#but also give me Lupita as the next black Panther | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

b-m-scott · 4 years

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"If she's a Queen, then Baby, you're a Goddess"

Michael B Jordan x Reader

I was never really the jealous type. If I was in a relationship, I felt fairly confident in it and tried not to question my partner. I especially felt that way once I started dating Michael. I knew what his job entailed, and that I would need to be used with him not only acting alongside beautiful actresses but also possibly flirting with them during press junkets. His latest castmates from Black Panther were all wonderful. I had the pleasure of meeting them a few times and knew that Award season was going to be starting soon. I wasn’t going to be able to join Michael, due to my work schedule, but he knew I would be there in spirit.

It was half-past ten when I arrived back at our shared place. I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to head to sleep. I knew Michael wouldn’t be home for at least another two hours, so I decided to simply shoot him a text “Goodnight” and wait to hear all the details tomorrow morning. After getting ready for bed, I grab my phone and go to write the text when I notice something trending on Twitter and multiple mentions of my name. Curiosity gets the better of me and I click to open the app.

There is a video, clearly a publicity stunt, of Michael, Lupita, and Danai competing for Lupita’s affection. Deep down I know it’s all fake, but I also know that all the fans throughout the course of the press interviews have started to ship both Michael and Lupita and I can’t help but feel a little jealous. I mean, I had met her, and she was absolutely gorgeous both inside and out. We were close and I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this way, but knowing they’re acting for the movie and then seeing them do it almost just for fun hurt me. I open up Michael’s contact and type in a message.

Y/N: Hey baby, hope your nights going well! Sent - 22:55

About six minutes later, a reply comes through.

Michael: For sure, babe! Just out with Lupita Sent - 23:01

Well, that didn’t help. The award show was over and I knew he would go out, but did they go out alone? Knowing that asking any more questions would just make me over analyze things, I shoot back a quick response.

Y/N: Great, goodnight. Sent - 23:04

I put my phone on NO DISTURB and try to fall asleep. My mind was swimming with thoughts some being of serious concern and some being ridiculous. I knew I was being silly, but could you blame me? Michael was a catch. All the ladies wanted him. Why wouldn’t Lupita?

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I hear a shattering sound and immediately jerk up.

“Shit,” mutters Michael. I roll my eyes and look over at my clock. It reads 3:45 and annoyance soaks right in. I head downstairs to see what damage was done and am hoping to just go back to bed. When I reach the kitchen, I see Michael sweeping up some shattered glass off the floor. He heads to toss it and sees me standing in the doorway. He smiles sheepishly at me.

“Hey, baby! Sorry to wake you,” he apologizes. “Was just trying to get a drink.” He doesn’t seem entirely drunk, but he’s definitely buzzed. I shake my head and realize that if it was almost four in the morning, he had been out with Lupita for almost more than five hours.

“Right, well maybe next time use a plastic cup,” I mutter. A hint of confusion sparks in his eyes. He knows he annoyed me, but also I had never been this annoyed after an award show before. I also hadn’t asked him how is night was. I head back upstairs and make myself comfortable, hoping I can just fall back asleep. I didn’t have the energy to express my concerns right now. A few minutes later, I hear Michael step into the room. He sits down on the edge of the bed and I feel his hand rests on my back.

“Everything OK, baby?” he asks. I just grunt as a replying. He lets out a small sigh before continuing, “You know, you didn’t even ask me if we won.” I don’t respond. I know I’m being rude but after my rude awakening and earlier thoughts, I can’t seem to shake off all my annoyance. He stands up and heads to his closet before saying,

“You didn’t even tell me how good I looked in my suit.” I can hear the cocky and joking tone in his voice and it almost cracks me, but I don’t want to give in that easily. He had looked really good in his suit, it was one of my favorites yet, and that probably just added to my jealousy. I hear him let out another sigh before he finally heads into the bathroom to get ready for bed. After he finishes, he lays down and makes one last attempt.

“You know you can tell me anything, right baby?” Once again I don’t respond. I can feel sadness radiating off of him, but my selfish self just doesn’t care. He sighs again and I know I’m breaking his heart, but in a way, I felt like he broke mine as well.

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When morning comes and I remember everything that happened last night, I internally groan. I messed up. Big time. I look over my shoulder to see that side empty and externally groan this time. I get out of bed and make my way downstairs. I was out of line and I know that. After a busy day at work and the fear of missing out mixed in with slight jealousy, I turned into a monster. I had to fix it. I find Michael sitting on the couch watching TV at a quiet volume and smile. That was something he did when he was scared of waking me up, but made it extremely hard for him to hear the TV and the sight of subtitles confirmed it. I take in a deep breath before walking over to him. He looks up to me with a mixture of surprise and caution as I settle in his lap. I’m straddling him as I put my face in the nape of his neck.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble. “I was a bitch last night.” He chuckles and rubs my back soothingly.

“Don’t worry about it, you had a long day.” I look up at him.

“So did you, and I should have been more considerate.” He smiles at me and leans in for a loving kiss. When we break apart he asks,

“So, that was it? You were just tired?” I shrug my shoulders slightly and bury my face into his shoulder again. He lets out a little laugh, clearly knowing that that wasn’t it. I was still embarrassed though. I knew my jealousy was uncalled for, but I knew it was better to tell him.

“No, it’s not,” I start. He hums in response, urging me to continue. “I saw the clip from last night. Of you and Lupita.”

“Aaah, I see,” he replies. His voice laced with sarcasm and humor. I whine, knowing I was right in thinking I was being ridiculous. I sit up and look at him wanting to explain myself.

“It’s just she’s… she’s...” I struggle to find the word I want to use to describe her. When one of the fans comments from last night pop into my head.

@Luptia_Nyongo YAASSS, the QUUUEEENNN!!!!!!!

“She’s a queen.” I finish. “And I’m just me.” I see Michael shake his head and hum in disapproval. He grabs my face in my hands and kisses me with more passion. When we separate, our foreheads rest together and some of my embarrassment fades away.

“If she's a Queen, then Baby, you're a Goddess”

#michael b jordan #michael b jordan imagines #michael b jordan imagine #michael b jordan x reader #michael jordan

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kumkaniudaku · 4 years

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Media Darling

I’ve been gone a while. I’m sorry. Thanks for asking questions and sticking with me. I hope you enjoy this late tale of the Oscar’s Red Carpet.

"Girls, I think we've done it. We've created a star." Deidra, CoCo's handpicked stylist, stepped back to join the rest of her glam squad and smiled. "You ready to see the finished product?"

"Oh my God, I'm so nervous. Give me a second to breathe."

Truthfully, there was no amount of breathing exercises or affirmations that could adequately douse the flame of anxiety building in Tasha's chest. She's been on plenty of red carpets, but none with the same prestige as the Oscars red carpet. She also had never been the plus one of arguably the biggest star expect to attend the award show. In roughly an hour, she would go from unknown businesswoman to most-searched person in internet forum history if she had a lash out of place. The thought was overwhelming.

Several seconds passed until Tasha finally worked up the nerve to turn and face the floor-length mirror in front of her. She twisted and turned to examine her reflection, taking note of every sparkle on her dress and coil in her mane.

"Am I giving Diana Ross glam or Tracee Ellis Ross doppelganger," she asked without looking away from the mirror.

"Is either considered a bad thing?"

A chorus of different answers sounded from the team as they all shared their opinions on the matter.

"I see a bit of 80s influence with modern touches. The high neck and shoulder pads are just enough not to be out of my mother's closet and, paired with the cutouts in the midsection, bring a bit of class to the look."

"And your hair! It's giving Whitney shape with Diana volume."

"Now wait a minute, we talking 80s Whitney or mid-2000s Whitney? 'Cause you know there's a difference."

"Shut up, Shay!"

Tasha listened to her squad playfully argue in the background while she continued to go through her mental checklist. She had all of the makings for a great night and a few pictures if she got swept into the hype of the moment. Smiling at herself in approval, she turned to face her team.

"This is really happening. Am I ready to be a thread on Twitter?"

"Hopefully, they mention how good your ass looks in that dress. Who knew Miss CoCo was draggin' a wagon?"

"I know, right! I'm learning how to twerk again. Look!"

While Tasha turned around to demonstrate her new abilities, an unexpected visitor snuck into the room to observe the spectacle.

"Ooop, I think we have a spectator."

"And he is highly intrigued."

"Wha-" A glance over her shoulder brought Tasha eye to eye with the reason she was in this predicament. "This isn't what it looks like."

"That's too bad. I was enjoying the show."

As the room cleared to allow the couple some privacy, Chadwick took a few long steps to close the gap between and his partner. He took her hand in his to spin her in a circle for a complete view of her ensemble.

"Wow. I mean...woah. You look amazing."

"Yeah? You sure it's not too much? I don't wanna have you blasted on social media."

"If anyone can find something wrong with you tonight, I'll give them one million dollars. You're perfect."

Chadwick smiled with his entire face, his eyes shining with sincerity. He didn't look away as he nodded toward an empty chair in the room for Tasha to take a seat. In all the time spent nervously considering every single detail that she hadn't noticed that she had yet to slip into her shoes. Once seated, she watched her man with thoughtful consideration as he took his time carefully fastening the straps of her heels.

"Be honest with me. What should I do out there? How should I act?"

Chadwick sat in hyper-focused silence until he completed his task. When he was satisfied with his work, he looked up at her to offer a small smile. "All of this bullshit is fake."

Tasha's mouth dropped hung open at the blunt nature of his statement before they both threw their heads back in laughter. "Well, then," she spoke as she attempted to catch her breath. "Tell me how you really feel."

"I say it like that because I love you, and I don't want you getting caught up in this...circus." Reaching up, Chadwick gently used his hand to cup CoCo's chin. "It's a long carpet we walk on, people take pictures and ask questions, then we go and have a seat. Nothing more, nothing less. Be your beautiful self, Nippy."

Tasha's adoration manifested into a tiny 'aww' as she leaned in to press her lips to his nose and mouth. "Thanks, babe. One last thing, though."

"Yes?"

"Am I giving you 80s Whitney or 2000s Whitney? Shay says there's a difference."

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The glitz and glamour of red carpet life that Tasha had imagined quickly became a cramped logistical nightmare. Her hand felt like it would break under the pressure of Chadwick's tight grip as he led her through crowds of media members and guests. At every corner, a new flash emerging from the group temporarily robbed Tasha of her vision. Every step of the way alternated between fears about her appearance and keeping up with her partner's long strides.

When their walking finally slowed, she found herself in front of a long row of cameramen and women practically screaming for her attention.

"Over here! Smile!"

"Can we get a smile over here!?"

"Chadwick, is this your new girlfriend?"

CoCo's brain had begun to turn every word into white noise as she stood for the onslaught of pictures until she heard the last question above the rest. In a knee jerk reaction, she turned to the photographer and made a face.

"Girlfriend? I don't know this man. I'm here for Lupita."

In jest, she lightly pushed Chadwick away to pose for solo pictures. Her exaggerated movements drew attention from everyone in the area, taking some of the focus from more recognizable entertainers beside her.

From the corner of her eye, Tasha caught the image of Chadwick's eyebrows knitted as he struggled to find an angle that would capture her entire body. When he found the perfect position, knees bent and leaning slightly backward; his eyes flickered up to catch a glimpse of her smiling back at him. Though the moment was brief to them, cameras in every direction captured their loving gazes.

By the time they were away from the step and repeat and nearing the crowd of journalists, low rumbles of the mystery woman with the big hair were preceding their arrival.

Stepping onto the E! podium, Tasha felt a surge of pride as she stood back and watched her man navigate yet another interview.

"It's a big night for you and the Black Panther cast. What's it like being on this carpet with everyone knowing that next year, you could be walking away with some major hardware?"

"Ah, man, it's amazing. The energy here is great and it feels good to see meaningful work be recognized. I think I can speak for all of us when I say we hope we can be recognized when it's our turn."

While Chadwick answered questions and dished out Wakandan salutes for what felt like the 100th time, Tasha busied herself with scrolling through various social media applications. Her absent-minded scroll on the Instagram explore page came to an abrupt halt when she spotted an admittedly flattering photo of her backside.

Before she could take a peek at the photo's caption, her ears picked up on what sounded like a repeated request for her attention.

"I'm sorry, what was that? I was too busy telling my mama that I'm famous for washing the dishes when I visit now."

"Oh yeah? What'd she say," Michael Strahan inquired, his eyes twinkling with his signature smile spread across his face.

"Mmmm, I don't know if I can say that on national television."

"I guess it's a good thing we've gone to commercial then."

As the group shared a laugh, Chadwick used the distraction to pull Tasha's body closer to his. They shared a quick glance that said more than words ever could before attempting to tune into the conversation. Quick pleasantries and a request to enter the theater cut Michael's questioning short and sent the pair into the frenzy of bodies flooding to their seats.

For hours, Tasha sat in unbearable boredom. She knew that a room stuffed with Hollywood's elite drooling over asinine accomplishments wouldn't be the time of her life, but she expected to enjoy a performance or two at the very least. Instead, she spent most of her time whispering comments to Chadwick and praying someone would walk by with a champagne flute so that she could drink her way out of her misery.

At some point between the 50th commercial break and someone she didn't recognize giving a long-winded speech onstage, Tasha took to her phone for some form of happiness. Bright red notification icons lit up the screen across several apps leading CoCo to believe that someone had died or Beyonce had dropped an album. Scrambling, she chose to open Twitter for answers to the mayhem.

To her surprise, her face was the first image at the top of the newsfeed.

"Oh shit."

Her quiet mumbling caught Chadwick's attention, and he leaned over to get a better look at what had grabbed her attention. As she frantically scrolled through the app, the screen became littered with images of her face with various expressions and commentary.

"You know, I caught that look while I was up there, but I didn't wanna believe you would be actin' up like that in public."

CoCo paused to shoot her partner a look before her eyes darted back to the screen. "It's okay, girl, we all look at him like this. That look when you know about to tear ya man up when he's done talking. Get you somebody that looks at Chadwick Boseman the way his girlfriend does."

"Oh, I like this one," Chadwick laughed as he pointed to a tweet that caught his attention. "If she don't look at me like this, I don't want it. That's good advice." At Tasha's expense, Chadwick fell into a fit of hushed laughter until he noticed that he was alone in his amusement. "Oh, c'mon, it's not that bad. Laugh a little!"

"I'd like to see you laugh when your debut to social media is people meme' ing your lusty lip bite. What am I supposed to do?"

Leaning in, Chadwick placed a quick kiss on CoCo's cheek and smiled, "Enjoy the show. You'll be fine."

If the anxiety of knowing the whole world had witnessed her inappropriate behavior in real-time, the array of notifications continuing to build across her phone had nearly induced full-blown panic. Responses ranging from requests to follow her accounts to an article on the '10 Most Important Things to Know About Chadwick Boseman's Oscars Date' kept Tasha on edge until the lights in the theater lit up the room to signal the end of the event.

Her assumption that her usually predictable man would attempt to dart out of the crowd as soon as possible could not have been further from the truth. Instead, CoCo's pleas to exit the building and ditch the afterparty were, leaving her to awkwardly stand and grin behind Chadwick as she tried to decide who was silently judging her during each interaction.

"You're Tasha, right?"

Initially, Tasha was relatively content with playing the background but, the voice calling her name was far too familiar to ignore.

"I'm sorry. Wait. Did Regina the King just call my name?"

"Only if you're Tasha," she laughed. "Heard a lot about you in the last few minutes."

"Hopefully, about how you can kinda see a six-pack forming in this dress and nothing about weird faces on social media."

"Ya know, I think it was a little of both." The awkward nature of the moment seemed to fade away by the second, only leaving room for shared laughter amongst the trio.

"Damn, I fucked up. I'm sorry, baby," CoCo apologized through laughter.

"Oh girl, you have done everything but fucked up. You're a damn meme. You got white people doing E! features on your Red Carpet look."

Tasha's mouth opened to speak, but no words came out while she watched Regina be escorted away with her eyes wide as saucers. As Chadwick wrapped up a side conversation, he noticed the look on his girlfriend's face.

"Are you-"

"Is it hot in here to you? I can't breathe."

"Co. Focus on me. What's the matter?"

"I need fresh air. We have to go!"

Together, they made a beeline for the nearest exit in search of their vehicle for the night. While feeling the cool breeze of the Los Angeles night air began the process of soothing her frazzled nerves, the loud chatter and flashes of light that greeted them as they rounded a corner sent Tasha back into a small spiral.

"Is it true that you two are secretly married?"

"Are you pregnant?"

"Tell us about the fight between you and his ex!"

The ridiculous nature of the questions climbed in frequency and intensity as the pair used long strides to reach their destination.

When Chadwick swung open the door for CoCo to enter the backseat, a reporter shouted over the crowd, "How does it feel to be on every major best-dressed list tonight? Designers are begging to style you."

"Say what?" With one leg already in the car, Tasha turned her body toward the crowd. "Who wants to style me?"

"Christian Siriano posted pieces he thinks you would look great in on his Instagram. Rihanna wants you in Fenty."

Chadwick could sense her shift in energy and allowed a smile to creep across his face, one that Tasha caught from the corner of her eye before mirroring the expression.

Tasha took a quick second to toss her clutch into the waiting SUV before taking a step forward and smiling.

"Well," she started, fluffing her hair and smoothing the front of her dress. "I guess we better give them some full-body shots to work with."

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#Chadwick Boseman #chadwick boseman fan fiction #chadwick boseman imagine #chadwick boseman x reader #chadwick boseman x you

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artisticestheticreads · 4 years

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Off Script (3)

A/N: Haaaaiiii. Okay, sorry I have not been active on here.This chapter is really short but hopefully it would get better next chapter. So, this is the third chapter of the MBJ X OC series Off Script. I hope y’all enjoy it.

Warning: Super Short. Don’t judge me. I work management in retail and holiday season kicked my thick ass so yeah..

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to songs. Songs are from face claim’s own music.

Word Count: 2475

Today was the day that Candace was waiting for. The day everyone will know she was the new addition to Ryan Coogler’s new movie. She had to go to Comic Con to meet fans of Mortal Kombt with her old loved cast which made the whole thing less suspicious. She pulled out a sheer crop button down top with a pair of leather flare pants since she had to dress similar to her persona, Jade. She wore a long twenty four inch lace front with a part in the middle and tucked one side behind her ear. She showed of her right shoulder and stood in the mirror slipping into her heels. Her black bralette covered her chest nicely as always. She grabbed her backpack with water, a portable charger and her phone to make sure she was all covered. Geo walked up the steps in his usual get up and said “best friend, ready?”

“Yeah, my mom will be here taking care of the dogs since we gonna be all gone today.”

“That’s the plan. I’m real happy for you.”

“Thanks, G. Let’s get going. We needa beat traffic out there because muthafuckas don’t know how to drive.” They made their way down and Candace saw her parents on the couch. “Hey, y’all. I’m out. No parties while I’m gone, no boys, no drugs, alcoholic and no nonsense either.” Tanisha turned to her daughter and smiled. “Look at our baby, Tony. Just flourishing and what not.” Candace and Tanisha were like clones but just a huge age different. Tony turned to his women and laughed. Now, Tony could have past to be Terry Crews long lost brother due to his physique and bald head. She kissed her parents cheeks and said her goodbyes. They hopped into her cherry red 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe with the top down, on their way to Comic Con. Candace asked for Geo to film like she did ever year. “Ok, guys. So today is Comic Con and the cast and I will have a real special announcement plus one for myself but y’all gotta wait for that. But let’s just say that I will be helping making history. I hope to see y’all there.” Geo made the camera pane to the sky as he cut the camera off. “Okay, now the filming crew will be there with us the whole time so you just gonna be guarding and what not”, she said to Geo and her nodded fixing his tie.

When they pulled up to the celebrity parking, she gave her key to valet as they both got out. “Alright, Terry just text me and told me they here already with Oliva and nem. We can get on the next elevator ride and meet them. After, we gotta meet with Ryan and talk about my entrance.” As she said that, Geo ran to the elevator door and held it open with his foot and left hand. “G, you are always so extra. I meant the next ride down beside it might be crowded”, she said with a laugh. When she finally made it over, she saw the cast of Black Panther II. She saw Ryan wink at her from the back as she stepped in. Lupita hugged her first before they began talking and then she turned to see Chadwick, Leticia and Danai smiling and waving with Michael standing to his Ryan’s left. “Y’all smell that? That’s that black magic”, said Leticia grinning and elbowing her on screen brother. Chadwick seemed happier since his lady Simone was no where around. Candy smiled as she laughed and said “I smell Oscars and then some.” Danai pointed to her and gave her a homegirl high five. Candy looked around and curiously asked “is Winnie not in the new movie?”

“No, he is. He is downstairs waiting for us. How come you’re here? Thought you were on vacation”, Lupita asked and Candy simply told them “well, Mortal Kombat is releasing a new project for the public. Well, I guess I can tell y’all. It’s a new video game with our faces in it. We basically are doing all the moves, voices and all. It’s pretty realistic. With me being a video gamer and anime fan, it was perfect to get involved in.” Chadwick dug his hands in the pockets of his black trousers and said “well, that sounds fun. I may have to come by the booth and check it out.”

“Please do. I would love that. Y’all can all come actually. If y’all like. Show some support, y’know?”

“I’m down”, Leticia said and so did the other except for Michael who just watched and nodded. Geo held his ear piece closed and spoke into it then to Candy. “Alright, baby girl. We arrive in five...” As he continued to countdown, Candace took a deep breath and smiled towards the door with her right leg out and hands on her hips. When the doors open, her camera crew was ready and her fans cheered her name behind the rope. She winked at her future cast and was off, doing her Jade model walk. She made it to her booth and began signing autographs. Ryan said that he would be ready at around 2:45pm and to wait by stage until he did the introduction; it was 12:39 pm, Chadwick came by around 1 pm and saw Candy. “Hey, there. Do you mind if I get a few autographs for my nephews. They’re fans of yours”, he asked handing them to her. She smiled and said “sure but I need yours for my god sons. Little boys been bugging me all week about it.” He knelt down as she signed the pictures and whispered. “Y’know, when I heard you know who got the part, I was upset.”

Candace looked up to him and finally got what he was talking about; she looked up letting him continue. “I don’t see her like that. She can sing and dance but acting is not her thing at all. I heard it was a girl way better. She even came with her hair dyed and everything. To be honest, you would have been perfect. I’ve seen you as Jade and your videos of your African impression were spot on. And you look good in cat suit. But I’m glad you are taking time from all this to be with your family. Enjoy it while it lasts, baby girl. You have many of years to work hard. You’re still young, explore the world.”

“Thanks, Chad. I’ll be over there in a minute, okay”, she kissed his cheek as he placed the pictures in his bag and made his way. Candy smiled and bit her lip as she thought that maybe it was worth not taking a vacation for. Geo came to her side and whispered “let’s make our way. We got 45 minutes to get over there in time.” They made their way over, she stood by the stage waiting to watch them when she felt two strong hands on shoulders. She turned to see a familiar face. “Winnie”, she jumped into his arms as he swung her around. He wore a yellow sweatshirt with camouflage bottoms and yellow sneakers. He placed her down gently and asked “came to see me?”

“Of course I did, Sir Winston C. Duke.” They laughed as Angela Basset came by. “Look at my Delta baby. How are you doing, Miss Candace?” Angela gave her a big church mother hug and Candace replied with “I’m blessed.” Angela agreed with a smile and told Winston, “I’m sorry to interrupt but Ryan needs us backstage. We are about to start.” Winston nodded his hand before giving Candy one more bear hug. “Good luck, guys”, Candace waved and waited. Geo stood beside her, leaning into her ear. “They finna get a surprise on their hands, huh?”

“Sure are. Y’know Chad back there told me something at my booth a few minutes ago.”

“What he say?”

“He said I would have been perfect. But also said I have plenty of time to work.” Geo stood closer to her and asked “do you regret taking the part, now?” She looked at him and said “nah, but I am def taking a damn break after this one. A good year or so. Probably go back to Africa or something.” Geo nodded as they watched Ryan Coogler take stage. He wore black sweatershirt, jean, sneaker combination. “Hey, hey. How y’all doing”; the crowd cheered. “I wanna thank all of you for coming out to the Comic Con 2020. I am blessed to be back to direct for this new installment. We have an amazing cast for y’all and hope to top the first. Y’all ready?” The crowd cheered once again as Candace playfully covered her ears watching. “First off, we have the man himself. Give it up for Chadwick Boseman a.k.a T’Challa. KING OF WAKANDA!” The crowd went crazy as Chadwick strolled on stage being as smooth as always. He gave Ryan brotherly love and stood beside him. “Next up, we have the smartest princess of Wakanda. Give it up for Princess Shuri, LETICIA WRIGHT.” Leticia walked on stage doing a little dance that her and Chadwick did to make one another laugh and stood beside him. One by one, he called the others and lastly was everyone’s favorite villain. “Give it up for the prince himself, MICHAEL B. JORDAN.” Everyone went crazy when he approached the stage. He walked with a confident stride bowing to the crowd and do his signature hand pose.

A woman with red hair came to Candace side and led Geo and herself to the backstage as Ryan spoke more. “Aight, so y’all must have heard what has been going on with the new member of the cast. Media been going crazy for the actress everyone thought we hired but I’m here to tell y’all none of that was true. The real actress is already here to make this announcement for you. Please give it up for one of the hardest working young ladies. Star of her own YouTube channel for fifteen years, Oscar and Tony winner, Angela Basset’s sorority daughter and her first role that got her where she is now. Give it up for Madam Slay herself… CANDACE ‘BABY GIRL’ MONROOOOOOOOE.” The crowd went crazy as Candace took stage, waving and smiling. Lupita and Angela were the first to run to her and give her so much love. Candace giggled as Lupita kept holding on to her and Letitia made her way to the group smiling and gave her a hug as well as Chadwick made his way over. He gave Candace a dap and a hug as they all made their way back in line. Candace stood next to Michael who paid her no mind. “Aight, aight. See y’all at the panel.” The cast all waved to the crowd and Chadwick was the first to step down, helping all the ladies down.

An interviewer sat them down at a table where the women sat and the men stood. “Thank you guys for joining me”, the male said and they all nodded. “This looks a very well planned cast. Congratulations to the amazing Candace Monroe. How do you feel?” Candace smiled as she answered.

“Blessed. Blessed to be with such an amazing cast and blessed to just be here.” The man smiled with a nod and asked Chadwick. “Chadwick, how do you feel that you have a woman who does most of her own stunts like Miss Monroe here?” He stood behind her with his hands behind his back and said “feels great to have her on the team. I’ve been watching her since MK and I know she will bring a lot to the table.” Candace looked back and to the camera with her charming smile. The interviewer looked to Ryan and asked “Ryan, how was her audition?”

“She did really, really well. Madam Slay is the perfect character for her but it will also will be a challenge that I know she can handle.”

“How does everyone else feel?” Danai looked over to Candace then to the man and said “I am very happy. She is a talented individual that will do great,” Danai finished with wink to her. Angela hugged Candace’s shoulder and said “I couldn’t have said it any better.” Everyone agreed but Michael only nodded. After the questions ended, the group made their way to the panel and sat waiting for the Q and A portion. A woman dressed in a Jade costume stood at the microphone and asked “this is for Candace.” The crowded cheered and Candace leaned into her mic with a smile and said “yes, my sweet baby?”

“How do you think you would do in Black Panther?” Candace folded her hands and said “well, to be honest. I am a tad anxious. I always am when I take on a new role in anything I do. I’m nervous that I won’t bring anything to the table and let down everyone that believes in me. But, all I can do is try my hardest and do my absolute best.” The crowd clapped as she smiled small and Winston kissed her head. A man dressed as Killmonger in the museum scene said “this is for Mike. Michael, how you feel that you got a beautiful woman like Candace as your lady in the movie?” The group turned to him slightly before looking ahead. “I’m thankful. We might be a good pair but only time will tell. She got talent and she works hard so I’m a happy man.” Candace smiled a little as she sipped her water.

Finally, the panel came to an end and the group got to just enjoy the rest of their time. Geo came to Candace’s side and asked “where to first, boss?” She looked up at him and flicked his ears. “Bwoy, you forget we friends huh?” Leticia laughed at the pair and said “well, I’m finna get out of here. I got a photoshoot tomorrow so I gotta take care of some stuff.”

“Okay, T. But don’t forget we start reading tomorrow and all month with training starting in two weeks”, Ryan said before she said her goodbyes. Candace played with her lanyard as she watched all the people pass her. She really was terrified on being Madam Slay but all she had to so was just hope for the better. “Well, I don’t know about you guys but I will be living my Comic Con fantasy and buy all the stuffies my little hands touch. Oh and get some food or what not.” They laughed expect for Michael who looked around. Ryan told her “I will text you the details in a few. Enjoy ya night, Madam.”

*𝕋𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔼𝔻 𝕃𝕆𝕍𝔼𝕊*

@muse-of-mbaku @im5ftbutmythroat66 @chaneajoyyy @melanin-samii @theunsweetenedtruth @doux-ciel @unicornluvin8765@vikkidc @wakandantings @thadelightfulone @mzamethystp@simbiann @tropicalsun10 @babydoll756 @notoriouslynay@vminax @quinsly @pinkdemolition @quietstorm-73@chaoticcashfancroissant @bugngiz @chocolatedippedinhoney@yafavcocoa @lostgalaxies @mbakuwife@youreadthatright@babygotl01292003 @acceptyourselfloveyourself @madamslayyy@yoyolovesbucky @theogbadbitch @wakanda-inspired@bitchacho25 @toniilaney @wakandascrystal@girlsneedlovingfanfics @raysunshine78 @melodyofmbaku@hearteyes-for-killmonger @silenceisplatinum @thickemadame@shookmcgookqueen @heykillmongerluhme@fonville-designs @cutewylie @allhailqueennel @10bsatatime @nickidub718 @lildashofmelanin @allhailqueennel @amirra88 @hakunalive4eva@thickemadame @ghostfacekill-monger @cherrystainedlipsbaby

#mbj x oc #mbj fanfic #OFF SCRIPT SERIES #Candace Monroe #michael b. jordan #mbj x reader #artisticestheticreads #black panther #madam slay

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womenofcolor15 · 4 years

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BRITISH VOGUE TAKEOVER: Lupita Nyong’o Isn’t Moved By Coins, She’d Rather Make Social & Cultural Impact Through Work

Lupita Nyong'o is British Vogue’s February 2020 cover star. Peep her cover and spread, plus what she said about changing the culture inside...

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Introducing #LupitaNyongo as #BritishVogue’s February 2020 cover star. Her Hollywood debut won her an Oscar. Her first book is a number-one bestseller. She can even rap. For Lupita Nyong’o, as she tells @OEMarks in the new issue, a supercharged career means being able to choose the stories that need to be told. Click the link in bio for @Edward_Enninful’s editor’s letter, and see the Oscar-winning actor in colourful splendour in the February 2020 issue, on newsstands Friday 3 January. @LupitaNyongo wearing @LouisVuitton by @NicolasGhesquiere. Photographed by #StevenMeisel, styled by @Edward_Enninful and concept by @NicolasGhesquiere, with hair by @VernonFrancois, make-up by @PatMcGrathReal, nails by @JinSoonChoi and set design by @MaryHoward_SetDesign.

A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue) on Dec 30, 2019 at 8:54am PST

Lupita Nyong'o doesn't just talk a good talk, she backs it up.

The US star is British VOGUE's February 2020 cover star where she opens up about making cultural and societal changes with career, along with being a number-one bestselling author, rapping, producing and directing.

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“No matter how much American TV I’d ingested, nothing could prepare me for the truth,” says #LupitaNyongo about the culture shock of moving from Africa to America to study. The actor talks to @OEMarks about transitioning from drama school student to Oscar winner and how giving herself “permission to take things slow” was key to her supercharged success. Read the full interview in the February 2020 issue, on newsstands Friday 3 January. @LupitaNyongo photographed by #StevenMeisel, styled by @Edward_Enninful and concept by @NicolasGhesquiere, with hair by @VernonFrancois, make-up by @PatMcGrathReal, nails by @JinSoonChoi and set design by @MaryHoward_SetDesign.

A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue) on Dec 30, 2019 at 9:13am PST

The Kenyan beauty is strategic when accepting roles. And the best part about it is that, she isn't concerned with how much money she'll make from a role. She's an actress who's looking to change the game and leave her mark on the world with the roles she decide to portray and the stories she wants the world to see/hear.

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“I don’t get fulfilment from the number of zeros attached to a project. What I’m seduced by is the potential to shift a narrative.” Pushing cultural change is something #LupitaNyongo has always done in her career, and 2019 was no different. In the past 12 months she’s published her first children’s book, ‘Sulwe’, fronted a documentary about the astounding true story of the Agoji, Benin’s female army and starred in ‘Us’, one of the most critically acclaimed films of the past year. Next up? Taking on an adaptation of @Chimamanda_Adichie’s ‘Americanah’. Read the full interview in the February 2020 issue, on newsstands Friday 3 January. @LupitaNyongo photographed by #StevenMeisel, styled by @Edward_Enninful and concept by @NicolasGhesquiere, with hair by @VernonFrancois, make-up by @PatMcGrathReal, nails by @JinSoonChoi and set design by @MaryHoward_SetDesign.

A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue) on Dec 30, 2019 at 9:29am PST

“I don’t get fulfillment from the number of zeros attached to a project,” she tells the magazine. “What I’m seduced by is the potential to shift a narrative. That is very seductive to me, having social and cultural impact.”

That's evident in her movies 12 Years a Slave and US, two movies who made an impact on the culture. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her first film (12 Years a Slave) and Jordan Peele's horror film US was one of the biggest live-action original films to hit the box office since Avatar.

While creating content that will shift the narrative, it comes with a price.

“Filming is so time-consuming. And intense,” she explains. “With Black Panther, a lot of us were single. On Little Monsters, nobody was single. Everyone, when they’re done with their day’s work, wants to go home to their families, which makes a whole lot of sense. When you don’t have that it’s very isolating.”

The 36-year-old actress is all for speaking up...but only for causes that she's really passionate about. No, she's not the celeb just sharing memes about causes that she comes across on social media.

"I speak up for the things I can personally vouch for,” she says. “There’s a lot going on in this world, a lot of causes that are noble. But I feel most useful when I have a personal connection. And the conviction to say something.”

Loves it. You can read more from her interview here. You can also read the full interview in the February issue of British Vogue, which hits newsstands on January 3rd.

Photo: Denis Makarenko/Shuttershock.com

[Read More ...] source http://theybf.com/2019/12/31/british-vogue-takeover-lupita-nyong%E2%80%99o-isn%E2%80%99t-moved-by-coins-she%E2%80%99s-rather-make-social-cultu

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originaljediinjeans · 5 years

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MCU Rewatch: “Black Panther” (2018)

Summary: *Deep thematic discussion,* “lol that thing is cute,” “I love Shuri”, “wait a minute, I’m white, am I the bad guy?” *Shameless Killmonger shaming* *Bucky angst* “Seriously what is up in Wakanda?” *more deep thematic discussion* “look at this and this random cute stuff” *more Bucky angst* “White Gary Stu is an important character, in this essay I will--” *tries not to get into discussing racial issues that I know nothing about* *fails*

Actually, Okoye and W’kabi already DO have a kid: it’s the rhino!!!!! XD

Young T’challa in the prologue asking his father about the story of how Wakanda came to be and why they hide from the outside world--that is a kid trying to understand why the world is the way it is. And that is something that T’challa is still trying to grasp when we fast forward to present day. Even then, T’challa’s experiences in Civil War have already opened his eyes to the struggles in the outside world and the suffering of innocent people.

King T’chaka is VERY imposing in that flashback scene

The issue of Bucky Barnes is palpable in the subtext of the conversation between Nakia, Okoye, and T’challa when they bring Everett back with them from Korea, if nowhere else in the film. Anyone seeing BP for the first time after CACW would be aware of the context. Obviously Barnes is not a concern to them at the moment because he is on cryo and has one arm. Okoye probably had an easier time swallowing T’challa wanting to help Bucky because he was a fugitive who would not be safer anywhere else and he was framed for a crime he did not commit, aka killing the previous king. She might have thought it was fair, in fact, for T’challa to make reprimands for attempting to murder the poor thing. Everett Ross is a white man also but in completely different circumstances that Okoye very pointedly outlines: he is a foreign intel operative, and if they let him live and leave Wakanda then he will tell the rest of the world what they saw there (unless the Wakandans have some kind of brainwashing tech of their own--maybe they’re too humane for that but why wouldn’t they? Or just leave Everett unconscious in Shuri’s lab until he recovers and then when he’s ready take him outside the border and leave him there to wake up). Okoye is basically saying, “Look, T’challa, Barnes was one thing, helping this guy is a terrible idea because he is more likely to betray us if we let him live.” But to Nakia and T’challa it makes no difference: Everett is a human being, if they have the means and resources to help Everett recover then they should help. Is a person’s life really worth less than an entire country’s safety? Shuri’s jibe “another broken white boy” serves to burst the bubble of that tension.

No, seriously, T’challa put the kimoyo bead into Everett’s wound and offered to take him to Wakanda and Okoye’s face was like WHAT

I’m just gonna call him Everett to differentiate him from Thunderbolt Ross. Maybe Everett the Leveret.

Okoye doesn’t care who she kills. She serves her country and whoever in her mind is legally the king. Anyone who is a threat to the throne that she is sworn to protect she will kill--”Without question.” It’s not that she doesn’t value life, but she values her oath as a member of the Dora Millaje. Her country, her people, her monarch: those are her priorities.

But would she have been happy afterward about if if she had been forced to kill her own husband? Clearly she was conflicted about working for Killmonger, and as soon as she found a loophole she broke ranks and took all the Dora Millaje with her. She does not want to support a monarch who will cause Wakanda to commit needless bloodshed in the rest of the world. The other Dora Millaje saw how ruthlessly Killmonger murdered Zuri and then threw T’challa off the waterfall: they are not here for it.

If the new king of Wakanda wants to get into international relief, then Okoye will stand by her king.

*smh* T’challa and Nakia flirting on the job. I’m not saying they shouldn’t do it. By all means, continue.

Just putting this out there: a film or mini-series about Nakia or Wakanda’s foreign operatives would be pretty sweet

Also, it’s nice to see Lupita N’yongo and Andy Serkis in roles that aren’t motion-captured. They are both incredible actors and having them did so much for this film.

The assault and robbery at the museum in London must have taken at least weeks of planning.

I like how Queen Ramona wears a full-length gown with a fuller skirt to T’challa’s coronation. It’s still African in decoration but it’s a little more “European” than what everyone else is wearing. I guess in Wakanda the queen has the luxury of wearing a dress with that kind of skirt.

Dealing with the loss of close family members is a theme throughout the film. The main Wakandan characters put aside their grief for King T’chaka for T’challa’s coronation, and I assume it was healing for T’challa to see his father again on the ancestral plain. But learning about his father’s covered mistakes shakes his perception of what his father was and how he ruled--how all the kings and queens before him ruled. And he has to address his grief again. T’challa decides that the best way forward for himself and his county is to change how Wakanda does things with the outside world.

I don’t really like Shuri’s upgraded suit for T’challa. The purple nano-energy is kind of unsettling, or maybe I just don’t like how it looks against the black. I also don’t like how it tears up whatever clothes T’challa is wearing. But I understand why she did it.

On that note, Shuri is a princess, and that is WHY she has the time to do whatever she wants, and I just think it’s fun that she used her time to further her education during her teen years and go into technology research. It’s kind of like how modern royalty are advocates for the arts and certain pasttimes, but on the next level.

Apparently, some of Shuri’s technological advances (esp. the trains in the vibranium mine) have been pretty recent.

Also, Shuri is a multi-tasker, and she’s probably always working on six or seven projects at a time. And she’s not afraid to do more. She starts on one, puts it aside to work on another, and while she switches between tasks she thinks about how to do the others. This girl is...way ahead of everyone. Especially me. But I’d love to be friends with her. IDK how to make her not see that I’m just another “colonizer” but I’ll figure it out.

“Shuri calling people “GENIUS!” when they get on her nerves.

She’s territorial about her lab.

Another point about Shuri: other Wakandans’ kimoyo beads might have a certain set of functions, but Shuri probably programmed hers to sync to everything she touches

My dad commented while watching that the potion that strips away the power of the heart-shaped herb is “nasty stuff.” No shucks, Sherlock.

Gosh, I hate Killmonger. He is so smug, he is so condescending to everyone he meets. He is so convinced that he’s right that when he first enters the throne room he acts like he’s already won the challenge and become the king. He only wants to build a “Wakandan Empire” to satisfy his own angst--how much does he even care about his “brothers and sisters”? He is convinced that every person in the world is his enemy. EVERY. PERSON. Including me. Including T’challa. Including the aunt and cousin he’s never met. Including the white guy in the fridge he doesn’t know about. Erik is next-level messed up. He’s just the worst.

(I’m white--am I supposed to take the discourse that “white people are evil” personally?)

“Hey Auntie.” Every time I hear that line I want to break through the fourth wall and slap him.

I mean, only a really heartless person would not feel sorry for the trauma that Erik went through when he lost his dad. And deep down, I sympathize with Killmonger’s anger, and I have such a rigid way of thinking that I admit that I am tempted to wonder about righting the world’s wrongs with violent means. Is he right that white colonizers ruined the world for Africans? Yes. But no, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth leaves the whole world blind and toothless.” Punishing the “class” of people who have “wronged” the “oppressed” only furthers the cycle of pain and suffering. And pain and suffering are not limited by wealth and status and nationality. Solving the world’s problems isn’t about putting others down, it is about pulling people up and letting them heal. That is why T’challa’s strategy of international outreach is the right one.

Which is why the post-credit scene with Bucky is actually relevant to the film as a whole: he was the first person in need that T’challa and Shuri were able to give to. T’challa choosing to help Bucky paved the way for deciding to share Wakanda’s resources with the less fortunate in the world.

(I’m saying that to myself like I’m angry that Bucky is there at all. It’s called having a mental illness that wants to destroy the things I care about the most. Like there’s this demon in my brain that wants to agree with the extremists who think that Bucky and Everett were “valued” more than Killmonger. Killmonger let himself die because he had the same outlook that all white people are scum and refused to open himself to the possibility that he was wrong--unlike T’challa.)

“This movie vilifies African-Americans and puts native Africans on a pedestal.” SCREW THAT CRAP. Killmonger was as much a victim as he was a villain. And T’challa and his entire country got called out for not helping other people of African descent across the world. Gosh *rrrgh*

Having the heir to the throne available to be challenged by the heirs of the other tribal leaders was part of the inter-tribal agreement of how to govern Wakanda. It’s supposed to make it “fair” to the different groups, including the Jabari. That probably implies that the tribal council members are interrelated to each other and the royal family since the monarch has been chosen from different ruling families and they would have intermarried to keep their status--the fact that T’challa has an on and off relationship with the daughter of the River Tribe chief kind of validates that theory. Which tribes were Ramona and T’chaka part of? I’m curious.

I’m not sure how much contact the Jabari have with the rest of Wakanda but I’ll bet M’baku enjoys sending the reigning monarch passive-aggressive letters or something like that.

I am a huge fan of T’challa’s black robe that he wears on his first day as king.

I really hope the heart-shaped herb grows in the wild

(I wonder if average Wakandans have access to the heart-shaped herb, maybe for medicinal uses)

It is interesting how falling asleep into the trance from the heart-shaped herb is depicted as having flashbacks to the death of the new king’s predecessor/father. It’s kind of like falling asleep IRL and your subconscious slowly takes over.

T’challa dragging M’baku to the edge of the waterfall during their fight was a gutsy move. But I still think T’challa is a Hufflepuff.

T’challa does not like to compromise. It’s kind of unsettling to watch him talking to Everett in their first two scenes: it’s like T’challa thinks he is dictating actual reality while Everett still insists on what is real.

Yeah, Everett, I hate 80s music too. Klaue probably listens to some real garbage.

I hate that they had to kill off such a great villain and he was being so villainous, but I think the screenwriters felt like that was the only way the Wakandans would let Killmonger into their country, War Dog tattoo or not.

I am just...really soft for the border tribe rhinos, okay?

I’m not sure how much Ulysses Klaue is pretending to be crazy and how much he’s been actually off his rocker since Ultron tore off his arm but after this viewing I’m pretty sure it’s mostly pretending. It is convincing, though.

Did W’kabi ever get counseling after his parents’ deaths?

...actually, does Wakanda even HAVE psychotherapy/counseling like the rest of the world does? Or do they count on technology and medicines to fix all our mental health and emotional problems? You’d think they would have counseling. You’d think they have everything we have except better, but what if they don’t? You’d think that could have been an option for Bucky, except he was so afraid of being triggered by his own shadow.

I have, like, a lot of questions just about how things are done in Wakanda in general

Like they have access to foreign films and the rest of the world’s internet. The world just can’t tap into them. They see us but we can’t see them. Wakandans know what the outside world is like but they don’t bother about getting on the same page.

T’challa and Shuri are a great team, I want to see them in action together more in the future

I like the jacket that Okoye wears in Korea

In all fairness, Everett Ross is used to being the man in charge, and T’challa is a challenge to his authority. From T’challa’s perspective, he is rude and abrasive, but that’s why he does what he does. Even though T’challa is the king of another country, that doesn’t change anything in Everett’s playbook. Everett acts the way he was trained: he tries to speak up because it’s his job to inform people about his interpretation of the situation, he helps out Okoye and Nakia during the car chase but that’s because he’s after Klaue too so he might as well. He volunteers to help overthrow Killmonger--”hey, you’re going to need all the help you can get”--because he knows as well as the others that if Killmonger can carry out his plan then it could create a global catastrophe. His background info on Erik Stevens informs T’challa and company that Killmonger was not a good person, nor did he have good intentions being in Wakanda.

I don’t really like how Shuri kind of puts Everett down: “broken white boy”, “colonizer,” “I know everything about you plus I’m smarter than you so you do as I tell you because you’re a stupid outsider”. I get it, it’s supposed to be justice for hundreds of years of white people treating Africans like this. So me being white, naturally, it makes me uncomfortable. But I don’t see why it’s nice, even if it is cute. It’s like she’s treating him like a pet hamster, or a rabbit or a hare...a baby hare...a leveret.

How am I supposed to know that Shuri doesn’t see Bucky Barnes as just another fun science project? Or just a favor she’s doing for her brother? That’s my jealousy talking, but I think those are questions worth asking.

I’m glad that Shuri recognizes Everett’s skill as a pilot. But she barely explains to him what he’s supposed to do when they arrive in the laboratory--and then she and Nakia hurry off to change into their battle costumes (and Shuri does her hair and makeup, too). Did they not go over the plan in detail and explain things to the noob beforehand?

Zuri had a lot of survivor’s guilt. I don’t blame him but it’s still really sad. You didn’t have to do that, sir.

Even if the Jabari did eat white people, Everett Ross would be just a snack to them.

I kind of like the casual button-up outfit that Everett wears for most of his Wakanda scenes. I think that’s the sort of thing I’d like to see Bucky wearing while he’s in Wakanda

My mom says that in the scene where we see T’challa reenter the throne room she saw M’Baku in there. Really? Was Everett Ross there too?

M’baku is a much nicer person than we give him credit for being. But he really is kind of a drama queen. An he’s just rude. He’s cool but like, come on, man.

Seriously, when he teases Everett about eating him, Ramona, Nakia, and Shuri all give M’baku a look like, “Dude, he’s with us, not now. This isn’t helping.” : /

I’m definitely sticking around for the Black Panther sequel to see how M’baku and W’kabi continue to complicate or uncomplicate things for T’challa

I love how T’challa was shown taking the time processing the news that his father had killed his uncle and how Nakia was helping him through it. It’s like Ryan Coogler understood something that the writers and directors of Captain Marvel did not...

The Queen Mother doesn’t do much in the film but she shines in the scene where she administers the herb to her son. She knows the ritual, she knows how to prepare the herb, she knows just what to do.

“We may be creating a bigger monster with M’baku.” I just LOVE that line. When I was in college I went to the English symposium, and I went to a panel on Frankenstein. One of the papers discussed the relationship between the creator and the creation, and one of the examples the author used was Iron Man 2 and the relationship between Tony Stark and the “monster” that his father created. And the theme runs through the entire MCU and here Ramona Says the Thing Out Loud and it’s amazing.

Golly, that must’ve been a fun hike, up steep trails and slippery ice to Jabariland with a white guy who has no idea what’s going on and thinks he needs to be in charge. While you’re suffering from the fact that your son/brother/ex is most likely dead. Were any of the ladies tempted to just push him off a cliff? Well, I’m glad they didn’t because that wouldn’t have helped their cause.

OR MAYBE: Everett, because he is a nice person, helps the ladies climb up the steep, secret mountain trails safely, he lets them lead the way because clearly he doesn’t know his way around; he and Shuri help Ramona out because she is older, even with Wakandan treatments for aging joints and arthritis she’s still a little stiff, and Ramona tells him “Thank you” and looks him in the eyes when she does so. He catches Nakia when she slips on ice, “Thank you, but I am sure I can take care of myself.” “I know you can, ma’am. Just watch your step.” Everett wishes he and the others had better hiking gear and warm coats instead of just blankets. Shuri and Nakia catch Everett when he falls at least twice: he’s still recovering from his gunshot wound, and the altitude is getting to him. Everett and the three women don’t talk that much while they are hiking, they hold hands and pull each other up while going up the steeper trails. Getting up the mountain takes a team effort and Everett is a part of it.

Nakia; “You know, Okoye wanted to just leave you to die.” Everett: “That’s comforting.”

Of course I get the symbolism of Killmonger and T’challa fighting in the vibranium mine--that mine is literally everything that Wakanda is built on.

“Please stay--I know a way you can still fulfill your calling.” Nakia is like, okay, I’m not sure I believe you, lemme just kiss you.” T’challa is so soft I can’t even.

It is so cool that there are so many female lead characters that are powerful and influential. AND they’re warriors, how cool is that? I respect Nakia, Shuri, and Okoye so much. I might have more in common with them than I realize. More likely, they’re the ideal I should work for. Goes to show how badly I need a sequel.

The reason I like Black Panther so much is because I am white and this film gave me a way to empathize with the black experience. One of the superpowers of fiction is to be a medium to help us discover empathy for others.

It’s like what T’challa says to Steve Rogers in the Civil War mid-credit scene: his dad and the man framed for murdering his dad were both victims of a greater evil. Skin color, wealth, political status--there is nothing that makes that commonality invalid. And T’challa knew that he and his long-lost cousin Erik had a lot in common in spite of a lifetime of not knowing about his existence.

Every character in this film has a story that is beautifully told and I am here for every single one. (Maybe not so much Killmonger and Klaue)

If it’s not too much to ask, though, please be kind to Everett Ross, he is doing his best. He didn’t have to help T’challa take back his country, but it was his job anyway and he knew what T’challa and Nakia and Shuri were up against. (Plus they needed a gosh-darn pilot). T’challa, Nakia, and Shuri refusing his assistance because he was an ignorant outsider would have defeated the entire point of the the story. He is a better person for his experience in Wakanda, and the world is a better place for T’challa having saved his life at all. Everett is, at the very least, a role model for stepping up.

Everett also reminds me of a smol and determined epaulette shark--but then again, he’s played by the same actor who played Bilbo Baggins.

I GUESS some feedback on this post would be helpful. There are some parts where I need to be more blunt about my perspective in order to express my thoughts. Also my feelings about Bucky are kind of not in a good place right now.

#black panther movie #mcu rewatch #wakanda #shuri #killmonger #t'challa #Everett Ross #bucky barnes #meta #headcanons

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darringauthier · 5 years

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Black Panther (2018)

Genre: Action/Super Hero

Who’s In It: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluwya, Andy Serkis, Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett

Who Directed It: Ryan Coogler

Plot: T'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.

Running Time: 2 Hours 14 Minutes

Rotten Tomatoes Score: Critics 97% Audience 79%

Why I Watched It: Well it’s a Marvel Movie and I’ve seen all of them to this point so I was all in and also the hype and the cast, come on you had to watch it just to have an opinion, for goodness sake it’s a Super Hero movie that grabs a Best Picture Nomination, had to see how good it was for myself.

How I Saw It: Netflix Canada

Random Thoughts: At this point I think Marvel is a movie genre not just a film company or comic book publisher, they have turned their movies into a niche, a mega sub-genre they’re more than a brand they have a formula for their movies. This is a point rather than criticism but to that point I might be suffering from Super Hero fatigue, I don’t dislike them but they rarely get me excited cause I know what’s coming. Now I think Marvel movies are well done and yes they look great and they’re entertaining but man they’re over long and they just play to the next movie.

What I Liked: Top to bottom this film is aces, all the tech stuff, they look, sound say a category and it’s amazing. Marvel out did themselves on the look of this film, and I give tons of credit to director Ryan Coogler, he hasn’t done that many films and nothing of this size but he did a great job, he gets lost in the shuffle but a lesser director could have made a mess, a great looking mess but Coogler made a solid film.

The cast is great, everyone is good the standout has to be Michael B Jordan cause he made a very good and memorable Marvel villain, there’s plenty in the comics but they have been the one failing in most Marvel movies but not here he’s very good and dare I say he’s almost well rounded as a character maybe even more than Black Panther himself.

The acting is good and I have to say they elevate the film cause this is huge in scope but the cast mange to ground the film, lots of characters and lots of history but they made everything feel real and lived in.

What I Didn’t Like: Let’s start off by saying I didn’t love it, so for me it didn’t live up to the hype but these films rarely do but for me as good as some stuff was or I should say most of the stuff there were so issues. I say this and write this a lot but man this film was too long, it could and should have been tighter, the film does feel bloated and I know for some people that’s great, there’s so much stuff so much to watch but for me it’s too much.

Now here is where I’m getting tired of the Marvel formula, nothing surprised me here, well except that the villain didn’t suck, but other than that it’s a Marvel movie done to their formula and it feels safe, yes I know they finally featured a Super Hero of color, they had already did Blade and to be honest I liked it better, I know we can move on. So I’m not taking away what this film represented but that alone doesn’t make it a great film, important but not great on that point alone. Don’t get me wrong it’s a solid movie and it works in the Marvel assembly line and sure I’ll watch the sequel but it didn’t blow me away.

The one thing I thought was just ok was the action, it wasn’t anything great, the quiet stuff, the character stuff was more interesting, sure the gadgets were cool but the action sequences were fine but didn’t blow me away.

Final Thoughts: For my money a good but not great film, I wouldn’t have voted it for Best Picture but it’s a good action Super Hero movie.

Rating: 6/10

#black panther #ryan coogler #chadwick boseman #michael b jordan

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newagesispage · 5 years

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FEBRUARY 2019

PAGE RIB

***** I am over the moon at the suggestion of a biopic of Dave Letterman starring Michael Shannon. Will somebody think about really putting this into production??? Please??

***** Criminal Minds will wrap it up after this next and 15th season. The season 14 finale on Feb.6 will have Rossi’s wedding. They will spend the last season chasing after ‘a worthy adversary’ rumored to be played by Harold Perrineau as they jump ahead in time.

***** I am so touched by shows like Grace and Frankie and Schitt’s Creek that look right past the usually discussed issues for interracial and same sex couples . Gee, just think, it’s like we are all the same.

***** If you haven’t seen Michael Bennet and his senate floor speech about Ted Cruz, government shutdowns and Trump, run to C-span and catch it. These things make me proud to be in a DEMOCRACY!

***** Can this be true?? The constitution of Texas states that one can’t hold public office unless they believe in a supreme being??

***** Julian Castro is running for President.

***** Kamala Harris is running for President.

***** Cory Booker is running for President.

***** HGTV is apparently working on a huge publicity stunt and ratings grabber. They have purchased the home whose exterior was used in the Brady Bunch. A show will reunite the cast, bring in some famous fane and remodel the inside to look like the Brady set. At the end they may give the house away.

***** Michael Shannon and Audra McDonald will team up to revive Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune on Broadway.

***** Rashida Jones and Bill Murray will star in Sofia Coppola’s’ On the Rocks.’

***** Why isn’t extreme ironing a bigger sport by now??** And can we make Petanque a bigger thing while we’re at it?

***** Craig Ferguson is selling his LA compound.

***** China has landed on the far side of the moon!!!

***** NASA’s New Horizons has went further than anyone has gone before for our first image of Ultima Thule.

***** Kentucky has introduced a bill to ban abortion in the state.

***** Told to a reporter: “It’s your job to speak truthfully and precisely, not mine.” –Kellyanne Conway** The new book, Team of Vipers, suggests that The Conways are working in concert. It is thought that she is valuable to Trump because she has no qualms about saying anything.

***** Super bowl LIII will host Maroon 5, Travis Scott and Big Boi. They will have no pre- concert interview. It is said that many artists turned down the gig because of the controversy. Maroon 5 has gotten some shit for performing but they caution us to just watch.** Roger Waters has asked Maroon 5 to take a knee during the show.

***** Natasha Lyonne is getting raves for her new show, Russian Doll.

***** Tom Sizemore was arrested for drug possession.

***** 6 NFL coaches were fired in one week!!!

***** Pentagon chief of staff, rear admiral Kevin Sweeney is out.

***** Rod Rosenstein is on the way out.

***** Jaymo’s, a Peoria company is suing Wendy’s over the use of their S’Awesome sauce.

***** We should enact the stop the stupidity act.

***** Why does it seem every other show on the air is sort of an entire season of a Twilight Zone episode?

***** There are more people in the Kremlin than in Washington who know what Trump said to Putin. – Tom Nichols

***** Members of congress can retire at full pay after 1 term. Children of congress members don’t have to pay back student loans. Is that true?? Can this be right??

***** Dupont is laying off workers.

***** Check out love your brain.com.

***** The Golden Globes were held and were hosted by Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh. My best dressed was Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Moss. Danai Gurira, Julia Roberts, Carol Burnett, Emily Blunt, Lupita Nyong’o, Patricia Clarkson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jameela Jamil, Rosamund Pike, Jim Carrey, Alison Brie, Gemma Chan and Bradley Cooper. Worst dressed goes to Rachel Weisz, Julianne Moore, Layra Dern, Anne Hathaway, Maya Rudolph, Rami Mlek, Molly Sims and Heidi Klum. I was so happy for winners like The Americans (highlight of the evening!!!), Regina King, Lady Gaga, Mahershala Ali, Patricia Clarkson, Darren Criss, Bohemian Rhapsody, Rami Malek, Olivia Colman and Green Book. The Cecil B. DeMille award went to Jeff Bridges. The new Carol Burnett award started off with Carol herself. I was saddened that Bill Hader, Henry Winkler, Kieran Culkin, Keri Russell and Sacha Baron Cohen went home empty handed. The Fiji water girl got most of the press and gave much free advertising to her product. Some of the stars did not like her getting in their shots to push a product without their knowledge, both a clever and sad state of affairs.

***** The Kominsky Method will be back for season 2.

***** The Sag awards had their big night and gave the lifetime achievement to Alan Alda. Winners included Emily Blunt, Darren Criss, Black Panther, Rami Malek and Glenn Close. I was especially thrilled with some love goingto Jason Bateman and Patricia Arquette. Best dressed were Amy Adams, Yara Shahidi, Brian Tyree Henry, Sydelle Noel, Eddie Griffin, Holly Taylor, Sofia Hubitz, Emma Stone, Emily Blunt, Darren Criss, Laverne Cox, Timothee Chalamet, Robin Wright, Lily Tomlin, Chadwick Boseman, Matthew Rhys, Keri Russell, and Catherine Zeta Jones. The WTF award goes to Alison Brie.

***** The Oscar race is on. Best picture could go to Blank Panther, Blackkklansman, Roma, The Favourite, Green Book, Vice, Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is born. Black Panther also got some love for music and costume design. Fingers crossed for Isle of Dogs in the animated category. Actor nods had a few surprises. Willem Dafoe and Rami Malek , Lady Gaga and Melissa McCarthy are up for leads and supporting mentions are for Mahershala Ali, Regina King, Adam Driver and Sam Elliott. I am so hopeful for Spike Lee and I want to hear that speech.

***** If you haven’t seen Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, you gotta check it out. He and Sarah Silverman should go on a tour of teaching acceptance for their fellow man.

***** So.. Fox news said that Ruth Bader Ginsberg was dead??

***** In sexual harassment news: Harvey Weinstein is hiring new lawyers.** Les Moonves is seeking arbitration with CBS.

***** Cher has sold her Beverly Hills cottage.

***** Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber’s daughter, Presley was arrested for DUI.

***** CBS news has named its first female President, Susan Zirinsky.

***** What is happening to the butterflies?

***** Illinois has refused a concert permit to R Kelly and Sony has dropped him. The pressure is finally starting to pay off??

***** Get ready for biopics about Harriet Tubman, Elton John and Ted Bundy.

***** NY mayor Bill De Blasio has given healthcare to every resident of NY city.

***** 25% of Russians do not have indoor toilets. Putin and his buddies have about $1trillion tucked away from London to Miami.

***** Days alert: I wonder if Leo’s real name ‘Matthew Cooper’ is a nod to out actor Chad Allen from Dr. Quinn??!! It is also fun to see Judith Chapman take on the role of Leo’s Mama, Diana. The pair played Mother and son previously on The Young and the Restless. Is she really Diana Colville from John’s past??** So Stefan has been played by Tyler Christopher who asked for some time off and a sub was put in place who will take over in March. Since Christopher left, he has since decided that he will leave permanently so things are up in the air. Will Stefan and Gabi hook up? Days has been renewed for season 55. HOORAY!!!! Ratings are up 4%. **Loved the line when Chloe told Rex he should wear a cup. **Leo and Xander’s playful “lust” was so sassy!!

***** Happy Valentine’s Day!

***** Steve Buscemi will play God on tv’s Miracle Workers.

***** So, the new Conan format has ups and downs. I miss the band and the desk but I am Loving the fade in and fade out at commercials. I have always hated the, “We’ll be right back “ nonsense. I was sad to lose a half hour at first but Conan and Andy do seem refreshed.

***** Still waiting for the release of Apple Seed which is written, directed and starring Michael Worth. It is one of the final films of Rance Howard who stars with his son, Clint, Adrienne Barbeau and the other Father and son team of Robby and Zephyr Benson.

***** The January Bob Segar concert in Illinois at the Peoria Civic Center is the top selling concert ever at this venue. Old rock acts take note.

***** Bob Costas is out at NBC after 40 years.

***** Trial and Error has been cancelled. BOO!!!

***** Steve Carell will star in Space Force which he is co-creating with The Office showrunner Greg Daniels.

***** Despite some people I admire that are giving Alexandria Ocasio Cortez a talking to like she’s a child, I say ‘Give ‘em Hell!’ She could well be President so fight girl!!

***** Word is that Karen Pence is now teaching at the Immanuel School in Virginia. The school refuses admission to students who participate in or condone homosexual activity. The application for the school states that misconduct includes heterosexual activity outside of marriage, homosexual activity, polygamy, transgender identity and use of pornographic websites. The application goes on to state that ‘a wife must submit to her husband’ and a pledge must be signed to that effect.

***** There is controversy over the bill to give people a day off for Election Day. Many people will still have to work, the country never completely shuts down. How many fucking times do I have to say it: VOTE BY MAIL!!!!!!!!!!!

***** So, Scary clown told us Mexico would pay for ‘the wall’. During the campaign he gave actual ideas for that like Mexico giving us a one time payout or else he would not allow Mexican immigrants to western union money back to Mexico. Another idea was that there would be a great ta on that Western union money. It does not seem like they tried any of that and just decided we would pay for the stupid ‘wall.’ How about the money he makes off Trump merch which his website and hotels still sell to pay for it?? How about the $35 million that Trump sold in real estate in 2018? The ‘Wall’ go fund me did not reach its $1billion goal so the $20 million they did collect is being offered for refunds. Some of those people still want that money to go for its purpose so Trump is creating a non- profit. Can’t we use that money to help the border patrol agents and get the backlog in immigration court moving?? That we are still talking about this ridiculous wall and that it had a go fund me page is enough to boggle the normal brain.** I think Kimmel said it best when he suggested that Trump just tell the red hats that the wall has been built. They believe everything he says so why wouldn’t they believe that?? It would save the country a lot of headaches. ** What the Hell is with his new “wheels and walls” mantra??** Russia caused Brexit too? Putin is a menace.** Another sink hole appeared the White House. WTF?

***** The congressional budget office says the shut down cost the U.S. 11 billion

***** Trump is talking to Herman Cain about a job on the Federal Reserve Board.

***** The GOP is selling fake bricks that cost about 50 cents for $20 each to send to Senate Dems. Some have said that the Dems should sign them and sell them and give the money to government workers. ** Why are Russian jets fucking around on the North American coastline??

***** Roger Stone has been indicted on 5 counts of false statements, 1 count of obstruction and 1 count of witness tampering. The FBI officers who arrested him were part of the shut down and they still did their job!! He publically and privately claimed to have communicated with Russia. Predictions are that many more indictments are coming down the pike that involve many familiar faces.** Roger Stone has a Nixon tattoo on his back. I feel sorry for his cell mate.-Bill Maher

***** Bill Maher got some flak for comments after Stan Lee died. He wasn’t slamming Lee, but wondered about comic book fans putting away childish things. I suppose that could include weed but point taken.

***** Jared Kushner along with 30 other White House staff was denied top secret clearance but Trump advisor Carl Kline overruled that decision and gave it to them anyway. This has never been done before, this is a job for intelligent agencies.

***** Empire star Jussie Smollett was attacked in Chicago in what cops are saying was a possible hate crime. The attackers were yelling that this was MAGA country, poured bleach on him and put a rope around his neck. The actor was previously sent a letter full of homophobic and racist slurs which he FBI had been looking into.

***** Ellen page gave us some memorable, powerful words to chew on with her appearance on Stephen Colbert. I am sure she gave courage to many who suffer because of our hate filled administration.

***** Gwyneth Paltrow is being sued from a 2016 ski incident for 3 mil.

***** I gain more and more respect for Seth Meyers. I did not really understand the choice of him as host in the beginning. His notice of local stations, choice of guests and revolving drummers makes for a great show.

***** A Dutch company may have invented a small device that converts heat into cold and Forbes is saying, ‘it could save the planet.’

***** So looking forward to Ryan Murphy’s The Politician which will star Jessica Lange, Gwyneth Paltrow and January Jones.

***** I know that is has happened little by little and we go thru times in our history when things get worse and then things get better but… When did this country get so fucking corrupt?? I mean seriously.. Why is Brendan Dassey still in prison and why is there no real justice for Teresa Halbach? ** Why is Trump still in the White House?**Why are government workers being told to work for nothing?? Why is R Kelly still living it up?? Why are some states going backward in time when it comes to women’s health?? Why do many corporations care more about their own pockets than the children of their employees or the environment around them??** Why does our justice system so often punish big for small infractions and allow the powerful to do anything they want?? **Why is a wall a better idea than infrastructure or warm beds for the homeless or food for our children and why are so many children in cages??

***** How can it be that we are still in a world where people are not allowed to reach their full potential?? Why do so many selfish humans actually fight to live in a world where they actively hold others back? Shouldn’t we all be concerned about the greater good? We should all be allowed to see a Doctor when we are ill. We should all be able to excel in education if we choose .We should all be able to get a job to fit our skills and work ethic. Opportunities and the pursuit of happiness should be available to all. Why is this so fucking hard for so many to grasp in this world? Imagine!

***** Sundance premiered the new flick, Big time adolescence with Griffin Gluck and Pete Davidson. Pete has since made no bones about filming in Syracuse. He hated it.

***** Jeff Flake will join CBS news as a contributor.

***** Tom Brokaw is in a bit of trouble for saying Hispanics should work harder at assimilation.

***** The Tom Hanks/ Matthew Rhys film, A beautiful day in the neighborhood has pushed back its release date to Nov. 22.

***** People are illogical and self- centered. Love them anyway. -Hedy Lemarr

*****R.I.P. Bob Einstein, Millie Wiesehan, victims of the Torrance. Ca. bowling alley shooting, Captain Darryl Dragon, Jo Andres, Lamin Sanneh, Carol Channing, Sandra Harmon, Bradley Bolke, the victims of Mediterranean shipwreck, Lorna Doom, victims of the Florida bank shooting, Kaye Ballard, Willie York , Barbara Claman , victims of the mining dam collapse in Brazil and James Frawley.

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popcorn-for-dinner · 6 years

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Predictions for the 90th Academy Awards

Nothing takes the sting out of these tough economic times like watching a bunch of millionaires giving golden statues to each other"- Billy Crystal, 2012 host

The Oscars are an enigmatic ceremony. In its simplest form, it’s a group of celebrities all patting themselves on the back for their various film achievements during the year. The majority of these celebrated films are often movies that mainstream audiences have neither watched (certainly not watched at the time of the Oscars) nor have any intention of watching. This, coupled with the derision usually aimed at the perceived self importance of the awards, makes it quite surprising how much attention is still paid to the ceremony. People still care who wins, people still want to know what happened during the almost 3-hour ceremony. The term “Academy Award winner” still commands a level of widespread respect, even to the person who has “Transformers: The Last Knight” as his best film of 2017.

So in anticipation of this year’s 90th Academy awards, I assembled a panel of other like-minded weirdos, Afolabi Adekaiyaoja, Chika Akachukwu and Obiora Ifeacho (all my female friends have lives so won’t waste their time watching the Oscars at 3a.m),and we discussed our reactions to this year’s nominees, who we want to win and who we believe will eventually take home the awards come March 4th.

POPCORN FOR DINNER: OKAY, LET’S START OFF WITH THE BIG ONE. THE “DRUMROLL AWARD”. WHO WINS BEST PICTURE?

Bankole Imoukhuede: This is the only category I will comment on. I think it’s such a shame Get Out isn’t the frontrunner at the moment. I do think it was the best movie this year and it’s a shame it doesn’t look like winning.

SHOULD WIN: Get Out

WILL WIN: The Shape of Water

Afolabi Adekaiyaoja: It is in years like this that I wish the Academy had stuck to their 5 nominees for this category. In that scenario, we don’t get so many filler movies. I think it is down to The Shape Of Water or Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri. I prefer Three Billboards for its storytelling and simple character tales.

SHOULD WIN: Get Out

WILL WIN: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

Obiora Ifeacho: I’m hoping that the Academy bucks its trend of being unfavourable to horror and comedy films, and gives Get Out the win. Don’t think it will though.

SHOULD WIN: Get Out

WILL WIN: The Shape of Water

Chika Akachukwu: I was actually (pleasantly) surprised Get Out got nominated. It might have just been a peace offering from the Academy though, to show they aren’t prejudiced. *insert relevant Sunken Place joke*

SHOULD WIN: The Shape of Water (despite its weak attempt to pass off bestiality as cool and romantic)

WILL WIN: Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri

POPCORN FOR DINNER: THE ACTING CATEGORIES ALL SEEM PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. RAPID FIRE. LEAD ACTOR

O.I: Gary Oldman (The Darkest Hour)

C.A: Yep, same

A.A: Yep, Oldman. Although I think Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) should win it.

POPCORN FOR DINNER: LEAD ACTRESS

O.I: Frances McDormand (Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri)

C.A: I really want Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) to win it but I think Frances McDormand wins it

A.A: Same. I think Sally Hawkins deserves to win it but its most likely going to Frances.

POPCORN FOR DINNER: SUPPORTING ACTOR

O.I: As Bill Simmons puts it, a “that guy” actor is an actor who you see everywhere but you don’t actually know his name and he never really has leading roles in successful films but you know him and appreciate his efforts knowing his time will soon come. Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri) was probably the greatest “that guy” actor of his generation. The award is firmly his. Sorry, that wasn’t quick fire lol.

C.A: Ditto. Loved Sam since Seven Psychopaths (Also written and directed by Martin McDonagh)

A.A: Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project) started off as the favourite, Christopher Plummer (All The Money in the World) is a big middle finger at Kevin Spacey, Richard Jenkins (The Shape of Water) is conveniently riding the wave of The Shape of Water (apologies for the pun), even though Michael Shannon (The Shape of Water) turns in a far better performance and Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri) is on for a little while but is naturally amazing. The only one left (Sam Rockwell) is the actor who really does make magic happen on screen and is just a delight to see.

POPCORN FOR DINNER: SUPPORTING ACTRESS

O.I: While I think Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird) should win this, it seems to be another foregone conclusion. Allison Janney (I, Tonya)

C.A: She’s won every other award. Imagine if she didn’t win this one?

A.A: Allison Janney, although I would have preferred a debut win for Mary J. Blige (Mudbound)

POPCORN FOR DINNER: BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY.

O.I: This really comes down to Get Out, Lady Bird and The Shape of Water, in my opinion. I think The Shape of Water wins it but I’ll be rooting for Get Out or Lady Bird.

A.A: I think Get Out should and will win it.

POPCORN FOR DINNER: FINAL CATEGORY. DIRECTOR.

Bankole Imoukhuede: Okay, I know I said that Best Picture was the only category I would give an input in but I am so annoyed Christopher Nolan (Dunkirk) isn’t winning this. Dunkirk in the cinema, in IMAX, was such an experience. I have absolutely nothing against Guillermo Del Toro (The Shape of Water) but I really wish Nolan was winning this.

A.A: Same. I think Nolan should win this. None of the other nominees, in my opinion, pushed the limits of the cinema experience while combining all the other aspects of moviemaking into a truly riveting and remarkable production, like he did with Dunkirk. It’s probably going to Del Toro though.

O.I: Christopher Nolan has found a way for production companies to fund his movies without relying on previous original material which is great. Very difficult to be commercially and critically successful in this day and age. Proper visual storytelling masterpiece. Del Toro wins it though.

C.A: Christopher Nolan could make a movie about anything and I’ll be game for it. The man gave us The Dark Knight. Not to mention, Bane impressions.

POPCORN FOR DINNER: OKAY, A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS TO ROUND THIS OUT. WHAT WERE YOUR SNUBS AND OSCAR BAIT FLOPS THIS YEAR?

B.I: Snubs. Probably Franco (The Disaster Artist) (although with good reason). Oscar bait flop of the year would have to be Surburbicon. A period piece written by the Coen Brothers and George Clooney, including a true story subplot that reflects our current societal issues, directed by Clooney and starring Matt Damon, Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaacs doesn’t get a single nomination? Has to be the flop of the year.

C.A: There’s nothing I love more than simplicity and nothing I hate more than overcrowded stuffed casts. Hence, my vote has to be The Post. Sure, it got an obligatory Oscar nomination for Meryl Streep and a consolation best picture nomination but it was definitely shooting for bigger targets. I don’t want to see that many stars in one movie. It just screamed “Oscars” to me.

A.A: That’s funny because Tom Hanks (The Post) is one of my snubs, the other being Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri). My Oscar bait flop has to be The Greatest Showman. It was a musical written by Oscar-winning songwriters (check), had a big name star (check) and a romantic subplot (check). I’m pretty sure someone expected this to be the next Chicago. It sucks because I really love Hugh Jackman and think the basis- PT Barnum is a riveting tale. Still, it got nearly shut out.

O.I: My big snub is Armie Hammer (Call Me by Your Name). Others were Robert Pattinson (Good Time), Michael Stuhlbarg (Call Me by Your Name and The Shape of Water) and Tifanny Haddish (Girls Trip). I have to go for The Post for my flop too. Was never a fan from the moment it was announced last year

POPCORN FOR DINNER: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE OSCARS’ MOMENT

O.I: Roberto Benigni winning Best Foreign Language film. How can you not be happy for Roberto Benigni when the Italian actor-director stood on top of his chair, waving at anybody and everybody, as he was walking across the seats to accept his award for Life is Beautiful? I mean, even Steven Spielberg was helping him on his way!

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A.A: Knowing that everyone on my TL and circle expected Boyhood to win, hearing Sean Penn remark about a guy’s green card and realising it was Birdman in the split second before he confirmed it…amazing. It was a great reward for an amazing movie, great concept and wonderful execution.

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B.I: Mine has to be Lupita’s acceptance speech for Best Actress in a Supporting role for 12 years a Slave. “No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid”. If that ain’t a clarion call to get creative, I don’t know what is.

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C.A: “Hold on imma let you finish but Moonlight had the best picture award this year, La La Land”. (This is how it played out in my head last year)

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POPCORN FOR DINNER: Parting words?

A.A.: And the nominees for now overdue Oscar win are: Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Michael Shannon, Joaquin Phoenix and Jessica Chastain…and the next one off is…

B.I: In a world where Logan got a (deserved) adapted screenplay nomination, I’m speaking it into existence that I believe, with the right campaign, Black Panther can nab at least one of a Supporting Actor, Director, Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture nomination.

O.I: GIVE ROGER DEAKINS HIS FUCKING OSCAR ALREADY

Bankole Imoukhuede

@banky_I

#oscars #academy awards #get out #call me by your name #the shape of water #three billboards #dunkirk #christopher nolan #jordan peele #daniel kaluuya #lupita nyong'o #gary oldman #allison janney #laurie metcalf #lady bird #film

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adamwatchesmovies · 6 years

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Black Panther (2018)

There are many reasons to see Black Panther. Great performances, thrilling action, exciting visuals, meaty characters... and the predominantly black cast is inspiring. When you think superhero movies have exhausted every option, this one comes along and shows you there’s still much more to be done with the genre.

After his father’s death in Captain America: Civil War, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is preparing to serve Wakanda as its king and super-powered protector, Black Panther. His ascent to the throne draws out an old enemy: Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), now accompanied by a new nemesis with intimate knowledge of the country (Michael B. Jordan as Erik Stevens).

Not instantly in love with Chadwick Boseman? That’s ok. Black Panther serves up superb villains. Klaue gets much more screentime than in Avengers: Age of Ultron, has plenty of personality, cool weapons, and a perverse charm that also makes him. Same for Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Stevens. You’d almost cheer him on… if he wasn’t taking his ideals too far. He’s smart, skilled, ruthless and has charisma to spare. You keep wondering where he’ll go next, even if you figure out how he fits into this plot in advance (I didn’t).

The heroes are equally engaging. Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross is a welcome return, but it’s the ladies steal the show. T’Challa’s ex Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), his captain of the guards Okoye (Danai Gurira) and little sister/genius inventor Shuri (Letitia Wright) are all destined to become instant favorites in a film that contains many memorable roles.

Black Panther is superbly written, taking full advantage of what differentiates its lead from the heroes we've already seen. Every inch of this picture screams unique; from the weapons and technology to the music/soundtrack, the art design, and the combat sequences too. The fights are long, exciting and expertly shot. That first confrontation between T’Challa and Stevens is a show stopper, the kind of anxiety-generating battle you wish would be in every action film.

All that said, I’m not going to call this “the best superhero movie”, or even the best in the Marvel series. Some elements of it feel overly comicbook-y and a number CGI effects stand out. Based on the $200-million price tag, I can only conclude that we will never, regardless of any budget, be able to substitute real sets for computer-generated ones. On a personal level, the ultimate fate of the villains frustrated me. Without giving away too much, I wonder why, particularly considering a sequel was guaranteed, certain decisions surrounding the baddies were made.

Black Panther stands out. I liked it even better this second time around. Even if you're uncertain, see it. Stick around for the end credits, as there’s a scene both midway and at the very end. (Theatrical version on the big screen, March 1, 2018)

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praphit · 6 years

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BP: When I think of his blackness and what he's done for me

Black Panther, baby!

I’ve been waiting for this movie for a long time! I remember the day I first saw the trailer for this movie, I was like Denzel with the one tear drop

- frickin beautiful. I’ve been saying that “Black Panther” is for black people what “Wonder Woman” was for women in 2017. I can remember back when WW first came out last year, I was at the coffee shop down the street, feeding my addiction. There was a girl behind the counter – I asked her for my usual.

She replied “What so I’m just supposed to know what that is?” Praphit: “Well, I come here often, so…” Irritated Girl: “Wha, wha, what that mean? You just assume I’ve paid attention to you? Matter of fact, you just assuuuumed I’d get you some coffee this morning.” Praphit: “But, don’t you work here?” Empowered Girl who is starting to scare the Praphit: “What because I’m a woman I must be a servant huh?? Just another woman getting some man whatever he wants… that’s all I am to you?” Praphit: “… huh” Girl who must have believed she was Wonder Woman herself: “ Did you just call me a bitch?!” Praphit: “What? No!” An angry, scary version a WW: “But I bet you thought it!”

Then, she gave me the finger, mooned me(that's right, MOONED me! - who even does that anymore??)… and then walked out. Then, came The Harvey Weinstein Storm, men scared everywhere by #MeToo, and Louis CK hiding out… possibly wherever Kevin Spacey has been hiding out. I never did see her again... I also never got my coffee.

I hope she's ok and found another job. I know Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) is her hero, but... it's not like she's gonna feed all of the inspired jobless ladies out there. Anyway, as strange as that encounter was, I get it! Empowerment will do that to a person; it feels righteous! Now, Black Panther, baby! Black people… we’re going to have a hashtag too. Maybe #bleepwhitey… that may be a lil strong, but something! It’s coming! This movie is a big deal! - so big of a deal that white executives in Hollywood were planted in critic circles in pre-screenings to stir up bad reviews.

The white people running Hollywood were like “We’ve gotta knock this movie down a few pegs before we have another ‘storm’ on our hands! Women are already rising up…. Black people rose up recently with #OscarsSoWhite, we can’t have it happen again. What’s next??! Who's gonna rise up next??! Asians?! Latinos?! Little People?! We can’t have this?!” There’s already a belief out there that you can’t have a worldwide blockbuster with the main character being black. So, how is this movie REALLY?? That’s why your Praphit is here for you:) “Black Panther” starts out right after “Civil War” (currently my fav comic book movie:) What I appreciate about Marvel movies is how well they are written; not just individually, but how they all come together. Of course (spoiler alert from “Civil War”) the king of Wakanda is dead, and now his son T’Challa (Black Panther) is heir to take over! Black Panther as we know is played by Chadwick Boseman. I love him as Black Panther!

Some may say he’s not aggressive enough to be king/BP, but I think someone who’s always calm, even when they’re angry is scarier than someone who wears their emotions on their sleeves. One second, you think everything is cool, and the next you’re on your back, hurting, with Chadwick Boseman smiling at you. Wakanda is beautiful! I like what Marvel did here. Marvel is really good at creating worlds that look and feel real. I'm willing to bet that some believe Wakanda is real... probably our president.

I'm telling you,there's a speech coming up when Trump will say something like

" We've got to make America great in tech again. I had Mike Pence go to the movie theatre to watch this documentary called "Black Panther", I had him leave quickly in protest (there were too many black and brown people there - I only bring it up because many of them were illegals..), but we had others stay and report back to me. Wakanda, this terrorist country... possibly where Barack Obama is really from; we don't know... we don't know... but, they turned their shithole of a country into an empire with this amazing metal called "Vibranium" (Idk if you've ever heard of it, because it's AMAZING). I'm telling you, we're going to get ahold of even more Vibranium than those savages and use it to make America #1 in tech again." - you tell me I couldn't write for the prez:) Many have described Wakanda as Zamunda (another fictional nation in Africa from “Coming to America”) in the future. I think those people have it right.

If Eddie Murphy took Zamunda 100 years into the future, and stole all of Apple’s tech (imagine how scary Apple will be in 100 years), and then came back to the present… and used this tech to create… idk… a super tech “Eddie Land”, it’d be Wakanda. They are also the leading source of Vibranium (strongest medal around this comic book universe). The plot is layered, but they make it work. I was surprised that a product of Disney would go into such deep waters. Race is of course dealt with – not only in the movie, but simply by this movie’s existence. I can remember when I was younger, the only comic book characters to dress up as or play make believe as were Superman, Batman, Spiderman, and The X-Men. But, no black characters. I mean… I could have dressed up like Storm for Halloween, but…

or it might have looked more like this -

- maybe rock a... mankini silver top, and some dark purple eye shadow and lip stick... so there was that I guess. Picture me as a little boy dressed up like that - I'd make it work. Let’s move on:) I also love how these characters are portrayed – there are lots of different cultures of black people, but all the differences in appearance and worldviews are highlighted as positives in this movie. It truly is (on a comic book movie scale of course) a celebration of black people from different walks of life. There are no dummies or potheads or gangsters – but black people are all represented as strong, smart, and capable in this movie; even the villains! Michael B Jordan!

I probably liked him more than Black Panther. His character is smart, calculated, complex and easy to sympathize with, even though he’s the main villain. As far as portraying strong women – I think “Black Panther” does it even better than “Wonder Woman” did. Again, showing the strength of different types of women. Danai Gurira (whom I’m in love with by the way… just sayin’… if somehow you’re reading this… you can find me in Bmore:)

She has a scene in the beginning of the movie that displays courage, strength, command, and yet also warmth and beauty. It's hard to keep a strong willed woman character balanced in a story without it going in a wrong direction, or without her becoming "one note" (idk if y'all know what I mean), but the writing and Gurira's performance are perfect with this; as well as the other female characters - I'd love to see a movie with them as the stars. They also tackle colonialism, mainly through Martin Freeman.

This motha bleeper right here stole Samuel L Jackson’s part. Where the hell is Sam L?!

How you gonna have the blackest movie of the year without Sam L?!

Anyway, Martin Freeman does a good job, but I couldn’t watch him without getting mad. Whitey! - you just couldn’t let us have one movie to ourselves could you??! This movie even tackles politics, generational black community issues, African traditions, and culture wars in the black community (again through the filter of a comic book movie, but still). A lot of this movie is about what type of king T’Challa wants to be, what type of king his people want/need, and how (or if) a nation should use its strengths to help one other nations. Marvelous (no pun intended) how they blended all of these things together. Can I talk about the sexiness??! -cuz whew! My future wife

(I also love how her character (Okoye) is so confident and committed to what she believes. She should be running Wakanda to tell you the truth)

My other future wife

(Lupita Nyong'o here as Nakia has her arm wrapped up with T'Challa here... and I don't like the way she's gazing into his eyes, but I believe I've still got a shot. That dress made me fall out my chair.)

And many more – tons of sexiness in this movie, but not in an exploitive manner. It’s not just the looks, but the character, the ideals, the strength, the honor that adds to everyone’s sexiness.

And it’s the men too! Even I’ve got to admit that Michael B Jordan looks damned good.

Though I couldn't find a good picture of him... you need context for what's going on with his torso (besides being jacked)... his hair messed up, and he looks like he has marbles in his mouth right now. Let me try again (not that he doesn't make that work).

There he is - with a lil nip slip action.

He's one of those men where when he walks in and steals your girlfriend or wife, you say to yourself "I understand." Shiiii, you get some drinks in you, and YOU might be leaving with him. Ladies, forget “Fifty Shades of Bullshit”, you’ve got all of the sexiness you need in this movie right here. So, you say “John Praphit, is there anything bad about this movie?” NO! Quit looking to downgrade black movies you racists! :) Nothing “bad”, but I did have a few issues. This IS a comic book movie after all, and despite the commendation I’d give this movie for veering off the typical Marvel scripted formula, I would have liked a lil more action. The action was good, but not great. Also, I would have loved more of Michael B Jordan. His character is so good! Mikey B does an excellent job making us feel - whether it’s sympathy, hatred, or disgust in his way of thinking; he makes it happen. I would have loved to see more of his interaction with the people of Wakanda. The ending felt rushed. Not only with characters jumping from loving one another to wanting to kill one another (and vice versa), but also in CG. It’s like they didn’t have enough in the budget to crank up the last fight scene… that money probably went to Martin Freeman

.. you rat bastard. I'm sorry. He was good, but still #wherethehellisSamL? Besides, all of that I loved this movie! Very entertaining! It was funny. It has a lot of good talking points in it. And it’s a big deal for black people! Grade: B+++ First time ever for a “B+++”!!! Originally, a B+, but an extra plus for blackness – seriously, I think it’s a game changer for not only comic book movies, but all types of movies… another stepping stone of progress. I truly believe it’ll have a positive creative impact on our youth as well. And the last plus is for sexiness, cuz.. da

Dammit! Not you Martin Freeman! So help me! *deep sigh* Now I forgot what I was going to say. Anyway, good stuff! On second thought... I'm going to give this movie two grades. The B+++, but also... when I think of his blackness (The king!) - the positive progressive impact that I believe this movie has and will have are too great not to give it an A My Semi Objective Technical Grade: B+++ Blackness Grade: A The only thing that could have made it better on that scale would be if I were in it.

Makes me wanna follow in the footsteps of that now probably homeless barista. Quit my job and march onto righteousness!

Can’t wait for “BP2!

#black panther #wakanda #john praphit #praphitproductions.com #Danai Gurira #lupita nyong'o #chadwick boseman #Praphit #movies #Movie Reviews #marvel #barista #womens rights #civilrights #black people #martin freeman

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mildlymaddy · 6 years

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Right! So, here are my totally late and useless Black Panther thoughts, in no particular order.

- the women in this movie were as awesome as they were beautiful. No fucking wonder T’Challa freezes when he sees Nakia, who wouldn’t freeze?! She appeared on screen and I felt my heart happily flutter out of my chest and go jump into that big screen. I don’t miss it. It can stay with her. 💕

- mind you, Okoye was also fantastic. Everyone at work has got the biggest crush on her, and now i get why.

- i spent most of the movie going "wait, but who's M’Baku??” because I’m an idiot who hadn’t realized it was him in the first challenge scene, and i remembered cute posts about him and no character seemed to fit the bill. Then they went to see him in the mountains and he made that “my children will eat you” joke and I went “ooooh, that’s him!!!” 😂

- no but seriously, M’Baku’s delight at his own joke was everything.

- but also I was just so floored by how gracious he was? Like, he’s introduced as being determined to seize the throne, and here Nakia is, literally giving him the means to take it, and he’s not shown hesitating even for ONE SECOND before he leads her to T’Challa. What a man.

- the bf told me he was disappointed because he’d expected a classic superhero movie, “save the earth from alien forces” kind of thing, and that’s actually exactly what I loved about BP? It was about establishing a character and showing him at a pivotal stage of his life and I just really really enjoy that? I’ve mentioned it in tags before but I really loved the plot a lot. When I went to see Wonder Woman, I came out crying with happiness, just because seeing such a strong woman leading such a movie had been... amazing, absolutely amazing. But the plot of Wonder Woman was honestly paper thin, and I remember being super disappointed by it. Black Panther did not have as strong an emotional impact on me because it wasn’t about me (mind you, it still had some impact. It wasn’t hard at all to empathize with what it means for POCs), but the plot left me so utterly satisfied.

- have I mentioned how beautiful Lupita is? Omg. I’m still not over it I’m sorry.

- i also fully understand people’s fondness for Shuri now, and the desire for her to meet Peter Parker. She was adorable, and her irreverence was so perfect.

- i was really happy to have seen that post about the various hairstyles featured in the movie beforehand because I'm not sure I'd have noticed them as much otherwise. Same for the clothes.

- honestly I was also super pleasantly surprised with the Tolkien white guys. Andy Serkis’s delight in his over-the-top character was contagious.

- oh, and the music!! Omg that music was so amazing. I wonder if there’s a masterpost somewhere talking about the music... I’m sure there’s interesting stuff to learn about it.

- not about the movie per se, but the place was fucking PACKED, even two weeks in. As a result we were sitting all the way down on the right of the screen, which wasn't ideal, but i was so happy that i didn't even care.

- of course half the audience still left before the bonus scenes, which, really? In 2018, you still do this? How??

- this being said, I'm sorry for all the Bucky lovers out there but the collective groan of disappointment when he came out of that hut was priceless. Don’t get me wrong, I usually love Bucky, but... I don’t know. It was like after seeing all those badass Wakandans do their thing for two hours, nobody was ready to give a fuck about some white guy (that’s literally what the guy in front of me told to his gf). Like, it just felt like such a fucking weird decision, to end the first all-black cast marvel movie on a white guy? I don’t know. It was weird, and people were clearly not impressed by it (I sure wasn’t).

There. God that’s a lame review (and I worry about the Bucky part but it was such a striking moment I wanted to write it down), but hey, these were my thoughts when I came out of it. I’m just super grateful that I got to see it in the theater. Let’s hope we also manage to catch Infinity War next month!

#black panther #favourite movies #marvel #my post

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sicparvisdeus · 6 years

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Why does Black Panther look Like That? Trailer 1(Part One): Wakanda

I’m breaking down the Black Panther trailer(yet again I know), but this time focusing on it’s aesthetics and trying to point out the reasons behind some of the design elements, and the cultures that inspired them, in another super long, super detailed blog post. No, shush I am not obsessed okay just go with it.

Looking through it(for the hundreth time) I realized that Black Panther has pulled from a vast number of cultures and communitites, so I may miss some, or get others wrong. The points below will be largely based on my own cultural experience(and meagre education on Traditional African Society) and some google :3. So this is like 60 percent speculation. Feel free to correct me. I also try to avoid spoilers below, but here’s a potential spoiler alert just in case.

With that out of the way, Enjoy!

Part One: Location; Let’s Talk About Wakanda

You can read about its history here but it’s basically a futuristic African country.

In the trailer we get this great overhead reveal of Wakanda. Note the shapes of the buildings, especially the roofs. Despite looking contemporary at first glance, they follow a similar design to grass thatched huts.

Next we have a shot of the people receiving their King as he returns from a journey.

This Wakanda follows some African countries in that they are a people of different comunities or tribes with different ancestry,culture, customs, mannerisms or attire(or even languages) living together. Where I’m from we’re 47 tribes living in a country about the size of Colorado.

There is also the guy in purple in the middle ground of the photo. I’m guessing this is the King’s personal advisor or the royal witch doctor, or both(more on him below).

In this shot, it looks like T’challa is taking a stroll in some Wakandan town(I’m assuming because of the grafitti on the walls) with Lupita’s Nakia as the Dora Milaje(the royal guard) stand guard nearby. Note the building behind them is covered in art made up of colorful shapes. That is very similar to the architecture of the Ndebele located in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

We also have a shot of the king’s throne room:

The Dora Milaje stand guard(along with two guards of Mr. Green?). It looks like the elders, or representatives of every tribe, are coming together to have a super important meeting. Maybe a trial? In traditional African society the chief would make the decisions but he would often be surrounded by a counsel of wizened elders who would advise or caution him. In some communities people who broke the rules would be brought to the elders who would decide the right punishment for them. They would also resolve conflicts among the people, and preside over special occasions like naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals among others. In some, there would be no chief, only a council of elders. Some communities still have councils to this day.

However, it could also be representatives of the different tribes or clans of Wakanda, meeting to discuss an issue that affects or will affect them all. This is not uncommon. Some tribes would be divided into different clans, if something important needed to be discussed, each would send a representative. They had to be well spoken and knowledgable in the rules of the community.

Note the colours chosen for the achitecture of the throne room. Instead of portraying materials like marble, they have stuck to earthy tones and gold(which may have been used to symbolize royalty).

Here we have Nakia, Queen Ramonda and Everett Ross at what looks like a shrine high up in a mountain:

I brightened it up a bit.

At first I thought it was a shrine, but it looks more like the base of operations, or home, of one of our antagonists(more on him under attire). It would also explain why they have fur in their attire, because the live high up on the snowy mountain peak. Some mountains like Kilimanjaro,(that one in the opening scene of the Lion King) are so high that they have snow at their peaks, despite being in tropical(hot all year) places. See the gif below for the Lion King scene...

Just kidding here is the real one. And a photo of the real thing for comparison.

Moving on, in this shot we have some Wakandans performing what looks like a ritualistic task:

They could be making the herb that gives Black Panther his abilities, in preparation to ‘anoint’ the next Black Panther.

Many communities have had close relationships with nature. People could easily recognize which plants were food, medicine, poison, for toothbrushes or even toilet paper(yup). And in villages there was often a lineage(often that of the witchdoctor) specializing in herbalism. Today, industries have been built around providing herbal remedies. I assume that this herb is considered to be royal or even of divine nature.

I also think that this is happening right before or after the fight between Killmonger and T’Challa. I say this because the children of the community, who have been gathered and their faces painted in a distinct, almost ghostly style, similar to that of the face painting of the Surma of South Sudan and Ethiopia, are given the task of stirring something off screen.

Only the children seem to be stirring away as the adults stand solemnly in the background. To me, it looks like this is an important, even sacred, ceremony for the community of Wakanda. If they were following traditional African culture and this was just casual cooking, it would be the women handling the food, with the children doing errands(and the men out on the farms or something).

Take note that our royal advisor/witchdoctor is present, possibly supervising.

Next we have a waterfall reminiscent of(but isn’t actually) the Victoria Falls in Zambia. If you go to the image here, you see that the Victoria falls look like a literal crack in the ground with water flowing into it, like the pic below.

There was also something similar in The Lion King.

And that’s it for now!

Thank you for making it this far in my long rambling rant. I like inspiring people to discuss so don’t feel shy to disagree or agree. If you love it, hate it, let me know!

I’m still working on Part 2 and 3, (ALAS I SAW THE LAST TRAILER TOO LATE. I’m posting this before I watch it) but I hope to finish the series before the actual movie. Once I have it ready I’ll link it here.

Thanks again! Here’s your potato.

#black panther #marvel #africa #wakanda #mcu

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picturelockshow · 6 years

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"Black Panther" Review: Why Representation Is Key!

Any thoughtful critic would tell you that there are some films that you just don’t know where to start in writing your review. You may need to see the film more than once. You need the time to live with the film in your mind to find the words to describe it eloquently in written form. Black Panther is one of those movies for me. It’s a cinematic experience that, having seen it twice before penning this, is equally powerful on repeat viewings.

Following T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) after the events of Captain America: Civil War, the film picks up with him returning to Wakanda as king. So in short, the film is about a young man ascending to the throne and dealing with the weight of that. Yet, writers Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, give us something more. It’s a movie that analyzes what a person is made of. What really makes a king, a leader, or a person great? Similarly, what makes us bad, evil, the villain?

Wakanda is the most technologically advanced nation on Earth. Hidden in plain sight, it’s main resource, vibranium, has allowed the nation to evolve leap years ahead of the rest of society. Yet, there are those who want to get their hands on the precious metal. As an old and new enemy comes on the Wakandan radar, T’Challa fights to make the best decision for his people and the world as a whole.

The casting in this film is absolutely perfect. Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue is a man you wouldn’t want to even let your kids say hello to. Danai Gurira’s General Okoye is fierce, intelligent, strong, and has a beautiful spirit that pops out at just the right times between upholding her duties to the throne that she takes seriously. Lupita Nyong’o is another stand out as Nakia, T’Challa’s love interest and friend. Nakia is not diminished to just a romantic interest in this film. She’s a fighter for justice who would prefer to live outside of Wakanda, making a difference with people who are impoverished, over enjoying the spoils of her royal bloodline. Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger is the first villain we’ve seen that we could get behind, at least understand and earnestly believe his motives. His calm, intellect and patience in execution of the long game is what makes him so dangerous. It creates an equally powerful enemy that T’Challa has to go up against and sets the stage for serious stakes! T’Challa’s sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright), brings the humor in some scene stealing moments. The chemistry between Boseman and Wright is totally believable as a family unit!

That was just the main characters in the film. You’ll certainly enjoy Winston Duke’s M’Baku as the funny but beast of a leader of the Jabari tribe. Everywhere you look, there’s black star power in Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Sterling K. Brown, John Kani and more. Writer/director Ryan Coogler was the right person for the job. His use of the camera is masterful. His angles stress the magnitude of the environment when necessary, and singles in on intimate moments appropriately. Knowing what to put in the frame and equally what not to show is a skill not all directors have. Watching his set ups and reveals after an additional viewing proves that he’s one of the great directors working today! (I may have to write a separate analysis review as to avoid spoilers here, but Coogler doesn’t play.)

The costume design from Ruth Carter is exquisite! Black Panther is a film in which it’s costume and wardrobe is like wallpaper, done well you won’t notice it but tacky wallpaper sticks out like a sore thumb. The colors, designs for different tribes, and materials are incredible. The production design is a beautiful imagining of an advanced civilization in Africa. Everyone came to WORK on Marvel’s first black superhero film in the MCU.

Black Panther represents Marvel’s showcasing of a lesser known character, who after this film will be a global favorite (for those who didn’t know the comic character). It also represents the showcasing of a predominately black cast and afro-futuristic story. It represents! In some ways, the importance of this film is the cinematic representation of a black super hero is on par with Barack Obama becoming president. Whoa! Did I say that? I did. Until this film, we haven’t had a black super hero who is as intelligent, rich, and powerful as his white counterparts. We haven’t seen a King and a hero like this. We haven’t seen black women who are equally elegant, poised, and intelligent as they are strong, skilled in combat, independent yet team players. Can movie characters be role models? They may not be the type you can talk to in the flesh, but they certainly are displayed as examples that little black boys and girls can be inspired by.

Who are you? It’s a question that is asked multiple times throughout the film and in various ways. Knowing yourself and who you are is huge. This film subtly pushes the importance of knowing who you are, where you come from, and charting your path to greatness. Sometimes that takes seeing someone like you do something that you want to do but never thought possible. (Don’t read this next portion if you don’t want a spoiler, but this example doesn’t have any importance to the overall plot of the film.) Those possibilities and the beauty of sparking a young mind is encapsulated in the closing scene of the film when a young inner city kid is exposed to a Wakandan aircraft. As he looks at the aircraft he takes moment and connects the dots between T’Challa being its owner. For anyone who doesn’t understand why this film is so important from a cultural level, that’s why. When a barrier can be broken, or a glass ceiling shattered, that means everything to the person who has been held back. Everyone should have the opportunity to dream and strive to see their dreams realized!

There is no wasted space in this film...except maybe the ubiquitous Stan Lee appearance. The film hits a perfect pace and tone, and has a great balance of suspense, humor and action. It’s Marvel’s best at bat in my opinion, and how it represents is just icing on that cake. Ok. You’re finished reading, get to the theater ASAP! Talk to me in the comments section if you’ve seen it!

Rating: A

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