After this weekend, Candice and I are one-third of the way towards our annual goal of viewing all the “Best Picture” Oscar nominees. We’ve seen three very different films, but all terrific in their own way.
Last weekend we saw Hidden Figures, a wonderful movie with an inspiring story just right for our times. On Friday we again walked up to AFI Silver Theater, this time to see Moonlight.
This coming of age film was both difficult and yet ultimately very satisfying. I was initially uncomfortable, because I was disoriented by the context. The story of a young, gay, African American male learning about who he is through the bullying, teasing, and uncertainty was one I could understand. However, the setting – amidst the poverty, racism, and drug culture of Miami – was not familiar. Once I sorted that out in my mind, I saw the strong qualities of this movie on multiple levels.
The acting is superb, beginning with Mahershala Ali as Juan, the drug dealer who befriends the main character, Chiron, and Naomie Harris as Chiron’s mother Paula. It was also nice to be introduced to Janelle Monáe in the first two films we saw the week, in Moonlight as Teresa and as Mary in Hidden Figures.
Moonlight is a well-crafted film on several levels, and is worth a view.
On Sunday, we decided to go in a different direction and took in La La Land at the nearby Bethesda Row Cinemas. This film has much to recommend it. The music is infectious. The acting – especially Emma Stone – is superb. The opening musical sequence is incredible – and worth the price of admission. Do I think it is the year’s best movie? No. Do I think it is worth your time? Absolutely.
So my first ranking looks like this:
- Hidden Figures
- Moonlight
- La La Land
Two and three are actually interchangeable, and they might change as I see more. But I think the time is just right, and perhaps even critical, for Hidden Figures.
We have some more to see, so check back!
More to come…
DJB
More to Come... 