There are a lot of great heartfelt moments in Elizabeth Chomko’s directorial debut, including the opening scene where the musical score and images really settle you into your seat. What follows is an intimate look at Alzheimer’s through the eyes of the children dealing with their mother. Oscar winner Hilary Swank is mounting a slow […]
Jean-Marc Vallée’s “Wild” is the best comparison for what to expect with Belgium director Felix Van Groeningen’s “Beautiful Boy.” Both films focus on the struggle with addiction and despair. “Beautiful Boy” based on two novels, one from the point of view of the father, the other from the son. It is a gripping and thoroughly
Taking advantage of the politically charged and divided society, actor turned director Ike Barinholtz (Blockers) was inspired by his own family Thanksgiving conversation to write this script. The Oath isn’t the first film to try and make a profit off Trump era division, nor is it likely to be the last. One line in The Oath even uses the
Often associated with the sick and twisted, director (and actor) Eli Roth (“Death Wish”, “Hostel”) trades guts and gore for family friendly entertainment with The House with a Clock in its Walls. When the story isn’t trying to be America’s version of Harry Potter (dead parents, magic, impending doom, talking furniture), it does offer some
Disney’s new film “Christopher Robin” is not to be confused with 20th Century Fox’s “Goodbye Christopher Robin” Last year, “Goodbye” showed us the dark origins of young boy Robin and how the famous characters like Pooh and friends came to be. The latest is a fictional story along the lines of “Paddington” where a grown-up
In our narcissistic age, it’s fitting that we have more films for kids about its consequences, particularly when Hollywood has such a draw. This animated film is about a “sidekick, a nobody” who has aspirations for greatness like the known superheroes enjoy. Robin (Menville) is chafing about his insignificance in the superhero world, and his team’s references
For a little background information, Dracula (Sandler) is a widower with a grown-up daughter called Mavis (Gomez) who has decided they both need some R&R and more family time. So for a surprise, she has arranged for all of them to go on a trip, without telling them it will be a cruise—which Drac would never
I am always partial to Brad Bird, and think that his production of Incredibles 2i s just that—impressive enough to be regarded as incredible, and a film that is likely to appeal to all ages. One of Bird’s strengths is in mixing lavish visual and special effects with an entertaining story of substance. Beyond the entertainment, values come
There is going to be a lot of talk about “Hereditary”, it’s the type of film that exists to disturb, bother and create conversation. First time feature filmmaker Ari Aster floored audiences when “Hereditary” debuted at Sundance earlier this year. It’s not simply that his film is frightening or distressing, it’s the quality of his
Show Dogs, directed by Raja Gosnell and written by Max Botkin and Marc Hyman, is one of the rare animated films that will appeal to children and adults equally. There is a little pandering to adults in the romantic theme, and to children in a fart joke; but for the most part, the film models good