AMBER PATTON

The Quick and Dirty on: Magnificent Seven: Spaghetti it is not

10/25/2016

 
Before anyone asks, I have not seen the original, so I will not be making any comparisons to it. Sue me, but don't actually do that because I don't have any money.

ANYWAY

If there was ever a movie to check damn near ever racial box, this would be it. They had the African American box checked, the Mexican box checked, the Asian, the Native American, the fat white guy, the tough white woman, and even a man who wasn't one of the macho guys was in there. They didn't have a black woman, per se, but she was used just like we're usually used to tell a story.

A source to fuel the black man's revenge and reason to live.

But enough about my bitterness.

The beginning starts off a little slow. They spend more time introducing each of the Magnificent hombres, which you can appreciate as it's often with ensembles that you miss someone, and then they just show up to fight (or die) depending on their purpose.

So that is a pro.

The con is that it's dragged on through until nearly half the movie.

But then some magic happens.

Before you can even blink, you're laughing at their jokes, you're enjoying their company, you're sad when some of them die.

You're sucked into the action, and it's worth it as it's not quite Michael Bay with the explosions, but they keep your attention, and they keep sight of the fact that they are telling a story.

And that moment between Denzel Washington and Peter Saarsgard!!! I stopped breathing for a moment.

Side note, Can Peter Saarsgard play a good guy? Like ever?

Sure, the quips are silly, and sometimes ridiculous. The machismo was in full effect, and there was that sense of black man savior complex. but it was a fun Western that made me forgive the long beginning.

Go check it out in the cheap seats or wait for it to come out on DVD, which shouldn't be long, since nothing takes long these days. Ask my ex...​
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When the Bough Breaks... it falls on deaf ears

10/24/2016

 
Recently, I had the chance to watch 'When the Bough Breaks' and it is a great film where a crazy bitch almost wins!!!

A  couple have a hard time keeping a baby full term and decide that their last chance is surrogacy. The couple is an affluent black couple who is basically perfect. I mean, I wish they were my parents. Regina Hall has come a long way from playing strippers and Morris Chestnut still looks good shirtless.

Looking through videos of possible baby incubators, they come across a young woman named Anna played by a fairly new actress Jaz Sinclair.

She looks demure and sweet, but you quickly find out she's not doing this because she wants to be kind and sweet. She's appeasing her piece of shit boyfriend who's trying to make money off this little sea monkey.

What no one knows is that she's actually certifiable. Like, she's been in an institution. Wacked out of her damn mind.

She falls for Morris-

*But honestly, who wouldn't*

Except he's like, "I actually love my wife you little hussy!" She just won't take no as an answer continuously coming on to him, effecting his job, his marriage, his freedom.

Girl goes there.

Even SPOILER ALERT 

Killing her abusive ass boyfriend because he didn't understand her love for the tall, dark and handsome Chestnut.  

They finally play her game against her. Or try to. The problem is, no one is as crazy as she is. SO they have to do the inevitable and kill the cradle rocking nut job. And then check to make sure she's actually dead.

*Horror movie 101! Hello!*

Overall, it's not something I would see in theaters, but I'd definitely pop it in for a girl's night. Then you could watch No Good Deed and wonder if you'd really fight off Idris  Elba  if he trapped you in your house.
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Queen Sugar is Deliciously Satisfying

10/13/2016

 
The moment I heard Ava DuVernay was teaming up with Oprah Winfrey on a new show, I knew that things were about to change.

Oprah makes things happen, and as an aspiring filmmaker, Ava DuVernay is the mecca for me. It comes as no surprise that her show would be another reason (of the many) that I love her work.

It starts out slow, like boiling water. You're introduced to the Bordelon kids Nova, Charley and Ralph Angel who are living very separate lives until an unfortunate incident forces them all together to become a family unit again.

They come to find they need each other more than they first realized.

Ava does an amazing job of putting together a cast and crew who are amazingly sensitive to the intricacies of this Louisiana born family.

Rutina Westley as Nova showcases her full range of talent as her character fights for the injustices of black men while fighting some internal urges of her own.

Dawn-Lyen Gardner as Charley is part of an epic dynasty with her husband  Davis West played by Timon Kyle Durrett and their son Micah played by Nicholas L. Ashe until it all comes crashing down on a national stage. Dawn is fierce as the seemingly privileged one who got out. You quickly see that the facade of having it all together is simply that.

Kofi Siriboe is the youngest sibling and also one of the most troubled as he fights with the demons of having just gotten out of jail and doing his best to take care of his adorably characteristic son Blue played by Ethan Hutchison who he had with Darla played by the forever young Bianca Lawson.

The cast is rounded out by Violet Bordelon (Tina Lifford) who is the aunt with the glue, Ernest Bordelon (Glynn Turman) who wants all his children to be together and many other amazing actors, most all of them of color.

Queen Sugar is based off of a book by the same title written by Natalie Baszile. If anyone has read the book, you're going to realize very quickly that though the DuVernay version is very different right off the back. Even so, the story's essence is still there, and the Bordelon family is going to have to weave through this messy, dilapidated farmland to come together and make things happen for all of them.

All of these characters a fully fleshed out and amazing. When they say there are no small characters, just small actors. This show has no small characters and no small actors. I don't know what's in store for them as they grow individually and collectively, but this family has got some demons that need exorcising. I'm excited to watch it happen!

For more episodes, tune in to the OWN network on your local cable provider Wednesdays 10/9c or watch on the OWN App.
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    Amber Patton

    Reviewing movies. I tried to go to once a week, but I think it's best if I post whenever. Right?

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