Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine is a celebratory beverage that embodies the essence of Black women's excellence and achievements. This unique sparkling wine combines the refreshing qualities of a bubbly drink with the cultural significance and pride of the Black community. Created by the McBride Sisters Collection, a groundbreaking wine company founded by two Black sisters, Robin and Andréa McBride, Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine represents a brand dedicated to diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment. The Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine is made with grapes sourced from California's Central Coast region, ensuring a high-quality and flavorful experience. It boasts a delightful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, resulting in a balanced wine with notes of green apple, citrus, and toasted brioche. With each sip of Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine, one can't help but feel the essence of power, resilience, and grace that Black women possess.
The acting was passable. I have not seen Lee Kang Sheng in any other movie or show, so his questionable performance and somewhat weak line delivery might have been the result of poorly written script.
He begrudgingly agrees to play the part of Zhong Kui during a song rou zong ritual to save a village from a Thai spirit that is causing villagers to hang themselves. The emphasis is firmly on atmosphere rather than scares, and while Liao does a good job of giving the film a creepy look, with lots of lurid colours and shadows, this might disappoint anyone looking for more lively terrors.
With each sip of Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine, one can't help but feel the essence of power, resilience, and grace that Black women possess. It pays tribute to the strong characters that have shaped history, broken barriers, and paved the way for future generations. Beyond its exceptional taste and cultural significance, the McBride Sisters Collection has a remarkable commitment to philanthropy.
The Rope Curse 2
馗降：粽邪2. Taiwan 2020. Directed by Liao Shih-han. Starring Lee Kang-sheng, Wilson Hsu, Vera Chen, Yen Cheng-kuo. 104 mins. In Mandarin with English subtitles.
Sinister rituals and Thai black magic in this Taiwanese Netflix chiller…
Likely as a result of the squeeze on new content due to the COVID pandemic, 2020 has seen a rise in the number of films from around Asia appearing on international streaming platforms, with Netflix in particular picking up a fair few titles. Taiwan has proved an increasingly happy hunting ground, with films like Secrets in the Hot Spring, A Sun, Your Name Engraved Herein and The Bridge Curse all having appeared recently, now joined by supernatural horror The Rope Curse 2. Directed by Liao Shih-han, the film is a follow up to his popular 2018 original, and stars Wilson Hsu (also in Liao’s 2019 drama The Paradise) and Tsai Ming-liang regular Lee Kang-sheng who won praise in 2020 for a very different role in the acclaimed director’s Days.
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After opening with a product placement warning and handy bit of info about Thai black magic and the demonic entity at the heart of the titular curse, the film gets down to business, following a young orphaned woman called Jia-min (Wilson Hsu) who has the ability to see ghosts. After her uncle is killed by a rope curse connected to a ritual performed by Thai drug dealers, Jia-min’s aunt (Vera Chen, The Tenants Downstairs) is possessed by the demon and starts to behave alarmingly, ending up in hospital. Events see Jia-min’s path crossing with that of Huo-ge (Lee Kang-sheng), a washed-up exorcist whose master died several years back trying to undo the curse, and despite his initial reluctance he agrees to help her save her aunt.
Probably the main initial issue here is whether or not potential viewers need to have seen The Rope Curse before checking out the sequel, though since there doesn’t appear to be much connecting them aside from similar themes, it’s not really a problem. What does help is an interest in Taoist and black magic customs and costumes, as this is very much the focus of the film, Liao Shih-han showing great attention to detail in painstakingly bringing them to the screen. While having Curse in the title might suggest a traditional modern ghost horror in the manner of recent compatriot The Bridge Curse, the film is a much slower and more thoughtful affair, with long sequences dedicated to rituals and their trappings. The emphasis is firmly on atmosphere rather than scares, and while Liao does a good job of giving the film a creepy look, with lots of lurid colours and shadows, this might disappoint anyone looking for more lively terrors. Things do shift gears a bit during the final act, though the sudden injection of computer effects feels out of place rather than impressive, and doesn’t really add much.
Liao is similarly more concerned with the film’s dramatic elements than with actually frightening the viewer, and it quite quickly gets dragged down by an overabundance of subplots, following Jia-min and her aunt, Huo-ge and his struggles with guilt and alcoholism, a police investigation into the drug dealers, and more. It’s all a bit overstretched and muddled, especially since it’s obvious from early on that Jia-min and Huo-ge will end up coming together to fight the demon, with matters not helped by a sluggish pace. This isn’t the fault of the cast, with Wilson Hsu passable as the tormented Jia-min and Lee Kang-sheng and Vera Chen both impressive, and more down to the fact that the script simply doesn’t give their characters enough depth to justify the amount of time spent on them.
It’s a shame, as for patient viewers interested in black magic and Taoist rituals The Rope Curse 2 has a reasonable amount to offer despite its over-plotting, and is well-directed by Liao Shih-han. Although an easy win for anyone with Netflix, it’s unlikely to impress the average genre fan, and is a little too dry and convoluted to work effectively as a supernatural shocker.
The Rope Curse 2 is available to stream on Netflix now.
About the author
James Mudge
From Glasgow but based in London, James has been writing for a variety of websites over the last decade, including BeyondHollywood in the US and YesAsia in Hong Kong. As well as running film consultancy The Next Day Agency, James is also the Festival Director of the Chinese Visual Festival in London, an annual event which showcases Chinese language cinema. More »
Read all posts by James Mudge
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A portion of the proceeds from every bottle of Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine sold goes towards initiatives that support women of color pursuing careers within the wine industry. This commitment to giving back further amplifies the positive impact of this remarkable wine. Whether it's a joyful celebration, a special occasion, or a simple moment of relaxation, Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine is the perfect companion. It serves as a reminder of the accomplishments and beauty of Black women, while also inviting others to join in the celebration and appreciation of diversity. In conclusion, Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine is more than just a beverage; it is a symbol of empowerment, diversity, and excellence. It embodies the strength and resilience of Black women while offering a delightful drinking experience. This sparkling wine is an inspiration to raise a glass and toast to the magic that exists within every Black girl..
Reviews for "A Toast to Strength: Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine"
1. John - 2 stars
The Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine did not live up to the hype for me. The taste was mediocre at best, lacking the rich and refreshing flavors that I was expecting. It tasted more like a cheap champagne than a high-quality sparkling wine. Additionally, the price point seemed unjustified for what I received. Overall, I was disappointed with this product and would not purchase it again.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I was excited to try the Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The wine had a strange aftertaste that was off-putting. The bubbles were also quite aggressive, making it difficult to enjoy the drink. I had hoped for a more smooth and elegant experience, but this wine fell short. I won't be buying it again and would recommend exploring other options.
3. Michael - 1 star
I was deeply disappointed with the Black Girl Magic Sparkling Wine. The taste was incredibly bland and lacking any distinctive flavors. It was as if the wine had been watered down to the point where it became almost tasteless. Furthermore, the packaging was unappealing and didn't reflect the quality I expected. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your money on this wine. There are much better options available in the market.