Saturday, December 31, 2016

Lion

☆☆☆☆1/2
+
"Lion" is the engaging, heart tugging story (based on true events) of Saroo (excellent performance by Dev Patel), who after being separated from his family at the age of five and adopted by an Australian couple...is compelled to find his mother and brother in his home county of India.
-
The story slows mid-movie, but picks-up the pace toward the end.

Rated PG-13
2 hr.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.




La La Land

☆☆☆☆☆
+
"La La Land" is not only one of the best movies of the year...it is a movie that will stay with you forever. It is a story...told through music, dance, laughs, and tears...of two young people trying to make it work while chasing their hopes and dreams in Los Angles.

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling give performances worthy of Academy Award nominations.
-
From a movie making perspective...the ending will please, but...

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 8 min.

Visit the official website and watch the trailer.






Friday, December 23, 2016

Office Christmas Party

☆☆☆1/2
+
"Office Christmas Party" brings together some of the best comedic actors and comedians in the wildest Christmas party story ever told.

Jason Bateman does comedy so well!
-
The story gets a little convoluted and goes "over the top."

Rated R
1 hr. 45 min.


Visit the website and see the trailer.





Sunday, December 18, 2016

Loving

☆☆☆☆
+
Based on a true story..."Loving" (directed by Jeff Nichols) is the touching story of the love of an interracial couple fighting (all the way to the Supreme Court) for the right to live as husband and wife in their hometown in Virginia.

The strength and love of this couple is inspiring.
-
The story lacked the emotional impact it could have had.

Rated PG-13
2 hr. 3 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.



Moonlight

☆☆☆☆☆
+
"Moonlight" is the award winning film directed by Barry Jenkins that tells a three part moving story of a man coming to terms with his sexuality (as a boy, a teen, and an adult).

Look for Academy Award nominations.
-
The teen character may have been miscast.

Rated R
1 hr. 50 min.

Visit the website and see the trailer.




The Edge of Seventeen

☆☆☆☆1/2
+
Hailee Steinfeld steals the show in an award winning performance as Nadine, a struggling 17 year old high school junior who loses her father and her only friend...all of which adds to her downward spiral.

"Edge..." strikes a great balance of comedy and drama.
-
See this movie before it leaves theaters!

Rated R
1 hr. 38 min.

Visit the movie website and watch the trailer.



Sunday, December 4, 2016

Manchester by the Sea

☆☆☆☆1/2
+
In one of the best films of the year to date, Casey Affleck gives an award worthy performance as Lee Chandler, a Boston janitor whose brother passes and leaves him as guardian of his nephew Patrick.

Well developed characters, good mix of drama and a little humor, and strong performances by Michelle Williams and Affleck (one of the most natural actors in front of the camera) add up to an excellent film.
-
Looking for a little more emotion.

Rated R
2 hr. 15 min.

Visit the website and watch the trailer.