Legendary American boxing film Rocky in the 70’s led to a legendary spin off film called Creed. Three years later Creed II knocked down doors with a worldwide box office gross of 241.1 million. Numbers don’t lie, and they definitely showed what boxing could do in Hollywood after thirty plus years. Not only a spin off, Creed II included original cast members from the Rocky films. Leaving drawn-out tension ready to be settled in the ring. 

Actor Micheal B. Jordan plays the main character Adonis Johnson, who later 

changed his last name to Creed after his late father from the original Rocky II film, Apollo Creed. Apollo, played by actor Carl Weathers, dies in the Rocky IV film fighting his opponent Captain Ivan Drago. The original Drago lost a boxing match against Rocky Balboa, who is played by award winning actor Sylvester Stallone. These actors did so well individually you would think this was a true story, which would be false. Tessa Thompson, the girlfriend of Adonis Creed from the first film also returns.  The emotions she and Adonis Creed bring to the screen are heartfelt, and slowly turn into a tearjerker. Between the drama, emotions, and eagerness this film is just the beginning of a hit franchise like the Rocky franchises. 

In order to get a full visual of Creed II, watching the Rocky films is highly suggested

 although not necessary. After the first fight in Creed II Adonis Creed proposes to his girlfriend Bianca. Adonis asked Rocky what he said to his late wife Adrian when he proposed. Rocky said exactly what he did in the film Rocky II when he proposed after the fight. These scenes mirror each other with the proposals, the awesome part is Rocky proposed after he lost the fight with Apollo Creed. Adonis proposed after he won and became a boxing champion. Every scene in Creed goes back to the original film in 1985. Fun fact, in Rocky II the rematch between Creed and Rocky was on November 25th. November 25th was the release date for Creed in 2015.

Steven Caple Jr. director of Creed II included every character's passion individually. 

Throughout the film he captured scenes of them individually absorbing what’s happening around them. This was Caple Jr’s fifth film as a director. Not much to go off of, however Caple’s creative eye will keep him in Hollywood for the long run. Along with his eye for directing his ears were on point as well, the soundtrack synced with the movie smoothly. Actor Tessa Thompson who plays Biancia has a song on the soundtrack “I will go to war”. You can feel the energy on set and see it in the actors' faces when she sings this song.

Creed II is a mirroring image of the Rocky films. Particularly Rocky II and IV, bringing 

up the past with his late father Apollo Creed. Adonis started his career with the biggest fights any boxer could possibly want during their career as a boxer. Creed finds himself learning and becoming a boxer is not as easy as he thought. Dealing with emotions of being a Creed takes a toll on him. Guessing if he is as great as his father. Becoming a better man in the ring and at home, Creed must make a decision on a fight that could change his life. This fight could change his life as well as the people around him, he must tread carefully.

 

 By Kourtney Dailey

 

Blackfish is presented as a documentary about killer Orca whales, however the story gets deeper than a whale. Orca whales are one of the most powerful predators. The structure of this documentary was phenomenal. Starting off gentle and sweet, leaving you with a bitter taste in your mouth and a heart full of hurt for the staff and whales. Putting you on an emotional rollercoaster along with an intense anger in regards to the treatment of the whales including the companies who put staff in danger, all for money. 

The pacing of the storytelling puts you on the edge of your seat for more. Young  people who want more in life, eager to work in a field that they love. Each person's story individually gets your attention as if you experienced alongside them. Having old footage to personally give you a visual of the stories that they witnessed while they worked at SeaWorld.  

The old vintage looking videos they presented in the documentary showing details of the young Orcas being captured by the fisherman was a tear dropper. One of the fishermen on the boat at that time said he was so young he did not fully understand what was happening until it was too late. He noticed they were trapping the females and smaller Orcas to catch the younger ones. These huge nets were thrown into the water while multiple boats surrounded the whales to catch them. The moment caught on screen between the old tapes of the whales crying out, and the now older fisherman crying about what he did in his younger days matched accordingly. The match cuts are done often throughout the film. 

The filmmaker’s intentions were to give an unexpected point of view. Having the viewers review a subject that seems familiar to them. This led to a great story telling, giving an emotional impact to the viewers. The protagonist that the filmmaker wants you to follow starts off as the orca whale, however it is the staff that is being interviewed. The attention completely shifts towards them and away from the Orcas. 

The sympathy begins to start with footage of the star Orca “Tilikum” attacking his trainers and cover-up by SeaWorld management. As people were dying and getting hurt the park's public relations team had an amazing spin on each story. This led to a public outrage, and the stories spread wide across the media. The effects of the film caused several theme parks to announce that they would be gradually changing out their orca shows and ending their breeding programs. 

The park was breeding an Orca that was dangerous and frustrated from being in a small contained environment that he did not belong in. Where the film began is where the heart of the exposition started and ended. The whales were removed from the environment they belonged in, and the moment they were taken away chaos started slowly but surely. This documentary was concrete and realistic from the beginning to the end.

 

By Kourtney Dailey

A horror/comedy film with an all black cast that is completely uncensored. Laughter echoed through the theater uncontrollably. Leah Daniel Butler did an outstanding job with casting this film. With a cast that meshed together as The Blackening did, I see a future with a horror/slasher that holds a full black cast. Watching this film you would assume the cast are all true friends on a trip. Each scene was intriguing. This movie reminds you of 1998’s I still know what you did last summer. Although that movie was a horror/slasher film it brought back memories. The ending was quite different you will have to see for yourself. This film is uncensored giving a Quentin Tarantino mood. 

Most horror movies have that gore, unfortunately this does not. Full of suspense and oh my goodness moments, followed with a few WTF’s. You can definitely compare each charter to your own friends. The scary friend, the prideful friend, the unreliable friend, and the friend that just shows up for events after not hearing from them for years. This film allows you to have a conversation afterwards asking yourself mmm, I wonder what my group of friends would do in this situation as a result of you learning people's true colors when your life's on the line.

 

By Kourtney Dailey