A United Kingdom

Director Amma Asante’s A United Kingdom is a wonderful film on the virtues of persistence and acceptance based on the true-life story of Prince Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), heir to the throne of what later became Botswana.

Studying in England in 1947 as preparation for taking over his kingship, the Prince fell in love with and married Londoner Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), a white woman. 

 

This caused a rift between Khama and the country’s Regent (Vusi Kunene), plus the ire of the British government, who, together, tried to break up the marriage by banishing the Prince.

Writer Guy Hibbert’s script is compelling and Director Asante moves the action along at a brisk pace. 

 Pike and Oyelowo are superbly cast and play their roles admirably, as does Jack Davenport, who portrays the snide British official in charge of the Protectorate.   

A United Kingdom is well worth your viewing.  I give it a 4.2 out of 5.

The Great Wall

Director Yimou Zhang’s The Great Wall is a bold spectacle that evokes the feel of past Hollywood blockbusters.

 

That’s not to put it down.  It is actually refreshing to witness the simple story of European adventurers (Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal), who brave the Asian continent to find the mysterious “black powder” that explodes in fire and find themselves involved in an apocalyptic war between the Chinese and giant lizard-like beasts that are trying to destroy their kingdom.

Production Designer John Myhre and Costume Designer Mayes C. Rubeo along with Cinematographers Stuart Dryburgh and Xiaoding Zhao, have created scenes of the Chinese army and the battles with the beasts that are not only thrilling, but absolutely breathtaking.  These alone are well worth the price of admission.

Tian Jing as the army’s female Commander, Hanyu Zhang as the General and Andy Lau as the Strategist are perfectly cast and Damon and Pascal play off each other, admirably.

 The Great Wall is fun to watch and I hope it survives the critical wags, who can’t appreciate an old-fashioned adventure film.

I believe everyone involved should be proud of their work and give it a 4 out of 5.

John Wick: Chapter 2

The character John Wick (Keanu Reeves) does not have an easy life.  All he wants to do is retire and mourn his dead wife (Bridget Moynahan), but folks like Camorra kingpin Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) just won’t leave him alone.

These circumstances allow Writer Derek Kolstad and Director Chad Stahelski to take us on a heart-pulsing ride from New York to Rome and back again in John Wick: Chapter 2.

 

I’m willing to bet that, even if you had a clicker, you couldn’t keep up with Wick’s body count. But, the action is so slick and well-staged that you will be awed instead of repulsed.

Ruby Rose as a mute killer and Common as Wick’s nemesis create superb opposition to our Bogeyman hero.

Cinematographer Dan Laustsen’s images and Editor Evan Schiff’s pacing help Stahelski create one of the best thrillers in quite a while.

I give John Wick: Chapter 2 a 4.1 out of 5 and hope there can, somehow, be a Chapter 3.