A Double Feature Review! Minari Minari is a wonder. Such a beautiful and gentle movie about family. With splendid storytelling, this is a film that will sneak up on you in the end. An honest portrait of the immigration experience, recognizing the hardships along the way. Director Lee Isaac Chung's (2007's Munyurangabo) gentle little picture roars with beauty and heart; Minari is simply one of the best films of 2020. Minari tells the story of a Korean-American family moving from California in search of a better life. The Yi family moves to a small farm in Arkansas in hopes of finding the American dream. Jacob (a brilliant Steven Yeun) and his wife Monica (a strong Yeri Han) emigrated from Korea together in the early '70s, trying to assimilate into a new country. Jacob and Monica have spent nearly a decade as chicken sexers in California, but Jacob wants more. They move to a little town in Arkansas, where Jacob has bought a trailer home for his family. Jacob and Monica have two children, Anne (a splendid Noel Cho) and David (newcomer and adorable Alan S. Kim), who enjoy exploring the farm. David has a heart condition that keeps him from being too active, like running. Jacob hopes he can get his farm going, bringing happiness to him and his family. With Jacob working on the farm and Monica making ends meet as a chicken sexer, she suggests that her mom comes from Korea to watch the kids while they are away. Reluctant at first, Jacob finally agrees. The order of everyday life begins to turn upside down when grandma (a fierce Yuh-Jung Youn) comes to stay. Grandma is a playful and vulgar old soul who means well but has a wicked sense of humor. Youn is extraordinary in this role, while Yeun's performance as Jacob is raw and cunning. At first, David is disgusted with his grandma because she is not the Americanized version he imaged her to be. She does not bake or cook, and she "smells Korean." Yet, like a river flowing through a garden, we see a family grow and blossom before our very eyes. Minari is an intimate portrait of life, love, and family. This perfect little picture receives a 5-star review from me and deserves to be seen. Chung's film will ignite a spark inside you. In the end, Minari is the most American movie of 2020. Minari is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Rude Gesture, Some Thematic Elements. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung Starring Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Noel Cho, Alan S. Kim, and Yuh-Jung Youn. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is now streaming on Netflix. It will also be marked as actor Chadwick Boseman’s final film. Boseman was a powerhouse in this picture, giving us a raw and personal performance. It’s sad because it showed how much more Boseman had left to give. Actors Viola Davis and Colman Domingo also gave masterful performances as we explore the 1920s and the Blues. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is an ode to Black culture, and it is also one of the best films of 2020. Ma Rainey's is full of trailblazing performances as our actors talk and play fast to the beat of jazz. The film is based on the 1982 play by August Wilson and was produced by Denzel Washington. A majority of the film takes place inside a studio recording building in Chicago. Here, we meet Levee (a masterful Boseman), Toledo (a strong Glynn Turman), Cutler (an exuberant Domingo), Slow Drag (a smooth-talking Michael Potts), and Ma Rainey (a knockout Davis). Levee plays the trumpet, Toledo plays the piano, Cutler plays the trombone, and Slow Drag plays the bass for Ma Rainey's lively band. Inside the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, we see a band whose fears, ambitions, and hopes begin to spill out on the screen. An eruption of stories and truths are revealed, further developing our characters and bringing their stories full circle. As Wilson's superb dialogue crackles throughout, we see what lies beneath the surface of these characters. During filming, Boseman was receiving treatment for his battle with cancer, unbeknownst to his fellow cast members — further showcasing his impeccable acting chops. Ma Rainey's is an ode to Black culture and will be a lasting tribute to Boseman's legacy. "Dedicated To Chadwick Boseman In Celebration Of His Artistry And Heart". When the music plays, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom will sweep you off your feet. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is rated R (Restricted) Some Sexual Content, Language, Brief Violence. Directed by George C. Wolfe Starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Taylour Paige, and Dusan Brown. Avaiable to stream on Netflix.
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Ryan Arnold
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December 2024
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