Because trouble comes in all sizes.
Free Guy is the latest Ryan Renolds movie. In fact, in the age of Covid, it’s one of the few recent movie releases only being shown at theaters. Given my kids and I are vaccinated, we opted to take the plunge to return to the in-person experience. We arrived at the cinema with no expectations other than preferring to watch a Ryan Reynolds movie over the other latest film release, Paw Patrol.
When I first read about a remake for Pete’s Dragon I was indifferent. The original animated movie never intrigued me as a child and I suspected a modern live action update would leave me cold as well. Yet the imaginative folks at Disney have proven to be creative storytellers as seen in recent reboots such as Cinderella and Maleficent. Begrudgingly, I opted to give this new iteration of Pete’s Dragon a chance. Besides, my kids insisted we see it.
Admittedly, I did not read Roald Dahl’s original book version of The BFG. Other than the movie trailer, I had no inkling what the story would be about. Perhaps that particular tidbit was serendipitous. My colleagues for this particular review were two pint-sized versions of yours truly, namely my kids. One was thrilled at the prospect of seeing this film while the other likened viewing this movie to getting one’s teeth cleaned at the dentist. It was a tough sell but luckily after extolling the “cool factor” of Giants, my oldest was all in for the review.
Cowabunga! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows brings the fun of the franchise back to the big screen with a rip-roaring romp of an adventure. Unlike the more serious-toned superhero movies released this year, the new TMNT film serves up a calorie laden, popcorn movie feast for the eyes.
Admittedly I knew very little about Marvel’s comic book hero Ant-Man. But I’d been following Paul Rudd’s career for years. He’s the type of actor who seems like a great guy in real life which comes across on screen in nearly every performance he’s given to date. I believe his innate charisma, much like Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) and Chris Pratt (Peter Quill aka Star-Lord), was a factor in Mr. Rudd being cast for the lead role. Still, star power comprises only one piece of the puzzle needed to create a successful action blockbuster. Story matters above all. Ant-Man, the tiniest of Marvel’s superheroes, packs the biggest heart.
Every time you think Skynet has finally met its demise, another Terminator movie arises. What’s significant about Terminator Genisys is the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the iconic role that placed him on the map as a movie action star. Coupled with a story that essentially attempts to reboot the franchise, Terminator Genisys tests the waters to gauge the audience’s interest in humans versus the machines.
I’ve been watching Disney-Pixar movies since the release of Toy Story in 1996. It would be a decade later that my own parenting journey would begin. The depth of emotion invested in each subsequent movie such as Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 became more apparent as my life as a Dad evolved. As many parents would attest, Moms and Dads find themselves growing up along with their children. Disney-Pixar’s latest movie, Inside Out, explores the powerful emotions of change experienced by an 11 year old girl as well as the profound effect on the lives of her family.
I had low expectations for Disney’s “Cinderella”. There was no urgency for me to see this movie. After all, it was just a live action retelling of a well known and some would say woefully anachronistic princess story. Yet there I was, seated beside my 6 year old daughter, inexplicably engaged in the story on an emotional level. The strong bond between Cinderella and her father drew me in sparking contemplation about my little girl’s future happiness. If the world around her comes crashing down, the likelihood of a magic savior seems remote at best. It will ultimately be her own strength that determines her fate. Indeed, she will need to “have courage and be kind.”
Since the first installment of the X-Men movie series in 2000, the cinematic history of the Wolverine and the X-Men has the Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, as the glue that connects all of the stories together. And why not? As portrayed by Mr.Jackman, he’s a charismatic loner albeit a dangerous, complex, and hot-tempered mutant prone to fits of rage and violence. Toss in some retractable claws and a nearly unlimited healing ability and you get quite the compelling protagonist. Case in point, the just released “X-Men: Days of Future Past” directed by Bryan Singer. The X-Men in the future are in deep trouble. They desperately need someone who has amazing healing abilities allowing the person to travel 50 years into the past by way of powerful psychic but brain damaging means. Enter Wolverine.