KINGS OF THE EVENING
 Rating: *** (3 out of 4)
Kings of the Evening,
set in the Deep South during the Great Depression, reminds of another
good recent film set in the south with primarily African-American characters
called Honeydripper. Loosely based on a South African tradition
called oswenkas, the story follows Homer Hobbs (Tyson Beckford) as he's
released from prison and attempts to restart his life on the outside
in a small town that's being rocked by the financial hardships of
the Depression.
Homer winds up sharing a boarding
house with four other people who are struggling with financial hardships
and other problems. However, every week the men in the community gather
to compete with each other to be the "King of the evening" and claim
for themselves just a little bit of self-confidence they need to keep
going in such tough times.
First-rate performances from
the cast, particularly Reginald Dorsey and Glynn Turman, enhance a good
script from Robert Page Jones as well as fine direction from his son
Andrew P. Jones. The film flirted with a Georgia shoot but wound up
shooting in Texas.
Screening: Thursday, April
17, 7:10 PM & Friday, April 18, 4:00 PM
-MK
On a Wing and a Prayer
Rating: ** 1/2 (2.5 out of 4)
In our post 9/11 world, one
sees ‘An American Muslim Learns to Fly' and thinks, this movie's
about some one-man-jihad crazed lunatic, or it's about some overzealous
homeland security detachment that's taken the law into its own hands,
or maybe both. Thankfully, On a Wing and a Prayer isn't any
of those things. It's simply a good natured, slow paced documentary
about family man Monem Salam's quest to become a certified pilot.
That's it. There's no nefarious agenda or any sinister FBI
types bursting through doors in order to keep America ‘safe'.
And that's precisely what makes this film shocking.
Shocking because the film takes
advantage of all the preconceptions that the ratings hungry media outlets
have force fed us for years and turns it on its head. What we
expect is a film with an agenda, either from this Muslim fellow or the
police. What we want is conflict and tension. But what the
filmmakers deliver is something much more. Real life.
Yes, Muslim Monem is learning
to fly and the FBI does take a certain notice in it, but On a Wing and
a Prayer isn't really about all that, it's about a good man, a good
wife, and a good family and how they're no different than the rest
of us with everyday problems. They just happen to be Muslim.
And that's what makes this film worth watching, to realize that what
media represents isn't everyday reality and we shouldn't let it
define a people or a religion for us. Monem and his family are
like you and me, regular people just trying to lead their lives.
Shocking.
Screening: Thursday, April
17, 7:15 PM
-NF
THE STONE ANGEL
Rating: *** (3 out of 4)
 Everyone knows Ellen Burstyn
is a powerful actor. She's given so many marvelous performances over
the years in both Hollywood Blockbusters as well as fiercely independent
films. The Stone Angel offers an excellent match for her in relative
newcomer Christine Horne who plays the younger version of Burstyn's
character, Hagar Shipley.
The Stone Angel, based
on the best-selling novel by Margaret Laurence, tells the story of Hagar
Shipley whose fiery personal drive often caused conflicts with her family.
Her ailing health and the burden on her son threaten to confine her
to a nursing home. Resistant to the idea and seemingly unaware of how
bad her health truly is, she sets out on a journey to explore her restless
past. In addition to the Oscar-winning Burstyn, the stellar cast features
performances from Ellen Page, Cole Hauser, and Dylan Baker. There is
also a cameo from another character actor that proves to be very clever
and effective.
The Stone Angel travels territory
often explored in stories about the family dynamic; However it does
so with genuine surprises as well as excellent performances that elevate
what might have been a conventional family drama.
Screening: Sunday, April 13,
12:00 PM
-MK
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