November 2013 Hollywood Holiday Movie reviews:

All of these movies are worth seeing for the acting ability, and heart throbs guiding the situations that unfold, depending on your mood on any given day. Don’t let’em get away without seeing them.

Black Nativity:

You could say the big city streets depicted are the avenue of sorrow when families fall apart. The message of this movie was giving family a second chance for the sake of children, and eveyone by extension. When we support unique works like this perhaps we can pick up helpful tips for our nuclear family, distant relatives, neighbors, or possibly an acquaintance, or friend across country to rebuild our village besides being rapped up in the plot. You may say oh no not another black movie with conflict, however, this story has some applicable twists presented within a musical genre with incredible performances, and powerhouse singing of Jennifer Hudson the epitome of strength in the face of preventable tragedy with a little more love, the always soul stirring Mary J. Blige, and several notable unknown singers / actors showed the reason for the season in Jesus birth story told through tangent songs. The the warmth of Angela Bassett (Strange Days), Forest Whitacker (Butler), and the emotional core of the family, newcomer Jacob Latimore as he looks for answers about his existence makes a compelling film.

It’s worth the investment to see a rare theatrical portrayal based on the works of the Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes with Tyrese Gibson as the subtle wild card in the equation, in addition to some noteworthy scenes in a rocking church.

12 Years a Slave:

Superb acting that conveyed ever present envy, pain, danger, and contemplation of freedom, and release from bondage with an exceptional cast. 12 Years a slave is important, because it clearly illustrates the residual problems with black love in the sheer pain and torture men women and children had to see and endure. Could you imagine losing your nuclear family by deceit, then nurturing your slave woman to the extent you were capable of and have to witness her never ending tears at losing her own children knowing kindness, or avoidance is all you could do while still trapped in the predicament of the threat to your own uppity life, and falling prey to severe physical cruelty more times than not. This struck me as the truest comprehendable depiction I’ve ever seen, with world historian and Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates (PBS : Many Rivers to Cross companion DVD & text book $34.95 each – History of the African in the Americas) as story consultant, bringing to the life the true story of Solomon Northrup. Director Steve McQueen.

Best Man Holiday:

Best Man Holiday was a witty tale of affluence, and complex relationships with joy, and a touch of sorrow, followed by triumph, and the possibilities of love, and friendship acted superbly by the ensemble cast including heart throb Morris Chestnut’s intensity, Eddie Cibrian’s cool breeze, Nia Long’s I’m there for you girl, Sanah Latham’s this is love, and some more great heartfelt scenes, and flirtatious innuendo.

Thor : The Dark World

Handsome lead, veteran sci fi actress, love develops thru sweeping special effects in epic lands, and you know the bad guys are defeated for the moment in this sequel that’s great for teens preteens, moms, and dads. The kids will love the big screen.

Gravity:

Gravity is about survival against the odds in the journey from earth to space to earth again. It’s about teamwork, self sacrifice, discipline, and determination that shows you why humanity will continue to explore the cosmos through the will to survive. George Clooney was the heart, and Sandra Bullock starred as the embodiment of the American spirit. If you liked Prometheus with Idris Elba, and Charlize Theron you’ll want to contemplate this.

2013 Zimation Arts & Letters