Reel Talk: Black Panther Wakanda Forever

CogNegro's Take: To say that creating a sequel, to the cultural phenomenon known as Black Panther, would be a daunting task... is an understatement. Coupled with the untimely demise of Chadwick Boseman and potentially one would be left with a recipe for failure to meet, let alone exceed, the loftiest of expectations.

Fortunately, director Ryan Coogler manages to create a taut, rousing, and affective companion  piece with Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Coogler successfully navigates between the aftermath of T'Challa's passing and the new menacing threats for our protagonists without heavily relying on emotional manipulation or gimmickry. He also stays firmly rooted in the social and historical commentary that made the film's predecessor so successful. 

But what would any comic adaptation be without its grand action sequences? Well, fans of this genre will not be disappointed by the resplendent set pieces that engulf all who invest in these "marvelous" spectacles. 

The transitions and jump cuts can be jarring, but these are minor gripes that shouldn't hamper the overall cinematic experience.

All in all, Black Panther Wakanda Forever should serve not only as a fantastic continuation of the lore of Wakanda but also as the appropriate Memoriam for our beloved T'Challa. Long live the Black Panther - CgN  (A)

Reel Talk: Queen & Slim

CogNegro's Take: Phrases such as "must see" and "groundbreaking" are used in such  a superfluous manner   when it comes to promoting a film, especially during Oscar season! However, Melina Matsoukas theatrical debut warrants such declarations. Queen and Slim is embedded with poignant relevance and perfectly encapsulates the political and social complexities of being “Black in America” without being derivative or cliched.  It pulsates with authenticity, throughout its entire run, and deftly balances a myriad of moods. Not once did I feel jarred or misplaced by the shifting of contextual tones or peeved by the diverse narrative perspectives.The soundtrack enhances each scene, with acute subtly, and the cinematography captures our country’s flawed beauty through pristine shots.Its subject matter will  prove to be divisive, but that is usually a tell tale sign that we have just experienced what is perhaps one of the most important films this past decade! -CgN (A+)

Reel Talk: SHAZAM!

Review:

It’s no secret that Warner Bros/DC Comics have been playing catch up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the last nine years.  Due to their delayed start, they have produced films that have proven quite divisive (Man of Steel) and at worst, very lackluster (Suicide Squad). The 2017 release of Wonder Woman did bring a glimmer of hope as it relates to the potential of the DC Universe. However, those hopes were dashed with the underwhelming Justice League. Enter SHAZAM!

Anyone who is familiar with the Fawcett Comics champion is aware that the original source material isn’t the most grounded.  But then again, neither is a talking raccoon and tree. Thankfully, the powers decided to use the NEW 52 Geoff Johns as inspiration! John’s run was quite successfully in portraying the titular hero in a more relatable and modern setting.

In short, SHAZAM is the best DC Cinematic film to date! The reason why I hold Meteor Man is such high regard is that it perfectly conveyed a heroic wonderment that permeated throughout the whole film. SHAZAM captures that same lighting in a bottle (pun intended). I actually felt like an adolescent that was ready to don a sheet and pretend to apprehend invisible foes. Mum's the word on whether I actually did such a thing when I returned from the theater.

Zachary Levine is perfectly cast as the street wise yet amiable Billy Batson. But it isn’t just Levi that captures your attention. The ensemble cast plays their role in making this one of the most charming and entertaining adaptation of a DC property. The most impressive feat however, was making the emotional facets of this movie come off as genuine and not contrived. The themes of identity and family were rendered in acute fashion and not ruined by consistent quips or lachrymose dialogue; I’m looking at you Guardians of The Galaxy 2!  How encouraging it is to witness the DC universe coming into its own with its delivery of quality stand-alone films that concentrate on character development as oppose to serving as precursors to future vehicles. So say his name…without giggling of course! CgN -(A) 

Reel Talk- Black Panther

CogNegro's Take: School House Rock has been lying to me this whole time folks! Three is indeed not the magic number. That my friends would be the number four. In this instance, four represents the number of attempts it took for me to finally score a ticket  to the highly anticipated Black Panther. I have never experienced such trouble purchasing admittance into a movie, unless you count that one time in Time Square back in the seventies...well maybe it is best we don't bring that up here! It goes without saying why such a fever pitch has been built for the release of Marvel Studios' latest film. For years, the populace has been fed heroes of color who have either been comedic spoofs (Meteor Man, Blank Man), born out of blaxploatation and damaging stereotypes (Superfly, Shaft) or embedded with themes of mysticism or the occult (Spawn, Blade). Such characters have lead to limited appeal to  either a niche or segmented audience. But how would Black Panther fair in the  mainstream? Will the myopic opinions of a divided nation affect its success? Would international audience flock being that companies have omitted black characters in its advertising scheme in the past? Would whitewashing take place in order to appeal to a wider demographic? Would I still be able to find a t-shirt to wear to its premiere?

Well, I am glad to say that Black Panther was an unprecedented viewing experience. I was enthralled, mystified, and ultimately moved with pride! Director Ryan Coogler manages to create a world of  vivid futuristic Afrocentrism while maintaining  accurate depictions of the Motherland's cultural offerings. The costume designs and settings "pop" with lush textures and traditions are treated with reverence as opposed to being lampooned or caricatured. It truly felt authentic and without an ounce of  outsider fetishism! The action scenes are also above par, offering some dazzling sequences, albeit a bit too reliant on CGI at times. Still, it doesn't take much away from the adrenaline induced events!

Thematically, the film is rich with context!  Clashing ideologies from multiple fronts creates a layered dynamic between three dimensional characters. Such interplay allows the film to delve into more complex territories of the human condition, especially ones that affect individuals of color, that most comic movies would either ignore or approach with a snark that Marvel has recently leaned on to a some what grating degree!

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the film is the potential to affect the cinematic landscape. It has long been argued that movies with black leads or central casts can not be successful, despite recent entries like Hidden Figures and Girl's Trip proving the contrary. This belief has lead to many stories not receiving proper financial backing or even the green light to be created. Well as of the writing of this review,  Black Panther is heading toward a $193 million dollar three day haul. Only four other movies have grossed more than that amount during their opening weekends. What does this mean? Well, it shatters the myths that have prevented such films from being created and opens the doors for more stories, that center around heroes of color, to be released!

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the socio-political impact of this film .The positive portrayals, of not only the central protagonist but the supporting heroes as well, are ones that will leave a lasting affect . Now, individuals of color can see themselves on the screen performing heroic deeds as well as exhibiting ingenuity, diplomacy, and becoming agents of change without sacrificing cultural identity. It may seem cliche, but I left the theater feeling that I viewed more than a movie. I felt that I just finish viewing the birth of a movement. (A) -CgN

Reel Talk - Thor : Ragnarok

by Da CogNegro:

CogNegro's Take: Thor:Raganarok currently holds the distinction of being the most critically acclaimed Marvel film ever. That's quite the achievement especially when one looks at the pedigree of movies that have been released under the studio's banner. Films such as Iron Man, The Avengers & Captain America:Winter Solider have become the standard bearer when it comes to comic book adaptations. However, Thor's series of films have been a mixed bag. The first one was mildly enjoyable. However,contrary to popular opinion, its' successor definitely was an improvement. 

No matter where you stand, when it comes to those previous films, rarely do either of them crack anyone's top five. So does Ragnarok buck the trend? Yes (mostly).Thor's third outing is robust with  colorful characters, humor, and enchanting action. There is rarely a dull moment or a stage in which the viewer's senses aren't enthralled. Furthermore, the film is mostly successful at blending a variety of comic story lines that enthusiast will recognize immediately. This results in a grand, unique experience when comparing in to other Marvel Films

So what's the problem? Well, ever heard of the expression that too much of a good thing can be a issue?  I love the fact that Marvel Studios has been successful at including comedic elements into its' films. However, if every character has the comedic snark of Robert Downing Jr, the mystique quickly fades and the unique characteristics of central and, in this case, supporting characters gets lost in snappy banter. Furthermore, some dramatic moments were not allowed to thrive due to the injection of knee jerk quips or needless slapstick. I also had a gripe on how the ruthless Executioner was neutered in his depiction. Aside from those blemishes, Thor: Ragnarok is an enjoyable ride that will make even the Gods proud! (B+)-CgN

The Ji Spot- I'm Too Smart For My Own Good?

But First, a word from Da CogNegro:
I will reserve my feedback for the comment section, that is all. CgN

Reel Talk: Girls Trip & Dunkirk

by Da CogNegro:

Review:  Girls Trip  isn’t ground breaking cinema. Nevertheless, it succeeds in portraying different variations of cultural representation while relishing in commonality. It is at its' best when it balances  sentiment and comedy to a familiar but enjoyable degree. Add elements of feminism, specifically #blackgirlmagic, moments of raunch that reach levels of temporal absurdity, and head turning cameos and you have a vehicle that will satiate its' intended audience. Put it like this, Malcolm Lee's latest film is comfort food the viewer can indulge in unabashedly!   It's a buffet composed of  convenient nostalgia,quixotic exploits and sheer escapism. It goes with out saying that you should keep your eye on the scene stealing Tiffany Haddish who manages to rambunctiously, but authentically, steal the show from her more subdued cast-mates. (B)

Review: As it relates to its' cinematic merit, I can already foresee Dunkirk being quite divisive. If you've been following the career of Christopher Nolan, then you are already accustomed to the fact that his films are far from formulaic and Dunkirk does not buck the trend. Atmosphere,mood and sound are the central characters in this recreation of the noteworthy WWII battle. The directional wizardry of Nolan is on full display resulting in some rather spellbinding sequences, which are heightened by the scores of Hans Zimmer. His camera work, from sprawling shots to claustrophobic angles,  also captures the true essence of war time peril. However, some viewers may wave the white flag due to the lack of traditional characterization and dialogue. I too found myself disconnected at times due to the absence of these tools. Nevertheless, Dunkirk is more experience than passive viewing, is a directional achievement for Christopher Nolan, and will surely get recognition around award season- (B) -CgN

Classic Corner: What Time is it? 4:44 Review!

by Da CogNegro & Mos Definition



Da CogNegro's Take: 

Let's be honest, I have not enjoyed the bulk of  a Jay-Z  album since 2003. With a failed attempt at "Sophista-Rap"(Kingdom Come), a retreat to worn territory of drug culture glorification in the guise of a concept album ( American Gangster) and two offerings replete with vapid materialism and desperate adulation of self (Blue Print 3 & Magna Carta: Holy Grail) I really was not anticipating another one of his releases. This is not to say that there have not been some enjoyable tracks during the aforementioned period. Nevertheless, the one time trendsetter has simply been following suite as a hollow caricature of himself.

Now it may seem like I'm a Jay-Z hater. On the contrary, Jay has been in my top five for quite sometime. However, he has been on decline on said list. My problem with "Hov" is that I wanted to see him evolve. When it came to "making moves" in the world of business and marketing, he is a unprecedented trailblazer. However, I failed to see those same strides being done in his own work. I wanted Mr. Carter to use his status and influence to create art that could evoke change as well as step outside of his comfort zone.Fortunately, 4:44 gives us that evolution by displaying a vulnerable, introspective, and poignant Jay. Simply put, he has finally released the album that I've been waiting on for the past 14 years!

Right off the bat, Death of Jay- Z has Mr. Carter at his most remorseful. Sure, we have gotten glimpse of this side of Jay on tracks such as Regrets, You Must Love Me and Soon You'll Understand, but never was it put on such full and unflinching display. With lines such as:

What's up, Jay Z? You know you owe the truth

To all the youth that fell in love with Jay Z

it becomes clear that we are in for an offering that we have never experienced  before. Sure enough, The Story of OJ has Jay sharing sage advice on how to break the chains of poverty while also highlighting social futility when it comes to the perception of people of color. The sobering message is made that much more effective by the excellent sample of Nina Simone's Four Women.

The opening seconds of Smile reveal that the stellar NO ID attempts to sample one of Stevie Wonder's most iconic tracks: Love's in Need of Love Today! My first thoughts was that this was indeed sacrilegious. But after hearing Jay express unadulterated joy in his mother discovering  love, that was once taboo, as well as citing a third verse that truly displays his lyrical dexterity and craftsmanship, all reservations were put at ease.

The Frank Ocean assisted Caught Their Eyes has Jay displaying his signature word play as he crafts tales that range from stone cold killers, who play the role as grievers, down to detailing the nefarious tactics of  Londell Mcneil: the attorney of the late Prince

4:44 is the track that is on the tips of everyone's tongue  Jay vividly, as well as poetically, details his remorse over his infidelity with a honest maturity and sophistication that is all but lost on modern day hip hop. And at this half way point, we realize, similar with Nas' Life is Good, that should be the natural progression of this genre. This is the evolution of the culture.

Family Feud and Moonlight has Jigga giving cautionary advice to the traps of generational and family division as well as  artist falling prey to industry tactics and emulating inauthentic personas that result in their respective downfalls. As a movie enthusiast, I truly appreciate the La La Land reference in Moonlight's hook. Bam is the only misstep on the album as it shows Jay-Z reverting back to his  egotistical persona simply to, once again, remind everyone of exactly who he is. I understand the purpose of this track from a narrative perspective, but it's superfluous, to say the least, especially since he is suppose to be convincing us of  that he undergoing  a metamorphosis of sorts.

Marcy Me is probably his most sentimental ode to his old stomping grounds and Legacy is simply beautiful. I never thought I would refer to a Jigga song as being tender, but Legacy fits that bill.In fact, it would be the perfect track to end a stellar career.

4:44 gives us the "New and improved Jay-Z" that was mentioned in the introduction of his  Hard Knock Life Vol. 2 album. Reinvigorated and poised, while still maintaining his signature witticism, this Jay-Z uses the talents of the stellar NO ID successfully and is able to produced a true 4 1/2 mic album!

Now that we have gotten the technical aspects of this review out of the way ,I would be remiss if I didn't share some additional commentary from a sociopolitical/economical stance.

I appreciate the fact that Jay-Z admonishes us to be fiscally responsible and encourages ownership/entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, I can not ignore that he has built a career on being brash and braggadocios as it relates to his material acquisitions which therefore has fueled the need, of some impressionable listeners, to allow their esteem to be predicated on acquiring said items. To quote Lupe Fiasco, "...we teachin' 'em that they ain't sh*t if they ain't got the latest that they saw on someone famous."

In addition, having more of us benefit from capitalism doesn't necessarily put an end to social injustice. Yes, it would be cool to have more than one billionaire, but how does that affect young black men being killed by the police? Perhaps I am being unfair to put that much responsibility on an artist and should be grateful that Jay is addressing one of the scourges that plague our community. But wealth will only solve a portion of the problem. There's a reason that these young artist are duped into industry deals or exhibit destructive behaviors. Let's tackle those issues as well!

Furthermore,  none of the gems that Jay is sharing is new. Artist such as Nas, Common, Lupe Fiasco and others have made careers out of empowering the  people with cautionary anecdotes and uplifting lyrics. Then again, as long as the message is received by the populace, no?

 I'm all for the evolution of the artist and welcome Jay's as long as it is authentic and not a ploy that plays off his wife's most recent release. Whatever the catalyst of his transformation, one thing is for sure, Jay's influence on , not just hip-hop culture but culture period, is clearly evident. For anyone who is myopic enough to believe that artist aren't influential then they are slaves to their own naivety. So kudos to Jay for realizing the responsibility that artist should have when it comes to the people. Let's just hope this proclamation isn't as premature as his retirement announcements- CgN

Mos Definition's Take 

Disclaimer, I am a a Jay-Z Stan and   CogNegro" wasn't going to let me write this  unless I informed our readers...  (You're Welcome) Now having said that , HOV took off the blazer ,loosened up the tie, stepped inside the booth and then ...Shawn Carter started rapping.When Jay-Z drops an album, the whole rap world stops and takes notice.This time, it's different though! Gone is the, to borrow a CogNegro criticism, "One percenter" rap of Watch the Throne and Magna Carta that most of his fans can't relate to. In its place, we start to hear him let go of the image  he's carried since 1997. What we get with 4:44 is the 2nd Shawn Carter album. We haven't seen him expose so much of himself since Reasonable Doubt Maybe his wife exposed so much of their lives on Lemonade that he was forced to finally let his guard down. Either way, it is welcomed! It's only natural that as his fans grow older and wiser ,his music  should as well. The world has changed! The hope and prosperity of the Obama era is gone and the reality of the world we do live in is in this album. Let's not ignore his cockiness though. It's still present on a few tracks to remind  all that he's still arguably the best that ever did it!

Final Rating: 4 Stars (See CogNegro, I can be objective)

Sidebar: This is a reminder that Hov snatched the crown back rappers.... step up or step off!!!!

Why Do We Do These Things:A "Trap House" is Not a Home!

by Da CogNegro

I was already ready to write about the Black Panther reveal last Friday! Eagerly, I began to jot down notes on the wording and format I would utilize to express my excitement. I had decided that I would use the fan favorite "Take Five" as the framework to explain the road this unprecedented film will travel as it relates to universal appeal as well as the grand task of creating a brand new narrative in the realm of heroes of color. And then I stumbled upon this:

Here is the official breakdown of this "wondrous" experience:

 2 Chainz new virtual reality Trap House guides fans through the personal story of his own “trap house” aka drug den, on Riverdale Road in Atlanta.The rapper teamed with VRTGO and VRLIVE to create the immersive, interactive virtual reality experience.Fans can go room-to-room, where they can discover new songs off the Pretty Girls Like Trap Music album, while interacting with new characters and objects inside of the 2 Chainz’ Trap House

Good to see that college education being put to good use sport ! So basically, we are transforming the concept of a drug house into some interactive exercise of amusement! Now I can spend the bulk of this entry meticulously dissecting this puppet and shaming him for being a tool in the exploitation of his own people. But let's do something a bit different. Let's focus on what contrarians are bound to say:

Why are you getting bent out of shape. It's just entertainment!!

You know what else was entertainment? Mandingo Fights!

Mind you, these are the same individuals who are persistently telling you to "Stay Woke knowing damn well I've been up since 7:30 am! What I find interesting, about the whole "entertainment" argument ,is that it is clearly justification for such exploitation to exist. But what some of us seem to be oblivious to is that such experiences are not based upon  fantasy. This isn't some simulation where a person is fighting dragons or someone is riding a winged horse. No, these experiences, and tales, are steeped in a reality replete with despair and pain that comes at the expense of others. Take a look at the following pictures mind you:

Did you find yourself two stepping to these pictures? Did the following illustrations put you in the mood to gather a couple of your partners or round up some girlfriends to purchase a bottle at the club? Disconnection is the foot that kicks the crutch from a handicapped reality! I highly doubt that the virtual trap house will have rooms displaying these images!

Why are you hating on this man's hustle? He's making money!

If anyone else was peddling this contraption, we would call it racism. Since it's one of our own, however, it's cultural. And giving way to such reasoning proves that we have fallen for THE ULTIMATE JEDI MIND-TRICK! We have allowed outsiders to dictate what is deemed culturally significant! And you know what's more mind boggling? When the "others" attempt to emulate these manufactured symbols of culture, we label it appropriation! That's right, we fight for ownership of symbols and depictions that negatively represent us!  "Hey! You can't rap about weed and hoes! You're not authentic enough to do so!? That's all ours! So the real question is this: Why do we allow ourselves to be duped ,especially those of us in the know,  into participating and defending our on cultural demise? The answers may surprise you! CgN

The Ji Spot- Q&A With JiJi

by Jihan Ji Ji Michael

But first, a word from Da CogNegro:

The summer is upon us and it seems like you’re still unable to find that special someone.  What’s the matter? Binging on “All Natural” Naked beverages didn’t result in the summer body you wanted? Well, here’s a tip: get a dog, no, a cat! Hear me out. The majority of your relationships have ended in great balls of fire, no? This obviously means that you are a glutton for punishment and your ability to judge a person’s character falls somewhere between a Migos Christmas special and a tall cup of Cofveve!

Reindeer...Workshop!

So in a last ditch effort, you’ve come to the blog in hopes at some type of redemption. Well, I can’t save you! I’m too busy reorganizing my Matchbox cars and polishing my Marvel steelbook collection to worry about your trivial pursuits of love and happiness, no offense Al Green! Maybe the homey Ji can help you with her latest vlog. In the meantime, put the romper down and see if you can find a Groupon for some self-respect- CgN 

  

Reel Talk- Wonder Woman

by Da CogNegro

It’s no secret that DC Comics and WB have struggled to create another successful franchise outside of the Batman property. Though Man of Steel, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad have all done relatively well at the box office, critics and fan feedback has ranged from apathetic to downright vitriolic. To say thatWonder Woman has a considerable amount of pressure, to break “the curse”, is an understatement. What has always been baffling though is why it has taken so long for this film to be released when she is arguably one of the most iconic characters in pop culture! Put it this way, Green Lantern, Steel, and even Jonah Hex have had their time on the silver screen. Even Swamp Thing has had two films dedicated to his adventures in the…the…Swamp!  But with the female empowerment movement being at the forefront of our current social-political sphere, the release of such a movie could not have come at a better time.

First and foremost, all who may have worried that Gal Gadot would not be a suitable successor to Lynda Carter can put their worries to rest. She is powerful, intelligent and a stunning presence on the screen who  seamlessly pulls off an authentic balance of regality and naivety that does not come off as being contrived, or hammy, especially since the film serves as a variation of the “fish out of water” tale.

From a cinematography perspective, the contrast between the vibrant Themyscira to the drab European backdrops is quite effective and really gives the viewer a sense of two vastly, different worlds. Chris Pine is charming and believable enough as our human tour guide for this adventurous romp.  Furthermore, the cast of supporting characters generally works well to flesh out the humor and drama of the narrative. Sure the villains are a bit 2-D, but this is forgivable because the majority of the film reminds of us of the magic of super hero movies. Yes, we enjoy films that are grounded in reality and defy genre expectations. However, there is nothing wrong with evoking a true sense of nostalgic escapism in these films as well.

However, being that Zack Snyder has his fingerprints on this, the movie has some glaring flaws which unfortunately, prevent it from being great! Without giving too much away, there is one scene, within the climax, that is truly profound and if examined further, could have really made the film something special. Instead of leaving well enough alone though, the film descends into eye rolling; madcap final battle that strips away the more subtle nuances the movie spent so much time developing. The viewer is then overcome with a “been there …done that” feel that could have easily been avoided. Speaking of action, we get a mix bag  of dazzling array of fisticuffs  to scenes that rely too heavily on slow motion , choppy editing, and unnecessary close ups. All in all, Wonder Womanis a step in the right direction for DC’s answer to Marvel’s cinematic universe. It’s just too bad that it is a step as oppose to a leap. And you don’t have to tie me up to receive that truth!  (B-)-CgN