M.O.C.K. Talk - FENCES, Coming Out of the Dark: Side Chicks... HIDDEN FIGURES

Hidden Figures Release Date: December
25th (Limited)  January 6th (Nationwide)
Synopsis: Based on a true story, a team of African American
women provide NASA with important mathematical data needed to
launch the program's first successful space missions.
Review: A pervasive trend in black cinema, that has become
more and more difficult to contend with, is the notion that our
dramatic narratives must revolve around the theme of being
victimized. This is not to say that  history is not replete
with such tales of persecution. However, there has been an
incessant clamoring for other accounts to be depicted in film, thus
proving that the tent poles of our history are not just planted in
the soil of victimization.This is why Hidden
Figures succeeds at not only being a refreshing take but
 one that constitutes as necessary viewing. The three central
characters, played vividly and meticulously by Taraji P.
Henson, Janell Monae and Octavia Spencer, do well to
authentically encapsulates the essence of  empowered , black
feminism during a time when it was suppressed thanks in part
to societal biases fueled by white supremacy.To witnesses the
debunking of such beliefs, that these "figures" were intellectually
inferior, creates repeated moments of immense satisfaction and joy
that never feels patronizing or playacted. Beyond its' crowd
pleasing aspects though stirs burrowing concerns that relate to the
omission  of other such figures and events from the pages of
American history. Nevertheless, those lingering concerns can not
prevent this film from being triumphant in providing models, for
girls of  all shades, to aspire to as well  accomplished
women, gaining the opportunity, to finally witness their mirror
images receive proper praise and attention! (A-) -CgN