As Disney films go, Pete’s Dragon, the latest in their crusade to turn all animated films into live action, is exactly what you expect from the family friendly studio. It’s got all the touchy feely moments, all the predictable outcomes, cue the positive music at the end, you know it’s time to exit. Disney (and […]
This is the seventh in a series of Ice Age films, and is largely empty animation and special effects without much of a story. My interest was piqued when I saw that Neil DeGrasse Tyson was going to be one of the voices in the film, in hopes that it would have some educational value;
It might just be the most adorable film of 2016. Writer/director Taika Waititi (Eagle vs. Shark, What We Do in the Shadows) has crafted a film that appeals to all ages. For younger children it’s a wild adventure in the New Zealand bush, for adults it’s a hilarious coming of age story. Hunt for the
Loveable? Playful? Mischievous? Loyal? Sometimes possessive? All pet owners know their darlings are all of these, but in The Secret Life of Pets, they are these and more—adventurous, spiteful, heroic, and really comical. Basic credit should go to the directors (Chris Renaud and Yarrow Cheney), the writers (Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch, Cinco Paul), Production designer
The BFG seemed to capture children’s interest and attention in the screening I attended, and there was applause at the end. Noises I heard from kids during the film seemed more like they were engaged and involved rather than restless, despite the almost-2-hour production. I got the impression they were following the BFG’s malapropisms as
Another day, another unnecessary sequel. The original Alice in Wonderland (2010) director Tim Burton has abandoned the project (still a producer) while The Muppets director James Bobin takes over. For all intents and purposes Alice Through the Looking Glass appears to be the same; familiar cast, characters, and style. However, it’s a complete departure from
Disney is on a quest to bring to life all of their classic animated stories. Last year Cinderella got the live action treatment, now Jon Favreau leaves superheroes behind to direct the classic story of a young boy raised by animals. Of course this isn’t the first attempt, it was given a live action treatment
Similar to what we saw in Heaven is For Real (2014), Miracles From Heaven is another film, adapted from a book, following the true story of a sick child, visiting Heaven. These films certainly have good intentions, they are impossible to hate. It’s the studio influence that reinforces stereotypes (the father can’t go into his
Christmas movies are as formulaic as horror films or romantic comedies, in many ways they are worse.
