Ralph Breaks the Internet

Year: 2018

Director: Phil Johnston and Rich Moore
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson, Alan Tudyk, and all of the Disney Princesses

Synopsis: After the Sugar Rush arcade game breaks, Ralph and Vanellope journey to the internet in order to find the part needed to fix it.

Review

I liked Wreck-It Ralph (the first movie).  It was fun, clever, and had a good story to tell.  I was initially worried they wouldn't be able to pull off a sequel.  I was wrong.  The sequel is as good as the original.  With the whole internet as fodder, Ralph Breaks the Internet is terrific.

Disney animation continues to be top notch.  The world that is the internet is incredibly creative and highly detailed.  It's mind blowing to think how much work they put into creating a tangible world to represent the insanity that is the world wide web.  And it works.  I may never look at pop-up ads quite the same way.  I'm also fond of the idea that there is a little avatar version of me wandering around the internet, doing my shopping or reading the news or whatever.

The film is also hilarious.  There are so many jokes, gags, and Easter eggs that the only way to get everything out of the movie is to watch it multiple times, preferably with a pause button.  There's one scene during the climax that had everyone in the audience (myself included) laughing out loud.

All the familiar characters are back from the first movie, including Fix-It Felix and Sgt. Calhoun.  Their part is small, but is still funny.  We are also treated to many new characters, such as Shank the Slaughter Race driver, Yesss the trending algorithm, KnowsMore the search engine, and J.P. Spamley the pop-up.

The best "new" characters, though, are the Disney Princesses (most voiced by their original voice actress).  I was initially worried that all of their scene had already been shown in trailers and other promotional videos.  But while most of their first scene was already known, they get a second scene later in the movie.  And it was the most epic and hilarious scene in the movie.  That's all I'll say here.

As clever and funny as Ralph Breaks the Internet is, it also has a heart.  At its core, the story is about the friendship between Ralph and Vanellope.  They may be video game characters in a digital world, but their friendship is real, complete with real struggles and growth.  It's interesting to see a real friendship within the world of the internet and social media.  Perhaps that's why the story works so well and is so timely.

The film is rated PG for some action and some mild rude humor (the same as in the first Wreck-It Ralph).

If you are looking for a hilarious, family-friendly movie, go see Ralph Breaks the Internet.  Be sure to stick around for the mid-credits and post-credits scenes.

*** Spoiler Section ***

One of the highlights of the movie is when Vanellope goes to the Oh My Disney fan site, which features all the fandoms under the Disney umbrella.  As Vanellope wanders, the cameos come blink-and-you'll-miss-them fast.  I recall seeing Baby Groot, Eeyore, C-3PO, Heihei, Grumpy, a Stan Lee avatar, Buzz Lightyear, Baymax, Iron Man, and Nick Wilde (from Zootopia).  It's fun and crazy to see all those characters in one place, however briefly.

At one point during that sequence, one of the Storm Troopers falls (or something) and does the Wilhelm Scream.  That made me so happy.

Speaking of screaming, clearly screaming goats are a thing.  This is the third movie this year to include a screaming goat.

The best scene was definitely when all the Disney Princesses team up to save Ralph.  I need to watch that scene again just to get everything that happens so quickly.  Seeing each princess do her part to help by using her unique talents is terrific in and of itself.  But when you throw in clips of each of their signature songs ... yeah, that's just epic Disney awesomeness.

Quotable Quotes

• "My Autofill is a touch aggressive today." -- KnowsMore
• "Are you guys OK?  Should I call the police?" -- Vanellope to the Disney Princesses
• "I don't even have a mom." "Neither do we!" -- Vanellope and most of the Disney Princesses
• "There's no law saying best friends have to have the same dreams." -- Shank
• "Did you like the movie, honey?"  "Yeah.  But there was a scene in the trailer that wasn't in the movie." -- Mom and Girl

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Green Book

Year: 2018

Director: Peter Farrelly
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, and Linda Cardellini

Tagline: Based on a true friendship
Synopsis: An Italian-American bouncer becomes the driver for a black classical pianist who is going on tour in the 1960s deep south.

Review

Unless you are a film aficionado, you may not have heard of Green Book, which is too bad.  You'll probably hear more about it once awards season rolls around, because it is an excellent film worthy of recognition.

The title comes from The Negro Motorist Green Book, which included hotels and restaurants where blacks were allowed in the Jim Crow South.

The tagline for the film explains that this is a true story.  It is the story of how Tony "Lip" Vallelonga and Don Shirley forged a lifelong friendship.  It is quite the story, since you could hardly imagine two more different men from two more different backgrounds.  Yet as they spend time together, talk to each other, and listen to each other, they develop a mutual respect and friendship.  There is tremendous hope in such a story.

As the filmmakers have pointed out, the film isn't necessarily meant to be about race relations in the 1960s.  It's about the experiences of these two men.  It's about how (admittedly racist) Tony changes because of this road trip with Don, as he gets to know him and as he sees how he is treated.  Time after time, Don is welcomed as an esteemed guest, only to be told he cannot use the restroom, eat in the restaurant, or even be out after dark.

According to the articles I've read, the story is highly accurate, aside from some tweaks to the timeline.  Tony's son, Nick Vallelonga, was one of the screenwriters and producers.  Over the years, he recorded his father's and Dr. Shirley's stories so he could eventually tell them.  Don Shirley told Nick to tell the truth -- all of it.  His only stipulation was to wait until he had passed away.  (He and Tony died within months of each other in 2013.)

Although the film is a drama and addresses some weighty themes, it also has touches of humor.  Tony and Don have an excellent banter throughout.  And both Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali are fantastic in their roles.  (I barley recognized Aragorn.)

The film is rated PG-13 for mature themes and some violence and also for Tony's incessantly bad language.  He primarily likes the S word but he also says the F word at one point.

If you are looking for a well-told drama, I highly recommend Green Book.  It's an inspiring story of friendship that is especially timely in our increasingly divisive world.

*** Spoiler Section ***

When Tony and Don get pulled over for the second time by a police officer, my thought was, "Not again.  They did nothing!"  So when the officer informs them they have a flat tire, it was a wonderful, hopeful moment that reminds us that there are still plenty of good people in the world, then and now.  The officer directs traffic around them and even holds a light for Tony as he fixes the tire.

I also loved that, at the end, it is Don driving while Tony -- exhausted -- is asleep in the back.  It says so much about the friendship they've developed.

Quotable Quotes

• "Pick it up, Tony."  "Squirrels woulda eaten it anyway."  "Pick it up." -- Tony and Don regarding litter
• "He's a doctor of piano or something."  "You can do that?" -- Tony and Dolores
• "That's like clinging a cow bell at the end of Shostakovich's 7th." "That's good?" -- Don and Tony
• "If I'm not black enough and if I'm not white enough and if I'm not man enough!  Then tell me, Tony, what am I?!" -- Don

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Fantasic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Year: 2018

Director: David Yates
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Zoe Kravitz, Ezra Miller, and Claudia Kim

Tagline: Who Will Change the Future?
Synopsis: When the dark wizard Grindelwald escapes from custody, Albus Dumbledore enlists Newt Scamander to help track him down.

Review

Seventeen years ago, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was released in theaters.  I'd never read any of the books.  But once I'd seen the movie, I was an immediate fan.  I have been ever since.  As such, I absolutely loved Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.  It was so much of what I love about the Wizarding World of J.K. Rowling.

That makes this one of the rare movies where I completely disagree with the critics.  I haven't read what they had to say, but I saw the score on Rotten Tomatoes and it made me sad.  Having seen the movie, I think I do understand their qualms.  Crimes of Grindelwald is very much a film for the fans.  It doesn't work as a standalone film.  Not at all.  If you didn't see the first Fantastic Beasts you'd be utterly lost.  If you didn't have a basic understanding of the world of Harry Potter, you wouldn't be as excited, as stunned, or as knowing.  Lacking that foundation, so much of the film would fly over your head like a snitch in a Quidditch game.

It might also be argued that the story isn't as tight as it could be.  There are numerous threads running through the film.  Some came from the previous film and others are new.  Almost none of them find any resolution by the time the credits roll.  In fact, we are left with far more questions than answers.  This is part of a 5-part story arc after all.

I've also heard some complaints that this one is less fun and darker than the first one.  The tone is certainly different here.  And the themes are indeed much darker.  Far more is at stake.  In the first, it seemed to be a few lives at stake (and sometimes more than a few).  But now it is the world that is at stake and war is being waged not simply for lives, but for minds and souls, which can prove far more heart-wrenching to the invested viewer.

Grindelwald is a clever fellow.  Persuasive too, as can be seen by the number of followers he gathers and even by who he is able to gather.  Most dangerously, he seems to be a patient villain, willing to bide his time and wait for the right moments for things rather than always trying to force his will.  It makes him interesting and all the more dangerous.  And he is a fitting villain for the time frame of the movie.  We are in the late 1920s.  Grindewald's speeches and tactics echo the rise of the Third Reich and Hitler.

While the film is certainly darker -- and perhaps not suitable for the youngest kiddos who might be frightened -- the film is not devoid of fun.  I laughed numerous times throughout the film.  Newt is still odd but in an endearing way.  Jacob is his lovable self, though he admittedly has less to do this time around.  There aren't as many beasts this time, but they are fascinating nonetheless.  And I personally quite like Jude Law's take on a young Albus Dumbledore.

The film is full of little moments for the fans.  There are items and names and locations that make us giddy with recognition.  I thought the story was well told for what it is.  And I really liked the characters, both old and new.  There's so much going on and it is all exciting.

In sum, if you are a Harry Potter fan, you will likely love Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.  And you'll likely be as puzzled as everyone else by certain things and thus on the edge of your seat until the next film comes out (November 2020).  J.K. Rowling certainly knows how to spin a great story.

Quotable Quotes

• "Do you get motion sickness?"  "I don't do well on boats."  "You'll be fine." -- Newt and Jacob
• "Don't say 'salamandar.'" -- Jacob to Newt
• "Accio Niffler!" -- Newt
• "Follow the feather." -- Newt
• "You never met a monster you couldn't love." -- Leta to Newt

*** Spoiler Section ***

Have you seen the film yet?  Because if you haven't, you shouldn't be down here.  Seriously, stop reading and go see the movie first.

OK, where to start.

I really wanted to take a closer look at that Lestrange family tree.  I'm still confused as to how Leta is related to Bellatrix (or rather to her husband).  I really liked Leta's character by the way.  I thought she was a good character for the film and had a fitting story arc.

Speaking of the Lestranges.  So is that Senegalese Yusuf fellow actually free of his Unbreakable Vow?  The person he was supposed to kill is long since dead.  Now what happens?  Since he lived, I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I'm still not sure I'm ready to believe that Nagini the maledictus in this movie is the same Nagini the snake that is the loyal and murderous pet of Lord Voldemort.  This Nagini seems decent and good.  Even when she had the opportunity to kill the cruel circus master who kept her in a cage, she didn't.  And she chose not to believe Grindelwald's lies and follow him.  Granted, she has three more movies to go.

And then there's Queenie.  I wasn't too surprised by her choice at the end.  When we first see her she is already feeling desperate and using unethical means to try and get what she wants.  But there's nothing malicious about her.  I can't believe she would follow Grindelwald once she saw the truth.  And where she is a legilimens, that's going to be interesting.  I think Grindelwald either has her under the Imperio curse or has cast some other sort of spell on her.  That or he is highly skilled in occlumency to keep her from knowing what he's really thinking.

I almost think the film should have been named the Lies of Grindelwald.  He is an expert at them.  And I fully believe his reveal to Credence at the end is simply another one.  How would Grindelwald even know who Credence really is?  Undoubtedly Dumbledore told Grindelwald in their chummy days the story/legend that Grindelwald then tells Credence.  And what better way to get Credence to do what he wants.  Whether as Graves or as Grindelwald, he has done nothing but lie to Credence and has never fully understood who Credence is.

From a logistic standpoint.  The timeline simply doesn't work.  If Credence is 19 (he was said to be 18 in the first movie), then he is far to young to be the son of Albus' parents.  Albus' mother would have been dead and his father would have been in Azkaban.  And with all the dirt Rita Skeeter later dug up on Albus, how would she have possibly missed this?  Also, when Dumbledore is being fully open with Harry, why would he confess about Ariana and skip over another sibling?  It doesn't add up.

I think it is a clever lie by Grindelwald and a clever hook/misdirect by J.K. Rowling.  We'll have to wait and see.

ISFS

The Grinch

Year: 2018

Director: Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Cameron Seely, Rashida Jones, Pharrell Williams, Kenan Thompson, and Angela Lansbury

Tagline: It's never too early to be annoyed by Christmas
Synopsis: Unlike the neighboring Whos down in Whoville, the Grinch cannot stand Christmas.  So, with his loyal dog, Max, he plots to keep Christmas from coming.

Review

I grew up with the Chuck Jones How the Grinch Stole Christmas animated film.  For various reasons, I never saw the Jim Carrey version.  Going in to The Grinch, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect.  Coming out of the film, I was pleased with having seen it, but at the same time, I was a little disappointed about some things. 

Let's start with some of the film's struggles.

The 1966 version of the story is 26 minutes.  The Grinch is 86 minutes.  That means an hour's worth of backstory, side story, and padding.  Yes, Fred the reindeer is cute and has a sweet little story line.  But he really isn't needed.  Sure, Cindy Lou Who is kind and has an endearing little story line.  But that isn't really needed either.  The power of the original film (and the book, for that matter) is in its succinctness.  While the padding is nice, and colorful, and at times fun ... ultimately it is still padding that detracts and waters down the core of the story.

Speaking of watered down, this Grinch is quite watered down from the original.  He's far more misunderstood and lonely than mean.  This Grinch doesn't seem to have "garlic in his soul."  On the one hand, that makes him more likable and relatable.  We don't mind spending an extra hour with him.  But it also diminishes the power of his final transformation.

When I heard that Benedict Cumberbatch had been cast as the Grinch, I was excited.  I was expecting something along the lines of Smaug from The Hobbit.  Sadly, that is not what we got.  It seemed Benedict didn't even want to compete with Boris Karloff's Grinch.

Also a let down was the narrator.  I have nothing against Pharrell Williams, but he does not have a suitably epic narrator voice.  Again, did they decide to not even try to compete with Boris Karloff?

Lastly, if you must do a new version of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," do it justice and do the whole song in a manner the story and song deserve.

Now for what the film did right.

The world created in the film is gorgeous and fun.  It has an appropriately Seussical look and feel with lots of bright colors and curvy shapes.

It's nice to see that the Grinch and Max have a better relationship.  It's obvious that despite his faults, the Grinch truly cares for his loyal dog.

I'll admit, I was excited when I recognized Angela Lansbury's voice as the Mayor of Whoville.

The highlight of the film is the Grinch's heist scene.  He uses an array of clever gadgets and gizmos to help him clear out the entire town in one night.  That part is terrific.

I also have to give The Grinch major props for including real Christmas songs.  Yes, it has "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and "The Christmas Song."  But I was pleased that "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Silent Night" both featured prominently.  Thank you.  And if you were worried,  "Welcome Christmas" (aka the "Da Who Doray" song) is also present.

The film is rated PG for an incident where one of the young Whos loses his clothes in a mishap and has to cover himself with a very large cookie.  I don't recall anything else.

While I do think the Grinch's redemptive transformation is watered down in this version, The Grinch still has a good message about kindness and reaching out to others.  And those are certainly things we need more of in this world.

If you need a family film to get you in the Christmas spirit, The Grinch is a colorful, clever, and enjoyable option.  I don't think it will ever be a holiday staple*, but it's certainly worth seeing.  Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go hunt down the 1966 animated version and listen to the Thurl Ravencroft version of the song.

* My Christmas staples are Muppet Christmas Carol and Prep and Landing ... in case you were wondering.

*** Spoiler Section ***

Seriously, what is up with screaming goats?  First there was one in Small Foot, now there is one in The Grinch.  Are screaming goats a thing and I just haven't heard about them until now?  I'm so confused.

As cute as Fred the reindeer is, and as sweet as it is that he comes back to help at the end, I didn't like that part.  Yeah, they needed Fred to serve some purpose in the story and show kindness to the Grinch.  But in that climactic moment, Fred's help undermines the power of that scene in the original.  We lose this important part: "And then the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!"  It is the Grinch who rescues the falling sleigh with newfound strength from his newfound understanding.  Fred is sweet, but in this version, that triumphant/transformative moment is lost.

Quotable Quotes

• "This is the loudest snow I've ever heard in my life." -- The Grinch
• "Today we will do mean things, and we will do them with style." -- The Grinch
• "If I'm gonna be Santa, then I need to get into character." [Reads that Santa is always jolly.] "Well, that's never going to happen." -- The Grinch
• "I put on a tie." -- The Grinch

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