Written by Wayne Townsend

The title of this film Green Book is adopted from a travel guide The Negro Motorist Green Book written in the 1930s by Harlem postal worker Victor Hugo Green. This book was written to give African- Americans a list of places they could stay when traveling in the south as segregation was the status quo during the 20th century south in the United States. It tells the true story of Don Shirley, a classically trained African-American pianist that volunteered to travel into the deep south in 1962 in an effort changed the minds of well-established racist views prevalent at the time. At the suggestion of his record label, Shirley, portraited by Academy Award winner, Mahershala Ali, hired Copacabana bouncer, Tony “Lip” Vallelonga, played by Viggo Mortensen to drive and protect Shirley. What ensues is a classic “buddy road trip picture” were two people from different ethnic backgrounds clash, then find common ground, and ultimately form a friendship. This is a tried and true Hollywood formula that has worked since the pairings of Laurel & Hardy, Abbot & Costello, Prior & Wilder. Director Peter Farrelly, famous for Dumber & Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, Me, Myself, and Irene, lends his comedic flair to the serious subject of institutional racism and handles it deftly. Ali brings to life the musician who was held in high regard during his career even though his name may not resonate with everyday fans of his musical genre. Ali’s portrayal of the conflicted Shirley as a man who was shunned by both races, whites due his skin color and blacks who resented his education and lack of compliance with the more fan-friendly black entertainers of his day, is subtle yet gripping. Mortensen is excellent as Vallelonga, who became an actor in his own right appearing in The Sopranos, Donnie Brasco, and Goodfellas. Mortensen as Vallelonga shows a man that comes to grips with his own beliefs regarding discrimination as he sees first hand just how bad blacks are treated in the south. The friendship that develops is enduring, and that’s due to the chemistry between these two amazing actors whose respect for the source material is evident. Green Book isn’t a moral tale of the evils of racism; instead it is the story of two men who maintained their beliefs and personal integrity while facing said racism. Other films tackle the issue, but this is a good movie with a subtle reminder of a time in the country that we shouldn’t be proud of without harsh judgment. Green Book is one of those films that seems to slip under the radar only to be discovered sometime later, don’t wait. This is a delightful movie, 4 out of 5.

Written By Wayne Townsend

20th Century Fox’ Bohemian Rhapsody is not a biopic. The historical inaccuracies may lead some viewers not familiar with Freddie Mercury’s career to come away with a distorted vision of who he was. The dramatic license taken here created an easy to follow narrative, as all movies that try to tell a true story must take shortcuts. Two plus hours is impossible to capture the life, career, or legacy of the subject matter and this film is no exception. Now that this disclaimer is out of the way, WOW. Bohemian Rhapsody is an epic film that comes very close to capturing the genius that was Mercury. The performance by Rami Malek as Mercury is Oscar worthy. The casting of the rest of the group is uncannily good, but Malek steals every scene he’s in, with the possible exception when he shares the screen with Lucy Boynton who portrays Mary Austin, the woman who was Mercury’s partner during the early years of the band. Mercury is quoted as saying, “All my lovers asked me why they couldn’t replace Mary, but it’s simply impossible. The only friend I’ve got is Mary, and I don’t want anybody else. To me, she was my common-law wife. To me, it was a marriage. We believe in each other, that’s enough for me.” The scenes between these two were heartwarming, heartbreaking, and provided the emotional depth of the film.

Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May served as consultants and were on set during filming, so it calls into question why the inaccuracies were so egregious. What this movie is, is a fantastic recounting of a rock band that pushed musical boundaries and refused to be confined in a single gene box. The process of creating signature songs Bohemian Rhapsody and We Will Rock You is captured and makes the viewer understand why these songs are anthems, and why they still resonate today. I felt like I was hearing them for the first time and was ready to raise my lighter (if I had one) to We Are the Champions. I cannot heap enough praise on how the magic of the group is depicted, Malek is crazy good as Mercury, even if some of the personal behind the scenes stuff was changed. This is an absolutely a must-see film, however, due to the historical inaccuracies, I can only give it 3 ½ out of 5.