Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Artists I Fancy: Monica Stewart

I discovered the art of Monica Stewart while searching for work by African-American artists similar to that of Lavarne Ross. Mr. Ross knows how to capture motion, and his most famous work is called "Tribute", which features African ballerinas.  Ms. Stewart's art radiates grace, movement, and emotional depth.

Admirers have nothing but good things to say about this gifted female artist. Monica Stewart’s art has been described as “a contemporary expression of culture and sisterhood” because she captures “women of color celebrating life”. She gives her work “an authentic, ethnic flavor”. 


The next time you watch the movies “Waiting to Exhale” or Romeo Must Die, watch them very carefully. Her artwork has been showcased via these films. Cool huh? :)



Highlights about the career of Monica Stewart:

🎨 Artistic Style & Themes

  • Stewart is best known for her pastel paintings, which she loves for their brilliance and flexibility.
  • Her work often centers on Black women, capturing moments of joy, reflection, and sisterhood. She once said, “I have a good understanding of myself as a woman, so I do tend to paint a lot of women”.
  • Her art explores universal human experiences, aiming to evoke personal meaning for each viewer.

🖼️ Famous Works

Some of her most popular pieces include:

  • “Unity” – a vibrant portrayal of African-American women dancing in harmony.
  • “Graceful Motion”, “Dance of Joy”, and “Rejoice!” – all celebrate movement, rhythm, and spiritual uplift.
  • Her prints have appeared in films like Waiting to Exhale, Romeo Must Die, and the sitcom Living Single.

🏆 Recognition & Impact

  • Stewart’s art has been featured on California State Lottery and Bank of America calendars, as well as family record books, journals, and photo albums.
  • She’s a nationally recognized artist, with her work displayed in galleries and stores across the U.S.
  • Though she didn’t complete her formal art degree, her talent was nurtured early on and reignited in the 1990s, thanks in part to encouragement from novelist Terry McMillan, who was one of her first collectors.

REFERENCES:



Friday, August 29, 2025

In Memory Of: Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020)

Today is August 29, 2020, and I was not expecting this shocking news.  A brilliant talent has departed this life far too soon. Chadwick Boseman (1976–2020). He chose his acting roles carefully. No doubt he will be remembered for being the first black superhero portrayed in American films. He was Black Panther.

Other roles he played he chose likely because they were people he admired and praised: 
  • Thurgood Marshall (first African-American Supreme Court justice), 
  • James Brown (known as the hardest working man in show business and the godfather of soul), and 
  • Jackie Robinson (first African American to play in Major League Baseball).  

Mr. Boseman suffered quietly for 4 years but in the end, lost his life to colon cancer. "Deaths from colorectal cancer. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. It's expected to cause about 53,200 deaths during 2020." (Source: Colorectal Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Colorectal Cancer?)  

As expected tributes to this young man are pouring in via Twitter.
Chadwick Boseman quote worth remembering:  "press on with pride and press on with purpose.”






Monday, August 11, 2025

Movie: Three (3) Bollywood Films That Address September 11th

Do you like Bollywood movies? Bollywood is a name inspired by the word “Hollywood”, the word that is synonymous with American cinema, films, and movies. It merges “Bombay” and “Hollywood” and is used to refer to Hindi or Indian cinema. I enjoy watching Bollywood movies. The music and dancing are always great. The comedies can be very funny. The science-fiction flicks are kind of quirky. But the drama films? Oh, the drama!!! Full of life’s complexities. Mixed marriages: not so much interracial, but interfaith, i.e. two different religions. Main characters always faced with choosing sides: loyalty to family versus allegiance to country, or on a broader scale, to the world we live in. Having to answer life’s difficult questions:

● Where do I take a stand?

● How do I defend my loved ones?

● If I know or even suspect imminent danger, 
isn't it my duty to warn others, so they can protect themselves?



There are 3 specific movies that address and answer these questions. Producers and directors of Bollywood cinema did not shy away from the content but chose to address the post 9/11 environment in the United States, broach the topic of terrorism, and bring it even closer to home in three films: “Kurbaan”, “My Name is Khan”, and “New York”. Each film starts out with a loving couple, who should be like every other loving couple in the whole wide world: bonded together in a blissful union by promises of fidelity, secure in the hope of living happily ever after forever. The happily ever after part of their lives is going quite well until … 9/11 happens.

  • Kurbaan is an intense Bollywood drama; a love story set against the backdrop of a terrorist plot.
  • My Name is Khan is the story of a loving couple in this movie. Even though the man suffers from Asperger syndrome, he is very gifted in many ways. However, a tragic incident tests their relationship.
  • New York is a movie about three all-American kids. Indian-Americans studying at a university, doing all the things that crazy college students do while pursuing their higher education, and then, 9/11 happens.

Of these films, my favorite is “My Name is Khan”. I’m not the only one who was impressed with this movie. Fox Star Entertainment, an American company, thought so highly of this foreign film that they bought the distribution rights to it.

Have you watched any of these films? If not, you should put them on your watch list.
♦♦
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Sunday, July 20, 2025

Neo-Noir Korean Drama {Review]: Decision to Leave (2022)

Neo-noir is a modern take on classic film noir, which thrived in the 1940s–1950s. South Korea began embracing neo-noir elements in cinema during the late 1990s and early 2000s, with films like Oldboy (2003) and Memories of Murder (2003) setting the tone.

Neo-noir K-dramas are highly popular among international audiences, especially fans of psychological thrillers and crime dramas. Their appeal lies in:

  • Complex antiheroes and morally gray characters

  • Stylized visuals with moody lighting and urban landscapes

  • Themes of revenge, corruption, and existential dread

Directors like Park Chan-wook (“Decision to Leave”) helped elevate the genre globally.

Decision to Leave is actually a South Korean neo-noir romantic mystery film, not a K-Drama. It was directed by Park Chan-wook, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jeong Seo-kyeong. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Based on OR Inspired by? The film is an original story, not based on any existing work.

  • Release Date: Premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2022, and was released theatrically in South Korea on June 29, 2022.

  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance, Drama.

  • Filming Locations: Primarily filmed in South Korea, including Busan.

  • Where to Watch: Available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

  • Main Characters:

    • Tang Wei as Song Seo-rae

    • Park Hae-il as Detective Jang Hae-jun

    • Lee Jung-hyun as Jung-an

    • Go Kyung-pyo as Soo-wan.

Plot Summary:

Detective Jang Hae-jun, a dedicated investigator suffering from insomnia, is assigned to a case involving the mysterious death of a retired immigration officer, Ki Do-soo, found at the base of a mountain he frequently climbed. As Hae-jun delves into the case, he meets Song Seo-rae, the deceased’s enigmatic widow. Though Seo-rae’s lack of grief and suspicious injuries make her a prime suspect, Hae-jun finds himself drawn to her in ways that compromise his judgment.

As the investigation unfolds, Hae-jun becomes obsessed with Seo-rae, watching her from afar and engaging in intimate conversations that blur the lines between detective and suspect. His growing infatuation leads him to cover up evidence, despite realizing that Seo-rae may have orchestrated her husband's death. Their relationship is a delicate dance of trust, deception, and longing, culminating in a tragic separation.

A year later, Hae-jun, now struggling with depression, encounters Seo-rae again—this time married to a wealthy businessman. When her new husband is found dead, Hae-jun is once again drawn into her orbit, suspecting her involvement. As he pieces together the truth, Seo-rae makes a final, haunting decision, leaving Hae-jun devastated and forever searching for answers.

♦♦

(NOTE: The content above is AI-Generated.)

Check out my Kdrama review – original content published via PopGeeks.com: Decision to Leave ~ Am I Attracted to a Murderer?



Friday, May 30, 2025

Bollywood: My Two (2) Favorite Aamir Khan Movies

This blog post is about one of my favorite Indian actors, Aamir Khan. It's fair to say that he is one of the first Indian actors I came to know who made me want to watch more Indian and Hindi cinema, even though they have to be English-subtitled. His full name is Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan. He started his career as a child actor.


In 2001, he founded Aamir Khan Productions, whose first release, Lagaan, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and earned him a National Film Award for Best Popular Film and two more Filmfare Awards (Best Actor and Best Film).” (Quote Source: Wikipedia)


My first favorite AK film? Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) – As far as the storyline goes, people are living in this small Indian village, being oppressed by the British rulers. One of the men in the village is Bhuvan (played by Aamir Khan). He challenges this arrogant British guy, Captain Andrew Russell (played by Paul Blackthorne), to a game of cricket. If he wins, the Brits can't collect any taxes. Well, the Captain is so certain that he will win, he agrees.

The villagers are wondering if Bhuvan has LOST HIS MIND! He doesn't know how to play cricket!! The captain's sister, Elizabeth Russell (played by Rachel Shelley), knows her brother is a proud, crude, and cruel jerk! She also knows the villagers don't know the rules of the game. So she secretly teaches Bhuvan and the villagers how to play the game so that at least they have a chance of winning. 

I am not really familiar with any of Aamir Khan's work before this film was released. I liked the movie for its historical value, but also because it was the film that introduced me to this cultured and refined actor. He really left a lasting impression. By the way, the word “Lagaan” means “tax”. This movie has won several awards. It was even nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.  Definitely Oscar-worthy.




My second favorite AK film? Fanaa (2006) – A painfully beautiful love story; emphasis on the pain part. A young man, Rehan Qadri (played by Aamir Khan), meets a blind girl, Zooni Ali Beg (played by Kajol). He falls in love and pays for her to have eye surgery to regain her vision. The surgery is successful ONLY … she does not know who paid for the operation, and she never knew what Rehan looked like. 

When they meet again, she falls in love with him, not realizing that he was the one who helped her regain her eyesight. They get married and have a son. The problem is that she does not know her husband is linked to a terrorist organization. 

When she finally realizes his secret, she is faced with a major decision. Should she report her husband, the father of her child, to the law enforcement authorities so they can capture him? The story was so tragic yet so touching and beautiful. I was extremely moved by the performances of both Aamir Khan and his leading lady, Kajol.




Are you familiar with this Aamir Khan? 

Do you have a favorite AK film?


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Thursday, March 20, 2025

For Fans of Maureen O'Hara: Flame of Araby (1951) [UPDATE: March 20, 2025]

[UPDATE: March 20, 2025 - You know what they say. Get it while it's HOT!  Apologies, but the movie that was once available on YouTube to watch online for free, is no longer available.  For more info, please scroll down to the bottom of this post.  Thank you.]

**

Maureen O'Hara is one of my favorite actresses. (Born Maureen FitzSimons; 1920 – 2015). She was an Irish actress and singer. I remember her for her flaming red hair. I thought she was gorgeous! I have seen her in so many movies. But I found a movie that I had not seen. She starred in this movie with another one of my favorite male leading actors, Jeff Chandler (born Ira Grossel; 1918 – 1961).


* Flame of Araby (a.k.a. Flame of the Desert), released in 1951. *

Jeff Chandler plays the part of Bedouin chief Tamerlaine and Maureen O'Hara plays the Tunisian Princess Tanya. Of course, you know as soon as they meet sparks fly! They make a charismatic onscreen couple. The Bedouin chief is searching for the legendary black stallion Shahzada. To be the one who catches this prize steed is all he could ever want. All that he could ever want that is … until he met the Princess Tanya.

It's a love story with both a hero and a heroine. A wonderful wholesome family movie. I enjoyed it! 

**

You can watch this classic film on Daily Motion. (However, it may not be in your language.)


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More Maureen O'Hara movies

More Jeff Chandler movies



Monday, March 10, 2025

Quick Movie Review: Georgetown (2019)

If you like crime thrillers, you'll like the movie called "Georgetown" (2019). The name caught my attention because there is Georgetown, Texas, a city near where I live and then there is Georgetown near Washington, D.C. I used to work in D.C. and it's a lively place. This movie was set in the historic neighborhood of Georgetown, in the District of Columbia (D.C.) 
(SPOILER ALERT!)

Image credit
 


The reviewers at RogerEbert.com gave the film 2 stars and Rotten Tomatoes gave it 3 stars.  Not sure why the ratings were so low.  High caliber actors were in this film: Vanessa Redgrave, Annette Bening, and Christoph Waltz. I would give 1 star fir each and the another star for the film.  That's 4 stars!  

I did not realize until The End that it was based on a true story. Yeah. That creep was an idiot and he really did kill his wife.

The real guy's name is Albrecht Muth.
The name of the character in the movie was Ulrich Mott (played by Christoph Waltz).

In April 2014, Albrecht Muth, 49 years old, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 50 years in prison for first-degree murder of his wife.

Even though it would not make my top 10 list, it's a good movie for a Friday night.




RELATED LINKS:



Thursday, January 30, 2025

TV Movie: BBC Masterpiece Contemporary: Page EIght (2011)

Do you fancy BBC Masterpiece Contemporary Mystery movies or television series?

The BBC political thriller titled “Page Eight” is about a British intelligence analyst who refuses to compromise his integrity.

What happens to him is what usually happens when civil servants will not budge on their principles and ideals of Right versus Wrong, and their principles and ideals do not line up with their boss, i.e., the chief executive leader who says: I know what is best for our country and I am the one in charge, with the authority!

In his case, Mr. Worricker (the character masterfully played by Bill Nighy) butts heads with the British Prime Minister. He found some real information on page 8 of an intelligence report that points a finger in the direction of the Prime Minister and … Oh dear!

He has to leave his job? No. Rather he chooses that it is time for him to resign from the MI-5 service and move on. To spice up this not “atypical” political thriller plot, he meets a young woman (played by Rachel Weisz) that he has the power to help because of his access to confidential official government secrets. Does he help her? But of course! She helps him as well. In his line of work, it’s really hard to find someone you can trust.

This BBC political thriller is “Page Eight” is actually part of a trilogy. If it hooks you, you’ll probably want to watch the entire triology: Masterpiece: Worricker Trilogy Collection (Salting the Battlefield; Turks & Caicos; Page Eight)

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Bollywood Movie Gem: Based on a True Story: Mary Kom (2014)

Priyanka Chopra as a boxer? Get real! No way!

Those were my initial thoughts. By the time the movie was over, I was eating my words. 

PC worked it! She was super awesome playing the role of a real-life female boxer, Mary Kom.

Let me explain. Here’s where I took a left.


What had really happened was that before watching the Bollywood movie, I had already seen an American movie. Million Dollar Baby (2004); which starred Clint Eastwood and Hilary Swank. Expected a really good flick. Some girl was going to go out there and kick butt like Layla Ali. Anticipated a story of victory, triumph, rising above the opposition, working against the odds, overcoming … all that feel-good stuff! You know?

That is NOT what happened!

Loyal Clint Eastwood fan, but that movie disgusted me! It wasn’t just a disappointment. It made me mad!!

So! Using my flawed logic … I figured the film with Priyanka Chopra was probably just going to be an Indian-style “version” of Million Dollar Baby.

Mea culpa. Mea culpa.  10,000 humble apologies!

Can you spell the word WRONG in all kinds of ways?

I can spell it at least 3 ways.

  • Number 1 WRONG: Totally underestimated Ms. Chopra’s acting prowess. She delivered on her performance.
  • Number 2 WRONG: Didn’t know there was such a person as Mary Kom.  She’s a really awesome Indian woman who opened a door for others to walk through.
  • Number 3 WRONG: Boxing for women is hard … in America. Boxing for women IN INDIA? Seriously? My Indian sisters are truly on their own. Any woman who can rise up and make her mark in that field of sports … the world should know her story.

Mary Kom (2014) is a gooooood movie!!

(- Book worth reading: Autobiography: M.C. Mary Kom.)

Both the video and the book make perfect additions to your home entertainment library.

♦♦♦

(Image credit: Amazon)

Related entertainment articles



Loyal fans of Priyanka Chopra-Jonas will appreciate this enthusiastic Bollywood movie review of the film about a real-life Indian female boxer called Mary Kom.




Friday, January 10, 2025

Three (3) Vintage Classic Movies That Created Wonderful Childhood Memories

I was born in the 1950s. That means that I am from the first generation that got to experience television in the home. What a marvelous invention! I know my late mother never intended for the TV set to become her babysitter but my sister, my brothers and I spent hours in front of the television. There were so many wonderful programs to watch that educated and entertained us. I especially loved to watch movies with my big sister. The movies back in my day were memorable and made a lasting impression on my young developing mind. Below are three (3) films from my childhood that created indelible memories.


Heidi (1937) ~ This is a classic children's story written by Swiss author, Johanna Louise Spyri, adapted to film. Famous child star Shirley Temple played Heidi, the little orphan girl who was taken to live with her grandfather. After she and her grandfather had bonded and become close, she is tricked into leaving “the grandfather” and sold to be a servant in a wealthy man's household. If I tell you more and you have not seen the movie, that would spoil everything. So I'll stop right here.


The Wizard of Oz (1939) ~ I loved this movie!! It was a musical but everything about it was magical. The Yellow Brick Road, the Wizard, the Munchkins, the Wicked Witch, Glenda the Good Witch, the ruby red shoes that Dorothy wore, and that song she said that melted everybody's heart: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Judy Garland was cast as Dorothy. Yes, it was also based on a book. L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's fantasy novel titled “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”.



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National Velvet (1944) ~ This is a film about a horse race. Not just any race. England's Grand National Sweepstakes horse race. There is a young girl who has a dream that she can win. It is based on a story by Enid Bagnold. Famous child star Elizabeth Taylor played the role of Velvet Brown. Did she win the race? You'll have to watch the movie.


Do you have any favorite childhood movies?





Original Source



Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Two (2) Cary Grant Movies to Watch During the Christmas Holiday

At one time, Cary Grant (1904 - 1986) was one of Hollywood's main leading men. He was certainly one of my favorite actors. He has been acting since the 1930s but most of the movies I remember watching when I was growing up were released in the late 1940s and the 1950s. 


Watching old movies is one of my favorite things, especially during the holiday season. Christmas is not until December but I hope no qualms about starting the celebrations as soon as the autumn season is officially declared. The last week of September is usually the first week of the fall season. Here are my 2 picks for Cary Grant movies to watch for the Christmas season.  It's best to watch in December.

Image credit:  Amazon.com

Movie #1:  The Bishop's Wife (1947), leading lady, Loretta Young Cary Grant is an angel from heaven named Dudley. He came down to earth in response to the Bishop's prayer for guidance and in the process of performing his ministerial angel duties, ends up spending most of his time with the bishop's unhappy wife. The answer to the bishop's prayer lies in him realizing that in the performance of his duties as bishop and a husband, he had somehow misplaced his priorities. All he needed was to put back on the right path. It's a warm and fuzzy feel-good kind of movie that is best watched during the Christmas holiday season. 


Movie #2:  An Affair to Remember (1957), leading lady, Deborah Kerr What happens when two (2) lovers make an arrangement to meet at a certain place, on a certain date, at a certain time, with the intention to get married and living happily ever after … only one of the lovers does not show up at that certain place and time, as per the arrangement? Another love story and a real tear-jerker! My favorite part of the movie was where Deborah Kerr started crying but she took her handkerchief and started wiping the tears from Cary Grant's face. He gently took the handkerchief away from her and started wiping her years. She was the one crying. Not him! It was a love affair to remember. I remembered it and have rewatched the movie more than once. It wasn't a Christmas movie but that touching love scene happened during a Christmas holiday.

Vintage Christmas Cary Grant!!!
vintage christmas pictures


Thursday, October 3, 2024

Indian Movies: Celebrities: Spotlight on Amy Jackson

Do you heart Amy Jackson?  Do you even know who Amy Jackson is? She’s an actress. OK. Yeah. She’s a hottie! I discovered her by accident, because of two music videos on YouTube.
  • The first music video attracted my attention because it looked like an Indian version of Beauty and the Beast.
  • In the other music video, Ms. Jackson was a female photographer who was being taken on a tour in India.
Watching the music videos piqued my interest. Had to seek and find what movies these videos were associated with. I was extremely pleased with the results of my treasure hunt!




♥ But first, let me share a little background info about Amy Jackson.

Her nationality is British; born on the Isle of Man and grew up in Liverpool. She was the winner of several beauty pageants including Miss Teen Liverpool and Miss Teen World. At the age of 16, her modeling career began.

Her acting career blossomed almost instantly when she caught the eye of director A. L. Vijay who thought she looked like a perfect fit to play the part of the leading lady in a Tamil language historical period drama. (He was right! IMHO.)

She has appeared in several Indian films and is currently included in the ranks with other female Bollywood superstars. She is also included alongside female superheroes. She is Imra Ardeen / Saturn Girl in the popular American TV series “Supergirl”.

Follow her on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

♥ And now the moment you’ve been waiting for.

The two South Indian (Tamil) films discovered after watching the related music videos, that made me join the Amy Jackson fan club are Madrasapattinam (2010), a historical period drama.  I (2015), a drama sci-fi thriller.

What hooked me about these movies? I’m a sucker for romance. Both were love stories.

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Links of Interest:



Image credit: Amy Jackson Top Live Wallpaper by Solution




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