Superior Sequels, Bombing Bios

BARBER SHOP: THE NEXT CUT

COMEDY/DRAMA

PLOT:  The continuing story of Calvin and the interesting characters in his barber shop.

                Calvin (Ice Cube) is keeping up with the times, the male dominated shop is now a co-ed so women get the head done too.  His partner is a woman named Angie (Regina Hall) and he is trying to raise his family in Southside Chicago.  Eddie (Cedric The Entertainment) is still talking trash.  The film is not as funny as the trailer.  It has humor but it is serious about gangs and gun violence.  It shows Calvin trying to be a good father to his rebellious teenage son.  It is funny and has a lot of heart.  Watch it.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

ACTION/FANTASY

PLOT:  The government wants to put in affect the Anti-Hero Registration Act.  Iron Man agrees but Captain America does not.  Many heroes choose sides with violent consequences.

                OMG this film was excellent!  It is like the superhero cartoons you see on TV only it’s live action but much darker but there is humor too.  Fans who love superheroes will LOVE this movie.  It has action sequences that are AMAZING!  The main villain Zemo is not really that good but he is vital and serves a purpose.  The heroic cast was great but mini spoiler the Hulk and Thor are not in it.  SEE this movie if you can and remember don’t jump out of the seat after the movie is over!

NINA

BIOGRAPHY/DRAMA

PLOT:  The story about the legendary singer Nina Simone near the end of her life.

                The trouble with biopics they never get it right and with Nina is worse because Latina Zoe Saldana plays the troubled but talented singer.  Blacks are mad as hell because it should have gone to a black actress.   It is important because being a dark-skinned full lipped woman is frowned upon in America so she wanted to sing about and be an activist about it. I would have picked Viola Davis. 

Another thing people are upset with is that it’s inaccurate---alot.  Her assistant, manager and nurse named Clifton Henderson played by David Oyelowo (Selma) assumed they had a romantic relationship but he was openly gay.  Some people overlook the way the actors look if they get their “essence” of the person.  The Saldana is very good but it is not Nina Simone.  Read articles, books and her music than see this movie.  If you are that curious watch it but if not--wait for it to come on TV.

Fantasy, Exploitation and Reality

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE & ZOMBIES

ACTION/HORROR

PLOT:  Five young women are pressured to marry and protect themselves from zombies!

                Novelist Jane Austen never thought her book would have zombies in it!  Five trained beauties in 19^th century England are pressured to marry while a mysterious disease is spreading. It is outrageous but the ladies are no damsels in distress and they can handle themselves in battle.  If you like the premise watches it but if not wait until video.

HUNTSMAN’S THE WINTER WAR

ADVENTURE/FANTASY

PLOT:  Sisters and rival queens search for the magical mirror.

                This is a prequel about two sisters Ravenna and Freya (Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt) and Ravenna brings the evil side of her sister out.  Freya becomes queen in her own kingdom and rises children to be warriors but NO ONE must fall in love.  Two of the children are Eric, the huntsman by Chris Hemsworth and Sara Jessica Chastain.  They committee the worst sin:  they fall in love and that love is put to the test.  Freya seeking more power orders Eric to find the mirror and the journey begins.  Snow White is in the film in for a hot minute, Theron isn’t in there much either but when she is she is wickedness to behold!!  Instead of accent every word in the first film she speaks in whispers this time but she cold and calculating.  Blunt is good too as the good sister before events turn her. Hemsworth is handsome but what accent did he have? The special effects are excellent.  It is great if you like fairytales.

RISEN

BIBLICAL DRAMA

  

PLOT:  A warrior searches for Jesus’ body after the Resurrection.

                Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) a Roman warrior sent by the king to seek the body of Christ.  When he can’t find him he searches for Jesus’ disciplines.  He does find them and when he witnesses the miracles that Christ performs that changes him.  The film is very good for it shows Jesus as an ordinary man with incredible powers-not dressed in white with a far-away stare.  It is great for the faith-base audience.