Octavia Spencer – cinemescope

100 Word Review – Hidden Figures (2016)

May 12, 2017May 11, 2017Posted in 100 Words..., DramaTagged 1960s, America, biopic, Drama, feminism, Hans Zimmer, Janelle Monáe, Jim Parsons, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Mahershala Ali, NASA, Octavia Spencer, Pharrell Williams, racism, sexism, Space, Taraji P. HensonLeave a comment

The amazing true story of the African-American women behind the 1960s NASA Space Programme.

Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) are three female mathematicians, known as “computers”, who use their intelligence and perseverance to fight the racism and sexism that holds them back.

Based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly and directed by Theodore Melfi (St Vincent), it has a fantastic soundtrack from Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer that fits perfectly with the upbeat tone of the film.

Wonderful, uplifting and inspiring, it’s one of those stories everyone should know.

100 Word Review – Being John Malkovich (1999)

April 25, 2016April 22, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Drama, FantasyTagged Being John Malcovich, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Charlie Kaufman, Comedy, dark, Drama, Fantasy, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Octavia Spencer, Romance, Spike JonzeLeave a comment

Craig (John Cusack) a puppeteer with a failing career finds a portal that allows him inside the mind of famous actor John Malkovich, where he starts to put his skills to work.

Written by Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adaptation) and directed by Spike Jonze (Where The Wild Things Are, Her), this film was always going to be an unusual movie.

With John Malkovich playing himself and co-starring Cameron Diaz and Catherine Keener, this film is weird, dark and completely trippy. The acting is superb and there are moments of dark humour that make it thoroughly watchable.