Trilogy Week #15 - African Struggle

It's Black History month. So this whole month is dedicated to movies about black actors. This week is about African struggle. There isn't just the struggle of slavery, there has been many, and there continues to be struggles for black people all over the world. So let's not just remember the days of slavery, but the whole history of black persecution all over the world.

Title: Amistad

Year:  1997

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Nigel Hawthorne, Pete Postlethwaite, Stellan Skarsgard, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Rated: R

My Review: Of course this being a Steven Spielberg film, the camera work is excellent. I especially love the scene where Cinque is trying to steer the boat while looking at the stars, and the stars are spinning in the sky. An intriguing story, that I vaguely remember. This is a very important movie to watch, the actions and events that happen during this time basically start the civil war. The acting is great, Djimon Hounsou does a great job, with no english dialogue. And Matthew McConaughey was surprisingly good. Even though this film touches on some pretty deep issues, it is still very enjoyable,and re-watchable. 8 out of 10

Title: The Last King of Scotland

Year:  2006

Director: Kevin MacDonald

Cast: Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Simon McBurney

Rated: R

My Review: Thrilling. Even though the role of Dr. Nicholas Garrigan is fiction, the history around Idi Amin is very real. This film is very exciting, and well made, but I did not like the character of Dr. Garrigan. Although the acting by James McAvoy is good. To me the character is selfish, and a coward, who is only worried about himself. Which I don't think if someone is going to go to a third world country to help people is going to act like this character. To me I didn't buy it. And, why do you want the audience to dislike your main character? Doesn't make sense. And Apparently the most graphic part of the film, was not real, so, why put it in. If this movie is supposed based on actual events, then why add that scene? 6 out of 10

Title: Hotel Rwanda

Year:  2004

Director: Terry George

Cast: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte, Fana Mokoena

Rated: PG-13

My Review: Very powerful, very gripping, very emotional. Don Cheadle is brilliant in this film. He was nominated for best actor in every award show that year, and it's a shame that he did not win. The scene of him changing his shirt in the locker room, and starts to break down, is Oscar winning by itself. This film is relentless, and will keep you at the edge of your seat, as well as any great action movie. Awesome movie, but I have to lower it's score because it is hard to re-watch. Unless you like to feel you heart rip in two. 8 out of 10