Queen Of Katwe is a very special movie. Also it made me want to hug my mom and those teachers that believed in me.
Anyway, it’s the true story of Chess Master Phiona Mutesi, who grew up in the slums of Katwe, Uganda, and through hard work and prodigious talent, became an elite chess master. The movie follows some sports movie clichés, but for the most part sidesteps those by it’s game of choice (chess) and it’s setting (poverty stricken Africa), oh, also it’s hero, (shy but intelligent preteen African girl!) sets it apart.
The story itself is straightforward, but the devil is in the details and the details are wonderful. There’s also just not enough praise in the world for this cast. Madina Nalwanga is wonderful as Phiona, every move she makes feels subtle and real. David Oyelowo turns in an inspirational and warm performance as Robert Ketende, the missionary who teaches Phiona, and the other children of Katwe chess. And then there’s Lupita Nyong’o.
We do not deserve this woman’s talent. We do not deserve her beauty and her intensity, but for whatever reason this angel of the art of acting has decided to bless us with her presence, so maybe WE DON’T FUCK THIS UP HOLLYWOOD. She’s going to be the new Meryl Streep and it’s time for us all to get on board. She’s incredible in this movie as Harriet, Phiona’s mother. Just, indescribably good.
Rankings!
- The Nice Guys
- Don’t Think Twice
- Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
- Queen of Katwe
- Pete’s Dragon
- Ghostbusters
- Captain America: Civil War
- Kubo And The Two Strings
- Star Trek Beyond
- The Magnificent 7
- X-Men: Apocalypse
- The Legend Of Tarzan
- Suicide Squad
- Finding Dory
- Independence Day: Resurgence
- Alice Through The Looking Glass
Trailers!
Some documentary about Eagle Hunting that I really want to see but can’t remember the name of. It looks frickin cool though.
Fantastic Beasts trailer that I’ve never seen before. The movie looks more interesting now. My hatred of Eddie Redmayne is pretty well eclipsed by my love of all things Wizarding World, and Colin Farrell and Halle Berry and period, so you know, there’s that.
Hidden Figures: And we will look upon Taraji P. Henson and we will say, “she is queen of us all.” We will look upon Kirsten Dunst and say, “I am so glad you’ve kept up being low key and successful your whole life.” We will look upon Kevin Costner and say, “We have always loved you and shall continue to do so.” We will look upon Jim Parsons and say, “AWWW.” (I am looking forward to this movie)
Moana: MOANA!!!!!!!! Everytime I see any trailers I just think, “MAAAAN, the man is NON STOP!” Brace for EGOT.
Beauty And The Beast: It really does look stunning. But this time around, I was focused on the music. That tinkling theme really might be some of Ashman’s best music. You know the one that I mean, “DO do do do do do DOOOOO.” (If you’re familiar with the Broadway music, it’s the melody that The Beast Sings in, “If I Can’t Love Her,” the “Long ago I should have seen, all the things I might have been. Careless and unthinking I moved ON WARRRRDDD!!!”) Anyway, it’s a lovely tune.
The Fangirl's Dilemma 