“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
There’s at least one movie a year that comes out of nowhere and just speaks to me. Last year it was “Sing Street” – a joyous, deep look at growing-up and finding yourself. This year that honor belongs to “Wonder” – a family dramedy whose subtle power is nothing short of remarkable. Based on the […]
The Nativity Story has been told so many times and in so many different ways, in both live-action and animated forms – but never from the point of view of the animals involved… until now. Timothy Reckart, the director of “The Star” (he previously created the Oscar-nominated animated short film “Head Over Heels”) shared with […]
The creation story of the inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood has been made into a movie that’s pretty good. “Goodbye Christopher Robin” has a lot to say and will certainly surprise you along the way. But be aware: this Winnie the Pooh origin tale isn’t joyous like a birthday party for Piglet or a tail-bouncing […]
I was worried that two LEGO movies released in the same year might be overkill. “The LEGO Batman Movie”, released back in February, is the spinoff to 2014’s groundbreaking and innovative “The LEGO Movie”. This tale of the miniature Caped Crusader is still the best animated film of 2017. It’s smart and sharp, with a […]