Film

Spike Lee’s ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Review: A Rare Look at Black American Heroes

written by Kimberly Jones

Spike Lee’s newest joint Da 5 Bloods tells the story of four Black vets who return to Vietnam years after they served to collect the remains of their dear friend and former commander Norman (Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman), and to recover the gold they buried there years ago.

The cinematography in the opening scene alone leaves the audience instantly intrigued and at the same time overwhelmed. A compilation of images and clips of Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Muhammad Ali, protests in the streets of the US and injured children in Vietnam are all eerily similar to the images we are still looking at today.

Paul, the self-professed “leader” of the group, played by Delroy Lindo (known from his iconic roles in Crooklyn and Malcolm X) returns to work with Lee for the fourth time. Otis (Clarke Peters from HBO’s The Wire), Eddie (Norm Lewis, Scandal), and Melvin (Isiah Whitlock Jr., The Wire) are having a long-overdue reunion with their bond and brotherhood still intact. Paul, the wild card of the group, commands the screen in every scene. He has several irrational outbursts throughout the film, as he suffers from PTSD but still is in denial about the severity of the situation. Paul is confrontational the majority of the film but he is also comical – him playing a Black Trump supporter wearing the MAGA hat and campaigning for “the wall” is pure comedy. His personality comes off as a little cold and selfish because he only cares about himself and about getting his hands on the buried gold that he feels he is entitled to. Paul has been hardened by life and it shows in his attitude and actions towards his “brothers”.

Da 5 Bloods is unique in the way that it takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster through the raw emotions of Black men dealing with grief and family struggles, and their difficult journey to find closure. Paul’s estranged son David (Jonathan Majors from HBO’s Lovecraft Country) unexpectedly shows up and adds to his father’s stress – the two have a strained relationship. David grew up feeling like an orphan, his mother died in childbirth and he always felt that his father blamed him for her death. Otis returned to a major surprise – he had a daughter that he had never met. Because she was biracial, his daughter was disowned by her family and her community. Sadly, racism and the war had robbed Otis of the precious time with his now adult daughter.

The buried gold in the movie represents what was owed to these soldiers for serving a country that never honored them. Not only were they not honored as veterans but as black men in America. They fought a war in Vietnam and returned only to fight a war at home. Eddie even brought up the idea that the gold should be used as reparations for Black Americans. Lee used this as a reference to the 40 acres and a mule, a post-Civil War promise that was made to Black Americans but never fulfilled. Paul quickly shuts this idea down, however. This is something that is owed to him personally, and he does not have the slightest intention of sharing it with anybody.

Some scenes included flashbacks to the Vietnam war. Lee did not use younger actors for these scenes, which is somewhat confusing and very unrealistic. Watching these older actors active in war scenes is awkward and takes away from the authenticity of the scene because it is distracting. Lee may have chosen this route because he wanted to portray these men as present-day heroes. Unfortunately, this may not have been the best choice for the audience.

Da 5 Bloods is a complex story that explores the effects of war on Black soldiers. This was long overdue since war blockbusters in Hollywood do not usually focus on these types of stories. This tale of brotherhood is a balanced mix of politics, humor, heroism, patriotism and sorrow. Lee brought his vision to life successfully with great visuals, performances and, of course, with Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? as the soundtrack. Although the album came out in 1971, the lyrics are relevant to our world today.

Spike Lee always has a unique way of telling black stories and giving voices to the voiceless. This film is no different. Da 5 Bloods could not have come at a better time. With the current climate in our country, this story can get the attention that Black servicemen deserve.

Da 5 Bloods is now streaming on Netflix.

Related Topics:Chadwick Boseman Da 5 Bloods Da 5 Bloods review Netflix Spike Lee

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Film

Eddie Murphy’s ‘Coming 2 America’- Movie Review

by Betty Halsell

Coming 2 America unearthed bejeweled life lessons, sewn in with the fabrics of true love. It touched on blended families, racism, feminism, and just a touch of true passion and diplomatic change. Paramount Pictures, New Republic Pictures, Eddie Murphy Productions, and Misher Films carefully groomed this sequel to sit on the throne as the next American classic.

Coming 2 America is the true royal oat to the 1988 narrative. The movie picks up 30 years later, back in Zamunda. The future king Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his beloved wife, Lisa (Shari Headley), arise to their three daughters wishing them a happy anniversary. It is important for there to be a male heir to carry out the patriotic rule of the country in royal families, this was something Prince Akeem assumed he failed at accomplishing. However, to his surprise, a royal oat was sewn, Lavelle Johnson (Jermaine Fowler) sprouted back in the land of Queens.

Prince Akeem soon becomes king, and with the new crown, comes new weight. Coming 2 America presented real scenarios like a blended family, Queen Lisa and Levelle’s mother (Leslie Jones) were vastly different but found common ground.

The movie touched on the rule of tradition that overshadows the change for the future, as Meeka (Kiki Lane) eldest royal daughter, watched her dreams of being Queen fade away as soon as there was talk of a son. Women in Zamunda spoke of owning their own business, but solemnly knew according to Zamunda Law, it was not possible. The sequel presented each problem smoothly – they were serious issues, without political heaviness.

Getting into the design and feel of Zamunda, one could assume the wealth of this country is on the highest scale. They pulled from both African and African-American cultures. The entrances of General Izzy (Wesley Snipes) paralleled ‘stepping’ from Black fraternities/sororities (think stomp the yard every time General Izzy entered the scene.) The costumes were curated by Oscar award-winning Ruth E. Carter, who was the designer behind Wakanda’s sense of fashion.

Although there wasn’t an official breakdown of what African tribes inspired Carter, she is known to pull from South Africa, using African lace, symbols, and their traditional headdress as statement pieces. Each character presented a unique style, Prince Lavelle interpreted the royal stride and attire to fit his personal taste of swag and cadence. All the intricate nuances that make up Black culture were joined with the vivacious origins of African heritage, which was a beautiful marriage of its own. Also, the athletic brand Puma was spotted making their renditions of African-inspired gear in the movie.

The sequel upheld the presence of being over the top like the 1980s original, with a dash of new flavor, giving it a different soulful bite. There were quick peeks into places that made the classic movie the crowned jewel that it is, such as McDowell’s fast food eatery, adding “healthier options.” The ingenious characters Murphy created were peppered throughout the film effortlessly.

Nostalgic cameo appearances throughout the journey were made the singing royal announcer Oha (Paul Bates), Morris and Clarence from the barbershop(Arsenio Hall and Murphy), the womanizing pastor Reverend Brown (Hall), the arranged betrothed Imani Izzy (Vanessa Bell Calloway), and Randy “Sexual Chocolate” Watson (Murphy) all played into the new story of royalty.

Love expanded as the root of the story, planting different seeds where it was needed. The affection between a son and his mother who raised him, the love of tradition and family honor, and how love can also be the seed for change. Throughout the movie, Prince Akeem once again evolves to another version of himself, bringing along his country to a new level of progression.

The credits had a few sparks as well, with much-wanted bloopers and an unexpected musical artist doing the cover of the endearing serenade, ” She’s Your Queen.” Much like the 1988 original, the sequel was light-hearted but tackled some of the most tangible issues that America is facing today, Coming 2 America brought back a much-needed smile and feel-good reality that the nation is looking to get back to.

Available March 5 exclusively on Amazon Prime.

Film

America’s Most Wanted Sequel- ‘Coming 2 America’ Exclusive Details Released

by Betti Halsell

Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, and the Coming 2 America cast share the exclusive details of America’s most wanted sequel.

As the buzz grows around the release of the feature, the audience is reminded of Prince Akeem’s (Murphy) gleaming smile and the uncertainty of his right-hand man Semmi (Hall), arriving in Queens in search of true love. Murphy and the rest of the cast had a roundtable discussion about the movie’s production and where the story is picking up after 30 years since the original masterpiece became an American treasure.

Three decades later, the movie takes the audience back to Zamunda where Prince Akeem is getting ready to take the throne as king when, suddenly, the news of a son has bubbled up from across the pond – back in New York. Prince Akeem has learned that he has a male heir. He travels to the land of Queens, for the second time, to try to start a relationship with his child.

The press conference unveiled that the majority of the original cast will be sprinkled throughout the highly anticipated sequel, including James Earl Jones as Akeem’s father and Shari Headly as Lisa, the leading lady. Other characters revisiting the African romance include Paul Bates, Vanessa Bell Calloway, John Amos, Louie Anderson, and Garcelle Beauvais. Multiple characters Murphy and Hall played in the original, such as Randy Watson, Clarance, and Rev. Brown, will be spreading the nostalgic magic over the film.

However, there are some unexpected twists in the Prince’s happily ever after, keeping the viewer fully entertained all the way through the story. With new pieces of the puzzle come new faces, shaking up the plot. Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Wesley Snipes, Teyana Taylor, and many others are looking to thicken the international love affair.

During the round table discussion, Murphy elaborated on the different character options – who they decided to bring back and the new roles they introduced. According to Murphy, when comedy legend Dave Chappelle heard about the sequel, he was elated and wanted to find a way to be in the film. The role laid out for him was going to be of the “Witch Doctor”. Unfortunately, the scheduling between Chappelle and production did not align. Hall ended up playing the character.

Murphy also confirmed the script went through 3 drafts to “strengthen the string of the narrative.” The fresh take on the film is looking to have an explosion of comedy gold. The movie was described as the “Mount Rushmore of comedic talent.”

Jones will be the twist that thickens the plot to the point where it boils over. She shared her excitement about working with such a phenomenal crew. Within the film, they gave her full range to exercise her acting chops. The actors admits to being allowed to do some pretty “stupid” things. Murphy chimed in and said Jones was extremely comical in the film.

Resuming his royal duties in Zamunda, Prince Akeem is about to be crowned king over the land, when the unexpected news that he has a son, a royal oat from his sowing days, has sprung up. The King -to-be and Semmi head back to America where it all began. Continue following the journey into the unknown levels of royal fatherhood with Prince Akeem on March 5, streaming on Amazon Prime.

Film

First Look at LeBron James and the Tune Squad in ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’

Entertainment Weekly just unveiled the first look photos of Lebron James-led highly anticipated Space Jam sequel. The images also reveal the return of the Looney Tunes Squad including Bugs Bunny, Lola Bunny, Daffy Duck and Tweety Bird. Check out the full photos below!

Starring in the live-action/animated sports comedy, alongside James are Don Cheadle, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Ceyair J. Wright. Basketball stars including Anthony Davis, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, Diana Taurasi, Cheney Ogwumike, and Nneka Ogwumike are also featured in the movie.

Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip, The Best Man) is directing. Black Panther‘s Ryan Coogler is producing.