The Liberation of LB Jones: a Movie Review

 

It's been over 50 years since the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1960s. Race relations have improved significantly as has the ability of non-whites to improve their social condition. To be sure, institutionalized racism remains stubbornly embedded in some instances but it takes a film like “The Liberation of LB Jones” to remind us how bad things were, especially in the American deep south.

The 1969 film delves into the racial dynamics of a small town in Tennessee. In the process, the movie sheds light on the deep-seated prejudices and tensions that permeate the community. Through the main character LB Jones, an African American man, much is revealed about the social condition of African Americans. That the film is inspired by real events is not surprising.

The film exposes the intricacies of systemic racism and social norms of the time. The film skillfully weaves together individual stories which provide diverse perspectives on race relations. The dominant themes of discrimination and social justicerun through the plot. They remind us of not only of what has been achieved in the last five decades but also what remains to be done.

"The Liberation of LB Jones" is an insightful film. The movie is as complex as the viewer wishes it to be for at its core the film is simply about human dignity and social justice.

PS – At the time of writing the entire movie is available for viewing on YouTube.

I am a Singapore based Tour Guide with a special interest in arts and history. I have lived and worked in several countries during my career as an international banker. I enjoy traveling, especially by train, as a way to feed my curiosity about the world and nurture my interest in photography. I am available on twitter (@grandmoofti); Instagram(@imranahmedsg) and can be contacted at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.

Je Suis Karl: slow moving but great story (a film review)

 

Je Suis Karl may be cliched in many respects but the movie does represent the chaos, confusion and resultant dangers of our times.

A scared, young survivor of an attack becomes another victim of a radical, extremist group plotting to shift opinion through the savvy use of social media.

For some, the film will be an eye opener about the lengths to which some groups are willing - and able - to go to further their political agendas.

Je Suis Karl is a believable story set in the backdrop of the political polarization found not only in Europe but across many parts of the world.

The movie may move slowly initially but the story picks up pace as the plot unfolds. A worthwhile film for the politically inclined film goer.

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Imran is a Singapore based Tour Guide with a special interest in arts and history. Imran has lived and worked in several countries during his career as an international banker. He enjoys traveling, especially by train, as a way to feed his curiosity about the world and nurture his interest in photography. He is available on twitter (@grandmoofti); Instagram(@imranahmedsg) and can be contacted at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.

The Girl on the Train: a film review

The Girl on the Train directed by Tate Taylor based on the best selling novel by Paula Hawkins was perhaps better left as a novel. For the first hour of the almost two hour long movie it was difficult to follow the plot or make a mental note of the characters. Yes, the pace improved in the second half and, at the very least, the main characters were no longer confusing.

The story revolves around an alcoholic divorcee woman, Rachel, who becomes obsessed with a couple living in a house she passes on her daily commute into Manhattan. One day during these daiy voyeuristic commutes Rachel witnesses the woman kissing a man who is not her husband. Having been through a divorce with an unfaithful husband – who lives in their jointly purchased house a few doors down from the couple she obsesses about – Rachel loses it.

Rachel, known for making unannounced visits to her ex-husband's home, subsequently tries to visit the apparently unfaithful woman (Megan) to give her a piece of her mind. Unfortunately for Rachel as she was in her usual drunken stupor she has little recollection of what transpired during that fateful visit. Unfortunate because that night Megan mysteriously disappeared. 

The story slowly unravels and the viewer pieces together the puzzle, all the while learning more about each character. (Yes, you know the old adage: don't judge a book by its cover.) 

The Girl on the Train is billed as a psychological thriller on many move sites. That's a fallacy. At best it's a mystery - albeit incuding a side role for a mysterious psychiatrist. Only the strength of the acting held it together with great performances put in by the cast. In case anyone's asking, I would say the book might be the better bet!

Imran is a Singapore based Tour Guide with a special interest in arts and history. Imran has lived and worked in several countries during his career as an international banker. He enjoys traveling, especially by train, as a way to feed his curiosity about the world and nurture his interest in photography. He is available on twitter (@grandmoofti); Instagram(@imranahmedsg) and can be contacted at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.

Poor entertainment, purely cerebral (Film review: Stay)

I watched the movie thinking it might be a suspenseful thriller. I was mistaken. The movie was slow to begin with but after about 30 minutes I felt committed and saw it through to the end.

Despite the big name cast - every actor was a familiar face - the movie provided little in the way of entertainment. It was purely cerebral. Maybe the writer is a shrink?

The movie may make sense to shrinks or those who wish to mentally dissect the 100 minutes of celluloid. For those just looking for entertainment the movie is a failure.

Watch it if you're in a Freudian mood otherwise move on to something else.

NB: At the time of writing this review, Stay is available on Amazon Prime in many jurisdictions.

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Imran is a Singapore based Tour Guide with a special interest in arts and history. Imran has lived and worked in several countries during his career as an international banker. He enjoys traveling, especially by train, as a way to feed his curiosity about the world and nurture his interest in photography. He is available on twitter (@grandmoofti); Instagram(@imranahmedsg) and can be contacted at imran.ahmed.sg@gmail.com.

Gato Negro: a film review

I watched Gato Negro hoping to get an idea of post-war Argentine society. Instead, I got a blend of a period drama, thriller, crime and social piece woven into one slow moving film.

Unfortunately, the Argentine film didn’t work well in any of the genres. The Director tried doing too much and lost focus. A classic case of ‘jack of all trades and master of none.’

Yes, I did get a glimpse into Argentine society: a dry and limited glimpse without any color provided by the filmmaker though not enough to redeem the movie as an ‘intellectually stimulating foreign film!’

The story started well enough by introducing the main character, Tito, as a boy destined for something more than life in his rural village hometown. Sure enough, the film follows Tito grow into a wealthy businessman of dubious character and shady deals. (I guess that’s business in Argentina?)

Along the way he meets – and forgets – many characters. However, his hometown of Tucuman keeps nagging at him through different ways, e.g. family, former lover, etc. He just can’t seem to shake off his history with Tucuman even after becoming a wealthy international businessman.

I can’t (and won’t) say much more of the plot so as to not give away too much.

Although not a ‘screaming buy,’ Gato Negro is a good effort by director Gaston Gallo. I will keep on the lookout for more films by Gallo. He is bound to direct a gem at some stage.

Note: Gato Negro is available on Netflix as at September 2018.