The Boys (2019)
An 8 episode series on Amazon Prime -- binge watched 06/29-6/30/2019
I binged this series (8 episodes). The series was riveting and more fearless than any superhero. Before I began watching I had not realized that this was based on a comic series. Amazon Prime has a feature which provides written commentary on each episode.The episodes have more warning labels regarding adult themes, violence and sex than I have seen on some R-rated movies. There are many scenes, where you do not think that they will go there...and they do. A superhero ("Homelander") gives a speech to a very responsive audience, that was almost uncannily, reminiscent of a certain political figure.
I binged this series, maybe a mistake as it was a major adrenaline rush with a cliffhanger ending. Just about every time that I thought, no they won't go there, they did. Loved this show, but take the insanely amount of warnings before each episode as truth, not hyperbole.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Friday, July 19, 2019
The Lion King (2019)
live action remake - Disney
True, this live action (not sure what to call this category...enhanced CGI ?) remake of The Lion King was not necessary, but it was beautiful and much more involving than the live action remake of Beauty and The Beast. However, without Timon's and Pumbaa's voice actors, this movie would have been much less entertaining. Every time that I heard Zazu (hornbill) talk, I giggled not so much for the actual dialogue, it was due to the very famous individual voicing this bird. Kamari and Azizi (hyenas) needed much more screen time. Alfre Woodard (as Sarabi - the Queen of the pride) was as majestic as you would want and Florence Kasumba (as Shenzi - the Queen Hyena) was VERY intimidating. Too bad neither voice actor had enough screen time.I guess that I would have to admit that I enjoyed the secondary characters far more than the main characters.I would like to think that was by Jon Favreau's design not accident.
Maybe showcasing the others in Simba's world was his way of honoring the original animated version of 1994 and yet adding his spin to the story.
This movie's existence was never demanded (by the audience anyway) However, this new version entertained me. I liked the secondary characters far more than the main characters. To me these voice actors were the standouts: Keegan-Michael Key (as Kamari, hyena), Eric André (as Azizi, hyena), Alfre Woodard (as Sarabi), Florence Kasumba (as Shenzi, hyena leader), Billy Eichner (as Timon) and Seth Rogan (as Pumbaa). These voice acted characters needed much more screen time and way more dialogue. John Oliver made me laugh, but more because I was imagining him doing his HBO show as Zazu.. The most sharp critics of all, the children in the audience, while not cheering Simba on, were well-behaved and reasonably still. Just one question, why do parents of young children take them up to the higher level of seating, in the middle of a row knowing their little ones have little bladders. So children's behavior 👍 , parental behavior 👎.
While I LOVED the original animated feature, I was still entertained by the 2019 version. For me the secondary characters were the standouts, perhaps that is what Jon Favreau intended? The director was in a difficult place, keep it similar (with some audience members and critics screaming cash grab) or make it different (with some audience members and critics screaming you destroyed my childhood). Why do it at all...well why not.There should be a place in this world for the 1994 and 2019 movies as both are creatively crafted works of art and entertainment.
live action remake - Disney
True, this live action (not sure what to call this category...enhanced CGI ?) remake of The Lion King was not necessary, but it was beautiful and much more involving than the live action remake of Beauty and The Beast. However, without Timon's and Pumbaa's voice actors, this movie would have been much less entertaining. Every time that I heard Zazu (hornbill) talk, I giggled not so much for the actual dialogue, it was due to the very famous individual voicing this bird. Kamari and Azizi (hyenas) needed much more screen time. Alfre Woodard (as Sarabi - the Queen of the pride) was as majestic as you would want and Florence Kasumba (as Shenzi - the Queen Hyena) was VERY intimidating. Too bad neither voice actor had enough screen time.I guess that I would have to admit that I enjoyed the secondary characters far more than the main characters.I would like to think that was by Jon Favreau's design not accident.
Maybe showcasing the others in Simba's world was his way of honoring the original animated version of 1994 and yet adding his spin to the story.
This movie's existence was never demanded (by the audience anyway) However, this new version entertained me. I liked the secondary characters far more than the main characters. To me these voice actors were the standouts: Keegan-Michael Key (as Kamari, hyena), Eric André (as Azizi, hyena), Alfre Woodard (as Sarabi), Florence Kasumba (as Shenzi, hyena leader), Billy Eichner (as Timon) and Seth Rogan (as Pumbaa). These voice acted characters needed much more screen time and way more dialogue. John Oliver made me laugh, but more because I was imagining him doing his HBO show as Zazu.. The most sharp critics of all, the children in the audience, while not cheering Simba on, were well-behaved and reasonably still. Just one question, why do parents of young children take them up to the higher level of seating, in the middle of a row knowing their little ones have little bladders. So children's behavior 👍 , parental behavior 👎.
While I LOVED the original animated feature, I was still entertained by the 2019 version. For me the secondary characters were the standouts, perhaps that is what Jon Favreau intended? The director was in a difficult place, keep it similar (with some audience members and critics screaming cash grab) or make it different (with some audience members and critics screaming you destroyed my childhood). Why do it at all...well why not.There should be a place in this world for the 1994 and 2019 movies as both are creatively crafted works of art and entertainment.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Brightburn
R rated
Just saw trailers, not the movie.
(posted to Andre Black Nerd - video published on 05/29/2019)
Everyone seems to be saying this (so I will too), great premise with kind of a weak follow through. Wish there was more "origin" info on the baby's arrival, plus more than just an immediate transition from bullied child to villainous psychopath. I know puberty is a scary time, but there needs to be some sort of arc to hold my attention. Well two good things happened; Andre got to see an R-rated movie and the Gunn family got work.
R rated
Just saw trailers, not the movie.
(posted to Andre Black Nerd - video published on 05/29/2019)
Everyone seems to be saying this (so I will too), great premise with kind of a weak follow through. Wish there was more "origin" info on the baby's arrival, plus more than just an immediate transition from bullied child to villainous psychopath. I know puberty is a scary time, but there needs to be some sort of arc to hold my attention. Well two good things happened; Andre got to see an R-rated movie and the Gunn family got work.
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Aladdin (2019)
PG (viewed in 3D at theater)
Disney's live action remake.
I enjoyed this movie. What surprised me, after the trailers, was how much that I enjoyed Will Smith's performance in this film. I was more interested in his character's arc than the others in the cast. It was a great cast, but Will Smith was definitely MVP. However, the supporting characters, whether human or CGI, all had their moments. Who knew that Jafar had a backstory which led him to where we see him now. Due to scheduling (mine), the only performance I could see was 3D. Maybe it was the movie theater's tech, but I felt that the 3D cost did not transfer to superior viewing quality.
PG (viewed in 3D at theater)
Disney's live action remake.
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Slavery
Posted to Philip DeFranco You Tube video --Why is Harvard Being Sued Over This 169-Year Old Slave Photographs -- 05/09/2019
On a micro level, proving the actual ownership of the photos would be difficult with the information presented in this video. However on a macro level, the ownership of these photos should not belong to a single individual or even to a family. Somehow all photos should be saved in a single location, perhaps one per [former slave owning] state, with any income earned, excepting maintenance/upkeep for that particular location and staff, be applied to educational scholarships to anyone proving slaves in their lineage. All that being said, while my ancestors were not treated kindly, to the best of my knowledge none were slaves. Educating these descendants of slaves making this modern generation both financially and personally independent, may be the best reparation that can be provided.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Peter Mayhew
May 15, 1944 - April 30, 2019
Peter Mayhew's spirit and energy was not contained by his Chewbacca persona. He imbued a well-crafted suit with a persona; a creature of great nobility, kindness and humor. It makes me sad that CG matched with voice actors is now so proficient, that we may not see this "joining" ever happen again.
May 15, 1944 - April 30, 2019
Peter Mayhew's spirit and energy was not contained by his Chewbacca persona. He imbued a well-crafted suit with a persona; a creature of great nobility, kindness and humor. It makes me sad that CG matched with voice actors is now so proficient, that we may not see this "joining" ever happen again.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
News via You Tube
posted on Philip DeFranco channel published on 04/18/19
I am only a user of, not creator on, You Tube. I am grateful for the (usually free) knowledge, latest information and entertainment that I find on this site. I know that You Tube has its faults, but the platform is large and still relatively open as compared to some other countries. Lately I feel that many news outlets in their search for relevance and survival have gotten both sloppy (in fact checking) and salacious (in content) as print tabloids of the 20th century. Most of the informative news that I feel answers my questions and provides fairly understandable explanations are from places like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Joe Rogan Experience and of course, Philip DeFranco. Thank you to creators who provide positive and intelligent channels (in spite of some 'bot demonetization and overzealous/greedy copyright strikes).
posted on Philip DeFranco channel published on 04/18/19
I am only a user of, not creator on, You Tube. I am grateful for the (usually free) knowledge, latest information and entertainment that I find on this site. I know that You Tube has its faults, but the platform is large and still relatively open as compared to some other countries. Lately I feel that many news outlets in their search for relevance and survival have gotten both sloppy (in fact checking) and salacious (in content) as print tabloids of the 20th century. Most of the informative news that I feel answers my questions and provides fairly understandable explanations are from places like Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Joe Rogan Experience and of course, Philip DeFranco. Thank you to creators who provide positive and intelligent channels (in spite of some 'bot demonetization and overzealous/greedy copyright strikes).
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