Hidden Figures Review

What I liked: This was a great movie. The message is inspiring and important. The characters are delightful, more so because they are real people who accomplished real important things. They were relateable. All of the kids were adorable. Unlike Imitation Game which came across as a one man program, I felt like this movie did a good job of capturing the immensity of the efforts depicted: the space program and the civil rights movement. I laughed many times. I was touched by some of the moments. I unexpectedly found myself trying to explain the 1960's, segregation, and the civil rights movement in whispers to my Chinese roommate. This both emphasized the absurdity of the segregation laws and was a little unnerving.

What I didn't: We got to the theater a little late so the only seats were in the front row. I wouldn't recommend watching it IMAX style. Once again this fits in the category of things that really never should have happene
d so obviously I didn't like the pervasive racism, but that was kind of the point of the movie. There were several moments that I found myself silently wishing that is how it actually happened and dreading that maybe Hollywood made it up, I haven't fact checked any of them. There was a bit more swearing than I would expect from an accurate period piece but not more than you get in most movies.

Who should watch this? It's a great movie everyone would like it. I would recommend explaining the 1960's before going to the theater if you're uncertain about someone's knowledge base. That the 1960's was a very racist time is assumed knowledge.

Would I watch it again? Yes, absolutely, I'm hoping to see it again as soon as possible.

Comments

The Titanic

What I liked: Liked is definitely the wrong word for it but the scenes of the sinking of the Titanic were masterful. They were technologically impressive, apparently remarkably accurate, and emotionally gripping. The variety of ways in which different people dealt with a completely hopeless situation was both touching and thought provoking. Especially beautiful was the string quartet. In isolation from the love story, the sinking of the Titanic is a tragic reminder of the cost of hubris and the necessity of regulating emergency procedures and capacities. It carries similar gravitas as a war film. At the 25th anniversary of the film, I can appreciate how Titanic has impacted movies made later. What I didn't: So here's the thing. I feel very bad for you if you died in the sinking of the Titanic. I feel less bad for you if you managed to get on a lifeboat on the Titanic and then decided to get off. I question all of your decision making and priorities if you decide to get off a...

Annihilation

What I liked: I liked the crystal trees and the creepy people plants. The multi colored lichen and flowers were cool too. I liked how disorienting the loss of time and flashbacks were, they did a good job of maintaining the disquiet and suspense. I liked that they remembered that mutation and evolution has no goal, it's just a thing that happens with all kinds of side effects. I liked their little boat trip in giant crocodile infested swamp. I'm not sure if I loved the silver skin suit but I can't deny that it was interesting. What I didn't: The heroes are all scientists who go on a mission to find out what is going on inside the "shimmer". For being all scientists they don't draw very well on their test one variable at a time training. If nothing has ever come out of the shimmer, try sticking a stick in and see if you can pull it out. Step inside with a harness on so if you don't come back they can try and pull you back. Walk in a little ways and t...

See how the run

What I liked: I liked how very enthusiastic the sergeant was. And I appreciated that, remarkably, both the senior detective and the assistant were competent. It seems like usually this is a one or the other kind of pairing so I lament the partnership that inevitably formed somewhere else in the department of two incompetent officers. The story boarding was very fun and it was very clear that the director in the film had never seen nor heard anything about The Mousetrap. I liked the recurring snow shovel. For the second time in as many months the detectives were using the means, motive, opportunity chart for the suspects. Still no sign of a murderer using one though. What I didn't: Why after you take a tumble through a cake and a pile of shellfish would you go find a replacement outfit in the costume department of the theater instead of just going back to your house? I mean I might enjoy that, you could come back to the party dressed as Henry VIII, or a demigorgon, or a tree....

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