‘Arts’ 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 [...]
Even though you can’t see us, we never left
By MARCIE RENDON From Bdote rise Wic’ahpi OyateFrom the sky to the waters, the Star people riseFrom the birthplace of the people38 plus 2, their spirits ride September 22, 1862 Emancipation Proclamation ‘on this day…all people held as slaves Shall be free…’ December 26, 1862 ‘Anxious to not act with so much clemency… nor with so much severity as to be real cruelty… I ordered…’ 38 plus 2 Dakota hungFrom Mississippi Bluffs to Bde Maka SkaTheir warrior spirit’s rideAt Cloud Man’s Village, restTheir people exiledto the prairies of the west38 plus 2, their spirits rideEast to west, now back again In plain sight, in exileGreat-great-grandsons, soul weary, sit in Denny’sbrush black strands of hairOff foreheads lined with prison worryThey don’t let on they can hear38 plus 2, horse hooves clackJourneying east to westGreat-great-granddaughters from Little EarthPush [...]
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 [...]
