Kanika Jones

Cynthia Erivo is without question the Woman for the Job! The voice of an angel coupled with the grit of a warrior. Small in stature but undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. As a black woman I identify with the character “Harriet”. Her relationship with God is her foundation. She is led by the Spirit but very much aware of her responsibility to GO and then GO BACK! Slavery at its core was brutal, demoralizing and dehumanizing. We know we were branded, shackled, beaten, publicly humiliated, raped, bludgeoned, lynched, and beyond oppressed! Yet, the brilliance that we have coupled with the kindness of strangers (non-black) conductors that hid us in closets, built Attics for our babies and risked their lives also - we overcame. This movie gave us a 2 hour window into the mind of the liberators. I appreciate they told the same story with a new swagger. One that leaves you feeling inspired instead of depressed. I loved it!

This movie parallels its Rocky predecessors in a poignant way. It’s emotional, gritty, hard hitting, and attention grabbing, Sylvester Stallone is his normal level headed life coach self and Michael B. Jordan gives a passionate and believable effort. At times I forget the man is acting. He kind of reminds me of a new Denzel in his own right. The soundtrack to this movie is probably award worthy. I loved it!