The American Society of Magical Negroes - Review
Aren can't generate interest in his yarn sculpture. So, the gallery owner tells Aren to approach a buyer and discuss his work. The buyer assumes Aren is a waiter and hands Aren his trash. Aren doesn't correct the buyer and takes it to the bar. The gallery owner cancels Aren's future art showing. Aren throws his art in the trash and walks to an ATM. He doesn't have enough money to withdraw and walks away until a drunk woman calls for his help. The drunken woman forgot her card in the machine and now screams someone stole it. Two men approach and assume Aren is the culprit. But the bartender, Roger, jumps in and makes everything okay. The men and woman leave. Roger asks Aren to go with him to discuss what happened.
Roger noticed that Aren is uncomfortable around white people and becomes overly accommodating. He thinks Aren is the perfect fit for his company and offers Aren a job in client services. Roger and Aren walk into a barbershop, and Roger shows the barber his pocket watch, and they enter a secret hallway. Gabbard teaches an introductory class about The American Society of Magical Negroes. Whenever a white person is secure, the world is safer for blacks. They'll all lose their magic if one doesn't put their client's needs first. Aren joins after seeing their impact on history and an in-person demonstration. The leader, Dede, accepts Aren and gives him a signature pocket watch.
Aren wakes up, and his pocket watch is ringing. Roger has his first assignment and wants him to come to work to gather intel. Aren stops at a coffee shop and bumps into a beautiful woman, Lizzie, spilling coffee on her. He offers to buy her another, and they flirt in line. When Roger calls again, Aren excuses himself and leaves.
Aren's first job is for a graphic designer named Jason. Jason works at Meetbox, and his morale is dangerously low. Roger needs Aren to become his friend, uncover Jason's desire, and direct Jason toward that goal. Aren gets a job at Meetbox and a seat next to Jason. During their first interaction, Lizzie walks past them. Lizzie and Aren stumble through their second encounter but remember to exchange names. Later, Aren learns that Jason admires and wants to be Meetbox CEO. Roger tells Aren to boost Jason's morale and give him the confidence to climb the corporate ladder. However, Aren notices that Jason's ascent comes at Lizzie's expense. So, Aren tries to spotlight Lizzie in Jason's eyes. But Jason believes Aren wants to set them up because Lizzie is his self-proclaimed work wife. Now, Jason wants Lizzie, too. Roger tells Aren that Lizzie is off limits because dating her will put the client second and affect their magic. Now, Aren must help Jason get the job and the woman while suppressing his feelings. Can Aren? Should Aren?
This movie leans into the movie trope of the black person saving the day without giving insight into their struggles. The writer could create a searing critique of the films, but they make a comedy with a poignant moment of clarity for Aren and a twist ending. It allows the viewers to learn while laughing. This feature is a comedic version of American Fiction with superpowers. Aren is in a unique position because he doesn't acknowledge his discomfort, and he's bi-racial. Jason lived in a bubble of expected success. So, he can't understand his bias. Lizzie, a person of color, wants to speak up but puts her desires second for the comfort of others. This film is funny and intriguing, but you won't need to buy it.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
We are showing the client the parts of themselves that make them feel good and nothing else - Gabbard
I'm not living in fear - Aren
I blame their discomfort - Roger
I'm sorry you're offended - Jason
I should've said something - Lizzie
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Kung Fu Panda 4 - Review
Kung Fu Panda 4 - Budget of $85 million - 1 hour and 34 minutes
Po defends the Valley of Peace, while the Furious Five have individual missions around China. Master Shifu tells Po that Po must pick the next Dragon Warrior. Then, Po can become the spiritual leader. Po doesn't want to release his position because he loves Kung Fu. Po picks himself as the next Dragon Warrior, but Master Shifu won't allow that. Po hears someone sneak into the temple and runs inside to defend the ancient weapons. He catches a bandit fox, Zhen, and puts Zhen in prison. Later, the valley's guards alert Po that Tai Lung is back from the spiritual realm for vengeance. Before Po leaves, Zhen hints that it isn't the real Tai Lung. It's the Chameleon disguised as Tai Lung. The Chameleon is the most feared criminal in Juniper City. She is a sorceress and shape-shifter. Zhen believes Po won't be able to discern the Chameleon from the citizens or foes. So Zhen offers to help and get a reduced sentence in exchange. Po will face the Chameleon without the Furious Five but will unknowingly have some backup. Can Po and Zhen defeat Po's most cunning adversary?
Kung Fu Panda 4 is the next step in Po's journey. He assumed Dragon Warrior was the peak of his Kung Fu training, but there is always more to learn. This script puts the Furious Five aside to introduce new characters and their backstories to the audience. This change could create a TV show spinoff or alter the Kung Fu Panda franchise (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This film offers comedy for adults and children without resorting to raunchiness or sly sexual innuendoes. And you don't have to watch the previous three movies to start this. The characters give enough recap for a novice viewer. While it's not the best of the franchise, it's not the worst. It's solid entertainment for the whole family with great animation worthy of the big screen.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
That's frustrating for all sorts of reasons - The Chameleon
Someone always gets hurt - Zhen
That's awesome - Po
All I see is a broken promise - Tai Lung
You must choose a successor - Master Shifu
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Cabrini - Review
Cabrini - Budget of $50 million - 2 hours and 22 minutes
Mother Frances Cabrini receives an invitation to visit the cardinal in Vatican City. She wrote the Pope several times to start a mission to help orphans globally. She feels that the Vatican ignores the East. So, Mother Cabrini wants to begin in China and work her way West. She wants to create an Empire of Hope. On her visit, the cardinal rejects Mother Cabrini in person because he's tired of receiving her letters. She refuses his rejection and demands to speak to the Pope. The Pope listens to Mother Cabrini's passionate plea and accepts her mission but with a condition. He opens a box of letters from Italian immigrants in the United States. Immigrants living in New York's Five Points witness children freezing to death in the streets while Americans ignore their plight. The Pope will allow Mother Cabrini's mission if she starts in New York. Mother Cabrini returns and tells her fellow Sisters to pack. They migrate to New York. Cabrini, sick with lung disease, will face prejudice, corruption, and sexism to save children around the world.
This nun doesn't sit idly by and accept rejection. She learns to navigate the world of politics and media to sway the opinions of the American people. She gains allies from all walks of life to advance her efforts. Mother Cabrini's first New York ally is a prostitute named Vittoria. Vittoria helps Mother Cabrini find missing children. Her next comrade is Dr. Murphy. He finds Mother Cabrini after she collapses in a sewer looking for children. He offers aid and connections for her orphanage. And her most ferocious ally is Theodore Calloway. He is a New York Times writer with political connections and the power of the pen. Mother Cabrini's drive comes from a short life expectancy. She doesn't have time to accept no. This woman wasn't afraid to be loud, towering, and visible. If you enjoyed the depiction of America's first Saint, you can share the story of the patroness saint of immigrants here.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
You must put your armor on - Vittoria
And I thought you were new at this - Mayor Gould
Men could never do what we do - Cabrini
If anyone could make a go at this, it would be you - Dr. Murphy
I sincerely doubt that - Theodore Calloway
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