Hidden Figures (2016)

Genres

Biography | Drama

Director

Theodore Melfi

Country

USA

Cast

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parson, Glen Powell, Mahershala Ali, Donna Biscoe, Rhoda Griffis, Maria Howell, Aldis Hodge, Paige Nicollette, Gary Weeks, Saniyya Quinn, Olek Krupa

Storyline

The story of three African-American women mathematicians, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), who all served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the space program.

Opinion

I am not a big fan of space, NASA and stuff like that but I love Octavia Spencer and the trailer was so promising they made me want to see this film so bad. I had to wait a lot, but I've finally seen it, and I see why it got a nomination for Best Picture. And should have won if we consider the actual winner. That said, "Hidden Figures" is a beautiful, heartwarming and inspiring film that gets better as it goes along. It will make you think, laugh and cry, and will make you want to re-watch it right away.

The story, as much as unappealing it may sound to someone like me who is not interested in the subject, is actually very engaging and will have your attention for the entire running time. It is also quite educative as it shown me a part of history I wasn't familiar with. But most important, by telling the story of three amazing, smart, talented women, it made me interested in learning more about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson.

Through the lives of those women, the film addresses many important social obstacles such as racism and sexism. I don't know whether it was historically accurate or not, but it was quite shocking to see such smart and educated people act like that. It also states that talent and hard work are what really sets us apart, and that the fight against racism and sexism isn't a lost cause.

What makes "Hidden Figures" great is the ability of director Theodore Melfi to keep the soft tones of a comedy from start to finish, downplaying some situations - such as those in which Katherine runs more than a mile to go to the bathroom -, but still providing some dramatic charge and delivering plenty of emotions.

Then, of course, the film wouldn't be the same without its cast. Taraji P. Henson gives an excellent, ironic and biting performance as Katherine Johson and Janelle Monae also gives a fantastic performance as Mary Jackson, but Octavia Spencer's sassy performance as Dorothy Vaughan is the one Oscar worthy.

Dial M for Murder (1954)

Genres

Crime | Thriller

Director

Alfred Hitchcock

Country

USA

Cast

Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams, Anthony Dawson, Leo Britt, Patrick Allen, Robin Hughes, Martin Milner, George Leigh, George Alderson

Storyline

Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) blackmails an old college associate (Anthony Dawson) to strangle his wife (Grace Kelly), but when things go wrong, he improvises a brilliant plan B.

Opinion

A while ago, but considering how fast time passes I'm sure it was more than a year ago, I watched Andrew Davis's "A Perfect Murder" which was far from the perfect movie. And now that I've seen "Dial M for Murder", I can say it was an awful remake as well because Hitchcock's film is a tense, exciting and gripping thriller.

Sharing the same simple storyline of its abominable remake, this film actually has a more complex plot, filled with smart twists and it gets more and more interesting and appealing each minute. What makes it step up is the fact that it is not just a simple trying to get away with murder story, but a story that touches themes such as betrayal, passion and jealousy.

The characters aren't that deep or developed, but they are fed with witty and interesting dialogue and Hitchcock's dark sense of humour which make them way more interesting.

Just like most of the English filmmaker's works, "Dial M for Murder" also features a lot of tension and suspense, and a terrific atmosphere, and although it has some flat moments, overall it's very well paced.

And finally, there's the cast. Ray Milland is absolutely brilliant as the jealous husband who decides to commit the perfect murder, Grace Kelly proves she was more than just a pretty face, especially in the second half, giving a rather good performance, and Robert Cummings also does a good job as Kelly's lover. I only wish their relationship had been developed better. 

Creed (2015)

Genres

Drama | Sport

Director

Ryan Coogler

Country

USA

Cast

Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Graham McTavish, Wood Harris, Ritchie Coster, Ton Trump, Brian Anthony Wilson, Tony Bellew, Andre Ward

Storyline

Former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) starts mentoring Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the illegitimate son of his late friend Apollo Creed. 

Opinion

A name, that's all it took the Rocky franchise to get back on track. Okay, maybe it's a couple of names, but the point here is that "Creed" is actually a pretty good, although unnecessary, addition to the Rocky series.

There's one weird thing about it, though, and it's the plot. The filmmakers tried so hard to make it different but it eventually ended up being the same, overused plot of the other Rocky films. But unlike the latest entries and in spite of its predictability, "Creed"'s plot is engaging and entertains.

And I believe that's because Rocky isn't the man anymore, but Adonis Johnson, Apollo Creed's son, is. He has always been a fighter and, just like Rock, he is raw and needs help if he wants to be taken seriously, but this film doesn't show a nobody trying to becomes somebody and rising up against the odds, but it shows a man trying to get out of the shadow of his father. Basically the all Robert drama - Rocky's son - but properly developed.

Creed's character is surprisingly developed and it's easy to care fo him especially because of Michael B. Jordan who proves he can lead delivering an impressive performance. And the same can be said for Rocky, the character has grown a little and Stallone as well does a good job.

On the other hand, there are other two characters, Creed's girlfriend Bianca who is supposed to take Adrian's place but doesn't add to the film as Talia Shire's character did, and Creed's opponent Ricky Conlan. The filmmakers tried to build his story but it wasn't well executed and ended up being terrible.

That said, "Creed" benefits from well choreographed and entertaining boxing sequences. And at last but not least, that ungrateful son of a b***h Paulie has finally died.

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Genres

Adventure | Animation | Comedy

Directors

Chris Sanders | Dean DeBlois

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Odgen, Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames, Kevin Michael Richardson, Zoe Caldwell, Jason Scott Lee, David Kawen, Amy Hill

Storyline

An extra-terrestrial experiment (Chris Sanders) escapes and crash lands on Hawaii, where little Lilo (Daveigh Chase) adopted him believing he's a dog.

Opinion

I don't know how it has been possible, but, in almost 23 years, I've seen "Lilo & Stitch" for the first time only this week and I was happy to have watched such a heartwarming and charming animated film from Disney.

It's probably because I'm too used to Disney's princess movies, but I wasn't expecting this kind of story at all. It is fresh, entertaining and highly engaging, and it manages to stand out not because of its themes of friendship and need to find a place where to belong that are more or less present in all animated films, but because it addresses the issue of families torn apart by social services, highlighting the importance of family and unity. And the filmmakers handle this deeper part quite well.

"Lilo & Stitch" also features great characters. They are well-written, well-developed (unlike most Disney characters), quite unique and lovable and it's easy to identify with them. I can't believe I'm actually saying this but the character I could relate the most was Stitch, who is basically an outsider who doesn't get along with anyone. And the voice cast delivers good performances.

Although it touches some "heavy" themes, the film is very fun to watch and has some memorable scenes, like Stitch running over the model of San Francisco, destroying everything as if he were Godzilla. I had as much fun as he did in that moment.

Although it is traditional and not as good as Pixar's, the animation is still beautiful and charming, especially the Hawaiian setting.