Hi, I’m Auggie Pullman. I have the typical likes of any boy: Star Wars, outer space and science. Yet, my appearance doesn’t mirror them at all. From birth to fairly recently (before 10), the surgeries have numbered twenty-seven. They help me to hear, breath and live normally. Mom has home schooled me until now. She decided it’s the right time to begin regular education.
Will I be accepted? Can I live without my space helmet (it protects me from glaring eyes)? What would Chewbacca do?
Wonder was based on the R.J. Palacio novel. Jacob Tremblay turned in an old soul performance as Auggie. Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson were terrific together as his parents.
The film tackled tolerance, bullying and love in an atypical manner. Acceptance and overcoming the odds are things that we never outgrow. However, a strong community of family and friends (real not just Minecraft) are what help us to persevere.
This is One of the Best Films of 2017, One of 2017’s Best Family Films and Best Family Drama of 2017. In a world of uncertainty, we should all remember to Choose Kind.
Charlie was a poor lad who shared a one room flat. He lived there with his mom, two grandfathers, and two grandmothers. He went to school and delivered papers as well. His heart was rich even though they weren’t.
Willy Wonka announced a contest that five golden tickets were hidden in Wonka products. The winners would be allowed a private tour of the Wonka factory and a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Charlie would have loved the opportunity to win that. However, he couldn’t afford such a small luxury. His birthday came around and presents were given. He received a warm, red scarf and a Wonka candy. No golden ticket was in that but he felt like the richest boy in town.
Four golden tickets have been claimed by Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, & Mike Teevee. Gloop was a robust, young German with an infinite appetite. Salt was a mouthy, British girl who wanted it all. Violet was an American girl with a taste for gum. Mike wanted nothing more than sweets and to be on television.
However, each child was propositioned by Mr. Slugworth. He would give a child $10,000 for Wonka’s latest top-secret confection, The Everlasting Gobstopper.
A fifth ticket was claimed in Chile. Charlie’s dreams were brought to a screeching halt. However, the stop was brief. It turned out that the Chilean man was a counterfeiter.
One last ticket was still somewhere in the world. Charlie’s luck would shine when he found a big coin in a drain. He took the money and bought a Scrumpdiddlyumptious bar. Yet, he made a sudden decision and purchased a Wonka Bar as well.
HE’S GOT A GOLDEN TICKET! So, Charlie ran home. He was stopped by Slugworth and disregarded it. The family was overjoyed. He could only take one guest on October 1st at 10 A.M. He chose his Grandpa Joe. It was the first time in 20 years that he’d been out of bed.
Would Charlie win the lifetime supply of Wonka Chocolate? Would Slugworth get his Everlasting Gobstopper?
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (based on Roald Dahl’s novel and adapted by the author) still holds its weight in golden eggs 45 years later. Gene Wilder was and always will be Willy Wonka. He brought the right balance of drama, comedy, and childlike wonderment to the role. Peter Ostrum was terrific as Charlie. Yet, it would be his only film and what a piece of cinematic joy. He makes his living as a veterinarian now.
The film wasn’t a box office hit when released. However, it developed a huge cult following from children and adults alike. Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley composed the music & lyrics for the film. The songs featured included “The Candy Man” (yes, the one that Sammy Davis, Jr. popularized), “Pure Imagination”, and “I’ve Got A Golden Ticket”.
On August 28, 2016, film fans lost the genius of Gene Wilder. He passed away due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. However, we will always remember the pure imagination, comedic innocence, and sheer talent that he provided.
The Producers, Blazing Saddles, The Little Prince, Willy Wonka, and Young Frankenstein are just a few of his comedic gems to be cherished. We will always remember Gene Wilder.
Hotel Transylvania 2 finds Jonathan (Andy Sandberg) and Mavis (Selena Gomez) on the verge of marriage. Dracula (Adam Sandler) approves surprisingly along with the rest of the Drac Pack: Frankenstein, Griffin, Wayne, and Murray. Linda (Megan Mullally) and Mike (Nick Offerman), Jonathan’s parents, are surprisingly accepting of the unusual in-law and extended family. Several years pass, the newlyweds are expecting their child but Mavis begins to crave a change of scenery.
However, the new child brings another dilemma, Vlad (Mel Brooks). Vlad is old fashioned and believes that humans are to be scared and eaten? Well, Dracula is more willing to bathe in holy water than for him to meet the new family. Will Vlad go medieval on the humans? Will Mavis decide to leave Transylvania forever? Does Griffin have an actually, invisible girlfriend or is he hallucinating?
Hotel Transylvania 2 has a shocking revelation. Ready? Adam Sandler has found a perfect niche: family films. He has an infinite audience for his new brand of mild, toilet humor: children under 8. However, his jokes in this installment are funnier than any of his previous PG-13 or R-rated comedies (excluding the Drew Barrymore team-ups).
The voice-over actors are nicely cast including Molly Shannon, Dana Carvey, and Rob Riggle. However, the new editions of Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman are wonderful. Their human couple captures overcompensating in-laws to the best degree. They go to outlandish links to find weird, monstrous couples in California (Surprise, No Kardashians?). Yet, Mel Brooks steals their thunder as the hasidic Vlad. Presumably, he has no soft spots except for his grandchild.
Viewers shouldn’t go in expecting Meet the Parents or Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. However, they will be pleased with Sandler’s lighter side. In retrospect, he should’ve reunited Carl Reiner with Mel Brooks one more time. 2000 Year Old Vampire anyone? Hmm, well where would we find a coffin big enough for those two.
Gather a Drac Pack and make the B-line to Transylvania for this can’t miss laugh fest.
What if the asteroid didn’t kill the dinosaurs 65 Million Years Ago?
The Good Dinosaur revolves around this concept. We find a brontosaurus farming family of two on hatch watch. They are blessed with three: Libby, Buddy, & Arlo. Libby and Buddy are normal sized but Arlo is the runt. Arlo’s siblings are more apt to bigger tasks but he gets the smaller task. He is frustrated until Poppa decides to give him a challenge: catch and smash the creature taking the winter rations. The creature is caught but Arlo can’t seal the deal. It presents a bigger problem when Arlo and Poppa go after it.
Will Arlo leave his mark? Will the creature live?
Dinosaur is the latest offering from Disney/Pixar. Peter Sohn directs a film that is more for adults than families. He guides through a land of beauty and wonder but with scary dangers as well. Adults will find themselves moved by the hardships faced by the characters.
The film has more of a western flare that is atypical of Pixar. It is a western because the unlikely son has to prove himself worthy of responsibility. Also, he must grow up to learn survival, fighting, and agriculture. He will learn to understand, love, and appreciate the unknown. The children will enjoy some of the less scary dinosaurs and animals.
Viewers should be prepared to have adult conversations with children regarding death, responsibility, and tolerance. This is a very emotional film more for the adults than for the children. However, it is a starting point for transitions that we all face throughout life.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas revolved around the lives of Ma and Emmet Otter. They were residents of Frogtown and made a living as best they could since Pa Otter passed. Pa had made his living as a snake oil salesman. “It wasn’t much of a living; Besides who wants to oil a snake anyhow?”, Ma said. Ma was a washmaid and Emmet performed odd jobs. Christmas was soon to be upon them. The holiday presented the dilemma of getting presents. However, a potential solution was a talent contest at nearby Waterville. The first prize was $50. Emmet would like to get Ma a piano and she would like to buy a guitar for him. However, Riverbottom Boys, a motorcycle gang, could present a further problem.
Jug Band Christmas was based on the children’s book by Russell and Lillian Hoban. The special was another triumph for the late Jim Henson as director/producer. His special was complimented by Oscar winner Paul Williams, music and lyrics. Williams wrote some beautiful songs for the special including “Brothers in the World” and “When the River Meets the Sea”. Literary fans will notice the similarities between Jug-Band Christmas and O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi.
Henson provided viewers with a great moral and entertainment. We could use moral and uplifting programs such as this one now. It showed us that friends and family are greater than a cash prize.
The Peanuts Movie is based on the iconic Charles Schulz comic strip. We find Charlie Brown again as the odd boy out of sorts. However, a red headed girl moves into town. Her arrival makes Chuck strives to get out of that extended slump (well, Cubs & Indians fans know the struggle). Will he fit in finally? Will Snoopy defeat the Red Baron? Will Lucy Let Him Kick The Football?!
Spoiler Alert: She pulls it back per usual.
It is one of 2015’s ten best films. The seamless direction of Paul Martino is a beautiful mixture of CG and hand drawn animation. The screenplay was adapted by Brian Schulz (Charles’ grandson), Craig Schulz (Charles’ son), and Cornelius Uliano. Brian & Craig Schulz made sure that the family tradition remained intact. Meghan Trainor contributed “Better When I’m Dancin'” and “Good to Be Alive” to the soundtrack. She should receive an Oscar nomination or two for those upbeat tracks.
It is the best family film overall. It should be a contender for Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Original Song at the 2016 Oscars. Fans will find themselves laughing, smiling, and tearing up (a little). They will find this film as satisfying as The Lego Movie. Gather friends, do the Snoopy happy dance, and go see this film.
Oh, stay during the credits for the spoiler and various Peanuts comic/film stills over the past 50 years.
Let’s have one last check before departing home. Luggage, Check! Furnace at a steady temp, Check! Everyone’s here, Check! Off to the Airport…Wait, Where’s Kevin?!
Home Alone followed the McAllister family as they prepared for a Christmas trip. The destination was sunny Florida. The objective was to escape a cold, snowy Chicago winter for a change. All was well until Kate McCallister (Catherine O’Hara) forgot Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) in the travel rush. Kevin was just being a normal, 8 year old; hyper, intuitive, annoying? No, couldn’t be.
Anyhow, what frightens him? Nothing, right? Wrong, Old Man Marley (Roberts Blossom) had more legends than a library of campfire tales. He was known for being creepy and Yikes! However, two burglars, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), were on a spree like no other. ‘Til they met Kevin, OH BROTHER! Will Kevin make it through the loneliness? Will Marley stay away? Will the burglars have an easy time?
Home Alone was a slapstick, family romp. The film was directed by Chris Columbus (writer of Gremlins) and written by John Hughes (Planes, Trains, & Automobiles). Culkin was priceless as Kevin. Pesci (yeah, that “Do I Amuse You Like A Clown?!”) and Stern (yeah, narrator Kevin from The Wonder Years) were physical bumblers on par with The Three Stooges. O’Hara was warm, sensitive, and a very, concerned mother. Also, viewers will recognize the McAllister House as Steve Martin’s home in Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. John Candy, from that film, made another memorable Hughes turn as Gus Polinski, a Polka musician.
The film was nominated for 2 Oscars for Best Original Score (John Williams) and Best Original Song, “Somewhere in My Memory” (Music, John Williams & Lyrics, Leslie Bricusse). John Williams is a familiar name with Oscar watchers but Briscusse is no stranger to the Academy. His best known songs were from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
Set a trap, grab some popcorn, and get ready to enjoy this “Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animal!”
What happens when the greatest detective begins to lose his memory?
Mr. Holmes is based on the novel A Slight Trick of the Mind by Mitch Cullin. Sherlock Holmes spends his days beekeeping and occasionally writing near the English seaside. Mrs. Munro and her son Roger take care of Holmes daily. Roger and Mr. Holmes share a mutual admiration for intellect and learning. Roger inquires about a woman’s picture that he has in his study. Holmes informs Roger that the woman is an unsolved case. Who was she? Will Mr. Holmes remember? Prepare to learn this and much more.
Director Bill Condon and Ian McKellan recapture the magic from 1998’s Gods and Monsters. McKellan is outstanding as Mr. Holmes and should receive a long overdue Oscar. Laura Linney is wonderful as Mrs. Munro and should win alongside McKellan. Milo Parker shines as Roger and acts beyond his years.
Mr. Holmes is one of 2015’s top ten films. Holmes will be remembered and mentioned at Oscar time. Viewers longing for artistry and storytelling will be thankful for this hidden gem.
Ian McKellan is best known as a renowned, Shakespearean actor. However, he’s been twice nominated for an Oscar (Gods and Monsters (1998), Best Actor; Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), Best Supporting Actor). He is best known to most cinema goers as Magneto in the X-Men series and Gandolf in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
He’s also an openly, gay actor. He was prompted to come out in 1988 after Margaret Thatcher proposed “Section 28” legislation. The bill would have made “the public promotion of homosexuality illegal”. He has been a huge supporter of gay rights ever since.
His performance in Gods and Monsters as James Whale was a strong statement in this favor. Mr. Whale was himself a homosexual during a time when such behavior was deplorable. McKellan’s Oscar nomination was significant because of his own orientation. However, he brought his own style to this subtly, tragic role.
Viewers will always be drawn to great performances on the screen and the stage. We also root for those who have overcame a great struggle and used their experience to inspire countless others. Cheers, Ian for fighting and standing up for the LGBT community.
(Portions of this review were written on July 25, 2015)
What is going on inside of our minds? Could this the basis for a Ph.D. in Psychology or Psychiatry? (Possibly but not in this case.)
No, it’s Inside Out.
Inside Out goes inside the mind of an 11 yr. old girl named Riley. Her emotions are Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling). Riley is uprooted from Minnesota because of her father’s employer. The family sets up a new home in San Francisco. Meanwhile, Joy is the centerpiece in managing Riley’s thoughts. However, Sadness makes a costly decision that changes this process.
Inside Out shines with a diverse voice cast including Richard Kind as Bing Bong, Diane Lane as Mom, and Kyle MacLachlan as Dad. Poehler and Smith share a symbiotic chemistry together as Joy and Sadness. Lewis Black is hilariously brash as Anger. He is on the same comedic par with Don Rickles’ Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story films.
Pete Docter doesn’t top the Oscar winning film, Up. However, he does make viewers feel that anything is possible. Also, he succeeds in highlighting our perceptions, fears, and dreams.
Inside Out reminds us that even if something is bad, good can come from it. Every emotion has its time and place and occasionally does help resolve an issue.
(This review contains portions written on July 11, 2015 .)
Remember the first time taking flight and then falling. How about meeting James Hook and Sam Smiegel? Prepare to ascend to Neverland.
Pan is a new vision of J.M. Barrie’s characters that takes place during WWII. Peter (Levi Miller) was left at an orphanage by his mother (Amanda Seyfried) as a baby with a note and a flute, charmed necklace.
Twelve years later, he begins to question his past and where all the boys are going. The orphans are adopted but some are disappearing. So, he decides to investigate his file along with the missing boys. Then, one night things come to light. A mysterious rope with a man snatches boys out of their beds one by one. Peter’s friend is taken and he tries to save him. However, they are both taken aboard a flying, pirate ship. After an air battle with British fighter planes, they ascend from the Earth and wind up in space.
The next morning finds Peter and friend in Neverland. They are introduced to an intimidating pirate named Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman). He runs the mine that contains pixium or fairy dust fragments. Work and be rewarded or be lazy and walk the plank? So, Peter begins working in the mines. He comes across a mysterious man who dislikes his curiosity. The man is James Hook (Garrett Hedlund), alias Captain Hook, and slowly comes to like him. Peter finds a huge fragment and it is taken by Sam Smiegel (Adeel Akhtar). Smiegel calls him a thief and Blackbeard has him to walk the plank. However, he begins to fly briefly and falls not far from the ground. Blackbeard is shocked. He’s heard a legend of a boy that can fly, fights him (Blackbeard), and kills him. Is this legend true or just a fairy tale?
Joe Wright (Director) and Jason Fuchs (Screenwriter) helm a beautiful, new origin of J.M. Barrie’s cherished classic. Hugh Jackman is outstanding and atypically villainous as Blackbeard. He’s joined by an ensemble including Rooney Mara (Tigerlily), Garrett Edlund (Hook), and newcomer Levi Miller (Pan). Viewers are treated to a Neverland that resembles an imaginary collaboration between Terry Gilliam and the late Jim Henson. The Neverbird resembles creatures from Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal. The dialogue and art direction resemble that of Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. The visual effects are amazing including giant crocodiles, flying pirate ships, and mermaids.
Take the second star to the right and straight on until a theater nearby for this magical adventure.
hausdex 