I keep saying I’m not into romance movies… but then I rewatch Dirty Dancing and remember I absolutely am, when they’re done right.
Patrick Swayze was unfairly handsome, the chemistry with Jennifer Grey is electric, and every song and dance actually mean something. Nothing feels random or thrown in just for show; it’s all part of the story.
The class difference, the quiet rebellion, Baby finding her confidence, Johnny finding his worth; it’s such a perfect mix of romance, growth, and trust.
And that ending? That lift isn’t just choreography; it’s everything they’ve built together.
It’s wild how a movie from ’87 still feels this alive. Every rewatch hits a little deeper; same songs, same moves, but somehow it keeps teaching you something new.
I know the length of their relationship doesn’t matter; it’s the time they had, the change they brought into each other’s lives. The ending is open, but the silly romantic in me imagines they did build a life together.
Gotta see it on a better screen, but the pandemic and shitty folks have made me paranoid about walk in theaters. Something about dark environments with few exits and me without any quickly accessible improvised weapon makes me feel trapped.
Anywho, some reflection on what I loved and didn't about Captain America Brave New World.
Spoilers below the cut.
In no particular order except fer 1 and last of things I loved
Samuel Thomas Wilson as Captain America.
Cap fight scenes. God I wish the drive in theater screens were brighter bc I feel like I missed so much detail, but he was kicking serious ass and talking excellent guff while doing so. That drop kick to Serpent's chest up outta the smoke was beyond awesome. And he looked dayum good while doing it. Plus, I liked the meanness. Folks forget this man was a highly trained combatant even without the use of his wings.
Joaquin Torres. Cute. Fine. Shit talker. Awestruck and still talking shit is like my fav. That smile. And being behind, with, and for Sam Wilson.
The. Suit. Whoo, that man looked so good and filled out that suit so well. Mmm, mmm, MMMMM.
Like they did in the show, they touched briefly on what it is to be a black man in this highly publicized position, the constant scrutiny and pressure to be more than perfect and the struggle of not being able to quit and fail those who 'fought for their seat at the table'. So many before him had to suffer, fight and die for him to even be in the rooms he's in and he doesn't take any of that for granted by always trying to be and do his best. His loyalty, morals and convictions remained untouched.
Cap's sick aerial moves against the jets and just in general. The slicing and dicing of the metal, the way he clamped down on the jet with the wings before busting the hatch open with the shield. Mmm. Yes, Cap. Beat those giant metal beast's ass, sir. And him surfing on the missle was cool af. Also, him lassoing and wrangling that unmanned jet was hot.
The confidence. Man's got a great swagger bout him and snatching the tags off of Isaiah was such a fun scene. Also, the way he stormed right on in to speak to President Temper Tantrum to get answers and advocate for his friend.
Joaquin's showboating and him having to plead with Sam to get out there and kick ass too.
The blades hidden in the wings he was throwing at folks. Woulda loved if they were magnetic too or could be called back to the wings for reuse and an unlimited arsenal.
Bucky coming through when Sam was reeling after having watched yet another friend fall. Riley, vision and now Joaquin and for each one he blamed himself though it was nowhere near on him any time. It was nice to see him come through as support only, not coming in to steal his shine in battle. The pep talk was good and I loved how that was mirrored in the end when Joaquin was gushing about how he wanted to be Sam. The I love you becoming cannon was excellent. Go Sambucky nation!
Things I didn't love, wish they weren't included or coulda been better.
Ruth, sabra, whatever the fuck was entirely pointless. The lil I've learned about the character and the actress just really made me think they included her only to create controversy. Leila Taylor could have easily been the head of security if they cared.
Speaking of, we get no confirmation that Leila was Sam's friend in the white house other than assumption. Unless I missed it. But, I don't recall a single interaction, a single sentence past between them that hinted at their past at all. Again, may have missed it. But her inclusion felt so minimal when I would have loved another character from Sam's background and hometown included to build more on his story. Especially since it's his fucking movie.
Not a single flashback? What happened to him in his ceremonial garb with the arm brace? Did I imagine that pic or is that scene lying cold and alone and unloved on some cursed editing room floor?
Isaiah Bradley yet again having to suffer to progress the story. He had to relive his trauma when unveiling his horrific story to Sam in the show. And then they brainwash and turn him into a weapon, a catalyst for some straight fuckery. The scene when Sam finally caught up to him broke my fucking heart.
Where tf was Eli Bradley? Ain't no rhyme, reason or excuse can explain away his absence, not even referenced by name, when his pops is all over the news labeled a terrorist. Ain't no way as protective as they portrayed him in the show would he just not fight like hell to show up, demanding Sam do something. Ain't. No. Way.
Them shrinking Sam's circle in his own fucking movie so they could focus on Ross and his 'redemption' shit. Great, he took accountability finally, but how many died before he did? How many suffered before he did?
Where tf was Sarah, Cass and AJ? How do you give him a family dynamic and then limit his interaction to just 2 people? Where is Sam's community?
The focus on Ross and him trynna make amends with his daughter.
Sam being back in the raft. Even if he was just a visitor, still pissed how they did him the first time. It woulda been a phone call if it were me, just saying.
Redwings go boom. 🥲
His wingpack being taking down.
Since when tf is adamantium stronger than vibranium? And wholeheartedly pissed off at that jab at Wakanda like them keeping a lockdown on that powerful a substance is wrong. Y'all was circling warships around an untapped island. They were 10000% correct in keeping that shit gatekept bc y'all power hungry fucks can't be trusted.
Not enough tiddie time. Petty in the grand scheme of dislikes, but, one scene was not enough, even if it was accompanied by a glancing Joaquin.
Isaiah buddying up with Ruth. Y'all not gone get me to like a character through Isaiah. Stop using his character for fuckery.
A night at the theater, an ocean drive home, and a film that opened up more than just story — it opened up perspective. This is how Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair felt through my eyes.
I went to the theater to see a movie over 40 times this past year, which doubled the number of times I went to the movies (in theaters) in 2022. But it wasn’t all new movies that I saw in the theaters. I saw seven movies from Studio Ghibli, all but one I’d seen before. I saw three documentaries, two new movies from DC and six movies from Marvel (four new and two seen before), and three classic…
The movie is inspired by the true story of Mary Griffith, whose son is Bobby Griffith committed suicide due to his negative takes on the beliefs of her mother. Mary Griffith is very devoted to God to the point that she based everything that the bible said on her family. Bobby learned his true self, and when the family knew about it, it got worsened. Mary’s family thinks that being gay is a sin and a sickness. For it to be treated Mary put a lot of bible verses into Bobby’s plate, not knowing that it really affected Bobby’s mental health to the point that he himself ended his life.
I myself can relate to Bobby, my family is a Christian and I am afraid that they might dump me for knowing my true colors. For me to adapt to this type of situation, I chose to be paired with someone who shares the same situation as me, and I lose that someone I really love because of toxicity. After the breakup, I can’t accept the fact that it is already gone and done. I chatted with him, in the hope of getting us back together. Same as Mary hallucinating that Bobby was in the kitchen, alive.
After several months, we’re raging in chats like we’re making each other regret that we broke up. I also got anger on him for his coldness to be brought by his unfaithfulness in me. Where it shows how Mary and his husband had a throw of answering each other.
Weeks after, I am asking myself if I am not enough or If I am not that good looking to him, or even not that hot as the guy he hooked up with. I also jumped to the thought that, what if I am this or that will he be on my side forever. The same goes for their family, realizing that they put too much pressure on Bobby.
The break-up gave me anxiety, I am afraid of trusting someone again for they might cheat on me. Mary and I shared tears for remembering the memories we had for someone we really love. I realized that the relationship was not for me and Mary realized that Bobby is not sick at all.
Then the day finally came, which made me think that I did the right decision in my life. It’s the right thing because he told me that he cheated on me after almost a year. I also thought that he will still cheat on me if we still continue our relationship. I bloomed beautifully after that journey, it was like a removed thorn in my toes. As Mary finally accepted that Bobby is a homosexual, made me feel so happy and hopeful. Hoping that one day my family accepts me.
I hope that I won’t end as Bobby, that they will accept the true me when I am fully gone.
In the early years of our lives, we may come across at close relationships with our blood relatives, apparently these bonds became the first ever contact that we had in this material world. Furthermore, in the ordinary days, as we get on with our lives, we cross paths with a certain someone who triggers that sudden stream of crimson through our veins, by a most probable cause of a continuous audible pump within us. Everything in our line of sight becomes sharp and at the same time, confusion and excitement permeates the conscious mind. Damn anticipation builds and destroys the competence of a meer human being. Suppression is not an option.
