Movie: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

I’m not going to give you a synopsis. We all know this movie is about Wakanda, land of the Black Panther, but the king died. This movie is what happened next.  

First thing first: It is too long. The first half of the movie could have been tightened up. Why are there so many slow-motion sequences and why are they so long? And I think they could have put Julia Luis-Dreyfus to better use. That being said, I enjoyed the story. I like the introduction of Namor, and his story arc.

Speaking of the Talokan people, I have so many questions! Why is their city-society not more technologically advanced? They have vibranium, why are they not using it to move through the water easier? I see a bunch of underwater people and they’re still flapping their arms to get around. Why is Namor’s favorite hang-out in a dry, underwater cave where his people had to wear water masks to speak to him? Do his wings regenerate? Why does their traditional costume have feathers? Shouldn’t they have scales or shells instead? 

The costumes, make-up and all styling are beautifully done. I’ll take that purple track suit in a medium please? Thank you. 

Overall, I enjoyed the movie, but its just not something I need to see again. I give it three stars ***

Movie: Hotel Coppelia (2021) ***

Hotel Coppelia takes you back in time to a brothel set in the Dominican Republic, 1965, right before the government coup and civil war. The film opens by revealing the harsh realities of everyday brothel life at Hotel Coppelia owned and operated by Judith and a set of prostitutes. There is discontentment and dissatisfaction with how Judith is running things inside the brothel and there are hints and whispers of the civil unrest that’s building outside. Then all-out war begins. The brothel becomes the center of events as the rebel group commandeers Judith’s building for their military headquarters. Then later as the war progressed, the American military takes over the location. Judith and the remaining prostitutes make deals and provide services in exchange for their lives and the hope of a possible future in that building, but they might have gotten a better deal with the devil.

This film offers an interesting point of view about a civil war I hadn’t known about previously. But this is sad, sad, sad.

Three stars ***

I watched this on HBOMax