GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

Girlfriend Gathering Movie Review – Selma

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Women at the Movies

It was a dismal cold rainy day in Houston on Sunday morning but the girlfriends and I decided to bundle up to go see the movie Selma.   In our opinion, rain only stops a picnic and nothing was going to prevent us from seeing Selma on its opening weekend.  We wanted to be supportive for the number crunching that goes on for society’s determination of a successful movie but we felt the movie was already a success because it was providing a glimpse into our country’s historical past.

The movie was as moving as I expected giving me proud and tearful moments.   I was a kid in the sixties but I remember the drama and trauma of the Civil Rights Movement.   I remember my parents and extended family discussing Alabama’s governor – George Wallace – during that period and his name was synonymous with hate and evil in our household.  So, to see this depiction of the events surrounding the march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 was a revisit but this time from my adult point of view and with my adult emotions.

Overall, the movie was an enlightening experience as it gave us an inside view of how the diverse African-American activists of the day came together under the courageous leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to show our country and the world the plight of African-American citizens seeking their right to vote.  I especially was proud that the movie emphasized the roles that strong women activists played in that particular march and in the entire Civil Right Movement.   History has shown us that the events surrounding this march were pivotal in President Lyndon B. Johnson comprising and signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 a few months later.

All of the portrayals of the actors were superb – David Oyelowo (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.), Oprah Winfrey (Annie Lee Cooper), Carmen Ejogo (Coretta Scott King), Tim Roth (Governor George Wallace), and Tom Wilkinson (President Lyndon B. Johnson).   I appreciate their dedication to their roles because it was evident in the manner in which they brought their characters to life for the audience and the way it evoked emotions from us all.

I know there is some criticism about this movie as there are usually around movies and books that shed a painful light on the true history of our country.    I wish those that criticize these efforts will transfer their concerns to the whitewash that exists in the unreliable history books in our schools.    Unless you are doing a self-study of American history, sometimes these types of movies are the only way to acquire some historical truths – which is really shameful.

This movie is highly recommended by the girlfriends and we suggest that you gather up some young people so they can learn another perspective of a moment that changed our society.

Girlfriend Gathering Movie Review – Exodus: Gods and Kings

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Girls Night OutThis past weekend the girlfriends and I jaunted over to our local movie theatre to see one of our favorite actors, Christian Bale, in the biblical epic – Exodus: Gods and Kings.  As a person who enjoys the previous 1956 movie of the same story – The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston – every time it comes on television, I was excited about this new movie.

Now, if you are expecting the drama of the previous story – a love triangle with dramatic love scenes with Nefretiri throwing herself at the feet of a shackled Moses and the edict that Moses’ name should be stricken from every Egyptian record and monument – then your expectations will not be met.    What you will find in Exodus: Gods and Kings is more in depth story about the internal struggles of Moses as he came to grips with who he was and what he was destined to achieve for his people.    We all know the story but this movie gives a viewpoint from a different angle.

Personally, I am one who refrains from having any expectations when I go to a movie or a play.   I allow the story to encapsulate my thoughts and take me to the desired story place and outcome.   Also, I love a story that delves into the human psyche and relationships.  So, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and recommend it as a “must see” on the big screen.

 

 

Girlfriend Gathering Movie Review – Get On Up – James Brown Biopic

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Girls Night OutA group of girlfriends and I had a “movie and lunch” outing to support the movie “Get on Up” – the James Brown Biopic.    The movie was awesome and Chadwick Boseman’s portrayal / performance of James Brown was FANTASTIC!  The first thing I did when I arrived home after that outing was to order CDs with 50 of James Brown’s songs from Amazon.

This movie reminded me that I was lucky to grow up in the 60’s and 70’s when music included “real” musicians with “real” musical instruments and songs told a story or had a message.    I remember how the music of James Brown made us FEEL and MOVE.  The pony, the twist and the jerk were some of the dances of my childhood.    I know I discovered how my hips could move imitating his girl dancers and dancing to the beat of his music.  When he would tell Maceo to “take it to the bridge” no person with ears and rhythm could remain still.   You had to move.  James Brown and his orchestra gave us “funk” before we had a word for that type of music.

I learned some things about his life that was news to me from the movie.   I knew he grew up poor in Georgia but I did not know the full circumstances of his childhood.   It was moving to know the obstacles that he overcame in his life to become the musical genius and icon in modern music.   We, in the African-American community, will always treasure his contribution to us in claiming our own racial identity as we moved from being Negro to being Black to being African-American.    His song, “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” helped us proudly claim what some would have us shun in shame and instilled racial pride in our children.  It was beautiful coming from one who had endured so much.

If you haven’t made plans yet, please consider seeing the movie.   I plan to purchase it for my movie library when it is released.   When my music CDs arrive from Amazon I plan to put Zumba away for a while because I will be able to move to “I Got the Feeling” and “Papa Got a Brand New Bag”!

Here’s a link for those who may need a little reminder of the power of the James Brown’s FUNK:

 

Girlfriend Gathering Movie Review – August: Osage County

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Today, a couple of girlfriends and I went to see the movie, August: Osage County.   When I walked out of that movie all I could think was “OMG! Meryl, Meryl, Meryl!”

I loved all of the characters in this movie and all of the actors/actresses (Julia Roberts, Sam Shepard, Chris Cooper, etc.), did a superb job of portraying them but there has to be another word for Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Violet.

These characters were complex – likable and unlikeable at the same time.   There were some good surprises in their relationships and I felt sympathy for situations that normally would not create that emotion within me.    Early in the movie, I decided to not think too much and just allow the movie to take me to its emotional destination – even if it felt a little uncomfortable.   I am sure many persons in the audience could identify with at least one of the characters.

OK, let’s be honest.  We all know some dysfunction is a part of every family.   Some may deny it existing in their families but there simply isn’t a “normal” family …….just varying degrees of dysfunction.     This movie gave us a horrific view of dysfunction at a time when it usually raises its ugly head – in a family crisis.    How many funerals have you gone to where some family member acts a “plum fool”?    I can name a few.

I love a good character-based story and this one was GREAT!   It is well worth a second viewing.

QUESTION(S):

Do you know a “normal” family?   If so, please share about them.

Girlfriend Gathering Movie Review – The Legend of Hercules

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Today, a couple of girlfriends and I went to see the movie, The Legend of Hercules.   As a reader of Greek Mythology since childhood and a follower of the old Hercules movies with Steve Reeves, I was excited when I heard about this new movie.   I wondered what actor could adequately portray this hero for a new generation.    I was unfamiliar with the actor Kellan Lutz (Hercules) but he was definitely great for my eyes and his physical presence was more than adequate for Hercules.   Also, the actor (Liam McIntyre) that played my hero Spartacus from the STARZ series of the same name was in this movie, too, which was an additional bonus.

Overall, the movie was entertaining with some great (but not too bloody) fight scenes which I really enjoyed.   We saw the 2D version but I am sure the 3D version was really awesome on those fight scenes.   As for the storyline, I would have preferred a deeper one and some more characterization but then the movie duration would be longer.  Perhaps the movie budget did not allow for this level of depth.

If you want a good entertaining action movie with some scantily clothed good-looking men (which I enjoyed!) then this movie is for you.    Grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy!

QUESTIONS:

Do you like these type of movies, i.e., Gladiator, Spartacus, Hercules?   If so, what do you enjoy about them?