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Jennifer Hudson

RESPECT: Sing From the Soul

August 12, 2021 by ScreenFish Staff Leave a Comment

By Seun Olowo-ake

Before writing this, I asked myself “what defines soul music?” and found that I could only come up with concepts to try to explain it. I know what someone means when they say ‘this singer has soul’ but I can’t tell you what having soul is. I was curious though, so I went to the dictionary to find the most succinct way to put it. 

The Merriam Webster dictionary says that soul music “originated in African American gospel singing, is closely related to rhythm and blues, and is characterized by intensity of feeling and vocal embellishments.”

Personally, I would say that soul music comes from and speaks to the human soul. I would also argue that any music that speaks to the soul soothes it in some way, a fact that is no doubt tied to genre’s origins in the African American community who, not even a century prior, were singing negro spirituals of hope in the midst of slavery. Music, especially soul music, is a space for the human soul in all its complexities to be expressed. Everything that makes the human soul rich is in effect what makes soul music so rich.

RESPECT gives us a glimpse at the rich soul of Aretha Franklin (played by Jennifer Hudson). The film takes us through the joy of her childhood and how it eventually caved in (both of those states of mind portrayed so beautifully by Skye Dakota Turner). RESPECT also shows her journey as a young woman trying to find her sound and the silent frustration of having everyone else speak on her behalf. It explores her dealing with tragedy, enduring abuse in secret, being directly involved in the Civil Rights movement with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and finding a haven in her music.

Jennifer Hudson embodies Aretha Franklin exceptionally well, which was to be expected; Franklin herself handpicked Hudson for the role. In hindsight, Hudson theorises that Franklin picked her, not just because of her talent, but because she saw that she could go to the emotional depths that were needed to tell this story accurately since Hudson had also lost her mother tragically. This emotional depth is obvious through the music and onscreen. Jennifer Hudson brought it. Something that I especially loved was how she portrayed Franklin physically, pressing her lips together when she wasn’t speaking, a motion that she explains as ‘almost biting her words’.

To me, the film is a redemption story. It shows the redemption of her voice because she does eventually learn to use it, especially in moments that feel so earned because of how quiet she had been. (One of these moments earned cheers from the predominantly black and female audience I was with.) It is also an example of redemption of her life through song because, as a lot of songs do, they make good out of her experiences. Finally, RESPECT shows a redemption of her soul as she is lifted up from a place of pain and quite literally into worship through Aretha Franklin’s faith in God.

Ultimately, this film is about using your voice. Aretha’s voice was her music. That’s where her soul was, and it called out loudly through song that ‘This is who I am, and I deserve some R-E-S-P-E-C-T”.

RESPECT is out in theatres on Friday, August 13th, 2021, and its soundtrack featuring the powerhouse that is Jennifer Hudson is available for listening. 

May they both wash over our souls and help them find the strength and dignity they deserve.

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, RESPECT, Skye Dakota Turner, soul music

Monster: The Angles of Truth

May 8, 2021 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

MONSTER (L-R): A$AP ROCKY as WILLIAM KING (as RAKIM MAYERS), KEVIN HARRISON JR. as STEVE HARMON, JENNIFER EHLE as KATHERINE O’BRIEN. Cr: NETFLIX © 2021 

Admittedly, Netflix can be hit and miss with their dramas. Since they produce so much content, it’s completely understandable that there would be a great deal of films and series that are worth sleeping on. 

Monster is not one of those films.

Directed by Anthony Mandler, Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a promising, young high school student who lives in Harlem. At the age of seventeen, Steve is on the cusp of adulthood and seems to have a great deal going for him. He is adored by his girlfriend and family. His film teacher views him as a young man of integrity. However, his world is rocked when he is suddenly arrested and charged with felony murder. As he fights for his life in the court system, Steve also must come to grips with his own choices and pray that his life is not ruined by them.

MONSTER: JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON as RICHARD ‘BOBO’ EVANS. Cr: ANNA KOORIS/NETFLIX © 2021 .

Monster is a bold film that challenges our assumptions about others. Bolstered by an exceptional cast, the film features some extremely strong performances. Led by Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Jeffrey Wright, the film gives some small but important roles to such talent as Jennifer Hudson, Nas, Tim Blake Nelson, ASAP Rocky and John David Washington. (Any film that has the option to use John David Washington in a minimal capacity must have some incredible people on its roster.) While their roles are often brief, each actor has the opportunity to have their ‘moment’ and show their talent.

However, anchoring the film is another stellar performance by Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Waves). With each performance, Harrison has shown his ability to bring a sympathetic voice to his characters, even as they are involved with dangerous or violent actions. (Honestly, I don’t think it’s inappropriate to compare him to a young Daniel Kaluuya, if he continues to take on roles where he can grow.) In Monster, he allows Steve to remain somewhat murky in his motivations in that, while we root for his innocence, neither are we certain of it. Though still young, Harrison remains one to watch.

MONSTER (L-R): KEVIN HARRISON JR. as STEVE HARMON, NASIR ‘NAS’ JONES as RAYMOND ‘SUNSET’ GREEN. Cr. DAVID DEVLIN/NETFLIX © 2021

Using time-shifting to outline its narrative, Monster does an excellent job of keeping the audience guessing as to what really took place. Growing up in an at-risk community, Steve’s journey is one of complexity, even if the court case attempts to make it about right and wrong. With each character interaction, we get a more fully formed picture of the type of young man that Steve is and his role in the neighbourhood. To his teachers, Steve is seen as a highly intelligent, budding young filmmaker. To his girlfriend, he’s a caring young man who treats her well. To the more troubled characters on the street though, he’s a potentially good contact who may be worth using to their advantage.

In Monster, truth is never straightforward. Though people are often willing to make snap decisions about others based on race, age or social status, the film argues that there is always more to who we are than any particular labels. Like Steve himself, the story explores what it means to listen to the stories of others and allow that to flesh out our judgments of others. In Monster, labels limit our understanding. (In fact, the title Monster refers to the fact that the jury views him as only one way for his potential involvement in the crime for which he’s accused.) While the film never justifies what takes place, it’s emphasis on the full embodiment of truth does provide context to the events and create sympathy for those who were involved.

MONSTER: KEVIN HARRISON JR. as STEVE HARMON. Cr. NETFLIX © 2021 

Well-written and executed, Monster is an excellent example of the type of content Netflix can produce. It is willing to take risks its structure, features some incredibly talented performances and allows the story to ask some different questions. Though not a fun film to watch, Monster remains an engaging piece that feels honest about the way we view one another… and that’s the scariest truth of all.

Monster is available on Netflix on Friday, May 7th, 2021.

Filed Under: Featured, Film, Netflix, Reviews Tagged With: Anthony Mandler, ASAP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson, John David Washington, Kelvin Harrison Jr, monster, Nas, Netflix, Tim Blake Nelson

6.16 Pouncing on CATS

January 17, 2020 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

Featuring iconic songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and starring such talents as Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba, Taylor Swift and more, the first big screen portrayal of the Broadway smash musical CATS seemed like a sure-fire hit over the Christmas season. However, despite its award-winning pedigree, terrible reviews and troubled special effects have caused the film to suffer at the box office. But does the film deserve to be in the centre of Oscar buzz or does it really cough up a hairball? This week, we’re joined by Allen Chabot and newcomer Naomi Bain to talk about welcoming outsiders, T.S. Eliot and what went wrong… horribly, horribly wrong… 

You can also stream the episode above on podomatic, Alexa (via Stitcher), Spotify or Soundcloud! Or, you can download the ep on Apple Podcasts or Google Play!

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

6.16 CatsDownload

Filed Under: Film, Podcast Tagged With: Andrew Lloyd Webber, cats, Dame Judy Dench, Idris Elba, Jason Derulo, Jennifer Hudson, musical, Oscars, Taylor Swift

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