Tag Archives: Mahershala Ali

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

GREEN BOOK (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Green Book (2018), Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen
Green Book (2018), Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen

Directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen and Linda Cardellini, Green Book tells the story of the great friendship between a working-class Italian-American bouncer/driver and an African-American classical pianist. Since Farrelly’s story is set in 1960s America, racial tensions play a significant part in the movie. Nevertheless, the main focus is very much on the developing friendship between the two men.

There’s a number of heartbreaking scenes in Green Book but there are definitely far more that’ll make you smile and have you thinking about the great friends you have and/or want in your life. You may also be moved to be even kinder than I’m certain you already are.

What stands out most for me about Green Book, in addition to the great performances, is the realisation that Green Book is one of those movies with a rhythm so perfect that there wasn’t a single moment when I questioned any of the director/editor’s choices. Everything just flowed beautifully, as I let myself be led by the eyes without hesitation or resistance, until the very end.

Some of the music in Green Book definitely had me contemplating dressing up and showing up at the nearest jazz venue, not that the main music featured is jazz, mind you. I also thoroughly enjoyed Mortensen’s performance as one of the most convincing non-Italians to play an Italian-American that I’ve ever seen on screen. 

Watch Green Book because it’s good, and to see an example of an inspiring, growing friendship/respect between two men. One that alters them both.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama

GREEN BOOK (2018): New Trailer From Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini…

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Green Book (2018), Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali
Green Book (2018), Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Greenbook (2018).

Green Book is a 1960s set story of the friendship between a working-class Italian-American bouncer who becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist.

Directed by Peter Farrelly; key cast includes Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali and Linda Cardellini.

The dynamic of this clearly great friendship reminds me so much of The Intouchables (2011). I’m in for this reason, the beautifully edited trailer and the brilliant cast.

Don Stark, P.J. Byrne, Iqbal Theba, Brian Stepanek and Sebastian Maniscalco also star.

Green Book Release Dates: November 16th, 2018 (US); February 8th, 2019 (UK)…

Read my spoiler free review of Green Book

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

MOONLIGHT (2016): The Things I Loved…

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Moonlight (2016), Trevante Rhodes
Moonlight (2016), Trevante Rhodes

There are a number of reasons to like 2017 Best Picture Oscar winner Moonlight. The beautiful cinematography, faultless performances and a timely telling of a very important story are just three of them.

Thanks to Barry Jenkins’s very personal movie, I now know of Mahershala Ali, a skilled actor whose Moonlight character, Juan, isn’t even in the film for most of it, but there’s no forgetting him; if only for all that Ali was able to expertly convey, especially through his eyes.

Moonlight is a coming of age story about the childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood of a young, African-American gay man growing up in a rough neighbourhood in Miami. It’s a film that reminded me of the very important and often pivotal role that the kindness of a stranger/strangers can have in our lives.

Watch it because it’s a story beautifully told and you too may find yourself remembering the perfect strangers that may have helped you become all that you’re grateful to be.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Drama, History

HIDDEN FIGURES (2016): For The Sisterhood, Strength & Determination

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Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali
Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali

Hidden Figures, the movie about the three African American women whose mathematical contributions led to NASA’s first successful space missions, is a film that did two important things for me. First, it gave me and many others a long overdue history lesson. Second, it reminded me that even though there’s still a considerable way to go, humanity really has come quite a distance in terms of equality and civil rights.

Seeing the challenges faced by the film’s main characters, the ways they dealt with the obstacles they encountered is really a great and empowering thing for anyone to witness. I particularly adore the sisterhood, strength, determination and good humour between the women. I of course mean Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. I see these ladies as the kind of women with personal attributes that many would  probably want for the women and young girls in their life. And I’m certainly not talking about the mathematical genius, not that that wouldn’t be welcome.

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, there really is no faulting any of the performances in Hidden Figures. Director Theodore Melfi’s movie is a good example of what a well-put-together film can look like. 

I say watch it because it’s thoroughly deserving of all its success. It’s also a beautiful celebration of truly great women, and the people good and brave enough to do what was necessary to help them shine.

Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell and Mahershala Ali also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Drama

FREE STATE OF JONES (2016): New Trailer Starring Matthew MacConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw…

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Free State of Jones (2016), Matthew McConaughey as Newton Knight
Free State of Jones (2016), Matthew McConaughey as Newton Knight

Set during the American Civil War, in Jones County, Mississippi, director Gary Ross’s latest film, Free State Of Jones tells a true story of defiance and rebellion.

Trailer 1

Trailer 2

Featuring a talented cast that includes Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali and Keri Russell, I’m looking forward to what I’m hoping will be an inspiring tale of courage and conviction.

I’m also excited about the chance to watch and listen to one or more perfectly rousing speeches delivered by McConaughey’s character in his role as as American farmer, soldier and leader of the rebellion, Newton Knight.

Free State Of Jones Release Date(s): May 13th, 2016 (US); May 27th, 2016 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G