The BlacKkKlansman

“Some men speak the Queen’s English. Some speak Jive. I’m fluent in both”– Ron Stallworth (paraphrased from memory)

Director Spike Lee’s latest picture tells the 1972-set story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) who becomes the first black police officer Colorado Springs has seen. Stallworth decides to lead an undercover investigation of the Ku Klux Klan, with a Jewish officer (Adam Driver) standing for Ron during the in-person portion of the infiltration. Meanwhile, Stallworth must also maintain a second facade around his love interest Patrice (Laura Harrier), the militant leader of a black student union he met while undercover at a Black Power event.

This is a great movie. One could devote plenty of digital ink to the political and cultural commentary of the movie and writers far more skilled and able to than I have and will. Although I will address some of that, this review will focus on the film as a movie.

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Tag (2018)

(l-r) Jeremy Renner and Jake Johnson star in TAG. ©Warner Bros. Entertainment

Our friend is a psychopath, and I’m scared.“- Sable discussing Jerry.
‘You don’t stop playing when you get older; You get older when you stop playing’-Ben Franklin“- Hoagie

Tag, inspired by a true story, tells of five childhood friends who have been playing the same game of Tag for decades. The story of the movie is put in motion when Hoagie (Ed Helms) rallies his companions (Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, and Hannibal Burress) to finally dethrone Jerry (Jeremy Renner), who has never been tagged throughout the duration of the game. The impetus for their alignment is Jerry’s impending wedding and ostensible retirement from the tournament.

Some very enjoyable hi-jinks ensue.

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