Blindspotting

 This movie wasn't actually on my list to see, to talk about or to even mention.  But when we were hit with all of the critically acclaimed reviews as well as an Oakland story written and directed by African Americans and Hispanics.  I had to give it a go.  A very humorous, heartfelt drama that will hopefully make you think about the day to day struggles of anyone trying to remove stigmas from their identity.  And struggle to try to do the right thing in a very hard environment.  

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Collin must make it through his final three days of probation for a chance at a new beginning in his Oakland, Calif., neighborhood. His bond with his volatile best friend soon gets tested when Collin sees a police officer shoot a suspect in the back during a chase through the streets. Things soon come to a head when the buddies attend a party at the upscale home of a young and wealthy tech entrepreneur

BlacKKKlansman (Spike Lee)

We have been Spike Lee fans for years but he has been in a serious bad movie slump for years (not just our opinion look at the ratings). So we were real cautious of this movie coming out and if it would be another Cliche Spike Lee movie.  But when we read about the involvement of Jordan Peele producing this movie as well.  We had to give it a try and especially being based on a true story.  A black man tricking and joining the Klan.

From visionary filmmaker Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. It’s the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The young detective soon recruits a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its violent rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream. 

The Equalizer I & II

So you know - we did go see the first equalizer when it came out in the movies and i watched the TV series growing up.  I barely recalled anything about it but remember this series and the night stalker series.  We review the first movie by Denzel Washington then go into the newly released one.  Full transparency,  I didn't really like the first one.

If you have a problem and there is nowhere else to turn, the mysterious and elusive Robert McCall will deliver the vigilante justice you seek. This time, however, McCall's past cuts especially close to home when thugs kill Susan Plummer -- his best friend and former colleague. Now out for revenge, McCall must take on a crew of highly trained assassins who'll stop at nothing to destroy him

Sorry to bother you (The Movie)

This independent movie made by rapper Boots Riley from the rap group "The Coup". Was something  Alicia and I saw previews on it and couldn't wait to see.  This strange and controversial movie is a strong commentary on labor and social interactions in our society today. It takes a turn towards the end but we left the theater with a good feeling about this creative well acted movie that critics are really ranting about.

In an alternate reality of present-day Oakland, Calif., telemarketer Cassius Green finds himself in a macabre universe after he discovers a magical key that leads to material glory. As Green's career begins to take off, his friends and co-workers organize a protest against corporate oppression. Cassius soon falls under the spell of Steve Lift, a cocaine-snorting CEO who offers him a salary beyond his wildest dreams

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

As big fans of the mission impossible series.  We always go see the maniacal Tom Cruise and what ridiculous stunts he will do in any of his movies.  Seeing the previews to this Alicia and I was sooo excited to see this movie just like it was a Marvel movie.  And with J.J Abrams being executive producer.  We knew it would be a big blockbuster

Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of epic proportions. Arms dealer John Lark and a group of terrorists known as the Apostles plan to use three plutonium cores for a simultaneous nuclear attack on the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When the weapons go missing, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands

Killing Eve (codename Villanelle)

We jumped into a brand new BBC America series called Killing Eve.  A cat and mouse investigator/Assassin series with a twist.  These two protagonist are women and the assassin is a psychopath.  This British triller is very unique and we discuss the nuances of the characters and series.   

Eve's life as a spy is not adding up to what she had hoped it would be when she started. She is a bored, very smart, MI5 security officer who is very desk-bound. Villanelle is a very talented killer, mercurial in mood, who clings to the luxuries of her job. Eve and Villanelle go head to head in a fierce game of cat and mouse, each woman equally obsessed with the other as Eve is tasked with hunting down the psychopathic assassin. Sarah Barnett, BBCA president, says, " `Killing Eve' stands out in a sea of scripted stories as refreshingly entertaining and great fun.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (Marvel)

You all ready know, Alicia and I are marvel fans (not fanatics, I'm board line) so we had to go see the sequel to the Ant-Man first movie.  We enjoyed it and thought it was worthy for a sequel with the anticipation of The Wasp being premiered in the sequel so here we are on the premier weekend.  

Scott Lang is grappling with the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father. Approached by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym, Lang must once again don the Ant-Man suit and fight alongside the Wasp. The urgent mission soon leads to secret revelations from the past as the dynamic duo finds itself in an epic battle against a powerful new enemy

Sicario : Day of the Soldado

Alicia and I sit down with great anticipation to see the sequel to the critically acclaimed Sicario released 3 years ago from my favorite director Denis Villeneuve and the original screenplay writer by Taylor Sheridan.  This new version is very intense and a bit more stereotyped and US policy driven but something we do discuss minus the negative portrayals of the Mexican people. 

FBI agent Matt Graver calls on mysterious operative Alejandro Gillick when Mexican drug cartels start to smuggle terrorists across the U.S. border. The war escalates even further when Alejandro kidnaps a top kingpin's daughter to deliberately increase the tensions. When the young girl is seen as collateral damage, the two men will determine her fate as they question everything that they are fighting for

Jurassic World (The Fallen Kingdom)

Since Alicia is so much of a dinosaur fan, We had to go see Jurassic world on the release week.  This is the third iteration of the Jurassic series and the second part of the Jurassic world series.  Looking forward to another fun and exciting Jurassic movie we go in very excited.

Three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing return to the island of Isla Nublar to save the remaining dinosaurs from a volcano that's about to erupt. They soon encounter terrifying new breeds of gigantic dinosaurs, while uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the entire planet

Lemony Snicket's "A series of unfortunate events" season 2

I sit down today with my Grandson Marsalis after we both watched the 2nd season of Lemony Snicket "A series of unfortunate events" series on Netflix.  He was so excited by it , that I decided to bring this 9 year olds perspective of what he saw and go over the series 1 and 2 from a childs perspective.  I enjoyed this interaction, Hope you will too.

When a massive fire kills their parents, three children are delivered to the custody of cousin and stage actor Count Olaf, who is secretly plotting to steal their parents' vast fortune.