Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (2062)

Content

Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Underground Railroad in Books

Jul 28, 2017

Powerful, epic, a real look into inhumanity

Reading this is obviously a struggle, the content of slavery is not something that can be trivialised so be warned.

While Colson Whitehead did not get into much character building, the focus on the underground railroad itself is detailed and descriptive. The protagonist Cora serves as a good barometer in understanding the level of horror that many African Americans faced hence the writer does not seem to concentrate on creating emotive backgrounds for each character.

Nevertheless, the terrifying incidents leave the reader empathising with the characters as it reflects the lack of safety and constant fear they had to face. It is a rollercoaster read, starting off slow but still horrifying, culminating in more and more terrible situations.

A 21st century tribute to the generations who have suffered.

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Black Panther (2018) in Movies

Feb 13, 2018 (Updated Feb 14, 2018)

Black Panther (2018)

2018 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

8.3

(282 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Top-tier Marvel superhero movie is essentially diversity wish-fulfilment, revealing the existence of a secret sci-fi African kingdom with technology from Star Wars and soundtrack from The Lion King, but disguises this supremely well with solid script, first class action, and charismatic performances.

New king (and part-time superhero) must come to the throne, cope with parental issues, deal with old enemy and malevolent would-be usurper. Contains some very interesting and subversive ideas about culture and colonialism; doesn't overdo this, of course. Chadwick Boseman radiates nobility and cool as BP, Andy Serkis has too much fun as ridiculously evil villain Klaw, nice support from Martin Freeman as token white sidekick/comic relief (nice to see a bit of diversity in the casting, guys). Marvel continue to do very little wrong.

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Sorry to Bother You (2018) in Movies

Jan 16, 2019

Sorry to Bother You (2018)

2018 | Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

7.0

(23 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Boisterous, anarchic satire with absurdist elements, concerning the socio-political awakening of a young African-American man. Cash Green (it's not always subtle) discovers a talent for telemarketing, but only while he uses his 'white voice' (the actor is ostentatiously dubbed at these moments). Success beckons, but can he overlook the moral consequences of the things his employers do?

Scatter-gun satire is mixed in with some not-especially-profound commentary on the nature of American society and economics; luckily the film is filled with enough energy and ideas to stay interesting and entertaining throughout. Comes a bit unravelled towards the end, but still features some of the funniest, most provocative scenes in recent memory. Very good performances from Stanfield and Hammer in particular. A passionate, vibrant, very inventive film.

Kudos

Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) created a post

Jan 22, 2019 (Updated Jan 22, 2019)

I am a huge fan of the MCU movies, but I'm sorry, why is Black Panther nominated for best picture this year alongside movies like The Favourite and A Star Is Born? Especially when some great movies like Widows have been snubbed completely?

I mean, I know why the Academy has chosen to nominate it; due to the representation of African American actors in the movie etc, but that alone shouldn't justify it being nominated for an Oscar along with some of the best movies made in the last year. It's not even the best Marvel movie!

I know that the Oscars are meaningless and don't make a movie any better or worse than it was before it was nominated/won, but this pissed me off way more than it should have.

Kudos Comment

Show all 7 comments.

angela2412 (4 KP) Jan 22, 2019

In my opinion the Oscars rarely get it right. For example when Shakespeare in love got best picture over
Saving Private Ryan. I do not watch anymore. It's all about being PC instead of good movies!

Kudos

Andy K (10823 KP) Jan 22, 2019

Agreed. I stopped watching a while back, but still enjoy looking over the nominees and discussing. We should get some sort of movie forum going. I love a good movie discussion!

Kudos