January 03, 2019 

By Dwight Brown 

NNPA News Wire Film Critic 

For DC comic book fans, there is good news and bad news. First the negatives and then the positive reasons why “Aquaman” may still make a dent in the box office, even if it isn’t perfect.

What’s lacking: The special effects (visual effects supervisor Kelvin McIlwain) aren’t exceptional. “Visions of Arthur/Aquaman” (Jason Momoa, “Game of Thrones,” “Conan the Barbarian”) and his ally/love interest Mera (“Amber Heard,” “North Country”), a warrior/princess, swimming through waters frantically from emergency to emergency are cheesy looking CGI. Demons from the ocean and sea monsters look run-of-the-mill. There’s nothing new, nothing to shout about, nothing that defies imagination.

The technique that director James Wan (“The Conjuring,” “Saw” and “Furious 7”) and his production team use to make the characters look like they are floating in water, is odd and sometimes annoying. Their hair floats like they are below the sea, but they don’t look wet. Interior scenes of submarines, homes, etc. look like backlot sets. And not to be petty, but whoever decided that Mera’s cranberry red hair should look like a cheap wig bought at a Halloween store, didn’t do the actress any favors.

What’s just OK: Rupert Gregson-Williams’ (“Wonder Woman”) dense musical score fills up some empty space. Clocking in at 2H 23M, the footage doesn’t test patience, which affirms the editor’s (Kirk M. Morri, “The Conjuring,” “Furious 7”) taste in pacing. The array of colors by art directors Bill Booth (“Thor: Ragnarok”) and Desma Murphy (“Terminator Salvation”) is easy on the eye. However, viewers may wish the entire tech team had decided to make this an art/adventure film, something as visually captivating as Yimou Zhang’s “Hero” or Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus.” The underwater location could have been a hotbed of stunning visuals, but that potential is never fully realized.

David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick (“Wrath of the Titans”) and Will Beall (“Gangster Squad”) have created a script that conjures the origin story for the latest version of “Aquaman.” (Note: The original dates back to 1941; the modern incarnation started in 2011). They set up characters who have rivalries and bad blood that goes way back in time:

Years ago, the underwater “Queen of Atlantis, Atlanna” (Nicole Kidman), fled her kingdom and her body washed up on a rocky Maine shoreline. A lighthouse keeper named Tom (Temuera Morrison, “Once Were Warriors”) brought her and her trident weapon back to his home. They fell in love and eventually had a hybrid child, with both land and sea traits. At some point, Atlanna got captured and taken back to her home. Tom raised their son, who grew up to be a fine, but rebellious young man, Arthur (“Momoa”).

As an adult, “Arthur/Aquaman” became a crime fighter with incredible powers: super strength, impenetrable skin, an ability to swim faster than a missile and able to communicate with marine life. He misses his mom and hates the kingdom of Atlantis for taking her away. A sea dweller named Mera comes to warn him of an impending invasion from the underwater world that will bring the wrath of the seven seas to people on earth. As heir to the throne, the crimefighter must decide if he is willing to save the world.

What’s cool: The flip side of Arthur’s life is the netherworld of Atlantis, where his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson, “Fargo,” “Angels in America”) reigns. The mean nasty Aryan-looking sibling is eager to point out, “I am the pure blood.”  Words like mongrel and half-breed are hurled at Arthur. The premise for the war is that earth is polluting waters, poisoning children and deserves carnage. These contemporary themes give the film a very topical, 21st century agenda.

Adding entertaining characters, who are decently or well-played by an eclectic cast, helps too: Willem Dafoe plays Vulko, council to the Atlantean throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen (“The Greatest Showman”) storms through scenes as a vengeful pirate, while Michael Beach (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) plays his dad; and Dolph Lundgren (“Creed II,” “Rocky IV”) portrays the rival King Nereus.

Heard, Kidman, Morrison and Abdul-Mateen are consistently interesting to watch and elevate their scenes. However, the actor of the hour is Jason Momoa. His version of “Aquaman” is that of a complete badass superhero who displays the right balance of self-doubt and flat out bravura. At 6’4”, with a lion-like mane and beard, he is fun to watch. Humor and joy permeate his performance. Yet when he is on the attack you know he can slay demons. Momoa has established himself as a movie star who can take top billing on a film and keep moviegoers in their seats. If they ever recast “Jack Reacher,” he’d be perfect.

As Arthur’s mission to save the world comes to a head, the costumes the superhero wears, from tattoos and jeans, to T-shirts and black leather vests build to a crescendo with a stunning gold, bumpy warriors shirt and black gloves and boots with fins. That vision, with lights and water cascading over him and a superpower trident in his fist, radiates star quality. This kind of astonishing imagery should have been the crux of the film, but it isn’t.

Is there anything hugely wrong with “Aquaman”? Not really. Is this a missed opportunity? Yes. The Hawaiian lead actor makes this project unique. Casting him gave this superhero motion picture a chance to stand out from the pack. Movie goers are looking for action films that are off the beaten path. If “Wonder Woman” and “Black Panther” can knock it out of the park, there is absolutely no reason why this film wasn’t genius and innovative from beginning to end.

On the name alone, “Aquaman” should pull hordes of viewers into the theater. The question is, “Will they come back again and again and make this film a megahit even if it’s imperfect? 

Visit NNPA News Wire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com. 

January 03, 2019 

Associated Press 

Forest Whitaker has filed for divorce from his wife of 22 years, Keisha Nash-Whitaker.

The 57-year-old “Black Panther” actor cites irreconcilable differences in the divorce filing Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The brief document says the exact value of the couple’s assets and debts are unclear and will be determined later.

The couple has two daughters together, and each has a child from a previous relationship. All four are adults. 

Whitaker’s other credits include “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “The Crying Game” and “The Last King of Scotland,” for which he won an Academy Award for best actor in 2007. 

The 46-year-old Nash-Whitaker has had a few minor credits as an actress and producer.

The two met on the set of the 1994 film “Blown Away,” and they married in 1996.

January 03, 2019 

Aries 

MAR 21 - APR 19 

You've got high hopes about everything this week, including your love life. Your mind simply won't go dark about anything and because it's easy to see the bright side of everything, your romantic world should run relatively smoothly now. If there are any problems, you'll have a solution without hesitation. You might also be in a situation where you feel more financially supported by your partner than usual. There might be good news for your sweetheart about a raise, bonus, or investment that has paid off nicely. You'll want to celebrate! 

Taurus 

APR 20 - MAY 20 

You'll feel comforted this week by the fact that you and your partner share similar beliefs about philosophy, spirituality, and overall ethics. What you love the most about your sweetheart now is the fact that he or she has an unwavering sense of personal integrity. This uprightness or character is not only attractive to you, but it also makes you realize that the person you're with truly is a catch. You don't need to dream about a stable relationship with someone. You're living the dream. 

Gemini 

MAY 21 - JUN 20 

Conversations with your partner will be on point this week. Mercury, your ruling planet, will move into your relationship sector on Wednesday, offering you an extraordinary level of support in communication with your love through January 4. If you have any decisions to make together, you'll find it very easy to collaborate and compromise now. If you have a personal decision to make, you'll find yourself using your significant other as a sounding board much more than usual. He or she will be an indispensable source of wisdom for you now. 

Cancer 

JUN 21 - JUL 22 

If you're completely single, then it's possible you'll meet someone this week you're sure is relationship material. This person will be mature, possibly even older than you. It's his or her responsible approach to life and to partnership that will attract you more than anything else. In fact, you'll find it refreshing to meet someone who has zero interest in playing any type of immature love games. Don't be surprised if this love connection takes time to get off the ground. Be patient -- it's worth waiting for. 

Leo 

JUL 23 - AUG 22 

If you're single, then it's possible you'll meet someone this week who is from a different background than you are. This might be a different culture or race but can also be a different religion. Whatever the dissimilarities are, you'll find that this is exactly what draws you to one another. Explore! If you're already in a relationship, then you and your sweetheart will be expressing love to each other in abundance. Don't be surprised if love notes are exchanged or if you are gushing sentimental words at each other left and right. How romantic! 

Virgo 

AUG 23 - SEP 22 

Although you're more serious than ever about matters of the heart, you aren't necessarily afraid to love. You might have been in this situation recently and if so, there's a good chance you've done the inner work necessary to confront this blockage. This week, you'll find it much easier to communicate to your sweetheart just how deep your feelings are without allowing yourself to fall into any type of insecurity about opening your heart. It's safe for you to love, so love.

Libra 

SEP 23 - OCT 22 

If you and your mate live together, then an event may occur this week that fortifies your domestic and financial stability. This can be anything from the two of you making a purchase together that involves real estate to working as a team to ensure there's a greater sense of stability overall in your home life. Another possibility is that you have been dating someone and decide that it's time to move in together. This is a decision neither of you has come too lightly. You have carefully thought this through.

Scorpio 

OCT 23 - NOV 21 

It'll be easy for you to communicate your worth to others today, especially to your partner. However, you won't need to work very hard this week to prove how amazing you are. In fact, it seems quite obvious to everyone around you now that Venus is moving through your sign. Your qualities of magnetism are even stronger than usual, and you've also got staying power when it comes to your level of attractiveness. You're like a fine wine that is getting better with age. 

Sagittarius 

NOV 22 - DEC 21 

You might be quietly reassessing your worth when it comes to matters of the heart. If you've kept yourself in a situation where you feel your partner truly doesn't "see" you and value you, then it's likely you're no longer willing to remain in that type of scenario. As long as your person offers you plenty of respect and breathing room, you don't need much when it comes to love. If you need to cut ties with someone who isn't meeting your must-haves in love, the good news is you're optimistic about finding someone who will. You won't compromise -- and you shouldn't.

Capricorn 

DEC 22 - JAN 19 

If you're single, this is a week where you might find stable romantic potential through a friend. Trust your pals to set you up on a date with a man or woman they think would be perfect for you. They won't steer you wrong! This person will be mature, responsible, deep, and fully capable of intimacy. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable you feel with this person, almost as if you've met before. Guess what? You probably have in a past life! 

Aquarius 

JAN 20 - FEB 18 

Your love life is directly tied into your social life this week. Mercury will move into your friendship sector on Wednesday where he'll remain through January 4. Since Mercury rules your romance sector, it's very likely that your time with friends will somehow help your love life situation. Maybe you need trusted guidance from your pals about how to proceed with your relationship or someone you're attracted to. Your friends will give you honest perspective from a place that feeds your soul rather than your ego. In other words, you'll hear what you need to, even if it is not what you want to. 

Pisces 

FEB 19 - MAR 20 

Your partner might be focused much more on career and his or her reputation this week than your relationship. Fortunately, you won't take this personally. In fact, you've got plenty of your own professional opportunities to take advantage of, so it might be nice for both of you to have a week off from any romantic pressure and focus on other matters. You'll be fully supportive of each other as you pursue your goals, which is always a wonderful sign. Your love life coasts this week, but your careers will soar!