Review: "Andor" (Season 1, Disney+)

 

Overall Thoughts: Unique, grittier take on galaxy far, far away is slow and tackles too much at times, but is a nice change of pace.

It's interesting to note that many Star Wars fans found Rogue One (a movie that had a ton of reshoots) to be the best movie out of the Disney era for the galaxy far, far away. In that case, it makes sense why Andor had some interesting hype surrounding it. And at the same time, Lucasfilm was having better success in the Disney+ market for their projects.

Now, after watching all of Season 1, I can definitely say Rogue One might not be a random outlier that just (by chance) worked. Something interesting is really working well in this corner of the Empire vs. Rebels universe. And, need I say, it's all executed with very little to no presence of Jedi's, wookies, Yoda's or anything in between. That's pretty impressive if you ask me.

It sounds like Tony Gilroy deserves a lot of credit here. From helming most of the re-shoots for Rogue One to creating this show, he seemed to get that Star Wars needed to step away from its' franchise "safety net" to make something creative. How about a Star Wars version of Shawshank Redemption? How about almost no aerial battles (save one at the end)? Yes, please!

Andor does start off slow, and introduces too many characters to the proceedings. However, I can give Gilroy and his directorial team credit for giving each character a valuable role in the proceedings here. Standing out the most here are Stellan Skarsgard as Luthen and Andy Serkis as prison group head Kino Loy. Both characters possess personality and gravitas and steal every scene they are in. Skarsgard in particular shines in a dual act that really shines. Meanwhile, Genevieve O'Reilly and Forrest Whitaker return to the roles of Mon Mothma and Saw Gerrera from Rogue One and other shows/movies, in fairly solid impressions. Mon's character is given the biggest upgrade in screentime, and is given her own sideplot that is fairly decent, but not the most engaging. Finally, Fiona Shaw has heart and soul as Cassian's mom, Maarva.

As for Cassian himself, Diego Luna is engaging once again here. He's not a commanding screen presence per se, but he especially shines in more serious moments when he shows his struggle with closing off his emotions. As for his partner robot (K-2SO) from Rogue One, he appears, but that's as far as I will go without spoiling anything. I think he will likely have a bigger role in Season 2.

Starting around episode 6, the series picks up the pace, with an entertaining heist episode. Then, it goes full Shawshank Redemption with a terrific prison stretch of episodes, and a great prison break episode that also builds character at the same time. The last couple of episodes lose a little steam, but remain at a fairly solid boil as the ending conflict and resolutions successfully kept me engaged. There's also a bit of a cliffhanger that does its' job in making you curious as to what will happen in Season 2 (which has been confirmed).

As for other elements, the series does flirt with being edgier and more mature for a Star Wars production early on, which weren't exactly needed. However, it is understandable that they may have been going for a more mature audience here (NOTE: this is not for young children). B2EMO is a really great addition to the series of droids and robots that have been created for the franchise, with a kind heart and genuine persona. Dave Chapman does a wonderful job voicing the character.

The production design and special effects are all top notch. Overall, this felt more like a genuine show shot on sets and location instead of primarily using a green screen. The low amount of CGI and computer generated characters also really creates an environment that feels more akin to the 70's/80's original trilogy than the prequels or recent sequels. I also appreciate Nicholas Britell for going in a unique direction with the score. There's very little nods to John Williams' original pieces, and the opening theme actually changes and becomes more interesting each time. It doesn't necessarily stand out like Williams' score does, but I don't feel like that's a bad thing either.

In the end, Andor didn't necessarily need to be 12 episodes long. It also didn't need so many characters. However, for its' old-school style action, daring story and character decisions, and some really great suspense and action, it's definitely an effective and unique series for Star Wars and Disney+.

(Alongside the other Disney+ Lucasfilm shows, I enjoyed it about the same as Obi-Wan Knobi, but a little short of the best episodes from Mandalorian's second season. Much better than Boba Fett and Bad Batch's first season)

Grade: B+

Movie Review: "My Father's Dragon"

 

Overall Thoughts: Kids' fantasy isn't original enough to stand out, but it is very sweet, humble, and well-animated.

Based on a 1948 children's book, My Father's Dragon is a kind-hearted story about the value of friendship, hard work, and being honest about your fears. Considering the simplicity of the story, hand-drawn animation is perhaps the best way to retell this story. And, with stellar projects such as Wolfwalkers, Cartoon Saloon proves to be more than up for the challenge.

The one inescapable concept that keeps My Father's Dragon from reaching the stratosphere of classic animated films is that it's not original or creative enough to really stand out. We've seen the "boy and his new interesting friend" story several times already. And, the themes, while very positive, have been explored in multiple kids movies in better, more creative ways. I can acknowledge some of that is a timing issue, as maybe this would have hit better if it had been released earlier than, say, 2009.

That is a little unfortunate, because the movie is colorful and engaging in its own right. Hand-drawn animation is always a treat, and the characters are all inviting and fun. Boris (voiced well by Gaten Matarazzo) is a sympathetic, fairly well-developed character, but his design and overall execution borrows a little too much from Elliot from Pete's Dragon, Sisu from Raya and the Last Dragon, and others.

The voicework is good across the board. Jacob Tremblay gives the emotion and energy needed for Elmer, while Goshifteh Farahani provides warmth and kindness to his mother. Rita Moreno gets a few moments as Ms. McLaren, a grouchy landlord with hints of a heart of gold. The animals have some starpower in their voices, including Ian McShane as a somewhat mysterious gorilla named Saiwa. Out of all the characters, his had surprisingly more to it than I expected. Whoopi Goldberg, Dianne Wiest, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester, Judy Greer and Alan Cumming all do a terrific job in smaller roles. Some ham it up, and some don't.

The pacing is a little slow at times, but it all adds up to a solid third act where friendships are tested and characters are revealed to be a little bit more than they seem. This helps add a little bit of gravitas to the predictable kids' story formula. The music score by Jeff and Mychael Danna accentuates the gentle, humble and colorful themes.

Ultimately, My Father's Dragon is a safe and colorful film for kids to watch at home. It makes for a fine, family-friendly movie on Netflix. It isn't nearly as complex, original, or risky as Cartoon Saloon's other features, but it's simple charms will do.

Grade: B

Is this movie family-friendly? My Father's Dragon is rated PG for "some peril". There are a handful of moments where characters are in some kind of danger. An island is nearly flooded in a few scenes. One character is tied and seemingly asked to stay tied to help keep an island from sinking. Some slapstick moments. A few characters try to eat Elmer and Boris. One use of "oh my g**!" out of shock. One character runs away from home. A couple of emotional moments. Overall, this movie is a fine choice for ages 6 and up.

Movie Review: "Devotion"

 

Overall Thoughts: Inspiring true story is a little drawn out, but well-written and well-acted.

I love true stories that go "under the radar" in terms of buzz, but wind up being "hidden gems" per se. Hidden Figures was the best example of this. It was a terrific true story that earned rave reviews, had low expectations from analysts and audiences, and yet blew everyone out of the water. For me, Devotion isn't an instant classic on that same level, but it comes close at times.

The character dynamics are quite strong. Jesse Brown's story of overcoming racism to carve his own path as a fighter pilot is nothing short of inspiring. And, his devotion to his family is just as touching. His character is given gritty, sensitive, and heartfelt moments. Jonathan Majors gives a terrific lead performance here, capturing the humble, kind-hearted, yet tough as nails persona of Jesse.

Equally as compelling is Jesse's comrade Tom Hudner. His character development shows him learning to step up and be a better teammate. However, I was impressed with the direction the writing team went with him. Tom quickly becomes the trustworthy, loyal friend we all would want to have, and always treats Jesse as an equal in every situation. This role also allowed Glen Powell (fresh off Top Gun: Maverick) to be a more sympathetic, kind-hearted character, and he successfully holds his own.

Those unfamiliar with the true story coming in will find Devotion does not end in the way you might expect. That leads to a climax and ending that succeeds in pulling your heartstrings, while making the revelation of the film's true events in the end credits even more intriguing. The action scenes are all well-shot, with smooth cinematography in the jet pilot sequences.

On the downside, the pacing is a little bit of a problem. It especially moves slow during its' first half, and lacks in terms of overall action. There's a few character-driven moments, but some other drawn-out moments don't quite help move the story forward. The film didn't need to be close to 2 and a half hours long. It really starts cooking, however, when Jesse meets legendary screen actress Elizabeth Taylor (Serinda Swan portrays her terrifically), and the gang.

I also found a few of the side characters to be stereotypical in terms of persona (though, that might not be as surprising as it sounds with the movie taking place in 1950). Joe Jonas, in particular, comes across a little one-note as a "ladies' man". That's more of a complaint on how the writers approached the character, however, instead of the former teen star's acting. On the other hand, Christina Jackson does a nice job as Jesse's wife, Daisy.

However, the lead characters' development, action sequences, emotional plot elements and a couple of solid twists (all accompanied by a solid score by Chanda Dancy) make Devotion a very solid movie.

Grade: B+

Is this movie family friendly? Devotion is rated PG-13 for "some strong language, some war action/violence, and smoking." The rating description absolutely fits. As far as language goes, the film has four uses of the s-word and n-word, as well as "a**/a**hole", "h***", "d***" and "whore". Jesse tells himself every cruel/mean derogatory and racist word spoken to him (he writes all of this down in a notebook). A couple of battlefield scenes result in several casualties. One plane and pilot crashes into the rear end of a ship (we hear the impact and see the after-effects). Two more planes crash, leading to one pilot's legs being trapped in the cockpit. Planes explode in dogfights. Bombs and explosives are dropped from the sky. Pilots drink and smoke cigarettes (though Jesse does not drink). Characters flirt with girls, and there's a comment from a sargeant that pilots are not in the job to fly and have sex at the same time. Some characters treat Jesse disrespectfully. In the end, this is more appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Movie Review: "Spirited" (AppleTV+)

Overall Thoughts: Creative and modern Christmas Carol adaptation is a little crass and jarring at times, but undeniably sweet and fun.

For a streaming project, Spirited is another project I feel could have easily been a big-screen movie. I have to say, streaming services are really starting to amp up their game with their content. To get Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds to do a movie like this for AppleTV+ is a huge, huge win for the creators' part.

As a Christmas movie, Spirited is mostly very successful. It's a story we all know (A Christmas Carol), but its shown from a different perspective here. In some ways, its a sequel to the classic Charles Dickens story. In others, its a complete re-imagining. Those are both good things. Because I was concerned that Spirited would feel too much like a retread to really work.

And, thankfully, it doesn't. That being said, considering its stars, it does tread edgier waters that it didn't necessarily need to go into. I didn't think hearing about the Ghost of Christmas Past having an affair with her client was necessary here. And a long musical number about swearing (in British 1890's) seemed more to insert Ryan Reynolds' sense of humor rather than advance the story in a meaningful way.

However, the film never quite loses its heart either, which develops its two leads and gives them a strong sense of redemption. It's a great surprise when we find out that Reynolds' character isn't the only one that needs to be redeemed. And, the amount of diversions the script takes us to help solidify both characters' growth is all mostly welcome and entertaining.

I'm also pleasantly surprised to say that (save for a couple of numbers), Spirited works very well as a musical. And that's without a doubt due to the always fairly reliable Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, The Greatest Showman). Their slightly pop-driven sound works well here, and it leads to some really solid numbers. "Do a Little Good" is a great closer, while "Unredeemable" successfully pulls at the heartstrings. 

"The View from Here" works as a solid love song, while Reynolds' opening song "Bringing Back Christmas", helps establish his character nicely too. The only ones that don't quite work are the opening number (too over the top) and of course, "Good Afternoon" (which is a little much and takes too much time away from the story).

The cast proves more than able to take on their roles. Reynolds brings his signature sass and charisma to Clint, while Ferrell brings a heart of gold and humble spirit to a Ghost of Christmas Present with quite a backstory. Octavia Spencer plays a supporting role and brings kindness and a warm spirit to her character. I'm also pleased that all three impressed me with their singing ability (even though they might have a little auto-tune in there). I'll also admit that it was nice to see Broadway star Patrick Page as Marley, a really good casting choice. 

The story also is fairly unpredictable, which kept me in suspense. And just when you might think it's over, it threw a couple of other major curveballs that worked wonders from an emotional standpoint. Yes, maybe it feels like it has a little much going on in its final act (no spoilers), but I thought it mostly worked well. There is a twist with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come that I thought was taken a little too far, but this was graciously brief.

For me, I found this as entertaining and fun as Reynolds' last major hit, Free Guy. But, ultimately, Spirited gets bonus points for fairly successfully updating A Christmas Carol for modern audiences. And while it's hurt a bit by some edginess and a few jarring choices, it's a worthy watch for the Christmas season. 

Grade: B

Is this movie family-friendly? Spirited is rated PG-13 for "some language and suggestive material". There's quite a bit of salty language here, including a half-dozen uses of the s-word, one crude hand gesture, and some uses of "a**", "h***", "d***", "oh my g**, "b****rd", "d**k", and one or two each of "b**ch", "bloody" and "J***s". Other than that, there are a few mild sexual jokes in the mix, including a "humpy start", "clearing your browser before you die", and an allusion to a sexual encounter involving Clint and the Ghost of Christmas Past. Someone is told to have committed suicide by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Some slapstick violence. Clint is absolutely a jerk, and acts selfish and deceitful almost the whole film. A character is shown drunk. A man wears makeup to a Christmas party. Overall, this is not appropriate for younger kids. But, for ages 13 or 14 and up with some pre-movie discussions, some families may find this movie a fun time.

Movie Review: "Enola Holmes 2" (Netflix)

 

Overall Thoughts: A little drawn-out, but overall just as fun and unpredictable as its' predecessor.

A couple of years ago, the pandemic brought out one of today's brightest young stars, Millie Bobby Brown. Ok, ok, we all know she got her start in Stranger Things. But, on second thought, her career really took off with Enola Holmes. A twist on the Sherlock Holmes story about his headstrong, stubborn, yet notoriously brilliant sister. And, if there's a sequel, you know you've got a hit franchise on your hands, right?

It seems like Netflix is really starting to hit the sweet spot here for four-quadrant filmmaking. Because Enola Holmes 2, overall, is another solid winner. Similar to its' predecessor, it's a blast from the past with a hint of modern flair in its' mystery-solving. And, yes, there's even some neat nods to the original Sherlock Holmes stories as well, which I will not spoil.

Brown is engaging once again as Enola. Sure, her breaking the fourth wall, self-narration tendencies aren't anything we haven't seen before (cough She-Hulk and Deadpool, cough cough). But, it does do a nice job connecting the events of the story in creative, engaging ways. Brown commands the screen, while also showcasing a soft, sympathetic side to her character at times as well.

The rest of the cast does a nice job as well. Henry Cavill (fresh off a couple of other major appearances) is a really solid Sherlock. Louis Partridge works as a great foil and perfect "opposite attract" for Enola as Tewkesberry, and Helena Bonham Carter is appropriately mysterious and interesting as Enola's mom, Eudoria. She's not as prevalent in the film as the first one, but I found that to be for the better here. She was a little "lecture-y" in the first film, but it was cool to see more of her tricks.

The setting, production design and costumes are all top-rate, all nicely reflecting the timeframe. Daniel Pemberton's music score escalates the exciting themes to new heights. There are a few crazy, but well-choreographed action scenes.

On the downside, the film does drag a little bit in its second half. It takes a little bit of time for the characters to make it to the final resolution, which does carry a fairly solid payoff (with some surprising and engaging historical context thrown in). The script carries a couple of surprises late in the game that help make up for the pacing issues.

In the end, Enola Holmes 2 is quite good, just about as good as its predecessor. And while it's exploits may be a little violent for younger kids, there's enough fun to be had here to make it worthwhile for older kids and families to watch together. And they might just learn something too. For those looking for escapist entertainment, it mostly delivers too.

Grade: B+

Is this movie family friendly? Enola Holmes 2 is rated PG-13 for "some violence and bloody images". There are a few scenes of intense action. A few explosions occur causing some property damage and casualties. Dead bodies (with a little blood on them) are found in a bed and in a chair. People are left bleeding from their mouths after one scene. Some manhandling here and there. Some perilous moments, threats, and falls leading to injuries. Someone is shot in the shoulder. Some cleavage-baring outfits. One weird, brief moment shows a young boy pleased with wearing a dress. Brief mild language includes "H***", "bloody" and "good g**". Some lying and deception. We see Sherlock drunk in one scene. Overall, this is a light PG-13 film and I would say ages 10 or 11 and up would be fine.

Review: "The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power" (Season 1, Amazon Prime)

Overall Thoughts: Over-the-top and slow-paced elements aside, spin-off is well-produced and fairly cinematic.

How do you revive a classic franchise? It seems like every studio is trying to find a brand to revive, especially since Disney somewhat successfully started the trend with The Mandalorian for Star Wars. For Amazon Prime, they were able to find a way to secure the rights to J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings series. And their effort made headlines for spending nearly a half-billion on the first season.

Well, the effort certainly seems to have paid off. As Rings of Power does manage to succeed at feeling cinematic. It's visual presentation is nothing short of fantastic. Visual effects are just as impressive if not more advanced than the Peter Jackson films. The costumes, make-up and production design are all impressive. And there's a few inventive (I say that by also saying it takes creative liberties) moments here and there.

As for the actors, they are fine but most of them don't really elevate their performances to anything memorable. Out of all of them, Owain Arthur stands out as the dwarf prince Durin. He does a great job portraying a tough character with a tender heart. Sophia Nomvete is also a solid screen presence as Durin's wife Disa. Robert Aramayo and Morfydd Clark are serviceable but unspectacular as Elrond and Galadriel.

There's definitely a lot of characters to keep up with here, and that leads to a pretty slow-paced series for most of the ride. Episodes 4-6 in particular feel a little like a slog to get through. There are four stories in play here. Out of all of them, a love story between Arondir and Bronwyn and their encounters with orcs turns out to be the least interesting. I found myself waiting for the next segment to come. The Harfoots and the giant storyline is charming and fun, while Durin and Elrond's sideplot is well-written and has strong character development.

Thankfully, the storyline becomes more coherent and less busy as we head into the final 2 episodes to go. This allows things to wrap in a more solidly-paced and engaging fashion. The last episode in particular succeeds in pulling off a "whodunit" storyline with a few successful twists. I was left excited for what was to come next (a second season is in the works).

Being Lord of the Rings, there's a lot of war here of course. And a few of these scenes go a little over the top, with a few gratuitous moments that weren't necessarily needed. That being said, the cinematography and stuntwork in these scenes are well-executed. Maybe less of the "shock factor" would have helped here. Meanwhile, the theme music (by returning composer Howard Shore) is memorable and nicely gives a wink to the movies.

In the end, Rings of Power gets off to a pretty solid start. It especially ends on an exciting note, with a few surprises. It's slow at times, and might not need so many characters to keep up with. However, as a streaming show, it might be the most cinematic and epic one I've seen yet. A cool spin-off that feels very much akin to Jackson's movies.

Grade: B

Review: "She-Hulk" (Disney+)

 

Overall Thoughts: Light, humorous MCU story is daring at times, a bit too edgy at times, but overall a decent return to Phase 1 form.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law might sound outlandish for those not familiar with the comics, but it's actually a decent concept. A lawyer wishing not to become a superhero getting her cousin's superpowers. And breaks the fourth wall. And, solves some pretty cool cases. And, also, gets to Hulk around at times too. The result is a show that's funny, perhaps a bit too edgy in places, a little weird in places.

That being said, I feel like She-Hulk is close to the same vibes that the first two Iron Man movies and the first Hulk movie brought. There's an off-kilter sense of humor and fun here, as well as a sense of simplicity in its storytelling that avoids being convoluted. Yes, it's connected to the MCU (whether Jen Walters likes it or not). Yes, there's cameos and special appearances in some episodes. But, thankfully, these moments don't spoil Jen's growth as a character (she would not allow it, trust me!).

As Jen, Tatiana Maslany brings a self-aware, sometimes snarky, yet also sympathetic persona as Walters. She also does a nice job with the superhero side of things as well. I hope we see more of her in the MCU going forward. As for supporting roles, Ginger Gonzaga is OK (if not exactly inspired) as Jen's best friend Nikki. Jameela Jamil's villain does a little better as a foil for Jen's character. Mark Linn-Baker and Tess Malis Kincaid are solid as Jen's parents. Appearing in a handful of episodes, it's nice to see Mark Ruffalo again get to be a mentor of sorts here. Yet, his role is limited enough to not overshadow Jen. I will not spoil other appearances.

The visual effects here are solid for a TV show (not without a few hiccups here and there, however), with Jen's transformation an overall success. The music score is solid as well, including a solid end credits suite by Amie Doherty.

As far as story and pacing go, the episodes that do not quite click are episodes 5 and 8. Those go in directions that seem a little too off-kilter for Marvel and the series in general. Both episodes feel like unnecessarily episodic detours as well, without really advancing the series' story too much. Only the final few minutes of the eighth episode set up a finale. And thankfully, Episode 9 wraps everything up in a surprising, very interesting way (I will not spoil it, but it had me pretty surprised).

The episodes run at about 35 minutes apiece. On the positive side, this keeps the overall pacing fairly quick. On the downside, some plotlines feel a little too TV like and not cinematic in a few places. That being said, especially in the final episode, it's clear that the writers were not aiming for a real cinematic event here. So, I guess it all evens out in a messy way that's both a positive and a detract.

In the end, She-Hulk is a bit of a refreshing change of pace for Marvel. The legal comedy bit is entertaining, and Maslany is a winner as Jen. There's also enough MCU connections (and surprise appearances) to keep everyone excited. While its' a little too adult for young superhero fans, for older teenagers and up, its' a fun diversion. Not a classic on the level of WandaVision or Loki, but definitely middle of the pack for Disney+ shows so far.

Grade: B

Movie Review: "The Woman King"

Overall Thoughts: Historically-inspired drama is dramatically and emotionally effective, despite inaccuracies.

Historical dramas can go one of two ways. One, it can be faithful to real events and honor its' material without getting too carried away with Hollywood cheese. Or second, it can take serious creative freedom, attempt to revise or rewrite true events to fit a big screen budget, and upset purists. And prior to its' release, The Woman King was receiving praise from those who felt it went the first way, and severe criticism from those who thought it went the second route.

As for me, I think it's a little bit of both. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Are the events behind The Woman King upgraded to fit a Hollywood budget? Yes. Is it an example of "revisionist history"? In one very noticeable way, yes. But, at the same time, does it present a sense of authenticity to its time, setting and figures depicted? Yes.

And speaking of authenticity, the film feels epic in its scope while feeling authentic at the same time. The kingdom of Dahomey is inviting while inciting a sense of danger as well. There is a refreshing lack of CGI animals or splashy effects. The set design feels like there was a lot of serious time and thought given to ensure it represented the culture it depicted. And aside from a few flashy costumes in the palace, the overall designs are fairly inspired.

Viola Davis gives a fantastic co-lead performance as General Nanisca. She starts out as a bit of an unlikable grouch of sorts, but later shows herself to be someone conflicted with what she wants out of life, while also yearning for a sense of love and appreciation. That's the kind of character growth and development you want to see out of a major lead in an action epic like this. Meanwhile, Thuso Mbedu is just as emotionally effective as new recruit Nawi.

Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel) co-stars as co-general Izogie, and steals a handful of the scenes she's in. She comes across as that tough boss who has a soft side, while nailing a few humorous moments as well. Jordan Bolger does a wonderful job as a sympathetic European visitor. Finally, John Boyega proves to be a solid choice for King Ghezo. He brings a conflicted, yet diplomatic and caring perspective to his character.

Some of the story beats here are predictable. However, the emotional execution behind a few of these are very well-done. At the same time, there's also a couple of solid surprises around the halfway mark. The pacing overall is a bit too slow and unsettled to start out, but it manages to pick up steam as we head into the second half.

Meanwhile, the action scenes are both impressive and exciting. Sometimes it's a little too visceral, but they are well-shot and edited. The stuntwork is impressive as well. Terence Blanchard's music score provides a solid combination of tribal authenticity with superb action setpieces in the score.

As far as its "revisionist" controversy goes, I feel like The Woman King attempts to correct the Dahomey tribes' original sin about sending some of their own people into the slave trade. Is that different from what probably happened? Sure. Does it change real-life figures that were nefarious in real life? Maybe. But, is giving the chance to correct actions necessarily controversial? In my opinion, no. Yes, history is history and creative license should be taken seriously. Yet, attempting to learn from what happened instead of erasing it is the right perspective to have. The filmmakers do not shy away from what really happened, and address it in ways that are thoughtful and tasteful.

So, while the final result takes a lion's share of license, there's still enough epic action, appealing aesthetics, and great, memorable character development here to make for a very good movie.

Grade: B+

Is the movie family-friendly? The Woman King is rated PG-13 for "sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language, and partial nudity." This movie is not appropriate for anyone under the age of 13. There are some somewhat graphic kills (the bloodiest elements just out of the camera's view), stabbings, impalings, and other severe injuries. A baby's skin is cut open in one scene. A few flashback scenes showcase one character being raped (without any real nudity shown, we see her feet tied to the wall and her expressions). Implied sexual intimacy is hinted at in one other moment. A man exiting a lake after bathing is seen nude from the front at one point (with his hands covering his genitals). Slave candidates are caressed (including female breasts). Heads are shown rolling out of a basket. Some discussion about rape and the slave trade. Seeds are used to predict futures and give visions. In the end, parents of teens ages 13 or 14 are recommended to watch the movie first before making a decision for their family. Also, a pre-movie discussion about the historical truth that inspired the film would probably be a good idea as well.

Movie Review: "Catherine Called Birdy"

 

Overall Thoughts: As off-putting and oddly charming as the book was.

I gotta hand it to Lena Dunham. It's not easy to write, direct and produce a movie like this. Catherine Called Birdy was a story I remembered from middle school. I remember it being an adaptation of medieval times. At the same time, it was a personal piece that had a lot to say about social roles during that era. A lot of it went over my head as a kid, but those themes became even more clear in the movie.

One thing I remembered very much about the book is that it often carried some off-putting, out-of-left field moments. Catherine was called a "b***ard" several times, which I guess counted as a shock factor considering the time period. And while the movie does not have that same off-color moments, there are still some moments here that capture that same feeling from time to time.

Bella Ramsey captures Catherine very well, with a determined, headstrong persona that also shows convincing growth and maturity as the film continues. Andrew Scott also does a nice job showing convincing growth as Birdy's father, Lord Rollo. He goes from incredibly unlikable to someone willing to stand up for his daughter. He pulls off quite a terrific balancing act. The entire cast is pretty game, with Mimi M. Khayisa a standout as Lady Berenice Sidebottom. She really captures the fun, kind-hearted and understanding aspects of her character. 

The pacing is overall very solid. The narration involving Birdy writing her own book helping keep things from getting too confusing. That being said, sometimes there's too many characters to keep up with. The production design and values are all solid, and remain refreshingly yesteryear without calling too much attention to itself.

On the downside, the story does lean a little bit too much into postmodern ideas a handful of times. Sometimes it gets a little carried away with including more current issues and topics. Meanwhile, the opening stretch is a little awkward, with some cringy moments and introductions here and there.

However, after the first 30 minutes, Catherine starts to slowly find its' footing, as it heads towards a surprisingly emotionally satisfying ending. Characters see convincing growth and maturity. The resolution is a positive one, even if it might not exactly reflect the time it's set in. And, there's even an engaging final conflict in the midst of all of it as well.

So, in the end, while it's an uneven experience from an entertainment perspective and it is slowed a bit by some out-of-place elements, Catherine Called Birdy is overall a decent watch for it's solid storytelling choices, strong cast, refreshing throwback vibes, and a fairly surprising ending that makes it worth the whole endeavor.

Grade: B

Is this movie family friendly? Catherine Called Birdy is rated PG-13 for "some suggestive material and thematic elements". There's talk and implied moments of a teenage girl's first period, sex, and "fornication". Birdy is seen caressing a near-naked statue of Jesus hanging on the cross at a monastery (she is rebuked for this). She also breaks in on her parents having an intimate moment (we don't see anything except them collecting themselves). Some drunknenness and male characters acting a little on the insane side. Some rebellious behavior and lying. A few uses each of "a**", "d***" and a couple s-words join a few of "oh my g**". A few characters are stern enough to not listen to others ideas as well, and treat females very subserviently (a sad custom to that era, unfortunately, however). In the end, I'm going to say this is an OK choice for ages 13 and older. Parents are encouraged to watch it first before making a decision on if their children are ready to watch.

Movie Review: "Lifemark"

 

Overall Thoughts: Moving, effective true story is another big winner for the Kendricks.

I've always been a fan of the Kendrick Brothers' work, and I was eagerly anticipating their next project. War Room remains my favorite film of theirs, while their last film, Overcomer, was solid if unspectacular. While Lifemark seemed to fall even further under the radar thanks to its' distribution controversy, it also appeared to be an ambitious new project for the filmmakers....that is, it's based on a true story.

And it's a very good true story at that. Based on the documentary I Lived on Parker Avenue, the story is a potent one. An 18-year old young man reconnects with his birth mom, and goes on a journey with his family and best friend to go meet her and his birth father. The film goes back and forth from David's perspective, to his birth mom's perspective, to flashbacks for both his birth parents and adoptive parents.

You might think this may make for a confusing movie. But it's all narratively-weaved well, and it all connects in a way that keeps the story fairly easy to follow while keeping things a little unpredictable as well. The writing is strong and focuses equally on character alongside spiritual themes. As David, Raphael Ruggero earnestly and sincerely depicts a teen facing his own insecurities and feelings about his adoption and his questions about why.

Meanwhile, Justin Sterner nails the comedic relief as David's best friend Nate. Dawn Long and Marisa Hampton are both emotionally-convincing as Melissa, David's birth mom. Kirk Cameron and Alex Kendrick are both solid in their supporting roles as well, giving tidbits of wisdom along the way.

The production values are all high-value, from the sharp cinematography, to the strong editing and subtle but effective music score. The end credits also feature an interesting approach to showing the characters' real-life counterparts. In this approach, pictures in a photo album showcase the actor and the person they are portraying.

The movie also gets points for depicting its issues honestly without being preachy or condemning. The filmmakers had a goal of "leading with love", and I felt like they accomplished their mission. And, at the same time, the film is not afraid of showing its' more controversial aspects of the story. For example, Melissa's near-abortion is shown, with her story's emotional rawness intact.

On the downside, the film's pacing is a little slow at times. And also, I will admit I was a little put off (at first) by the idea of David's friend filming the entire experience, including his reunion. That being said, I was unaware of the documentary the film was based on. When I found out that it was based on events that were really filmed, it became less of an issue after that.

Ultimately, Lifemark is the Kendricks at just about their best. It carries the soul-stirring, light-hearted and spiritually challenging aspects of War Room, while having an ending that's more complex and emotional than any of their prior films. While none of the characters in Lifemark are as instantly memorable as Mrs. Clara from that prior film, that's not exactly a bad thing either.

And that's because the story and message of the film are resonant, genuine, risky and authentic in their execution. All of this leads Lifemark to being one of the year's best films so far.

Grade: A-

Is this movie family-friendly? Lifemark is rated PG-13 for "some thematic material". Earning the film its rating is its scene in the abortion clinic. A doctor nearly tries to perform an abortion (its stopped at the last second). A few emotional discussions regarding what to do with a child when you can't support it. David is injured in a wrestling match and we see him in the hospital. Some flirting. Teens jump off a cliff. In the end, depending on parents' thinking about their children and the concept of abortion as well as kids' overall maturity, I would say ages 9 or 10 on up is OK.