Hidden Gem or: Another Brilliant Mind

Rating: 10/10 (22 January 2017)

I completely concur with Leslie Jones on the January 21, 2017 News Update on Saturday Night Live: Why the hell isn't this taught in schools?
This movie is absolutely brilliant and I'm not just talking about a story concerning geniuses. It more than successfully took on Women's Right Issues, Segregation and sad computer advancement without harping, demeaning or overstaying its welcome on either subcategory while simultaneously honoring all the people involved.
Most racial-devoted movies about the 60s take on one issue. Again, this knew it existed, spoke about it, battled against it and still moved the overall story to where it needed to be. It felt genuine and real. Plus, you couldn't help but feel the strain on these characters for the other tremendous odds stacked against them.
Getting that out of the way – the story and well-written script, which happens to be my favorite aspect of any film, the cast is incredible. The three leads, Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe and Octavia Spencer were amazing. This is not discounting the incredible performance from the fourth main character played by Kevin Costner, but these three awesome ladies deserve awards individually.
Taraji P. Henson is the main lead, so I can see her nominated and would wish her a win. The problem is the two other actors, Spencer and Monáe. Both equally good and both deserve the supporting actress Academy Award.
The movie worked for me. It absolutely had "Oscar" moments, some I teared up in, some the waterworks couldn't be held back. So, if they were trying to "over-dramatize" actual events to tug at our hearts, well, it worked on me.
The story involves some prodigies who work for NASA in the space race with Russia and their struggles to (as stated above) to prove themselves in a duel-water fountain, back of the bus, women can't be (fill in the blank) world. It was never easy and mercifully there are opposite people, as shown here, that either cannot tolerate separation or change once shown the light. It's just the right thing to do; the right action to take!
So sad this movie took place almost 60 years ago and we're still dealing with the same issues. Russia's huge involvement in America, women's equality and, of course, racism. There's a tense scene in the beginning that involves a white cop coming across our three black leads. It did have me on edge and made me incredibly depressed that while they had to do their best to not have the cop beat or arrest (or worse) them back then, this kind of tension still exists today.
I applaud this movie. It needed to be made and now shown in schools. Taught, if nothing else. Since we're criminally still a divided country, more education and achievements need to be educated to our youths.
Check out Leslie Jones' absolutely hilarious movie "review" of this on the January 21, 2017 Saturday Night Live episode. While she was funny as heck, she is so right. THIS NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE. More need to see it. And it shouldno NEEDS to win awards so more are aware.
And beyond my soapboxit was still one helluva movie! Go see it!!
***
Final thoughts: Yes, I am aware of the #oscarsowhite campaign last year: 2015. I was, sadly, indifferent until I saw the movie that sparked it all. While Concussion wasn't a great movie, it was still pretty good and had Will Smith's most outstanding performance of his career. I was totally onboard then for the movement. And I know of this phobia the voters have firsthand. As "Liberal" as everyone makes Hollywood out to be, it still can be backwards. In my case, it's homophobia. They're batshit against gay cinema and, not that I wish anyone to pass on, but I cannot wait for the up and coming next generation to wipe out both homophobia and the obvious racial discrimination of this dying group.
That all said, I really loved both Hidden Figures and Moonlight. I am not pushing them towards the top of my 2016 best list just to squash the #oscarsowhite controversy. They're solid movies on their own. I do, however, hope they are soon to become more mainstream because the two movie's messages need to be heard.