After taking the week off for Elaine’s graduation, we’re back! This week we talk about being a part of the virtual class of 2020 and then get into what we have been watching in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd.
Starting with Paramount Pictures offering Ava DuVernay‘s Selma, dozens of movies and series under the BLM umbrella are being offered, free, across streaming services. See below for an extensive (but partial) list.
The Movies and Series We Watched This Week
Selma:
Dir: Ava DuVernay
The Oscar winning song from Selma, Glory: John Legend and Common perform at the Academy Awards.
13th
The film was written by Ava DuVernay, who wrote and directed Selma (2014), and Spencer Averick. Averick also edited the film. Produced and filmed in secrecy, 13th was revealed only after it was announced as the opening film for the 2016 New York Film Festival, the first documentary ever to open the festival.
You can watch on Netflix or below via Youtube.
Just Mercy
Dir: Destin Daniel Cretton
From the Film makers:
FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, JUST MERCY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO RENT FOR FREE ACROSS DIGITAL PLATFORMS IN THE US.
TO ACTIVELY BE PART OF THE CHANGE OUR COUNTRY IS SO DESPERATELY SEEKING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PAST AND THE COUNTLESS INJUSTICES THAT HAVE LED US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
THANK YOU TO THE ARTISTS, STORYTELLERS AND ADVOCATES WHO HELPED MAKE THIS FILM HAPPEN. WATCH WITH YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND ALLIES.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON BRYAN STEVENSON AND HIS WORK AT THE EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE PLEASE VISIT EJI.ORG.
Click through and choose RENT- the rental amount is $0
The movie is also available via most streaming platforms/cable companies.
LA92
Dir: Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin
No V.O., no commentary, no actors. LA92 is simply a compilation of footage and interviews from the riots in Los Angeles in the wake of the not guilty verdict for the cops who brutally beat Rodney King. Watch for free on Netflix or Youtube (below.)
Becoming
Dir: Nadia Hallgren
An intimate, revealing, uplifting and inspiring look at the life of former First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Free on Netflix.
Malcolm X and Do The Right Thing
Dir: Spike Lee
Two of the three Spike Lee movies we watched this week. If you are new to Spike’s movies, we’d suggest you start with She’s Gotta Have It and School Daze and work your way through his incomparable body of work.
Malcolm X is free on Netflix and Do The Right This available for rental on Prime at a reduced price of $2.99
Da 5 Bloods
Dir: Spike Lee
This week Spike Lee dropped his latest, Da 5 Bloods on Netflix.
8:46 – Dave Chappelle
The internet has been buzzing all week about the video comedian, Dave Chappelle dropped on Youtube. If you still haven’t seen it, check it out below.
Finally, a picture Elaine took of a mural that popped up in our neighborhood last week.
Our own Johnny Stromboli did a cool little cover of Little Boxes this week. Check it.
Looking for personalized gifts while ya can’t leave the house?
Consider Mike’s Mugs. Email any picture and it will be engraved (no stickers that wear off after a few washes) on a high quality mug. Everything from Mike’s is sanitized before shipping. Mike has a wide variety of mugs to choose from in his inventory too. Support small businesses.
Use Etsy, or hit us up on our Facebook page and we’ll put you in touch.
We’ll be dropping more Shorties soon!
