Our movie marathon hotel stays have come too close together, so there was nothing new in the selection, and my recent time was spent with the second tier of choices. There were a few good surprises, and some about what I expected. I should have watched more of the Sci Fi ones, but somehow that genre always gives me too much to think about.

Good Hair is a documentary. Here is how Netflix describes it:

"Actor and stand-up comic Chris Rock hops around the world going from beauty salons to science labs to comb through the mystery of African American hair in director Jeff Stilson's astute, hilarious documentary. Rock contemplates the purpose and application of a weave as well as women's self-esteem and their looks. He also gains varying insights from Ice-T, Nia Long, Rev. Al Sharpton, Raven-Symoné, Maya Angelou and other celebrities."

It was thought-provoking and very interesting and sometimes funny; I don't know that I would go as far as 'hilarious' but it had its moments.

Apparently, and I apologize, but I had no idea, hair is a bigger deal than I thought. African American women feel that in order to get jobs and succeed in our society they have three choices: wear wigs, have the curl in their hair relaxed with strong, damaging chemicals, or get a hair weave. Once they get started it is addictive, and with weaves starting at $1000 and $3000 being the average, it is an expensive addiction. Most of the hair used comes from India, where women routinely have their heads shaved as part of a religious sacrifice. The temple sells the hair to Asians and they sell it in America, bringing in hair by the suitcase-load.

Of big concern is the use of hair relaxants on younger and younger girls. A dermatologist tells us that at their young age it is possible to permanently damage the hair follicles.

Now that I think about it, this was funny:

Chris Rock to Maya Angelou: 'How old were you when you first got your hair straightened?'

Maya Angelou: 'I was seventy years old.'

Chris Rock: 'I can't believe you lived your whole life without getting your hair straightened.'

Maya Angelou (laughing): 'I'm still living my life, I'm not quite dead yet.'