The Babadook (2014) If Dr. Seuss and Edgar Allan Poe combined forces to publish a children’s book it would be The Babadook. A fiendishly clever pop-up book in all black and white that tells of a dark force called Mister Babadook that won’t leave after entering your house. This book appears among the stacks of bedtime books and is accidentaly read by the mother. The mother and son never make it through the first reading when little Samuel is scared half-to-death…
Boyhood (2014) The critics all loved Boyhood, and for once they’re not wrong. The director Richard Linklater took 12 years to make a movie that has the look and feel of a documentary, but is very much a work of fiction. It feels like non-fiction because it contains much drama, but very little plot. At almost three hours running time it was a little long, but worth the effort. Linklater’s experiment involved taking a six year old male actor and filming him…
Gone Girl (2014) Why would anyone want to get married? Love, right? Children, could be. Money, yes there are financial advantages. Sex, certainly. Fear, maybe. Fear of being alone? Balanced against the fear of loss of independence? The big question is this “Is this person really who they say they are?” After watching Gone Girl most married people will probably sleep with one eye open and one foot on the floor. If a couple is planning a wedding they might just…
Begin Again My constant struggle in talking about movies is giving enough information to encourage viewing, while not spoiling the fun bits that are so much more enjoyable when you don’t know they’re coming. The trailer for this movie gives away some good moments, but not all of them, so if you see it fine, if you don’t see it, that’s even better. Unfortunately it’s insufficient to say “Please go see this movie,” and leave it at that. You will want to know…
New to Netflix: Short Term 12 Looking for a solid drama to stream tonight? Look no further. Grace and Mason run a group home for teens not placed by the foster care system. These teens are troubled, hurt, angry, and unwilling to be helped, just like most kids but more so. Parenting is hard, but without the advantage of a biological connection it’s almost impossible. Grace slowly builds trust while overcoming her own childhood traumas. Great writing, directing, and acting make…
The Lego Movie Without exaggeration The Lego Movie is the best fantasy film since Lord of the Rings and Star Wars combined. Now that I have your attention allow me to backpedal. The Lego Movie is funny, fast paced, and leaves you humming the “Everything is Awesome” song all the way home. The Lego universe is filled with amazing animation that will delight young and old. Kids like it, and adults like it more. Emmet is just an ordinary Joe trying to make his…
Her (2013) “Her” is a love story, but not one you’ve heard before. It’s a sure thing you’ve seen a movie about a boy and his dog, or even about a girl and her horse. But a love story about a boy and his computer is not nearly as creepy as you might think. In “her” we are immersed in a highly believable and not-so-distant future. Details have been removed except those essential to the viewer. The object of desire…
Saving Mr. Banks I was five years old when I saw “Mary Poppins” in the theatre. My first film viewed on the big screen mesmerized me and started a love affair, or addiction, that continues to this day. Fast forward forty plus years and I couldn’t wait to see “Saving Mr. Banks” which describes the making of the “Mary Poppins” movie and the story that inspired it. Emma Thompson stars as P.L. Travers author of the beloved children’s book who…
2013 Ticket Stub Review. Fifty six tickets stubs were in my 2013 manilla envelope that I use as a memory aide. Some movies I had to look up on in IMDB in order to recall (not a good sign for my memory or the movie’s quality). In short order I narrowed it down to my favorite eight. Four of them I had reviewed previously, and the remaining four movies I highlight below. American Hustle (2013) Absolutely the most fun I had…
Chronicle (2012) Does power corrupt? According to “Chronicle” the answer is sometimes. Do teenagers engage in reckless and dangerous behavior? The answer is a resounding yes. Is this movie fun and intense? I think it’s both. Three teenage boys wind up going to a party, descend into a hole in the ground, touch some glowing rocks, and wind up with telekinetic powers. A common story right? It’s happened to us all at least once in our life. What makes this…