Movies: Spring 2024

Monarch Movie Recommendations

DON’T TELL MOM THE BABYSITTER’S DEAD
Director:wade Allain-Marcusstarring: Simone Joy Jones, Jermaine Fowler, June Squibb, Iantha Richardson

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead delivers a nostalgic blend of comedy and coming-of-age charm. Simone Joy Jones shines in her role, infusing the character with charisma and relatability. The film follows a group of kids as they navigate the hilarious and often absurd situations that arise after their babysitter’s untimely demise. Jones’s performance anchors the film, balancing humor and heart with ease. While the plot may verge on the formulaic, the genuine chemistry among the cast and witty dialogue keep audiences engaged throughout. Overall, it’s a lighthearted and enjoyable ride down memory lane, perfect for a fun movie night.

WE GROWN NOW
Director: Minhal Baig≪Br /≫ Starring: Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, Lil Rel Howery, Jurnee Smollett

We Grown Now is a refreshing comedy that brings laughter and warmth to the screen while anchored by the comedic talent of Lil Rel Howery. The film follows a group of childhood friends navigating the complexities of adulthood, from relationships to career struggles. Howery’s charismatic performance injects the film with humor and heart, making it relatable to audiences of all ages. While some plot points may feel familiar, the genuine chemistry among the cast and witty dialogue keep the story engaging. With its blend of humor and heart, We Grown Now is a delightful reminder that growing up doesn’t mean losing your sense of fun.

AMERICAN DREAM: THE 21 SAVAGE STORY
Director: Stephen Glover, Jamla Olori, Luis Perez, Fam Udeorji≪Br /≫ Starring: Donald Glover, Caleb Mclaughlin, 21 Savage, Jabari Banks

American Dream: The 21 Savage Story offers a compelling glimpse into the life of rapper 21 Savage and blends raw honesty with introspection. Through interviews and archival footage, the documentary explores his journey from the streets of Atlanta to hip-hop stardom, shedding light on the challenges he faced along the way. The candid reflections of 21 Savage provide a poignant narrative thread revealing the complexities of fame, identity, and social justice. Directorial finesse ensures a balanced portrayal, capturing both the triumphs and tribulations of his rise to prominence. With its insightful storytelling and powerful message, American Dream offers a thought-provoking exploration of the pursuit of success in modern America.

BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F
Director: Mark Molloy≪Br /≫ Starring: Eddie Murphy, Kevin Bacon, Taylour Paige

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F breathes new life into the iconic franchise, with Eddie Murphy reprising his role as the irrepressible Axel Foley. This action-packed sequel delivers the same blend of wit, charm, and adrenaline that made the original a classic. Murphy’s magnetic performance drives the film, infusing every scene with his trademark humor and charisma. While the plot may feel somewhat formulaic, the dynamic action sequences and clever dialogue keep the audience hooked from start to finish. With its nostalgic nods to the past and fresh energy, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a worthy addition to the series, sure to thrill fans old and new.

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE
Director: Michael Sarnoski≪Br /≫ Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou

A Quiet Place: Day One expands upon the gripping universe of its predecessor with tension, terror, and heart. Lupita Nyong’o delivers a captivating performance, anchoring the film with emotional depth and resilience. Set in a world overrun by sound-sensitive monsters, the narrative explores the origins of the apocalypse, unveiling the harrowing journey of survival. Director Michael Sarnoski masterfully crafts suspenseful sequences, utilizing silence as a tool to amplify fear. While it maintains the intensity of the original, the sequel enriches the story with new layers of intrigue and character development. A Quiet Place: Day One is a riveting continuation that solidifies its status as a modern horror classic.

SEPTEMBER GRAY
Proprietor of September Gray Fine Art Gallery

BIO 

Gray’s life’s work is a reflection of her enduring passion for the arts. Following a noteworthy career in the performing arts, Gray launched a successful fine art consultancy practice wherein she was celebrated for her ability to assist corporate and private collectors with articulating and executing single acquisition and long–term collecting strategies. Gray’s career in the arts and decade as an art consultant inform her role as gallerist. An avid collector, Gray has a talent for “speaking the language” of both artist and collector and a knack for connecting the gallery’s clients to works by artists whose vision and methodologies resonate with their individual tastes, complement their existing collections and honor their overall investment strategy and appetite for risk. Gray holds a B.A. in Art History from DePaul University. A committed art education advocate, Gray serves on a number of non-profit boards and is co-founder of The Gray Foundation, an organization committed to building a world of enriched life options for youth through the promotion of art and education. Gray shares art news and collection strategies in her electronic quarterly journal, The Gray Book.

https://septembergrayart.com/

JUSTIN SULIVAN, CFP
Senior Vice President Market Leader

BIO 

Justin oversees a team of professionals striving to achieve the highest level of client satisfaction. His top priority is that the team not only meets, but also exceeds the client’s expectations. Through Justin’s leadership and commitment, he helps ensure that the client benefits form a full complement of investment, trust, financial planning and private banking services to help them achieve their financial goals.

XAVIER DANIELS

BIO  

Paintings are influenced by his experiences with brotherhood at both Morehouse and as a firefighter. In creating his art, he is actively thinking about the perception of black men and attempting to be a catalyst for a different view on the black male experience. According to Daniels, the conversations happening in popular culture about black males leave them invisible in discussions about themselves. The portraits of black men Daniels creates are large in an effort to symbolically assert black male presence into those conversations. His work has been shown around the world through Almine Rech and Richard Beavers Gallery. Xavier lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia.

https://xavierdaniels.com/

MARRYAM MOMA

BIO

A Tanzanian-Nigerian visual artist based in Atlanta, GA, is renowned for her prolific exhibition history. Moma’s dedication to her art has earned her prestigious residencies at The Migration Artist Residency, Atlanta, GA, and a blended residency and teaching opportunity at The Swimming HoleFoundation in Upstate NY. The Hambidge Center for the Arts awarded her a Distinguished Artist Fellowship, enriching her narrative-driven solo exhibitions like “ICONoclasts.” This showing intertwines paper cut elements to celebrate and empower revolutionary Black figures. Moma continues to innovate within her practice, expanding her presence through murals, public art installations and exhibitions including an indoor mural for Clark Atlanta universities student innovation lounge sponsored by Dell Technologies and Home depot, ICONoclasts Atlanta building-wide public installation sponsored by Dashboard and If Not Us then Who public digital art mural sponsored by A&E Atlanta. 

https://www.marryammoma.com/

DL WARFIELD

BIO

Atlanta-based artist DL Warfield, a veteran artist who has consistently proven himself a talent of the highest caliber – one who has delivered at the highest levels repeatedly throughout his life and career. Yes, many artists are talented; DL Warfield is prolific.

Warfield’s body of work proves his instinctive knowledge and understanding of pop culture and has given him a permanent place at the cutting edge of the new and next. From St. Louis to New York City, Atlanta and worldwide, his talent, skill and endless creativity have taken him to the top of his field again and again, and he intends to push forward wherever a path to artistic excellence can be forged.

The following is a snapshot of his works and clientele. 

Nike, Sprite, Heineken, Anheuser-Busch, Geffen Records, Sony Entertainment, DreamWorks, Sony Music, OutKast Inc., Universal Records, Boys & Girls Clubs, HBO, Virgin Records, Coca-Cola, Adidas, Vibe Magazine, automotive giant Ford Motor Company. He designed the branding for the City of Atlanta’s Film and Entertainment office and at the same time, His fine art has been featured at national landmarks, including the Time-Life Building in New York City, and the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY, which he loaned two original pieces for three years.

https://dlwarfield.com/

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region. 

www.eddiefontno.com

RSVP

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ROBERT KOOL BELL| LE KOOL CHAMPAGNE

BIO

For many years, Robert Kool Bell, Leader and Co-founder of Kool & The Gang, sought out Grand Cru Vineyards from owners that have been selling for generations and decided to work with Paul Berthelot a Multi-Vintage producer since 1884. Voila The Celebration Champagne was born! 

https://lekoolchampagne.com

EDDIE FONTNO

BIO

A native of the Bronx, New York, is most inspired by the brilliance and uniqueness of excellence within the African American culture. The subjects of his work have all possessed a transformative greatness, which paved the way and changed the lives of many, providing a guiding light for the world around them. Fontno takes a subtle approach and focuses on that “light” to capture the detailed nuances through his usage of graphite and oil paint (black and white) that enhances the contrast between light and dark. Fontno’s never-ending quest to find truth and beauty in its most natural form is reflective in the choice of figures in his pieces; paying homage to those who have in some way shaped his view of the world and positively affected his evolution as an artist, father and man. Fontno attended the High School of Art & Design in New York, New York and Howard University in Washington, DC. His work has been displayed in the White House (Madam Vice President Kamala Harris’ private office) and the much-acclaimed October Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa. He has also been commissioned for portraits throughout the Northeast region.

Website: www.eddiefontno.com