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All Eyez On Me – Review
All Eyez On Me – Budget of $40 million – 2 hours and 20 minutes
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In 1971, The Panther 21 were released from prison. One of those 21 was Afeni Shukar. She was not only outspoken but she was 7 months pregnant. Later, Afeni and her two children, Tupac and Sekyiwa, were being watched by the FBI. They were following because the FBI was searching for Tupac’s stepfather Mutulu. After being raided, Afeni decides to move to Baltimore. Although Tupac and Sekyiwa dread the movie, Tupac will find his love and passion for lyrical wordplay and prose at the Baltimore School of the Arts. And while Tupac is getting lead roles, he develops a friendship with Jada Pinkett. With everything developing, Afeni decides she wants the kids to move to Oakland. Tupac learns that violence is everywhere but Oakland’s crimes are out in the open. In Oakland, Tupac connects with Leila, who gets him an audition with Shock G of Digital Underground. With a few bars, Tupac is on the road living the life. With his first deal signed, Tupac is on his way to becoming an icon.
Wow. Just Wow. Demetrius Shipp Jr. embodies Tupac not only in looks but in voice and mannerisms. Props and wardrobe studied Tupac’s style to get the look and tech right for each time period. During each time period, the composer and director made sure each song was right for the scene. Not just Tupac’s music but the top songs of that time. Also, this movie makes a great transition. The first half is Tupac narrating by way of interview. The second half occurs after he bailed out. It is impossible to view this movie without a feeling of dread. It’s a countdown to his life. This movie followed his movie career along with his acting career. You will learn several things about Tupac. And while it painted Tupac as a kind, intelligent, compassionate man; they didn’t polish him up to make him seem perfect. It’s those flaws that lead him down the wrong path. His biggest flaw was being loyal to a fault. However, missing this movie is a flaw.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
Please don’t do anything stupid – Sekyiwa
I’m gonna be revolutionary – Tupac
The only thing that we can leave is our culture and our music – Tupac
You should really try harder – Kidada Jones
Freedom ain’t free – Afeni
You ain’t even in California and you are already gone soft on me – Jada
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The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Review
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – HBO – 1 hour and 35 minutes
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“Your cells are going to help a lot of people and you will be immortal” is the quote a given to the media by a doctor who performed a biopsy on Henrietta Lacks after she died. The harvested her cells and realized they could grow outside the human body. These cells have been used for research in polio, HPV, AIDS, in vitro fertilization, and more. Even today HeLa (after Henrietta Lacks) cells are being used for medical experiments. But nothing was known about Henrietta’s contributions to the world, outside the medical community, before Rebecca Skloot decided to write about her. This movie is about the making of the book. After seeing her doctors treat her father unethically, Rebecca learns about Henrietta and becomes fascinated by the women who helped the world. Rebecca has to overcome doctor’s, publishers, and a patriarchal family system before she could put words on paper. She finally got a chance to meet with Henrietta’s children and hear their stories about their mistrust of John Hopkins, further experimentation of the family, and how they came to know of their mother’s importance. But she and Henrietta’s youngest daughter Debra want to know more about her mother. Rebecca is willing to oblige and take Debra, but she doesn’t understand that Debra’s mistrust of people and the abuse she has suffered will make working with her difficult. As Rebecca and Debra learn about Henrietta, HeLa, and the family’s history, Debra starts to breakdown. What will it take to make Henrietta as famous as her cells? And what toll will it take on Debra?
Based on the biography, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, is a well acted, written, and directed piece of film (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It’s hard to believe this movie went straight to HBO. It is remarkably shot to show the countryside of Clover and its contrast, the city of Baltimore. The actor’s passion is seen in each shot to get the family’s essence and perspective just right. Watching this movie and how the family was treated will make you angry and feel hurt, but use this as a teaching tool to understand why some don’t trust doctors or hospitals. And just when you believe the family has been taken advantage off enough, you learn about their past. And it’s not pretty or healthy. But as proof that the strength of the HeLa cells runs through this family. Don’t miss this film. Warning, you may need tissues for the last 15 minutes of this film.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
You better get yourself ready girl, because you got no idea what you got yourself into – Debra
Come on in– Lawrence
Ms. Rebecca, you better run while you can – Sunny
She didn’t donate nothing. They took them and didn’t ask – Barbara
Mess with Henrietta and she’ll sic HeLa on your ass – Debra
If he needed a ride to the hospital, he could take a cab – Zakariyya
Gal, you ain’t only one ain’t scared of fire – Mr. Cofield
Sometimes learning is as painful as not knowing – Paul Lurz
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