And Not to Yield

2018 is off to a smashing start, as I am three for three for movies in January! I reviewed The Shape of Water 's limited release back at the beginning of December , based on the critical and social reviews that had come out, but seeing it myself confirmed just how good it is. Part inverse fairytale, part subversive horror movie, the protagonists challenge every kind of status quo imaginable. My personal highlights: a subtle, but not shy, examination of female sexuality and a fairly large cameo by a Canadian actor I adore.  Proud Mary had me with the trailer : an impeccably dressed Taraji P. Henson as a hitwoman. The movie itself is much more than that, more a raw examination of the cyclical nature of gangs and familial abuse than a straight-up action movie. The yearning for a home, for sharing care without strings of obligation, and the ways we create our own sanctuaries really spoke to me, shown in highlight by the relationship between Mary and Danny. Approach the story ...

No burying the lead here: I loved this film. It is not without its flaws, some of which I'll detail here, but this film was, to use an old Storywonk quote, made specifically to delight me. Character development along keen philosophical lines and potent sociopolitical commentary will always win me over, regardless of logical flaws or tactical errors. Starting with the characters, oh me, oh my! The new generation of chess pieces in this age-old game between Light and Dark were treated unevenly, I will grant you. Finn and Poe (two men of color, we should point out) have storylines that have caused much discussion among the fandom, while Rey and Kylo's dance provides a refreshing rhythm to the story. Finn, a former kidnapped child soldier for the First Order, spent TFA finding something to fight for, instead of merely something to fight against, as he was taught. He found it embodied in Rey, which is where his story starts here, but the Space Vegas excursion and meeting Benicio...