Mary Poppins Returns Movie Review

December 19, 2018 (updated December 19, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

‘Mary Poppins Returns’ is a marvelous, mystical, magical musical that revolves around the same siblings, Michael (Whishaw) and Jane Banks (Mortimer), from the story within the original Mary Poppins. There are three children in this rendition. The youngsters are, Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and little Georgie (Joel Dawson). Their father is Michael who’s now widowed. Not long after we meet him, Michael, missing his wife Kate terribly, sings a song called ‘A Conversation.’ In the song he asks Kate where she is. It’s depressing but quite moving. The lyrics at the end of it are, ‘But still, one question fills my day dear. The answer I’ve most longed to know. Each moment since you went away, dear. My question, Kate, is… Where’d You go?’ Heavy lyrics for a ‘family movie.’

This moment in the film is very different from the opening number that has Lin-Manuel Miranda’s, Jack the Lamplighter, singing and dancing while extinguishing the street lamps in, ‘(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky.’ You’ll be impressed with both numbers and already fully invested in this film. The score is gorgeous. The songs are passionate, and you’ll be ecstatic you made the choice to see this at the theatre rather than waiting. Trust me on that. And not only will you love it but it’s for everyone of all ages so bring the whole gang!

Something you’ll likely appreciate most is that some of the animation goes back to old-style Disney. It’s nostalgic, for certain, but its color is vibrant and brings about a feeling of happiness as you watch. It’ll also force smiles on every face in the audience. Color, cheer, happiness and smiles. Not a bad night out. This perfect recipe is a rare find in movies these days.

Set in Depression-era London, or the Great Slump of the 1930’s, Michael and the kids still live in the home that he and his activist sister, Jane, grew up in. Only now, he’s without his wife Kate who used to take care of the finances. Unfortunately, he’s having some money trouble of late, a lot of money trouble, and is about to lose their cherished home on Cherry Tree Lane. In fact, he has until midnight to pay a loan to the evil banker, William Weatherall Wilkins (Firth), that he took out against the house or they’re out in the streets. Seems there’s always an evil banker somewhere, doesn’t it? This one is particularly cruel and not so innocent. Think Potter from, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’

Enter the somewhat self-centered, Mary Poppins. Well, why not be at least moderately egotistical? After all, you can float down on an umbrella and change the lives of everyone you come into contact with. I think that deserves a little puffing of the chest. Yes. From up above, Mary Poppins, attached to the children’s kite, descends upon them once again. Jane and Michael admit to thinking she wasn’t ever real. Grown-ups, am I right? After an outstanding bathtub scene, a bowl is broken in the kids’ room. When this happens, the children are whisked away onto the bowl and begin to see fully what and who Mary Poppins is. There is a rather dark part here full of warnings and strong messages as they try to fix the bowl. The graphics during all of this is eye-popping, to say the least. They’re now in a fascinating world, being taught lesson after lesson. One of those lessons is to beware of what you only think you know… to never judge a book by its cover. This comes by way of the song ‘A Cover is Not the Book,’ which has some amusing lines. Here’s a peek. ‘A cover is not the book. So, open it up and take a look. ‘Cos under the covers one discovers. That the king may be a crook. Chapter titles are like signs and if you read between the lines. You’ll find your first impression was mistook. For a cover is nice but a cover is not the book!’ Each song of the soundtrack is easy to learn, and you’ll be singing along in the theatre before you know it!

I could go on forever, but I may as well just review by saying this… GO SEE THIS ASAP! The costumes, animation and the sets are unbelievable. Sensational! And certainly, you don’t want to miss seeing Dick Van Dyke singing and dancing again. Then there’s Julie Walters and Angela Lansbury in the cast. One of my favorite parts is Meryl Streep singing ‘Turning Turtle.’ It’s unbelievably good! This scene is delightful and quite peppy!

Look, whatever you do, don’t worry that you won’t like it. No one is going to forget Julie Andrews, and no one involved in making this film wants them to forget her or her performance. Most of all, Emily Blunt. This is simply her take on this beloved character. After you see her performance, I think you’ll agree she was the perfect choice to play the role. That said, her Mary Poppins is a bit stricter than the character was in the original. She doesn’t put up with any shenanigans. No ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ for the kiddies here which more resembles the P.L. Travers’ books.

This beautiful, glorious and extremely charming movie is entrancing, especially during certain musical numbers. I’ll leave you with this. I beg you to see ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ on the big screen. If you do, you’ll be fully aware that you’re watching another classic as it was meant to be seen. So, listen to Shari and go see it today. Then go see it again… and again… and again. The ‘Balloon Lady’ insists.

The Grinch (2018) Movie Review

November 9, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

The first question that may have entered your mind upon hearing there would be another Grinch movie was most likely, ‘Why?’ To that question Illumination and Universal Pictures, who are making this their eighth animated feature says, ‘Why not.’ Their skills are magical and that fact is palpable while watching this new, fresh take on the beloved Dr. Seuss’ classic. There have been others but if a new generation wants to give it a go, put their twist on things, they could hardly do better with this talented group. Academy Award® nominee, Benedict Cumberbatch, makes a great Grinch, coming off appropriately grumpy yet when needed, perfectly delivering and revealing his softer, broken heart inside. He may try to hide it but doesn’t do very well.

‘The Grinch’ is the story of a cave-dwelling misanthrope who, after being denied Christmas as a child, aims to do the same to everyone in Whoville. He’s getting back at those who hurt him by taking it out on everyone else. He needs therapy.

So, he recruits his faithful dog, Max, to help. While on the hunt for reindeer to sell his charade, he finds one oddball, kind of kooky deer named Fred. With his trinkets and gadgets, sleigh and deer, he as Santa, can easily swoop in and swipe everyone’s presents, tree’s, lights and cookies. Note to parents: Fred brings several giggles from the youngest in the crowd as he’s warm and cuddly. I’m sure toys of this guy will be everywhere. They’ll most certainly be wanted.

Flowing in and out of Pharrell Williams’ narration and the poetry of the original story plus adding the novelty managed in this rendition, this is a movie the kids can’t miss. We do meet new characters along the way but there’s always little, adorable, sweet Cindy-Lou Who to thwart the plans of this Grinch. What he doesn’t see coming is that she’s made plans of her own and that was to make sure she spoke to him. She has set a trap. She does catch him in the act and, trusting he’s the real deal, explains she wants only for her mother to be happy. Cindy-Lou is a genuine and giving soul who the Grinch couldn’t possibly see any fault with. This puts him in a bind. Maybe there’s good in this world after all? If so, can he go through with his assault on it?

If you liked the other movies, and the story as a whole, you’re going to like this, as well. Sure, it’s the same story but his coloring is bright and more agreeable, his shoes are as fuzzy as he is and it’s very relatable. They’ve added moments such as his ‘emotional eating’ and playing the song ‘All By Myself’ on the organ. There’s also a flashback where you see him as a child. Alone. No Christmas. If done well, there’s nothing wrong with taking an animated classic and improving or upgrading it. Having Illumination involved with this was a blessing. You’ll be entertained and so will the kids.

WEBSITE: http://www.grinchmovie.com/

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Advance Movie Screening

November 5, 2018 Published by markdeli

Movie Screening Summary

“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is the second of five all new adventures in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World™. At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

https://www.fantasticbeasts.com

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Advance Movie Screening For Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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Phoenix, Arizona

Advance Movie Screening Details

Movie Screening Date:Wednesday, November 14^th
Location: Harkins Tempe Marketplace
Movie Screening Time: 7:00pm
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Tucson, Arizona

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Movie Screening Date: Wednesday, November 14^th
Location: Century El Con
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Las Vegas, Nevada

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Movie Screening Date: Wednesday, November 14^th
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Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Movie Screening Date: Wednesday, November 14^th
Location: Regal Winrock
Movie Screening Time: 7:00pm
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What They Had Movie Review

October 26, 2018 (updated October 23, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

“What They Had” is heart-tugging and lovely look at love. Or, perhaps, even more importantly – a study in commitment. When the older parents of two siblings have some health issues, do the kids have the right to tell the parents that they need to move into separate long-term care facilities? These parents are nothing if not committed to staying together, so it could be an uphill climb. The couple has been in this Chicago condo for ages, and they have no intention of leaving. Even if the wife is having memory problems, and she thinks she needs to trek in the middle of the night in a snowstorm, so she can get back to her ‘home’. Even if the husband is still having heart issues…

The couple in question is Burt (Robert Forster) and Ruth (Blythe Danner) who live the warm and cozy condo in a Chicago suburb. Burt has had a heart attack, or two, in the past couple of years. But he is feeling fine now. His wife of many years is Ruth, and she is starting to suffer from Alzheimer’s. One night, on Christmas Eve, Ruth puts on a light jacket and some slippers. Then she goes outside to walk from her house to her ‘home’ where she lived as a child. Burt gets very worried and calls his son Nicky (Michael Shannon). Ruth is located, and it brought to the hospital. Nicky calls his sister Bridget (Hilary Swank). Bridget and her daughter Emma (Taissa Farmiga) leave to go back to Chicago.

Nicky pleads with Bridget to convince their Dad to get into Ruth into a memory-care facility. It would be a safe place for her to be, and Burt can live at the assisted care place on the same campus. Burt will have none of that! He married Ruth to be there by her side, sickness and health, that type of thing – and he takes it all very seriously. He will not permit her to be anywhere but at their warm and cozy condo. She will remain right by his side, because – he made a commitment. So, there is an impasse. Nicky goes back his bar that he owns, and Bridget and Emma are not able to change Burt’s mind.

Besides, Bridget is having marital issues with her husband Eddie (Josh Lucas). She feels that she married him just to get her dad’s approval. Emma is in college, and she is not she wants to continue. But these problems will be minor if Ruth one day gets loose and gets lost somewhere in Chicago. That does appear to be a potential problem, as her Alzheimer’s continues to get worse. She can identify her kids correctly, be she calls Burt her ‘boyfriend’. Nicky thinks that the only way to get their Mom and Dad safe again is to get them out of that condo. Burt and Ruth are ready to get on with their lives. They do not want to be apart, but Burt thinks that maybe that will be a safer way to care for Ruth. But there are even more medical issues ahead, for both of them…

“What They Had” is a movie that can strike close to home, especially if you have any parents who are getting up in age. The medical conditions that can afflict older people can also affect their immediate family. This movie shows that is the case, and does it in a very straight-forward fashion. It does not sugar-coat it, and it does not take an easy way out. Of course none of this would matter without the right actors.

That is exactly what makes this movie so good. Robert Forster and Blythe Danner are paired up and they are amazing as the older couple. They fit the roles just perfectly. Hilary Swank is also very good. But Michael Shannon is superb in another emotionally heavy role – the type that seems to excel in being cast to play. The writing gives all of them a lot of very great conversations (as opposed to just plain dialog).

In Phoenix area, open exclusively at the Harkins Camelview in Scottsdale

The House with a Clock in its Walls Movie Review

September 21, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Eli Roth, known for making horror films that leave nightmares in their wake, this time tries his hand at something for the younger crowd with, ‘The House With a Clock in its Walls,’ based on the novel by John Bellairs. While this is a family movie, it does have a touch of darkness I wasn’t quite expecting to see. With its creepy puppets and dolls, the frightening CG creatures, some nice some not so nice, and the house itself which appears to be alive and often crabby, the film just might not be right for someone under the age of eight. This would especially be the case if a child has never been exposed to anything similar to Goosebumps. Magic swirls around the story and the world a young boy, Lewis (Vaccaro), who finds himself forced to live with his kooky uncle in Michigan after the death of his parents from a car accident.

Lewis is still upset about his loss but immediately warms to the idea of living with his eccentric uncle Jonathan (Black) after getting to know him more. He’s helped by getting to know his uncle’s friend and neighbor, Florence (Blanchett), and he begins to see that through them he might eventually be part of a family once more. Jonathan and Florence’s relationship is much like that of a married couple. They bicker and argue but also care about one another and seem to have Lewis’ best interest in mind as they introduce him to the life of witches and warlocks. They give him some books and he quickly learns spells of his own. At school, he’s told by his friend, Tarby (Suljic), that his uncles’ house is haunted. Lewis believes it at first due to the strange noises and loud ticking clocks but is shown that the rumor is far from the truth. Wanting to impress his friend, Lewis gets himself into trouble when he decides to prove to Tarby that he’s wrong by showing him some of the magic he’s learned. Not easily able to impress the boy, Lewis goes further. He opens a forbidden cabinet and offers a blood oath to a book on necromancy that he finds which raises from the dead the previous owner of the house, Isaac Izzard (MacLachlan). Isaac has been waiting for someone to bring him back to life so he could wipe all people from existence.

‘The House With a Clock in its Walls’ is solid entertainment. The CGI is well done, Blanchett is dramatic and comical, Jack Black’s crazy warlock is impressive and the barking chair that seems to be his pet will leave smiles on the faces of the young and old alike. In fact, this might be a good introduction for kids to watching something heavier. Again, this will appeal to the older kids in the family, but you might want to leave the much younger ones at home. I don’t think you want this film to be how they learn about death which is a subject well breached here. It can be scary but its intentions of teaching a boy about his spirit and about being adventurous are not missed. I can see where the studio might be able to take this trip a little further if they were so inclined.

The new trailer for “Mary Poppins Returns” has arrived!!

September 17, 2018 Published by Shari K. Green

In Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” an all-new original musical and sequel, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives following a personal loss. Emily Blunt stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any ordinary task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London.

“Mary Poppins Returns” is directed by Rob Marshall. The screenplay is by David Magee and the screen story is by Magee & Rob Marshall & John DeLuca based upon the Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are John DeLuca, p.g.a., Rob Marshall, p.g.a. and Marc Platt, p.g.a. with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer. The music score is by Marc Shaiman and the film features all new original songs with music by Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. The film also stars Ben Whishaw as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer as Jane Banks; Julie Walters as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and introducing Joel Dawson as the Banks’ children, with Colin Firth as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes, Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character.

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In theaters nationwide December 19

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Smallfoot Advance Movie Screening

September 13, 2018 (updated September 13, 2018) Published by markdeli

Movie Screening Summary

An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, Smallfoot turns a myth upside down when a bright young yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human.

News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

Smallfoot stars Channing Tatum (The LEGO® Batman Movie, the Jump Street films) as the yeti, Migo, and James Corden (Trolls, The Emoji Movie) as the Smallfoot, Percy. Also starring are Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Common (Selma), LeBron James (upcoming Space Jam 2), Danny DeVito (The Lorax, Oscar nominee for Erin Brockovich), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Yara Shahidi (TV’s Black-ish), Ely Henry (TV’s Justice League Action), and Jimmy Tatro (22 Jump Street).

Smallfoot is directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, Annie Award-winning director of Over the Hedge and Annie nominee for the screenplays for Chicken Run and James and the Giant Peach. The screenplay is by Kirkpatrick and Clare Sera, screen story by John Requa & Glenn Ficarra and Kirkpatrick, based on the book Yeti Tracks, by Sergio Pablos.

The film is produced by Bonne Radford (Curious George), Glenn Ficarra (Storks, This is Us,) and John Requa (Storks, This is Us). Serving as executive producers are Nicholas Stoller, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Jared Stern, Karey Kirkpatrick, Sergio Pablos, Courtenay Valenti, and Allison Abbate. The creative team includes editor Peter Ettinger, and composer Heitor Pereira. Animation is by Sony Pictures Imageworks.

Smallfoot is set to debut in theaters September 28, 2018.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Animation Group, a Zaftig Films production, Smallfoot will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

https://www.warnerbros.com/smallfoot

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