Film Reviews

Sister Rose Pacatte, FSP

Sister Rose is a Daughter of St. Paul and the founding director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies. She has been the award-winning film columnist for St. Anthony Messenger since 2003 and is the author of several books on Scripture and film, as well as media literacy education.

Sister Rose’s FAVORITE SPORTS DOCUMENTARIES

Senna (2010) Women in Sports (2016) Do You Believe in Miracles? (2001) Step Into Liquid (2003) Free Solo (2018)

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THE CLARK SISTERS: FIRST LADIES OF GOSPEL

It is 1963 in Detroit. Mattie Moss Clark (Aunjanue Ellis), mother of five daughters, gets an idea for a gospel song in the middle of the night. She rouses her young daughters, gathers them around the piano, and before long they are singing the refrain in perfect harmony. The family, including their father, Elbert (Demore Barnes), belongs to the Church of God in Christ, where he is a deacon.

Mattie, who directs, is convinced she and her daughters have a calling to sing the Gospel to the church. Twinkie (Christina Bell), the eldest daughter, writes the songs and the music, while Karen (Kierra ‘Kiki’ Sheard), Dorinda (Shelea Frazier), Denise (Raven Goodwin), and Jacky (Angela Birchett) are the singers. Their lives reach a certain rhythm, but Elbert is jealous and accuses Mattie of ambition. He becomes violent toward Mattie and Twinkie (who is not his biological child, but who is the only father she’s ever known), and a divorce follows.

Tensions arise when Twinkie, whom Mattie has pulled out of school so she can travel with her and write music, wants to continue her studies. When Twinkie reveals she is pregnant right before a church convention, where their moral virtue must be unassailable at all times, Mattie is angry and heartbroken.

The young women want to popularize their music and reach a secular audience. When the Clark Sisters are nominated for a Grammy and invited to sing on television, Mattie is called before the bishop and church elders, who take away her title as president of the International Music Department of the church. They demand that neither she nor her daughters continue to perform. Mattie, ever strong, replies that she is called to preach to all nations. When they reply that she is to be humble and obedient, she walks out.

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel premiered to an audience of 2.7 million on Lifetime when it aired in April, an all-time record for the network. The film is directed by Christine Swanson, and the story and teleplay are by Camille Tucker in her first feature film.

The story of these powerful women draws you in. It is easy to identify with the domestic trials and challenges the family faces. While the story may feel like an inspiring soap opera, what makes the film stand out are the amazing vocal performances, especially the gospel performance at the Grammy Awards. The Clark Sisters are an American treasure who made gospel music mainstream. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

JUMP SHOT: THE KENNY SAILORS STORY

In 1934, a 13-year-old Wyoming boy named Kenny Sailors had to shoot a ball over the head of his 6’5” brother. Standing still, he jumped straight up. Using one hand, he shot the ball in an BOYS STATE arc and made the basket. The move was an innovation that has become so stan

This documentary, which won the Grand Jury dard in the game of basketball that the prize at the Sundance Film Festival this year, man who developed it has been all but is both inspiring and deeply troubling. Amanda forgotten. McBaine and Jesse Moss produce and direct with One of the greatest moments for Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim as an executive proSailors was in 1943 at the NCAA ducer. Together they reveal an annual gathering most championship, played at Madison of us probably never heard of. Square Garden in New York City,

Since 1937, the American Legion has sponsored boys and girls (high school where the University of Wyoming beat seniors, usually at different times) to gather for a week of leadership training in Georgetown 46–34. Sailors was voted state government. This documentary, which begins very slowly and crescendos to the most outstanding player. Life magaa fever pitch, takes place in Austin, Texas, and follows the initial selection prozine memorialized his jump shot at this cess for thousands of boys who will learn the process of running for governor game for generations to come. and other offices in their state. Ben is ultraconservative and inspired by Ronald After college, military service in Reagan; Steven is the child of parents who immigrated from Mexico. Ben learns World War II, and a brief career in the that lying is necessary for politicians to succeed, even if he sacrifices his morals to newly formed NBA, Sailors retired do it. Steven, by contrast, holds on to his principles in a gathering dominated by for the sake of his wife’s health and those who uphold pro-gun rights and anti-abortion views. moved to Glennallen, Alaska. There he

The film quotes George Washington, who believed the two-party system would coached high school basketball (and subvert the power of the people. I found the film challenging in that it shows other sports) for 35 years. He died in young men growing up to be just like some of those who hold office currently. But 2016. it showed signs of character and courage in some of the boys, which offers hope Basketball greats such as Steph for our contentious public square. I hope they make a film about Girls State next. Curry, Kevin Durant, and others are This film is currently streaming on AppleTV+. trying to make Sailor’s humble life known, a life filled with basketball, Not yet rated, PG-13 • Lying for personal gain. God, family, and the US Marines. I loved this documentary—it is guaranteed to inspire. Jump Shot is available Catholic News Service Media Review Office gives these ratings. at JumpShotMovie.com and will be A-1 A-2 A-3 L O streaming on various platforms soon. General Adults and Adults Limited adult Morally patronage adolescents audience offensive Not yet rated • No objectionable content. Source: USCCB.org/movies StAnthonyMessenger.org | June/July 2020 • 53

Susan Hines-Brigger

Susan has worked at St. Anthony Messenger for 26 years and is an executive editor. She and her husband, Mark, are the proud parents of four kids—Maddie, Alex, Riley, and Kacey. Aside from her family, her loves are Disney, traveling, and sports.

Susan welcomes your comments and suggestions!

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Pick Up That Phone!

Yes, you read that headline right. I know, I know, we’re always telling people to get off their phones. In fact, I often feel as if I spend half my day saying that to my kids. But things have changed recently. And that change is the coronavirus pandemic.

I am writing this column from home while self-quarantining along with my husband, Mark, three of our four kids, two dogs, a chinchilla, and a rabbit. Our oldest daughter, Maddie, is holed up at her place. For me, as an introvert, these weeks of staying home have suited me perfectly. In fact, the other day I saw a meme that said we introverts have been practicing for a situation like this our entire lives.

But I also know that for the extroverts among us, being physically separated from others is a huge challenge. I know that because the extroverts in my life have told me so.

VIRTUALLY RECONNECTING

The other night, my sister Karen—the extreme extrovert of the family—FaceTimed me for some company. Usually, because we live relatively close, we would see each other face-to-face, so this was the next best thing. At the time she called, I was working on organizing family photos, a task I had been wanting to do for the past two years. I would periodically interrupt our conversation to hold up a photo—usually an embarrassing one—I had found of us and our older sister, Beth. At some point, we decided to call Beth for a group chat.

For the next hour and a half, the three of us laughed and reminisced as we virtually looked through old pictures during this forced pause in life. It was a rare opportunity and a blessing for the three of us to spend time together, given our normally crazy schedules.

And my sisters weren’t the only ones I was able to virtually connect with. Suddenly, the idea of checking in with friends I haven’t seen in a while took on a whole new spin. We could now see each other while catching up. It was like we were actually together in person. In fact, people on Facebook began hosting virtual happy hours.

In this unprecedented time of disconnection, technology has proven to be a lifeline for many. But some long for the personal connection that has been lost.

THE FLIP SIDE

But while many of my friends and I took full advantage of this new way of connecting, something very interesting happened with my kids. They saw the complete opposite situation.

As a parent, I feel as if I am constantly trying to encourage my kids to connect on a more face-to-face level with their friends. As most kids do these days, they spend a good deal of their off-school hours either on video chat with their friends or playing video games with them. Prior to the current crisis, that’s the way they preferred it.

That is why I was so surprised when, the other day, my daughter Riley—who has not been taking this self-quarantine well—was bemoaning how much she missed her friend Anna. I told Riley just to FaceTime her and talk.

“It’s not the same,” she said. “I want to see my friends in person.”

Wow. That was an unexpected answer.

I found it interesting the different way in which we both reacted to using technology amid a challenging situation. My generation and I saw it as a way to connect while we were separated. My kids, who always use technology to connect, longed for something more. If there is anything good that can come out of this difficult and troubling time, maybe it’s a renewed desire to connect with each other— no matter how we do it.

Check out videos of Susan talking about her family’s experience during their self-quarantine at vimeo.com/FranciscanMedia.

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