1242. Lovers Rock

Lovers Rock
2020
Directed by Steve McQueen

This is an odd selection, as it is a part of anthology series called Small Axe. I wonder if people who are truly obsessed with the List will have to watch the entirety of Small Axe. What psychos! Now onto my entry number 1242.

The film mostly shows black people dancing together at house parties, like that scene in Dirty Dancing when Baby arrives with the watermelon. It's a nice change to see Black joy shared on screens, since a lot of films starring African Americans tend to showcase their miseries and pain.

So the music is good, but not much happens. But it's short, so worth a watch.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The film takes its name from a popular musical genre in 1970s London, which was a blend of reggae and R&B.

1158. Shame

Shame
2011

Directed by Steve McQueen

I am sort of getting desperate for a light-hearted List movie, since they have been so heavy lately. This is another very serious film, but it has certain...compensations. 

Brandon is an executive in New York City who is barely keeping a lid on his sex addiction. His sister Sissy insists on staying with him, and clearly comes with her own set of mental illnesses. Oh yes, and Michael Fassbender is naked. A lot.

It's always interesting to see sex addiction treated as a grave issue, as it is often dismissed as something celebrities claim to have to justify cheating on their wives. The entire film is remarkably ambiguous, and Fassbender's performance really contributes to that theme. And it was intriguing that the story never attempted to redeem its characters.

Also, the bar scene was very, ahem, memorable for me.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The first time Fassbender saw this film he was with his father. 

Shot in 25 days.

Carey Mulligan has said she found her nude scene was liberating.

1024. 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave
2013
Directed by Steve McQueen

I didn't watch the Oscars, but I did see that Casey Affleck won Best Actor.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised, given the current political situation, but it is still depressing how powerful men can pretty much do whatever the hell they want with no impact on their careers.  Sad! That was my imitation of He Who Must Not Be Named, if you didn't pick up on it.

Ahem.  Moving on.  12 Years a Slave.  Solomon Northup is a free man working as a violinist in New York and supporting his wife and children.  Two white men persuade Northup to travel with them to Washington D.C. and work as a musician.  Once they arrive, they drug him and ship him to New Orleans, where he is sold to William Ford, who then sells him to the sadistic slave owner Edwin Epps.  Um...things get worse.

Well, there is not a whole lot of tension in this film, as we basically know the entire outline of the plot before we even get started.  It was an uncomfortable experience, but an experience that I think was quite necessary.  I even liked (well, perhaps the wrong word to use here) that Northup was a free man in the beginning, as I felt like the audience could connect more with his plight and imagine what they would do in that scenario.  I do have to complain a little that, once again, the white men kind of had to save the day.  I would prefer a more Django-y ending.  However, I realize this was based on a true story so I'm not too perturbed about it.

Anyway, this was brilliantly acted, particularly by Lupita Nyong'o.  I'm in awe that this was her first film.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Michael Fassbender had his make up artist paint alcohol on his mustache so the other actors would react naturally to the smell.

Solomon Northup disappeared four years after being freed.  His disappearance remains a mystery.