29 Nov 22 - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

***This review is dedicated to SouthSide’s Mother (04 Aug 48 – 20 Apr 20)***

 

Let’s pause for a moment in reverent silence to honor the death of the beloved King T’Challa of Wakanda i.e. the Black Panther aka Chadwick Boseman…

*silence*

Before beginning this review, SouthSide would like to commend Marvel and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures for the touching tribute to Chadwick Boseman during the opening sequences, blogspot readers. The lost of this actor was felt immensely on and off the screen around the world yet the tribute in this reviewer’s honest opinion helped lessened the heartache and pain for MCU fans. Still the question remained – how would Marvel and Disney pull off a Black Panther sequel without Chadwick at the helm and or main focus within the plot?

Well, blogspot readers, no need to worry. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever develops a storyline where the main characters Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and Shuri (Letitia Wright) are averting a global takeover of other foreign powers attempting to “acquire” vibranium while in the midst of grieving over the loss of T’Challa. It seems everyone wants their share of the rich mineral including the United States from Wakanda – a nation in which the rest of the world considers as a “third world” however the US wants to be first (as always) to control and monopolize who gets what and how much. However, unknown to Wakanda and the world powers, there’s another nation also enriched by this vibranium emerging either as a possible ally or enemy …depending how one perceives at Namor (Tenoch Huerta – from Forever Purge) and his people of Talokan. This underwater nation has reason to war with Wakanda since he blames T’Challa for exposing vibranium and its uses to the world and desires to “burn” the surface world like Shuri does to avenge her brother’s unexpected death.

What happens next?

SouthSide is definitely not telling but highly recommends that you see Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to see how the Wakandans handle and avert a global takeover while dealing with their own internal issues with the inhabitants of Talokan. Also in this movie, we meet other new characters like Maya (Dominique Thorne), a young prodigy who creates a machine to find vibranium and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louise Dreyfus) a director head of the federal agency where Everett Ross works …who also happens to be his ex-wife. Plus, there’s more character presence for returning characters like M’Baku (Winston Duke and his funny improvised one-liner), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o).

Overall, blogspot readers, SouthSide liked the direction of where this Black Panther sequel was heading …like where Star Wars did when The Empire Strikes Back debut on the big screen. It took the storyline towards a deeper, darker turn in which themes of colonialism, isolationism and vengeance have a prominent presence within the plot and a couple of the characters. Still, the movie does its best not to be too preachy or political though touching on what’s happening politically on a global scale today in reality. The United States does have a bad habit of trying to gain and control of things considered to be of value for their purpose instead of sharing with the rest of the world without having to negotiate what they could get out of the brokered deal. However, in the MCU, the United States now has to deal with two united allied nations with the unlimited supply of vibranium instead of one. The odds are definitely stacked against them, blogspot readers.

On a personal note, blogspot readers, SouthSide can relate to and connect with the character Shuri and how she deals with the aftermath of her brother’s death during the movie. She too understands how a sudden death of someone you love and are close to can cause feelings of pain (of not being able to save them), anger, vengeance (watch for a special appearance of Michael B. Jordan) and more before reaching the final stage of grief – actually grieving over the loss. One day, she will be able to reach that final stage, blogspot readers, like Shuri did.

Oh, one final thing!  Whatever you do, do not leave during the middle of the movie credits, blogspot readers! There’s always one final scene (or two) after each Marvel Comic Universe movie and there’s certainly one after this Black Panther sequel that you must see. It might bring a tear or two but you’ll love how it might tie in with the ending of the movie. So, stay, sit and watch that final scene, blogspot readers.

Until next time, blogspot readers, support your local scene,

SouthSide

25 Nov 22 - Glass Onion:A Knives Out Mystery (2022)

He’s back, blogspot readers!

That suave, debonair man with the smooth, sexy Southern fried Kentucky drawl known as Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) has returned to solve another murder mystery in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

This mystery involves close friends to an eccentric billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invited to his secluded private island for a luxury vacation to test their puzzle-solving skills in a murder-mystery type of game. A politician (Kathryn Hahn), a Tik-Tok wannabe star (Dave Bautista), “party’s all the time yet clueless” model (Kate Hudson), scientist (Leslie Odom Jr) and a former business partner (Janelle Monae) are all in attendance …all have a motive and opportunity to wish their host dead. However not one has the gumption to actually do it because Bron holds them the gonads with their dirty secrets and lies …except one person. Sorry, blogspot readers, not revealing who that person is. This reviewer can easily deduce this could be the reason why Bron holds an annual party in order to “buy” another year of silence for what was done in the past to that one person within their group. Suddenly …a real murder (or two) has been committed and our good Detective Blanc immediately springs into action!

Who’s the murderer? 

No spoilers here.

Well, blogspot readers, SouthSide highly recommends checking out Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and follow the clues to solve this mystery with Detective Blanc!

SouthSide had a fun time watching this A Knives Out sequel with it’s star-studded cameos from Serena Williams to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Yo Yo Ma featuring Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim in their final roles. Kudos to the person(s) who designed that intricately designed mystery puzzle boxes sent to the Bron’s friends at the beginning of the movie. SouthSide definitely wants one for Christmas. She loves solving challenging puzzles and this particular puzzle box, blogspot readers, would have been very fun to solve. Daniel Craig returning to his second iconic role (his first is 007 James Bond) was a delight to this reviewer since she doesn’t think anyone else could pull off his comedic Southern fried drawl, blogspot readers. Yet, there was one person who drew plenty of laughs whenever he appeared on screen - Noah Segan. He steals the movie with his appearances as the goofy, chain-smoking comic relief Derol who simply lives on Bron’s estate to “find” himself. He has no other importance to the Glass Onion except providing that excellently timed comic relief whenever there’s a slightest bit of mystery tension. The movie is cleverly scripted with plenty of puns, fun and Louis Armstrong’s “Mona Lisa” (you’ll find The Beatles at the end of the movie) as well as flashback sequences to fill in the gaps for a clearer understanding of our mystery game players and plot.

So peel back the layers of this onion and solve this funny who-done-it murder mystery, blogspot readers, along with Detective Benoit Blanc. SouthSide looks forward to seeing her new favorite detective on his next case.

In theatres now …coming to Netflix soon.

Until next time, blogspot readers, support your local scene,

SouthSide

25 Nov 22 - The Menu (2022)

“…we’re eating the ocean..”

Hell truly has no fury like a chef with scorned memories, blogspot readers. So be wary of attending an exclusive dinner at a secluded spot where the dishes are beautifully “to die for” made …for it could be your last.

That little snippet sets up the plot to the no spoiler version of explaining what this dark comedy with a slight dash of psychological thriller movie called The Menu is about though trying not to give any detail of importance away. Starring Ralph Finnes (Chef Julian Slowik), Anya Taylor-Joy (Margot Mills) and Nicholas Hoult (Tyler), this movie instantly turns the average moviegoer into a cinematic foodie along with a eclectic array of invited guests dining. Think about, blogspot readers …a secluded dining experience on a secluded island featuring delectable bites. So what could possibly go wrong?

This reviewer found herself basking within the glow and awe when each beautifully crafted course created from chef’s lifetime of memories is presented on screen, blogspot readers. Her palette was totally ready to savor as well as experience the bountiful flavors and more.  What can you expect when the restaurant is surrounded by the freshest ingredient cultivated from the sea and land. As a chef in real life, SouthSide marveled at the immaculate plating and creative designs …sheer perfection – something she always strives for whenever cooking at home and work but hardest to obtain. Yet, there’s more to this dinner menu, blogspot readers, and that’s where the psychological tension gradually builds within The Menu as the movie progresses towards the climatic end.

And SouthSide will stop there. If she goes any further, it would be her first spoiler movie review on this blog. Plus, she would rather have you see this foodie delight of a movie for yourself. This reviewer applauds the chef consultant used for this movie who expertly school Ralph Finnes in the demeanor and mannerisms of a hardcore Chef Slowik. especially every time he clapped his hands to which his staff would automatically reply with “Yes, chef!” Whether Chef Slowik was testing a guest with his culinary know-how and skills (Supplemental Course - Tyler’s Bullshit) or recalling a memory before his cooks served the dish, It was spot on …sometimes downright frightening to behold, blogspot readers.

It’s highly recommended in seeing The Menu on the big screen before it hits the streaming platform and DVD. Trust SouthSide when she says you should see it at the threatre first to awe at the splendor of a childhood dessert during the hot climatic end.

Until next time, blogspot readers, support your local scene,

SouthSide

 

12 Nov 22 - The Godfather Live

 

“I believe in America…”

And with that opening statement, blogspot readers, begins an incredible movie saga about family, friendship, loyalty, and betrayal. A movie where you don’t let others know what you’re thinking and you never side against the family. A movie where offers are made that you cannot refuse after leaving the gun and taking the cannoli home but just don’t get caught alone at the causeway. SouthSide has seen this Oscar winning movie so many times that she even named a pair of kittens after the characters. However tonight’s adventure around town, she had the extreme chance to view The Godfather on the big screen …something she never done before but with a unique single twist – the iconic soundtrack was performed by a live orchestra.

This type of event took her movie experience into a whole new level, blogspot readers. It absolutely redefined the senses as well as giving her a newfound appreciation and respect for this cinematic crime drama piece. The soundtrack itself will always be legendary besides memorable yet to hear it performed live by the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra was totally mind-blowing, blogspot readers. From the iconic opening with the horn solo to the jazzy swing of Hollywood and Las Vegas moments, each scene within every minute of The Godfather especially during the blood curdling anticlimactic music of the baptism and killing of the five heads of the families. Want to truly experience spine-tingling chills, blogspot readers? Watch the horse head scene yet try watching it with an orchestra performing the crescendo music until Wolz scerams. It was music like this to which thoroughly delighted the audience until the very end leaving them including SouthSide wanting more. It was a definite wow factor for this reviewer! As a bonus extra, the viewing concluded with a montage of still photos taken during the production of The Godfather.

 

SouthSide highly recommends treating yourself and or friends to this once in a lifetime experience with other concerts planned such as The Princess Bride and The Batman (scheduled for May of 2023). For more information, visit http://www.auditoriumtheatre.org.

Until next time, blogspot readers, support your local scene, 

SouthSide

06 Nov 22 - She Wants Revenge

Hey, blogspot readers, it’s a rare Sunday night adventure around town for SouthSide .and already it began with a drunk toss-out of a patron at Metro before the show. Yet, with a quick clean-up, it was back to normal as fashionably dressed Goth fans eagerly awaited for She Wants Revenge to headline the stage after opening performances by The Chameleons and D’Arcy.

D’Arcy’s haunting rhythmic crescendos from the electronic keyboards and vocals intrigued this reviewer’s senses as well as her ears, blogspot readers. Currently celebrating the release of her first album (Congrats!), this solo artist wowed the audience with her mesmerizing melodies that were almost lullaby-like …a luring siren’s call before becoming more soothing within its rhythm to add more emphasis to the lyrics and voice. There was a moment in which SouthSide wasn’t certain about adding the electric guitar riffs causing her to wonder the instrument would overpower what was already a solid haunting vibe D’Arcy created. Yet, in the end, blogspot readers, this reviewer was wrong. The electric guitar sound worked as long as the riffs weren’t allowed to takecenter stage over the artist’s music. SouthSide highly recommends checking out this siren-songstress live at her next show and you can find D’Arcy at http://www.thedarcyshow.com.

 

  The Chameleons

Ah …a piece of SouthSide’s teen post punk years was relived on the Metro stage tonight, blogspot readers, when she finally saw The Chameleons perform a rather unusual acoustic set since their guitarist was unable to be there. It was a long repertoire classic songs with a bit of backstories as lead vocalist/guitarist Mark Burgess took the audience down an 80s memory lane. Songs like Soul in Isolation which channeled a bit of The Doors’ The End and The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby  and Pleasure and Pain, The Chameleons was a delight for this reviewer however not so much for many others in the audience around her who grew tired of their long set. In her honest opinion, there should have been less talking and more performance since this set did overran She Wants Revenge’s headlining start time. Those blogspot readers in the UK are lucky to have the extreme chance to see The Chameleons live starting in December …Chicago fans won’t be able to see them again until Oct 3, 2023. For more information, go to http://www.thechameleons.com.

She Wants Revenge

The moment finally arrived, blogspot readers, for She Wants Revenge to take command of the stage amidst the rousing cheers and applause from their eager fans when the lights dimmed to an eerie redness. Yes, SouthSide did join in their excitement since she missed their last Chicago performance after discovering this band from the fifth season of American Horror Story episode one that featured the hit song – Tear You Apart (the very hot and steamy Lady Gaga four-way sex scene). She Wants Revenge was a duo back then however currently the band is now a quintet without skipping a single beat with their new members. Retaining the same dark, moody sound in songs like Red Flags and Long Nights (SouthSide’s current favorite song on repeat), These Things and Little Stars (number two on SouthSide’s favorite list), SWR easily as well as instantly matched their fans’ enthusiasm and energy even though it seemed to this reviewer the band was rushing through its set. Perhaps because The Chameleons overran their acoustic performance with too much chatter. Fans of the early Depeche Mode, Joy Division and The Bravery would definitely have no problem losing themselves into She Wants Revenge techno dance wave music and vocals by Justin Warfield. There were moments SouthSide found herself lost amongst some of the lyrics likening them to tortured love prose to any Edgar Allen Poe poetry. Songs like Sister (“…you better lie down ‘cause the angels watching / She closed her eyes and said with talking / You can hurt me do whatever you like…”) or Written in Blood (“…On the way to the wedding / Dressed in black, he said / Sorry lover but you can’t look back / Oh no she goes / Oh no she goes / Slow down baby keep your eyes on the road…”) or Red Flags and Long Nights (“…You can occupy my every sigh / You can rent a space inside my mind / At least until the price becomes too high…”) had this reviewer wondering who this mysterious “she” was, blogspot readers, to revenge Justin’s heart and mind . Yet, this is one mystery that should remain unsolved. SouthSide highly recommends checking out She Wants Revenge live while the band is currently on tour. For more information, visit http://www.shewantsrevenge.com.

 

Until next time, blogspot readers, support your local scene,

SouthSide