Justice League – Review

Justice League – Budget of $300 million – 2 hours and 0 minutes

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Lately, monsters who smell fear have been appearing in Gotham.  When Bruce destroys them, they leave an image behind of 3 squares.   Batman is sure of three things.  First, these are aliens. Second, these boxes mean something.  Three, he is going to need help.  After an intense battle, Wonder Woman explains the 3 boxes are the Mother Boxes. The three boxes were left on earth and keep apart. The boxes were hidden in Themyscira, Atlantis, and somewhere on earth. But with the world more divided than ever, the boxes have woken up and called Steppenwolf.  If the boxes come together, creating the Unity, Steppenwolf will rain terror on earth.  The world fought off Steppenwolf before and won. Now, he is determined to rule the world once and for all.  Bruce knows the team is tough but it needs a true leader.  In order to get the best leader, they must bring him back.

The graphics should only be on the big screen.  Since one of the main characters and the main villain are heavily CGI’ed, it takes away from some of the fight scenes.  It’s noticeable when the actor is replaced with a computer simulation.   Since 3 of the heroes didn’t have a movie to explain their origin story, the writers were tasked with making us care about them.  They succeeded.  Cyborg’s tumultuous relationship with his father, The Flash’s painful relationship with his father, and Aquaman’s distance from Atlantis are all explained in great detail.  Knowing what drives them breathes new life into the DC Universe movie.  The storyline brings you in and keeps your attention.  The movie features heart-wrenching moments along with some good laughs.  See this in theaters and stay past the end credits for a look at the future of the Justice League.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Hope is like car keys. Easy to lose but if you dig around, you can find it – Superman

Fear. I can smell it – Batman

Does anyone know I’m alive – Cyborg

Children. I work with children – Wonder Woman

So we’re the accidents – The Flash

The water talks – Aquaman

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The Star – Review

The Star – Budget of $18 million – 1 hour and 26 minutes

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Nine months BC, a simple mill donkey dreams of joining a traveling caravan with his friend Dave the Dove. After trying to escape for 6 months, he gives up all hope. Then an older donkey helps him break free. During his escape, his is chased by the miller and hurts his hoof. He finds a place to hide but is discovered by a pregnant Mary. Earlier that year, Mary was visited by an angel who told her she would become pregnant and give birth to the Messiah. Mary names the donkey Boaz, Bo for short, and puts a splint on his injured hoof. Joseph is not a fan of the donkey but is given a bigger shock when he learns his wife is pregnant. After praying, Joseph accepts the pregnancy and vows to raise the child. When Mary and Joseph leave to participate in the census, a king’s soldier and 2 guard dogs, Rufus and Thaddeus, break into the home. At the king’s order, they were sent to find Mary and destroy the baby. Hearing this Bo must find Mary and save their baby.

The greatest story ever told through the eyes of the animals that witness everything. Be advised, the writers stated they took some liberties with the story but the base is still present. Parents don’t worry, they never use the word virgin, sex, or kill. But still get the message across about faith and love between Joseph, Mary, and God. It’s a good introduction to the story of Christmas for young children. One of the funniest moments is seeing Bo imitate Mary and Joseph.  Also, the wise men’s camels are hilarious in all of their scenes.  It’s charming, witty, and informative of the meaning of Christmas. While this is not a “full price” movie, it is a great matinee movie for the kids to start a conversation about Christmas.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars

Just like we planned with a momentary near death hiccup – Dave

That’s my workshop – Joseph

Wise men don’t get lost – Deborah

Debbie is as crazy as a box of rocks – Felix

That, Felix, is money and no taste – Cyrus

Awww, I was just starting to get a bit of the flavor – Rufus

Sheep are usually better at following, but I will do my best – Ruth

Thank you. Do you say “Thank you”? Yes. It will be done as you say – Mary

I should have listened to you and given up a long time ago – Bo

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Wonder – Review

Wonder – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 53 minutes

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August “Auggie” Pullman is your typical 10-year-old.  He likes Minecraft, sports, his family, and outer space.  He has a sister and best friend named Olivia (also called Via).  She is loving, strong, and self-sufficient.  With school starting, she is concerned about her brother and that her best friend Miranda is pulling away.  On her 4th birthday, she wished for a baby brother; but she had no idea how it would change her life and relationship with her parents.  Nate is Auggie and Via “cool” dad.  He can always provide a quick laugh to his family but worries about Auggie’s next phase in life.  Isabel Pullman is a confident mom who homeschooled Auggie but believes he is ready for a change.  The change is Auggie’s first day of middle school.  While most students would blend in, Auggie will always stand out.  He was born with a genetic facial deformity.  After 27 surgeries, he can hear, see, breathe, and look better but he will always be different.  This day will have a ripple effect on his family and classmates.

Based on the book Wonder by R. J. Palacio, this story is beautifully adapted to film (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer).  It starts by giving several different points of view of Auggie’s first day.  First, Auggie.  The young, scared boy met with a few students before the first day and they left a bad taste in his mouth.  Second, Via.  She whispers words of encouragement to Auggie, then leaves for school. She feels ignored but must continue to be understanding. So Miranda ignoring her; leaves her alone. Third, Jack Will. He is a scholarship kid who is asked by the principal and his mom to be nice to the new kid. Finally, Miranda. With divorcing parents, she escapes at summer camp. But her escape keeps her away from Via. In the second half of the movie, all these stories come together to tell a moving story about choosing kindness and strength. It is a movie that will draw you in and make you wonder. Just wonder. See this with your children and ignore the PG rating. All kids should see this film with their parents and discuss.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

It’s like leading a lamb to the slaughter and you know it – Nate

It will be fine – Isabel

It’s ok to laugh. I know – Mr. Tushman

The family revolved around the son, not the daughter – Via

You know you can call me anytime – Miranda

You can tell a lot about somebody from their shoes – Auggie

I like this school. I have friends here – Julian

If I looked like him, I would kill myself – Jack

I don’t like being accused of things – Summer

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Lady Bird – Review

Lady Bird – Budget of $10 million – 1 hour and 33 minutes

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Senior year and Christine, who prefers to be called Lady Bird, is trying to figure out life.  Her father Larry has lost his job and feeling down.  Her mother Marion is a mental health nurse who is strong but very critical.  While, Marion wants her daughter to stay at home, for emotional, safety, and financial concerns, Lady Bird wants to leave Sacremento.  She considers her hometown the “Mid-West of California”.  She wants to go to school on the east coast, but it’s 2002 and America just witness the 9/11 attacks.  As the end of her senior year approaches, Lady Bird has to discover her true friends, the effects of her words, the feelings of others, and that dramatic actions have dramatic consequences.

This movie is an independent darling.  It hits with a strong punch of humor by pulling everyday conversations we have had with our friends and family and putting it on the screen.  In one scene, Marion and Lady Bird are arguing and in a split second, they are marveling over a dress.  These coming-of-age films are not new, with movies like Edge of Seventeen, Breaking Legs, and Ingrid Goes West, the main character is noticeable flawed but gains some strength when they notice the world around them.  If you are a lover of independent movies, see it a full price.  Otherwise, matinee price is a better option.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars

I wish I could live through something – Lady Bird

No one’s asking you to be perfect. Just consider it – Marion

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