Cinema Toast: ‘Black Panther,’ and ‘Early Man’

Gil Mansergh reviews the latest films|

Black Panther (PG-13)

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Michael B. Jordan, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Amgela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis, Florence Kasumba

Directed by: Ryan Coogler

Outsiders consider the African nation of Wakanda to be a Third World s---hole of a country - but they are very, very wrong. The land is an only-place-on-Earth depository for a rare meteorite-based element called Vibranium, and decades of wise leadership has invested in a technological infrastructure so advanced it makes other cities seem like antiques. Prince T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns to his homeland to assume the throne of his recently deceased father. But, as is often the case with generational transfers of power, things do not go smoothly. Five different tribes call Wakanda home, and their leaders have different visions for the future. The new king is supported by a trio of powerful women: the all-female Special Forces leader Okoye (Danai Guirira); warrior-woman Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o); and Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright). In addition, King T’Challa has a secret identity. When he dons his Vibranium super-suit (more powerful than anything worn by Ironman), he becomes the Black Panther. Director/co-screenwriter Ryan Coogler (“Fruitvale Station,” “Creed”) has created something very special with this film. Female and male Africans are portrayed as brave, intelligent, wise, thoughtful, and politically savvy human beings, in a film that is just as intelligent - and delightfully fun to watch!

4 pieces of ‘Black Panther’s not like anything you’ve seen before’ toast

Early Man (PG)

Starring the Voices of: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall, Nick Park, Richard Ayode

Directed by: Nick Park

I’ve been a fan of stop-motion guru Nick Park ever since I stumbled upon “Wallace and Gromit.” His latest clay-mation adventure literally takes us back to the “Dawn of Time,” when after catching quick little bunnies for their meals, cavemen spent most of their time taking naps. Everything seems perfect, until the members of a bronze-age tribe arrive in the valley to mine for the copper and tin that are making their leader rich. Those of us raised on “The Flintstones” will chuckle with familiarity at many of the historical anachronisms, but other “inventions” (like using a whirring bug to shave off whiskers) are (to use two phrases loved by ad-men), “new and improved” and “sure to please.” By adding in a “Bend It Like Bekham” “girls can’t play soccer” trope, and a pet wild boar named Hognob, Nick Park and his tireless crew of animators have created another winner.

3½ pieces of ‘Quirky and quite funny historical’ toast

(To view trailers of the above-mentioned films, view Cinema Toast at Petaluma360.com. Comments? E-mail gilmansergh@comcast.net)

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