We finally made it to 2021, however, I must say that I have watched more movies and television series during COVID than ever.

Streaming channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and others have made it very convenient for families and people who never made the time or had the funds to go to the movie theaters to see shows they never would have. For example, how many people would have been able to afford to see the Broadway show HAMILTON at the theater? Tickets can cost as much as a car note.  Even though seeing it on television or a laptop does not take the place of seeing it in the flesh, more people are reached.

The award season is coming up and there are so many shows of color that should be in the running.  A few of my choices are: 

 Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Based on August Wilson’s play of the same name and produced by Denzel Washington, this film is interesting, exciting, and so well done.  Having seen the play on stage director George C. Wolf did a fantastic job of bringing the feeling that you, the audience, are a part of the scenes on the screen.  The setting is one day in a Chicago recording studio where Ma Rainey is recording an album. Viola Davis is amazing as Ma Rainey.  Maxayn Lewis did most of the singing for the role but Viola Davis sold it.   Chadwick Boseman’s performance was untouchable. His death was a shock to all; however, his performance stands on its own.  He learned to play the trumpet so he would have the look just right.  I am positive he will be nominated as Best Actor in all the upcoming award shows.

I predict:

Best Film – Denzel Washington – Producer

Best Actor – Chadwick Boseman as Leevee

Best Actress – Viola Davis as Ma Rainey

Best Costume – Ann Roth

Bridgerton  

Bridgerton, produced by Shonda Rhimes and created by Chris Van Dusen is a Netflix period drama series based on Julia Quinn’s novels and based around the Bridgerton Family. It is set in Regency London high society where Queen Charlotte rules, and there are Dukes and Lords, Lady’s, and debutantes.  The series is beautifully written and watching those of African descent with titles as high or higher than the European aristocrats is quite interesting, especially seeing that Queen Charlotte is of mixed race. However, it is not lost that those of color were not always accepted or had titles.

Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury is a standout with her sassy ways and knowing looks. When she is on screen all focus goes to her.  Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings is the perfect leading man. He is handsome, an amazing actor, and brings to life the plight and emotions of the young Duke.

I predict:

Best Drama Streaming Series – Shonda Rhimes

Best Supporting Actress – Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury,

Best Supporting Actor – Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings.

Best Costumes – costume designer Ellen Mirojnick,

 Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey 

To be honest I am not sure if this is going to be classified as animation or regular film as it is a mixture of both.  It is a fun whimsical film full of magic, adventure, and love. I can visualize this as a live Broadway stage production.  Forest Whitaker is one of my favorite actors, but I did not know he could sing.  He has a beautiful voice.  Writer-Director David E. Talbert brought this fantasy story to life.  Madalen Mills makes her debut in this film and steals the show. This film warmed my heart.

I predict: 

Best Supporting Actress – Madalen Mills as Journey

Best Actor – Forest Whitaker as Jeronicus

Best Supporting Actor – Keegan-Michael Key,

Best Original Song – Square Root of Possible” performed by Madalen Mills, Produced by Davy Nathan, Harvey Mason Jr. & Philip Lawrence

Best Costumes – Michael Wilkinson

SOUL  

This is a cute story about Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a teacher who dreams of being a jazz performer. He finally gets his chance when he falls through a manhole and is headed for the “Great Beyond.” As he tries to run away, he falls into the “Great Before” which is where new souls are assigned the personalities that make them who they are on earth.

SOUL is an impactful story that is deeper than one may think, depending on the age of the soul that is watching.  It had a very profound effect on me.   The story, artwork, animation, voices, and music are bright, colorful, and just fantastic.

I predict:

Best Animated Film

    Sylvie’s Love

Sylvie’s Love takes place in 1950’s Harlem when a young man walks into a record store and falls in love with the store owner’s daughter. He is an aspiring jazz saxophonist, and she is engaged to a high society young man.  Of course, things happen, and they are parted but meet up again in the ’60s.  It is a true romantic love story that many people do not think or believe happens to people of color.  Tessa Thompson is open and loving in the role of Sylvie. Nnamdi Asomugha as Robert is the romantic man girls dream of.

I predict:

Best Actress – Tessa Thompson

Best Actor – Nnamdi Asomugha

Best Costumes – Phoenix Mellow

There are so many more that should be mentioned.  As we get closer to the award shows we will have a lot to discuss.  I would love to hear from you who you think should be nominated and why.  Email me at [email protected].

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

PIECES OF A WOMAN

Genre: Drama

Rating: R

Running Time: 127 mins.

Where Can You See It?: Netflix

Premise: In the wake of a heartbreaking home birth, a couple (The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf) try to pick up the pieces of their emotionally shattered lives, isolated from each other and surrounded by grief.

Behind-the-Scenes: Premiered at Sundance in January 2020 to great acclaim, and Oscar buzz for Kirby’s lead performance. Shia LaBeouf is the second lead and has been largely absent from the publicity tour due to the fallout from his abuse allegations.

The Good: The first 30 minutes feature what appears to be one long take, focused on the home birth of Kirby’s pregnant character. A virtuoso piece of acting and directing, it’s a harrowing, intense opening – like Saving Private Ryan but on a much smaller, personal scale – and only when the title card appears after that half-hour are you able to breathe. Kirby is outstanding and deserves all the critical accolades she’s been getting. She gets put through the emotional wringer in this film, and never once plays anything false or flashy, despite some obvious melodramatic moments. Ellen Burstyn absolutely crushes her supporting role as Kirby’s mom, and delivers an Oscar-worthy monologue. LaBeouf is also pretty great – shame if his personal life somehow diminishes the work others have done here. The measured pace and tone allow the viewer to really settle in with these characters and get to know them.

The Bad: The rest of the movie can’t compete with the opening 30 minutes. It peaks there, and grows progressively less interesting as it goes along. The direction by Kornel Mundruczo is both staggeringly great at times, and really odd – with some distracting close-ups on necks in the climactic courtroom scene that take the viewer out of the film. The script doesn’t quite stick the emotional landing, leaving LaBeouf’s character and other subplots out to dry.

Should You See It?: Yes. It’s not an easy watch, and those triggered by family tragedies in their own lives will probably want to avoid it, but the acting is top notch, and, if you can stomach it, the first 30 minutes are some of the best filmmaking of the year and more than warrant a watch.

Star Rating: ***1/2 out of 5 stars

Better Than: Rabbit Hole, A Monster Calls

Worse Than: Manchester by the Sea

* * *

For more movie/TV commentary and other mischief, follow me on Twitter: @Hammervision and on Letterboxd: @Hammervision

We typically do not give the affirmations we speak a lot of attention. Affirmations are the words we speak designed to impact our lives. Most people only think of positive affirmations; however, we can speak negative affirmations without realizing it. We can say and think negative things about ourselves that become part of our subconscious and cause negative behaviors, habits, and situations to gravitate to us.

We should try to speak positive affirmations about ourselves. There are numerous benefits to speaking positive affirmations. They help to motivate us to pursue our goals and visualize the things we want in our life. There is a theory that our words and thoughts manifest in our life. We draw to us the things we say and think whether they are negative or positive.

It is difficult to draw positive things to our lives when we are thinking or speaking negative. The first step is to remove the negative. Do not focus on the things you do not want. Think and speak the positive things you want in your life. Do you need a job? Say you are attracting the perfect job for you. Visualize yourself working your dream job. Do not talk about your flaws and the bad job market. Affirm for your health by saying you feel healthy and strong. See yourself healthy. I like to quote promises from the bible. I have them written in a journal and say them out loud. Find affirmations specifically for the things you want in your life whether it is a job, new relationship, health, confidence, happiness, or money. You do not need to make your affirmations complicated. You can search the Internet for examples.

Once you start speaking positive affirmations, do not get discouraged if they do not quickly manifest. Stay with it for the long term. Speak your affirmations daily.