12 Days of Movies

Don't let that title fool you. I am not doing another movie-a-day thing, or talking about holiday movies. Nope, instead, I thought I'd write a sort of quasi-top 12 before the year has actually ended. I am going to try to share with y'all one movie I saw this year that I really loved, in no particular order. I'll start with a big one.

Black Panther.

Oh, how I loved this movie. For me, Black Panther came along and sort of turned the Marvel movie upside down. It didn't have this long, drawn out origin story. You got that, sure, but you didn't just get that. Along with it, you were introduced to Wakanda, vibranium, and the women warriors who were just important to the story. Let me repeat that in all caps THE WOMEN WERE JUST AS IMPORTANT! Not to mention this movie has an antagonist in Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who is much more than  the usual cookie cutter villain. He is a character with dimensions and emotions and honestly, he challenges T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and doesn't hold back. He also helps dispense some truths about colonialism and racism. Black Panther isn't shy about bringing these issues up.  This is way more than just another superhero movie, you see.

The fact that it's 2018 and this is essentially the first big budget film featuring an almost entirely black cast should blow your mind. (see also-Crazy Rich Asians). How has it taken this long? I'm going to stay on track and talk about the movie and not american politics/systemic racism. Instead I am going to say that Black Panther was a favorite of mine this year, for the action, the storytelling, the cast (Letitia Wright stole every scene as Shuri), the look of the film, and the soundtrack. Its streaming now so if you haven't seen it, you should probably do yourself a favor and watch it.

Black Panther (2018)

GO SEE BLACK PANTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Black Panther Marvel Studios 2018

If you were expecting a review, you're going to have to wait til I have seen this movie a second or third time because IT IS THAT GOOD!

Not convinced? Fine, how about this: For me, many Marvel movies (and their ilk) always seem too long and often boring, despite crazy action. They all top out over 2 hours, some creeping towards the 3 hours mark. I say creeping, because there is some stretch of narrative that drags and I mean draaaaaaaaags. A romance, a falling out,getting the team together, a fall from grace, what have you. Something boring that makes me start checking my watch. Black Panther does not do this. It's smart storytelling, an amazing cast, some gorgeous visuals, and action that took my breath away more than once. Hell, more than twice! I plan to see it again as soon as possible because it is that good. 

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!! Go see it opening weekend if you can.