Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Hate U Give (2018)


What is it about? 

After witnessing the fatal shooting of her best friend by a police officer, Starr finds herself in a crossroads in having to find her voice, and stand up for the injustice.

Who is in it? 

Amanda Stenberg - Starr Carter

Regina Hall - Lisa Carter

Russell Hornsby - Maverick Carter

Favorite Scene:

After witnessing their father (Maverick) slammed into the glass and harassed by Police officer, Maverick has his kids line up on the grass upon arriving home, and reminds them to not let anyone silence them.

Favorite Quote: 

Carlos: [solemnly] It's a complicated world

Starr Carter: [dismissive] It's not that complicated

Review:

This was a tough watch for me. Not because The Hate U Give is a terrible movie. In fact, if you watched this film without having read the book, it's fine as is. However, as is the case many times, the film just doesn't capture the beauty and rawness around racism, inequality, injustice, and all of the emotions involved that the book does. All of the characters also just feel incomplete in the movie - particularly that of Chris.

With all of that said, because if we compared films to their book counterparts, we will always have this same conversation. Nonetheless, The Hate U Give (as a film) is tremendous and has various important scenes that can be pulled, unpacked, and discussed for any person searching through issues impacted by race, or for any discussion or classroom looking at inequality.

 All in all, much like Crash, this film will be looked upon for diversity concerns for years to come.

Grade: 3/5

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...

The Pondering 10 - Yankees All-Decade Team for 2010s

I thought I would stay away from the "all-decade" shenanigans, but I got suckered in after all. Around here, end of year rankings, reviews, and reflections rule, so why not compose a list that embodies it all? And why not put together a list around my beloved Yankees? Especially in a decade in which they DID NOT win the World Series. Gasp! With all of that said, please see below not only my list of the Yankees All-Decade Team (because everyone can filter by position), but also by importance and contribution throughout the decade.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/13/26

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. 25th Anniversary of 9/11 It is sort of hard to imagine that it has been twenty-five years since that awful day. It's been fifteen years since I've shared my experience as a High Schooler in Brooklyn, NY , and everything that came with that day (and the many to follow afterwards).  The world changed, and to this day, it still feels hard to grasp what happened (and what transpired with the health of so many afterwards). The lives lost, and the damage done. My son learned about 9/11, and his questions around it ignite some of that struggle with thought around it.  Daddy, how did they get the planes?  Did the building just, like, fall over?  On this 25th anniversary, it is even more concerning to see how the day is also politicized and sometimes weaponized in culture wars. I remember Americ...