(older movie reviews with a new coat of paint)

It’s a rare feat when a movie is so well done and powerful that it forces you to take a walk after seeing it, thus delaying the rest of your day.  Sometimes, movies take a piece of you with them and hold onto it for dear life.  They make you ask yourself tough questions, rediscover why you love film, and look at other films like boys playing a man’s game.  Right as the summer heat kicks in, Fruitvale Station kicked down my door, snuck up inside my body, and bought real estate in my soul.   This true story tale will amaze, haunt and stick with you for days.  Truth be told, it will kick your ass.  When you see it, leave the Kleenex at home and wear the tears that shed from your eyes like a badge of honor.   There’s no shame in showing emotion for this poetic tragic tale of 22 year old Oscar Grant and the last day of 2008 in his world.

Do yourself a favor and avoid reading about the details of this true story.  Writer/Director Ryan Coogler did the hard leg work, left nothing out, and gives you the visceral story in a quick moving tense 86 minutes.  This movie will hit harder if you know the end or not, but try to see it on fresh terms.  The best thing Coogler does here(except for creating an Oscar worthy movie, yes you heard that right) is he leaves the kool aide at home and just tells the story. (more…)