King Richard (in theaters and streaming on HBO Max)
It’s awesome how much free time I have this week since it’s Thanksgiving break!!! I can just sit around and watch movies and sleep in. Oh wait…never mind. I’m NOT my 13-year-old. I still have to go to work. 
I did, however, find time to watch Will Smith’s latest movie that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time.
“King Richard” is the story of tennis legends Venus and Serna Williams and how they became who they are because of the coaching and guidance of their father, Richard Williams. The title role is played by Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Pursuit of Happiness), and this movie gives a fascinating look into the early life of the two sibling tennis superstars. Smith gives an Oscar-contending performance and creates a protagonist much greater than what we might expect to see in what COULD have been a more formulaic story of a Black family’s triumph against all odds.
I must admit there were times when I felt frustrated at Richard Williams’ character. There were several times when I’d think things like, “Why is he so hard on them?” or “Why is he being so stubborn?” However, after thinking/reflecting on it, I realized I have no idea what it’s like to be a black father in Compton, CA raising 5 daughters and teaching/training them to be champions. He was hard on them because it’s a hard world. He was “stubborn” about things because his entire life had been an uphill battle and he wanted better for his children. He was tough because he wanted them to beat life, not the other way around.
This film had a stellar supporting cast including Aunjanue Ellis (Ray, The Help), Jon Bernthal (The Wolf of Wall Street, Baby Driver), Tony Goldwyn (Scandal, Ghost), and then Saniyya Sidney (Fences, Hidden Figures) who plays Venus, and Demi Singleton (Godfather of Harlem, Goldie) who plays Serena. “King Richard” is the story that focuses on a father that remains focused on getting his daughters to the top of a world that is completely dominated by whites. This is all about the early days, so don’t go in expecting a movie about all the highlights of their career.
Director, Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men, Amend: The Fight for America) has delivered a crowd-pleaser with a lot of poignancy and several well-placed messages mixed in. This movie SHOULD most definitely see some award nominations attached to it.
“King Richard” is rated PG-13 for some violence, adult language, a sexual reference, and brief drug references. I give this one a 4.5/5. Stream it on HBO Max!!
Tiger King- Part 2 (streaming on Netflix)
If there’s one thing that really takes you back to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not the great TP shortage. It’s not the fact that school kids had the longest spring break in history. It’s not anything even COVID related. The one thing that takes us back to the early days of COVID-19 is the introduction of Joe Exotic, The Tiger King. This documentary introduced the world to some of the most eccentric, weird, seemingly soul-less characters in existence, but we LOVED IT!! We couldn’t get enough. It’s all we talked about for a while. Social media was inundated with everything Tiger King. Joe Exotic and Carol Baskin were huge Halloween costumes in 2020. Their faces were everywhere, and the world fell even more in love with big cats.
I don’t want to spoil anything here, but if you haven’t already seen season 1, you’re probably not going to watch it, so it doesn’t matter. Season 1 saw Joe Exotic go to prison for a murder-for-hire plot against his arch-nemesis, Carol Baskin, the owner of Big Cat Rescue in Florida, and the main one dead-set on shutting down Joe’s GW Zoo in Oklahoma.
As if Tiger King Mania wasn’t weird and wild enough, it got even worse as the 2020 Presidential election played out when masses decidedly became Team Joe and flocked to Washington to rally in support of then President Trump pardoning Joe Exotic. This rally just happened to take place on January 6, 2021, just before all hell broke loose at the US Capitol. The pardon didn’t happen, BUT he could possibly get a new hearing.
Now, we finally have “Tiger King” season 2 streaming on Netflix. Admittedly, I was SUPER EXCITED to dive back into the weird, weird world of Joe Exotic. However, season 2 was somewhat of a letdown. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a LOT of madness. You’ll meet one guy that gives Joe Exotic, Jeff Lowe, and all the others a run for their money as far as having a couple screws loose. Season 2 introduces a guy named, Tim Stark, and this fella is a couple sandwiches shy a picnic basket for sure. Yikes!
Season 2 is entertaining, but it’s nothing like season 1. If you loved season 1, I recommend you go ahead and knock out these five new episodes. I mean…you’re already invested in the story. Right? However, if I give season 1 5 stars on the entertainment scale, I’d have to give season 2 maybe 3 stars.
Wait. Are we really sitting here having an intellectual conversation about Joe Exotic? Bahahahaha! If you have a few free hours and you want to delve into the underworld of weird characters, DO IT!!!
“The Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness” is rated TV-MA for lots and lots of adult language.
See the archives of Watch This with Chris a www.mysaline.com/watch-this