THE COLOR PURPLE (2023 FILM)

This is not a remake of the Steven Spielberg-directed film version of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Price winning novel of the same name, which shot both Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey to global fame in 1985.  In the same way that 'My Fair Lady' is the musical version of 'Pygmalion', and "Hello Dolly' is the musical version of 'The Matchmaker', this is the musical version of the original - they just happen to share the same title. 

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love the original film, and how often I've referred to it over the years (see: https://jimswilleymoviereviews.blogspot) I don't quote it in dialect so much any more, because we're living in different times now, but I still get requests for it a lot.  In 2004, I attended the premier of the musical here in Atlanta at The Alliance Theatre (sitting right behind Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter), and then saw it on Broadway a few years later with Jennifer Hudson. I liked both productions a lot, but I have to say that I love this film adaptation of the stage version as much I do the 1985 movie classic for different reasons. Blitz Bazawule has done an amazingly innovative job of translating the theatricality of the stage musical to film (which is not easy to do), and Marcus Gardley's screenplay has actually made the story even more understandable for this medium.

Some of it was filmed on beautiful and mysterious Driftwood Beach in Jekyll Island (see pic above), and everyone in the cast did an outstanding job, without exception. I really loved some of the casting choices, like Whoopi doing a cameo as Celie's midwife in the birthing scene, and Louis Gossett Jr. and David Alan Grier (both of whom I've met) as 'Ol Mister Johnson and Rev. Samuel Avery, respectively.  I also loved seeing Jon Batiste play Grady, and play the piano for Shug Avery's rendition of 'Sister'. Speaking of which, the always reliable Taraji P. Henson created a remarkable and original interpretation of her character, but for me, the breakout performance was that of Danielle Brooks as Sofia. Granted, she's had a lot of practice playing the role on Broadway, but her appearance in this film was a revelation. I couldn't take my eyes off her.

Several people have asked me if this is as good as the original classic film, and my answer is you can't compare the two. This is a completely different thing. But this adaptation is really quite impressive for so many reasons (you really just have to see it to get it). I can't recommend it enough.

KING RICHARD

#KingRichard #kingrichardmovie #kingrichardfilm is excellent on several levels, not the least of which is that it's a powerful parable about visualization and manifesting reality...the whole cast is superior (I found Aunjanue Ellis, who plays Oracene 'Brandy' Williams, to be especially good)...and, Dear #AMPAS (#AcademyOfMotionPictureArtsAndSciences) PLEASE give #willsmith his Oscar for this one...it's overdue...

Recommend...

HOLD BACK THE DAWN

This isn't technically a movie review, but since I haven't posted on this blog in a long time I'm going to use the backdrop of the film to provide context for what I actually want to talk about. 

Hold Back the Dawn is a 1941 American romantic drama film in which a Romanian gigolo marries an American woman in Mexico in order to gain entry to the United States, but winds up falling in love with her. It stars Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, Paulette Goddard, Victor Francen, Walter Abel, Curt Bois, Rosemary DeCamp, and an uncredited Veronica Lake. The movie was adapted by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder from the 1940 novel by Ketti Frings. It was directed by Mitchell Leisen. It was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Olivia de Havilland), Best Writing, Screenplay, Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture. 

I recently watched it for the first time, and enjoyed it. I like Charles Boyer, and I LOVE anything with Olivia de Havilland, so it worked for me as a film. But what really got my attention was the relevance of it to things that are happening right now. A subplot in the film deals with people having to be inoculated for viruses before entering another country, and having to be isolated in quarantine for a certain amount of time to make sure that a virus isn't introduced for spreading. I know in my own case, any time I've visited another country to do mission work, I always had to get my "shots", and I had to carry a little card with me that verified my vaccinations.

Bottom line, mandatory vaccinations against contagious viruses is not a new thing, and I'm stupefied that being vaccinated for COVID has become a political issue that is causing yet another divide in this country, and is creating a pandemic for the unvaccinated. And now the virus is being given the freedom to mutate among those who refuse to get the (free) shots, and is even infecting those who have been vaccinated. 

Here's the deal, the COVID vaccine is not perfect - no vaccine is - but it's undeniable that when people started getting the shot, the death rate dropped. Yes, it's taking time for the FDA to approve all three of the vaccines, but that's just standard procedure for that organization. It doesn't mean they're not safe and effective. Yes, there are people who have been vaccinated who have still have gotten sick, but for the most part, the only ones dying now are the unvaccinated. 

Seat belts don't always save lives, but we still wear seatbelts. Locked doors don't always keep burglars out, but we still lock our doors at night. Smoke detectors don't always prevent fires from doing destruction, but it's still a good idea to have one. Other diseases in this country have been entirely eradicated by vaccines in the past, but that was because everyone got vaccinated, and saw the disease as the enemy instead of seeing each other that way. 

And for those who say it's a personal freedom issue, I would agree with that concept if the government was talking about forcing cancer patients to have chemotherapy. In something like that, it most certainly is a personal choice. But cancer isn't contagious, and it can't be cured by taking a simple vaccine. Apples and oranges. This is not about you, it's about who you can affect and infect.  The reason you don't have the personal freedom to drive drunk is not because of what could potentially happen to you, but what you could do to someone else.

But please get vaccinated, and stop believing conspiracy theories about it. It's not the Mark of the Beast. It's not a plot of Bill Gates to put a microchip in you. It doesn't magnetize you. It helps keep you alive. 

And if you're vaccinated, you apparently need to start masking up again because of the unvaccinated people around you. 

Please stop fighting about this, and just do it. 

Oh, and see the movie if you can. It's good.

P.S. I don't want to argue with anyone about this. I'm a blocker, not an arguer. Be advised that my block game is strong.

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Click here for my most recent article for 'Backroad Planet':

https://backroadplanet.com/wilmington-north-carolina-movies/?fbclid=IwAR2yGs4PtKI_XdpJC5uQceAZwCSP0YavBnkx8McN0zVhBxB0Ip7M9ZbNK2c

#reviews

"How did I not know you had a movie review blog!!!?? I always go to the movies reviewed by you. I am never disappointed! You are my favorite movie critic."

- RH

ROCKETMAN

Rocketman is magical. It's a biographical musical film, based on the life of Elton John, and is billed as being "based on a true fantasy". That's an accurate description, because it's not a biopic in the traditional sense. You can't watch it as an Elton John purist, expecting the songs to be done in their proper chronological order, or the story to be told exactly as you know it. Parts of it come across like an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but it works as such, and seems appropriate for the subject matter.

Dexter Fletcher's direction is captivating, and not since Sissy Spacek's uncanny embodiment of Loretta Lynn in 'Coal Miner's Daughter' have I seen someone capture the essence of a musical icon with such pitch-perfect precision as does the totally engaging Taron Egerton (with an obvious nod to Rami Malek's for his Academy Award winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in 'Bohemian Rhapsody').

Bryce Dallas Howard as EJ's mother is wonderful (as always), and she brings a heartbreaking element to Rocketman that is essential to the story. The film works on many levels, particularly as a story of personal redemption, and the soundtrack, (which I'm listening to as I write this), is with Taron Egerton's own voice, and it's excellent.

Recommended.

COME SUNDAY

I've known Bishop Carlton Pearson for too long, know him too well, am too close to his story, and can personally relate to it too deeply to be able to objectively review this film, so I'm officially recusing myself from it.  

In a word, I already loved it before I saw it...loved the idea of it...loved when he first told me that the amazing Chiwetel Ejiofor was playing him in it...so there's no way that I can be objective about any of it. But I must say that even I was surprised at how much more I actually loved it after I finally saw it.

So this is not a review, per se...more of a list of observations.

I love that it's on Netflix for a myriad of reasons. Very modern and savvy distribution choice.

I love Ejiofor's brilliantly subtle and compelling portrayal of Pearson.

I love all the casting, especially that of the great Martin Sheen as Oral Roberts.

I love that the production is understated enough to be believable.

I really love that Carlton had enough say about the construction of the script that he could intentionally keep it on the high road...I mean, I know the story firsthand, and what is portrayed in the film is all true, but definitely told from the perspective of someone who is not bitter from betrayal. This could have easily been a tabloid-type tell-all, but instead it's a beautifully crafted piece of work that is authentic, yet uplifting.

I love that my friend and colleague, Bishop Yvette Flunder, is portrayed in it, and that her connection with Pearson is an integral part of the story.

Most of all, I love the platform that 'Come Sunday' gives the real Gospel, which simply means "Good News"...no more, no less...and the dialogue that it is inspiring around the world.

Definitely recommend.

Comments

Avery Price Rogers i just finished watching....wow...

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Denise Smith Yes! Great review! One of the things I loved the most was that it was completely non-threatening. The "good news" was offered in such a loving, precisely measured dose..that anyone who was already on the brink of an awakening could taste and savor tho...See More

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Jim Swilley Beautiful <3

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Valerie Bridgeman I decided, for your reasons (though I have not personally known him as long as you have), not to review the film. And I mean ALL your reasons. Lord, what that could have been if ALL the cover was off all the betrayal. But we didn't need all the dirty details to feel and know the depths. Bless you, friend.

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Jim Swilley <3Manage

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Mike Williams And Bishop Pearson would never allow that to happen. It simply isn’t in him to do that.

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Bernie Adams Great pic Bish, I so love the sacramental dress and robes-I know you and uncle earl were always there for bishop Pearson. #reapingandsowing

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Gregg Kennard Loved it. Years ago when I went down a similar path, a detractor handed me a Charisma magazine that blasted Pearson as a heretic. While they intended to use the periodical as a way to wake me up, it was actually a real lifeline to me at the time...verifying what I was hearing and feeling. Thank God for progress.

Great review as always.

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