Beasts of No Nation

Idris Elba.  You are one sick fuck.

For all you lazy ass movie lovers, you have no excuse.  This movie was released day in date with the theatrical release (only grossed about 90K in a one week limited run since all the big corporate theater overlords like Regal refused to show it…snobby bastards).  It’s been on Netflix since right after TIFF, in the fall, and the omission of Idris Elba in the acting category is obviously cuz #oscarssowhite.

The little boy Abraham Attah in his breakout role is also commendable, and believable.  It took me a while to watch this movie, you gotta be in the right FIGHT-THE-SYSTEM-FUCK-THE-SYSTEM-FUCK-WAR-LET-ME-FEEL-TERRIBLE-FOR-ALL-THE-SHITTY-THINGS-HAPPENING-IN-THE-WORLD-ESP-FUCKING-CHILD-SOLDIERS mood, which can sometimes be hard to get into.  To prepare, I suggest watching a shit ton of Fox News and then afterwards unwinding by going to a Krav Maga session and writing to your local senator or writing a blog, whatever makes you feel like you are making a difference in the world.….$10 (but you’re so fortunate, it’s free on netflix!)

If you heart Beasts of No Nation…

Recommendations from …:
Blood Diamond
Kony 2012
Kite Runner

 

 

War Dance

War Dance is a heart-rending, yet uplifting documentary that follows the lives of three children of war in northern Uganda, subjected to the types of horrors most people only read about.  Caught between the Ugandan government and the rebel force, the Lord’s Resistance Army, this is a very human look into how they have tried to move on with the lives in the midst of a war zone.  The school they attend, Patonga, unexpectedly wins the regional music competition, allowing for the children to compete in Kampala at the nation-wide tournament.  It has all the ingredients of a great film; incredible adorable and lovable children who are so courageous and strong despite their terrible experiences, a passion for something that transcends all else, in this case dance, and a competition that will have the audience on anxiously hoping for a win; but in a real documentary, not a piece of made up fiction.

I don’t think anything in the story will surprise you, after all, we have heard of child warriors in other movies, heard generally about the civil wars and injustices in Africa, but this movie does a very good job at portraying specific children who you can already tell have certain special gifts or talents who will be leaders in their community, who spur you to want to do something about it but also leave you feeling hopeful for their future.  It will invigorate you, excite you, and ultimately inspire you.  I highly recommend this movie…$11

If you heart War Dance:

Recommendations from …:
Rize
Bring it On
Born into Brothels
Blood Diamond