HIDDEN FIGURES (2017)

Genre: Drama / Comedy
Running Length: 2:07
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell
Director: Theodore Melfi
Screenplay: Allison Schroder and Theodore Melfi, based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly

HIDDEN FIGURES' second half is a much more interesting watch than its first half. Granted that the filmmakers needed to quickly establish the context of this true story, I felt they were too heavy-handed in delivering the message of race and gender equality. I've seen some films which were more subtle in dealing with this subject but yet still gets the message across effectively and powerfully. In this movie, we have forceful dialogues like, "Here at NASA, we all pee the same colour!"

This movie which is set in the early 1960s, tells the untold tale of three African-American ladies who had to fight an uphill battle of racism and feminism at NASA to put the first American into space. I'm not sure how accurate this based on real events film is but I'm pretty sure the filmmakers took some liberty in the narrative especially our unsung heroes' private lives.

And speaking of that, the NASA scenes are much more engaging than the side plots revolving around their personal lives. Somehow, the performance of our trio is more authentic in the work place vs those segments revolving around their home life.

Performance wise, the filmmakers have assembled a strong cast. Our protagonists give solid performance and the supporting cast is serviceable especially Costner. He does seem to get better as he ages. There is this rather peculiar and prolonged segment where we see Taraji's character dashing half a mile in high heels in a cartoonish manner to the bathroom. After a while, it felt like one of those, "Ok, I get it. Now get on with it already, will ya?" segments but the resolution to it is by far the movie's most satisfying scene.

Overall a light-hearted and feel-good drama which tells how race played an important role in the US vs Soviet space race in the 1960s.

RATING: 7.5/10

JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK (2016)

Genre: Action / Thriller

Running Length: 1:58

Cast: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Danika Yarosh, Aldis Hodge, Patrick Heusinger

Director: Edward Zwick  

Screenplay: Richard Wenk and Edward Zwick & Marshall Herskovitz, based on the book by Lee Child

I went in to JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK with poor expectations because of two reasons: (1) the critics were bashing it and (2) Cobie Smulders, because I still can't get past her as 'Robin Scherbatsky' from How I Met Your Mother (Her starring role in The Avengers had that effect on me). But I was pleasantly surprised how entertaining this film turned out to be. 

Well, it's not perfect, in fact far from it. But it's well paced and it has some nice grounded action scenes with bone-crunching type of fist fights. And it has a little investigative work thrown into the plot. It kinda reminds me of the Taken movies. Predictable but engaging. 

As for the story, Cobie Smulders' character (Major Susan Turner) is framed and it's up to Reacher to clear her name and in the process, Reacher gets to beat the crap out of some mercenaries who's out to get them. Oh, and Reacher also discovers he may have a teenage daughter. 

As far as the screenplay goes, the plot holes are as big as the potholes on KL roads. And the dialogue is cheesy. And I'm not really sure of the relationship between Major Turner and Jack Reacher because they do get undressed a fair bit and sleeps in the same hotel room but never get past first base. And why would Reacher wants to risk his life to help her? 

And speaking of our hero, as I don't read the books, I'm not sure why he chose a solo life and just loves to get himself into hand-to-hand combat situations. So many questions but 1/3 into the movie, I just let it all go and went with the flow; cheering on as Tom Cruise shoots, punches, breaks many bones and runs...alot. Speaking of action, eventhough it's a PG13 rated movie, the filmmakers are really pushing the envelope on its level of violence. 

And as for Colbie Smulders, I'm glad to say that never was I reminded of her TV career throughout the course of this movie. She delivers in a big-way. Her tough as nails Major Turner can really kick some serious ass and more importantly, she's believable in this character. And Heusinger plays a very convincing villain so much so, you really want him to die brutally in the end.  

You can’t go wrong with Cruise as his movies are always at a certain standard. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is not as spectacle filled as any of his Mission Impossible movies but it's still a nice little action flick. 

Rating: 7/10