Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017) ***

A bio-drama, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women tells the story of psychologist William Moulton Marston, and the two women in his life. Martson, a Comic Book Hall of Fame inductee -- as the creator of the Wonder Woman character, was also the inventor of the lie-detector prototype, and a writer of self-help books. The film was written and directed by Angela Robinson. It stars Luke Evans as Marston, Rebecca Hall, Olive Byrne, JJ Feild, Oliver Platt, and Connie Britton.

American Made (2017) ****

Life is stranger than fiction; this paraphrase of a Mark Twain’s famous quote may come in mind, when watching American Made. It is a film based on true events, albeit the large creative freedom the filmmakers took in its making. Directed by Doug Liman to a screenplay by Gary Spinelli, American Made tells the story of Barry Seal, a former TWA pilot who turned a drug smuggler for the Medellín Cartel during the 1980s. Cutting a deal with the DEA to avoid prolong jail time, Seal ends up an informant.

Maudie (2016) ****

An indie bio-drama, Maudie follows the life of Nova Scotia painter Maud Lewis. The film, a Canadian-Irish production, shot to a small budget of $5.6mm, was directed by Aisling Walsh, to a screenplay by Sherry White. It stars Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke in the lead roles.
Maudie, the film, like its title character, slowly grows on you. Maud Lewis was a woman facing many challenges, not to the least of which were physical nature, poverty and a hostile family, yet she had something most privileged people do not always poses; a joyful attitude.

Frantz (2016, France-Germany) ****

Franz tells the story of a German woman named Anna, beautifully portrayed by Paula Beer, who, in post-WWI Germany of 1919, while grieving Franz, her fiancé who perished in the Great War, is receiving a surprise visit by a Frenchman. The relationship between Anna, the Frenchman, the dead fiancé, as well as his parents, take center-stage. All this is happening to the backdrop of two countries still hostile, still healing from the wounds of war.

Loving (2016) ****

A historical drama, Loving is a beautifully composed piece of filmmaking. It is the true tale of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple, married at a time when, in some parts of the USA, including their home-state of Virginia, such unions were against the anti-miscegenation law. Their case, picked up by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ultimately made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, resulting in a landmark 1967 ruling.

Hidden Figures (2016) ****

What makes Hidden Figures work is that rather than use symbols and metaphors, the plot focuses on vignettes of strife; of moments that feel real, of anger, fear, bravery and love. Combine all this with excellent acting; never trespassing into melodrama, and you receive a memorable film. Kudos go also to the supporting cast, including Costner, Dunst and the others. Much like the work done at NASA, while the three leads may take the glory, the success of pulling such a story together, is team-work.