Queen of Katwe is a delightful film based on the real life of a Ugandan girl named Phiona Mutesi (pronounced Fee-oh-nah Moo-tess-eee) who becomes a chess pro while living in a slum in Kampala called Katwe. Director Mira Nair (with screenwriter William Wheeler) ably sells an uplifting story of an impoverished girl who goes from selling… Continue reading QUEEN OF KATWE
Tag: David Oyelowo
FIVE NIGHTS IN MAINE
When a man loses his wife in a tragic car accident, he finds a grieving partner – and adversary – his mother-in-law. Although Five Nights in Maine leaves questions unanswered, Diane Wiest and David Oyelowo showcase their abilities in writer/director Maris Curran’s feature film debut. (BKP: 3.5/5) Review by Managing Editor Brigid K. Presecky “Sherwin”… Continue reading FIVE NIGHTS IN MAINE
NINA
Zoe Saldana stars as famed musician Nina Simone in the later part of her 70-year life. She drinks, smokes and falls into a vessel of self-destructive behavior. But despite Saldana’s efforts and the remaining – and impressive – supporting cast, Cynthia Mort’s script misses the mark. (BKP 3/5) Review by Associate Editor Brigid K. Presecky… Continue reading NINA
2014: Penny’s Top Picks
Best Feature Film of 2014: Selma Runner Up: Birdman Best Director of 2014: Ava DuVernay (Selma) Runner Up: Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman) Best Documentary of 2014: Gringo Trails Runner Up: Life Itself Best Foreign Language Film of 2014: Aftermath Runner Up: Winter Sleep Best Actress of 2014: Amy Adams (Big Eyes) Runner up: Angelina Jolie (Maleficent) Best… Continue reading 2014: Penny’s Top Picks
SELMA
Superlative film captures the essence of the three marches lead by Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama which lead to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. (JLH: 4.5/5) Directed by Ava DuVernay based on an original screenplay by Paul Webb. Click HERE for our FF2 Haiku. Highly Recommended by both me &… Continue reading SELMA