SHAZAM

PG-13
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Mark Strong, Djimon Hounsou, Jack Dylan Grazer, Cooper Andrews, Marta Milans,  Faith Herman, Grace Fulton, Ava Preston, Jovan Armand and Evan Marsh
Running Time: 2 Hours and 12 Minutes

“What a happy surprise” were my sentiments after I screened “Shazam” Tuesday night. I found Zachary Levi who plays the adult Shazam to be a pure delight! This movie was just plain fun! It was sheer entertainment, a real true to form popcorn movie. We live in such a crowded “Super-Hero” overload Universe these days that is was really refreshing to have something so new and original to feast our eyes and senses on!
When teenager Billy Batson (Arthur Angel) (who also did a great job as Billy) finds himself without a family and running away from foster home after foster home. He becomes more and more obsessed with finding his biological mother, Marilyn Batson (Caroline Palmer) after straying away from her at a carnival at a very young age never to see her again, fast forward and suddenly he is a teenager.
He is thrust into a very unusual situation while riding on the subway, and finds himself alone at a high rate of speed suddenly arriving at a cave-like place where The Wizard Shazam (Djimon Hounsou) has been waiting and anticipating his arrival. He is overwhelmed with the information that the wizard has just told him!!! The wizard tells him he has been waiting for someone “pure in heart” to assume the sacred role of “Shazam” The Wizard!  Shazam stands for: S-The wisdom of Solomon, H-The strength of Hercules, A-The stamina of Atlas, Z- The power of Zeus, A- The courage of Achilles and finally M- The speed of Mercury.
Suddenly he is back on the subway speeding away from the wizard in complete disbelief of what had just occurred.
Billy is not content with his life and doesn’t feel like he belongs anywhere. As a last ditch effort he is put into a type of group home with several other kinds of misfit kids and sent off to another new school along with these new kids he is living with. He immediately is singled out by a couple of tough kids and has to defend himself.
As time goes by Billy finds out he is somewhat different from the other kids, he actually finds out that he has some pretty cool super powers that he is not quite sure how to control. He realizes that by saying the word “Shazam” he can transform himself, super-power bright red suit and all into a hero that he never dreamed he could be!!! He has no knowledge of superheroes and  he suddenly finds himself thrust into the middle of. His newfound brother Freddy (Jack Dylan Grazer) is a superhero genius who would love nothing more than encountering a true superhero! When Billy turns to Freddy for help, Freddy ends up being his best buddy.
Eventually, Billy is forced to confront the evil and diabolical villain, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong). He is one very, very angry villain determined to destroy everything in sight! When he singles out Billy/Shazam... all catastrophe breaks loose!
This movie has it all... action, comedy, villain, bullies, some scary smoky monster guys, clever humor and just fun imaginative drama. The CGI effects were very cool too.
I found myself enjoying this superhero movie more than I have some of the very serious and ultra popular Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.
Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG-13. It is filled with dramatic scenes but nothing I feel would be too disturbing for children. I would recommend this movie for children ages 10 and above. Some mild profanity, bullying and some scary monster guys are intimidating. Also an intense scene at a winter carnival where Shazam and The Villain fight it out.
I am giving “Shazam” Three and a half bags of popcorn.

DUMBO

PG
Starring: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins
Running Time: 1 Hour and 52 Minutes

“If you have a heart, Dumbo will steal it”, that was my very first impression after screening this movie. This is the live action remake of the original 1941 Disney classic movie.
Having been a fan and owning the original Disney animated Dumbo on VHS, I wasn’t quite sure how Director Tim Burton was going to take this live action rendition?
He actually followed the original story very closely however, he sensationalized the dramatic scenes causing them to be even more dramatic!
For those of you who are familiar with “ Dumbo”, you will know that the story pulls real hard at your heartstrings. This version also did just that! I told my self I was going to be just fine unless...
they played the song “Baby Mine”, from the original movie which of course they did and I was toast! That song always gets me!
This story takes place in 1919 during World War I, when Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) returns home from the war to be with his children, Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) shortly after his wife has passed away and missing an arm. He returns back to the life he had left behind, the Circus or to be more exact, The Medici Brothers Traveling Circus under the direction of Mr. Max Medici (Danny DeVito). This time around though, it will be much more challenging!
The female elephant, Mrs. Jumbo had just given birth to a beautiful little blue-eyed baby elephant they named Dumbo because he was born with extraordinarily large ears.
The circus people did not know quite what to do with this unique little fella. The two children, Milly and Joe had become very fond of little Dumbo and discovered he had a very unusual talent... he could fly because of his huge ears!!! In the beginning he was very awkward but as time went by he became more adept at it and with coaxing he was finally able to master it. When an owner of another much bigger circus, V. A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) found out about little Dumbo’s unique talent he decided to contact Max Medici and bribe him to take part ownership in the Medici Brothers Circus. Max agreed and things start to take a tailspin! The very first thing he does is separates Dumbo from his mother and chains her up in a train car, Dumbo and his mother are not allowed to see each other which causes them both to have broken hearts! He forces Dumbo to literally, new heights pushing him way beyond his comfort zone.
This movie truly will steal your heart. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the theater. It is a sweet and precious story that will move both you and your children. Also, the movie ends on a very positive note as well.
Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG and it is very dramatic. There are scenes that are difficult to watch that might be too intense for children. Plus there are some scary scenes when things go haywire and the circus starts to fall apart and burn. There are two sections of the circus, one is “Dreamland” which is a pretty fancy theme park and the other one is ”Nightmare Island” which has very heavy Tim Burton overtones. I would not suggest this movie for kids who are sensitive to animals being treated poorly!
I am giving “Dumbo” three bags and a half bags of popcorn.

The House With A Clock In Its Walls

PG
Starring: Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro, Kyle MacLachlan and Renee Elise Goldsberry
Running Time: 1 Hour and 45 Minutes

This movie is based on John Bellairs 1970's children's book, "The House With The Clock In Its Walls". He has also written many other scary children's books. (I bet if this movie is successful, they will make more of his books into movies too).
When young Lewis Barnavelt (Owen Vaccaro) suddenly finds himself an orphan after a tragic car crash kills both of his parents, he is whisked off on a bus by himself to live with his next of kin. He is sent to live with his fathers brother, Johnathon Barnavelt (Jack Black). Uncle Johnathon is not someone that young Lewis is familiar with. Johnathon's unconventional lifestyle is weird and quirky and he lives in a very old and what seems to be haunted house!
There are all kinds of weird goings on at the house and it makes Lewis very uneasy and just plain scared!
Johnathon has absolutely no idea how to be a parent and allows Lewis to do and eat anything and everything that his heart desires. Johnathon has an unusual friendship with a unique woman named Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett). She is very kind and understanding to the young and bewildered Lewis.
Lewis walks himself off to his new school all alone to register and finds he doesn't really fit in with the student-body. He feels like a misfit both at school and at his new place of residence.
As time goes by he is finding more and more creepy goings on at the house! He finds out that Uncle Johnathon is actually a Warlock and that he performs magic in the house too! A clock is constantly ticking but at night, it gets especially loud and no one can seem to find out where the mystery clock really is.
There are many haunted and magical things going on all of the time!
Lewis grows to like both Uncle Johnathon and Florence. He becomes a little more comfortable in the unusual surroundings and also starts to do better at school.
This movie is an intense movie. It has many scary and unusual special effects. I also thought a lot of it was very clever, especially if your are looking for a new and surprising Halloween movie.
Parents be advised: This movie is only rated PG. I honestly believe it should be rated PG-13. I would not recommend it for children under the age of 13. It has some very intense and dark scary scenes. The special effects are realistic and might be too much for young children! I think it could cause them to be uneasy and have nightmares! There was also some mild profanity and a lot of unnecessary bathroom humor. It kind of has the feel of an old-fashioned horror movie complete with sound effects and organ music. Great for teenagers and adults alike. .
I am giving "The House With A  Clock In Its Walls" two and a half bags of popcorn.

Crazy Rich Asians

 PG-13
Starring: Constance  Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina and Ken Jeong
Running Time: 2 Hours

Based on the popular 2013 novel by Kevin Kwan and the first film by a major Hollywood Studio to feature a majority Asian American cast since "The Joy Luck Club" in 1993.
What a fun, happy and pleasant surprise this movie is!
 Rachel (Constance Wu), a wonderful young woman  meets the dreamy young man Nick (Henry Golding) in New York, and they start up a romantic relationship.
When Nick needs to go home to his native Singapore to attend the wedding of a relative, he invites Rachel to go with him.
When they get on the plane and fly first-class, she becomes a little suspicious. She is suddenly very well aware that Nick is not like an ordinary average young man as his family owns one of the wealthiest real estate companies in Singapore.
Rachel is a little shocked and overwhelmed with all of the action and excitement that Nick's upper-class lifestyle has to offer.
Many young eligible Singaporean women have their sights set on Nick and do not approve of her relationship with him.
Thrust into the middle of Nick's ultra fast-paced life, she is confronted by Nick's very possessive mother, Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh). Eleanor makes it very apparent that she does not approve or condone of Rachel, she wants her to leave and go back home to America.
 Rachel is heartbroken and discouraged and decides to leave.
I really enjoyed this movie. It has a bit of a fairy tale feeling to it. A great popcorn escape movie.
The scenery and upscale Singapore lifestyle was very fun and exciting.
Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG-13. I would recommend this movie for children over the age of 12. There is some profanity and adult-themed circumstances. Overall it was fun and refreshing.
I am giving "Crazy Rich Asians" three bags of popcorn.

Christopher Robin

PG Starring: Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael and the voices of: Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh/Tigger), Brad Garrett (Eeyore), Nick Mohammed (Piglet), Peter Capaldi (Rabbit), Sophie Okonedo (Kanga), Sara Sheen (Roo), and Toby Jones (Owl)  

Running Time: 1 Hour and 44 Minutes

This movie was so tender and so touching. One of the sweetest movies I have seen for a long time.

Ewan McGregor as Christopher Robin is the perfect fit.

Christopher Robin was a totally different character than I was expecting, a little rough around the edges. As an adult, he had been conditioned to the times and hardships to which he was living in.

When Winnie the Pooh unexpectedly makes an appearance in his life, the important things suddenly start to come into focus for Christopher.

Sweet little Winnie is still very much in love with his old-time pal and thinks things should still be the same as they were many years ago, but they are not. Some precious things in life are so valuable that you should never take them for granted!

This movie was incredible they way they took all of the original "Winnie the Pooh" characters and brought them back to life. How Disney meshed them back into Christopher Robin's current life is magical!

The characters were absolutely adorable, so lovable and believable. 

I absolutely loved this sweet little movie! It was very touching and it will transport you back in time to your childhood when things were more simple, fun and exciting. This movie also deals with some serious adult issues as well.

Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG. It deals with realistic life issues and it is not a fantasy movie. I would not recommend it for children under the age of eight years old. 

I am giving "Christopher Robin" four bags of popcorn.

Incredibles 2

PG
Starring the voices of: Craig T Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Bird, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Catherine Keener, Sophia Bush and Isabella Rossellini
Running Time: 1 Hour and 58 Minutes

Fourteen years later... and we have "Incredibles 2". What a great, colorful, exciting, intense and very fun sequel to enjoy with all the members of your family. This story takes place directly after the first one left off. We find The Parr family just living their regular lives outside of doubling as a family with their own superhero powers! Each member has their own unique power.
Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), Helen Parr/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), Violet Parr (Sarah Vowell),  Dashiell Parr/Dash (Huck Milner) and Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) complete this little superhero team. Once an evil attack ensues in their city they jump into action to help out.
Elastigirl is specifically called on to help and leaves her husband Mr. Incredible, to take over the family responsibilities at home. Mr. Incredible finds out that it is more difficult than what he realized and baby Jack/Jack is discovering his own distinct superpower!
Fortunately at the very last and very intense moment, a major catastrophe is averted and
The Incredibles  save the day!
I found this movie suitable for all age groups and even more applicable for children because of the darling children and the baby highlighted in the movie.
This was a really fun and exciting story filled with all kinds of twists and turns.
Pixar did an excellent job again! Remember, Pixar always releases an adorable little short film before the movie. This time it is called "Bao", and it is definitely worth your time to see it!
I am giving "Incredibles 2" four bags of popcorn.

Ocean's 8

PG-13
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Mindy Kaling, Dakota Fanning, Griffin Dunne, Elliott Gould and Richard Armitage
Running Time: 1 Hour and 50 Minutes

After the very successful "Ocean's" movies; "Ocean's Eleven" in 2001, "Ocean's Twelve" in 2004 and "Ocean's Thirteen" in 2007 we have another smooth "Ocean's" movie with an all-female twist!
Sandra Bullock stars as Debbie Ocean, (the sister to Danny Ocean (George Clooney) in the former "Ocean's" movies). Debbie has just recently been released from prison. She has a personal vendetta against Claude Becker (Richard Armitage) her former boyfriend who framed her.
While serving her time she comes up with a detailed genius plan to pull off a $150 million mega-heist during "The New York Metropolitan Museum Of Art" fundraising gala which is the most exclusive party invitation in America! Debbie knows that Claude will be there!
Debbie starts immediately to contact and build her ultimate "dream team" of all women to help her make this heist a reality. She had searched out individuals with special skills or accessibility to complete her brilliant plan!
Lou (Cate Blanchett) Debbie's good friend, Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) a famous actress, Rose Wall (Helena Bonham Carter) a fashion designer, Amita  (Mindy Kaling) a diamond expert, Nine Ball (Rihanna) a computer hacker, Tammy (Sarah Paulson) a suburban mom who collects stolen goods and Constance (Awkwafina) a professional pickpocket are the women she recruits to make this long awaited plan a reality.
I found this movie to be really entertaining and just all around fun to experience. A great popcorn movie with all the special touches that most women only dream of. High-fashion, beauty, parties, high-society and Diamonds! Lots and lots of gorgeous diamonds, Cartier Diamonds and...
 did I mention Diamonds? It also reminds me a little bit of some of the old "Pink Panther" movies which I loved in my youth!
This is definitely a chick-flick but I really feel men will enjoy it as well.
Parents be advised: This movie is rated PG-13. I think children over the age of ten will be fine with this movie. It deals with adult schemes and crimes to heist millions of dollars from others.I did not find anything really objectionable other than some mild profanity and the f-bomb was dropped one time.
I am giving "Ocean's 8" three and a half bags of popcorn.