Hidden Figures

When you see a movie of such historical importance and long overdue present relevance as Hidden Figures, it is hard to encapsulate the significance of the content in mere words. This is just an amazing movie of Black history, women's history, and American history that was long overdue to be told. Three educated Black women mathematicians and engineers, a crucial part of the most significant American space explorations, just being revealed to the vast majority of people on a scale that is more than deserved. Showcased are the trials and tribulations with healthy doses of humor, poise, and an engaging humanity in the performances of Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, and Octavia Spencer.  In our present technology dependent era, mandated by a more urgent need for education, training, and innovation; and amidst a society still greatly plagued by racism, Hidden Figures is a film with inspiring and not so hidden lessons for us all.

Moonlight

African American writer and director Barry Jenkins has developed a lot since his independent film debut in 2008's Medicine For Melancholy.  Moonlight is an artfully crafted, poetic film that creatively captures the moments in a young Black man's journey to manhood and the issues of race, sexuality, poverty, and family strife that shape that journey.  It's a well put together cast, especially in the performances of Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Andre Holland, and Trevante Rhodes and I must say this is a very talented and refreshing cast ensemble of diverse Black actors.  Moonlight deserves all the accolades it's been given.  It's powerful film making in the stillness of it's cinematography, the mood of it's soundtrack, what it elicits from it's audience, and poignantly mirrors back on our society.