See it at the Movies

By Joyce and Don Fowler
Posted 8/31/16

SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU * * * (Michelle & Barack's first date) Tika Sumptner plays Michelle Robinson and Parker Sawyers plays Barack Obama in this charming, talky little movie that imagines what their first date was like. Michelle is Barack's supervisor in a

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See it at the Movies

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SOUTHSIDE WITH YOU 

* * *

(Michelle & Barack's first date)

Tika Sumptner plays Michelle Robinson and Parker Sawyers plays Barack Obama in this charming, talky little movie that imagines what their first date was like.

Michelle is Barack's supervisor in a major Chicago law firm, where he is a summer associate. He invites her to a community meeting, picking her up hours ahead of time, anticipating an afternoon that includes a visit to an art gallery, a walk in the park and lunch. Being his "superior,” she insists that this is not a date ("It's a date when I say it's a date").

At first she is completely standoffish, not allowing him to probe her past, her personal thoughts, or even her feelings about major issues, at one point being offended by his seemingly judgmental attitude. She slowly softens as she learns more about this man, his background, his ideals and his talents as a motivator.

Barack's presentation to a black community group fighting for a community center softens her attitude and feelings toward the man, and you can guess how the first date shapes the course of history.

"Southside With You" is a nice little movie, heavy on conversation, with some of the old late ’80s songs playing in the background. A visit to an art museum displaying some great art adds to the visual pleasure. The movie is a pleasant, if not overwhelming, hour and a half.

Rated PG-13 with minor profanity and Obama's chain smoking. DON'T BREATHE

* * * ½

(Breathless, brutal thriller)

Teenagers alone in a creepy house being chased by a mad killer? Not our cup of tea, by far.

Joyce stayed home, and out of curiosity after reading a brief synopsis, I went to see "Don't Breathe." And was I surprised!

Starring four actors and a director I was unfamiliar with, this breathless, brutal thriller had me hooked from the opening scene, picturing a man dragging a woman's body down a dark street, leaving a trail of blood.

The story starts by introducing us to three young people from difficult backgrounds, trying to give us a little sympathy for their characters, who survive by breaking into houses.

Learning that a blind veteran lives in a rundown house in a run-down Detroit neighborhood, sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars, they decide to rid him of his money and move on to a better place. They break into the house with some difficulty. (There's a vicious dog. Remember the dog.) The house has an elaborate security system and a few booby trap surprises.

The old vet is awakened and the nonstop game begins, with dire consequences. While the man is blind, his other senses are sharp and his familiarity with the house is advantageous. Shadowy scenes with all the lights out in the eerie basement are classic. Creaky boards and slight movements give the invaders away. The old man has a gun with many rounds of ammunition. And then there's that dog.

Who, if anyone, will survive? One character is killed early on.

And then there's that complete surprise in the basement, and another one late in the hour and a half film. There are a couple of twists at the end, preceded by some brutal violence that may be a bit hard for some to take. There are at least five "jump scenes”; they got me good one time.

While most movies of this genre have the teens or families chasing ghosts and apparitions, the conflict between the three characters and a real, live person adds to the suspense. If you like this type of movie, you will love "Don't Breath.”

Rated a big R, with lots of violence, blood, creepiness, profanity and a scary sexual scene.

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