James' World 2

News of the World is a Western drama, co-written and directed by Paul Greengrass. The movie is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles. The film follows a Civil War veteran who must return a young girl who was stolen by Native Americans as an infant to her last remaining family, over 400 miles away. The trailers were quite interesting and so was the movie.

In 1870, retired Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) a former member of the Confederate Infantry now makes a living traveling from town to town keeping folks informed of the latest news as they gather to listen as he reads from local newspapers for 10¢ a person. One day while traveling to the next town, Captain Kidd spots an overturned wagon.  Upon investigation, he encounters a lynched Black man and a wild, young white, 10-year-old girl.  Suspecting the two were…

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a drama directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, based on the play of the same name by August Wilson. Ma Rainey was produced by Denzel Washington, Todd Black, and Dany Wolf. The film, while based on a true story as well as its source play, focuses on Ma Rainey, an influential blues/jazz singer who was the first popular stage entertainer to incorporate authentic blues into her song repertoire. She performed during the first three decades of the 20th century and enjoyed mass popularity during the blues craze of the 1920s. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom dramatizes a recording session that occurred in Chicago.

In 1927, Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), a highly regarded blues singer was recently been contracted by white producers. A recording session for songs slated for Ma’s next album is scheduled by her manager Irvin (Jeremy Shamos) to take…

Outside the Wire is a science fiction film directed by Mikael Håfström. Anthony Mackie serves as a producer as well as starring in the film. Once I knew Outside the Wire would stream in 2021, I waited patiently for its January release.  The film ended up being worth the wait as it focuses on an android officer who works with a drone pilot to stop a global catastrophe.

The year is 2036, Russian mercenaries convince the United States to deploy peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. During a military operation, a team of  US Marines and “Gumps” (robotic soldiers) are ambushed. Disobeying a direct order not to deploy a missile, drone pilot 1st Lt. Harp (Damson Idris) deploys a Hellfire missile in a drone strike against a suspected enemy launcher, killing two of the Marines but saving the remaining 38. As punishment for disobeying a direct order, Harp (who has never personally…

Tenet is a science fiction action-thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, who produced it with Emma Thomas. Tenet is a co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States. The plot follows a CIA secret agent as he manipulates the flow of time to prevent World War III.

I had heard Tenet was anticipated among viewers but wasn’t as good as was expected, I concur.

A CIA agent, known as the “Protagonist” (John David Washington), takes part in an undercover operation at Ukraine’s Kyiv opera house. His life is saved by a masked soldier with a red trinket, who “un-fires” a bullet through a gunman. After seizing an artifact, the Protagonist is captured by mercenaries. He endures torture before consuming cyanide. He awakens to learn the cyanide was a test of loyalty, his team has been killed, and the artifact is lost.

The Protagonist is recruited…

Bridgerton is a period drama created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes. It is based on Julia Quinn’s novels set in the competitive world of Regency London high society’s “ie bon ton” during the season when debutantes are presented at court.  This series is unique because it is presented like a school play, humans only, which could be perceived as a fantasy.  I loved Bridgerton, albeit presented in scandal-like, Shonda Rhimes fashion under the direction of Shondaland.

Bridgerton takes place in 1813.  Most households among the rich and who’s who in society, are preparing for the seasonal showcase of available girls for grab by the richest men in the pecking order. The series focuses on Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor)who is the oldest daughter of the Bridgerton clan and favored by Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvet) who all debutants must be presented.  Circulating around London by…

Wonder Woman 1984 (WW84) is a superhero film based on the DC Comics character Wonder Woman. It is the sequel to 2017’s Wonder Woman and the ninth installment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). The film is directed by Patty Jenkins from a script she wrote with Geoff Johns and Dave Callaham, based on a story by Johns and Jenkins. I just had to see WW84 since it was free for anyone who subscribes to HBO MAX, which I do. I am also a fan of Wonder Woman but was sorry I bothered to waste my time with this sequel, it stunk.

In her youth, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) participated in athletic competitions on Themyscira against older Amazons. The event is overseen by Queen Hippolyta (Connie Nielsen). After falling from her horse, Diana takes a shortcut to catch up. Since her actions were considered cheating, Diana’s Aunt Antiope…