Bernie

‘Bernie’ based on the true story of ‘Bernie Tiede,’ was an excellent portrayal of the warm, charming and generous undertaker who got on the wrong path. Although this Crime/Drama ended a bit tragic there was great humor involved and it is probably one of actor Jack Black’s best performances. Shirley MacLane stars alongside him as the ice-queen widow ‘Marjorie Nugent’. 

Written and directed by Richard Linklater, whom worked with Black for ‘School of Rock’ didn’t make as much at the box-office but his film was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2011, and received 16 other nominations and 9 wins that year. Even though it was filmed in Bastrop, Texas, real residents from Carthage, Texas who knew both Bernie and Majorie provided commentary on actual events for the film. Mathew McConaughey who plays attorney ‘Danny Buck’, along with Richard Robichaux who portrayed stockbroker ‘Lloyd Hornbuckle’ added another layer of depth to this quirky tale. Jack Black also spent time with the real ‘Bernie’ to study his mannerisms for the movie and did his own musical renditions throughout the film.

The details throughout were well seamed with reality and the beautiful landscapes of this small-town painted the ideal picture Linklater needed his audience to see. Engaging and delightful, this film isn’t your typical Docu-drama and despite some very grim events, it’s plenty of ‘laugh-out-loud’ fun! 

The Josephine Baker Story

Before there was Madonna, and Marilyn there was Josephine. Few people know that she was the richest woman in the world, and richest black woman in the world at the height of her performing years. She was the first to have exotic pets like her pet leopard Chiquita, and also the first to adopt children from around the world, 12 children to be exact and raise them in her bonafide castle in France. She was truly an international talent and wasn’t always celebrated but loved and adored especially by the French.

’The Josephine Baker Story’ in 1991, although made for television was quite an excellent revival of the life and times of the late and great dancer, actress, singer, Josephine Baker. This Biographical Drama was written by Ron Hutchinson and directed by Brian Gibson. With a run-time of 130 minutes they won 1 Golden Globe, another 8 wins and received 12 other notations. 

Set in the 1920’s until her death in 1968, viewers are given an in-depth quest from her humble and hated days to super stardom. Lynn Whitfield was the perfect choice to portray Josephine Baker’s life as it was probably one of the best performances in her long career. Diana Ross, Diahnne Abbott, Irene Cara, Holly Robinson Peete, Whitney Houston and Neneh Cherry were all considered for the part, but Whitfield who is a native of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana proved to be the perfect fit.

Not only did the audience taste the glamour but they also enjoyed the intrigue and mystery as well as they learned Baker was a spy during World War II as well as an activist for equal rights in America. This is a movie that won’t soon be forgotten. 

Beasts of No Nation

“I just want to be happy in this life.”

For those of you who don’t have Netflix, you may want to make that small investment. Netflix brought to us an Oscar nominated film ‘Beasts of No Nation’ which is all the buzz and has already won 2 wins and 9 other nominations. Written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (Sin Nombre, Jane Eyre), he has brought to us not only a phenomenal and dramatic war movie based on an unnamed western African country but he has also brought to us new and raw talent. Abraham Attah who plays  our main character Agu takes the audience on a fearful, violent, and brutal journey through raging war.

It’s highly recommended to keep the tissues nearby, however it is a must-see! Exceptionally shot and difficult to ingest as the story is one of a child solider being separated from his family; it’s a shameful yet remarkable journey of how young Agu is forced into manhood and battles not only war but his savage transformation. Nigerian/English Idris Elba (Thor, Mandela, Luther) also gives a powerful performance. 

Shot entirely in Ghana  over 35 days, and casting mostly in Sierra Leone, it is Netflix’s First Original Film and most of the cast were actual child soldiers and arrested because of suspicion of them being mercenaries. Fukunaga actually got malaria while shooting and Elba gifted actors with iPods before leaving Ghana.

This is probably my favourite for this year, and in my opinion one of the best child actor performances  I’ve seen. I do hope to be seeing much more of Attah and hoping after all their hard work, and pristine execution and story that they receive some more wins.

Black Mass

2015’s ‘Black Mass’ was based on a true story of an FBI informant tracking down a Mafia family in the South of Boston. This Biography/Crime/Drama had a run-time of 122 minutes and in my opinion Johnny Depp’s character ‘James Whitey Bulger’ stole the show. Eerie, disturbing, un-settling, shocking and exciting are a few words I could use to help you grasp the type of film it is. Reminiscent of other cult crime movies? Perhaps. But If it weren’t for Depp’s Oscar-worthy performance and the strong execution of the rest of the cast including Julianne Nicholson (August Osage County), Jesse Plemons (Battleship, Bridge of Spies), Benedict Cumberbatch (Atonement, Star Trek), Kevin Bacon (Footloose, Apollo 13), and Aussie Joel Egerton (Gatsby, Exodus) to name a few, it wasn’t necessarily crafted any differently or significantly unique.

Written by Mark Mallouk and directed by Scott Cooper, the film was indeed beautifully shot and terribly moving, and chilling to see. With a budget of $65 million USD, filmmakers were able to make back a cool $62 million within a few short months. The audience is taken on a very dark journey and understands that even in a close-knit community and love within families there are secrets and corruption that takes over creating something so massive that only evil ensues.

Wonderful soundtrack, thrilling story and interpretation and magnificently rich scenes viewers are sure to enjoy! 

Peace

**Let them talk...let them spy...you know the truth...and you'll be obliged...to take part in the destiny...you've seen every time you close your eyes...ENJOY!

Master, I want to See

Sometimes we are blind. Spiritually blind. We cannot see our wrong-doings, our faults, our ripple-effects through life. We mean well, we try our best, but we fail at seeing that which we need to remember. Time and time again we fall, and fail, and cannot understand the cause of these unfortunate events. All that we are experiencing however, is because of our own doing. It may be hard to believe, but whatever actions we may be repeating is attracting less of what we need and want and in turn more of the harmful effects based on a cycle of actions. Don’t keep your hearts heavy darlings, because there is a way to finally see, crack the cycle and experience a shift and split from that which is keeping us stunted.

Have you heard the expression, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will appear’? It is similar in gaining clarity and sight from our blindness. We must ask for sight and for healing. There is a lovely, little story about the prophet Jesus who heals a man that was born blind. People asked Jesus if the man was born blind because of his own sins/wrong-doings or the sins/wrong-doings of his parents. Jesus told them that neither he nor his parents caused his blindness. He went on saying that it happened so that he could see the miracles and be a miracle in the life of others. The blind man asked for healing and his healer appeared. Jesus healed him and he was able to finally see. After this the man not only gained vision for the first time but sight on how to move forward in faith.

So too my darlings, are we to ask for sight and for healing. What can we do to gain consciousness of our actions that are causing us harm? To find healing we must investigate and ask our God/Master/Universe to see with new eyes. The mud and confusion of our lives will be washed away and we will see the truth. We need to listen to others, but more importantly listen within. What seems impossible will finally become a reality in our lives. We have this privilege, this honor and this advantage of gaining light where there is darkness to continue on our path.

Don’t be too hard on yourselves. Falling and feeling the pain is not a strange occurrence. Not knowing why,  is also not a strange situation. Gaining sight from our blindness is a blessing. But for those who know what they do; those with vision and do things intentionally to harm the other; those will not only fall but become blind and their guilt will remain. We must try not to worry too much about those who deliberately and willfully cause us suffering. Instead we must practice focusing on our journey as best as we can. Once we help ourselves see, we can also help guide others to leave their lives of darkness.

Bless-up!

Love Jair

I AM

** I AM are powerful words of creation. Use it to shift air into your thoughts and ideas. Breathing it into existence helps us experience our desires that were put into our beings. Fill in the blanks of your lives by uttering into the Universe the words I AM...

** I AM unlimited.
** I AM refreshing.
** I AM unique.
** I AM powerful.
** I AM just getting started.
** I AM irresistible.
** I AM wanted.
** I AM stealing the show.
** I AM red carpet ready.
** I AM love.
** I AM sexy magic.
** I AM a best-selling author.
** I AM a successful actress.
** I AM a filmmaker.
** I AM a model.
** I AM made in the image and likeness of GOD! **