Sunday, June 30, 2019

Movie Talk: "Shaft!"

Richard Roundtree (L), Samuel L. Jackson (C), and Jessie T. Usher (R).
Photo from www.slashfilm.com
Disclaimer: There may be a few spoilers but details are left out.
If you read the reviews that speak negatively about the 1971 reboot of the movie Shaft, you will be disappointed and wonder who paid them to give their two cents. Let me provide you with the change. There are a few things I look for to determine a movie's likeability:

1. Is there continuity throughout the film?
2. Are there teachable literary moments I can use in the classroom?
3. Did it serve it's purpose?
4. Is there good character development?

Shaft met all four of the elements without fail. This is a "Shut yo mouf!" review of a movie well done. I'm qualified to speak on it because I am a consumer, and I paid for my ticket. So...here we go.

1. Continuity: I hate that I opted out of a film class at Hampton. Thank goodness for my line sister LaKeba Hollar. She shared what she learned in class. Every good movie has a scene that is played at the beginning and is revisited later. The opening scene is not an arbitrary action sequence. It sets the stage for a series of events that lead to a long-time rival. We all have something and someone we love. We often learn In movies with assassins that having a family is a weak point; adversaries use loved ones as pawns. At the risk of giving things away, you come to love John Shaft for playing his role as a badass detective with no boundaries to maintain the safety of his loved ones. He owns the streets for a reason. Sometimes characters don't fight against the conflict or life altering circumstances in order to protect the things they love. In this case, John Shaft's in-kind child support gifts will provide comic relief rather than passive fathering due to a break up. The ending makes all things right that were wrong in the beginning. 2. Literary Teaching Moments: There are too many to name. If you love words, there are enough puns to go around. This comedy appeals to those who like action with a well-written script, hidden meanings, and an occasional expletive. Okay...Samuel L. Jackson is in the movie. There are a lot of expletives. Just know that John Shaft is no dummy. It's clear because his son is a genius.

3. Purpose: Shaft is entertaining. The greater purpose was to demonstrate what fatherhood looks like in a non-traditional way. Shaft opens up a new line of communication between absent fathers and the sons who grow to dislike them after years of "abandonment." Shaft clearly exposes that old adage, "There is more than one side to a story." Mothers who try their best to protect their children from hurt can take away a lesson as well. I'll let you figure that out after viewing the film.

4. Character Development: Each of the main characters developed new perspectives that helped the audience grow as well. The antagonists do what they do---ANTAGONIZE. That's their job. Expect nothing less.
Shaft is worth the price of admission. I always encourage you, however, to use whatever discounts available--student, teacher, or senior discounts. I used my teacher member benefits ($8) LOOK AT GOD! I give this experience five out of five cups of coffee. Subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments after seeing the movie. I want hear from you. Sips with love,
Ms. Coffeedreamz #coffeedreamz38 Instagram @coffeedreamz38 Twitter @Coffeedreamz Facebook @coffeedreamz38 This post is sponsored by Felicia Watkins-White, real estate agent. (301) 535-7639 Instagram @felicia.white.1675 Facebook @felicia.white.1675




1 comment:

  1. I had an English teacher in Junior High who taught me how to watch a film. This was a good read.

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