Ghostbusters: Answer the Call is more than just a reboot. It’s a classic for the new generation of Ghostbusters fans while also paying homage to the original with a great cast, plot and visual effects worth watching in 3D. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2ElJyJSJzA
The BFG
R
Jon Rutledge
oald Dahl’s books have been the subject of films before, but none captures the essence or the fantasy as well as The BFG. This blend of live action and CGI gives the animated giant a realistic look next to the live performers. Steven Spielberg’s imagination breathes life into this film without corrupting the purity of the original story. This film could not have been fully realized before now: it wouldn’t have the same fluidity of motion or the seamless transition between the living and the animated. At its core a story about finding a connection and standing up to bullies resonates as well today as it did when it was first written in 1982. This kid’s film has a PG rating because we are dealing with giants that eat children and at times can be very intense for younger viewers. On the other end of the spectrum there are scenes surrounding Whizzpopping. (I will let you explore Google for a definition.) Suffice it to say this is definitely kid’s humor. The language in the film is very much like a Shakespearian play in that it takes a few minutes to calibrate to what the Big Friendly Giant is saying.
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After a few moments you get the pace and rhythm of the speech as well as how they use some words wrong and invent new words for you to learn. Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is a brave and determined little girl who doesn’t shy away from challenges. She stands up to adversity and encourages the people (and giants) around her to be better. Penelope Wilton (Downton Abby, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) plays the Queen superbly. Her royal demeanor and elegance are perfect for the roll. Jemaine Clement (Rio, Flight of the Concords) plays the evil giant Fleshlumpeater, his performance could be nightmare fuel for kids but he is over all more buffoonish than menacing. As the adult in the room, I found myself laughing right along with the kids. To truly enjoy this film you have to leave your grownup sensibilities at the door and view it like a child. Go in and just enjoy the wonder of this magical movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ0Bey4YUGI
The Secret Life of Pets
T
By Jon Rutledge
he Secret Life of Pets has potential as a great franchise. It unfortunately has problems with over-stuffing the story with too many sub-plots. The numerous plot points competing for time give the film pacing issues. The production quality is outstanding and it has top-notch talent but it gets lost and can’t land on what is the main story. Voicing Max, a dog, is Louis C.K. (Louie, Stand up) he is accompanied by Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family, Almost Famous) as Duke, his new dog roommate. They are the rivals for the title of top dog in their apartment. Their feud overflows into the streets and they get lost in the city. They are rescued by a bunny, Snowball (Kevin Hart) (Get Hard, Ride Along), the head of a militant anti-human organization. Escaping from Snowball and his crew, Max and Duke get further lost but learn a lot about each other in the process. One of the subplots that needed more screen time was Gidget (Jenny Slate) (Zootopia, The Lorax), a Pomeranian, who has a crush on Max and leads their friends on a rescue mission. This really needed to be the main plot of the film. It was way more interesting and Jenny Slate could carry it. Her performance is second only to Kevin Hart’s maniac bunny. There is
another subplot involving Duke’s background but it’s not needed and slows down the film. There is no need to explain Duke’s past, his arrival is just the inciting incident. We can explore more of his story in subsequent film, if it takes off. As this movie has an engaging first half but loses its way on the second I
would suggest that this is a rental. The Illumination Entertainment Company has done some good films but recently they are in a slump. They have an excellent production company and as soon as it works out how to tell a story they are going to be a force to be reckoned with. Continued on page 22
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