![]() ![]() From this perspective, perhaps the most cathartic moment in the film is when Hollywood icon Kevin Costner, playing the white director of the Space Task Group ( apparently a fictional creation drawn from several NASA bosses of the era), takes a sledgehammer to a “colored” bathroom sign, in a single moment demolishing racial segregation at the workplace - and prompting wild cheering from the diverse, packed crowd at our screening. At the film’s end, as astronaut John Glenn orbits the Earth, our heroines have earned-and finally received-promotion, recognition, and-now, with the film’s release-fame.Īs this brief plot description suggests, at one level Hidden Figures is a standard Hollywood feelgood movie featuring virtuous and deserving underdog protagonists who triumph over adversity, and their victories over racism and sexism circa 1960 serve to redeem an enduring American faith in individuals as agents of their own destiny and ultimately the United States as the quintessential land of opportunity. Brilliant, persistent, and supportive of each other, the three women help propel the rocket program while simultaneously breaking the barriers that have prevented them from rising through the ranks and contributing their fullest to their country. Featuring excellent performances by Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, the film follows the intertwined stories of three highly educated and strongly motivated scientists- Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson-real women who made vital contributions as the nation scrambled to put an American into space following the USSR’s launch of the Sputnik satellite in 1957. The recent Hollywood film Hidden Figures (2016) is a case in point, and if the raucous audience reaction at the screening I attended with my wife and daughters in South Bend in January 2017 is any indication, I’m not the only one feeling this way.ĭirected by Theodore Melfi and based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, Hidden Figures is a historical drama exploring the struggles and triumphs of African-American female employees of NASA during the height of the space race. ![]() Even in the realm of popular culture, my reaction to a new song, television show, or comedy sketch feels fundamentally different than if it had been released only a few months earlier. ![]() Overnight the electoral results transformed my perceptions and understandings of the communities and country in which I live and work, and my relationships to particular organizations, government policies, family members, neighbors, coworkers, and even certain words has been significantly altered compared to a year ago. In terms of Sci Fi horror, The Hidden is a noteworthy addition, and it uses its clichés to its advantage to create a rousing hour and a half of memorable, cheesy entertainment.The 2016 presidential election was surprising in many ways, and I’m still struggling to understand the enormity of it. The plot is very good as well, and is never boring despite its imperfections. This is one of those films that needs to be rediscovered due to the fact that it is among Jack Solder's finest works in the horror genre. Like I said before even with a familiar formula, the film is a worth viewing experience and is a must watch for genre fans. The Hidden is an inventive film that delivers constant thrills. The cast do a good here, and there's enough action and horror here to make this a film that is much better than what it may seem. Despite its clichéd ideas, the film is a lot of fun, and worth checking out. The concept here is interesting and Sholder keeps the ball rolling with a tight script that is a bit flawed here and there, but there are enough effective elements to really keep you involved from start to finish. Successfully mixing action with Sci Fi, The Hidden is a well executed horror film. Sholder crafts something truly amusing here, and it has a familiar touch of Cameron's Terminator. Although some elements here are a bit predictable, nonetheless The Hidden is an accomplished horror film that will certainly appeal to genre fans. ![]() Jack Sholder's Sci Fi horror yarn is a highly entertaining film that is a highly engaging experience from start to finish. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |