Tonight I decided to do something different for the holidays. I wanted some political and economical incite for tonight. I had my eyes set on tonight's film, "Queen and Slim" from when I seen the preview last month during the movie, "Black and Blue". "Queen and Slim" starring Daniel Kaluuya as Slim and Jodie Turner-Smith as Queen.
Tonight's film is another film in equal quality of last month's presentation of "Black and Blue". From my understanding, its about two African-Americans, a man and a woman who ended up on the wrong side of town and chosen the wrong path to get themselves into trouble. There is more to the film than that. Its also about the game of survival. These two did not know the obstacles they've created.
This is always my worst part about attending the movies. How long it takes to get the film started. Its already been an hour and I'm still sitting here waiting for tonight's performance. I didn't come out here and I'm pretty sure other people will agree. We don't come out here to these movie theaters to spend time watching preview after preview. I'm not going to front there happen to be a few upcoming films that may have crossed my eyes. It look like we are finished with the previews and the film is about to begin.
Damn man that movie was The Shyt, totally awesome. Just got finish watching a great movie, "Queen and Slim". Its funny how something so simple as being on an innocent date one night can completely turn your life around into a six day manhunt with a 500 thousand dollar bounty on your heads, 250 thousand for each of them.
The movie tackles the constant subject that are addressed by our African American communities across the country. Subjects such as illegal search and seizure. Excessive usage of police firearms targeted on suspected African Americans.
The film starts off in the beginning with a diner scene. Attorney Angela Johnson agreeing to one night to have dinner with her friend, Ernest. Angela been having a bad day at work and with clients that she defends. Her main concern was convincing the jury on whether or not they're innocent. Angela just didn't want to be alone. She was looking for a night of companionship and communication. Which trust me didn't look easy when dealing with such a diehard female like Angela Johnson. I felt bad for poor ol' boy, Ernest.
Ernest looked like and I'm going to say this, a herb. You can tell from the first scene that there weren't anything romantic going on between them. Angela just needed a friend. Apparently the two of them have been communicating with each other for the past three weeks over social media chatlines. The one time, Angela decided to take Ernest up on his offer everything went from magic to mayhem.
This all happened over a failure to use the turn signal. Which initiated Officer Reid to pull them over. Now, any blackman who've grown up in the hood knows once you are pulled over by a police officer its not going to be easy. Officer Reid made sure of that. Of course, Ernest didn't have a problem with letting Officer Reid search his vehicle. Ernest was an innocent man with no criminal history. I guess everything would of gone smoothly if it weren't for Angela and her lawyer mentality giving Officer Reid a piece of her mind. In a situation like that I suppose any police officer regardless of the race would of felt threatened. Officer Reid had no choice but to pull out his firearm and attempt to apprehend Ernest. Officer Reid discharging his weapon onto Angela but grazing her leg. I take back what I said about Ernest earlier, the whole him being a herb. He was anything but that once he noticed Angela was hit. Ernest and Officer Reid began to slug it which eventually ended badly. Ernest shooting Officer Reid right in the head leaving him dead on the side of the road. And, yes it was at that moment where everything began to change in the lives of both, Angela and Ernest.
In the very beginning of this film it may have indicated that neither Angela or Ernest had any physical or emotional attraction towards one another. All of that managed to change over a period of six days. However they felt about one another on their first encounter, they were able to grow and bond into something special not just special for themselves. Whatever it is that people thought. They were being looked at as martyrs to the African American communities. When in reality, this was all a mistake/misunderstanding.
During this six day manhunt of the Infamous, Ernest and Angela the two of them needed to be on the same page and think a step or two in front of law enforcement. They had a plan to escape to Cuba. Lol, which was something they concocted over an incident involving Assata Shakur when she escaped to Cuba years ago after being charged for shooting a law enforcement officer.
Ernest and Angela agreed to this escape to Cuba but first they needed to get to New Orleans from Cleveland, Ohio.
Everything would of went well. They could of manage to escape but apparently there were several flaws on there journey from Cleveland, Ohio to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Angela has an Uncle in New Orleans. Uncle Earl (Bokeem Woodbine), who she's not to proud of or rather not very fond of as one of her relatives. Ernest and Angela were desperate, she felt as if he was needed in her time of need. Uncle Earl was considered to be the only person she can rely on.
It wasn't just Angela's Uncle that was the downfall to their escape plan. Ernest and Angela did not realize how much trouble they've created over shooting and killing a police officer has escalated in the media. They really had to think smart and be on their Ps and Qs. No matter, how hard they've tried it just seemed they kept getting into trouble. Whether the trouble was on purpose or impromptu. The thing that I disliked the most was the fact that they kept stopping along their path. You do not know the amount of times Ernest and Angela kept stopping their vehicle. The amount of times they stopped for gas refills. The amount of times they had to jack a new vehicle because something went wrong with the prior vehicle. They jacked a sheriff in Kentucky for his pick up truck. When they finally did make it to New Orleans, Uncle Earl loaning out his Impala but alot of good that did. The engine overheated they required mechanical service. So, you know they needed to jack another car, lol.
I think the only thing that pissed me off the most other than homeboy cashing in the bounty on the feds. I didn't like the constant stopping for foolishness, whether it was to attend this nightclub for a dance or Angela attending her mother's burial site. The stupidest one was Angela having the vehicle stopped just to look at a bunch of horses on the side of the road. They were making alot of unnecessary stops for no reason. Apparently not taking the APB and the bounty serious.
Despite all the flaws I've mentioned. The worst moment of the film was when dude played both Ernest and Angela. Having them believe he was on their side. When in reality, he had no intention in fulfilling the deed to drop them off at the charter plane to help make their escape to Cuba. It was all a set up to have the feds surround them and finally make their capture.
The capture of either, Ernest or Angela never happened. Being at the end of the line, Ernest and Angela had no where to go. The two of them stood side by side, holding hands willing to die with their boots on and that is exactly what happened.
As I mentioned before, this is a situation that should have never happened. Perhaps a situation that could of been avoided. Regardless of the unfortunate circumstances. Ernest and Angela took the situation they were in and rolled with it. They stood side by side and remained on the same team and ended up going out like soldiers. Hence earning the respect and the names from community as, "Queen and Slim".
I think this is a great movie that came out at a perfect time for the holiday season. This is a film that all young Black children need to be aware of. Basically because it focuses on the things that occur in the African American communities involving police law enforcement and their abundant violence towards our people. Take heed to tonight's teachings from "Queen and Slim". ✌
Upcoming attractions:
"Black Christmas", December 13th
"Little Woman", This Christmas
"The Grudge", January 2020
"The Rhythm Section", January 2020
"Just Mercy", January 2020
"The Photgraph" "Valentine's Day" 2020
