I didn’t get much reading done this weekend. I did finish a book for a later review, but that’s it. Instead, I went to the movies – twice.
I hadn’t been to the movies much in the last year. My friend, Donna, and I bought each other movie gift cards in 2015, and we didn’t use them until the end of 2016. There just wasn’t much we wanted to see. But, 2017 looks great.
Donna and I went to see “Hidden Figures” on Saturday. I can’t say enough good things about that film. The cast was outstanding. But, it’s so hard to believe what those women at NASA went through in the 1960s. It wasn’t that long ago. The discrimination because they were black. And, the expectations because they were women. They had both strikes against them in the early ’60s, and they spoke up for themselves, and rose above the discrimination. It was an inspiring movie. Every woman should see it for the story of discrimination. Every person should see it for the inspiring story and the history. We need to know where we’ve been. And, we’re still fighting so much discrimination. I can’t speak for the racial discrimination, although I know it’s there. I can speak up about the shameful politics that discriminates against women.
Then, Sunday, I went to see “La La Land”. The musical captures the nostalgia for musicals of the past. I loved every bit of the story, and the ending was appropriate. But, it was the music, and the roles played by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone that brought the story to life. I loved the scenes in California. I have walked on the Santa Monica Pier. I’ve been to Griffiths Observatory, and sat on the benches overlooking the city. The story was magic from the opening scene in the LA traffic to the final moment. It deserved all the Golden Globe awards it received.
Why doesn’t Hollywood make more movies that women want to see? Box office this weekend, despite the cold nasty weather in parts of the country, had “Hidden Figures” just a little behind “Rogue One”, the latest Star Wars movie. Granted, “Rogue One” has been out for a little while. But, people went to see “Hidden Figures”. That question comes up every time profits are made with a good movie that isn’t a thriller or a crude movie aimed at high school boys.
2017 does look better for films. Of course, I’m going to go see the live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast”, my favorite fairy tale. It features a strong woman who goes out to save her father, and doesn’t sit around waiting for someone to save her. “A Dog’s Purpose” looks like a tearjerker, but I still want to see it. There are even a couple World War II movies I’m looking forward to seeing – “Dunkirk” and “The Zookeeper’s Wife”. What about a funny movie with Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin as three senior citizens who decide to rob the bank that took their money? That’s “Going in Style”. And, other than the World War II movies, my really violent choice will be “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” with Taron Egerton (who I’ve now seen in three films), and Colin Firth, who is evidently back from the dead.
2017 started out on a good note for movies. Thank heavens it looks like a good year for them. We may all need reasons to escape reality.
Funny coincidence. I'd never heard of the NASA story of Katherine Johnson at all, but then they featured it on November 28 ago on the "Space Race" episode of the NBC time travel series TIMELESS. And now the movie tells her story too.
Incidentally, according to Wikipedia, Katherine Johnson is still alive, at 98!
That "ago" should be ignored.
Thanks for the movie recommendations, Lesa. I have seen positive reviews about both Hidden Figures and La La Land. Going in Style also sounds fun. I also only saw one movie in 2016, and it was ok (Joy, with Jennifer Lawrence).
Fascinating movie, Jeff. I was so happy to see she was still alive to see the movie recognize her.
I did see one other film, but I can't even remember what it was Grace. But, Hidden Figures and La La Land were both terrific.
I have heard amazing things about Hidden Figures and hadn't heard the story before. It is unreal how discrimination still occurs in a major way.
As much as I like Jennifer Lawrence (a lot), I found JOY only soso.
Marce, Hidden Figures is everything you've heard. It is unreal. The bathroom speech is unforgettable.
Well, then, Jeff, I don't feel bad that I missed Joy.
I saw an interview with the author of the book on which Hidden Figures was based. The author was a descendant of one of the people who worked at NASA and was the one who got her started on finding out about these women, but it was also pointed out that one of the reasons the story was not known before now (besides the overwhelming pattern of discrimination) was that so much was considered classified and couldn't be discussed for a long time.
Jeff: Interesting that you also found Joy only soso. I said it was "ok" which meant I expected a lot more from a Jennifer Lawrence/Bradley Cooper movie. So Lesa, I would agree that you can skip watching Joy (it's on Netflix now).
Very interesting, Cyranetta. I didn't realize that the information was classified. Thank you.
I'm still way down the list at the library for the book of Hidden Figures, so maybe I'll go see the movie instead.
Loved the movie. It doesn't hurt to go see it, Jim.
I hope to see at least one of these this week. Thanks, Lesa!
I hope to see Manchester by the Sea with Casey Afflack.
You're welcome, Kaye!
I hope you get a chance, Gram.
Easy on the eye but not worthy of the hype and the Oscar nomination. An interesting story has been directed in a very heavy handed way, which to me was constantly irritating. Almost every scene is overstated to the point that, as others have said, there is a propaganda feel to the film. Did the director really need to portray every white person, bar two, as vigorously racist or anti-women, even though virtually all the characters are clearly intelligent and from well educated backgrounds? This is a film where the message would have been stronger and more credible if a degree of balance and subtlety had been added to the mix. The things I enjoyed: some strong performances by a very capable cast, a very authentic period setting, a story which is totally engaging. The thing which turned me off: the exaggeration.
https://mybkexperience.me/