The Cinephile Speaks- June Edition

The Cinephile Speaks- June

I’m fulfilling a quest this month by taking a trip to a place I have been daydreaming about visiting ever since they were planning to build it. But… since I love keeping things up my sleeves, I’ll take you all there in a couple of weeks with words, thoughts, and pictures. Fair enough?

June brings in a bunch of different celebrations as well as being the official start of summer. Let me clear up something before I start with suggestions; I have no respect for critics. Yes, there are movies that I find abhorrent and I wish I could get that time back. But… it’s not easy to make a movie, write a book, etc., and I have nothing but middle fingers for those who sit on the sidelines criticizing the efforts and art of the man (or woman) in the arena.

Pride month, Father’s Day, and Juneteenth evoke very different emotions. Yes, there are films I love that shine light and love on these celebrated events. And if you’re offended, then maybe I’m not your favorite writer.

To recognize the people of the rainbow, I recommend Milk, Moonlight, The Birdcage, Dallas Buyers Club, Brokeback Mountain, Boys Don’t Cry, And the Band Played On, and The Kids are Alright. There’s a movie with Billy Porter that I haven’t caught yet, about two men going through a bitter divorce with custody of their child at stake. I’ll keep y’all posted. By the way, Billy is one of my favorite human beings.

I get emotional when it comes to movies about dads. I’m over my issues with my own biological father, but sometimes I yearn for the things I never had from him. Oh well, cest la vie. Here we go; The Judge, Parenthood , Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Life With Father, Cheaper By the Dozen (original), Father of the Bride (all of them!, Boyz in the Hood and Mrs. Doubtfire.

Juneteenth? Nope. No slave movies. Here’s some Black Excellence though. Love Jones, Uptown Saturday Night, Raisin in the Sun, Black Panther, Cooley High, Car Wash Cotton Comes to Harlem, American Fiction, and A Soldier’s Story. Of course I can keep going. Lol.

Finally, Memorial Day ended May and June 6^th marks the eightieth anniversary of D-Day. The number of people who lost their lives in World War II is beyond belief. The Allied countries, the Germans, Italians, the Chinese, the Holocaust, the Africans, Pacific Islanders, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and so many other places and cultures. I still feel as if warmongers should be forced to fight to the death with their matching ilk from other countries. Who do we have that would kick Putin’s ass? Lol.

My film suggestions to acknowledge that chapter in time are Schindler’s List, Letters from Iwo Jima, Saving Private Ryan, Flags of Our Fathers, and The Dirty Dozen.

Thank you to those who have served, fought, endured, picked cotton, stepped out of the closet, died for freedom, and raised their children to be respectful of others. Peace.

Enjoy the movies.