“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” – Powerful, Moving, LONG (#SpoilerFreeReview)

“It could have been different.”

Story: Five years after the events of Endgame, we see Wakanda reeling as their King – the Black Panther – succumbs to an illness, due to the extinction of the heart-shaped herb. But one year after his passing, as the country and its leadership try to move on, there are countries who would try to take advantage. Countries on land…and below water. Cue some bigass whales y’all!

Genre I’d put it in: Heavyweight Sequels
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on characters/story lines from Marvel Comics. Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the final film in the MCU’s Phase 4.

Gotta say: Forever is a lean, mean, movie machine. There’s a whole lot going on, several stories to begin/wrap up/shift, and tons of characters to debut and check in on. Writer/Director Ryan Coogler handles it all expertly for the most part (stick a pin in that), but y’all. Y’ALL. At over two hours and forty minutes without factoring trailers and ads? Let’s just say I can’t wait ’til this hits streaming, so I can parcel things out in more bite-sized bits. Y’all I am An Old. My legs did not want to speak to me after this screening, so what I’m saying is; get yourself reclining seats, or be prepared for your own body’s civil war. Lil’ tip from me to you. So, here we go with the in-depth stuff. Follow me…

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VIRTUAL Screening Pass-palooza – “The People We Hate at the Wedding”!

I don’t know about you, but I’m in the mood for a good laugh. You too? Synopsis!

In the hilariously raunchy comedy The People We Hate at the Wedding, dysfunctional American siblings Alice (Kristen Bell) and Paul (Ben Platt) along with their ever-optimistic mom (Allison Janney), are invited to the British wedding of their estranged half-sister Eloise (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) as a chance for them to reconnect as – more or less – adults, and learn to love each other like they once did.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “She Said”!

Ooh – who doesn’t love an interesting docudrama in the Fall? Synopsis!

A testament to the power of investigative journalism, She Said details the journey of reporters and editors engaged in the unrelenting pursuit of the truth and highlights the courage of survivors and witnesses who chose to come forward to stop a serial predator in his tracks. Together, their commitment and fortitude sparked a national conversation, helped propel the #MeToo movement, and fueled a reckoning of the system that had enabled him.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza – “Wakanda Forever”!

Yes, my heart is still broken. Yes, I still want to check out this film. Synopsis!

In Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Time to mark your calendars – the #BMoreChristmas German Village is coming!

Y’all know I’m an absolute Christmas Village junkie. I’ve been going for years, and bringing the 411 to you every time. So? Here’s some info on this year’s holiday season!

And yes, I’ll be attending the press extravaganza. Because I need to know what I’ll have to have several times a week during the Village’s season! Happy HalloGivingMas everybody!

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VIRTUAL Screening – “Slumberland”!

Yes it’s last minute, but hey – gotta give y’all a chance to check out a virtual screening… Synopsis!

Slumberland takes audiences to a magical new place, a dreamworld where precocious Nemo (Marlow Barkley) and her eccentric companion Flip (Jason Momoa) embark on the adventure of a lifetime. After her father Peter (Kyle Chandler) is unexpectedly lost at sea, young Nemo’s idyllic Pacific Northwest existence is completely upended when she is sent to live in the city with her well-meaning but deeply awkward uncle Phillip (Chris O’Dowd). Her new school and new routine are challenging by day but at night, a secret map to the fantastical world of Slumberland connects Nemo to Flip, a rough-around-the-edges but lovable outlaw who quickly becomes her partner and guide. She and Flip soon find themselves on an incredible journey traversing dreams and fleeing nightmares, where Nemo begins to hope that she will be reunited with her father once again.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Hallo-MONTH: AFan looks at “Trick or Treats”

Yet another film that cements my hatred of overly pretentious child characters in movies. That final smash cut? I’m hoping he slips, and Token Babysitter stabs him to death.

A quick review? Fine; Treats has no idea what vibe it wants to give off. So it ends up failing at everything. Not even worth watching if you’re in the mood for a bad movie. Watch the glorious Trick R Treat instead, and skip this 1982 disaster.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “The Banshees of Inisherin”!

C’mon, the combo of Farrell and Gleeson is always a good time. Synopsis!

Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN follows lifelong friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), who find themselves at an impasse when Colm unexpectedly puts an end to their friendship. A stunned Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), endeavours to repair the relationship, refusing to take no for an answer. But Pádraic’s repeated efforts only strengthen his former friend’s resolve and when Colm delivers a desperate ultimatum, events swiftly escalate, with shocking consequences.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza – “Armageddon Time”!

Ready for a look at another award season film? Synopsis!

From acclaimed filmmaker James Gray, ARMAGEDDON TIME is a deeply personal reflection on the strength of family, the complexity of friendship and the realities of class and privilege, seen through the eyes of a young Jewish boy growing up in 1980s Queens. The film features an all-star cast including Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong.

Ready? Let’s go!

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“Ticket to Paradise” – frothy, formulaic fun

“Why save the good stuff for later?”

Story: Lily just graduated from law school! Mazel! Now she and her BFF are hitting Bali for a graduation vacation. Cut to a few weeks in, and Lily has fallen hard for local seaweed farmer, Gede. Engaged, hard. Problem? Her divorced parents don’t want her to ruin her life by jumping into marriage…for fear she’ll only end up like them, bitter. OR ARE THEY.

Genre I’d put it in: Travelog Rom-coms
Release Date: 2022
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Original, though the plot is similar to the usual Rom-com boilerplate

Gotta say: This one’s for the folks who just want to see Julia and George have a blast, and maybe wanna plan a trip to Bali. Because J&G, along with the breathtaking views of Bali, are the reasons for catching Paradise. Pity the plot is hollow. But hey, views! Fun! I firmly believe that the cast took this gig so they could spend some time on Bali. And who can hate that? Not I.

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