'The Killer' Is Gone

Rock n roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis has passed at 87. Nicknamed "the Killer", he was popular for decades with his showman skills on piano highlighted by classic songs Great Balls of Fire, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, and Breathless. Although rocked by personal scandal, he outlived his contemporaries like Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Johnny Cash. He won 4 Grammys and was among the first class to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

I actually recall seeing him in concert in 1983 at the old Wax Museum in Washington D.C. where he performed an essentially informal jam session which occasionally threw in a familiar tune. The crowd ate it up. It was amazing to just be there while he was schmoozing the audience.

Savage Splendor in THE WOMAN KING

With its strong cast and loosely inspired by real events, The Woman King is a fascinating, exciting tale of a pivotal time in history breathtakingly realized by director Gina Prince-Bythewood and writers Dana Stevens and Maria Bello. 

An African tribe in Dahomey in 1823 must defend itself from slave trading rivals by relying on its fierce army of female warriors led by Nanisca (Viola Davis).  Among the young female trainees is a girl, Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), who has an important link to the tribe.  Outnumbered by the gathering tribes, Nanisca must strategize a daring, risky plan that not only will determine their survival, but has far reaching consequences as truths are revealed and loyalties tested.

These Amazons are noble, yet brutal when in battle where there is no room for weakness or sentiment.  They are supreme fighters not unlike the Amazons in Wonder Woman and the Wakanda women in Black Panther; you get the idea.  With its well-choreographed, unflinching depiction of hand to hand combat, the film also has the DNA of Braveheart. 

An engrossing screenplay is able to focus on each character’s motivation and past trauma revealing a deep, unwavering bond and sisterhood.  The story elicits strong, emotional moments especially in its rousing climax.  Most of all, the film is also a message about empowerment and the powerful meaning of ‘family’, even a newly found one.  Further, the film also makes a statement about its time period with the Dahomey tribe transcending and evolving from a male dominated world and an immoral slave trade. 

With Davis completely transforming herself into a powerful leader and Lashana Lynch outstanding in support, expect multiple Oscar nominations for a movie that thrills, surprises, and touches the heart all at once.

**** of **** stars (With a brief mid credit scene)

Grand Dame of Stage, Screen and TV

Actress Dame Angela Lansbury has passed just shy of 97. This legend and one of the last of Hollywood's Golden Age, conquered stage, screen, and television. 

From her early roles in the Oscar nominated Gaslight, the epic Samson and Delilah, the memorable comedy, The Court Jester, the voice of Mrs. Potts in the animated classic, Beauty and the Beast, to her great portrayal as the dominating mom in the original Manchurian Candidate and as the elderly balloon lady in Mary Poppins Returns, she had 3 Oscar nominations and was honored with a lifetime Oscar. 

In the 1960s and 1970s she dominated Broadway with leads in Mame, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd, while capturing 5 Tony Awards and an honorary lifetime Tony. 

She would guest star on various TV shows and hit paydirt with a glorious 12 year run in Murder She Wrote while amassing 18 Emmy nominations!

And what a treat, she has a cameo in the upcoming Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion!

Ghoulish Treat from Marvel

Werewolf by Night (on Disney+) is a one shot adaptation from Marvel Comics featuring a more graphic, horror oriented show, that is one of the MCU's best streaming presentations.
World class assassins gather for a deadly hunt  to win the coveted Moonstone. The event involves monsters, unlikely bonds, and surprises.
Make no mistake, this is a dark, violent tale with a macabre narrative. For those a bit bored by Marvel's more recent fare, this one is perfectly suited for the Halloween season. Long time Marvel and Disney music composer, Michael Giachinno, directed this gem. It won't be his last.

***1/2 of **** stars
 

The Queen of Country

Country singer Loretta Lynn passed at 90. This legend won 3 Grammy Awards and lifetime awards as queen of country music for 7 decades while writing the first number one country single by a female artist. Her story was dramatized on film with Sissy Spacek winning an Oscar as Loretta in Coal Miners Daughter. Her 50th album, Still Woman Enough, was recorded last year and its title track contains her life in her own words.

"I'm still woman enough, still got what it takes inside;

I know how to love, lose, and survive;

Ain't much I ain't seen, I ain't tried;

I've been knocked down, but never out of the fight;

I'm strong, but I'm tender;

Wise, but I'm tough;

And let me tell you when it comes to love;

I'm still woman enough."