4 REVIEW
November 22, 2016 `
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Thanksgiving Flicks I know a lot of people love “Miracle on 34th Street,” but I am not a big fan, so listed below are my five turkey day treats:
RICKY MILLER Entertainment Editor
For all intents and purposes, author J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a prequel in the Potter universe. Returning to helm the movie is director David Yates, who did an amazing job with the last two Harry Potter entries, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2.” I have to say, I liked this movie from the get-go. I’m not one to judge how great the “Harry Potter” movies were, but the franchise was solid all the way through. I would give the majority of them a grade of an A- or higher. Even the sub-par “Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets” entry was still a fun ride and romp to a fictional world usually reserved for the printed page. Eddie Redmayne, who won a Best Actor Oscar for 2014’s “The Theory of Everything,” headlines this tale in which his Newt Scamander character is visiting the Big Apple to arrange safe passage for some other-worldly creatures. Scamander is trying to place his creatures in an alternate universe where they will not be harmed. Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kawoski spends Image courtesy warnerbros.co.uk his time working at a can factory. He is a good man and seems pure at heart. Kawoski has aspirations of opening his own exotic bakery, but the banker refuses him a loan, crushing his dreams to no end. Kawoski’s interaction with Queenie (Alison Sudol) is easily one of the more subtle touches in a big and grand spectacle. The nemesis in “Fantastic Beasts” is Colin Farrell’s Percival Graves, who has no time for the shenanigans occurring in his precious city. He is fighting Scamander and does not waver on his position to ban him from planet earth. What is also interesting is that Albus Dumbledore’s name is mentioned, but the Hogwarts headmaster is never seen. Another reference from the Potter franchise is the mention of muggles (aka “not-magic folk”) in lore and banter. Also amazing is the grand score from composer James Newton Howard. Every single frame of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” has a purpose. It does not wasting time with Image courtesy wired.com small talk or forgettable dialogue.
RichlandStudentMedia.com
Grade: A+
“Rules Don’t Apply” — Warren Beatty returns to the large screen after a 15year sabbatical in acting and directing. This tale is about Howard Hughes and his involvement with a plethora of women, including Lilly Collins’ Martha Marbey. Also stars Annette Bening, Matthew Broderick, Martin Sheen and Alden Ehrenreich.
C+
“Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986)
Michael Caine won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar, but he did not show at Oscar time because he was earning a paycheck. Engaging flick finds him pining after Barbara Hershey’s Lee, one of the sisters.
A
“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (1986) One can’t go wrong with this tale that finds Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Woodstock finding the meaning of the holiday, pumpkin pie included.
A-
“Scent of a Woman” (1992) This slightly overstated tale won Al Pacino an Oscar for playing a blind lieutenant colonel who gives an amazing speech to save his friend and caregiver, Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donnell). A young Philip Seymour Hoffman is one of Charlie’s supposed friends in the tale.
B-
“Home for the Holidays” (1995) A pre-“Iron Man” Robert Downey Jr. is part of this ensemble that finds Holly Hunter’s return home in this engaging turkey tale directed by Jodie Foster. Great ensemble piece has a fun Charles Durning, a cool Dylan McDermott and the underrated David Straithairn.
B+
“Planes, Trains and Automobiles” (1987)
A lot of people love this movie, but like “Home Alone” it is just sappy and obnoxious. Steve Martin and John Candy take the ultimate road trip in this story. Not a big hit per se, but it has gained an audience through past years. Directed by John Hughes.
C-
Also memorable were the Pauly Shore-led “Son-in-Law” (1993) (C+), Holly Hunter-led “Pieces of April” (2003) (B), the Steven Spielberg-produced “The Prince of Egypt” (1996) (B-), Ang Lee’s “The Ice Storm” (1997) (A-) and the Hughes-written “Dutch” (1991) (D-).
“Loving” — Based on a true story, this film looks at the lives of a black woman, Mildred (Ruth Negga), and a white man, Richard (Joel Eggerton), who are legally married and encounter oppression in the small town of Central Point, Virginia in 1958. With Michael Shannon. A-
“Trolls” — An enjoyable kid-friendly tale about trolls and their nemesis – the Burgens, who do not like the happy-go-lucky trolls. For a Burgen, eating a troll is a tasty treat. Featuring the voices of Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake.
C+
“Arrival”
— Director Dennis Villanueve crafts an intriguing tale that is part “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and part “A.I.” (Artificial Intelligence). Amy Adams specializes in languages and agrees to help the government when they come knocking. With Jeremy Renner and Oscar-winner, Forest AWhitaker.
“Doctor Strange” — Intriguing and enjoyable, this Marvel entry finds neurosurgeon (Stephen Strange) weaving an enthralling tableau in this original story. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams —Ricky Miller A-