By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Spike Lee has done it again. The 63-year-old filmmaker?s latest movie,
?Da 5 Bloods? which is currently on
Netflix, is a searing and masterful work that depicts the experience of African-American Vietnam War veterans.
It?s a subject that surprisingly has long been overlooked in Hollywood films. Yet, ?Da 5 Bloods? is so much more than just a war movie.
Lee has always pushed the cinematic envelope and makes films that matter; that educate as well as entertain. Last year he took home an Oscar for ?Best Adapted Screenplay? for ?BlacKkKlansman.?
The critical acclaim swirling around ?Da 5 Bloods? is fully warranted. This movie is simply outstanding, and the entire cast is remarkable.
Delroy Lindo (TV?s ?The Good Fight?), Isiah Whitlock Jr, (?BlacKkKlansman?), Clarke Peters (Upcoming, ?Sexual Healing?) and Norm Lewis (TV?s ?Mrs. America?) star as four Vietnam vets who return to Vietnam to recover some gold they buried there, as well as pay respect to their fallen comrade, Stormin? Norman (Chadwick Boseman, ?21 Bridges? and upcoming ?Ma Rainey?s Black Bottom?). They are later joined by Paul?s estranged son David (Jonathan Majors, ?The Last Black Man in San Francisco?). David is really there to try and keep his hot-headed, father in check.
Otis (Peters) arranged the risky expedition and it involves them working with an unscrupulous French money launderer (Jean Reno, TV?s ?Call My Agent?). Really, Otis has another reason to make the trek. While stationed in Saigon he fell in love with a Vietnamese woman named Tien Luu (a terrific Le Y Lan) and while reconnecting with her, he discovers he has a daughter (Sandy Huong Pham).
It?s not long before several other unexpected things happen that threaten their mission and their strong bond.
Lee?s skillful use of archival war and political footage--as well as the film?s dynamic Terence Blanchard score--resonates against today?s explosive political climate and makes ?Da 5 Bloods? a must-see.
N2Entertainment.net and other select press from The Critics' Choice Association recently participated in a Virtual Press Conference for
Spike Lee's new movie, "Da 5 Bloods."
Lee, Lindo and Majors discussed how making ?Da 5 Bloods? impacted them and why the film is so relevant today.
click here to listen/download.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays now at 6:20 p.m. on radio station KFBK 1530 AM and 93.1 FM.
Watch This Trailer For
"DA 5 BLOODS"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of The Broadcast Film Critics? Association (BFCA), The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC), The Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
