BlacKkKlansman, the Oscar-winning film from iconic director Spike Lee brings riveting performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver. It is based on the true story of an African American police officer named Ron Stallworth who penetrated the KKK as an undercover detective pretending to be a caucasian man with a racist ideology.
The film is striking in many ways--for one, the story is compelling, and lends a fresh perspective to racial issues in the United States. Secondly, Washington's acting is powerful and his character is at times hilarious, bringing humor to an otherwise horrific true tale of the evil white people have done to black people in the U.S. while also pointing out a chilling familiarity to our current political climate.
It is a film for the ages and one that everyone should see.
Rating: A
The Favourite starring Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone and Oscar-winner, Olivia Coleman has garnished a lot of attention as a lesbian film.
The film was ground-breaking in many ways, but in my opinion, not because it featured women in romantic relations with one another but because it featured women in 18th century England in a completely new light.
The actions, behaviors, and language of these women felt authentic and empowering for their roles and the era. It did not come across as a romanticized rendering of a historic time in this regard and for that, the entire world should be grateful.
Rating: B
Cold War, directed by acclaimed director Paweł Pawlikowski (Ida) tells the story of two musicians who fall in love in Communist Poland in the 1940's.
The film is shot in black and white and takes place over the span of about twenty years as we follow the two lovers through an emotional journey in Poland and France. The film is loosely based on the story of Paweł's own parents. While the cinematography was beautiful and Cold War had several tender bittersweet moments with a gorgeous soundtrack, I was not blown away by the story nor the minimalistic use of dialogue. I felt that the story lacked a much needed feeling of tension and overall direction. Much like Pawlikowski's characters, I felt I was a leaf blowing in the wind.
Rating: C
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