Thursday, November 26, 2015

The Good Dinosaur

PG
Starring the voices of: Raymond Ochoa, Jack Mc Graw, Jack Bright, Jeffrey Wright,
Frances McDormand and Sam Elliott
Running Time: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes

This is the second Disney Pixar release this year. "The Good Dinosaur" is following on the heels of  the extremely popular "Inside Out".
This movie has a little different spin from the theory that we have always been taught about the comet hitting the earth and destroying all dinosaur life. In this movie the comet misses the earth and so the dinosaurs and the humans coexist at the same time for a totally different perspective.
The baby dinosaur Arlo (Jack McGraw) is hatched into a very loving and supportive family. He learns the importance of survival and being self- supportive. He is taught how to grow corn and harvest it for the year.
He needs to work hard so that he can follow in his family's footsteps and have the honor of putting his paw print on the corn silo alongside his parents and siblings. He soon finds that the work is more difficult than what he ever imagined.
One tragic day he is out alone with his father (Jeffrey Wright) when a horrible storm overtakes them and he is separated from his father. His father perishes and young Arlo finds himself lost and alone.
He encounters a young cave boy named Spot (Jack Bright). Arlo is very reluctant and after a rocky start the two of them form a bond and become the dearest of friends.
This was a very unique and different movie than what I had anticipated from Pixar. I enjoyed it but it was not all that I had hoped for. There were some very serious moments which were quite intense for young viewers. The graphics were incredible and the animation was state-of-the-art which we have all come to expect from a Pixar movie.
Parents be advised: this movie is rated PG, a lot more real-life drama and excitement than I had been  expecting. Young Arlo encountered many difficult situations which could be upsetting for young viewers. He had to deal with separation, death, attacks, bad storms loneliness and heartbreak. I think it is appropriate for children over the age of seven. I took my little four year old grandson and I felt like it was too intimidating for him.
Also, the Pixar short before the movie was sweet but also a little intimidating and scary for young children.
I am giving "The Good Dinosaur" three bags of popcorn.






Friday, November 6, 2015

Spectre

PG-13
Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes. Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris
Running Time: 2 Hours and 28 Minutes

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond, agent 007. And... he is back with a bang! This movie starts out with a gigantic bang and just keeps going from there. It begins on "The Day of the Dead" in Mexico City amongst a whole myriad of unique characters. There is a whole web of intrigue and drama as Bond sets out on a rogue mission to uncover a nefarious organization known as "Spectre".
A new leader, "C" (Andrew Scott) has been assigned to the Centre of National Security in London that Bond questions and isn't quite sure of his intentions. "C" wants to do away with 007's job and change things up. Bond just isn't having any of it and carries on with the help and assistance of Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and "Q" (Ben Whishaw).
Meanwhile, Bond heads to Rome to uncover a secret meeting where he encounters the head of "Spectre", the diabolical heartless and sinister, Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz) whom Bond actually has a history with!
The plot thickens when bond finds Mr. White (Jesper Christensen) in Austria and pledges to find and protect his beautiful daughter Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux) and rescue her from a bad situation.
This movie is filled with suspense, drama, action, intrigue, you name it, it is filled with all the stunts you have come to know and love affiliated with James Bond! Add in very expensive race cars, helicopters and airplanes too.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! I maybe didn't enjoy it quite as much as "Skyfall", but it was a very close second for me! I thought Daniel Craig was great and very convincing as Bond.
Parents be advised: This is a PG-13 James Bond movie! There are two different love scenes with two different women that get fairly suggestive. There is also one torture scene that is difficult to watch and a death scene too. There is a lot of action/adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I don't really remember any swearing or cursing.
I am giving "Spectre" four bags of popcorn.





The Peanuts Movie



G
Starring the voices of: Bill Melendez, Noah Schnapp, Hadley Belle Miller, Noah Johnston, Alexander Garfin, Venus Schultheis, Trombone Shorty, Rebecca Bloom, Anastasia Bredikhina, Francesca Capaldi, Kristin Chenoweth, and A. J. Tecce
Running Time: 1 Hour and 33 Minutes

So Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Schroeder, Pig Pen, Peppermint Patty and the whole entire Peanuts crew are back, in living 3-D color.
This is the classic and nostalgic Peanuts gang you have come to know, love and enjoy for the past half century. It was interesting to see these little characters back in all their sweet little glory to enjoy again. I feel like this Charles Schulz's next generation really stayed true and very close to the original iconic characters.
A new character surfaces; The Little Red-Haired Girl and rocks Charlie Brown's world. He tries valiantly to impress her but as we all know, things don't come easy for good old Chuck!
 I think how they brought the plot together was sweet and honest to the original series.
Snoopy is back, he spends a fair amount of time trying to write a book about a flying ace and his antics with the Red Baron.
I found this movie to be a sweet and simple road back to the original Peanuts gang. An adorable and tender little movie that the entire family will enjoy. One thing I really appreciated about this movie was that they kept all the original music which I love!
Parents be advised: I found it refreshing that it was wholesome and rated "G"! A movie ideal for any age.
I am giving "The Peanuts Movie" three and a half bags of popcorn.





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