W is For Watching "BirdBox"

My sister came over the house and told me about Sandra Bullock’s new movie "Birdbox" and after she showed me the trailer off her phone, I decided I would sit and watch the new Netflix film because the previews of it looked pretty interesting.  

I think I had an instant emotional response to the fact that it was Sandra Bullock as the leading actress since I learned to love her from watching "Miss Congeniality." Since then I can't help but enjoy her acting. I appreciated the fact that the trailer showed that she was leading kids on a journey by water with a blindfold on which seemed pretty interesting. 

Hope usually springs eternal when I decide to watch any movie because motion pictures are not like short sitcoms. You can't simply breeze through a movie in a few minutes. They take a few hours of time to be propped in front of a television to watch. But I went full throttle with the idea and on Christmas Eve, we sat and watched "Birdbox" together.

The movie had its good moments and its bad moments, but overall, I enjoyed the flick.

It would probably be advised that this movie is suitable for people beyond the age bracket of 17 because of the suggested violence but for this film, I’d say, is not suitable for anyone with the dynamic disorder of taking what is meant to be a mere cinematic delight and trying to recreate the madness in real time. Or maybe it should be rated MM for the mentally mature.

I didn’t think that people would be brave enough to decide to try grocery shopping, walking or doing other things blindfold with their kids based on scenes in a movie. I never considered that it would become a thing where people were out there trying to see if they can drive blindfolded even with bicyclist, motorists and pedestrians who at the same time are not adhering to the rules of the road. Sometimes we need a moment to pause and reassess when we see things like “hashtag birdbox challenge” “hashtag tide pod challenge” “hashtag Drake In My Feelings Challenge” all over the different social media platforms you use.

Should I now be quaked with fear that the driver in front of me might be blindfolded? We already have all these sizeable issues all around us and now this silly one that is becoming quite dangerous if you ask me. Don’t jump on the band wagon just because you think it might be fun. The fact that the end of the movie concludes in a home for blind people might be something to consider. The things we see, we die to see. People are dying to see if they can accomplish things with a blindfold on because they saw it in a movie. Is this your suicide attempt? Each character who saw died to their vision.

But if you do not see something, you cannot be moved by the image. You are in the box of being controlled by what you hear, feel, taste or smell. A blind person can’t glorify the image of the sun or be ruled by it in the morning, but they might know it is time to wake up because of the crowing of the roosters and the smell of the morning dew. 

If I didn’t see the news report of the guy driving with a blindfold that got into a terrible accident because of this crazy challenge, I would have been less likely to have gotten distracted by it. And to think, I’m clumsy with vision. I can’t see how someone would expect that driving with a blindfold on, would have been a good idea.

Let’s not all jump to living without one of the working senses we were blessed to have, all at once. Why are we so eager to pretend to be blind? There needs to be a sense of balance. 

I guess failing is often the best way to learn but I don’t think causing vehicular death because of a “hashtag challenge” is the best way to learn. So let’s stop doing these ridiculous things.

Even still, “BirdBox” is a good movie. Sandra Bullock did some incredible acting in this film as she is known to  and I give it to her. If you are interested in taking a glance at a good Netflix original movie, I’d say check it out.

It is action-packed. It is suspenseful. It is one of those movies that if you miss one moment, you miss a lot. It has intense moments and you will find yourself getting lost in the magic of this movie that might make you smile at moments and at other points of it, sad, scared and it might even make you cry. 

All I can say is, it is packed with flavor. See it for yourself and if you are someone who steps to your own beat of the drum, makes your own plans, and doesn’t get pressured by all these social media challenges to not keep up with your own ambition to accomplish your own goals, and have about two hours to watch a good old energetic horror picture, then “Birdbox” is for you.

On the Black Panther Movie

Black Panther the movie will have you streaming with perspiration like you are on a treadmill in a gym because it is action-packed and so hot that you won't be able to help it. 

As my friend and I were walking into my neighborhood theater in Brooklyn, people were walking out from the previous showing of this film talking about how great it was. I am going to try my best to formulate my enthusiasm into words without spoiling it for those who have yet to see this amazing movie.

There is nothing new under the sun. Marvel Comics have been producing some of the best films I have seen in theaters for years. I loved Wonder-woman, Thor, The Amazing Spiderman and the Avengers a lot. But here, we have a fresh perspective that arouses the audience’s attention with new twists to familiar plots, except not so familiar because of the setting and the people who are being represented.

Now, if you are like me and go to the movies, you might be someone who often finds yourself getting up in the middle to head on over to the lavatory which causes you to miss some great content. Or perhaps, you are someone who sometimes sinks into lethargy in the middle of a great movie because your choice of time to go to catch a good flick is after a day of toil when you have only but the remaining flicker of your strength. Black Panther however, will not allow you to miss a beat of it because of all the excitement that is involved that will somehow force you to make a frantic effort to pay attention.

The wild and distant region in West Africa known as Wakanda is the setting. What comes with the territory is the beautiful fields, the Amazon warriors with their swords and fighting skills, the breathtaking landscapes, West African cultural practices and music, a royal kingdom and its most aristocratic people in their majestic, tribal fashion and one of the most sophisticated advances of technology that the world has ever seen, though Wakanda is considered by outsiders as “the poorest country in the world.”

As with any of the Marvel comic heroes, the Black Panther uses his superhuman strength and emotional investment to go boldly to the task to defend the land and the people, in the face of crisis. 

Chadwick Boseman portrays the role of King Dijala and does a great job in showcasing the strength of the black panther who has been preparing his whole life to lead and manifest faith in his people as their respected king. He is the ethical representative of the republic with a great deal of responsibility to handle the undiluted nonsense that comes in and tries to demolish the people of Wakanda's masterpiece of existence, which prompts action from the king and his army to fight to escape the clutches of ruin. 

Other memorable actors in this film are Angela Bassett who portrays his mother, Forrest Whitaker who plays the role of his uncle, Michael P Jordon who plays the role of one of the antagonists and Lupita Nyong’o who portrays the love interest of the Black Panther.

If you love a movie with lots of action, Black Panther has it. I love the fighting scenes. You can feel the force of each blow as you watch and are entertained by the suspenseful and thrilling scenes. Being moved from scene to scene became like a routine that never wavered. 

The story built with intensity as in an oral history being retold by a Griot to a child alongside a pile of wood being burnt to the beating of Conga drums.  The series of events the Griot shares under the cover of the night, are something that you may crave to hear again a few times because of the intensity of the story being told; especially with the 3-D effects.

With all the airing out of opinions that I heard of Black Panther, it was only a matter of time before I would take the leap to find out what the buzz was all about. This movie about the heroic soul, meshed well with me and suited my purpose. It was one of the best movies I could have ever expected to watch. I would say, this movie is so worth seeing, but if you want to know more about the Black Panther, maybe you want to acquaint yourself with this superhero first and then go. Check out:

Who is the Black Panther? (Marvel Novels)

My favorite lines from Black Panther Movie:

“Guns, so primitive!” (Such perfect timing to hear a thought like this; especially with all the recent sad events that have taken place in Florida.)

&

“You cannot let your father’s mistakes define you. You must be the one to decide what kind of King you are going to be!” (This definitely inspired lots of meaning for me to be able to carry on with motivation for whatever lies ahead on this journey of life.)

Black Panther Inspired This Week’s Jazz on the JNote

This week on my radio show Jazz on the JNote, we continue our black history series on Sunday, February 25, 2018 and celebrate those black conquerors who pushed boundaries in the world of acting. There are so many television shows and movies that have dramatically affected my life because people who looked like me were being represented on the big screen and changed the face of acting to sumptuous entertainment for people with black skin; many of which I watched with eyes of love.

This week’s show was inspired by the wonderfully penned Marvel comic screenplay, Black Panther, that is unlike any other because of its featuring a black superhero, images of black aristocratic people well bedecked with jewelry and fine clothes, and talks about issues concerning black people of this world.

Here is How You Can Listen

Tune in Sunday February 25, 2018 

7:00 PM EST http://www.theenglishconnectionmedia.com  (worldwide)

7:30PM EST WNYE 91.5FM (NY, NJ, CT)

Thank you for stopping by my blog. If you are interested, Jazz on the JNote is on Facebook. Like our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jazzonthejnote/

Musicals Color Me Home

I have loved the movie Polly since I was but a little girl.

The made for TV movie Polly was a 1989 adaptation of the book Pollyanna by Eleanor H Porter featuring Keisha Knight Pulliam portraying a young girl who just lost her mother and was left having to find her way from Detroit to her aunt “Polly’s” home (portrayed by Phylicia Rashad) in Alabama.

I guess it is for a few reasons that loved the movie so much that I had been searching on-line for it for a long time and found it on Amazon. But, I have not watched it in a while. For one, I was and still am a big fan of The Cosby Show and find myself watching the series on Amazon Prime a lot. I am on Season seven now but not from binge watching. There are days I go with no TV at all. But when I do turn my television on, that is usually the thing I watch when I am lying in bed and resting before my night’s slumber.

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The other reason is I love musicals. Musicals color me home. The joy of the music and the dancing always seems to make me smile. I can't help but smile watching The Sound of Music or Stormy Weather. Those are my top two favorite movies of all time. 

The songs by Walt Disney Records in Polly are just beautiful. My favorite ones featured are "Rainbow Maker" and "Sweet Little Angel Eyes." And then the dance routines are so entertaining. 

The third reason might possibly be that when I was younger, people used to tell me I looked like Keisha Knight Pulliam (the lead in the movie Polly) and so, people used to call me Rudy in the first couple of my grade school years. I think in the eight-year span of grade school, The Cosby Show was the show that I never wanted to miss on Thursday nights at 8 PM and with it lasting eight years, it lasted my whole span of my primary school days.

Today is the first time I watched it in a long time and today is also the first time that this film made me cry. Now, there is nothing sad in the movie at all. It is just a cute musical film with dancing, singing and positive vibes yet, I found myself in tears while in movie mode.

Does this happen to anyone else or am I the only one who watched a movie and tears just start flowing for the happy endings? LOL! This is such a touching film and if you never have watched it, maybe you should because it is a great movie. You can check it out here:  https://www.amazon.com

 

  Polly : The Wonderful World of Disney

What is your favorite movie and if any? Do you ever cry while watching films? And if so, which one do you need a box of tissues to be next to you while watching? 

Love Story

The dew from the morning’s womb indicates that Valentine’s Day his over. It was during the workweek though and I think that there will be people still feeling high and in a celebratory state. Perhaps you are interested in floating around the fringes of that one day and continue to smile openly with that special love in your life as the week continues.

Don’t let the mood slip you by. Maybe you can just spend a few hours getting lost in the scenes of a romantic film. Here are just a few that I love that you might find interest in engaging in together.  

1. Shakespeare in Love

I have been the biggest Shakespeare fan ever since high school when my English teacher made us memorize a passage from the Shakespearean play Hamlet, so that we could recite it in class. This movie which is a romantic comedy is about the writing of Romeo & Juliet featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes and it is a movie that I just love. 

2. The Sound of Music

Most people would remember this musical as a movie that teaches about music. But the romance portion of it between Maria and Mister Von Trapp is also a beautiful story of love that since I first saw it, has been a favorite of mine. Great movie and awesome storyline.

3. Aladdin

I know, you are thinking, a cartoon movie. But, this is one of the best ones to ever come from Disney. Beautiful love story that still makes me smile every time I see it. Even til this day, this movie is one of my favorites; brings out the infant eyes in me.

4. Love and Basketball

I love this story about love being sparked at a young age that lasts forever because of the one thing that makes them human; basketball. Such a beautiful story.

5. Silver Streak

I know you will think that this is more of a comedy than a love story, but there is a love story embedded in it beyond all the fun and laughs that you will experience while watching Gene Harris walk across the screen. And what a great story it really is.

These are just a few of the movies that I have grown to love and enjoy over the years. Have you ever heard of these films? What is your favorite romantic film?

Disclosure: This is not a paid post though, I am an Amazon Associate and if you click on any of these links and purchase the items indicated, I will be compensated. 

"Sing, The Movie"

“You can’t just sing it. 
You got to show it with fire and desire.” 
This is my favorite quote from the movie "Sing." 

First time I have been to the movie theater in over two years but a movie with a title about what I love doing the most made it worth the visit.  

Awesome, awesome, awesome!

Another great quote that I loved was, "Do what you love then you won't be scared anymore because you'll be doing it." What a great thought! 

I loved this movie. 

Cartoon! Yes! 

But, an animated film that I think can be revered by a person of any age because it is a feel good one that can make you laugh, smile and even tear a little.

Here is something funny to leave you with. On Christmas day, my family and I were playing our annual game of taboo and I got this card that said popcorn. So to get my team to answer correctly, I said what I thought would get them to answer within seconds; "when you go to see a film, you have some." My cousin yelled out, "anxieties."  LOL! 

Disclaimer: I was not contracted, nor will I be paid for writing my thoughts on the movie "Sing." Further I will not be compensated in anyway by writing about this film.