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Downton Abbey
Judy
MPAA Rating: PG Overall: AViolence: B Sexual Content: B Profanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: C+ It’s 1927 and Downton Abbey is about to enjoy a great honor – a visit from King George V and Queen Mary. Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and his American-born wife Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) bring the family together to prepare for the royal visit. And their loyal staff determine to do their best to uphold the Abbey’s finest traditions. The monarch’s trip to Yorkshire makes for a thin plot, but it provides a good background for the many subplots that swirl through the film. Over the film’s somewhat bloated two hour runtime, audiences will get answers to numerous questions, large and small. Frankly, none of the questions leave the audience in suspense for long – if at all. There are, after all, only two questions that matter. First, will fans of the TV show like it? And, second, can the movie be enjoyed by those of us who don’t have years of exposure to the characters? The answer to the first question is definitely in the affirmative. Downton Abbey is a chance for fans to sit back, watch their favorite characters on the big screen, gaze wistfully at the glorious costumes, and laugh out loud at the Dowager Countess’s acerbic one-liners. The second question can also be answered positively. I am not a Downton fan, but I managed to enjoy the film’s quasi-historical escape with lovely period detail, a relaxing story, and only minor content issues. Downton Abbey is the cinematic equivalent of an English high tea. It isn’t terribly filling, but it looks lovely, tastes delicious is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: B+ Violence: A Sexual Content: AProfanity: D+ Alcohol / Drug Use: C It’s 1968 and Judy Garland (Renee Zellweger), now 46 years old, has wandered far from the yellow brick road that took her to Oz and global fame. Her options are dwindling and she realizes that she needs to make drastic decisions if she wants to win a custody battle and keep her children. She reluctantly accepts an offer to perform in London for a few months, hoping to make enough money to provide stability for her family. Judy is a moving biopic of a woman struggling to find a way to care for her children while battling the demons of her own early years. Judy Garland had a painful life, starting with her childhood stardom in The Wizard of Oz and a studio environment which was often toxic for young performers. Belittled for her appearance and weight, constantly threatened with firing, and fed a steady diet of pills, Judy Garland didn’t get to be Dorothy without giving up nearly everything else. Despite Judy Garland’s tumultuous life, parental concerns are reasonably limited. There is plenty of drinking, smoking, and abuse of prescription drugs, but this is shown in a negative light. There is less profanity than I expected, with most conversations devoid of objectionable language. There are nine swear words overall, with two sexual expletives. For all the glitz and glamour around its star, this film is quite dark. Zellweger does a good job of balancing Garland’s sense of humor and strong personality with the seemingly endless personal tragedy, but you’d still be well advised to come to the theatre with some tissues.
Abominable
The Peanut Butter Falcon
MPAA Rating: PG Overall: A Violence: B Sexual Content: A Profanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A Yi is living life on the go. Spending her vacation running from one part time job to another in her hometown of Shanghai, she barely has time to talk to her mother and grandmother. She is too busy to play basketball with younger neighbor, Peng and barely manages to squeeze in some snarky banter with handsome Jin. There’s a reason behind Yi’s frenetic schedule – she’s afraid that if she stops long enough to think, she won’t be able to control her grief over her father’s death. But then one night, she climbs up to her rooftop hideaway to play her father’s violin and makes a discovery that will change her life. Mr. Burnish (voiced by Eddie Izzard) is an acquisitive animal collector, with a lifelong obsession with yeti. He has finally managed to capture an abominable snowman of his own, only to see him escape over the rooftops of Shanghai. Injured in his flight, the yeti hides on the first convenient roof, until he’s discovered by Yi. Their meeting launches the new friends, along with Peng and Jin, on a journey across China to return the yeti to his home on Mount Everest. Not only is there much to enjoy in this movie; there is very little for parents to worry about. Abominable contains some perilous situations and a few violent encounters, but these are not gratuitous or gory and serve to advance the plot. Only sensitive children will be troubled by the story’s action. This charming movie celebrates the glories of the natural world and the magic of music, friendship, loyalty, and love. It definitely isn’t abominable – it’s wonderful and well worth the price of the ticket to see it on the big screen.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: B+ Violence: BSexual Content: B+ Profanity: DAlcohol / Drug Use: D The Peanut Butter Falcon is a perplexing movie. Is it a heartwarming Huck Finn tale of two renegades on the run, figuring out if they’re the good guys or bad guys in their own stories? Or is it a modern attempt to tackle how we relate to, communicate with, and treat people with disabilities? I think the response is subjective – and you’ll need to decide for yourself. Zak (Zack Gottsagen) is a twenty-two year old man with Down Syndrome. He has no family and has been warehoused in a nursing home because the state lacks an appropriate facility. Not surprisingly, Zak decides to escape and pursue his dream of becoming a pro wrestler. He’s even picked his own stage name - The Peanut Butter Falcon. Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) is a crab fisherman who steals other fishermen’s catches. This is risky and, having been trapped in a sticky position, he commits an unplanned act of arson, putting him on the run from the law. When Tyler and Zak cross paths, they pair up as they try to avoid their pursuers on their journey towards freedom. Thankfully this rich relationship is supported by excellent performances by the lead actors, particularly Zack Gottsagen’s. Having a person with Down Syndrome actually portrayed by an actor with Down Syndrome makes the film more authentic. The most difficult part of going to see this film is watching people mistreat and abuse Zak. The sheer cruelty was enough to make me recoil in empathetic pain and disgust – and parents will want to keep this in mind as they consider this movie for family viewing. 89
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