Tag: movie review

  • Movie Review – Doctor Strange

    Movie Review – Doctor Strange

    I saw the Scott Derrickson-directed Doctor Strange over the weekend, and enjoyed it a lot.  It’s not going to unseat any of my favorite MCU movies (currently Iron Man, Winter Soldier, Guardians and Civil War) but it was a fun if familiar tale.  I’ll get all the non-spoiler notes out of the way first:  the…

  • Movie Review – Kubo and the Two Strings

    Movie Review – Kubo and the Two Strings

    We saw Kubo and the Two Strings a while ago, but I’m just gathering my thoughts on it now.  It’s quite possibly my favorite Laika movie, and that’s saying something as Coraline gets a ton of play, especially this time of year.  Kubo deals with complex feelings with mind-numbingly gorgeous visuals.  It’s the sort of…

  • Movie Review – Storks

    Movie Review – Storks

    We saw Storks at a preview screening, and it had some really cute parts and fun actiony bits.  However, I think they just had no idea how to start the movie to get to those bits and just decided to use the “I’m giving you the company as long as you don’t screw up this…

  • Movie Review – Pete’s Dragon (2016)

    Full disclosure:  if I saw the original movie as a kid, I don’t remember it.  This version of Pete’s Dragon starts out in the most Disney manner ever, with Pete (Oakes Fegley) losing his parents but being rescued by Elliott.  Pete lives in the forest for several years with Elliott, until he’s found by Grace…

  • Movie Review – Star Trek Beyond

    Movie Review – Star Trek Beyond

    I’ve got a bit of a love/hate relationship with the “Kelvin-verse” Star Trek movies.  I really like the cast, and have come to grips with the fact that, since it’s not a TV show, the movies need to shade a bit more to the action side of things than the more cerebral Trek episodes.  Still,…

  • Movie Review – Ghostbusters (2016)

    Movie Review – Ghostbusters (2016)

    I’m happy to report that I have seen the new Ghostbusters movie and did not, in fact, experience the death of my childhood.  We all enjoyed it quite a bit.  Sure, there’s a few bits that don’t land but that’s true of the original Ghostbusters if you can manage to view it without the rose-tinted glasses…

  • Movie Review – Captain America: Civil War

    Movie Review – Captain America: Civil War

    note:  some spoilers There’s a huge reason Captain America: Civil War works and Batman v Superman doesn’t, and that’s emotional investment.  I know Zack Snyder and DC/WB wanted to do thing their own way and not ape Marvel’s so far successful approach, but when you are rebooting two legendary characters and making significant changes, you…

  • Movie Review – The Jungle Book

    Movie Review – The Jungle Book

    Live-action versions of their classic animated features is a thing for Disney right now, and the next one is The Jungle Book.  Yeah, I know it’s technically adapted from the Kipling book but make no mistake the classic animated version is the inspiration here.  Thankfully, it’s a really good adaptation. The first thing that stands…

  • Movie Review – Kung Fu Panda 3

    Movie Review – Kung Fu Panda 3

    I previously held up Kung Fu Panda 2 as an example of how a sequel should be done.  I don’t think Kung Fu Panda 3 reaches those same heights but it’s still a fun ride. Kung Fu Panda 3 picks up not long after 2 – Po is living his ideal life as the Dragon Warrior.  He…

  • Lightning Movie Reviews – Ant-Man, Ultron, Minions

    I have some catching up to do, so you get some quick thoughts on some recent flicks. Avengers: Age of Ultron – The first movie was so successful, so it would’ve been difficult to meet expectations here. Ultron definitely was a half-step down but still had some great action and humor. Ultron himself could’ve used…

  • Inside Out and When Marnie Was There

    Inside Out and When Marnie Was There

    I’m late posting this, but I saw both Inside Out and When Marnie Was There with the kids, and boy was THAT an emotional wringer.  But in the best way. Seeing them both that close together makes for an interesting comparison – both movies focus on a girl dealing with the emotions of adolescence. Riley…

  • Movie Review – Tomorrowland

    Movie Review – Tomorrowland

    We saw Tomorrowland, and quite enjoyed it.  It felt to me like a throwback to the 80s kid adventure movies, with a modern budget.  It isn’t perfect, but the visuals and the solid kid actors make it worthwhile. The story centers around two people – Frank Walker, seen both as a 12 year old inventor…