He’s the biggest star at this moment, bearing witness to the ascension and conversion of one sports figure and the retirement of another. Odom, a Tony winner for “ Hamilton,” is pure joy singing Cooke’s songs, leaning into the performances even when he’s just casually singing to himself. Yet, each actor excels in his part, masterfully handling their individual moments as well as their ensemble scenes. One can’t envy the intimidating undertaking this cast is tasked with in this film. And if Malcolm X weren’t already electrifying in his speeches and his autobiography, Denzel Washington immortalized him in Spike Lee’s 1992 masterpiece. Sam Cooke was one of the biggest singers of his era, doing concerts and appearances you can easily find on YouTube. Ali played himself in “ The Greatest,” and Will Smith got an Oscar nomination as Ali as well.
Brown and Ali were larger than life as sports figures on the TV and as characters on the big screen. The accomplishments of King and her actors are even more impressive when you stop to think about the shadows these men cast, both in their real-life incarnations and their cinematic representations.
This is a very good film, full of memorable performances and thought-provoking speeches and arguments. Absent the prying eyes of “polite company,” these men strip their masks and dive headfirst into the invigorating and deep pool of “keeping it a hundred.” I’ve quoted Ossie Davis’ “Purlie Victorious” line before, but it’s appropriate here too: “Being Black can be a lot of fun when ain’t nobody lookin’.” These men know it, and “One Night In Miami” shows it to us.
The result is a riveting drama that at times evokes Spike Lee and Reggie Bythewood’s “Get On The Bus.” Both films allow us to sit with Black men and listen to them engage one another with the honesty and freedom they can only fully enjoy without the presence of White America. He imagines what they said to each other during their real-life meeting, and the writing finds an emotional accuracy within its dramatic license. Solorio, Christian W.Adapting his play, screenwriter Kemp Powers peppers his scenario with historical facts and truths about each of his characters. SmithĪlfonso Barragan-Cruz, Natalie Cardenas Hernandez, Kyndra R. Cotton, Sara Gabbert, Raegan Lester, Noor Mohsin, Jolette Nunez-Navarro, Madison Rohman, Romi A. Ward Gangeįollowing are members of the Winlock High School’s first-semester principal’s list, with GPAs of 3.5 or above. Creach, Vanessa Cruz Guijosa, Bailey Gelder, Elizabeth Gustafson, Alexander E. Boydstun, Gonzalo Conteras-Molina, Kyleigh H. Regino, Kylee Smith, Ricky Thompson, Chase Trodahl, Nazira Valencia Fray-Parmantier, Nevaeh Freitas, Adriana Garcia Gonzales, Emily Leikute, Addyson P. Gonzalez Figueroa, Madisen Keatley, Chloe Miller, Miriam Mohsin, Chase J. VelazcoĪustin Allen, Alfredo Alvarado, Zane Carson, Victor M. Butterton, Savannah Cline, Gabriela Cruz Guijosa, Josmely Cruz Ramirez, Rylei L. Students are listed in alphabetical order. Following are members of the Winlock High School’s first-semester honors list, with GPAs of 3.0 or above.