The seemingly endless parade of Marvel Comics cinema adaptations continues with Black Panther, a film that should elicit more than the average level of cinephile interest for a superhero film because it’s directed by Fruitvale Station’s Ryan Coogler. Set predominantly in Africa, Black Panther at first seems like a welcome departure from Marvel formula but it ultimately succumbs to the
Read moreWhile few outside the chess playing community will know this true story’s details, The Queen of Katwe is a very familiar type of film. Mixing a Slumdog Millionaire-type story in which a downtrodden person uses their unique talent to lift themselves out of poverty with a To Sir with Love-style depiction of a committed teacher inspiring underprivileged children, this film
Read moreDirector Steve McQueen’s films often confront and disturb the audience with their depiction of characters driven to physical and emotional extremes. Hunger saw imprisoned IRA member Bobby Sands (Michael Fassbender) forced to the edge of starvation and mental breakdown while Shame saw sex addict Brandon (also Fassbender) held hostage by his uncontrollable desires. In McQueen’s latest film, 12 Years a
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