Lights Camera Jackson

Movie Reviews, Entertainment News and Views from Lights Camera Jackson

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‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold’ Review

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I did not have high hopes for “Dora and the Lost City of Gold”. The ads/trailers make it out to be a goofy, low-brow, slapstick comedy adventure that tarnishes the popular Nickelodeon show. And turning a beloved cartoon into live-action is always major risk. But I should’ve had faith in director James Bobin and co-writer […]
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‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ Review

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If you’re looking for a family-friendly, end of summer treat, “The Angry Birds Movie 2” is your best bet. Sony Pictures Animation sequel to their 2016 hit (based on the mobile game phenomenon) is even more free-spirited and fun than the original. After saving his fellow birds from the “evil” green pigs, Red (once again […]
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‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ Review

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You may be thinking “The Art of Racing in the Rain” is just another talking dog movie. Think again. This adaptation of author Garth Stein’s 2008 best-selling novel is in a different class than the recent, lighter “A Dog’s Purpose”, “A Dog’s Journey” and “A Dog’s Way Home”. That shift in tone, to a more […]
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‘The Farewell’ Review

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If a person is diagnosed with a terminal illness, should they be told? Or, should that secret be kept so the person can enjoy their final few months without the burden of the truth? What if that person is the beloved matriarch of a proud but fractured Chinese family? That’s the foundation of “The Farewell”, […]
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‘The Secret Life of Pets 2’ Review

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“The Secret Life of Pets 2” is Illumination Entertainment’s sequel to their 2016 mega hit. Director Chris Renaud is back, along with most of the principal cast. But the vibe, as a whole, is much different from the original – and for the better. Patton Oswalt (who broke through as a voice actor as Remy […]
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‘Aladdin’ Review

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Disney’s second of four live-action re-imaginings this year is director Guy Ritchie’s version of “Aladdin”. Ritchie’s previous film, 2017’s “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”, cost $175 million and only made $39 million at the U.S. box office. This “Aladdin” cost even more (a reported $183 million) – so there’s even more on the line […]
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‘Pokemon: Detective Pikachu’ Review

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I’ve never ventured into the world of Pokemon. I allowed the “Pokemon Go!” craze to pass by, as people all over the world, with their eyes glued to their phones, wandered into traffic trying to “catch” animated creatures. A live-action/CGI Pokemon movie could’ve gone down many different paths. But Warner Bros. chose to focus on […]
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‘UglyDolls’ Review

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You’re probably asking yourself, “Do we really need another animated movie about talking toys?” In this case, the answer is Yes. “UglyDolls” doesn’t have the impact of “Toy Story”, the wow factor of the first “LEGO Movie” or the razzle-dazzle of “Trolls”. But veteran animation director Kelly Asbury (“Shrek 2”, “Gnomeo & Juliet”, “Smurfs: The […]
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‘Breakthrough’ Review

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“Breakthrough” is based on an incredible true story. In January 2015, 14-year-old middle school student John Smith was playing with some friends on a frozen lake in his hometown of Saint Charles, Missouri, when he fell through the ice. Firefighters rescued him after he was underwater for more than 15 minutes. John was first taken […]
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‘Missing Link’ Review

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“Coraline”, “ParaNorman”, “The Boxtrolls” and “Kubo and the Two Strings” all raised the bar when it comes to the medium of stop-motion animation. Each challenged storytelling conventions. Each took visual risks that paid off. And they all held firm against the temptation to please audiences of all ages. Unfortunately, Laika Animation’s fifth feature, “Missing Link”, […]
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