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 RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (2014)

Genre: Thriller
Running length: 1:45
Cast: Chris Pine, Kiera Knightley, Kevin Costner, Kenneth Branagh, Lenn Kudrjawizki, Alec Utgoff
Director: Kenneth Branagh

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT is a summer style blockbuster - Read: a thriller/action movie with car chases and shootouts starring who's who of today ie. safe, predictable and boring. I remember enjoying the earlier Jack Ryan movies because there is always this trademark high tension scene where the fate of America rests squarely on the shoulders (and quick thinking) of Jack Ryan. There is a similar scene here but the premise of it requires the audience to suspend all disbelief when it comes to Jack and his significant other in an espionage plot *roll eyes* The script isn't clever enough to elevate it to a place that makes this 'origin movie' feel like it's revitalizing the genre like what Casino Royale did to the James Bond series. Chris Pine is fine as he has the presence and physicality of a "Jack Ryan 2.0". Kevin Costner is solid in the "mentor" role - a part that seems well-suited to him at this stage of his career. Kenneth Branagh's villain is serviceable. However, Kiera Knightley seems to be miscast or I just find her distracting whenever she appears on screen.

Rating: 5/10