Another take on reality but from a fresh perspective altogether.
My Ratings: 4/5.
Remember F. Gary Gray, the guy who did the The Italian Job (I mean who directed it), and this time he has come up with the highest-grossing musical biopic ever in the history of Hollywood – Straight Outta Compton.
This is the unique true story of the pioneers of gansta rap, an American hip hop group from Compton (California), who shot to fame around the mid 80s and called themselves N.W.A – Niggaz Wit Attitudes!
Their rap music was famous for its explicit lyrics about drug, crime and women, and also for their hatred of the police system. Thus one of their most controversial songs was ‘Fuck tha police‘. And such was the popularity of that lyrics that FBI send a special letter warning N.W.A not to perform that song in public, which fortunately attracted more publicity to the group!
The core members of N.W.A were legendary rap artists Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, DJ Yella and MC Ren. And the film Straight Outta Compton (which was also the name of their debut studio album) showed how N.W.A started off, they formed their group and teamed up with their manager Jerry Heller, their huge success, and then their internal rivalry regarding contracts, and eventually their break up in around 1991. The film ended with the AIDS-related death of Eazy-E in 1995.
But Straight Outta Comptonisnot only a film about music.
It portrays the overall social scenario of that time in US where some black musicians trying to rap their way up was definitely not considered as art or them as artists. It was the time when the young colored people had to endure unnecessary police harassment on numerous occasions; it was the time of the infamous 1992 Los Angeles riots AKA (Rodney King riots).
An essay of the social life of the 80s America, seen through the eyes of some young black kids who wanted to create music. And they did.
A hip hop fan or not, this film is surely worth a watch.
On Sunday, February 28th, it’s that time of the year when they give away those awards!
Yes, on this day, the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences will hand over the most prestigious awards of the entertainment world – the Academy Awards or the Oscars.
On the basis of the ‘preferential voting’ system (democratic and unbiased), all the nominees are chosen each year for the various award categories and then they simply wait, hope and pray to win!
This year Chris Rock will be hosting the award ceremony on ABC.
In total 305 feature films are competing for Best Picture nominations. Though the final and official seven/eight nominated ones will be announced on Thursday, January 14th, it’s always fun to guess, predict and anticipate a little before hand.
So let the predictions for the ‘Best Picture’ category begin!
A film that reflects on the youth and relishes the old age with the same intensity. It deals with friendship, love, marriage, lust, professions, emotions and above all emotions. I bet my
Powerful, dramatic and full of energy, directed by George Miller, this is undoubtedly the best action flick of 2015 and a leader in the Oscar race for the ‘Best Picture’.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (whose film Birdman won the ‘best director’, ‘best picture’ and ‘best screenplay’ awards last year), has come up with this brilliant tale of an explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio).
A fur trading expedition in the 1820s; inspired by true events this is an epic adventure, a quest for survival and also a sure favorite in this year’s Oscar.
Directed by Adam McKay, this is a biographical account of the time (mid 2000) when there was a financial crisis in the US, and four individuals decided to fight the greedy banks for their lack of foresight.
Looks like a pretty sure thing for the award ceremony. Watch out!
Adopted from Emma Donoghue‘s famous novel, this is one unique story of a five-year old boy who is told by his loving mother that their 10-by-10 foot ‘room’ is the only world that exists!
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson, a brilliant film that surely is becoming people’s favorite and a likely contestant for the Oscar.
The recently released ever popular addition to the Star Wars franchise and a sudden favorite for the Oscars.
Directed by J.J. Abrams, this film with it’s immense fan following has the potential to be a game changer in the race for this years ‘Best Picture’ Academy Awards.
By the way, this film has recreated the U.S. box office record beating James Cameron‘s Avatar!