PAGE 4 - MADISON MESSENGER - <strong>April</strong> 5, <strong>2020</strong> www.madisonmessengernews.com
www.madisonmessengernews.com <strong>April</strong> 5, <strong>2020</strong> - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 5 opinions ‘Self Made’ is well-acted but kind of a mess With theaters closed for the time being, a handful of distribution studios have decided to release their upcoming attractions on Video on Demand, which in the past has been the place where movies go to escape widespread public shame. Pricing has been debated, with some studios allowing 48-hour rentals for $6.99 while others are dropping theirs for $20. While families may have paid the latter amount for tickets and food before, it’s a little much to ask an individual to fork over that kind of dough, especially in this economy. And, if I’m being really honest, most movies are not worth the $5 admission to the matinee, but I digress. While I will continue to peruse those offerings, I will largely be searching other streaming platforms for potentially entertaining movies, limited television series and television shows. The show that seems to have everyone abuzz is Netflix’s “Tiger King,” which I had planned to review. Upon watching the first episode of the seven-part docuseries, however, I realized my tolerance for stupidity is immensely low right now, so I passed on it. As I was browsing the other new releases, I saw Octavia Spencer’s face pop up on the screen for “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker” and decided to check it out. With the exception of “Ma,” it is always a delight to watch her performances, so I thought this might follow suit. For the most part, this four-episode series does that just, allowing Spencer to the reel deal showcase her intensive range of emotion as she brings a pioneer of the black beauty industry to life on screen. The overall series, however, is a bit of a mess with the use of a modern soundtrack and filming tricks set against its depiction of early 1900s life. While I understand the viewpoint of the writers and directors, it made for an occasionally jarring viewing experience. It begins in 1908 St. Louis where a beleaguered Sarah Breedlove is working as a laundress to the affluent. With her husband deceased and her daughter Lelia (Tiffany Haddish) in school, she has no time for the finer things in life, especially concern for her appearance. After a particularly hard day, she meets Addie Munroe (Carmen Ejogo), a businesswoman in the beauty industry who wants to employ Sarah’s services. Addie takes the downtrodden Sarah under her wing and tries to get her to rediscover a zest for life. Through work and companionship, the two bond over life’s ills and celebrate as Sarah finds comfort in her appearance through hair growth attributed to Addie’s products. Inspired by her friend, Sarah pitches the idea of becoming a spokeswoman letters to the editor Humane Society seeks donations The Humane Society of <strong>Madison</strong> County (HSMC) is facing some major challenges right now, and we need your help. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused us to postpone our fundraisers into the unforeseeable future which has dramatically effected our day-to-day operations. So, we are reaching out for assistance. Can you find it in your hearts to make your best gift donation to date? By donating, it would help us to continue our care for the animals that stream through our doors daily. It will keep the lights on and food in their bowls. It will help us to purchase any medication that they may require, and we will be able to continue our efforts to pull dogs from high-kill shelters and give them a fighting chance. Please go to our website, www.hsmcohio.org, and click the donate button on the home page. You can also donate by check and mail it to: HSMC, P.O. Box 84, West Jefferson, OH 43162. No one is sure how long this crisis is going to last, but we, the HSMC, are here for the long haul. We are going to continue to find our dogs and cats forever homes. If you have any questions, call the shelter at (614) 879-8368 or click on the “contact us” link at the bottom of each page on our website. Please, we need your help to help them. Donate today. Thank you! Cathy Leistikow Humane Society of <strong>Madison</strong> County Message of hope We are going through some hard times right now. We will get out of this. Through our country’s history, we have had tough times, but we find a way to get going and winning. Just keep listening to our leaders, and we will get a win over this virus. God is with us. David Timmons Mount Sterling to the masses but is quickly rebuffed. Believing that Addie does not want her to become a business partner due to her physical looks, the two bitterly part ways. Afterward, Sarah becomes determined to make a better hair product for all black women and market it to all women, not just those deemed physically acceptable by society’s ridiculous standards. The subsequent episodes follow Sarah (who takes on the name Madam C.J. Walker) as she gains a cult following for her hair products, marries advertising rep Charles James Walker (Blair Underwood), moves to Indiana and opens a factory and works to become the next Rockefeller. Her dreams come to fruition to an extent but at great personal cost. The writers and directors were wise to use the wording “inspired by the life of,”’ as the series seems to take several liberties with Walker’s story. The most outlandish comes at the expense of Annie Turnbo Malone, the real-life woman on which Addie Munroe in based. In the series, the running conflict between the two self-made millionaires has more to do with appearance while most historians believe it had more to do with claims of formula theft. That in of itself could propel a series as it is ripe with drama, but instead this adaptation turns Addie into a one-note villain hell-bent on the destruction of Walker’s burgeoning manufacturing company. While the theatrics and ensuing conflict between the two women were mildly amusing to watch, it ultimately proved to be a distraction into what was otherwise a decent general public introduction of an inspiring woman who used her fortune to uplift the arts community, historical black colleges and other civil rights causes and organizations. So if you’re looking to know more about this great trailblazer, maybe stick to the written word, such as “On Her Own Ground,” a biography written by her greatgreat-granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles. But if you’re looking for a well-acted but odd mixture of flash and embellished strife, it’s a good way to pass the time. Grade: C- Dedra Cordle is a <strong>Messenger</strong> staff writer and columnist.
Change language