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Lee (2222 KP) rated Queen & Slim (2019) in Movies
Dec 4, 2019
Usually when my local cinema chain hosts a secret screening, it's for a lesser known film that they're hoping to drum up interest and support for. They do occasionally show something a bit more mainstream though (the last one I went to was for an advance showing of Le Mans '66) and a lot of people in the run up to last nights secret screening were actually expecting it to be Little Women. It turned out to be Queen & Slim, a film that I knew very little about, and probably wouldn't have ventured to see at the cinema if I'm honest. Which is obviously the whole idea behind the secret screenings and why they urge you on social media beforehand to stick with it when you discover what it is!
Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) are at a diner for their first Tinder date and they seem to be getting along, although a second date isn't exactly a definite just yet. As they drive home afterwards, they are pulled over by a white cop for driving erratically (Slim was quickly reaching to grab his phone back from Queen at the time) and for failure to execute a turn signal. There are clearly some racial motives behind the actions of the police officer though, not helped by Slim's impatience as the officer checks through the contents of his car, and the questioning coming from Queen, who works as a defense attorney and knows their rights. Following a heated exchange, a shot is fired and Queen is left with a flesh wound to her leg. An angered Slim then brawls with the cop and, in what is clearly self defense, shoots and kills the officer. Fearing what will happen to them next and the likelihood of further injustice, they decide to go on the run.
What follows is around 40 minutes of pretty tense drama, unexpectedly peppered with some moments of real humour when as the pair find themselves getting into even more difficult situations. As dash-cam footage from the vehicle of the deceased police officer goes viral, there's a real sense of urgency and intensity to their predicament, making for a really intense and gripping roller-coaster of a ride. They make it to New Orleans, and a brief stopover at the home of Queen's Uncle Earl (Bokeem Woodbine), and it's around this point in the movie that momentum gets lost somewhat, never really recovering until the finale.
Written by Lena Waithe (Master of None and Ready Player One), Queen & Slim is clearly a relevant and important movie, boasting a great look and style from director Melina Matsoukas. Daniel Kaluuya is a great choice for Slim too, no stranger to portraying strong emotions with his eyes and facial expressions, as he did so perfectly in his iconic Get Out role. While I wasn't so keen on Jodie Turner-Smith, the pair did work well together, despite making some questionable character choices at times. When a photo of the pair goes viral, they become a kind of modern day Bonnie & Clyde, hailed as heroes and legends by many as they make their way down towards Florida, where they hope to be able catch a flight to freedom in Cuba. Along the way, their relationship develops and they occasionally find support among the black community in each town they stop at.
But, following that stopover in New Orleans, Queen & Slim becomes much more of a slow meander towards the finish line, and it's a real noticeable tonal shift and change of pacing from those first 40 minutes or so. People in the cinema became fidgety (including me), some gave up on the movie completely and left the cinema (I've done that before, vowed never to do it again though) and all I could think about when they get help from some old friends of Queen's Uncle was "Is that Needles, from Back to the Future?" (it was).
All of this shouldn't detract from how important this movie is though, highlighting racial injustice and delving into real issues unashamedly. While Queen & Slim didn't quite work for me overall, it is certainly a story which deserves to be told and seen by many, getting people talking and hopefully instigating some real change. I'm glad I had the chance to see it, and glad I stuck with it right until the end.
Queen (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) are at a diner for their first Tinder date and they seem to be getting along, although a second date isn't exactly a definite just yet. As they drive home afterwards, they are pulled over by a white cop for driving erratically (Slim was quickly reaching to grab his phone back from Queen at the time) and for failure to execute a turn signal. There are clearly some racial motives behind the actions of the police officer though, not helped by Slim's impatience as the officer checks through the contents of his car, and the questioning coming from Queen, who works as a defense attorney and knows their rights. Following a heated exchange, a shot is fired and Queen is left with a flesh wound to her leg. An angered Slim then brawls with the cop and, in what is clearly self defense, shoots and kills the officer. Fearing what will happen to them next and the likelihood of further injustice, they decide to go on the run.
What follows is around 40 minutes of pretty tense drama, unexpectedly peppered with some moments of real humour when as the pair find themselves getting into even more difficult situations. As dash-cam footage from the vehicle of the deceased police officer goes viral, there's a real sense of urgency and intensity to their predicament, making for a really intense and gripping roller-coaster of a ride. They make it to New Orleans, and a brief stopover at the home of Queen's Uncle Earl (Bokeem Woodbine), and it's around this point in the movie that momentum gets lost somewhat, never really recovering until the finale.
Written by Lena Waithe (Master of None and Ready Player One), Queen & Slim is clearly a relevant and important movie, boasting a great look and style from director Melina Matsoukas. Daniel Kaluuya is a great choice for Slim too, no stranger to portraying strong emotions with his eyes and facial expressions, as he did so perfectly in his iconic Get Out role. While I wasn't so keen on Jodie Turner-Smith, the pair did work well together, despite making some questionable character choices at times. When a photo of the pair goes viral, they become a kind of modern day Bonnie & Clyde, hailed as heroes and legends by many as they make their way down towards Florida, where they hope to be able catch a flight to freedom in Cuba. Along the way, their relationship develops and they occasionally find support among the black community in each town they stop at.
But, following that stopover in New Orleans, Queen & Slim becomes much more of a slow meander towards the finish line, and it's a real noticeable tonal shift and change of pacing from those first 40 minutes or so. People in the cinema became fidgety (including me), some gave up on the movie completely and left the cinema (I've done that before, vowed never to do it again though) and all I could think about when they get help from some old friends of Queen's Uncle was "Is that Needles, from Back to the Future?" (it was).
All of this shouldn't detract from how important this movie is though, highlighting racial injustice and delving into real issues unashamedly. While Queen & Slim didn't quite work for me overall, it is certainly a story which deserves to be told and seen by many, getting people talking and hopefully instigating some real change. I'm glad I had the chance to see it, and glad I stuck with it right until the end.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Game Of Thrones - Season 6 in TV
Jul 19, 2017
Walter Frey pies (3 more)
Tyrion
Arya
Winds of Winter
The Winds of Winter
Okay so the series is great as usal but the final episode is what makes me give this season 10 stars. If you haven't worked out now i like when characters dies and oh boy where there deaths in this series. I'm sad because Tyrell my favorite house but then the queen of thorns continues to live so I'm happy.
Ayra transformation is finally complete and what a way to do it.
Ayra transformation is finally complete and what a way to do it.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2402 KP) rated Revenge of the Gypsy Queen in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When mystery author Tracey Eaton heads to New York for her sister-in-law's wedding, she finally gets her first real life mystery. The bride has vanished and the family wants to cover it up. Why? This is my third time through the book, and I enjoy it each time. Still have a couple of small issues with the ending, but they are minor.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-of-gypsy-queen-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-of-gypsy-queen-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated Stone Mattress: Nine Wicked Tales in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Atwood is the queen of thought-provoking, witty writing.
Stone Mattress is a collection of 9 stories based on old people. There is a mixed bag of characters from an author of a fantasy series to a disembodied hand that is madly in love.
All the stories in the book feature the characters looking back on their lives.
I really enjoyed the stories which had themes of romance, horror and brilliantly executed wit.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/07/read-harder-story-collection.html
Stone Mattress is a collection of 9 stories based on old people. There is a mixed bag of characters from an author of a fantasy series to a disembodied hand that is madly in love.
All the stories in the book feature the characters looking back on their lives.
I really enjoyed the stories which had themes of romance, horror and brilliantly executed wit.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/07/read-harder-story-collection.html
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Dumplin' (2018) in Movies
Nov 20, 2019 (Updated Nov 20, 2019)
A story about loving yourself even when society tells you not to. Willowdean is a plus size girl and the daughter of a pageant queen. She lives in contrast to her mother who lives based on appearances. Will decides to enter a beauty pageant as a form of protest to the perceived perfection they target and learns a lot about herself, friendship, and family. The message of body positivity and loving yourself/embracing yourself for who you are is very heartwarming. One worth rewatching.
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Lee (2222 KP) Dec 4, 2019
Sarah (7800 KP) Dec 4, 2019