Maybe I'll make this into its own post, but I was watching lots of black movies back in June which finally allowed me to watch If Beale Street Could Talk and not a day has gone by where I don't think of that movie. I don't even know where to begin. I thought all of the performances were great, but my favorites were probably Brian Tyree Henry and Regina King. The story felt very intimate and tender. The film as a whole felt "operatic" (for lack of a better word), yet still incredibly personal. The cinematography was gorgeous, especially those Jonathon Demme-esque close-ups where the characters look into the camera (probably the one aspect that has stuck with me the most). The score was wonderfully lush with its brass instruments. Just such a well-put together film as a whole! I honestly thought it was better than Moonlight (a movie that deserves a serious rewatch on my behalf). It also shocks me that it wasn't nominated for best picture, especially since Black Panther, Green Book, and Bohemian Rhapsody all snagged nominations. I haven't seen Vice so I can't really speak for its quality, but I DID hear that loads of people were unimpressed with it yet it seemed to be the frontrunner for Annapuruna in terms of that year's Oscar race and I wonder if they're to blame for Beale Street's subdued performance at the box office too. It's great that Spike Lee finally has an Oscar, but I would've given the adapted screenplay award to the movie too.

The movie has also really got me into James Baldwin! I'm not just smitten with his bibliography, but his role as a spokesman on race. I've watched lots of interviews, debates, and other tv appearances that he made and the man is not only erudite as hell, but incredibly charming. I highly recommend I Am Not Your Negro if you haven't seen it already.