Double Features
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Rocko's Modern Life The Movie
I promised Animation Domination but I didn't say it would 100% be aimed towards the kids. Kids....go ask your parents one of their favorite non-children's cartoon movies and I'm almost positive this movie is on the list somewhere. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is the epitome of 80's movies and Jessica Rabbit is the sex symbol that transitions you from a girl to a woman. On the completely opposite side of the world when Rocko got his own movie....90's babies went nuts. The 2019 Netflix Rocko update/movie thrusts Rocko into modern times and leaves him and his friends to fend for themselves in this generation. It is quite entertaining to see.
Titanic
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Titanic is one of the most iconic films of All Time (sitting in a very special list with Avatar and almost all The Avengers movies). James Cameron is also one of the greatest directors ever but the research and accuracy that went into this film was what made it the masterpiece it is today (even still years later). If you can make art that withstands the test of time it won't matter when someone see's it....just that it was created. The true story of rich and poor alike boarding the largest and most grand ship in that time and finding out tragically that in the end, what's important to you will likely change drastically when met with horrific circumstances. The Last Voyage of the Demeter was a vessel that taxied the greatest monster in history and did a pretty good job telling the story. It was a very Edgar Allen Poe on the water tale and the actual vampire looked REALLY good. The only other (and to me the best) monster to film creature that looked this good was the werewolves in 'An American Werewolf in Paris'.
The Prince of Egypt
The Book of Clarence
As Easter has come and gone the stories behind why we celebrate the life of Jesus/God will live on forever. The Prince of Egypt was the animated version of the exceptional biblical story of Moses. Everything about this version is visually stunning and will do a great job educating children and parents alike how one man with a rocky past can change his and an entire people's future. The book of Clarence will do the same as it was an original (and comedic) take on the Last Supper and what it takes to be brave, courages and witty enough to change history. The starring line-up is fantastic and LaKeith just keeps showing us why he among a few others in the game right now, are who you go to for a compelling and lasting theatric affect.
The Big Short
Hustlers
Ok, as we all sit back and get ready to do our taxes let's thank Uncle Sam for uhhhh....screwing some of us over? Or we could watch some movies about some serious screw-overs. I love the big short although admittedly it took a few viewings to get what was going on when it came to the housing market crash (exactly how the big boys want it to be). Cross the wires and Hustlers is a view on women screwing over the big boys who probably caused that market crash. However you choose to get screwed just make sure you double check those numbers and wallets before you walk in/out the door.
Office Space
Horrible Bosses
It's January of a new year, that can only mean one thing....take yo ass back to work! It's been a lovely, relaxing holiday week (or 2) for many of us but for most of us that means it's time to get back to our coworkers and bosses. Office Space is a cult CLASSIC when it comes to the thoughts everyone has about the workplace and many people's dream of getting hit by a car and never having to work again. Horrible Bosses is the raunchy reincarnation of Office Space that allows us to journey into all the ways and reasons our bosses are just our "favorite people".
The Rise of the Planet of the Apes
District 9
Let's start by giving the marketing team from District 9 the HIGHEST of accolades because I will never forget how awesome it was. There were signs/posters on park benches and bus stations all over the country stating "If you see an alien call this number" and the number actually led somewhere. People were wondering... wait is this real? Is this thing really hanging over a city in Africa right now? Fun and creative marketing at its best for a movie that was just superb. District 9 & Rise of the Planet of the Apes both deals with a species outside of mankind looking for the bare minimum from mankind: decency. Thinking we are the superior intelligence in any and every given circumstance is the exact ignorance that get's our planet taken over by Apes or out smarted by child alien creatures far more advance than we can understand.
Fruitvale Station
A Thousand & One
When getting ready to watch these prepare your dry eyes and solid heart because both will be affected by these powerful stories. Fruitvale station was the now legendary Ryan Cooglers' directing debut and Michael B Jordan's first major motion picture (I believe) and it was a raw cut of a brave story (when you make it to the end). The movie was so good that if you didn't know anything about it or anyone in it/involved in it, you would think it was a straight documentary that happened to catch the powerful ending on film. Same can be said for A Thousand and One, the film felt like a documentary showcasing a young woman's life and how difficult life and opportunity is for black youth, men and certainly women. Teyana Taylor's acting debut also happens here (from what I know) and she was on point and uncut for this excellent role. The whole cast did amazing and it also had a bit of a surprise which I always love. 2 stories of everyday life for black youth in America told by exceptional lead actors and actresses and illustrated by 2 celebrated black directors.
American Sniper
Zero Dark Thirty
Anyone who has poked around my movie section knows I'm a World War 2 gal and outside of that War movies are not my preference. My heart is too soft to watch some of the things that happen within the contents of these films but every now and then a movie comes along and is just to amazing to deny. American Sniper had Bradley Cooper in an element I had not seen yet at the time and his ability to portray Kyle the way he did was on point casting and top notch acting from him and Miller. Having your husband away for months on end while being a mother and knowing what he's doing (as well as worrying about the outcome) is super hero level strength when it comes to women who face these realities every day. Panning over to one of the most wanted men in American History (Bin Laden), Jessica Chastain is precise and concise in how immaculate she was in this role. She is one of the top actresses in my eyes and having her helm this film was appropriate. Aside from her performance, the entire film was shot gritty, raw and exactly how you would picture it if you were on the opposite end of this life altering manhunt call. If I do decide to sit and watch a war or biopic war film it has to be a subject that scares me or is hard to digest/watch. If you can get me to watch it in it's entirety, be interested/involved with the story and shed a tear...well you've got a war winner in my book.
What's Love Got to do with it?
Selena
It's an appropriate time for the queen of rock to meet the princess of tejano. In honor of her memory and legacy but more importantly because they are great films, I can easily suggest double-ing up on these classic stories of two amazing women with an amazing story to tell. Angela Bassett is terrific as Tina and J-Lo was fantastic as Selena, both with a grueling schedule and endless hours of practice, pain and talent to become 2 of the best artist's in music history.
Cloverfield
10 Cloverfield Lane
I remember so vividly walking out of seeing Cloverfield thinking...what the hell did I just watch? Whenever I get that feeling I absolutely have to watch the movie again, which is typically a good sign for me. This has happened plenty of times (2 examples: Cabin in the Woods/Don't Worry Darling) and the first movie came out during an interesting time. This was the "Blair Witch Project Film era" where everyone eventually started using the fake "found video tape footage" and for whatever reason it worked. Some people wondered if this was actual footage found up until the end and the movie did a great job leading you up to that point. Opposite of that 10 Cloverfield lane was it's sequel but not a true sequel at all which was great. The interactions of the actors in this film were very authentic and the suspense leading to the end like it's first movie was on point. What I love is these movies had nothing to do with each other but was likely happening at the same time-frame in both films. Genius concept.
Changeling
The Pursuit of Happyness
May and June will be bringing us Mother and Fathers Day and I think it's crucial we highlight 2 of my favorite "Based on a True Story" parents. Changeling is one of my absolute favorite films by one of the most celebrated directors in my time; Clint Eastwood (his film Hereafter also made my Humanity Impact Films). Angelina Jolie is the essence of femme fatales whenever she steps into a role and this one brought her to the brink of insanity getting the LAPD to help her find her missing child. In contrast to that, Will Smith's portrayal of Chris Gardner in 'Pursuit of Happyness" shows the same level of persistence when it comes to loving your child. This film can also be found in my Humanity Impact list and I think watching these two films as a double feature will impact your relationship with your children as well.
The Social Network
Steve Jobs
Welcome to the battle of the Tech Titans! If you want to see a real-live version of reincarnation, look no further than Steve Jobs / Mark Zuckerberg. I have to highlight the opening scene of The Social Network because it is one of my all time favorite smart-ass moments on film. I whole-heartedly believe this is how Mark spoke to Erica and all his friends and likely still does today lmao. There was once a study conducted that said there are humans today that use different parts of their brain to tap into different levels of creativity and intelligence, more so than the average human (think on the lines of Elon Musk). Certain equations and algorithms show up to them like pieces of a puzzle and very complex tasks (coding) are extremely easy for them to accomplish. These men are pioneers in the tech world for their contribution to technological advancement and It's important to see the younger and older version of this story. Mark Zuckerberg not only took the whole social concept and put it online (then bought out the other guy who did this as well ::Cough Cough Instagram:: ) but also put the advertising business in a whole different atmosphere than just a billboard ad on the side of the road or on t.v. Steve Jobs revolutionized how we compute today and the way we listen to music. Thank Them Later.
The Butler
Till
Both films technically happened during the same time so pairing them together for a full look at black history only seems fitting. The Butler was not only an interesting and compelling story, it gave us some powerful performances from many top tier black actors. Till however gave us a different contrast and gave us powerful performances from new and upcoming black actors and I love that for both films. The Butler is a view of how important it is to honor and respect those who worked so hard before us (our parents) but to remember that we are the future and work hard to carry on that legacy. Till is a snapshot that lets us hold our parents/children close because you don't know if the good lord will call either of you to start a movement.
Glass Onion
Knives Out
I'll start with Knives Out: Fantastic movie...especially if you are a fan of the old Clue board games and movie. A murder mystery meant to twist the mind and invigorate the senses. This is the movie that gave us Ana De Armas (what a treat right?) and Chris Evans is always an added bonus to anything in life. This movie had a better end twist than Glass Onion IMO but Glass Onion had a better setting. Knives Out ending I didn't guess any of it but the one major twist in Glass Onion was pretty transparent. I did however like the second twist in Glass Onion and the setting/historic items caught my interest highly. The Mona Lisa is iconic and I love that they used it as part of their story. Overall I liked Knives Out a little better but I did love Glass Onion. Great cast for both films and you don't need to watch one over the other to make a complete movie night package.
Knock at the Cabin
Old
Knock at the Cabin and Old are 2 completely different movies with one thing in common: A legendary and thought provoking director (from Philly might I add). I thought Old was a great film that teaches you to value the time and quality moments you have with your family. It also shows you that the lessons you put into your children when they're younger can have more impact than you think. Knock at the Cabin had a fantastic twist/story-line and as per usual with M Night very original. The setting for the cabin wasn't as original but the concept of everything was great. Dave Bautista really flexed those acting chops in this one and did an awesome job with a more serious role. Both films top tier.