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3/4
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Blink Twice
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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There is something about Naomi Ackie's portrayal of Frida that makes her relatable but mysterious. The Graphic, in your face approach is disturbing on so many fronts that it might be hard to even open one's eyes at all.
Posted Mar 06, 2025
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3/4
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Heretic
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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Heretic is a bold discussion about religion, a grand challenge surrounding faith, and a frightening discovery about self.
Posted Nov 29, 2024
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3.5/4
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Unstoppable
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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These extraordinary actors brings a life to the film that feels real and simple. Robles is extraordinary, amazing, and simply unstoppable. His plight might be difficult, but his story is surely one for the ages.
Posted Nov 29, 2024
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2/4
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Joker: Folie à Deux
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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There is no doubt that Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix put on a compelling dance, but the whole is not greater than the sum of the parts. You might love the acting, singing, and courtroom theatrics but all of that didn’t have me singing all the way home.
Posted Oct 11, 2024
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2.5/4
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Deadpool & Wolverine
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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“Deadpool & Wolverine” is a fun excursion requiring the pair to carry a huge load. I wish they could have packed light. Marvel fanatics might not mind carrying the load, but the rest of us might want to let it go, let it go, let it go to streaming.
Posted Aug 09, 2024
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3/4
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A Quiet Place: Day One
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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A Quiet Place: Day One” presented the opportunity to answer questions the first two movies didn’t exactly need to but it didn't. Maybe the filmmakers needed to give us a reason to watch “A Quiet Place Part III,” which seems likely the next step.
Posted Jul 06, 2024
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4/4
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Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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The battle for power between Dementus and Immortan Joe is epic. It has everything you want to see in a confrontation. This is a big-screen, go-the-theater movie. The visual presentation is stunning. The stunts and visual effects are Oscar-worthy – really!
Posted Jul 06, 2024
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3/4
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Back to Black
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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There is not much to dislike about this film but the fact that the people around Winehouse seemed unable or unwilling to stop her from self-destructing. It breaks one’s heart to think someone in her circle could have helped her in the end.
Posted Jul 06, 2024
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2.5
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Shirley
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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Regina King is masterful as Shirley. However, trying to focus on a point in time & covering many aspects requires the writing to be tight directing to be on point, & editing to be great...
fell a bit short of making “Shirley” as great as the person.
Posted Apr 03, 2024
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3
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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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If you are looking for a fight and great special effects, this movie delivers in spades. If you are looking for most of it to make sense, "The New Empire" might need some new cloths.
Posted Apr 02, 2024
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3.5/4
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Dune: Part Two
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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“Dune: Part Two” is the type of film that will engross you with its beauty and complexity yet might confuse you at the same time. It is an epic tale worthy of the big-screen experience.
Posted Mar 17, 2024
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2.5/4
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The American Society of Magical Negroes
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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The filmmakers do an excellent job of making the film funny and digestible for non-blacks while giving a nod to Blacks that they know what many Black folks have to go through each day.This film is far more than mundane and somewhat short of magical.
Posted Mar 16, 2024
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2.5/4
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Argylle
(2024)
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Reginald Ponder
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Overall, this is a fun movie but somehow it is not a memorable one. Argylle has a decent foundation for a franchise’s first installment, entertaining enough to check out at the theater & sufficient surprises to keep your attention.
Posted Feb 04, 2024
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4/4
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Origin
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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DuVernay crafts a powerful & thought-provoking masterpiece. Instead of an academic dissertation, we get a human exploration. Ellis-Taylor gives a masterclass in acting. If she is not convincing in her argument she is convincing in her artistry.
Posted Jan 26, 2024
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3/4
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The Holdovers
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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The Holdovers has a bunch of characters that you love to hate until you don’t. The writers do a great job of making these clichic personas real people with real issues. It is irritating, funny and surprisingly interesting.
Posted Dec 18, 2023
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2.5/4
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The Marvels
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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Marvel is obsessed with the Multiverse, but my advice is to anchor the storytelling in one universe before boldly going where no woman has gone before. I wasn’t sure where we were going or if I wanted to go there but somehow it manages to still works.
Posted Dec 18, 2023
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4/4
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American Fiction
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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American Fiction’s ending poses a thought-provoking question: would you compromise your artistic integrity for financial success? Provocative, funny and a sad commentary on the literary industry and the world in general.
Posted Dec 18, 2023
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3.4/4
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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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This film questions what you will do in times of stress: Will you kill when it is the only way to survive, be loyal when it is time to be loyal, fight for love when it might mean death? It is interesting, exciting and looks so good on the big screen
Posted Dec 18, 2023
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3/4
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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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There are some great villains, co-conspirators, strange bedfellows and events that will keep you guessing. By the end of the movie I was literally on the edge of my seat wondering who would still be standing and make it to part two.
Posted Aug 01, 2023
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2.5/4
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Haunted Mansion
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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By all accounts this film captures the essence of the Disney ride as well as the characters. the film does an excellent job of introducing the characters. At best ,this is a matinee movie but I wouldn’t be mad at you if you waited to check it out at home.
Posted Aug 01, 2023
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3/4
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Black Ice
(2022)
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Reginald Ponder
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Shines a light on the black pioneers who made significant contributions to the sport. Viewers get to witness the pride & profound love that Blacks have for the game, while also envisioning a future where hockey becomes a more inclusive and dynamic sport.
Posted Aug 01, 2023
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3.5/4
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The League
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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This film really puts so much of baseball’s history in a different perspective – Not one that focuses on vilifying Major League Baseball but one that celebrate the trailblazers and superstars of the game whose recognition is long overdue.
Posted Aug 01, 2023
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3/4
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Barbie
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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This film is pink on estrogen! It is a smart, fun and important look at an American Icon. It humorously portrays male figures like Ken as accessories in Barbie Land, but the focus remains on highlighting Barbie's importance rather than vilifying men.
Posted Aug 01, 2023
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3.5/4
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The Blackening
(2022)
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Reginald Ponder
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In addition to being funny, “The Blackening” is insightful. The setup allows the audience to explore the issue of Blackness and the writers mix the funny, the thoughtful as well as the dangerous very well. A fun time indeed.
Posted Jun 23, 2023
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3/4
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The Flash
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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This DC movie felt like a franchise upgrade. The story was interesting and didn’t feel like DC was trying too hard to be like Marvel (although the multi-verse timing is a bit too close to its rival). For once, DC has a story that could just be DC.
Posted Jun 23, 2023
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3/4
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John Wick: Chapter 4
(2023)
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Reginald Ponder
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It is all there, the fighting, chases, explosions, and fascinating characters but the proportions are a bit off. While it might rise above the High Table’s box office expectations, it falls a bit below the table’s previous cinematic magic.
Posted Mar 20, 2023
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3 1/2 out of 4
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The Woman King
(2022)
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Reginald Ponder
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Poignant, proud, and powerful. What is remarkable is that this story has never been told in such magnitude and is a feat worthy of all the history books. The strength in combat matched the strength in will.
Posted Dec 16, 2022
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3 1/2/4
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(2022)
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Reginald Ponder
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever offers a lot of surprises, plenty of action, and a fitting tribute to Boseman as well as to Wakanda. Get your passport stamped and return to Wakanda because it is Well Worth Watching,
Posted Dec 15, 2022
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2.5/4
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Bad Boys for Life
(2020)
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Reginald Ponder
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Bad Boys For Life is fun and a crowd pleaser. The new characters inject some needed freshness into the franchise. Smith and Lawrence hold it down, however, 17 years later feels a bit dated. Worth the ride but I want to pay half-fare. What You Gonna Do?
Posted Jan 28, 2020
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3.5/4
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Just Mercy
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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Just Mercy provides a compelling argument for seeking real justice. It shows us that everyone isn't about what is right but what is expedient and this has cost us lives and the destruction of families. Brian Stevenson-a selfless man doing life-saving work
Posted Jan 28, 2020
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3.5/4
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Queen & Slim
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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Queen and Slim is a provocative and exhilarating ride down the road of police Brutality and the relationship between the police and Black community. You might ask if Queen and Slim hold court but you won't ask if they hold your attention. 3.5 reels
Posted Dec 07, 2019
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3/4
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The Sun Is Also a Star
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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The Sun Is Also A Star is a sweet & interesting love story which requires a bit of a romantic heart. Yara Shahidi & Charles Melton have a chemistry that makes this endearing, funny and hopeful. Enough love to fill plot potholes plus a doubting heart.
Posted May 17, 2019
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3/4
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John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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The wick has been lit on both ends & it is getting hot! A non-stop action thriller that has so many kills that will surprise or just make you cheer. Reeves delivers Thrills, Kills and Chills!
Posted May 17, 2019
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4/4
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Avengers: Endgame
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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You will come for the characters & Story, get caught up in their journey, get excited about the action & leave with uncontained satisfaction. A laugh, a tear a cheer. A cinematic Marvel & the crown jewel of the Universe. A Must See! four out of 4 reels
Posted Apr 27, 2019
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3/4
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Breakthrough
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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Breakthrough is about more than faith. A universal film that combines hope, love, community and God to inspire, reflect and rejoice. This might not be a breakout film but might help others have a breakthrough.
Posted Apr 20, 2019
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3/4
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Little
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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Little had big laughs, a little star with big presence, an important lesson mixed with a little dab of warmth and heart. What Little lacks in story telling, heart tugging & depth is compensated for in the command Marsai Martin has over this film. Funny!
Posted Apr 14, 2019
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2/4
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Dumbo
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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This reincarnation of a Disney classic has to find a way to make Dumbo as exciting as its predecessor while addressing the backlash regarding circuses and animals in captivity. While Dumbo does fly, the movie doesn't soar.
Posted Mar 31, 2019
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3/4
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Where's Daddy?
(2018)
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Reginald Ponder
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An important examination of how Black Men are treated regarding child support by the courts. It will make you think, talk & possibly take action to even the playing field. No child should have to ask Where's Daddy?
Posted Mar 31, 2019
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3.5/4
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Us
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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US is another Jordan Peele film with some important messages wrapped in horror and gore. If you don't leave fearing yourself you will leave knowing that the worst gang is a doppelgäng. Deliberate, Disturbing, Deserving.
Posted Mar 23, 2019
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3.5/4
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Five Feet Apart
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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Five Feet Apart gives us a love story with heart. While some of it can be telegraphed, the writers give us insight into cystic fibrosis & Haley Lu Richardson with Cole Sprouse bring enough authenticity making it worth the risk of getting a little closer
Posted Mar 16, 2019
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3/4
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Captain Marvel
(2019)
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Reginald Ponder
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Brie Larson is truly the Captain of this ship. And while this is a worthy voyage the story falls short of MARVEL-ous.
Posted Mar 11, 2019
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4/4
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Mary Poppins Returns
(2018)
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Reginald Ponder
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Mary Poppins Returns in great fashion. I'm using words I don't even use in a review: delightful, wonderful, marvelous, stupendous, Supercalifragilistic. I love the songs, animation, acting and magic. A Must See!!
Posted Dec 28, 2018
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4/4
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If Beale Street Could Talk
(2018)
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Reginald Ponder
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If Beal Street Could Talk it would tell you that love lives in the Black community, hope survives in those relationships, justice evades righteousness and family still bonds a people. A Must See, 4 Reels
Posted Dec 22, 2018
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3.5/4
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
(2018)
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Reginald Ponder
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Spiderman: Into The Spider-verse is a different Marvel offering that will satisfy that superhero craving while addressing superhero fatigue. An animation masterpiece where the visual presentation look so good, so fun & invites you into the spider-verse.
Posted Dec 14, 2018
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