Movies: Spring 2025

Monarch Movie Recommendations

THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
Director: Wes Anderson Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch

The Phoenician Scheme is a gripping thriller that takes audiences on a high-stakes journey through intrigue, power, and betrayal. Set against the backdrop of the ancient Phoenician empire’s legacy, the film explores a modern-day conspiracy involving a group of ambitious individuals attempting to harness forgotten secrets for global dominance. The complex plot weaves together historical clues and contemporary action, creating a layered narrative that keeps viewers on edge. The performances are stellar, with each character bringing depth to a story filled with suspense. Director Wes Anderson does a remarkable job of blending historical mystery with cutting-edge cinematography. While some aspects of the story may feel far-fetched, The Phoenician Scheme succeeds in delivering a thought-provoking, fast-paced cinematic experience that leaves an impression long after the credits roll.

THUNDERBOLTS*
Director: Jake Schreier Starring: Florence Pugh, Lewis Pullman, Sebastian Stan

Thunderbolts* follows a ragtag group of antiheroes who, after being caught in a deadly trap, are thrust into a perilous mission. Tasked with facing a common enemy, the team is forced to reckon with their troubled pasts, each burdened by secrets and guilt. The film delves into themes of redemption, identity, and the complex nature of heroism. As tensions rise and the stakes grow higher, the characters’ vulnerabilities are exposed, making them question their motives and alliances. In a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, Thunderbolts* challenges the notion of what it means to be a hero, offering a fresh take on the superhero genre with a focus on moral ambiguity and personal growth.

THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA
Director: Samir Oliveros Starring: Paul Walter Hauser, Walton Goggins, Shamier Anderson

The Luckiest Man in America is an intriguing blend of suspense, humor, and underdog triumph. The film follows an ice cream truck driver, an ordinary man with extraordinary luck, who stumbles upon a hidden method to rig the game show Press Your Luck. As he navigates the thrilling world of high stakes, his journey becomes a quest not only for money but for self-discovery and redemption. The movie’s charm lies in its portrayal of the everyday hero who, despite his humble beginnings, finds himself entangled in a game of strategy and fate. With sharp wit and an engaging plot, The Luckiest Man in America delivers a compelling story about chance, ambition, and what it really means to be lucky

SINNERS
Director: Ryan Coogler Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Tenaj Jackson, Saul Williams

Sinners is a gripping supernatural horror film, written, produced, and directed by Ryan Coogler, set in the 1930s in the American South. The film delves deep into the dark underbelly of the era, exploring themes of sin, guilt, and redemption against a backdrop of eerie, otherworldly forces. As a town haunted by an ancient curse grapples with its troubled past, the narrative weaves together elements of horror, folklore, and psychological drama. Coogler’s direction masterfully builds tension, while the strong performances from the cast amplify the film’s emotional depth. With its haunting atmosphere and moral undertones, Sinners delivers a chilling examination of how history and superstition collide, leaving audiences questioning the nature of evil and the boundaries between the living and the dead.

F1
Director: Joseph Kosinski Starring: Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Damson Idris

The highly anticipated F1, featuring Brad Pitt, is set to immerse audiences in the thrilling world of Formula One racing. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film brings high-speed action to the big screen, blending the intensity of professional motorsport with the personal struggles of its characters. Pitt plays a seasoned driver navigating the brutal competition, rivalries, and sacrifices that come with the sport. Known for his commitment to roles, Pitt underwent intense training to authentically portray the physicality and precision of F1 racing. With breathtaking cinematography, a gripping storyline, and an inside look at the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula One, this film promises to be a fast-paced, heart-pounding experience for both racing fans and casual moviegoers.

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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9:30PM to 11:30 PM!

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