Friday, December 11, 2020

Black Box 2020

     After losing his wife and his memory in a car accident six months ago, a single father undergoes an agonizing experimental treatment that causes him to question who he really is?  Nolan Wright’s wife was killed and Nolan received extensive brain damage in the accident.  He is trying to get his memories and his mind together for the sake of his daughter Ava.  She is almost like a very young mother to Nolan.  There are many things that he can’t remember and he also can’t keep track of ordinary daily events in his life.  Ava reminds him about appointments and picking her up from school.  Nolan is really trying everything he can to recover from his injuries and have a normal life.

    Nolan’s best friend Dr. Gary Yeboah has Nolan’s back and they talk about his recovery.  Gary is upbeat about Nolan’s efforts, he works in the hospital where Nolan is getting treatment and he understands the confusion of a brain injury.   Nolan is not a violent person and he is not even temperamental?  Everyday, he wakes up to see a hole in the wall where he is supposed to have punched it?  There are twists in this film that I didn’t see coming.  There are some science fiction elements and also some scenes verging on mild horror thrills!!   

     This movie has left out the gore and the blood but it has disturbing images plus a dark and  menacing atmosphere.  Most disturbing is the human-like monster that walks bent over backwards on all fours? Limbs bend in every direction along with the sounds of bones breaking?  This monster attacks, chokes and is included along with the memories Nolan is trying to rediscover.  There are also a few jump scares, a fistfight but it doesn't show any blows or kicks landing but a severe beating is implied and a bloody face is shown afterward.  Strong language is very rare and it is mild.  A man has a pack of cigarettes and his daughter tells him he doesn't smoke but this is part of his memory loss.  All main characters are Black and they are positive representations of affluent professionals.  There are strong bonds of family and friendships that are emphasized.  5* (I really liked this movie)

100 min, Mystery directed, written by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour and also written by Stephen Herman with Mamoudou Athie, Phylicia Rashad, Amanda Christine, Tosin Morohunfola, Charmaine Bingwa, Troy James, Han Soto, Andrea Cohen, Gretchen Koerner, Donald Elise Watkins, Najah Bradley, Nyah Marie Johnson, Crystal Rae, Betsy Borrego, Justin David.

Note:  Imdb 6.1* out of 10* with 6783 reviews, empire online 3* out of 5* Al Horner, Roger Ebert 3* Nick Allen, indiewire Grade B- by Eric Kohn, Metacritic 62 out of 100 with 11 critics 6 out of 10 with 10 user scores, Common Sense Media review by Andrea Beach, 3* out of 5*, age 16+, 1* positive messages, drinking, drugs & smoking, 4* role models, violence, 3* language, Amazon 3.5* out of 5* with 24 ratings,  

Special Note:  Tosin Morohunfola and Troy James both have portrayed characters from DC and CW shows.  Morohunfola played Instant on Black Lightning and James played Peter Merkel/Ragdoll on The Flash.  This movie was produced by Blumhouse Productions and they are mainly known for horror films such as Paranormal Activity, Insidious, Sinister, The Purge, Oculus, The Gift, Split, Get Out and Happy Death.  I was very GLAD that this film was not as frightening as some of their films can be!!!

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