Black and White: Review of BlacKkKlansman

BlacKkKlansman

Director: Spike Lee

By Alex Watson

These days it is difficult to define a 'Spike Lee Joint' because, after a powerhouse late 80's/early 90's, his modern-day results have been a mixed bag. BlacKkKlansman sees him finally getting back on track and the result is a hilarious yet powerfully relevant piece on racial tensions. Based on a true story of a black officer infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan, Lee is able to make this unbelievable tale not only seem plausible but gives us several characters which go deep.

Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) has recently become the first ever black police officer for the Colorado Springs Police Department. Dissatisfied with his treatment, on a whim he called the local chapter of the KKK and pretends to be an all-hating white male. Realizing that he cannot show up in person, Stallworth convinces white officer Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) to become the face of the operation.

Set in 1970's America, the country is still a hotbed for discrimination and despite Stallworth's efforts, he experiences racism from the outset. Even his own co-workers refer to black suspects as 'Toads' and this early hostility is wonderfully exposed by Lee. The very notion that Stallworth was able to convince the KKK over the phone gives the movie the bulk of its laughs. "God bless white America!" he heartily jabs during one of their first phone calls. Stallworth emerges as the real thinker of the group and these calls gradually become a recurring joke in the office. His conversations with Grand Wizard David Duke (Topher Grace) are the true highlight, particular Duke's observation of how Ron must be white given how he pronounces the letter 'R' correctly.

The activism of this era is also given its fair share of focus, in pair Black Students Union president Patrice (Laura Harrier) whose fire and refusal to bow to pressure gives her an instant magnetism. Ron is drawn to her desire to oppress the klan simply by existing. A passionate speech by activist Kwame Ture (Corey Hawkins) gives Stallworth exposure to what is yet to come and stirs something deep inside to begin his mission. Zimmerman is also a man fighting against his own prejudice as he is a Jewish police officer and for the first time, he is forced to defend himself. Faced with any number of anti-jewish rants by bitter klan member Felix (Jasper Pääkkönen), Flip has to continually tread the fine line.

In BlacKkKlansman, Lee is able to keep a fine balance between laugh out loud comedy and a political commentary. This is what makes this movie of the most unique 2018 has to offer. While the fight for equality may still be going on, Lee makes it clear what his audience will need to do and who the real enemies still are. Stallworth is an officer not just conducting a personal crusade, he is fighting for all the others still being wronged by a corrupt and racist system. As the sheer absurdity of this situation escalates, so does the tension of the movie. In Donald Trump's America, this movie is quite possibly one of the most potent commentaries on the state of current events.

John David Washington gives a central turn which firmly puts him on the map. The son of Denzel has certainly inherited his father's charisma and leading man chops. Throughout this piece, he is an engaging and hilarious character whose street smarts mark him out as a real leader. Familiar to fans of Dwayne Johnson's show 'Ballers' there is a new Washington in town now! Adam Driver is also excellent as the conflicted Zimmerman. Finally forced to face acknowledging a religion he grew up with by never identified with, Driver channels his doubts and insecurities about infiltrating the Klan. Always a reliable character actor, this guy is fast becoming one of Hollywood's most dependable leading men. Laura Harrier also gives her career a massive shot in the arm as the determined student leader Patrice.

BlacKkKlansman is a movie where Spike Lee finally regains the voice that had previously been lost. This might be a tough movie for awards contention, but Lee is definitely back on track.

Golden Age of Grotesque: Review of McQueen

McQueen

Director: Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedqui

By Alex Watson

Lee Alexander McQueen was no ordinary person. Rising from a working-class lad from London's East End to being among the top fashion designers in the world, he earned his stripes several times over. His often dark yet savagely beautiful shows showed an artistic eye like no other. His suicide in 2010 rocked the fashion world to its core and deprived the world of an artistic genius. Directors Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedqui's biopic McQueen delves deep into the soul of a troubled and restless individual who was often at odds with himself.

His humble beginnings would pave the way for this average young man to become something else entirely. It is revealed that some of the abuse he witnessed and suffered at the hands of certain family members would give way to a darkness that frequented his work. His 'Highland Rape' show, in particular, was an early example of how fashion could embrace the grotesque side of humanity. Convinced by his lifelong friend and mentor Isabella Blow to use his middle name as it would make him sound more refined, Bonhote and Ettedqui show McQueen's hard rise up the fashion ladder. Dubbed the "King of the Yob Culture", and "L'Enfant terrible" among others Lee would have to fight hard to shake off this image. Being a chubby skinhead from a distinctly unglamorous background, there was a chip on his shoulder that gave him an edge.

The early work is shown as something that fashion had never before seen. McQueen was actually still on benefits at the time of his collection and was forced to hide his face during his first TV interview on 'The Clothes Show'. Artistically there was a surreal beauty of his work and in McQueen shows the boldness and electricity he was capable of bringing to a catwalk. Models being sprayed with paint by robots, cars accidentally set on fire and an Atlantis inspired show- Lee was never the same artist twice. It also brings forward the audacity and sheer brilliance of his notorious 'VOSS' show which set inside an insane asylum was a two-way parody of the fashion industry itself. This cool feeling he was able to bring to British fashion now seems quite extraordinary and he was truly one of the last underdogs in the fashion world.

As a man, McQueen is shown to be a person of many different sides. On the one hand, he was a committed family man whose relationship with his mother gave him a stability that few others could offer. In his work life, he was a man whom could be difficult and demanding but was highly respected by his peers. His increase in success, however, meant a dramatic shift in loyalties and attitudes. His perhaps unwise move to become Creative Director of Givenchy (McQueen called the founder "Irrelevant" upon their first meeting) opened his world artistically but also lead to him become a newer and more difficult persona. One of the more heartbreaking aspects of the film is learning how he pushed Isabella aside despite her years of support. Loyalties become broken swiftly as fame increases and soon the pillars of support crumble.

Fashion can be a cruel world to be associated with and the savagery of this is shown to have eventually taken a toll on McQueen. Crash diets, cocaine use and the intense pressure are just some of the elements that could have pushed him over the edge. McQueen seeks not to point fingers but to ask the immortal question of who could have helped? There is a jagged sense of remorse among his former peers and while a major success, this man was plagued by an inner torment that couldn't be relieved. McQueen is a movie that is equal parts fascinating and devastating. The man's genius on the catwalk was legendary but underneath the man himself was just as compelling.

Ghost Protocol: Review of Mission Impossible: Fallout

Mission Impossible: Fallout

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

By Alex Watson

The Mission Impossible Franchise seems to have found its perfect duo in Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie. The new effort Mission Impossible: Fallout somehow not only tops the exhilarating thrills of Rogue Nation but also gives this movie an emotional core. Gone are the days of good-natured fun and for the first time ever, The MI franchise seems to be unafraid to explore character depth.

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his crew (Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames) are caught in an awkward position after a mission in Berlin goes wrong. Faced with the world's potential destruction from a plutonium bomb, Hunt faces his most perilous mission yet. The re-introduction of old frenemy Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) also complicates matters. Then there is the added problem of the CIA sending handler August Walker (Henry Cavill) to babysit his team.

There has been a sense of this franchise beginning to grow a conscience, Mission Impossible: Fallout is a movie that finally highlights the ramifications of Ethan Hunt's occupation. There is friction aplenty amongst the IMF team-members from the very start. Forced to be partnered with the hulking Walker and chasing a terrorist intent on resizing the world's population through deadly means, to put it mildly, things look very bad. While McQuarrie keeps his dialogue scenes brief and to the point, the sheer amount of thrills speak volumes. Frequently, this franchise finds new ways to provide jaw-dropping set pieces and here, it's on whole new level. A gripping bike chase through Paris, a bathroom fist fight that veers into almost 'Hulk Smash' territory to finally Cruise doing what he does best- running over rooftops! The sixth instalment plays its ace cards smartly and rather than getting lost in an overly complex plot like parts 2 or 3, details are kept to the point at all times Simplicity and entertainment are the key items on the agenda here.

On this occasion there finally seems to be more of an action's have consequences element to affairs. In a rare move, Rogue Nation villain Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) is swept back in to bring a cold and creepy element to proceedings. Lane is the ghosts of IMF past and through his almost whispered dialogue, Hunt's whole world is put into a tailspin. Just what has Ethan gained from accepting all these missions? How do you sleep at night when the world is at stake? The team comradery has never been better and frequently see we scene that demonstrates a deep trust and how far a teammate will go when lives are on the line. The reintroduction of Ilsa is also smartly played, once again remaining morally ambiguous, guessing her motives is literally mission impossible (sorry for the pun). Hunt both needs and mistrusts her in the same breath, but why does she keep crossing him? On his mind is also ex-wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan), which ironically becomes one of the movies key devices late on.

While Mission Impossible: Fallout does lose a few marks for a rather obvious plot twist, it can be forgiven because the last act contains pure excitement. Each MI film has to have one out of this world set piece- it finds it with a midair helicopter battle against stunning mountain scenery. A potential disaster has never looked so beautiful or been this fun before. McQuarrie also finds little moments of joy amongst the against-the-clock feel. Luther undergoing an unlikely bonding session while defusing a bomb is just one of these. The next instalment is going to have one hell of a task bettering this one. This series is now on firm footing and Ethan Hunt can now officially take his place among the very best of franchise heroes.

Tom Cruise shows no signs of slowing down in his twilight years and once more he is unafraid to get physical. Hanging off cliffs, riding bikes at breakneck speeds, brawling alongside Superman- all in days work this guy. Cruise is also able to handle the more human side and show us a glimpse into the troubled mind of Hunt. At heart, the world will always come first but there will forever be a 'what if' surrounding his entire being. Rebecca Ferguson again is able to match Cruise and makes this character impossible to read. Ilsa is becoming a welcome new addition to this franchise. Henry Cavill is also solid support as the big muscled Walker and he adds an air of mystery to his conclusion. Some may have focused on his moustache (which had to be digitally edited out during Justice League shooting), but Cavill once more shows he is a safe bet for a big budget piece.

Mission Impossible: Fallout proves that sixth time really a charm. Cruise and McQuarrie together is becoming the dream team these movies need. Let's just hope its a lucky number seven next time.