Monsters and Men

John David Washington is everywhere. Literally everywhere. And I’m not too mad about it because I think he’s fantastic. He’s one of three main characters whose lives intersect when an unarmed African-American man is shot by the cops. So this isn’t a happy one obviously. It’s a hard look at systemic issues. Washington plays Dennis, a police officer who wasn’t there when the incident occurred. You also have Manny (Anthony Ramos) a young man who captures the shooting on video and then posts it online. And finally Zyrick (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a high school baseball player who is on the path to becoming a pro. After seeing the aftermath of the shooting, Zyrick is inspired to take a stand and be an activist. Manny faces severe consequences from the cops once he is identified as the one who posted the video online. Meanwhile, Dennis battles his position as an African-American man and a cop. This was writer and director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s first feature length film and it was an excellent first offering. I liked that we got three different points of view on the same issue. The incident touches each of their lives and presents challenges that are unique to each of their situations. Police brutality has become a hot button issue in news coverage recently and this showcases the ripple effects it has not only on those involved but on the community and country at large.

Film or Movie: Film
You’ll like this film if:
1. You can’t get enough John David Washington
2. You like to see multiple sides of a story
3. You’re an activist