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.

Mean Streets: Review of Straight Outta Compton

Straight Outta Compton

Director: F. Gary Gray

By Alex Watson

Although slightly let down by a slower second half, Straight Outta Compton is still an explosive and arresting look at a musical era that inspired a generation. Director F.Gary Gray isn't afraid to pull the punches the movie needs to show the harsh reality of the 90's hip-hop era. Produced by old boys Ice Cube, Dr Dre and Easy E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright this charts the fast rise and dramatic falling apart of N.W.A kicks the movie into a high gear. What begins and friends just dropping tracks becomes something far bigger which will lead to egos increasing and rivalries being forged. 

When Compton, CA friends Dr Dre (Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jr) and Easy-E (Jason Mitchell) form the legendary hip-hop group N.W.A, their sound will quickly grab the nations attention. Quickly after releasing their débutalbum, these once solid friends begin to turn against one another as each becomes affected by Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti). After the mighty triumvirate has fallen, each will take their own path leading to some life altering decisions. 

From the moment that Straight Outta Compton drops the needle, there is an animosity slowly building. This pressure cooker feel reflects the tough existence that growing up in Compton, CA would bring these characters, who were repeatedly harassed by a police-force unable to tell one gang-banger apart from another. N.W.A were a group all about confronting the things they hated in society and their Once such humiliating shakedown while recording in Torrance, California would lead to their anger filled anthem "Fuck Tha Police" which gets them arrested while at a concert in Detroit. Their form of "reality rap" is widely embrace and feared by the public as they encourage violence and standing up against society. As Ice Cube tells one unimpressed reporter "Our Art is a reflection of our Reality!" 

Each character is unique in his own way and F.Gary Gray is able to bring about some astute observations. Easy-E is by far the most engaging of the three heavy players. Underneath his high-pitched voice and street smart persona lies a shrewd and complex character. Dre is the more pacifying element to this group and is a genius producers always on the look out for the perfect sound. The game changing element is very Jerry Heller, a veteran rock producer who lures the boys in boy promising to open the important doors. This man is not made out as the outright villain for this piece, just a man who wanted to keep the big wheel spinning. Whether he had honest intentions or not, Heller would create one hell of a mess through his shady actions. 

The second half of Straight Outta Compton is a slower and times too drawn out affair. It does however give a fascinating look at the groups life after N.W.A. Ice Cube will achieve solo success in the midst of a verbal dissing match with his former group mates. Dr Dre will go on to found Death Row records with Marion "Suge" Knight (R.Marcos Taylor) and discover artists Tupac and Snoop Dogg. Suge's introduction is a thumping and at times terrifying one. At first the kindly and fatherly savior, he helps Dre go his own way. However, when his more violent and tyrannical side is let out the bag, Dre begins to realize his error! Easy-E's downward descent provides the movie with a surprisingly emotional feel as his health deteriorates and his money runs dry. 

For this piece we are given a trio of fine performances by three impressive young actors. Jason Mitchell is this pictures biggest find and gives a stunning turn as the convoluted Easy-E. His strongest work comes in the movies latter half when Easy dissolves into a shell of the man he once was. O'Shea Jackson Jr makes for great casting as Ice Cube because he the son of very same artist! Embodying his fathers hard attitude and his refusal to accept being second best, Jackson Jr makes a fine tough element. Corey Hawkins as Dre is the quieter but more assured voice of the group but he nonetheless has a great presence. Demonstrating his keen ear, Dre is by far the most successful because he doesn't just need to his own voice to succeed. 

Straight Outta Compton is a movie that deserves your time and F. Gary Gray has made one flick that can appeal universally. Forget that your knowledge of the West Coast rap scene maybe zero, this picture is one that will have you improving your ipod playlist urgently the second you get home.