Aquaman

Year: 2018

Director: James Wan
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Tagline: Home is calling

Synopsis: Arthur Curry is half human and half Atlantean.  When both worlds are in danger, he must find his path as hero and king.

Review

Arthur Curry (aka Aquaman) was one of the best parts in Justice League, so I was pleased but hesitant when I saw that he was getting a solo film.  Is it perfect?  Nah.  Is it a whole lot of fun?  You betcha!  Unlike the Batman and Superman films of the DCEU (DC comics extended universe), Aquaman is fun, bright, and wise enough to never take itself too seriously.

One thing the DCEU has struggled with has been the "grim dark" nature of the Batman and Superman led films.  Wonder Woman went against that trend and was a terrific movie.  Aquaman followed the same path.  The visuals are bright, colorful, and unlike any movies I can recall seeing.  Atlantis is stunning to behold.  It's also neat to see underwater fights.  I'm not sure how believable those fights are, but then nothing in this film really tries to be too believable.

And that's part of what makes Aquaman so enjoyable.  It's fun.  It's funny.  It doesn't go into the territory of campiness.  It's not a parody.  But the film does recognize this is a movie about a hero who can talk to fish.  So it rolls with that.  The closest it comes to being over the top is right before a dramatic duel in the Ring of Fire (<insert Finding Nemo joke here>).  As you might expect, a big  ceremonial duel for the throne is accompanied by ceremonial drums.  And those drums are played by a very large octopus.  Because why not?  It's a quick, "wait, did I really see that" moment that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Arthur and Mera are also great with the one liners and have a good banter.

I liked the various characters.  Jason Momoa (Arthur Curry) proves he is a big enough personality to helm his own film.  Amber Heard (Mera) is a fitting partner for him, and it is fun to see her character as a fish out of water.  Orm (Arthur's half brother) is a pretty standard villain, but he does have reasonable cause to dislike us surface dwellers.  Black Manta is the other villain and he is a formidable foe indeed.  I also liked Tom Curry and Atlanna and their relationship.

Oddly enough, this is the second movie during the holiday season that featured actor Dolph Lundgren.  In Aquaman he plays King Nereus.  In the Rocky/Creed movies he is Ivan Drago.

The film also features one of my new favorite cameos.  It's uncredited, and if I hadn't known who it was beforehand, I might not have picked it up.  But since I did know, I could hear the real voice within the highly edited ("monsterized") voice of the Karathen.  Who voices the enormous, tentacled sea monster?  That would be none other than Julie Andrews.  And it works.  It works so well.

As for the story, it is the typical superhero origin movie.  I felt there were enough new elements to keep it fresh though.  And, despite some plot holes, the story works fairly well.

Lastly, I enjoyed the music.  The soundtrack was good.  It was a little different, but it totally fit the tone of the film.  And there were a few well-placed songs.

Aquaman is visually spectacular and a fun time at the movies.  So grab some popcorn and hang on for the underwater ride.  Be sure to stay for a mid-credits scene.

The film is rated PG-13 for typical superhero violence and a number of s-words and a-words.

*** Spoiler Section ***

The final battle is pretty epic.  I'm trying to think of another movie with a great undersea battle.  Nothing is coming to mind.  But Aquaman has people, aquatic ships, sea creatures, sea animals, and a Karathen all going at it.  Again, the characters are wholly invested in the battle.  But the movie itself acknowledges its own silliness.  Name one other movie where someone gets skewered by a narwhal.

I would also like to point out that it sure is lucky nobody ever knocked over or damaged that statue of Romulus over the course of hundreds of years.  All the others seemed to have fared poorly, but good old Romulus was preserved.

Quotable Quotes

• "I am Atlanna, Queen of Atlantis." "I am Thomas, keeper of lighthouse." -- Atlanna and Tom
• "Bogey at six o'clock!" "What does that even mean?" "Enemy behind us!" "Why didn't you just say so?" -- Arthur and Mera
• "Wait!  Shouldn't we have written it down?"  "I memorized it.  Didn't you?"  "Uh, yeah."  "What did it say?"  "Something something trident." -- Arthur and Mera
• "You based our escape on a children's book [Pinocchio]?" "It's a book?  No, I based it on the movie." -- Mera and Arthur
• "Atlantis has always had a king.  Now it needs something more." "What could be greater than a king?" "A hero." "A king fights for his own people.  A hero fights for everyone." -- Mera, Arthur, and Atlanna

Mary Poppins Returns

Year: 2018

Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, Dick Van Dyke, and Angela Lansbury
Tagline: When you lose your way, just remember the magic always returns

Synopsis: Mary Poppins returns to 17 Cherry Tree Lane, this time to help the grown up Jane and Michael.

Review

As I'm sure was the case for many, I grew up watching Mary Poppins on VHS.  When I heard they were making a sequel 50+ years later, I was dubious.  So, how is Mary Poppins Returns?  My takeaway is it is a fun-filled adventure worth seeing, even if it isn't as practically perfect as the original.

You simply can't watch Mary Poppins Returns without comparing it to its predecessor in two ways: the titular character and the story itself.

Emily Blunt is fantastic as the magical nanny.  She fills the role perfectly.  She doesn't pretend to be the Julie Andrews version.  She is her own version.  And both versions are wonderful.

As for the story, it is fun and magical.  But it rides a bit too carefully on the coattails of the original.  We hit all the same plot points: the introduction to magic, a scene with live action and animation intermixed, the visit to an eccentric relative, a mishap at the bank, a rousing song-and-dance number, and an uplifting ending.  While most of those things work within the story and are indeed fun, it means the film doesn't bring much that is new.

What is new, however, is the addition of a villain and the ticking clock cliche.  Again, neither is bad and both serve the story as it is.  But the original film was able to pack an emotional punch and wrap up satisfactorily without either of those things.

I've already raved about Emily Blunt.  The rest of the cast also do a good job.  Lin-Manuel Miranda's Jack (a lamplighter) is charming through and through.  Ben Whishaw brings the grown Michael Banks to life and takes a character that could have been too sentimental and keeps him grounded.  Emily Mortimer is a believable grown up Jane.  Julie Walters is excellent as Ellen the housekeeper (the same housekeeper character as in the original).  Colin Firth and Meryl Streep both look like they are having a marvelous time in their respective roles.  The kids do a good job, especially since I read that this was the youngest's first acting role.

Two other returning characters are Admiral Boom and his first mate, Mr. Binnacle.  The admiral's little side story made me happy.

But what made me the happiest in the entire film was when Dick Van Dyke showed up for the climax.  I could not suppress the grin on my face seeing him as Mr. Dawes Jr. (originally he was Mr. Dawes Sr.).  Equally smile-worthy was seeing Angela Lansbury as the Balloon Lady in the finale.  Seeing two Disney legends (and stars from my childhood) was fantastic.

As you would expect from the House of Mouse, the production values are top notch throughout.  The costumes, the sets, the choreography, and all else are spot on.  And the animated sequences are beautiful.  I'm so glad the director insisted on using traditional, hand drawn animation, in keeping with the original.  The colors are vibrant and the interaction with the live action characters is seamless.

And that leaves only the music.  Most of the songs are indeed catchy (and may well get stuck in your head).  But for me, most of the songs weren't as good or as truly memorable as those from the original.  Those songs have become classics.  These songs are nice.  My personal favorites are "A Conversation," "Can You Imagine That?," and "The Place Where Lost Things Go."  Still, it was when motifs from the original songs were interwoven into the score that I got most excited.

All told, Mary Poppins Returns is a worthy sequel.  The film is full of wonderful small moments, some endearing songs, and plenty of nostalgia.  Emily Blunt is terrific.  I recommend taking yourself and your family to "trip a little light fantastic" with Mary Poppins, Jack, and all the others.

The film is rated PG for some mild peril.

*** Spoiler Section ***

As emotionally satisfying as the climax is, the deus ex machina doesn't really work when you think about it.  Having Dawes Jr. explain how the tuppence from the first film are now rescuing them financially in this film is a lovely twist.  But let's face it, even over 20 years with the wisest of investments, there's no way that tuppence (two pennies) are going to have grown into a substantial sum of money.  That's not realistic during the best of economic times.  And the film takes place during the early 1930s, i.e., anything but the best of economic times.

But why should logic and realism get in the way of a satisfying ending?

Seriously, though, it made me so happy when Admiral Boom and Big Ben were back in sync.

Quotable Quotes

• "I was flying a kite and it got caught on a nanny!" -- Georgie
• "Close your mouth, please, Michael.  We are still not a codfish." -- Mary Poppins
• "She did come all this way on a kite." -- Michael to Jane
• "Cleaning is not a spectator sport." -- Mary Poppins
• "That's an interesting accent you've got.  Where're you from?" "It's a long story --" "No one knows." -- Jack, Cousin Topsy, and Mary Poppins

ISFS

Bumblebee

Year: 2018

Director: Travis Knight
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., John Ortiz, and Pamela Adlon
Tagline: Every adventure has a beginning

Synopsis: His memories and voice gone, B-127 finds himself alone on earth until he makes friends with Charlie Watson.  Renamed "Bumblebee," he must deal with old enemies if he wants to keep his new home and friends safe.

Review

As a kid, I had a bunch of Transformers toys.  I had Jazz, Bumblebee, and, of course, Optimus Prime.  Naturally, when the Transformers movie came out in 2007 I went to see it.  And I hated it.  Completely.  I refused to see any of the subsequent films.  And then I saw a trailer for Bumblebee.  It immediately seemed like a different take on the robots in disguise.  When the positive reviews started pouring in, I got more and more intrigued.  So when I found out it was directed by the same fellow who directed Kubo and the Two Strings, I was sold on seeing it.

Forget all those other messes, Bumblebee is terrific!

Is it a perfect movie?  No.  In fact, if you were to break it down to its skeletal story, you've seen this movie before.  You know these characters.  Within 15 minutes, you could probably figure out every plot point and character arc for the rest of the film.  Did I care about any of that when I was watching it?  Not in the slightest.  I was absolutely content to go for this joyful ride through 1987 with a battered yellow Volkswagen beetle.

The film rests on one thing: the relationship between Charlie Watson (perfectly portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld) and Bumblebee.  The movie works because that relationship works.  And that's saying something.  Because Hailee was acting to nothing.  And Bumblebee is mute for the majority of the movie.  So, like WALL-E, Bumblebee's character and emotions have to be expressed through design and action.  And the filmmakers do a fantastic job making this strange array of metal parts into a character we care about.  He may be metal and wires, but Bumblebee has a very real heart.  And when he bonds with Charlie, the rest of the film falls into place.

Also good was John Cena.  He plays the typical military man who feels like he has to hunt down this dangerous alien invader.  But he also has some of the most humorous lines in the movie and manages to make his character stand out from the cliche.

There's plenty of action throughout the film.  It is mostly robots fighting other robots.  But there were also plenty of quiet moments throughout the film that allowed for character growth and bonding.

The music for Bumblebee was also quite good.  I loved the score.  The soundtrack was also enjoyable.  It served to ground the film in its 1987 setting.  I didn't know all the songs, but I knew enough, which made it fun.

The film is rated PG-13 for action and some swearing (I honestly don't remember much).  Most of the violence is between robots.  A couple of humans also get killed in a way that is quick and gore-free (but gross if you think about it).  It might be rather intense for younger viewers.

There are lots of movies to see this holiday season.  So far, Bumblebee is my favorite.  It's well-made, has just the right balance of action and heart, and it made me want to give a robot a hug (which hasn't happened since WALL-E).  Be sure to stick around for the mid-credits scenes.

*** Spoiler Section ***

During the end scene, when Bumblebee's Camaro pulls up alongside a semi, I couldn't help but smile.  And, sure enough, Optimus Prime is back for the mid-credits scene.

The first scene potentially sets up a sequel.  But the best part is when Bumblebee uses his radio to tell Optimus his new name.  Bumblebee has found his voice.

The second scene brings closure to Charlie's story.  She has finally finished fixing and restoring her father's car.  The scene says so much without a single word.

Quotable Quotes

• "Don't run!  Do not run! ... She ran." -- Agent Burns
• "They literally call themselves 'Decepticons.'  That doesn't set off any red flags?" -- Agent Burns
• "Wait.  You mean you could have been a Camaro this whole time?" -- Charlie

ISFS

Creed II

Year: 2018

Director: Steven Caple Jr.
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Dolph Lundgren, and Florian Munteanu

Synopsis: Adonis Creed fights Viktor Drago so he can prove ... something or other.

Review

This wasn't a movie I wanted to see.  But it was what was voted on by my team at work.  And I'm grateful to work for a generous company and team where we can take part of the work day and go to a movie at Christmas.

If you like Rocky movies or liked the first Creed, I'm sure you'll like this one.  I don't like those and I didn't like this.  But that's me.  I acknowledge that it was a good movie and a well-made movie.  But I was bored.  I'm sure it doesn't help that I can't stand boxing.

It's like every other Rocky movie.  You know exactly how it will all play out within the first few minutes.  There will be ups, there will be downs, there will be a training montage, and there will be a big fight at the finish.

There were a few good moments that I could appreciate.  And the denouement (the end of the film after the dramatic climax) was good and tied everything up satisfactorily.  And though it is a bit strange, the character I was most interested and invested in was Viktor Drago.

The film is rated PG-13 for ... well, all the things you'd expect after seeing the first Creed.

Like I said, if you like Rocky movies, by all means, go see Creed II.  I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Quotable Quotes

• "This guy's got nothing to lose.  And a guy with nothing to lose is dangerous." "I'm dangerous!" -- Rocky and Adonis
• "We're naming her 'Amara.'"  "Amara?  Why not go with an easier name, like 'Becky' or 'Cate'?"  "Cate Creed?  You do know she's going to be black, right?"  "Oh, yeah." -- Adonis and Rocky

ISFS

The Bells of Christmas

Sleigh bells.  Silver bells.  Jingle bells.  If the spirit of Christmas could be captured in a sound, it would be the sound of bells.  “Hark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say ... Christmas is here.”  The bells of Christmas tinkle and ring, clamor and clang, chime and peal, signaling the season with their merriment and good cheer.  

Whether we’re “dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh” or “dancin’ and prancin’ in jingle bell square,” the bells of Christmas fill the air.  As we “shoppers rush home with [our] treasures,” still can be heard the ring-a-ling of silver bells.  And when we’re “caroling, caroling through the snow,” through it all those “Christmas bells are ringing.”  No Christmas song – no holiday commercial – would be complete without the ubiquitous jingle jangle of bells.  

But what is it we hear as these Christmas bells chime?  Does each bell remind us that Clarence – or some other angel – has gotten his wings?  Does the clear tone of a bell entreat us to believe in the magic of Christmas for one more year?  Do we hear a familiar instrument, played in every song and at every concert?  Do we hear our own doorbells, heralding the arrival of our latest package, another guest, or a treat-bearing neighbor?  Or do we hear little more than the clang of the Salvation Army worker outside our local grocer, signaling us to avoid eye contact as we scurry inside?  

The bells of Christmas are ringing, but do we hear their message?

In a social media post, Elder David A. Bednar explained: “Bells at Christmastime symbolize the announcement of the birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and declared, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”

Millennia later, it can still be sung: “Ding dong merrily on high, in heav’n the bells are ringing.”  And on earth, down through the ages, the “belfries of all Christendom” still peal loud and clear: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep.”  He sent His Son to earth, assuring us that “the world [will revolve] from night to day,” for the Prince of Peace has come and will yet come again.  This is the message of the bells.

Christmas is always a busy time of year.  But as we hear the bells on Christmas Day, and all throughout the season, may we remember for whom they toll.  They toll for Christ.  May each tinkling, chiming, or pealing bell remind us of Him and the peace He brings, even amid the clatter and clanging of life.  May each street corner bell remind us not to empty our wallets, but to fill our hearts with love and generosity toward our fellow man.  May each doorbell remind us of the arrival of God’s gift of His Only Begotten Son and remind us that He too should be our welcome Guest.  As we let Christ in, “above all this bustle [we’ll] hear” the bells and their message of peace on earth, good will toward men. 

“Sleigh bells ring ... are [we] listening?”

Merry Christmas!

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

ISFS

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

ISFS