PRECIOUS

by: Kassim Lassissi

Director Lee Daniels’ Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire is my movie of the season.

The film focuses on Clareece Precious Jones, an overweight, undereducated 16-year-old who is physically and mentally abused by her mother and about to have her second child, both of whom is the result of the sexual abuse she suffered from her father. When her school learns of her pregnancy she is expelled, but the principal still cares enough to advice of an alternative school that could help her work towards earning her GED.

If for no other reason than to get out of her house, Precious goes to the school and meets Ms. Rain, a teacher that believes in her and helps her to discover her own voice.

During one of the film’s devastating abuse scenes, I felt as if I had been truly shaken to my core. It was really emotional: anger, fear, sadness, and disgust. It may be hard to watch, but it is this emotional wallop that makes the Precious’ progression so much more effective.

The film also balances these hard scenes with some much needed comic relief, mostly in the form of Precious’ classmates; And also through the scenes of her dreams of being a celebrity and her light skin lover…

.

If I have any complaints with the film, it would be  the film’s time-line  which gets a little confusing along the way, as Precious seems to go from being unable to read the title of a child’s book to being able to read Ms. Rain’s letters in no time. These are very, very minor annoyances in an otherwise brilliant emotional drama. This is one movie that will soon be earning more than just Oscar buzz. I just loved this movie.

Alice in Wonderland

by Nikki Obianagha

Alice in Wonderland is a very good movie. It is creative and it has a lot of imaginative moments. The movie is in 3D and it allows the viewers to be part of Alice’s world. Johnny Deep gave outstanding performances. The Red Queen is one of the main character. She is the protagonist who is jealous of her sister and thus tries to steal her throne.

Popularity: 21% [?]