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All the latest Movieland investigations from detectives Dick Japowski and Joey Arizona.
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Black Movies Matter Month
Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Biopic done right on the rise of L.A gangster rap group N.W.A and how they exploded and imploded before finding a resting place somewhere in the middle!
For me I always find the most satisfying biopics the ones where I don't know all the stories going in, which was definitely the case here. I enjoyed all the main portrayals of Dr Dre, Eazy-E and Ice Cube.
O'Shea Jackson Jr in particular being amazing as li'll Cube. It's also mad watching this after recent events in America and seeing how little things have changed. F the police indeed. Warning this review and the movie contains strong Language.
First watch: 4.5 doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies Matter
Poetic Justice (1993)
A poetry writing hairstylist named Justice (Janet Jackson) hitches a ride to a show with Lucky (Tupac Shakur), a postman driving a mail truck to Oakland. Along for the ride are Justice's best friend and her boyfriend, who's also one of Lucky's work mates.
John Singleton follows up his critically acclaimed Boyz N the Hood with a rather shallow road movie, it tries it's best to be deep but largely comes of as cheesy. The Jackson/Shakur love story is a little unbelievable. What keeps you invested though are the four main characters, who despite the dramas are largely fun to spend time with.
First watch: 2.5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies Matter
187 (1997)
Samuel L Jackson plays a high school teacher who is brutally attacked by a student, when he finally gets back to teaching he isn't the same man he was, and these kids are pushing him too far.
I watched this several times back in the day, and while I recall liking it I remembered little about it, sometimes it's good to have a fishbowl brain. While the ending is pretty good, it would've been better if you didn't learn the truth until the finalé.
Rewatch: 3 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies Matter
Miles Ahead (2015)
Part biopic about the life of Jazz legend Miles Davis, part artistic interpretation of the music of his music. It's this second element that makes the movie, a fictional tale of Davis (Don Cheadle) teaming-up with a journalist (Ewan McGregor) desperate for an interview, as they attempt to retrieve a can of new music stolen during a house party.
I'd quite happily watch a series of movies following these guys.
First watch: 4 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Black Movies Matter Month
Another 48 hrs (1990)
Nick Nolte is a cop on the edge, driven to find the notorious "Iceman" a drug dealer that the rest of the force doesn't believe exists. After getting in trouble with his superiors in a hilariously over the top shoot out at a race track, Nolte has to get the help of Eddie Murphy, who's fresh out of prison.
In another 48 hours I may rewatch 48hrs as I can't remember that first movie or why Murphy was in prison, which may or may not have helped with my enjoyment of this one. It's always good to see Andrew Divoff in a bad guy role who is trying to silence the pair of unlikely partners. Far from classic but pleased to see it.
First watch: 2.5 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Notzilla (2020)
A Japanese scientist saves an egg and travels to Cincinnati Ohio, where it hatches into a beer guzzling kaiju that's getting bigger by the keg!
Aiming for a Zucker Brothers style comedy but unfortunately featuring more groaners then zingers. This spoof of Godzilla has fun with the creative side of things such as rear projection and use of miniatures but does wind up outstaying it's welcome even at 80 minutes.
First watch: 1.5 Doughnuts
Have you seen witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? Let us know in the comments below.