The Cloverfield Paradox is a confusing one

Movie Title:   
The Cloverfield Paradox

Grade:  D

Rating: Not rated officially, but it should be R.

In a Nutshell:   To call Cloverfield a trilogy is a bit of a stretch.  The three films are loosely related with a few connected Easter eggs, each one depending on the former films to garner fans and box office success. 

The fan base is small, as evidenced by the very limited theater release.  The biggest surprise is that the first time the trailer for the movie was ever shown was at Super Bowl LII (2018), which was the very same night the movie was shown on Netflix.

                                  

Tips for parents: 

• F-bombs and other profanity.
• Lots of violence.
• Gruesome, gory, gross deaths.
• Disgusting worms.
• Creepy, but helpful, dismembered hand.

Uplifting theme: 

• Teamwork, friendship, loyalty
• Sacrifice
• Humanity, family

                                        

Things I liked:

• I actually liked the first two installments in this franchise. I like that the three are different from each other and make you try to think.
• Chris O'Dowd has the best lines in the movie.
• The lovely Elizabeth Debicki has quite an entrance.
• This will be a fun movie to make fun of at a teenage late-night party.
• Some of the acting was good.

Things I didn’t like:

• J.J. Abrams is great at NOT telling you what’s going on.  Your brain will explode if you spend too much time trying to figure out any of this. It’s occasionally entertaining and mostly confusing, meant mostly for Cloverfield fans.
• David Oyelowo is too good for this silly script.
• You’d think that everyone on the space station would be able to speak the same language.  Tam (played by Ziyi Zhang) kept speaking Mandarin with no subtitles.  People spoke to her in English and seemed to understand what she was saying, which is just another odd element in the movie.  I’ve actually been trying to learn Mandarin, but subtitles would have been super helpful since I’m terrible at Mandarin.  
• Rumor has it that the next chapter in the Cloverfield story.  Next?  Yeah, you heard me.  Do we really want more of this?  There is talk of an entire Cloverfield universe.  (sigh)  
• Apparently, the Cold War is still going strong in the future.
• Multiverse nonsense.  There are way too many theories, dimensions, and timelines going on here for the average person to keep up with or enjoy.
• Some really dumb lines like, "We're going to survive!  We have to!"
• Cat fight in space.   ha ha
• The original title was “The God Particle.”  Then, it was advertised as "Cloverfield 3."  No wonder we're confused...so are the writers.   

Interesting lines:
* "If you're asking if I'd be willing to kill 3 people to save 8 billion, wouldn't you?" -  Jensen   (Elizabeth Debicki)


You can see my movie review for 10 Cloverfield Lane here.  

                                       

                         

                                            @trinaboice

A United Kingdom is a lovely film and inspiring true story

Movie Title:  A United Kingdom

Grade:  A-

Rating:  PG-13, 111 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Based on a true story, this lovely film illustrates how love and reason can change a crazy world.  Bula! 

If you’d like to know more about the real people in this story, you can read Colour Bar: A United Kingdom by Susan Williams.

Uplifting theme: 

• Duty, honor, sacrifice, patience, tolerance, patriotism
• Love
• “We should not be fighting for segregation.  We should be fighting for equality.” – Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo)
• “Africa can never be free until all those who live in her, white and black, recognize that race must have no bearing on equality and justice.” – Seretse Khama  
• “Opposition is one thing, Mr. Khama; the realities of government are quite another.” – Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport)
• “You have to be strong.  You have a voice.  Use it.” – Naledi (Terry Pheto)
• “No man is free who is not master of himself.” – Seretse
• “It is time!” - Seretse

Things I liked:

• I had never even heard of Bechuanland.  Have you?  In 1966, it achieved independence and is now known as the Republic of Botswana.  I'm always happy to learn new things in movies.
• I love seeing a proper marriage proposal when the man gets on one knee.  Well done, Seretse.  Nelson Mandela described the marriage between Seretse and Ruth as “a shining beacon of light and inspiration.”   Wouldn’t that be amazing to have someone describe your marriage and legacy like that?
• David Oyelowo is absolutely fantastic in this. How about an Oscar for him?  I also loved him in Selma.  Great movie. 
• Rosamund Pike is great in this also.  She was crazy good in Gone Girl too, crazy being the key word in that sentence. Her subtle expressions say so much.
• Director Amma Asante has a bright future.
• The scene where the women sing a song to Ruth was so touching.
• I thought it was funny when Ruth's parents said, “Mind yourself!” and “Come back a missionary!” when she left the house.

Things I didn’t like:

·       There are some very ugly racial slurs and prejudiced behavior.

·       I’ve never understood parents who refuse to see their children again if they do something they don’t like.

·    A lot of the Extras are terrible actors.  Then again, they're natives who aren't actors.

• It’s good to see Malfoy (Tom Felton) cast in another movie.  Unfortunately, he plays an equally cruel, weaselly snake in this film too.

   Interesting lines:

• “He scares me a bit…the way he makes me feel.” - Ruth
• “I know I will never achieve anything there if I leave my heart here.” – Seretse
• “We’ll take it moment by moment…together.” – Ruth
• “They’re trying to define us, based on their rules, their idea of the world how they see it.” – Seretse
• “Let’s not allow the ugliness of this world take away the joy from us.” – Seretse
• “Let him go.  We need him more than you.” – Naledi
• “We’ve misjudged this, haven’t we?”- Ruth
• “When a man tells a lie, he loses his dignity.” – Seretse

Funny lines:

• “Did I ever tell you I didn’t marry you just for your good looks?” – Seretse

“Liar.” – Ruth (as she pulls up her skirt to reveal her beautiful legs.)

Tips for parents: 

• Some profanity.
• Some violence, bullying, and racism.
• Talk to your children about apartheid and segregation.
• There is some skin shown during a honeymoon moment.
• Some subtitles.
• Young children will be bored, but Tweens will be interested in the love story and historical telling.

@trinaboice 

Queen of Katwe is royally inspiring

Movie Title:        Queen Of Katwe

  

Grade:   A

Rating: PG, 124 minutes

In a Nutshell:   Walt Disney presents a fascinating, feel-good, underdog story about a smart girl who grows up in extreme poverty in Uganda.  It’s fascinating to watch this determined girl learn how to solve problems and conquer her surroundings through the game of Chess.  Even better?  It’s a true story.

Disney has practically invented the inspiring sports movie genre.  While Chess may not be considered a sports movie, this wonderful film is a welcome addition to the collection.

Uplifting theme: 

• “To find where you belong, you must make your move.”
• “Sometimes the place you are used to is not the place where you belong.” – Coach Robert Katende
• “Can you do big things from such a small place?” – Phiona
• Challenges are not a curse.   (Painted on the back of their bus.)
• “Focus on what you have.” - Coach

Things I liked:

• Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo are both absolutely fantastic.  You would think they were native Ugandans with their spot-on accents.  Lupita’s biceps are impressive.  David’s eyes speak volumes of love.
• The music is fun and energizing.
• The scene where Gloria had the hiccups while she competed against a super tall kid was adorable.
• Little Ethan Nazario Lubega plays a super cute Benjamin.  I loved the little gasp he made when he got excited about something.
• I wish all children had a loving, kind coach like Robert Katende.
• I like the way they snap their fingers.
• What a beautiful fisherman scene when Robert is talking to Phiona at the water’s edge.  I was fascinated by the images of daily life in Uganda.
• It’s cute how they all say “cloth-es.”
• I always love it when the audience gets to see pictures of the real people at the end of the movie next to the actors who played them.  This movie takes it one delightful step farther by letting you see them filmed together.
• Indian Director Mira Nair creates a very nice balance between telling the stories of the coach, mother, and our dear little queen of Chess.
• Ah, that cute little Richard.  The young Richard was played by Ivan Jacobo, followed by Nicolas Levesque as older Richard.
• Keep watching during the rolling credits for a fun music video surprise you’ll love!

Things I didn’t like:

• Everyone’s accents are so thick that it’s often hard to understand what people say.
• It was sad when Phiona’s sister (Night) said, “I don’t think God cares about us one way or another.” Coach Robert worked with a ministry and SHOWED the poor people God’s love, rather than just preach it.
• It was sad that Fiona’s mother had to sneak out of the hospital because she couldn’t pay her son’s bill.
• Some of those outfits.  Yikes.  Ha ha
• Like playing a game of Chess, you can see several moves ahead that the film will make, but each step is still extremely enjoyable to watch.

Funny lines:

•  “No, no, no, please, no!” – Minister Aloysius Kyazze (Philip Luswata)          “Yes, yes, yes, please, yes!” – Robert
• “Ketchup is the greatest thing that has ever been invented.” –  Mugabi Brian (Martin Kabanza)

Interesting lines:

•  “Use your minds and you will all find safety.” – Robert
• “I don’t need your forgiveness.  I need you to sell maize to feed your brothers.” – Nakku Harriet
• “In Chess, the small one can become the big one.  That’s why I like it.” – Gloria Nansubuga (Nikita Waligwa)
• “I wish I could just take all the knowledge from here and just put it inside my head.” – Phiona   (I feel the EXACT same way about books!)  Her coach explains, “With a book, it’s like the teacher lives inside them and you can visit them any time you wish!”
• “I may be down, but I am not out.” – Richard

·       “I wish we could eat these prizes.” –Nakku  (I felt the same way.  I won a lot of Speech & Debate tournaments in college and wished that, instead of a useless trophy, I could have received cash or even a platter that I could have served food on!

·       “They cannot return to their old lives, because they have tasted yours.” – Nakku Harriet

·       “Where is my safe square, Coach?” – Phiona Mutesi

• “Losing teaches me to play better. “ = Phiona Mutesi

Did you know?

• Director Mira Nair made a documentary about Coach Robert Katende first and then later decided to adapt the story into a feature film.
• A famous fashion model in Uganda won an auction during a fundraiser for the film so that she could play an Extra in the movie.
• This colorful story was filmed mainly in Uganda and South Africa.

Tips for parents:

• This is a great movie for your kids to see, because they have probably never seen poverty like this before.  It will expand their horizon to see how people live in other countries, hopefully, making them more grateful for what they have.  While living with hardly anything, someone asks, “Hi Phiona! How is your life?”  She smiles and happily answers, “It is fine!”
• Some talk of prostitution.
• Phiona gives our children a great example of an obedient girl who works hard and never gives up.

Selma honors MLK and the Civil Rights Movement in a timely, sobering manner

Movie:   Selma

Grade:  A

PG-13

In a Nutshell:  This is a sobering film to watch, and especially now as so many racist clashes have been occurring around the country.  It’s not only a historic memorial, but a part of the continuing story of our country. We have come a long way, but there is still so much more distance we need to go.  Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films appropriately released this powerful film to run during January, when we honor Martin Luther King Jr. for what he was able to accomplish in the Civil Rights movement for our country.

I visited the “eternal flame” at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Atlanta, GA when I was just out of high school.  I remember buying one of the books in the bookstore while I was there and reading some of his speeches for the first time.  One thing I enjoyed about this film was that it lets us glimpse into the personal life and private moments of this amazing and, at times, flawed Civil Rights leader.

Uplifting Theme:

·         “I’m no different from anyone else.   I want to live long be happy.  But I’ll not be focusing on what I want today.  I’m focused on what God wants.  We’re here for a reason, though many, many storms.  But today, the sun is shining and I’m about to stand in its warmth alongside a lot of freedom-loving people who worked hard to get us here.  I may not be here for all the sunny days to come, but as long as there’s light ahead for them, it’s worth it to me.”  - Martin Luther King  Jr.

Things I liked:

·         It was disgraceful that African American men were given the right to vote in the 15^th Amendment in 1870, but that they weren’t able to exercise those rights until many decades later.  Of course, women of any color weren’t allowed to vote until 1920. This film isn’t a history of the entire Civil Rights movement, but it takes a look at a small window of time in Selma, Alabama and that town’s struggle with suffrage.

·         I thought it was interesting to watch the interaction between Malcolm X and Mrs. King.  Although their tactics were different, they both wanted equal rights for the black community.

·         Several times Martin said unkind things to his wife and immediately apologized.  The movie portrayed a loving, forgiving marriage.

·         It’s difficult to watch such ignorant racism.  Tim Roth from Lie to Me: Season 1 does a great job portraying the bigoted and small-minded governor of Alabama.  (Season 1 was the best season, then it got a bit goofy.)

·         I thought British actor David Oyelowo did a FANTASTIC job as Martin Luther King Jr.   He nailed the accent and essence of the inspiring preacher.

·         I thought the song at the end was a clever mix of an earlier religious fervor with a modern-day respectful rap.

·         Tom Wilkinson did an excellent job portraying Lyndon B. Johnson’s conflicted attitudes prior to signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

·         Rarely in Hollywood movies are religious figures the heroes.  MLK and Christian values are portrayed in a very positive light in this film.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Someone barked “Jesus H. Christ!”  What does the “H” stand for?

      The movie is full of gravitas with no relief to counter-weigh the heaviness.

Inspiring lines:

·         “I accept this honor by our lost ones, whose deaths paved our paths,  and for the 20 million negro men and women motivated by dignity and a disdain for hopelessness.”  - Martin Luther King Jr. when he received the Peace prize from Norway

·         “There are no words.  But I can tell one thing for certain: God was the first one to cry for your boy.”  - Martin Luther King Jr. to the father of a young black man who was shot

·         “Our life is not fully lived unless we are willing to die for those we love for what we believe.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

·         “No citizen of this country can call themselves blameless, for we all bare responsibility for our fellowman.” – MLK

·         “I speak tonight about the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy.  At times, history and fate meet at the same time in a single place. “ – President Lyndon B. Johnson

·         “There is no negro problem.  There is no southern problem.  There is only an American problem.” – LBJ

·         “We shall do this.  We shall overcome.”  - MLK & LBJ

Tips for Parents:

·         2 F-bombs, bloody violence, upsetting scenes of brutality, full of racial slurs, vulgar hand gesture from actual footage of the time, reference to MLK’s affairs, and other profanity that are not appropriate for children.  Teenagers should be able to begin meaningful discussions about such topics as the Civil Rights movement, voting, equality, and racism after viewing this powerful film.

Another movie of this time period I recommend is The Butler.  You can read my review of that film here.

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