Tag: dolemite is my name

The Top 10 Best Films of 2019

2019 was surprisingly a great year for films. There were so many films that weren’t on my radar at the start of the year but surprised me when I did view them. And when I was writing down the best films of the year, it went past ten but I did have to narrow it down to ten. As this is the 5oth and the last post of 2019 , this is the perfect time to look back on the past twelve months and see which films stood out as the best films of 2019.

10. Avengers: Endgame

“Avengers: Endgame” is a film that has been building up for years and audiences finally get their pay off. Sure, “Endgame” is a very long film, but it certainly deserves to be a three hour long film. The film doesn’t feel long nor does it get boring, it takes it time establishing the story and the action that the audience will certainly enjoy.

9. The Peanut Butter Falcon

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” is one of those films I didn’t know much about going in and was surprised how great of a film it is when I did view it. Stars Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen have incredible chemistry as two young men who are trying to escape their lives in search of something better. Gottsagen does a phenomenal job not only showcasing his acting range but his comedic chops as well. His character is very likable and its all due to Gottsagen portrayal of the character. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a film that cannot be missed.

8. Us

“Us” is a film I saw earlier in the year and had so many thoughts about the film that I decided to discuss the film in my first post. Jordan Peele cleverly writes a screenplay that explores the idea of how people would react to their doppelgangers. Only someone like Peele could make a film that makes audiences terrified and laugh at the same time. If “Get Out” didn’t cement Peele as one of the directors to look out for, then “Us” certainly does the job. 

7. The Irishman

A gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Robert de Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci is bound to get critical praise. “The Irishman” showcases why Scorsese and de Niro work perfectly off each other. It shows why these two are the greatest director and actor parings as they always make something incredible. “The Irishman” slowly, but steady, takes it time establishing the characters, setting, and story. Yes, the film is a very long one but it certainly deserves to be a long film and is best viewed in two parts.

6. Marriage Story

“Marriage Story” is a film that certainly showcases the powerhouse acting of stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver. The moment the film begins, the audience knows the conflict that is expected to come. The film realistically portrays how ugly a divorce can get how it can impact the individuals involved. The scene that best shows the conflict is when the separate couple argue in an apartment and the argument brings out the worst in each other. “Marriage Story” is a realistic heartbreaking film that is exceptionally made with the best actors working today.

5. The Farewell

“The Farewell” is a beautifully written film that shows how one family deals with the decision to not tell their grandmother she has months to live. The film shows the beauty of another culture, all thanks to writer and director Lulu Wang. Wang writes family drama that is also somewhat comedic as well and shows us how the drama the family goes through can certainly apply to our family as well. Awkwafina and Zhao Shuzhen both shine as a granddaughter and grandmother who share a connection and only want whats best for each other. These two have a great connection on screen and are one of the reasons why “The Farewell” is a must see.

4. Dolemite Is My Name

On the surface “Dolemite Is My Name” may seem like a comeback vehicle for star Eddie Murphy. And yes, Murphy does deliver one his strongest performances in years and returns back to his comedic roots that made him famous decades ago. But the film is oddly inspirational in a way no one may have expected. “Dolemite Is My Name” is based off real life comedian and actor Rudy Ray Moore who did everything and anything to make it big. Despite the many no’s he received, Rudy Ray Moore did not take this as a rejection, but instead a step forward in his career. “Dolemite Is My Name” certainly has a message we can all relate to.

3. Booksmart

“Booksmart” is certainly the funniest film of the year that showcases how the current generation thinks and acts. Sure, it does have the typical “we need to go to a party” storyline that we have seen so many times in previous teen comedies, but never does the film get tiresome or dull. From the first frame, the film is an acceleration forward and does not slow down for anyone.  I can guarantee years from now, “Booksmart” will be viewed upon as the perfect representation of the 2010’s.

2. Parasite

Nothing could have prepared me for what I was going to view with “Parasite”. “Parasite” is a film that takes the audience down one road and leads them down another. Words cannot describe the film and it needs to be viewed to be believed. Director Bong Joon Ho crafts a film that has a hidden meaning and makes a film that makes the viewers ponder on what they had just witnessed.  A film that was certainly not on my radar earlier in the year, but I am glad that “Parasite” is getting the praise it is getting as it is clearly one of the best films of the year. 

1.Joker

“Joker” may be adapted from a comic book, but it doesn’t feel as such. We are so used to comic book films having action and adventure, but “Joker” takes that notion out the window and does whatever it wants, and rightfully so. “Joker” takes it time in establishing the mood and characters. It slowly builds up the tension in the film to a very climactic ending. Joaquin Phoenix masterfully puts a spin on a character that has been done numerous times in previous film and makes the role refreshing. “Joker” proves that does not need exciting action to make itself stand out from the bunch and succeeded in being the best film of the year.


That’s a wrap for 2019. Thank you for all who took the time to read my posts in the past months. Here’s to 2020 being another great year!

Dolemite is my Name Film Review

Directed by Craig Brewer

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps

Rated R for pervasive language, crude sexual content, and graphic nudity 

The life and career of Rudy Ray Moore is a fascinating one. Moore was a comedian and movie star that was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After serving in the US Army, Moore moved to Los Angeles to achieve his dreams. “Dolemite is my Name” highlights Moore’s career from a record shop employee to a comedian and movie star in the black community.

“Dolemite is my Name” stars Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore, a man who is wanting his break in life. He finally achieves this break when he creates a character, Dolemite, for his stand up comedy. His comedy is successful, he eventually wants to become a film star as well. Eddie Murphy is also joined by an A list cast with the likes of Keegan- Michael Key, Mike Epps, and Wesley Snipes, just to name a few.

“Dolemite is my Name” is surprisingly a great film with a message almost everyone can relate to. Moore has always been rejected when trying to get his comedy records sold. But Moore moved on and eventually got his records sold and played because he worked so hard to do so. And when he did sell his records, he tackled a film. Moore produced a film almost for cheap and was once again rejected by major film studios when trying to sell the films. Eventually Moore achieved his dream of making a film and he made a successful one. The theme is what sticks out the most after the film is over. I loved the film because of the message it does display. “Dolemite is my Name” displays how Moore sold his apartment and become indebted just to get his name out there. And this is not expected when coming into the film. I expected the film to be Eddie Murphy doing his comedy bit, but I was so surprised how inspirational this film is.

But the reason why this message works in the film is because star Eddie Murphy sells it so well. For the past several years, it was embarrassing to see Eddie Murphy go to new lows. The most notable thing Eddie Murphy as done in the past ten years was the voice of Donkey in the “Shrek” series. But “Dolemite is my Name” is a triumph return of Murphy to his comedic roots. Murphy is not only quite hilarious as the role of Moore, but also a sympathetic character. The entire time I was rooting for Moore to succeed in his goals. Murphy delivers his best roles in years and this proves that Murphy can deliver a strong performance when given the right material.

As mentioned before, “Dolemite is my Name” has an A list cast from Snoop Dogg to Craig Robinson. The supporting cast also deliver a strong performance, in particular Wesley Snipes who plays D’Urville Martin. Martin was a veteran actor who agrees to direct the Dolemite film. Snipes plays Martin as the director who has little enthusiasm for the film for he is directing. Although Snipes’ role is brief, it was a joy to see Snipes back on the screen.

“Dolemite is my Name” is a fantastic film with a message everyone can relate. This is done well by the spectacular job of star Eddie Murphy. Hopefully this is the beginning of a new leaf for Murphy and continues this momentum. Also, while it may be slim, I genuinely think Murphy should get an Oscar nod as Rudy Ray Moore. Coming into this film, I had no idea of Moore, but now after watching “Dolemite is my Name”, I am edger to learn more about him.

3.5/4