Finally Friday - Finally Saw New Black Panther Movie

 Better late than never. 

Ray and I ventured out to the theater and we were in Theater 17...that's almost out the door. It seats maybe twenty five people.  Anyway - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on the Big Screen. 

Worthy date afternoon.  Movie is too long, but it's also really good. Excellent story line, super salute to Chadwick Boseman (alas, gone too soon), and the film is gorgeous. The worlds created - surface and water are fabulous. 

Very good acting. Letitia Wright as Shruri is lovely, smart, and excellent.  Angela Bassett is always so fierce as the Queen Mother. Yikes - don't cross her. 

Costumes, etc are Marvel superb. 

'Nuff said.  We were entertained. I would edit, edit, edit...but that's me. Lately, I have the attention span of a flea.  We enjoyed lunch at one of our fave local Tex-Mex places - Miguelitos. Yummy enchiladas. 

Came home for a walk (waddle) around the block. Christmas week, end of year, indulgence.  Hope you did the same. 

Cheers

Movie Review Madness - Avengers-Infinity War

Who’s not in Avengers: Infinity War?  Ant-Man who has a movie this summer with Wasp (Paul Rudd), the Arrow dude (Jeremy Renner), and maybe someone else I can’t think of as I am not a fanatic.  Otherwise, the whole gang is around to battle Thanos (Josh Brolin) who’s huge and just wants to have all the power and kill half of humanity. No other reason that I could fathom, but what the heck. He was busy gathering Infinity stones from various planets and sacred keepers.  The stones represent Power, Soul, Time, Reality, Mind, and Space.  So it’s up to our favorite super heroes to try to work together, avoid death, and save the planet. Just another day.

This movie is filled with non-stop action, battles, quick quips, power struggles, team work, and off the cuff maneuvers. It’s fun and trippy and keeps the sagas moving along.  Loki (Tom Hiddleston) vs. Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Thor with Star Lord (Chris Pratt), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) and Spider Man (Tom Holland), Black Panther and Captain America and Black Widow and….the story circles between different planets and Wakanda and the USA as different stages occur in the fight. Dr.Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is holding onto the Time Stone – you think he’s in danger?  And Vision with the Mind Stone embedded in his head. The Scarlett Witch does her best to keep him safe.  If you have not watched any of the Marvel movies, then you will be lost. If you are up on the saga, then this movie will blow your mind. And poor Mark Ruffalo keeps trying to summon the Hulk, but the big guy isn’t angry enough. How can that be?

Fun, fast paced kick butt blockbuster – Avengers: Infinity War ramps up the summer movie season.  And yes, stay for that after the credits Marvel teaser….whoa!

Movie Review Madness - Black Panther

Marvel’s Black Panther is a feast for the eyes – the stunning visual effects of the world of Wakanda are lovely. The acting is all stellar. Sharp writing, plenty of action/fights, and a story of power and redemption complete the tale directed by Ryan Coogler.  There have been a lot of articles and essays written about Black Panther – all for a higher purpose than pure cinematic delight. I’m going to stick with just the movie going experience of this critic – a middle-aged woman who wants to be entertained for her five dollar investment. Ka-ching! This movie absolutely works on all levels. If you wish to delve into some issues – by all means. The movie can make you think. Or just sit back with a big tub of popcorn and watch Chadwick Boseman nail it as T’Challa, the new king of Wakanda – a country that hides its riches (the vibranium metal) from the rest of the world.

It is a city filled with technology, powerful women, and an appreciation for its history and rituals.  Here’s the impressive cast of women – Angela Bassett (mother), Letitia Wright (science nerd sister),and Lupita Nyong’o(Nakia – the activist ex).  Close friend W’Kabi is played by Daniel Kaluuya.  Then there’s trouble – brooding Michael B. Jordan, the Killmonger, seeks revenge and more. There’s a whole background buildup to his story. It starts in Oakland, CA and finishes in hand-to-hand combat, victory, and some d words – defeat, defiance, etc.   I won’t say more…. But I will say that Danai Gurira the shorn elite member of the royal squad is fierce. Her attitude is scary and she swings a mean spear.

Black Panther is set in a fantasy world. Like I said, you can extrapolate from there into more meaning, concerns, etc of modern day America.  Or you can enjoy the slick purring moves of a sleek panther. Stick around during and after credits for those Marvel teasers they give us. Keeps us coming back for more. Meow!