By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Movie review: Stylish 'Black Panther' takes Marvel fans deep into mythological Africa
4b67236af47e2ad5dbf4d3ade955cd6324af7978e3cc83e3a940cb59b665f811
Okoye (Danai Gurira) in Black Panther." - photo by Josh Terry
BLACK PANTHER 3 stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Letitia Wright; PG-13 (prolonged sequences of action violence and a brief rude gesture); in general release

The first superhero film on the 2018 calendar has arrived, and its a unique entry among Marvels ever-expanding cast of characters.

Ryan Cooglers Black Panther picks up sometime after the events of 2016s Captain America: Civil War, which introduced us to Prince TChalla (Chadwick Boseman), the masked protector of the African nation of Wakanda who had to take up the Black Panther mantle after the death of his father.

Cooglers film takes us to Wakanda, where we are introduced to a highly developed, hidden city that pairs advanced technology and traditional African aesthetic hand in hand. The city is located on top of a massive deposit of vibranium, the same material Tony Starks father used to build Captain Americas shield. Wakandas heart has long been hidden from the rest of the world, and the Black Panther has been its official protector for generations.

When we catch up with TChalla, he is going through a formal process that will officially name him king of Wakanda. To do so, he will have to face down any challengers from one of Wakandas five tribes, which really only becomes an issue when it comes to the reclusive Jabari tribe, led by MBaku (Winston Duke).

Once in place, TChalla is able to turn his attention to Wakandas more external threats, namely Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), a black-market dealer who has a taste for vibranium. But eventually TChalla is forced to recognize a much more serious threat from a mysterious man named Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who has a dark connection to TChallas past.

The conflict between TChalla and Killmonger drives Black Panthers drama, in addition to its sociological and even political themes. It isnt too heavy-handed, but unlike other recent Marvel outings, Black Panther feels like it wants to make a statement.

The film is pretty straight-laced and serious compared to the last few Marvel movies to grace the big screen, including last years Spider-Man: Homecoming, the second Guardians of the Galaxy film, and especially Taika Waititis Thor: Ragnarok (though, to be fair, Ragnarok would make anything short of a Monty Python routine appear straight-laced and serious).

There are a few light moments here and there, and TChallas sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) who functions as a kind of Wakanda Q to Black Panthers James Bond is a refreshing addition to a cast that also includes Lupita Nyongo as TChallas love interest Nakia, The Walking Deads Danai Gurira as the warrior General Okoye, and Angela Bassett as TChallas mother Ramonda. There's obviously nothing wrong with a sober tone, but it does rob Black Panther a little of its fun factor.

Coogler works hard to deliver on the action side of the equation, with an exciting sequence in South Korea and a climactic battle in Africa that carries a distinct Lord of the Rings vibe. Jordan brings gravitas as the films antagonist, and these kinds of movies are always elevated when the bad guy is more than a placeholder.

As a formal showcase for the Black Panther, Cooglers film should keep diehard Marvel fans happy, though as with most of the franchises standalone films that have come after 2012s Avengers film, its easy to feel that you should be seeing a bit more participation from the characters that are just offscreen. Of course, considering Mays upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, greedy Marvel fans should probably be careful what they wish for.

Black Panther is rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence and a brief rude gesture; running time: 134 minutes.
Sign up for our e-newsletters
New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
15a28f62e4e53fcceb32746533cbdfdf48abb7c7d42a28dbb1aeb1083721f23b
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
Latest Obituaries