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Hollywood by Choice

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For those of you who like to collect DVDs, be it for entertainment or for historic purposes, there are several out this month worth purchasing for your library.

“When Justice Isn’t Just” takes a look at the recent police shootings of Black men nationwide and what police departments and Black communities are doing to turn this deadly situation around.

This documentary was filmed in cities across the nation taking a deeper look at the violence perpetrated by officers of the law on Black men in particular, and Black people as a whole. Yes, we’ve seen it all played out on TV by cellphone users; cold-blooded murder taking place on city streets across the nation, but this documentary goes even deeper. Not to anger you (although it may) but to educate you.

The film goes behind the scenes, and speaks to lawmakers, political figures, victims’ family, friends and community leaders about this new wave of violence sweeping our Black communities. Is there a sinister plan behind this new aggression? Do “Black lives matter” to law enforcement?

“When Justice Isn’t Just” was directed by Oscar-nominated, NAACP Image Award Winner David Massey. Award winning producer/writer Dawn Alexander is the mother of a young Black male. As you can imagine this documentary is very close to her heart and reflects her commitment to the safety of not only her son, but the safety of other young Black men in America.

Get ready for a reeducation on America’s penal system with Netflix’s “13th” the latest documentary by the outstanding writer/producer/director Ava DuVernay. Now streaming on Netflix, “13th,” is a riveting look at Black men and the prison system, and you will plainly see how this documentary compliments “When Justice Isn’t Just.”

The film features a fascinating historical timeline in American history as it pertains to Black men and the law … or lack thereof. Focusing on the history of America’s prison system and its impact on Black men in America, “13th” takes a chilling look at the 13th Amendment and how its wording keeps the door of slavery open to this day.

It is a must-see documentary.  The well-produced production opens your eyes to a game played out right in front of us, clearly demonstrating how the American political and law enforcement system was designed to keep ‘undesirables’ in chains. The movie will answer the questions and expound on the topics brought out in “When Justice Isn’t Just.”

On a lighter note, listed are two films that are now on DVD.

“The Legend of Tarzan”

It’s been nearly a decade since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), also known as John Clayton III, left Africa to live in Victorian England with his wife Jane. Danger lurks on the horizon as Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), a treacherous envoy for King Leopold, devises a scheme that lures the couple to the Congo. Rom plans to capture Tarzan and deliver him to an old enemy in exchange for diamonds. The film also stars Samuel L. Jackson as George Washington Williams.

Of his role Jackson says, “He’s a real person you can actually Google,” Jackson tells TimeOut. “Essentially the first African American to go into the Congo and discover what he suspected—that King Leopold [II, of Belgium] was using slave labor to bring out diamonds, ivory and rubber. Williams was a statesman, a preacher, a soldier, he was a lot of different things.”

“Ghostbusters”

Paranormal researcher Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) and physicist Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) are trying to prove that ghosts exist in modern society. When strange apparitions appear in Manhattan, Gilbert and Yates turn to engineer Jillian Holtzmann for help. Also joining the team is Patty Tolan, a lifelong New Yorker who knows the city inside and out. Armed with proton packs and plenty of attitude, the four women prepare for an epic battle as more than 1,000 mischievous ghouls descend on Times Square.

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