The King of Staten Island

So here’s my take on the King of Staten Island, a semi-autobiographical dramedy starring Pete Davidson.  You know Pete, he’s on Saturday Night Live, looks a bit like a wonky version of Mick Jagger.  His mouth is huge, that’s why I said Mick Jagger, not a Grouper.  Anyway, he has a lot going on for someone who, at the age of 24, has been living with his widowed ER/School Nurse mother (Marisa Tomei), is trying to start up a business combining tattoos and food, a restaurant ink parlor, and I bet you can’t guess the name.  It’s actually pretty brilliant. The only drawback is that his talent hasn’t be honed to work in a parlor.  That being said, it’s rare that you, unless you’re living like this, get to see what happens if you’re directionless in life and making questionable, if not downright stupid, choices.   

His major relationships, mother-son, brother-sister, friends, girlfriend, mother’s new boyfriend (comedian Bill Burr) and the irony that he’s a fireman, just like Pete’s father who passed when he was 7 years old, are blended together beautifully.  There is plenty of drug use, swearing, not as much sex as you’d think, crimes gone way wrong and Steve Buscemi*, what more could you want?  I, for one, was just happy when the film stopped acting up, i.e., pausing and buffering in the middle of a scene, and got to see the whole shebang from start to finish (streaming can sometimes be fraught with peril).  Not recommended for children by any stretch of the imagination, but a good guide for parents who have kids that just can’t seem to leave the nest.   

Rating:  Bong hits for Jesus, belly button cat’s behind tat, mental health awareness celebration, and a hot time in the old town tonight…3.75 stars  *Was a New York City Fire Department Fireman (thank you for your service, Steve).  

Harriet

Cynthia Erivo commands the screen.  You believe that she is Harriet Tubman nee Minty, who wouldn’t rest until all of her people were free.  History is unfolded and this visual representation of what it means to be free and uphold the rights of human beings, is a compelling look into the change Ms Tubman made by her beliefs, her determination, and her compassion for others.  Ms Erivo is a singer, songwriter, and actress and is well on her way to being considered as Best Actress in all of the upcoming contests, and will more than likely be considered for best song.  The story seems larger than life, but it’s not a story, it’s a reenactment of what occurred in the 1800’s before and during the Civil War.  Direction is stellar and the entire cast provides a peek into history and it’s profound effect on abolishing slavery and the future of civil rights.  Bravo. 4 big stars.

Parasite

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or you just don’t care about anything to do with the entertainment business, you probably know that Parasite took two major awards at this year’s Academy Awards Ceremony.  They won Best International Film and Best Picture for 2019.  First time ever in 92 years.  That could have happened last year with Roma, however, they were one best award shy.  Personally, that’s okay with me.  I enjoyed this much more than Roma, although I speak only a tiny amount of Spanish, and absolutely no Korean.  The basic premise…the Kim family is poor, living hand-to-mouth, the Park family is affluent.  A chance encounter by the Kim’s son with a former school chum connects the two families, although there are several complications, secrets, and downright lies that keep the Parks from connecting the dots.  Deftly orchestrated, near misses abound and the twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat.  Rating:  ooo - - ooo- o- o-o ooo   (check your Morse Code)