DanielleDeadwyler – Credits Rolling

Having coasted through life the past couple of years, Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) feels the pressure to step up after his longtime girlfriend Nora (Sofia Carson) becomes pregnant. On Christmas Eve, the busiest day of the year for airports, Ethan is put on the x-ray machine. When a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) blackmails him into playing along with his terrorist attack, Ethan must go along with the plan while also figuring out a way to save not only Nora, but thousands of other passengers too.

What initially attracted me to this film was the cast. Egerton has always been enjoyable and it was fun seeing him back in an action flick again. He plays the hero well and kept the film grounded. Though Bateman was only really present in the film throughout the second half, he carried an ominous presence from the moment you hear his voice through the earpiece. The way in which those two worked off each other was like watching a delicious game of cat and mouse. The supporting cast members elevated the story too. Carson had a sweet romance with Egerton’s character while Danielle Deadwyler was kick ass as LAPD officer Elena Cole.

As far as action goes, this certainly delivered. After a small introduction, it didn’t waste any time to get going. The airport setting really made it that locked room vibe which I liked and it added to the chaos as well. There was so much tension, like Ethan was running against a clock. I also never in a million years thought that I would watch a fight sequence set to Wham’s Last Christmas, but I wasn’t mad about it.

I didn’t have high hopes for Carry-On at first. It was much better than I thought it was going to be! Not only did it grip my attention from the very beginning, it had enough twists and turns throughout that kept me on the edge of my seat. It may not have been very realistic, but I didn’t care. I had a great time with it.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️.5

In Mississippi in 1955, Emmett Till (Jalyn Hall) was brutally murdered while visiting his cousins for the summer. He was only fourteen years old. His mother Mamie (Danielle Deadwyler), completely beside herself in her loss, vowed to do whatever she can in order to expose this racist attack and to also bring the people involved to justice.

Knowing that the film was based on true events made for a harrowing experience. Part of me couldn’t believe what was unfolding on screen though the other, more logical part, knew that this only one horrible story amongst many others that African Americans had to and continue to endure. While the film did take some liberties here and there, it didn’t take way from its importance.

Deadwyler, in the role of Mamie Till-Mobley, was outstanding. If she doesn’t get an Oscar nomination for her performance then I’ll be baffled. The pure, raw emotion that she injected really gave me all the feels and brought me to tears on several occasions. She carried the movie on her back; without her it would not have had the same overall effect. I wish we could have seen more of Hall as Emmett though I obviously understand why that wasn’t possible. In addition, Whoopi Goldberg as Emmett’s grandmother and Haley Bennett as Carolyn Bryant were unrecognizable, albeit great choices.

Though parts of the movie were on the slower side, it did not deter me from being completely entranced with what was unfolding on screen. My interest snapped to attention when news broke of Emmett’s murder and it did not let up for a moment after. I will never forget the scenes of Mamie having to identify her son for the first time afterwards or them having an open casket at the funeral.

Overall, watching Till was an experience that I won’t soon forget. It was horrifying to witness, but I couldn’t turn my face away. I didn’t want to. The fact that this actually happened and that it took so long to do something about it is everything that is wrong with the world. Even more so, it’s horrible to acknowledge that these things continue to happen even today.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️