Frankie and Alice

Just the sort of challenging film I’d like to roll-up my sleeves for! Now, why didn’t Halle Berry win the Oscar for her role in something like this? Sex-sells I guess, but meaningful, gritty and thought-provoking films will always win in my book! This 2010 Drama also based on a true story was adapted into screenplay by Cheryl Edwards and Marko King and directed by Geoffrey Sax. Starring non-other but bi-racial bomb-shell of an actress Halle Berry (Cloud Atlas, Catwoman, Bond, X-Men) and joined in by smooth and collected Stellan Skarsgard (Good Will Hunting, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Nymphomaniac). 

Berry shone in this role and funnily enough her mother is a retired psychiatric nurse and she may have had some personal insight for her character ‘Frankie’. Haunting storyline and great avenue to shed light on the woes of mental illness’ and the struggles such individuals much overcome. Rated R for some sexual content, language and drug use. This film didn’t hit big at the box-office however I’m proud Halle took on such a solid role and gave an outstanding performance! The movie was also nominated for 1 Golden Globe, 4 other nominations as well as 5 wins.

This was a tragic story of what mental-illness can do to someone’s life as well as all the people they are connected to. It’s about overcoming the past that tears us sometimes apart as well as being able to heal and live again. I rather enjoyed this one. ‘JourneywithJair’ recommended!

Boomerang

Yes, it’s true. I only recently saw this film for the first time. Hard to believe seeing how much I enjoy Eddie Murphy films. In my defense in 1992 I wasn’t allowed to see Rated R films. With an estimated budget of $40 million USD, this comedy/drama/romance raked in a cool $70 million at the box-office.  It received one win and 4 other nominations. 

Written by Eddie Murphy and developed into screenplay by Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield and directed by Reginald Hudlin. This was the standard case of the importance of ‘doing unto others, as you would have them do unto you’; or in other words, ‘the player’ who get’s ‘played’. Eddie Murphy stars and does a fine job as usual, and black beauties Robin Givens, Halle Berry and the provocative, unique and talented Jamaican Grace Jones join in on the fun. 

Tables turn quite easily and so it’s important to do the right thing and be careful how you treat others; the audience learned the unrest, pain and trauma that can be caused when one does the opposite and they instantly became empathetic for our main character when he’d learnt his lesson.

It was a joy to recognize beautiful and talented legend Eartha Kitt on screen with her distinct voice and elegance as I’d first had the pleasure while watching the 1958 film called ‘Anna Lucasta’. Chris Rock, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Martin Lawrence and David Alan Grier also performed exceptionally and comedically bringing the giggles consistently. 

Cloud Atlas

A tad confusing in the beginning but carefully relating the web of significant key characters, this drama-mystery-sci-fi-fantasy film with an estimated budget of $100 million USD, loads of special effects, make-up and extraordinary actors delivered every element of an effective and stirring story. With a talented team sharing writing and directing credits 2012’s ‘Cloud Atlas’ seems stronger than ever!

Based on a 2004 novel, ‘Cloud Atlas’ written by English David Mitchell and the screenplay adaptation and directing were done by Chicago siblings Lana and Andy Wachowski whom you may remember from ‘The Matrix’ as well as German Tom Tykwer whom you may recall from ‘Run Lola Run’ solidified this past-present-future masterpiece. Together with a band of actors that were exciting to identify throughout different time-periods this story tells how everything and everyone are connected and how each life impacts another.

Oscar winner Tom Hanks, Oscar winner Halle Berry, Golden Globe winner Hugh Grant, the handsome English Jim Sturgess whom you may remember from ‘Across the Universe’, bright-eyed South-Korean actress Doona Bae, Nigerian-born but British/Australian Hugo Weaving whom you may remember from ‘The Matrix’, the comical and charming English Jim Broadbent, Keith David, Susan Sarandon and English David Gyasi, just to name a few of recurring and moving characters within this never-ending story.

Rated R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity this film is not for the young or faint-hearted. Jam-packed with adventure, action, eternal romance and a remarkable soundtrack it is thought-provoking and stimulates the senses. Its message that there are no short trips or short-cuts in life, only loss and restoration; all of us a multitude of droplets in a vast ocean. A 'JourneywithJair' favourite! J

I’ll leave you with some lovely quotes from the film which keeps the audience on their toes throughout:

“A half-read book is a half-finished love affair.”

“Our lives are not our own. We are bound to others, past and present, and by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”

“Power, time, gravity, love. The forces that really kick ass are all invisible.”

“You say you’re depressed. All I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn't mean you’re defective – it just means you’re human.”

“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.”