‘Movie Corner’ Archives
Movie Corner: Rustin
4.5 Stars Higher Ground Productions 2023Drama/Biography/History By HOWARD MCQUITTER II Howard McQuitter II Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo) is a name relatively unknown in the fabric of American history, especially in regard to the Black history. Far too long, great contributions to American society – and to the world – by people of color, women and gay people have been put on (or beyond) the margins. I remember the name Bayard Rustin as an adolescent African American boy growing up in the times of the civil rights movement, Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, the Vietnam War, Gilligan’s Island, great R&B artists, and eight- track tapes. There is so much to be said for the man, Rustin, a true hero, warrior and orator. And Mr. Colman Domingo plays the role of Rustin beautifully, not to mention his likeness to the man appears on screen as if he’s still alive. Back in 1940, Rustin tried to organize a March on Washington, collaborating with A. Philip Randolph, labor and [...]
Movie Corner: A Haunting in Venice
3.5/5 Stars 20th Century Studios 2023 Mystery/Drama/Thriller By HOWARD MCQUITTER II Howard McQuitter II First, Haris Zambarloukos’ cinematography of Venice is stunning. Second, Kenneth Branagh as detective Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie fashion, I think passes the test here. He has taken Christie’s characters in previous work such as the remakes of Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile. Venice seems to draw one in from almost any point. It has ancient villas, grand cathedrals and narrow streets. It also has the sense of romance, intrigue and danger, (at least in the movies). A couple of films that may reflect these sensations are Eva (1962), directed by the late Joseph Losey, a drama/romance; and Don’t Look Now (1973), directed by the late Nicolas Roeg, a drama/horror/mystery. 20th Century Studios The year is 1947, the winds of World War II in the minds of the people. Detective Hercule Poirot has recently retired and moved to Venice. In [...]
Movie Corner: Oct ’23
Elemental Disney/Pixar, 2023 Animation/Adventure 3/5 stars By HOWARD MCQUITTER II Howard McQuitter II One can honestly say Pixar doesn’t make bad movies. One can also say - with conviction - since Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter left the company in 2018, the quality in the storytelling has noticeably diminished. Nonetheless, Pixar‘s animation is still fun. While animation/adventure like the Toy Story installments, Finding Nemo, Up, Monsters, Inc., Inside Out, Cars (well at least the first one) are all at stellar levels, Elemental, I think, falls into the “mediocre” category.Yet, there’s a cuteness to Elemental, and strangely enough, not much to laugh about. The theme of Elemental is fire, water, earth and air, all for life to subsist, can only be possible with God. Fire, the element that seems to be most discriminated against, is forced to live in Firetown, on the outskirts of Element City. The story begins with two immigrant Flames Bernie [...]
