Movies: Winter 2024

Monarch Movie Recommendations

KNIVES OUT 3
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig

Knives Out 3 continues the gripping mystery legacy with a fresh set of characters and a brilliant plot that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the charismatic detective Benoit Blanc, delivering another stellar performance. The film masterfully weaves together intricate clues, unexpected twists, and sharp humor, showcasing director Rian Johnson’s keen storytelling skills. The ensemble cast, which includes new additions, shines with exceptional chemistry and individual brilliance. Knives Out 3 successfully maintains the series’’ signature blend of suspense and wit, offering an entertaining and satisfying experience for both new and returning fans.

IN THE SHADOWS
Director: Anthony Wonke
Starring: Letitia Wright

In the Shadows skillfully documents Ramla Ali’s inspiring life, providing a nuanced portrayal of her challenges and triumphs. The film navigates Ali’s journey in the boxing world with a keen focus on her resilience and determination. It captures the emotional complexity of her identity and the societal obstacles she faces. The documentary successfully blends interviews, captivating visuals, and a compelling narrative, delivering a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of Ali’s remarkable story. It’s a testament to her indomitable spirit and the impact of her achievements.

ROLE PLAY
Director: Thomas Vincent
Starring: David Oyelowo, Kaley Cuoco, and Stephanie Levi-John

Role Play, starring David Oyelowo, is a riveting exploration of identity and relationships. Oyelowo delivers a powerhouse performance as the lead, navigating the complexities of his character with depth and nuance. The film’s narrative unfolds with suspenseful twists, offering a fresh perspective on societal expectations and personal struggles. The chemistry between the cast is palpable, contributing to the film’s emotional resonance. Oyelowo’s magnetic presence anchors the story, making Role Play a compelling and thought-provoking experience. With its strong performances and well-crafted storytelling, the movie captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression about the intricacies of human connection.

THE BOOK OF CLARENCE
Director: Jeymes Samuel
Starring: Lakeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, and Alfre Woodard

In the midst of urban hardship, Clarence’s quest for a brighter future for his family unfolds as a compelling drama. Faced with financial struggles, he battles the shackles of debt, embodying the resilience of the downtrodden. Amid this gritty narrative, a captivating twist emerges with the allure of a rising messiah and his apostles. The juxtaposition of streetwise struggles and spiritual fascination adds depth to the storyline, creating a nuanced exploration of hope, both earthly and divine. The fusion of Clarence’s earthly trials and the mystique surrounding the messiah offers a unique narrative layer, making the tale a poignant reflection on resilience and faith.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE
Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, Tosin Cole, and Nadine Marshall

The Bob Marley biopic, One Love, featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir, offers an intimate glimpse into the life of the legendary reggae icon. Ben-Adir’s compelling portrayal of Marley captures the spirit and charisma of the musical luminary. The film skillfully navigates Marley’s journey, exploring his early struggles, rise to fame, and enduring impact on global music and culture. The soundtrack, laden with Marley’s timeless hits, enhances the immersive experience. However, the film occasionally skims over certain aspects of Marley’s complex persona, leaving viewers craving more depth. Despite this, One Love successfully celebrates Marley’s legacy, making it a “must watch” for fans and those curious about his extraordinary life.

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

We are no longer accepting RSVPs for the Art of Luxury Lifestyle Dinner, but you are welcome to RSVP Here for the Portrait Reveal Event from
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