12.29.2016

Hidden Figures - Review

PG  |   |  Drama
Review - Matt Mungle

In theaters 01.06.17

Synopsis: A team of African-American women provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to launch the program's first successful space missions.

ReviewRarely do we get a PG rated film with as much depth and story as HIDDEN FIGURES. The untold story of three mathematical wizards working at NASA in a time when women, especially African-American women, were  unheard of. At times humorous and always inspiring; this is a very enjoyable film.

Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle MonĂ¡e) are focused on in this story. Each of them completely motivated and talented in their own field. Race is only one of the hurdles facing these ladies. All three are driven to overcome the obstacles of the day in order to achieve notoriety in a man's world.

If the tale was not intriguing enough it is told against the backdrop of the early space race between Russia and the US. It was a time in American history when every citizen had their eyes on the skies. The fear that the Russians would not only beat us to the moon but drop bombs on us in the meantime had everyone on edge. Hidden Figures also focuses on this element and the team at NASA who were responsible to get Glenn (Glen Powell) in to orbit.

Kevin Costner plays Al Harrison the man in charge of it all. He is tasked managing the team and getting the job done. Costner gives us what we expect and it is a typical performance. Nothing we haven't seen from him before but it works here. Jim Parsons also stars as a NASA mathematician and it is fun to watch him in the role. You actually don't like him much which is a contrast to his Big Bang Theory character. Other notable supporting roles include Kirsten Dunst and Mahershala Ali.

Henson is fantastic in this role and helps the simplistic script. Although the story is great and the characters fresh the writing takes very few risks. Even the drama never feels heavy but skirts around the issues of the day modestly. This helps keep the PG rating but some may find it too light and fluffy. Much of the tension is erased with a convenient solution. The turmoil of the day is viewed through a different lens than other movies that deal with gender and race equality. It is actually refreshing and removes any agenda and allows the wonderful moments to shine through.

Rated PG for thematic elements and some language HIDDEN FIGURES is a film the entire family can enjoy. A cast of award winning men and women plus the inspiring story make it one of the better well rounded films of the Holidays. It gets 4 out of 5 blastoffs. If this is a sign of what 2017 has in store then it is going to be a wonderful year for movies indeed.

12.27.2016

My end of year movie recap

Hopefully these lists are more inspiring than the blog title.

From the 147 movies I saw this year.

MY TOP FILMS 
1. - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
2. - La La Land
3. - Sing Street
4. - Captain Fantastic
5. - 20th Century Women
6. - Manchester by the Sea
7. - Star Trek Beyond
8. - The Handmaiden
9. - Sully
10. - Nocturnal Animals
11. - The Accountant
12. - Neon Demon
13 - Live by Night
14. - Lion
15. - The Founder

LESSER KNOWN FILMS THAT NEED MENTIONING
1. - The Lobster - For originality
2. - The Handmaiden - For the cinematography
3. - Tower - For the concept
4. - White Girl - For Morgan Saylor's performance
5. - Don't Think Twice - For it all

WORST FILMS
1. - American Honey
2. - The Finest Hours
3. - Certain Women
4. - Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
5. - Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
6. - The Girl on the Train

MOVIES I THOUGHT I WOULD LOVE BUT DIDN'T 
1. - Swiss Army Man (Everyone raved.. but it totally fell flat for me)
2. - Jackie (Love Natalie and wanted wow. Got awkward)
3. - Sausage Party (Would have been a hilarious 5 minute skit)
4. - Hail Caesar! (Hail no)
5. - The Secret Life of Pets (All the good kibble was in the trailer bowl)

MOVIES I THOUGHT I WOULD HATE BUT DIDN'T
1. - Kubo and the Two Strings (Such an amazing story that captured my heart)
2. - Hacksaw Ridge (I am not a fan of war but this was very well done)
3. - A Monster Calls (An emotional powerhouse. Very unexpected)
4. - The Legend of Tarzan (Action packed and felt like a super hero jungle flick)

FAVORITE MOVIE MOMENTS (may contain spoilers but will try not to)
1. - Fences - Anytime Viola Davis spoke
2. - Captain America Civil War - Iron Man recruits Spiderman
3. - Sing Street - Brother to brother conversation
4. - The Founder - When Ray Kroc orders his first McDonalds burger
5. - Star Trek Beyond - Sabotage retro jam

TOP MOVIE POSTERS
1. - Jackie
2. - American Honey
3. - The Neon Demon
4. - Green Room
5. - Christine