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All the latest Movieland investigations from detectives Dick Japowski and Joey Arizona.
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies Matter
Coming to America (1988)
Eddie Murphy plays a wealthy prince of a fictional African kingdom who does not want an arranged marriage, so heads to America with his faithful companion to find someone who will love him for himself and not for a life of luxury.
This is a movie that never gets old, I don't know how many times I've watched it over the years. But should we talk about Murphy playing an old Jewish man?!
Rewatch: 3.5 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Black Movies Matter Month
Cool Runnings (1993)
Some people find it hard to believe, but Jamaica they had a bobsled team!
The Disney true underdog story of Jamaica's attempts of getting to the Calgary winter Olympics. This movie has all the heart, humour and stereotypical European bad guys that you want and also features one of John Candy's last performances. One of the ultimate family watches.
Rewatch: 5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020)
Two years on and Cole is an outsider, ridiculed and ostracized, no one believes his babysitter and her devil cult tried to kill him. The only person on his side is Melanie, his best friend/love interest who got tangled up in it all. Melanie convinces Cole to head to the lake and blow off some steam...things don't go well.
The first movie was a lot of fun, and this is just the kind of sequel you'd want and expect. A few laughs, a couple of twists and plenty of blood and guts.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies
Blade (1998)
A half-vampire vamp hunter hunts vampires.
I put it to you universe that Wesley Snipes played the first black superhero, sorry Chadwick, Rest in Peace.
I haven't seen this in years and had forgotten how good it is, if only the CGI didn't let it down, it was actually pretty good twenty plus years ago, but looks pretty dated now. Also is there a better moment in any vampire movie than the rave at the begin, that shot of the unwitting douche wondering where the dripping blood was coming from while all the vamps raise their arms to the sky behind him.
Rewatch: 4 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files: Black Movies Matter
12 Years a Slave (2013)
The true story of Solomon Northup, a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.
The first time I saw this I was hungover, and decided I was going watch something at the cinema, there were several Academy Awards nominees showing at the time including American Hustle, but I decided on this. I went solo, only a handful of other patrons in attendance. I spent the next two hours alone in the dark, hungover, sobbing at regular intervals...this time round was better hydrated but no less emotional.
12 Years a Slave is a movie everyone should see, but not one you want to come back to too regularly.
Rewatch: 5 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
The Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies (1999)
During a heist the Djinn is released once more, and again a plucky young girl with nothing to lose has to prevent him from fulfilling the prophecy.
The unique premise of the original allowed for a series of equally unique deaths, and all though it wasn't perfect it was a fun time with a smart ending, and one that makes a sequel pretty easy. The problem is rather than stick to that easy to follow formula they tried to work in a story, and sacrificed the imaginative deaths...and the sequence with the lawyer was awful, and not in a good way.
First watch: 2 Doughnuts
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Black Movies Matter Month
Ghost Fever (1987)
A couple of bumbling cops investigate a haunted house once owned by a slave driving plantation owner. This plays in the tradition of old haunted house comedies or Scooby-Doo cartoons and features all my favourites. Rotating wall. Check. Haunted suit of armour. Check. Floating food. Check!
Sherman Hemsley and Luis Avalos are fun stumbling around together getting spooked and I'd say this is a fun one to add to a Halloween playlist this year.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts
Have you witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? Let us know in the comments below.