Reviews: Nomadland, Judas and the Black Messiah, The Little Things, Palmer, Sound of Metal, and One Night in Miami

 

So far, 2021 has offered us some really great new movies, even though most of the country's theaters are still closed. Hopefully that changes soon and we all can enjoy these new stories seen on the big screen with all the goodies you can handle! (I have been FEININ' for theater popcorn for months now!). When I first started this blog, I was more consistent with my reviews, and as of late that hasn't been the case. Life is crazy, but I assure you I am still watching as many new movies as I can,  from the comfort of my couch. So, here's a brief recap of some of the new films I've seen recently.

Nomadland - Hulu

Frances McDormand is an acting force to be reckoned with. She is one of those talents that just screams authenticity to me. Everything she does is so grounded, real, and beautiful, and we are blessed with every performance she gives us. In what will probably be another Oscar-nominated performance, McDormand stars as Fern, a woman embarking in a modern nomad lifestyle. She lives in her van, traversing the country, working where she can, and parking where it's legal. Fern isn't a thrill-seeker, nor is she living this lifestyle to be hip; it was thrust upon her after losing everything in the recession. 

Nomadland is as much a story about Fern's journey to find herself in the midst of tragedy as it is a look at a particular corner of modern American living. I had no idea how prevalent this community was; people living off the land as minimalistic as possible. The people Fern finds the most comfort in aren't the ones who have established familial units, nor the modern comforts of indoor plumbing and a roof. It's within the other souls who have been displaced, discarded, and who live independent from the "society" we're so familiar with, that she finds a semblance of place. It's a moving tale that runs on a current of empathy and sorrow, with performances from a supporting cast that really drive home the realism. McDormand shines above all of them though, and delivers a performance that is truly remarkable. If you haven't seen it yet, it's currently streaming on Hulu.

Judas and the Black Messiah - HBO Max

Why this movie isn't getting more love is beyond me. Awards season is upon us, and to see an overwhelming lack of recognition for a film that will truly stand the test of time, and one of the year's best for sure, baffles me completely. This movie follows Bill O'Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) as he infiltrates the Black Panther Party per FBI Agent Mitchell (Jesse Plemons) and J. Edgar Hoover. As Party Chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) ascends, falling for a fellow revolutionary en route, a battle wages for O'Neal's soul. Based on true events, I wasn't really aware of this story or the events that took place. So, not only was this educational for me to some degree, as a film, it was incredibly engrossing and a complete win in my book. Director Shaka King delivers a film that touches on how far the US has come in regards to race relations, while also addressing concepts and issues that still, sadly, exist today.

Kaluuya deserves a Best Acting nom for his portrayal of Fred Hampton. He is brilliant in this movie, and it's insane how much his performance isn't being talked about. All the acting, really, is quite phenomenal. Jesse Plemons and LaKeith Stanfield have so many great moments where they just chew the scene together that it was hard not to focus and get sucked in. The narrative itself is what is truly magical, in my opinion. On one hand, this story could be seen as a tale of betrayal, loyalty, and living in the face of fear--above just a story about a prominent figure in history. What ends up happening is that the movie portrays a story that is universal, grounded, and a slap-in-the-face when considering how far we still must go to reach true unity and equality...despite how far we've come. What's even more impressive is that it accomplishes this without coming off as preachy. Judas and the Black Messiah is a fantastic film. It's a bit long in the tooth at times, but not so much that it takes you out of it. I really enjoyed this film and I think it's not only an entertaining watch, but an important one as well.

The Little Things - HBO Max

I've had some time to sit with this movie since watching it and I don't know entirely how I feel about it. I liked it...but when I really think about it, I think I like aspects of it. Man, I'm not sure. Bear with me here as I work through some thoughts...

The movie follows Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) who is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city. The lead detective, Jim Baxter (Rami Malek), seems open--if not compelled--to enlist the help of Deacon in his search for the killer. On one hand, this movie is merely a compelling crime thriller with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. On the other, it's a tragic tale that feels somewhat conflicted with its result. The best part about this movie are the performances. Both Washington and Malek turn in fantastic performance, which shouldn't be a surprise. They are award-winning actors that are brilliant on their own, so to see them together is truly magical. Deacon and Baxter find themselves investigating a potential suspect named Albert Sparma (Jared Leto), a character who eeks "bad guy" at every turn. But is he the real killer? You'll have to see for yourself; I won't spoil it for you. What I can say though is that Leto is creepy, subtly sadistic, and eerily compelling to watch.

Where I get hung up with this movie is in its overall message. I won't go into it because it would involve talking about the end, but I just don't know if I should feel wowed by the way this movie wraps up or upset that it potential suggests something that is wholly controversial. Just in saying that I feel I've said too much. The Little Things entertained me, I suppose--no...the performances entertained me. To see these three interact together on the same screen was worthy the price of admission (or in this case, a month's subscription, lol). Check it out if you can, and see for yourself. It's worth that initial viewing.

Palmer - Apple TV+

Sometimes I forget that Justin Timberlake is an actor. Though not his mainstream form of employment, he has dabbled in the cinematic arts, often to positive outcomes. His latest film Palmer was one that I looked forward to. The trailer promised a touching story and it delivers this in spades. Timberlake plays the central character Palmer, an ex-convict who returns to his small southern town to try and reconcile a life worth living. He's greeted positively by friends and family upon his return from prison, and the background to his incarceration becomes this budding storyline that unfolds throughout the movie in a way that isn't just plot, but enhances his character development. Palmer strikes up a friendship with a boy from a troubled home named Sam, played brilliantly by Ryder Allen. Sam isn't like most boys. He likes playing dress up and tea party; he loves fairy cartoons; he dresses in what Palmer and the rest of the town consider to be not in line with their preconceived notions for how a boy should dress.

Palmer and Sam's friendship is an emotional narrative that touches on powerful themes like acceptance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and unconditional love. Timberlake is a really good actor; I think people forget this sometimes. I know I did. He gets completely lost in the role of Palmer, and I was moved on more than one occasion by his performance. The stand out, however, is young Ryder Allen. Sam is an important character not only to the movie, but for audiences today. In a society that is ever-evolving, the need for acceptance is more than needed. Sam, though I think meant to represent the outliers, is really a stand-in for anyone wanting to live their true selves. He is, at times, blissfully unaware that he is different, that he doesn't mesh with the perceived norms of the day. Palmer has issues with this, as does many others, but instead of attacking it, he learns to accept it. This movie is simply a beautiful and emotional tale of acceptance, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Sound of Metal - Amazon Prime Video

This movie has been on my Amazon watchlist for a while, and I finally got around to watching it the other day, and it blew me away. Riz Ahmed plays Ruben, a heavy-metal drummer whose life is thrown completely off when he begins to lose his hearing. Ruben and his girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke) travel around the country playing gigs wherever they can. They have dreams of releasing an album, sharing their experimental metal music for the world. They live in an RV and love every minute of their life together. When Ruben starts to lose his hearing, it becomes more of a nuisance at first, until the realization that this issue isn't just going to go away morphs into terrifying realism. For anyone, especially a musician, this would be terrifying. After much discussion, Lou convinces him to join a deaf community in hopes that it would help him to cope. Ruben just wants to push through, to hang on to the dreams they've had for so long, even if it means sacrificing more of his health. Reluctantly, he ends up going.

Riz Ahmed is stunning in this film. Ruben is an extremely relatable character, and Ahmed plays him with such a profound sense of raw realism. It's harrowing to place yourself as a viewer into the shoes of our main character; losing a sense is scary, no matter what it is. Hearing, though, seems extremely scary. Silence can be both therapeutic and positive, while also lonesome and enveloping. Sound of Metal takes this fear as seen through Ruben's story, and transforms it into a positive understanding that life changes and not all changes are bad. The film also sheds a wonderful light on a community that is both normal and beautiful. Coping with loss spans so many avenues, but when that loss emulates a characteristic that--for others--may have never existed in the first place, you get this beautiful discussion about the power of perspective. The performances in this movie are great all around, the sound design in truly a character all on its own, and the story is compelling from start to finish. Unexpected gem for me.

One Night in Miami - Amazon Prime Video

Regina King makes her directorial debut with One Night in Miami and man, what a debut! The story follows a fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) gather and discuss their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and cultural upheaval of the 1960s. Right out of the gate, I gotta hand it to these four gentlemen who portray the central characters. Phenomenal job all around. There are moments where each character shines and it never really feels one sided. It's truly an ensemble piece, all working in tandem to deliver a moving tale.

The idea of these characters meeting under these circumstances is engaging enough. But the discussions they have about racial tension and perspectives, as well as their own place within the movement, are strikingly relevant to today. Regina King handles each character's story with powerful resolve, and never once did the movie feel choppy, repetitive, or expositional. Yes, a majority of the movie is basically these four guys talking to each other, but it's never boring. It's almost like a stage play, in that the performances and the dialogue drive the narrative. One Night in Miami is a moving story with great performances and a wonderful direction; a must-see for sure.