And the Oscar goes to...

Rating: 9/10 (13 August 2018)

BlacKkKlansman is an expertly made movie in every conceivable way. The acting, directing, writing, cinematography, editing, and music all mesh wonderfully to create one of my favorite movies of the year so far. I have been hearing about BlacKkKlansman all summer long as it came hot off the festival circuit, so my expectations were high, and boy did it live up to them. With the exception of a few on-the-nose lines, Spike Lee wrote and directed a movie that subtly and almost flawlessly drew stark comparisons with America today and the turmoil of the early 1970s. Detective Ron Stalworth is a torn man. Torn between helping to liberate and empower black Americans and uphold the law. How he manages to tow the line is by infiltrating and sabotaging the local KKK chapter. This movie is funny, poignant, and most of all horrifying. Like many movies that depict the race relations of the post-civil rights era, there are scenes and characters in this movie that will make your skin crawl and make you feel sick to your stomach. However, it's not without it's charm. Lee inserts just enough larger than life humor to keep you from becoming completely emotionally spent. The acting is also superb throughout, with every single major and minor character giving it their all. John David Washington was amazing as the lead, but Topher Grace and Adam Driver stole the show for me. I hope all three of these actors are in the conversation come Oscar season. Speaking of awards, I will be truly amazed if BlacKkKlansman doesn't just clean up next year at the Oscars. As I said, I thought every piece of this movie was well executed, but I in particular will be upset if it doesn't get nominations for directing, adapted screenplay, and of course best picture. This movie is not only wildly entertaining but also gravely important. I hope every person in America sees this movie because its message needs to be shared.