Tag Archives: Janelle Monáe

MOONLIGHT (2016): The Things I Loved…

Moonlight (2016), Trevante Rhodes
Moonlight (2016), Trevante Rhodes

There are a number of reasons to like 2017 Best Picture Oscar winner Moonlight. The beautiful cinematography, faultless performances and a timely telling of a very important story are just three of them.

Thanks to Barry Jenkins’s very personal movie, I now know of Mahershala Ali, a skilled actor whose Moonlight character, Juan, isn’t even in the film for most of it, but there’s no forgetting him; if only for all that Ali was able to expertly convey, especially through his eyes.

Moonlight is a coming of age story about the childhood, adolescence and burgeoning adulthood of a young, African-American gay man growing up in a rough neighbourhood in Miami. It’s a film that reminded me of the very important and often pivotal role that the kindness of a stranger/strangers can have in our lives.

Watch it because it’s a story beautifully told and you too may find yourself remembering the perfect strangers that may have helped you become all that you’re grateful to be.

Happy Film Loving,

G

HIDDEN FIGURES (2016): For The Sisterhood, Strength & Determination

Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali
Hidden Figures (2016): Taraji P. Henson, Mahershala Ali

Hidden Figures, the movie about the three African American women whose mathematical contributions led to NASA’s first successful space missions, is a film that did two important things for me. First, it gave me and many others a long overdue history lesson. Second, it reminded me that even though there’s still a considerable way to go, humanity really has come quite a distance in terms of equality and civil rights.

Seeing the challenges faced by the film’s main characters, the ways they dealt with the obstacles they encountered is really a great and empowering thing for anyone to witness. I particularly adore the sisterhood, strength, determination and good humour between the women. I of course mean Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. I see these ladies as the kind of women with personal attributes that many would  probably want for the women and young girls in their life. And I’m certainly not talking about the mathematical genius, not that that wouldn’t be welcome.

Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, there really is no faulting any of the performances in Hidden Figures. Director Theodore Melfi’s movie is a good example of what a well-put-together film can look like. 

I say watch it because it’s thoroughly deserving of all its success. It’s also a beautiful celebration of truly great women, and the people good and brave enough to do what was necessary to help them shine.

Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Glen Powell and Mahershala Ali also star.

Happy Film Loving,

G

HIDDEN FIGURES (2017): New Trailer Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe…

Hidden Figures (2017), Taraji P. Henson
Hidden Figures (2017), Taraji P. Henson

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Hidden Figures (2017.


Starring Taraji P Henson, Janelle Monae and Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures tells the true story of 3 African American women whose mathematical abilities and contributions led to NASA’s first successful space missions.

Firstly, I just love it when people achieve far more than other’s expectations of them.

Second, Henson and Spencer are undoubtedly wonderful actors. As such, I’m looking forward to experiencing the inspiring story of mathematician Katherine Johnson (Henson) on the big screen. Something tells me I’ll be very moved.

Jim Parsons, Kevin Costner and Kirsten Dunst also star, while Theodore Melfi directs.

Hidden Figures Release Dates: January 13th, 2017 (US); February 24th, 2017 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G