Black Panther

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I just have to say this movie was good, I had fun with it and it’s what I’ve come to expect from a Marvel movie with a few surprises added. Now since this is a Marvel movie we all know there is going to be humor and Black Panther truly did have some funny moments that were well executed and rather unexpected which made the movie more fun to watch.
What I enjoyed from the movie was the characters. This is one of the few movies whereby almost every character no matter main-cast or side cast was done right. I enjoyed Chadwick Boseman as the Black Panther, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Michael B Jordan as Killmonger and special shout out to Danai Gurira, bodyguard, and Letitia Wright, extraordinary little sis. I didn’t expect them to be so good.
The Villain Killmoger is easily in the Top 5 of best Marvel villains. Michael B Jordan was good in the role and he felt like a genuine threat to the Black Panther and Wakanda.

Darkest Hour

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I cannot remember the last time I was in a movie and I said, “Gee, I wish this movie would keep going because it’s just so damn good!”
Not only is this a riveting account of one of the most important moments of the Second World War, but it’s also an exhilarating drama that goes beyond being a simple biography by bringing humor, energy and passion to every moment. The Darkest Hour is simply an exceptional film.
The film works mainly because of the fantastic performance of Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill. It is amazing how this actor incorporates the image we have of the great British leader in archival footages. Gary Oldman really deserves the Oscar!

Kristin Scott Thomas is also impressive in the role of Churchill’s beloved wife Clemmie. Ben Mendelsohn’s portrayal of King George VI is stunningly well done and a strong performance from the supporting cast, especially Elizabeth Layton as Lily James, Churchill’s personal secretary and Lord Halifax (Stephen Dillane).
I am a grown man but I cried when the little girl in the Tube sequence said ‘Never’!
If you love films, go watch it. If you love the spirit that won the war against all odds, by a tiny Sea-faring nation against tyranny, watch it over and over again.

The Shape of Water

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Sally Hawkins is exceptional in her vigorous performance as the mute Eliza, with dynamic sign language and spirited facial expressions, we see the isolated heart of the “princess without a voice” which makes her connection to this solitary creature all the more real. Opposite her is the confident physical actor Doug Jones, manning the rubber suit of the creature from the black lagoon in a brilliant bodily performance. Then Michael Shannon sensationally brings the real monster to the tale in Strickland, the dominating Colonel facing his battle in masculinity as well as with the creature. Shannon gives one of the best performances of his career, keeping with that classic fairy tale juxtaposition of man being the real monster.

I, Tonya

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Margot Robbie did a great job playing her character and so did Allison Janney, her performance was so convincing I wanted to punch her in the face throughout the entire movie.
Until I saw this movie, in my point of view Tonya Harding was a cheat and a lowlife and this was entirely based on the media coverage of the events in 1994. Having seen the movie, I feel ashamed about how easily I judged her.
Maybe “I, Tonya” works in its profound sadness as well. Toward the end Tonya says, “I am not a monster.” No, she’s not. She is just the little girl who wanted to be loved and never got it. She was driven and wanted to be the best. Tonya is just human. She is both lightness and darkness. Perhaps within “I, Tonya” are loud laughs and the subtle lesson of having compassion.