warlock seen in the comics, I was expecting more from this character. Adam is not in many scenes, but when he is on screen, his presence is felt with all his power and desire to please his creator. But I still felt the character didn’t have the same gravitas he does in the comics and needed to be, in my opinion, more insightful and less of an immature henchman. I would like to see if the MCU will bring Adam to his peak level as seen in the comics. It’d be nice to see if he could be effective against the Celestials.

This film had one of the best melee fighting scenes in Marvel history; there were double-team moves that were nothing short of exciting to watch. One of the best badassery moments came from Gamora when she went ape sh*t on some giant aliens.

The CGI work was proficient, and the wacky worlds that the Guardians visit are both colorful and filled with cool visuals. The most unique of them all was the alternate earth that The High Evolutionary made. It consisted of anthropomorphic animals that mimicked behaviors exhibited on planet Earth.

Conclusion

This emotional and fulfilling final film of the franchise, Guardians Vol.3, is a good out for James Gunn and the actors that play the colorful rag-tag bunch. With an open story arch for all of the characters, it will be interesting to see where their journey takes them and if any of the characters will be involved in the upcoming Secret Wars or the next installment of The Avengers. Given the amount of trauma and emotional obstacles that some of the characters had to overcome, the film release date was quite appropriate as we’re now smack in the middle of Mental Health Awareness Month. Although the first Guardians of the Galaxy is the best of the franchise (in my opinion), this film comes in second as the next best installment. With its Rotten Tomatoes score of 92% and 92% audience score, this film is no doubt worth watching. Check out Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in theaters today.

Warning: this film does contain some language not suitable for children.

31Mar/23

‘A Thousand and One’…The Beauty of Black Storytelling

March 31, 2023Culture, FIlmA Thousand and One, AV Rockwell, black culture, black excellence, black love, taji magDapper Dr Feel

Title: A Thousand and One

Release Date: 3/31/2023

Where to watch: In theaters

Directed by: A.V. Rockwell

Produced by: Lena Waithe

Starring: Teyana Taylor as Inez da la Paz, Aaron Kingsley Adetola as Terry (6 years old), Aven Courtney as Terry (13 years old), Josiah Cross as Terry (17 years old), and William Catlett as Lucky

Synopsis: A fiercely unapologetic and loyal Inez kidnaps her son, Terry, from the foster care system. Mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability in a rapidly changing New York City.

Worth noting: A Thousand and One is a Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize winner.

Storytelling

A.V. Rockwell created colorful and flawed characters who I found myself rooting for as they lived their truths while trying to achieve an ideal life the best way they knew how in an unforgiving city, NYC. Storytelling like this only makes me desire more stories about well-rounded Black characters who flourish despite being a product of their harsh environments.

Outside of the writing and acting in this film, I appreciated how Rockwell incorporated scenic shots of New York, giving the audience an idea of what the characters were truly up against. The tall buildings, busy neighborhoods, and various personalities inhabit the area highlighted in this film.

Aaron Kingsley Adetola as Terry and Will Catlett as Lucky

Teyana Taylor and the Cast

The last time I saw Taylor in a film was Coming 2 America where her role was limited albeit entertaining. Before then, I saw her in Madea’s Big Happy Family where she played the annoying ex-girlfriend of Bow Wow’s character, Byron. During the screening of A Thousand and One, I thought to myself, “wait, is this the same Teyana Taylor?”. I was so impressed with her performance that I couldn’t help but focus solely on her character, Inez, and the barrage of obstacles thrown her way.

Although well-intentioned, Inez’s approach is sometimes questionable and at times illegal. It was interesting to watch Taylor bring this character to life and make her compelling but also believable. When Inez provides life lessons to her son Terry, you can feel her love for him and her desire to give him a better life than she had growing up. It’s certainly not smooth sailing for this troubled mom; at times, you see the character get in the way of her own success. Taylor recently shared with Elle magazine “She (Inez) is so strong, and sometimes she gets in her own way. So you’ll see her almost go there and then hold it in. So I had to dial it back. There were a lot of different techniques that I taught myself to get into this space. It felt like I was on my own pursuit of happiness”.

Taylor’s chemistry on screen with the young actors (Aaron Kingsley Adetola as 6-year-old Terry, Aven Courtney as 13-year-old Terry, and Josiah Cross as 17-year-old Terry) genuinely resembles a mother-and-son relationship. In my opinion, Cross had the best Terry performance because the film’s final act called for a more emotional display, given the big reveal at the end (don’t worry, no spoilers here). It was not only the performance for me, the writing was incredibly impactful.

Actor William Catlett plays Lucky, Inez’s boyfriend. He serves as a father figure to her son and provides guidance on how to manage daily as a young Black man in a world that is bound to stereotype him. Although his methods and delivery are not considered ideal, the messages are clear and understood by young Terry. I loved how the Lucky character tried his best to change his life after incarceration. Catlett, as Lucky, knocked this portrayal out of the park and is honestly one of the most underrated actors I’ve seen in a while. I hope to see his career continue to flourish.

Final Thoughts

Taylor deserves genuine applause for her role in this film. I think it should serve as proof that she CAN pull off the role of Dionne Warwick in an upcoming project. The verdict on Black Twitter is that she surely can! Even the icon herself has mentioned she would love the artist to portray her. The direction and writing of Rockwell gives film lovers a taste of the future of storytelling that Black people and POC can be proud of. A Thousand and One shows the complicated dynamics of a mother’s love which is 100% worth watching.

17Mar/23

A Snowy Day in Oakland: Loretta Devine and Nicole Ari Parker Discuss Mental Health

March 17, 2023FIlmA Snowy Day in Oakland, Black community, black culture, comedy, Dapper Dr. Feel, Deon Cole, Loretta Devine, mental health, Nicole Ari ParkerDapper Dr Feel

Some of us in the Black community were taught that therapy was for people who were either batsh*t crazy or very wealthy (we call that “eccentric”). For everything else, you could talk to a family member on the porch or Pastor Curtis after Sunday service. Nowadays, it is not unusual to seek therapy. That is a stigma to which we’re more than happy to say farewell. The new film A Snowy Day in Oakland explores the hesitation and the process of getting treatment in the Black community. Two of its stars, Nicole Ari Parker and Loretta Devine, were kind enough to discuss with Taji Mag about the film and how they manage their own mental health.

Dapper Dr. Feel (DDF): Can you tell us a little bit about A Snowy Day in Oakland and a little bit about your character, Jeanette?

Loretta Devine (LD): A Snowy Day in Oakland is really a dramedy. I’m sort of like the comic relief in the show. I’m sure you’ve probably met people in your community that are a little like her. Lol! She’s a gossip. She barely does her job, but the way she carries on you would think she was doing more than her job. She is in everybody’s business. I think she might be reading their mail. She is nosey; she’d tell them she didn’t open it and glue it back together. She’s the busybody of the community, but I think every community is blessed that they have at least one person that is all up in everybody’s business. So they’ll tell you if somebody comes by somebody’s house. She’s a little over the top compared to everybody else who seems so normal. I have to admit, when I watched it I was like, “Oh my God, pull out, Loretta, pull out!” But that’s what the director Kim Bass told me to do.

DDF: Yeah. I can definitely relate. My life was like that. That’s why I was cracking up the whole time. I was like, “Man, I know somebody just like that”… I’m not gonna say who.

LD: They know you’re talking about them.

DDF: I know, and they’ll see this and call me after seeing this video.

DDF: Nicole, why are people opening up to Latrice? Everybody seems to resist her at first but then ends up on her couch opening up to her.

Nicole Ari Parker (NAP): I think she has to earn their trust. With her capacity to listen, I think it helps. Even if she isn’t from that particular moment in their lives, she seems like a fancy lady coming in. I think she calmly lets them know that they’re in a safe space, then has the patience to listen, and then is strong enough to give it back to them in a way that makes them think and talk more about what it is that’s affecting them. Because we hold everything close to our chest, a good therapist really lets you know it’s okay to honor what’s going on inside of you and to verbalize it. You can ask for help. So I think that’s a great message in the film. It’s a gentle but still compelling message.

DDF: Loretta, your character Jeanette seems to have a unique relationship with Dr. Monroe. She reads her very well. Can you describe the relationship between your character Jeanette and Dr. Latrice Monroe, played by Nicole Ari Parker?

LD: Well, you know, it seems like this movie title tells you a lot about what the movie’s about. Initially, it was called “Head Shop“. We started production in 2017. That was way before the pandemic. And what we’ve gone through since then with being shut down for three years, and we’re just now coming out…I think now everybody does need therapy.

My character thought the couch was the trick, which had nothing to do with the doctor and her knowledge. She figured “the therapist is constantly asking questions…, so I’m gonna just sit here and answer questions, but when I go to Jesus, I ain’t gotta do all that.” So I think she came in initially knowing everything [she could find out] about the doctor. But eventually, she realizes that therapists need therapists as well. This is when the movie really gets interesting. Anything she knew about the doctor, she passed it back to the community. I’m trying so hard not to tell too much so people won’t be saying “Well, I don’t need to see the movie because she already told me everything that’s gonna happen.”

DDF: We see Jeanette slowly get Latrice to open up. What do you think makes her open up to Ms. Jeanette?

NAP: Well, I think Loretta could get anyone to hand over the secret code. She’s just so brilliant! And I just think the writer/director, Kim Bass, really wanted to show all facets of everyone’s healing process. So he wrote those kinds of moments in which everyone gets a revelation.

DDF: How do you manage your mental health? Do you pray, exercise, etc.?

NAP: That’s a great question! I have a lot of different ways of managing life’s obstacles, but I’ve started with my self-esteem. Meaning if I am in pain, I say I’m in pain. I no longer swallow it right away because of shame, fear, or [being unsure of] who I can tell this to. I honor that this is an opportunity to heal something. I don’t let it break me anymore, but I also say, “Okay, this is a particular issue I should take to my therapist. After I’ve talked to my therapist (or even before I’ve talked to my therapist), I also say to myself this is also an issue I should pray for. If it involves another person, I now have the words to express that to them and I don’t hold it in anymore. It doesn’t mean there’s confrontation when I let it out, but there are steps to honoring the process of healing. Sometimes a bubble bath, candles, and meditation music are mixed in there too. So it’s a lot of different modalities, but it starts with honoring the identification of something [being] amiss, [accepting that] something is not right.

LD: All you have to do to manage your mental health is to believe everything’s fine. Lol! Everything is everything. It is what is. You know, I stay busy all the time. I’m a workaholic, which may be why I probably need therapy. I also have a lot of activities that I love to do. I love knitting, crocheting, making gowns, and making jewelry. So I think you have to fill your life up, you know? That’s how you maintain your mental health. Keep it full. Plus, I lived alone for a long time, so I had to figure out how to entertain myself if there was nobody there to consider me. When people came over, I’d say, “I wish they’d go home ’cause I could be doing stuff I want to do. I could’ve made a whole evening gown and ate my food while they sat there talking.” That’s how I maintain my mental health. So don’t ask me any more hard questions, ok? Lol!

DDF: I can’t ask you any hard questions??

LD: You can ask me hard questions.

DDF: You’ve done everything from this character to your character in Spell; how do you manage to get these phenomenal roles?

LD: Did you like Spell?

DDF: I did. I was like, whoa! I was impressed.

LD: It was shocking. DL Hughley wished it on me. During an interview with me, he said, “I’m so tired of seeing you play nice. I know you ain’t that damn nice. I hope you get an evil character.” And just after he said that, about a month later, I got the offer to do Spell. But with me and the stuff that comes to me, it ain’t nobody but God. See, God and I, we are close, we are like this (gestures closeness).

DDF: Loretta, I’ve been waiting to ask you this question for years. In Waiting to Exhale, your character, Gloria, gave her neighbor a plate full of food. Gloria made the greens, cornbread, yams, etc. So what does Ms. Devine want on her plate?

LD: You know, it depends. If you were going past Phillips, you could gimme some ribs and barbecue. You can bring me some of those tacos if you go by Bill’s Tito Taco. If you go by the Serving Spoon, [I’ll take] food from there. If you go to the Spanish restaurant, you can bring me some margaritas.

DDF: Nicole, I will tie in one of your other characters. We saw in The Best Man: Final Chapters, Xiomara goes off the rails after Quentin (played by Terrence Howard) breaks up with her. If Xiomara was a client of Latrice, what would happen?

NAP: Latrice might not let her (Xiomara) bring the sage into the office but I think Latrice would have Xiomara do the talking and see where all this came from, all the multiple personalities.

DDF: What do you think people will get from this film?

NAP: The belief in love again and joy and the trust in reaching out for help and talking about it if you need to.

A Snowy Day in Oakland is a dramedy that explores therapy and mental health in the Black community. The characters are good representations of people I’ve come across in my community growing up, making the film funny and relatable. It resembles movies like Barbershop or Friday, but with less exaggerated scenarios. There are some profound messages in this film that I think people will connect with and hopefully serve as a reminder that everyone needs help and shouldn’t be afraid to ask for it. A Snowy Day in Oakland will be released in theaters on March 17, 2023.

Directed and Written by Kim Bass

Starring Loretta Devine, Nicole Ari Parker, Keith David, Kimberly Elise, and Deon Cole.

02Mar/23

Creed III is a Strong Directorial Debut For Michael B. Jordan

March 2, 2023FIlmblack creative, black culture, black excellence, black love, boxing, creed, Creed3, Jonathan Majors, Michael B Jordan, Rocky, Ryan Coogler, sport, tessa thompsonDapper Dr Feel

Creed III Stars: Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed (who is also the film’s director), Jonathan Majors as Damian Anderson, Tessa Thompson as Creed’s wife (Bianca Creed), Mila Davis-Kent as Amara Creed, and Phylicia Rashad as Mary-Anne Creed.

Synopsis: Adonis Creed’s (Michael B. Jordan) life has flourished both professionally as a Boxer and personally. An old friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), re-emerges after a long stint in prison, eager to live the life he always wanted as a boxing champion. The two former friends engage in the fight of their lives which is more than a boxing match; it is a fight to overcome their pasts.

Why Creed III is Worth Your Time?

Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut is nothing short of phenomenal, especially with the film being the trilogy to one of the biggest movie franchises of all time. It’s apparent that this was a passion project for Jordan as he was able to craft this great film carefully. During a recent press conference, he mentioned he’d had scenes that were all but ripped from his fingers and left on the cutting room floor, but he didn’t let that jeopardize the film’s quality. I can confirm that this project was well-paced and that the film’s tone was consistent from beginning to end.

There were rumors of former Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder appearing as the son of James “Clubber” Lang in Creed II a few years ago, which would’ve been decent provided the right script; but I am glad this particular Creed spinoff franchise was brought to life. Much kudos to the writing team of Zach Baylin (King Richard writer) and Keenan Coogler (Ryan Coogler’s brother) for putting together a story with characters compelling enough to add quality to the Rocky franchise.

The underdog storyline, which the Rocky franchise is known for, fits well into this story because we see Damian Anderson go from serving time in prison to his pursuit of living his dream as a Champion. We also see Creed’s rise from being a retired Champion to fighting his former best friend, the current Champion. Both characters must not only fight their opponent in the ring but also fight their own internal battles.

I feel like Creed III offers more depth than the more recent Rocky films because even though you have a designated antagonist and protagonist, you really can’t instantly side with Creed. You understand why Damian is the way he is; honestly, he very convincingly reflects those who have struggled with a complicated past and have had to overcome major life obstacles. I can see Ryan Coogler’s fingerprints all over this script because it’s quite similar to Black Panther‘s ruthless Kilmonger character in that you understood and almost couldn’t blame him for his actions or way of thinking.

There is a lot of American Sign Language representation in this film. With Creed and Bianca’s daughter being deaf, we see excellent attention to detail depicting what the environment would be like and how families interact with someone who is hearing impaired. Also worth a mention is Mila Davis-Kent as Creed’s adorable daughter, Amara Creed. We get a glimpse of how Creed’s actions affect his relationship with his daughter. We even see her passion for boxing showcased. Can we see how her storyline plays out when she finally puts on the gloves? That would be fun to see. Although her screen time is limited, Davis-Kent’s charisma is undeniable.

The Characters

One of the surprising elements of the film was that it is an origin story for Adonis Creed, exploring his growth from a troubled teen to the man we see today. This is accomplished seamlessly without dragging the cinema or stealing focus from the storyline. The film carefully weaves in the character’s past while dealing with actions that will undoubtedly impact his future, leading to a conflict you’re unsure if he’ll win.

The chemistry remains strong between Jordan and Thompson. They create a relationship that appears to have stood the test of time and survived the pressures of their careers. There are moments in the film where Creed is standoffish and wants to shut his family out, but the presence and voice of Thompson creates a clear path of communication, allowing Creed to be vulnerable and honest with her. Creed III shows Bianca as not only Creed’s other half but also as the glue that holds the family together.

It’s worth stating again how Mila Davis-Kent as Amara Creed was so adorable and charismatic. The moments with Jordan were like watching a genuine love between a daughter and father. Davis-Kent not only stole focus during her screen time, she respectfully represented the American Sign Language community (ASL), normalizing the community and giving attention to many small details providing a sense of authenticity appreciated by ASL and non-ASL viewers alike.

Jonathan Majors once again puts on a robust and touching performance as Damian. He makes you hate the character at moments, and sometimes you even feel sorry for him. After serving so many years in prison and feeling abandoned by Creed after receiving no contact from him and watching him live the life he planned, Damian wants his opportunity. There is just so much the character must learn and let go of, but cannot because of his haunting prison experience. Damian reminds me of Killmonger, as his actions are driven by hurt and disappointment, making him a compelling character. Being a former Golden Gloves Champion and boxing prodigy, Damian believes his dreams are still possible. When asked where Majors got the inspiration for this role, he mentions that he watched the previous Creed films and gave much credit to his stepfather. He explained, “My stepdad was locked up 15 years before he got with my mom and then raised me.” Majors also said “Like, I was the kid that was trying to make sure Dad got home on time before the parole officer got to the crib. And I watched it. You know, I watched that happen. My stepdad tried out for the Dallas Cowboys. I’m from Dallas. And almost made it to the Cowboys. He was in the second round. I watched that inspiration. I watched that hustle. You know, I watched that dream that he had”. Majors, a friend of producer Ryan Coogler, also consulted him.

Videography and Sound

I saw Creed III on Imax, of course, which was well worth it because I heard and felt every punch that was delivered during the fight scenes. The sound design in this film made me feel like I was in the match, and there were a few times I physically reacted to the punches. Especially when Michael B. Jordan takes a particular punch in the solar plexus in the third act. I really felt like I couldn’t breathe for him. There are other moments in the film where the sound design helped enhance the action and tension between the boxers.

With Jordan’s direction, the film is visually appealing with anime and The Matrix-influenced angles that help the audience stay engaged during the matches. When a boxer sees an opening, the camera allows you to see it as well, so when the punches land, you understand why it is so effective.

Jordan utilizes his skills not only when the characters are boxing, but also when he shares conversations with his wife, daughter, and Damian. I love the scenes where he places the characters in front of the giant Apollo Creed painting he has in one of his rooms, representing their passions as fighters. It also shows that Creed has forgiven his father.

The Takeaway on Creed III

This emotional and action-packed sequel is well-written and has a phenomenal cast. The film highlights male trauma, growth, forgiveness, and healing. Even if you disagree, you’ll still feel connected with the characters and understand their actions. It is a must-watch that could be shared with family and fans. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself cheering during fight scenes or even holding back tears.

15Feb/23

Jonathan Majors: The Undoubted Star of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

February 15, 2023FIlmAnt-Man, Ant-Man 3, Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania, avengers, Dapper Dr. Feel, Jonathan Majors, Marvel, Paul Rudd, taji magDapper Dr Feel

Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

Where to find: In Theaters

Rating: PG-13

Time: 124 minutes

Release: February 17th

Synopsis: Scott Lang and his family find themselves in the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the franchise as the powerful and new baddie, Kang the Conqueror.

Starring: Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Hope Van Dyne/the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton).

What is the Film About?

There has been much anticipation for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, especially with the announcement from Marvel that Jonathan Majors would play Kang the Conqueror, the newest threat to the Avengers. This 3rd installment of the Ant-Man series presents an interesting storyline while setting up a great introduction to the film’s protagonist (whether this is evident to the viewers or not is another question…keep reading for my full opinion of the flick). This film goes into great detail about Scott Lang and his family’s life after saving the world from Thanos and reversing the blip felt around the world. It does make sense where Lang’s head would be, which is borderline basking in the celebrity of being an Avenger. This hightened level of confidence does set him up to emerge anew once the final battle takes place. This “epic” battle with Kang the Conqueror is the height of the film and is honestly what we all came to see. Will Ant-Man emerge victorious or will we see the end of this [mini] hero? Given Marvel’s recent propensity to send fans on an emotional rollercoaster by taking out our beloved heroes, it could truly go either way! I’ll let you see for yourself.

Now, as promised, my opinion of this most recent Marvel release…it’s a miss! There are so many moments of potential for this to be a great film, but it just…well…missed! The storyline, outside of the much-anticipated battle, hurts the film. Also, instead of the hilarious voice-over storytelling of Luis, played by Micheal Pena (which we so loved), the film has voiceovers by Lang which are merely serviceable and nowhere near as funny as Luis’. And finally, I didn’t appreciate the twist at the end when…you thought I was going to ruin it for you, huh? NOPE.

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man and Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 MARVEL.

The Characters

Many wondered why the film does not announce Michael Pena and the rest of the crew. This particular storyline would not have been a good fit for Scott Lang’s previous crew. With the introduction of multiple new characters this time around, it just would’ve been too much; especially on top of the already awkward moments of random pointless commentary.

Although this project has some great actors portraying these characters, the talented cast is only as good as the script would allow. For example, William Jackson Harper’s character (Quaz) has the potential to be important to the storyline, instead he is used as comic relief. M.O.D.O.K’s (Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing) potential suffers the worst out of all the characters as its origin is quite creatively plausible, but unfortunately also ends up just being comic relief.

Paul Rudd provides some laughs throughout the movie…then again he’s Paul Rudd. Did we expect anything else? The relationship with his daughter feels genuine, and the current state of Rudd’s Scott Lang is fitting. These circumstances allow the character some room for growth, but, Marvel unfortuntely fumbles the oportunity. Even with his performance, Ant-Man 3‘s tone is so off that it’s hard to overlook.

Kathryn Newton as Cassie has a lot of screen time which is good since her character is likeable. It’ll be interesting to see what role her character will play in the rumored Young Avengers.

Michelle Pfeiffer, as Janet Van Dyne, had me pondering many questions. The most pressing to me is why she hadn’t spoken of her time in the Quantum Realm. In the trailer, she clearly knows the dangers, but fails to discuss them with her family. An explanation of this does not seem convincing, especially once the viewer finds out what happened during her time in the realm.

The obvious standout of the movie was Majors as Kang. He put on a phenomenal performance per usual, making Kang a character that fans will love to hate. Major’s tone, expressions, and body language serves to create a worthy adversary. Kang is cerebral, scholarly, poetic, manipulative, and offers something anybody would find hard to refuse…time. He will undoubtedly pose a significant threat to the Avengers with his technology and his ability to manipulate multiple time lines.

Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conqueror in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 MARVEL.

The Visual Effects

Visually, the Quantum Realm does have some intriguing environments, but what wears on the novelty of the effects is that it’s been done before! At times, the scenes resemble those of Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness or previous transitions into microworlds that have occurred in prior Ant-Man films. But I guess it’s hard to continuously evolve and create unique worlds after having done it so many times. A few creatures look unique, like giant fluorescent amoebas and living buildings. It is noticeable, as expected, that Marvel did not go the cheap route on the effects. A detail even more noticable while watching the film in IMAX.

(L-R): Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Kathryn Newton as Cassandra “Cassie” Lang, Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne/Wasp in Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2022 MARVEL.

Worth Noting

Be on the lookout for plenty of easter eggs that tie into films for the upcoming Phase Four of the MCU. I won’t give any spoilers, but you’ll really have to look (or maybe even give the movie a second watch) in order to catch these. And YES, there are some post-credit scenes.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania serves less as a sequel in the Ant-Man franchise and more of an origin story for Kang the Conqueror. One must wonder if Marvel can use the talent of Majors and the many exciting stories of Kang (from the comics) to create a Phase 5. Ideally, this would propel the MCU into a stratosphere in which viewers aren’t developing comic book movie fatigue. Marvel has been known to surprise its fans…let’s see where they go with this!

05Feb/23

“Causeway” is Brian Tyree Hill’s Best Performance

February 5, 2023Culture, FIlmA24, AAFCA, academy awards, black excellence, Brian Tyree Hill, Dapper Dr. Feel, Films, Jennifer Lawrence, movie, taji magDapper Dr Feel

Brian Tyree Hill as James (Photo courtsey of Apple TV)

Where to Find: Apple TV Plus

Rating: R

Release: November 4th, 2022

Run time: 94 minutes

Synopsis:

A young soldier (Jennifer Lawrence) struggles to adjust to life back in New Orleans after a traumatic war injury. Her life changes when she meets a local mechanic (Brian Tyree Henry), and they form an unlikely bond.

What is the film about?

Whenever I hear that Brian Tyree Henry is attached to a film, I expect the film to do well and that he will put on a powerful performance. In Causeway, he does just that; this time, his performance is complemented by co-star Jennifer Lawrence. The film hardly wavers from its sad and uneasy tone, making the joyful moments more impactful. The director uses the environment of a Louisiana neighborhood (a sort of character in itself) to serve as the foundation from which Lynsey,played by Jennifer Lawrence,is trying to escape, the worn-down houses and cluttered areas. In contrast, James (played by Henry) tries to get her to see the beauty in the area, the beauty in the people, and the beauty in the little things that bring her happiness instead of re-enlisting.

It’s evident Lynsey is emotionally (and permanently) troubled by a terrible army accident. Lawrence’s performance is compelling and draws out compassion from the audience. There are moments where we see Lynsey desperately trying to adjust to life outside of war, but she can’t shake what she is programmed to do. You can’t help but want to hug her and let her know everything will be okay. Although she struggles deeply with herself, it’s apparent she has a kind heart and doesn’t hesitate to show compassion to others. We sadly watch her struggle with severe anxiety. Water keeps her calm, which is why she gets a job as a pool cleaner because, outside of war, that is all she knows. Water is known to have a calming effect on the body. Still, its usage in Causeway appropriately represents vulnerability, as this is the only time Lynsey isn’t consumed with anxiety. The onscreen chemistry between Lawrence and Henry is powerful, as their relationship feels very organic and authentic. The relationship between Lynsey and James is less romantic and more about companionship, but there is a longing sense of love just below the surface.

This is one of Henry’s most powerful performances. He makes the James character likable and compelling but also flawed. He tries to get Lynsey to embrace her insecurities and shortcomings, which makes James even more endearing. From his walk to his facial expressions, James can show Lynsey he is a big guy with an even bigger heart. Henry’s performance is applaud-worthy, and it’s no surprise he is nominated for a Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Director Lila Neugebauer and the screenwriters accomplish the goal of highlighting mental health. After watching this film, you will understand some of the struggles soldiers face both off and on the battlefield.

Brian Tyree Hill and Jennifer Lawrence (Photos Courtsey of Apple TV)

Final Thoughts

Causeway is an emotional film highlighting the negative effects of PTSD and how people around those who suffer from it are also affected. Not since The Hurt Locker (2008) have I seen such a memorable film displaying a veteran’s struggles to readjust to society and everyday life. The emotional performance by Brian Tyree Hill has earned him several nominations and wins, including the African American Film Critics Association award for Best Supporting Actor,Causeway is worth watching on Apple TV Plus.

03Feb/23

**Actress Lacretta Talks Night Court and Her Love For Gaming**

February 3, 2023Culture, FIlmBlack Girl Magic, comedy, Dapper Dr. Feel, gaming, Lacretta, NBC, Night Court, taji magDapper Dr Feel

NIGHT COURT — “Pilot” Episode 101 — Pictured: Lacretta as Gurgs — (Photo by: Jordin Althaus/NBC/Warner Bros. Television)

Back in the 90s, I remember this show and especially its distinctive theme song with its upbeat tempo and saxophone-laced tune, it was Night Court. It usually meant it was almost bedtime for me. It featured a cast of colorful characters: a judge who performed magic tricks (Judge Harry, played by Harry Anderson); a bald, physically imposing but friendly bailiff (Bull, played by Richard Moll); and a no-nonsense, quick-witted bailiff named Roz (played by Marsha Warfield). Now the 2023 Night Court features a host of new characters besides prosecutor Dan Fielding (played by John Larroquette). The show has a new bailiff, Donna “Gurgs” Gurganous (played by actress Lacretta). The actress took time from her busy schedule to talk with Taji Mag about her role on the show, her castmates, and even her love for gaming.

Dapper Dr. Feel (DDF): I wanted to start by asking, how in the heck did you fall out of your hammock on New Year’s Eve?

Lacretta: So, I’m still kind of in shock with everything happening, right? Even though I’d been part of the Night Court project this whole time, I was trying to talk to my viewers about it. So I was like, “You know, let me just go upstairs to the roof and just kind of chill out for the night.” I got a little bit ahead of myself and instead of putting one leg into the hammock first and then the other leg, I decided to put both legs into the hammock and promptly tipped myself out of it. I scraped my toe on the wall, which was not a pretty picture. After I got myself all cleaned up, I went back up to the roof with a cocktail, and then I sat in a chair like a proper lady.

DDF: Bet you won’t make that mistake again. Tell me, what was your reaction when you got the role and how did you prepare for it?

Lacretta: I gravitated to and responded to the weirdest moments in cinema because I wanted to capture a little bit of Richard Mall. I felt I had to pay homage to him and the other bailiffs on the show.

I know altogether there were four different bailiffs. The first two, unfortunately, passed away at the end of their season. The other two were the most iconic for me (Richard Mall as “Bull” and Marsha Warfield as “Roz”). I had to pay homage to both of them.

Um, so as I was saying, for certain parts in the script, weird moments in cinema like from Orient Express and from Are You Being Served and Keeping Up Appearances (both British comedies) just kind of popped into my head and I just allowed myself to release. And then when I got the call that I had booked it, I was actually laying on the floor with my feet up because my ankle was a little puffy and I was trying to recirculate that blood. I got a text message…”oh my God, congratulations on Night Court being picked up” and I was like “What do you mean?” And my friend said “You guys got picked up!” I sat up so fast that I saw stars and got a little dizzy. I just had to text all my friends the good news.

I continued with the person that gave me the good news and said, “Well, did you check the date on the article?” He was like “yeah, it came out in Hollywood Reporter 10 minutes ago. Y’all got picked up by NBC!” Tears started rolling down my face and snot was coming out of my nose, I started hyperventilating. It was really bad. But I love that the person who called me and let me know was actually one of the writers/creators for Disaster, which is where I made my Broadway debut.

DDF: “Gurgs” seem to have the best chemistry with “Olivia” (India de Beaufort). Who do you think your character has the best chemistry with?

Lacretta: Yeah, I think it’s all different, but I spend a lot more time with India de Beaufort and Kapil Talwalkar who play “Olivia” and “Neil” [respectively] in the series.

Outside of work, I definitely spend a lot more time with Kapil because we’re both gamers. So we call each other and check on each other more often, but it just kind of trickles down. What I love about it is that we’re very much a family. And with family, you don’t always talk to your cousins, you don’t always talk to your aunties, but when you do get together, you know that this is blood…this is family.

DDF: When I first heard about you getting this role as the new bailiff, automatically the character “Roz” popped into my head. How would you say “Roz” and “Gurgs” are similar and how are they different?

Lacretta: We’re both very grounded. We both have our moments, she more so than I. Where we differ: my character is a lot more playful than “Roz”, but she did have her moments. I was telling someone before that there’s a beautiful episode that I just kind of stumbled upon of “Roz” teaching “Dan” how to ballroom dance. There’s a moment where they’re sitting at a table in the cafeteria. They’re just kind of chatting when he says something along the lines of “You know, I came to your apartment and I stood outside your door” and she replied “Yeah, I know. But you know, there could never be anything between us right?” It was just a lovely episode and I loved to see that interaction between the two of them because they are such polar opposites. It’s just such smart writing on this show from then until now that I’m just…I can’t wait to see what happens with it.

DDF: Now, since you are a gamer, if you can make “Gurgs” a downloadable content character, what game would you put her on?

Lacretta: Oh, Saints Row! What!? Especially in this new incarnation which I still haven’t finished. But in the new incarnation of Saints Row, my character very much looks like her except for the piercings. That’s the only difference. What else would I put her in? I would put her in High On Life, which is a new game with a lot of the voices from Rick and Morty. That would be kinda interesting. That game’s crazy and so funny. That was a good one. And then I mean everybody wants to be a Fortnite avatar. I wanna be on Fortnite.

DDF: What do you think people will get from this revamped version of the 80s/90s classic?

Lacretta: I hope that they get a sense of nostalgia. I hope that they find joy while watching this new Night Court and find a moment to escape from the stress that’s going on in the world right now. In a world of uncertainty, what’s for sure is that for at least 20 minutes out of our half-hour slot, you’re going to be laughing and you’re gonna be able to step away from what you’re dealing with.
Watch Lucretta as the charismatic bailiff “Gurgs” and her castmates on Night Court on NBC. The sitcom has just been renewed for a second season.

17Nov/22

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever…One of the Best Films of 2022

November 17, 2022Culture, FIlm, NewsBlack Panther, Dapper Dr. Feel, Felipe Patterson, Marvel, taji mag, Wakanda ForeverDapper Dr Feel

Wakanda Forever is a very emotional film; the feelings started to boil up within the first six minutes (so make sure you’ve got your popcorn ready before the movie starts, you don’t want to miss a second). It’s no surprise that Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa would die in this film because Marvel had made it clear that they would NOT be recasting Boseman’s role. Nothing hit harder than when the infamous Marvel introduction appeared sans music with various cutscenes of Boseman. I’ve seen the film twice, once with other critics and once with a crowd of people; both times, I could hear sniffling and see tears falling from many an eye. Hell, I even got misty-eyed during my first screening. If you have not yet seen the film, (1st of all, shame on you for missing opening weekend) be prepared to bring tissues or wear an ugly shirt to cry on. Wakanda Forever not only pulls on the heartstrings but also has some of the best action scenes I’ve seen in the MCU with a nice helping of humor sprinkled in here and there. This film was also incredibly well-directed. Next, allow me to go into more detail about this incredible Ryan Coogler-helmed project.

Storyline

I was concerned about how Ryan Coogler would make this film work with the characters rumored to appear and how Wakanda would face one of its biggest threats without its biggest hero. Coogler did not disappoint and actually made me appreciate him as an artist even more. Let’s start with the way that T’Challa’s death was handled. It kind of mirrored reality; in the film, we discover that Shuri was unaware of her brother’s ailment until it was too late. We all felt Shuri… at least I did when I discovered that Chadwick had passed away without warning. Although Shuri had saved him and many other MCU characters in the past, she could not help her brother due to the lack of resources…the heart-shaped herb. I felt quite connected to this character because I lost my brother six years ago this very month. To feel as helpless as Shuri is nothing short of heartbreak.

Something else I noticed about Shuri was that she had difficulty grieving the loss of her brother, like some of us do, and it wasn’t until the very end of the film that she was able to deal with that. This is not unlike how some people of color take a long time to get help dealing with grief and mental health. The film interestingly (and quite surprisingly) explores her rage and need for retribution by reintroducing her to Michael B. Jordan’s Kilmonger after she ingests the synthetic heart-shaped herb she created. I was not surprised because as Kilmonger is a wildly compelling and rage-filled Marvel villain, Shuri (in a display of similar rage) had mentioned earlier that she wanted to burn everything after her brother’s loss. One can clearly see the parallels.

Shuri’s issues seemed to also parallel Namor’s as he had lost his mom at an early age and hadn’t properly dealt with that devastating loss and all the feelings that came with it. His anger drove him to hate colonizers and “land people” outside of Wakanda.

The origin of Namor and the Talokan as told in the film was, in my opinion, a way better story than what was depicted in the comic book. It gave Namor more motivation to be angry after seeing his people who remained on land abused and enslaved once he returned to bury his mother at the very place she had called home.

I am a Riri Williams fan because she is a young, Black, highly intelligent character my nieces can look up to. I felt her involvement in this story was necessary. Her ability to build a machine that could locate Vibranium underwater was invaluable. So much so that her idea was stolen by her professor with the intent to make a profit…hmmm, sounds like something that could happen in real life!

This time, Wakanda kept its quarrels within its country’s borders and did not allow for spillage into America or any other place like it did in the first film. I appreciated this because it stayed true to the comic, just like when Namor and his warriors attacked Wakanda and flooded its citizens. I must say that part hurt my heart, but I knew it was coming.

Angela Basset Oscar Buzz

There is already Oscar buzz surrounding Angela Basset for her role as Queen Ramonda; she deserves at least a nomination if not more. Her expression of pain from the loss of her family is heart-wrenching. She has been through more than most could handle starting with the murder of her husband, her kids being snapped away by Thanos then brought back to only be taken away again. That’s enough to drive anyone insane! On top of that, she STILL had to deal with the greedy members of the United Nations (UN) while trying to run a country with the threat of Namor. Whew! Talk about carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders…nicely toned shoulders, I might add. Outside of Basset being a phenomenal actress, the other cast members also performed amazingly. You would think, with such a large cast, at least one person would compromise the film, but no one underperformed.

Beware of the Talokan

For a moment there, I thought I was watching a horror film about Namor and the Talokan warriors wiping out Americans at sea. The singing Talokans hypnotizing the ship’s inhabitants to walk to their drowning death was surprising and had me thinking “What an awful way to die, but what an awesome war tactic!” The Talokan weapons were so creative, especially the water bombs that obliterated everything around them.

Namor was a fierce warrior, and Attuma (although not as powerful as Namor) was just as punishing as he was in the comics. The production notes mention that Namor is as strong as Thor and the Hulk, and man did it show. My man was tossing helicopters like little dice.

A Soundtrack That Moves You

Of course, the soundtrack for this film was fire! When “They Want It, But No” played in the background as the Dora Milaje was going to work on the soldiers, I was all for the ass whoopings they were handing out. Burna Boy’s emotional “Alone” track adds to the somber mood of the characters dealing with loss. And Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” at the end was a tribute to the legend, Chadwick Boseman.

Ruth Carter’s Costumes

The award-winning costume designer once again displayed her talents with beautiful designs for both the Wakandans and the Talokans. The intricate detail put into the Talokan costumes was beautiful in color and detail. In my interview with Mabel Cadena, she explained, “Well, it was huge because on the one hand, I thought, ‘This is beautiful, amazing, and I’m a Latin American woman playing a superhero in this movie’. On the other hand, I was like ‘This is very heavy’! I’d never worn something so heavy and needed to be able to move so fast”.

Final Thoughts

I know Rotten Tomatoes currently has Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at a critic score of 84%, but the film is more accurately reflected by the audience score of 94%, in my opinion. The fact that the film was able to use grief and mental health as part of the plot (which is vital for characters who are Black and Brown) and made it work in the Marvel Universe is a big accomplishment. The film also answered many questions I had about the fate of some characters. This is hands down the best MCU film/project to come out this year, and I can honestly say it’s in my top 5 favorite MCU films of all time. I was also surprised that the post-credit scene showed T’Challa had a son with Nakia (played by Lupita Nyong’o), whom she raised in Haiti. This will add even more interest to the future of Wakanda as the new prince learns to eventually become king. Finally, let’s give a round of applause to the women in the film who drive the story and show ultimate strength not only physically, but in their relationships as well. Overall, Wakanda Forever is one of if not the best Marvel films of 2022. It focuses on grief, forgiveness, family, and lastly a tribute to Chadwick Boseman that is worth watching.

Directed by Ryan Coogler

Starring Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Tenoch Huerta, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livinalli.