1883, When Heartbreak Leads to Perfection

 

Black Widow, The Power of Family

Okay, I know, on this one I’m a little behind the 8 ball. This is a movie I would like to have reviewed earlier but since it’s still doing quite well at the box office, I figure, better late than never. Black Widow is a Marvel movie I wanted to see when the trailers first started coming out pre Covid. I finally got to see it, but it unfortunately suffers from the curse of many a movie with great trailers. This new continuation of the Avenger story line for Marvel is enjoyable as it follows the character of the Black Widow and her family.  It has much of what has come to be expected for a Marvel movie and in many ways it delivers.

 

Directed by Cate Shortland we see Scarlett Johansson back as Natasha Romanoff, AKA the Black Widow. This time we also have the pleasure of having her family tagging alongside as we see a kind of origins story for the character that transfers over to Marvel’s current storyline. It is here the story becomes somewhat convoluted and hard to follow. It isn’t that the movie is short on action, I unfortunately heard how some thought the movie struggled and was boring, if it is boring it is in the attempt to figure out the storyline in the movie. Truth is, there is enough action and comedic moments to keep one going and entertained, it is in trying to figure out what is going on that becomes difficult. The action sequences in the film in my opinion are terrific, well edited, and well shot. Unfortunately, I appreciate story and The Black Widow just falls short and becomes too complicated in trying to figure everything out, including the characters and who they are and what drives them.

 

There are several worth while aspects of the movie. The characters and heroes in the movie are female driven. I appreciate movies like this that attempt to present women in strong roles. The success of Wonder Woman was an example of how this can be done. Of course, there is a well-played father figure, Alexi, played by David Harbour.  He provides comedic relief and while I had high hopes of his role from the trailers, he just isn’t in the movie enough and we could have had more of him as he was one of the most enjoyable characters on screen. There were times that it seems as if even Scarlett Johansson gets lost on screen with her character.

 

One of the great questions of the film, is what is it that constitutes family. While the Romanoff family is trying to save the world, there are clearly aspects of dysfunction in their family. Without giving anything away, one of the things that eventually comes into play, and in some ways is a theme of the movie is that true, real family is often far more than a blood association, but sometimes more of a spiritual concept. I am reminded of the power of adoption as an example. I have an adopted son who is as much a part of my family as my biological daughter. I don’t see or recognize a difference. It is a reminder of the concept the Bible speaks about in being adopted into the family of God. In Black Widow we see a form of this taking place. We see that despite rough times, disagreements, differences in personality, that family, in the end can conquer all when seen as family. It is in family that everyone can use their specific strengths in overcoming the difficulties and surroundings around us. In that regard, Black Widow delivers, more so than I thought it would, despite the lack of story.

 

This is not a great movie, but it is entertaining and enjoyable. It has good themes and like I said, it is still drawing crowds. I saw it on a Tuesday night, and it was still a sellout. It’s worth seeing but don’t expect the strength of some of the other Marvel films, don’t be disappointed that it doesn’t seem to fit up to the trailer for the movie. I will give another hint though, make sure you stay until the end of the credits for the closing hepiloguej that gives details as to an upcoming and future Marvel storyline.

 

On a sale of 1 – 10, it is still definitely better than average and will provide for a fun time at the movies. So I give it an entertaining 7

To see the trailer for the movie, click on the following link:

Marvel Studios’ Black Widow | New Trailer - YouTube 

For going on some thirty years now I have done the work of The Virtual Pew, in part planting seeds but another huge part is getting to know people and being called by many Pastor Mike by my involvement in social media. From engaging in life, I have seen the impact of my work on people on the fringes all over the world. I have run homeless programs, housed homeless people worked with drug addicts, prostitutes and much more. All while giving back my salary, and for the last 8+ years not taking a salary. You can help tremendously by supporting the work, not just from the movie reviews but the work that goes along side that in the development of relationships of helping save lives and give purpose to the lives of others. I appreciate your consideration in this calling that I have seen and know God uses. 

If willing to help, it is greatly appreciated. I ask you, do not write checks or make contributions to me. All contributions should be made either to The Virtual Pew or Mosaic. The Virtual Pew is a Religious Organization and Mosaic is a 501-C3 nonprofit. 

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Mike Furches

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There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

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In The Heights

 

Sometimes in the world of cinema we see the birth of greatness. I am starting to wonder if we aren’t seeing that with the director of In The Heights, Jon M. Chu also the director of Crazy Rich Asians among others. Sure, there have been the growing pains, but it sure seems as if Chu has found his niche of focusing on cultural influences and actors in the telling of his stories.  In In The Heights we see a remarkable story, in the form of a musical telling the story of the Haitian and Puerto Rican cultures in The Heights district of New York City.

 

In In The Heights we see primarily the story of Usnavi, played very nicely by Anthony Ramos, a young man operating a bodega (small inner city grocery store) serving the community he lives in. While he loves his community, we see him striving to get back to his father’s homeland. His father has passed, and Usnavi has the dreams of his youth. We see him telling the story off and on to a group of small children, so early on, we are under the impression that he ultimately ends up back home, in his homeland to the place he has longed for for most of his life. There are friends in the community he lives in though, there are those he clearly loves and one he longs to have a relationship with, even though he is shy by nature, the girl of his dreams is a frequent visitor to the bodega.

 

From the outset, understand, I love theater, and especially musical theater. That does not always transfer over to liking musicals in the form of cinema. In fact, I largely don’t care for them at all. There are occasions like Moulin Rouge, or Les Misérables musical film blows me away, but it’s rare.  I felt from first seeing the previews and trailers for In The Heights this may be a movie I would enjoy. From the quality story, wonderful cultural references, good acting, likeable characters and yes, even the song and dance, I more than enjoyed this movie I loved it. I loved it mostly for the thought it gave me though; thought about various things that seem to permeate the news as of late.

 

First let me say, while I recognize the importance of understanding that my reviews are read by a worldwide audience, I am one who also loves my country. That does not mean I always love some of the things my country does or the positions of many of our people. The one thing In The Heights brought out in a clear way is the absolute beauty of the melting pot aspect of America. The cultural influences be it from wherever such as Puerto Rico or The Dominican Republic, or other nations, yes, even Mexico, Canada, Honduras or wherever are a part of what makes America America.

 

I realize that for some this can and often does become a part of a controversial subject, that being immigration. In the defense of the movie, let’s also remember that Puerto Rico is an American territory.  As one with Native Original American Heritage I am always confused by the reality that America is itself a nation of immigrants, and how unfortunate it is that so many forget that. In The Heights illustrates the strengths that come to America because of immigration. While a fair and reasonable debate about legal versus illegal immigration, the concept of the contributions of others to this nation should not be debatable and unfortunately is far too often debated in ignorance, stereotypes or even at its worst, flat out racism.

 

In In The Heights we also see the power of one person to change a community. It is so easy in life to say things like, “Well what can I do by myself,” or things of the sort. We see a wonderful illustration of that in this movie in several ways, one a father played by Jimmy Smits who makes numerous sacrifices to provide the best life possible for his daughter, as well as Abuela played beautifully by Olga Merediz. She is the glue of the community, the one who emphasizes the importance of coming together, being a family that goes beyond blood. She gives life to the community by bringing people together.  There are others though, we see example after example in a brilliantly directed supporting cast and let’s not forget, as one who does not typically appreciate or like musicals, the music and dance contributes greatly to this feel-good gem of a movie.

 

This is as close to a near perfect movie as I have seen in some time. With a few minor flaws in the story telling and choreography, (which is largely brilliant) it would have gotten a perfect score of a 10. However, for those flaws, I hate to do it, but I reluctantly give on a scale of 1 – 10 a 9 for this movie. In The Heights is worth seeing, it is worth the thought and discussion about such things related to immigration and those who are here now, contributing to the beauty of this thing called, America.

 

To see the trailer for this film click on the following link:

In The Heights - Washington Heights Trailer - YouTube

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You can also always donate to The Virtual Pew at 1249 North Saint Francis, Wichita Kansas 67214

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Click to subscribe to my blog

You can also check out Mike's Musical ventures by searching for Mike Furches and Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band. Mary Jane's album is available online and by contacting Mike and the Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band album is available on over 150 download formats.

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives on The Virtual Pew and Mike Furches Reviews. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully, you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

You can donate via paypal at mike@furches.org or cash app at $MichaelFurches

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

To follow Mike's Band, Pastor Mike and the Demon Slayer Blues Band, click the following link:

 

The Pastor Mike and Demon Slayer Blues Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5lrkdvEZGg

https://www.facebook.com/TheDemonSlayers 

The Movie Guys

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

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The Virtual Pew News