By Susan Granger
Special to WestportNow
Exactly a decade after “Iron Man” launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Black Panther,” a powerful, new superhero has arrived -— and he’s sensational.
The warrior T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is the Prince/protector of the fantastical African nation of Wakanda, an isolated, secretive kingdom that’s rich with Vibranium — the mythic ‘alien’ metal that comprises Captain America’s shield. This invaluable resource has enabled incredible technological advances including magnetic transfers, superconductors, and spaceships.
Following the death of his father, T’Challa must fight M’Baku (Winston Duke), leader of the rival Jabari tribe, to claim his heritage. Then there’s the threat posed by predatory arms dealer/thief Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) in South Korea, aided by a CIA operative (Martin Freeman).
Eventually, T’Challa faces off with villainous Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Michael B. Jordan), a swaggering former Navy SEAL from Oakland, California. whose father was Wakandan.
Plus, there’s T’Challa’s best friend W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) and his mentor, the spiritual leader Zuri (Forest Whitaker), hiding a secret of his own.
The formidable female characters are T’Challa’s love interest, the beautiful spy Nakia (Lupito Nyong’o); his feisty sister/gadgets guru, Shari (Letitia Wright); Queen Mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett); and Okoya (Danai Guyira), leader of his Dora Milaja security team.
Written with insightful wit by Joe Robert Cole and director Ryan Coogler, its complex plot delves into familiar themes of revenge v. justice, duty vs. conscience and why identity matters. Kudos to the visual feast of cinematographer Rachel Morrison (Oscar-nominated for “Mudbound.”).
The first African-American superhero in American comics, Black Panther was created in 1966 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four No. 52. Historical footnote: Black Panther appeared three months before the Black Panther Party formed during the Civil Rights Movement.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Black Panther” pounces with an exciting, exhilarating 8, an ambitious, socially relevant, Afro-futurist origin story.
Lebanon’s “The Insult,” Ziad Doueiri’s intriguing political drama, is a prime contender for Oscar’s Best Foreign Language film.
In contemporary Beirut, there’s always an undercurrent of tension between Lebanese Christians and Palestinian Muslim refugees. Which is why a casual insult is blown ‘way out of proportion.
When Yasser (Kasmrel El Basha), a Palestinian construction foreman, attempts to repair a broken gutter on a balcony belonging to Tony Hanna (Adel Karam), a Lebanese Christian car mechanic who is watering his flowers, he’s splashed with water.
Then, when Yasser offers to fix an illegal drainpipe, belligerent Tony slams the door in his face, upsetting his very pregnant wife (Rita Hayek). That leads to an insulting vulgarity and Tony’s insistence on an abject apology, which Yasser initially refuses to do.
In reluctant placation, Yasser goes to the garage, just as Tony is listening to Bachir Gemayel’s anti-Palestinian speech. Carried away by the hate-filled verbiage, Tony tells Yasser he wishes Ariel Sharon had “wiped them out,” which incites Yasser to breaking a few of Tony’s ribs.
Their feud escalates exponentially until it spirals out of control, becoming a media circus. Eventually, the antagonists are embroiled in a legal showdown.
Tony’s case is ruthlessly fronted by Wajdi Wehbe (Camille Salame), an experienced lawyer, while young Nadine (Diamand Bou Abboud) righteously mounts Yasser’s defense. Both sides are convincing since there’s enough blame to go ‘round.
In Lebanon, Christians comprise over 40% of the population; many of them bitterly resent the approx. 450,000 Palestinian refugees, now comprising more than 10% of the inhabitants.
Co-written by Joelle Tourma and director Ziad Doueiri, the story revolves around the notion of sincerity versus stability, as the underlying sectarian grievances are aired.
On the Granger Gauge, “The Insult” is an explosive 8 — a tense courtroom thriller.
“Peter Rabbit,” the gentle, whimsical tale of Beatrix Potter’s beloved blue-jacketed bunny, has been transformed into a ‘hip’ hybrid live-action/digital-animation adventure.
Mischievous Peter (James Cordon) habitually raids the vegetable patch belonging to cranky Mr. McGregor (Sam Neill), accompanied by his neurotic cousin Benjamin (Colin Moody) and younger sisters: Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail (Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, Daisy Ridley).
One day after chasing Peter, elderly Mr. McGregor suffers a fatal heart attack, bequeathing the bucolic property to his fussy, fastidious great-nephew, Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson), an ambitious executive, passed over for promotion at Harrods, who plans to sell the Lake District farm and invest in his own toy store in London.
Upgrading vegetable-patch security means not only evicting Peter and his family but also Pigling Bland (voiced by Ewen Leslie) and the amiable hedgehog Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (voiced by Sia).
But plans change after Thomas meets lovely Bea (Rose Byrne), an artistic neighbor who has maternally befriended the reckless, rebellious rabbits who have lived together — without parental supervision — in a nearby burrow since old Mr. McGregor baked their father into a pie.
It is flippant and frantically paced, as the furry, photorealistic, anthromorphic critters bounce to pop tunes and enjoy gross-out humor. So it’s a shame that their good intentions are thwarted by an unfortunate scene in which Peter and his friends deliberately pelt hypersensitive McGregor with blackberries, mocking allergy-sufferers and trivializing food-induced anaphylaxis, a life-endangering condition.
After advocates and parents of children who suffer from similar food allergies urged a boycott, Sony issued an apology about not being more aware and sensitive to this serious health issue.
On the Granger Gauge, “Peter Rabbit” scampers in with a strained 6, as the silly slapstick gags get a bit too sadistic.
(Editor’s Note: Westport resident Susan Granger grew up in Hollywood, studied journalism with Pierre Salinger at Mills College, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in journalism. In addition to writing for newspapers and magazines, she has been on radio/television as an anchorwoman and movie/drama critic for many years. See her reviews at www.susangranger.com.)
