Moonlight wins Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Drama but I disagree

Movie Title:   MOONLIGHT

Grade:  B

Rating:   R, 110 minutes

In a Nutshell: This intimate coming-of-age film slipped right past most movie-goers, since it didn’t play in a lot of theaters and hardly anyone saw a trailer for it; however, the Golden Globe film committee most definitely noticed it, already naming it “Best Picture - Drama” at the recent awards night. 

Do I think it’s the best picture of 2016?  No, definitely not.  There were quite a few I would put ahead of this one.

Is it a well-done movie?  Yes.  Critics are falling all over themselves about this film, but it’s not for everyone’s taste, nor for fun family viewing. 

Labeled by the studio as “the story of a lifetime,” it’s an Indie film about someone who is often overlooked in society: young, poor, black, and gay.

Uplifting theme: 

• “At some point you gotta decide who for yourself who you gonna be.  Can’t let nobody make that decision for you.” – Juan (Mahershala Ali)
• The influence others have on us and we have on others is incalculable.
• "Who is you?" - Kevin
• We all just want to be loved.

Things I liked:

• Mahershala Ali is excellent as Juan, the drug dealer who shows kindness to Little.
• Fans who fell in love with Janelle Monae in Hidden Figures ( I loved that movie!) will be pleased to see her again in this film.
• Fans of Naomie Harris in Collateral Beauty will enjoy seeing her too, although her character is extremely different than the one she plays next to Will Smith.  She gives an especially impressive performance in this one.
• This is not a film filled with CGI or big explosions, but powerful dialogue.  Even more powerful is what is not said.
• I thought it was interesting that Juan taught Little to never sit with his back against the door.  Tough neighborhood.  Good advice.
• The 3 acts that show us different stages of Chiron’s life blend together seamlessly to paint a portrait of a single identity being created.
• The all black cast gives powerful performances.  
• Alex Hibbert didn’t have to memorize a lot of lines, since he mostly eats and broods as Little.  But those eyes!  All three actors who play Chiron have incredibly expressive eyes: Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes.
• The movie poster is really great.

Things I didn’t like:

•  The music choices were sometimes quite odd.
• People mumble a lot, so it's often hard to understand what characters say.
• You will see a lot of sad, ugly moments.

Interesting lines:

• “You always let them pick on you.” – Kevin (Jaden Piner)

“So, what I gotta do?” – Little

“All you gotta do…show these “Ni***ers you ain’t soft.” - Kevin

“I’m not soft.” - Little

• “I know, I know, but it don’t mean nothing if they don’t know it.” – Kevin
• “You know my rule: it’s all love and pride in my house.” – Teresa
• “S***, I cry so much sometimes I feel like I’m going to turn into liquid.” – Chiron

“And just roll out into the water, right?” – Kevin  (Jharrel Jerome)

Funny lines:

• None.  This was a sad, heart-breaking film.

Tips for parents: 

• Lots of F-bombs and other profanity, including racist and sexist words.
• This is not a “feel” good family movie.  It earned its solid R rating because it features a very harsh family life, drugs, crime, poverty, homosexuality, bullying, profanity and sex.
• There are a couple of awkward, raw sex scenes.

@trinaboice 

Hidden Figures is an overdue movie with heart and humor

Movie Title:  Hidden Figures

Grade:  A

Rating:  PG, 127 minutes

• In a Nutshell: Based on true events, this uplifting film with a fantastic title shines the spotlight on some overlooked figures in history.   
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• While the movie features new math that was invented in order to get the first man to the moon, it was really about these African-American women who struggled as second-class citizens during the Civil Rights movement and who were pivotal to the success of NASA’s space program.

The film sheds inspiring light on the space race and Jim Crow laws of the 1960’s, one that lifted mankind to new heights and one that pushed them down.  This story was long overdue.

Uplifting theme: 

• “You know what’s dangerous?  Inaction and indecision.” – Jim Webb (Ken Strunk)
• “Discovery is not just for the sake of discovery, but survival.” – Al Harrison (Kevin Costner)
• “I looked beyond.” – Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae)
• “We set sail on this new sea because there is knowledge to be gained.” – Al Harrison
• “We all get to the peak together or we don’t’ get there at all.” – Al Harrison

Things I liked:

• Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, and Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer truly light up the screen. All of their performances were stellar (pun intended, and true.)
• Janelle Monae is absolutely fantastic as Mary Jackson and is a true stand-out.  From the minute you first see her on the screen, she radiates intelligence and determination.  Mary’s speech to the judge was outstanding. She has been in a few small movies since 2014, but I’m sure her career is going to really take off after this movie (yep, another intentional space pun.)
• Pharell Williams does a great job blending the sound of the 60’s with music that sounds current to today’s audience. Click here if you'd like to relive the music: Hidden Figures: The Album
• There is a lot of humor and heart.
• You get to see real footage from historical NASA events during the film, as well as pictures of these three important women at the end of the movie.
• When I was little, my father held a top position at Lockheed.  I remember going to visit the company at a special event for families.  They proudly showed off their computer room, which was filled with gigantic computers that stood from floor to ceiling.  It’s hard to believe that we can now fit a computer on our cell phones and in even smaller spaces.  How wonderful it is to live in the Information Age when knowledge is so easily obtainable.
• They did a great job setting the 1960’s environment with rotary phones, typewriters, etc.  Some of you young ones out there may have never seen those things before!
• Written and directed by Ted Melfi, who is more than welcome to bring more inspring stories like this to the Big Screen.
• John Glenn was considered a hottie of his day, appropriately played by Glen Powell.

Things I didn’t like:

• I love award-winning Jim Parsons from The Big Bang Theory: Season 1, but his character pretty much just gave the stank face the entire time, not providing any big growth arc or allowing Jim to use his full talents.
• Even if you were really good at math, you’re probably going to realize you’re not as smart as you thought you were.
• Red tape and bureaucracy make me crazy.  Kirsten Dunst and Jim Parsons’ characters epitomize all that is wrong with companies and organizations that have no vision or flexibility.  That close-minded librarian just about made me want to scream when she said, “Well, that’s just the way it is.”  I completely understand rules are designed for the benefit of all, but when they make no sense any more, they need to be changed.
• Dorothy Vaughan steals a book from a library and gives a compelling speech to her kids about why it was ok.  While you feel the sense of injustice that the “colored” section of the library didn’t contain as many good books to choose from, it certainly doesn’t mean stealing is ok.
• There is a bit of reverse racism showing how all the white people are stupid and racist, while all the black people are brilliant and morally superior.

Interesting lines:

• “Let me ask you: if you were a white male, would you wish to be an engineer?” – Senator Patrick (Wilbur Fitzgerald)

“I wouldn’t have to.  I’d already be one.” – Mary Jackson

• “There’s no protocol for women attending.” – Paul Stafford

“There’s no protocol for a man circling the earth either.” – Katherine Johnson

• “Who makes the rules?” – Al Harrison

“You, Sir.  You are the buss.  You just have to act like one…Sir.” – Katherine

• “The kids need to see this.  Everybody needs to see this.” – Levi Jackson (Aldis Hodge)
• “This IBM is gonna put us all out of work.” – Dorothy Vaughan
• “Every time we get close to winning, they move the finish line.” – Mary Jackson
• “Separate and equal are two different things.” – Dorothy Vaughan

Funny lines:

• “Yes, they let women work at NASA, Mr. Johnson.  And it’s not because we wear skirts.  It’s because we wear glasses.” – Dorothy Vaughan
• “How can you be ogling these white men?” – Dorothy Vaughan

“It’s equal rights.  I can see fine in any color.” – Mary Jackson

• “Here at NASA, we all pee the same color.” – Al Harrison (Kevin Costner)

Tips for parents:   

• Yay math!  This movie will make your case to your kids that math IS important and they should do their homework.
• The film highlights racism in the United States in the 1960’s and uses terms like “Negro” and “colored.”  They’ll see images of colored-only bathrooms and drinking fountains, as well as see how whites and blacks were separated on busses and in the court room.

Want to see more?  If you want to learn more about the Civil Rights movement that took place in America in the 1950's and 60's, check out these VERY good movies:

Lee Daniels' The Butler
Loving
Selma
Freedom Writers
The Help

Selma honors MLK and the Civil Rights Movement in a timely, sobering manner

Movie:   Selma

Grade:  A

PG-13

In a Nutshell:  This is a sobering film to watch, and especially now as so many racist clashes have been occurring around the country.  It’s not only a historic memorial, but a part of the continuing story of our country. We have come a long way, but there is still so much more distance we need to go.  Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films appropriately released this powerful film to run during January, when we honor Martin Luther King Jr. for what he was able to accomplish in the Civil Rights movement for our country.

I visited the “eternal flame” at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Atlanta, GA when I was just out of high school.  I remember buying one of the books in the bookstore while I was there and reading some of his speeches for the first time.  One thing I enjoyed about this film was that it lets us glimpse into the personal life and private moments of this amazing and, at times, flawed Civil Rights leader.

Uplifting Theme:

·         “I’m no different from anyone else.   I want to live long be happy.  But I’ll not be focusing on what I want today.  I’m focused on what God wants.  We’re here for a reason, though many, many storms.  But today, the sun is shining and I’m about to stand in its warmth alongside a lot of freedom-loving people who worked hard to get us here.  I may not be here for all the sunny days to come, but as long as there’s light ahead for them, it’s worth it to me.”  - Martin Luther King  Jr.

Things I liked:

·         It was disgraceful that African American men were given the right to vote in the 15^th Amendment in 1870, but that they weren’t able to exercise those rights until many decades later.  Of course, women of any color weren’t allowed to vote until 1920. This film isn’t a history of the entire Civil Rights movement, but it takes a look at a small window of time in Selma, Alabama and that town’s struggle with suffrage.

·         I thought it was interesting to watch the interaction between Malcolm X and Mrs. King.  Although their tactics were different, they both wanted equal rights for the black community.

·         Several times Martin said unkind things to his wife and immediately apologized.  The movie portrayed a loving, forgiving marriage.

·         It’s difficult to watch such ignorant racism.  Tim Roth from Lie to Me: Season 1 does a great job portraying the bigoted and small-minded governor of Alabama.  (Season 1 was the best season, then it got a bit goofy.)

·         I thought British actor David Oyelowo did a FANTASTIC job as Martin Luther King Jr.   He nailed the accent and essence of the inspiring preacher.

·         I thought the song at the end was a clever mix of an earlier religious fervor with a modern-day respectful rap.

·         Tom Wilkinson did an excellent job portraying Lyndon B. Johnson’s conflicted attitudes prior to signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

·         Rarely in Hollywood movies are religious figures the heroes.  MLK and Christian values are portrayed in a very positive light in this film.

Things I didn’t like:

·         Someone barked “Jesus H. Christ!”  What does the “H” stand for?

      The movie is full of gravitas with no relief to counter-weigh the heaviness.

Inspiring lines:

·         “I accept this honor by our lost ones, whose deaths paved our paths,  and for the 20 million negro men and women motivated by dignity and a disdain for hopelessness.”  - Martin Luther King Jr. when he received the Peace prize from Norway

·         “There are no words.  But I can tell one thing for certain: God was the first one to cry for your boy.”  - Martin Luther King Jr. to the father of a young black man who was shot

·         “Our life is not fully lived unless we are willing to die for those we love for what we believe.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

·         “No citizen of this country can call themselves blameless, for we all bare responsibility for our fellowman.” – MLK

·         “I speak tonight about the dignity of man and the destiny of democracy.  At times, history and fate meet at the same time in a single place. “ – President Lyndon B. Johnson

·         “There is no negro problem.  There is no southern problem.  There is only an American problem.” – LBJ

·         “We shall do this.  We shall overcome.”  - MLK & LBJ

Tips for Parents:

·         2 F-bombs, bloody violence, upsetting scenes of brutality, full of racial slurs, vulgar hand gesture from actual footage of the time, reference to MLK’s affairs, and other profanity that are not appropriate for children.  Teenagers should be able to begin meaningful discussions about such topics as the Civil Rights movement, voting, equality, and racism after viewing this powerful film.

Another movie of this time period I recommend is The Butler.  You can read my review of that film here.

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