Lights Camera Jackson

Reviews, News, and Views from Jackson Murphy

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‘Sherlock Gnomes’ Review

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2011’s “Gnomeo & Juliet” is charming, sweet, emotional and genuine. I told lead voice actress Emily Blunt “it’s a terrific animated movie” on “The Tonight Show”. I can’t believe that was more than 7 years ago. Now, after seeing the new sorta-sequel, sorta-spinoff, follow-up – “Sherlock Gnomes”, I kinda feel bad for Blunt, whose Juliet […]
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‘A Wrinkle in Time’ Review

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“A Wrinkle in Time” is based on the Award-winning 1962 novel of the same name that’s a fixture in most grade school classrooms. I’ve been familiar with the book for a long time, but didn’t read it growing-up. After seeing Disney’s film adaptation, I consider that a blessing. Ava DuVernay is the talented director of […]
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‘Early Man’ Review

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“Early Man” is the fifth stop-motion feature from iconic British animation studio Aardman. It also marks the triumphant directorial return of Nick Park, the creator of Wallace & Gromit and Oscar-winner for the duo’s 2005 film, “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”. “Early Man” is packed with Aardman’s trademark comedic style. But with each of their […]
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‘2018 Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films’ Review

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This year’s Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films are packed with bold visuals and lots of star power. Who’s the favorite? For a change –  it’s anybody’s game. “Dear Basketball” is directed by legendary Disney animator Glen Keane, and it’s written and narrated by former NBA great Kobe Bryant, who describes his love of the sport […]
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‘Mary and The Witch’s Flower’ Review

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“Mary and The Witch’s Flower” is the latest anime feature from director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (“The Secret World of Arrietty”, “When Marnie Was There”). It’s based on the 1971 Children’s novel The Little Broomstick, by late author Mary Stewart. This film adaptation is a fantastical adventure filled with spirit. Young Mary moves into the English countryside […]
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‘Paddington 2’ Review

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2014’s “Paddington” was a genuine surprise. The film adaptation of the iconic books about the lovable bear from the jungles of Peru had depth, heart and a fresh filmmaking style from writer/director Paul King. “Paddington 2” is a similar yet very different sequel – that hits nearly all the same marks. Paddington (again voiced by […]
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‘The Greatest Showman’ Review

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Hugh Jackman has been attached to the role of P.T. Barnum since 2009. And now the big-top musical “The Greatest Showman” has come to town. It’s five years since Jackman portrayed Jean Valjean in the film version of “Les Miserables”, in which all the songs were performed “live” – and a year after “La La […]
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‘Ferdinand’ Review

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Ferdinand the Bull first appeared on the big screen in a 1938 Oscar-winning Disney animated short. He’s now been given the feature-length treatment thanks to Blue Sky Studios, best known for the “Ice Age” films. Two years ago their “Peanuts Movie” was a gentle, thoughtful and surprisingly deep adaptation of a classic property. “Ferdinand”, which […]
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‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ Review

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The recent drama “Goodbye Christopher Robin” took us behind the curtain of author A.A. Milne, with the surprisingly dark true story of the creation of the Hundred Acre Wood. “The Man Who Invented Christmas” is a slightly lighter, though just as intriguing and fascinating look at the making of a literary classic. A Christmas Carol […]
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‘Coco’ Review

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Pixar’s latest animated film, “Coco”, is about the traditional Mexican holiday The Day of the Dead. Three years ago there was another animated film about this holiday – “The Book of Life”. So the challenge for Pixar was to take a different perspective on it, but stay true to the culture and live-up to the […]
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