Solo: A Star Wars Story gets passionate mixed reviews

Movie Title: SOLO: A Star Wars Story

Grade:  B

Rating: PG-13,

In a Nutshell:   It’s always really fun to watch a movie with an enthusiastic crowd, especially fans of a beloved franchise like STAR WARS.  I've been a fan ever since I was a young girl when the very first one hit the Big Screen.

The audience clapped every time a significant moment of introduction appeared on the screen, like when Han Solo got his name, when he met Chewbacca, and when he first set his eyes on the Millennium Falcon.  The audience I sat with cheered and clapped, but I admit I was surprised at how small the audience actually was.  Where is everyone?  Apparently, they’re busy Tweeting about how much they don’t like this movie.

After a lot of directorial drama and studio politics, Ron Howard directed this prequel after saying no to the gig 18 years ago when he was asked to direct Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.  This becomes the first time an Academy Award-winning director ever made a Star Wars film.  Was it worth the wait?  I'd love to hear what YOU think!

                                                            

Tips for parents: 

• Lots of fighting and violence with a very high body count.
• Some profanity.
• Han Solo and his team are in perilous situations almost all of the time.

Uplifting theme: 

• Good vs. evil
• Hope
• Trust and deceit
• Friendship
• Loyalty

                                                                 

Things I liked:

• This new edition to the franchise includes fan favorites like Woody Harrelson, Paul Bettany, Donald Glover, and of course, Emilia Clarke.
• Alden Ehrenreich does a good job as Han Solo.  He’s charming and playful enough.  Some fans are complaining that this movie doesn’t deepen Han’s character, but that's due to the writing, not to his acting ability.  I finally remembered where I had seen Ehrenreich before...the movie Hail, Caesar! 
• Lots of fun, new creatures to entertain and delight audiences.
• There are a lot of impressive action sequences and CGI.
• I saw the film in 3D, but it’s also good without it.
• There is a fun cameo appearance at the end of the movie that made the audience squeal.
• Chewbacca is so awesome. 
• There are some respectful nods to former episodes.

Things I didn’t like:

• A lot of people are complaining that the movie feels like an obvious money grab. 
• A lot of the scenes are shot in dark places, so it might be hard to watch the movie on a TV or computer monitor once it goes to DVD or streaming.
• I was kind of hoping that the movie would include something that tied into how Han Solo (Harrison Ford) got that scar on his chin.
• While we get to meet the interesting L3-37 droid, the absence of R2-D2 and C-3PO is definitely felt.  It's the first time they are both missing from a Star Wars movie.
• Some lines seen in the movie trailer don’t actually appear in the movie.  In fact, some of the scenes don’t appear in the movie at all! 
• The pacing could use some help.
• I wanted an emotional moment that would make me cry, but it never happened for me.
• There’s no real evil villain that makes us shudder.
• "Social justice warriors" and Kathleen Kennedy are being criticized for always casting "strong" women in certain roles in the name of diversity, often weakening the impact of those characters.  What do YOU think of that?  There is a reveal in this movie that made the audience audibly roll their eyes, as in "Oh brother!"

Funny lines:

• “You’re 190 years old?  You look great!” – Han
• “What should we drink to?” – Qi’ra

“Let’s drink two and see where it goes.” – Han

• “You will never have a deeper sleep than when curled up in a Wookie’s lap.” – Rio Durant (voiced by Jon Favreau)
• “Sorry I punched your face.” – Beckett (Woody Harrelson)

“It happens more often than you think.” - Han

Interesting lines:

• “I’ve got a really good feeling about this. – Han
• “Assume everyone will betray you and you will never be disappointed.” – Beckett (Woody Harrelson)

“Sounds like a lonely way to live.” – Han

• “I don’t know if he said ‘tribe’ or ‘family’.” – Han

“What’s the difference?” - Beckett

                                

                                          @trinaboice

Rudyard Kipling's book still lives on

As an author, I'd love to think my books are timeless and will live on long after I'm gone.  I'm also a realist and recognize that probably won't happen!  ha ha

Rudyard Kipling has definitely achieved immortality in the sense that his children's story has been loved by many generations.  

Below is my review of the newest remake of his story, which I shared on my movie review blog.



Movie Title:      The Jungle Book

Grade:   A

Rating:   PG, 1 hour 51 minutes

In a Nutshell:    What do you get when you mix 90% CGI with a Rudyard Kipling remake?  Surprisingly, a beautiful family friendly film.  

Director Jon Favreau gives a respectful nod to the 1967 Disney original, while crafting a new one that is fresh and full of heart.  See it in 3D if you can.

Uplifting theme: 

•  Baloo says, “Everyone’s got a song.” A strong message that comes out in the film is to be yourself, your best self.  We all have our unique strengths and others around us will be blessed when we are true to ourselves and use our talents.
• Another wise thing Baloo says is, “You say you want to go the man village.  I say you can be a man right here.”  We need to stop waiting for something to happen before we live up to our potential.
• Friendship, courage, love.

Things I liked:

• Neel Sethi plays Mowgli, the only human in the movie, yet there is great humanity in the film.  He does an excellent job and is completely adorable.  I love the realistic detail of some scars on his shoulder and chest.  
• Even if we don’t get to see the talented Ben Kingsley, it’s a pleasure to hear his voice as the protective teacher Bagheera.
• Who doesn’t love the carefree Baloo?  Bill Murray’s voice fits perfectly and provides plenty of comic relief, making the audience I sat with laugh almost every time the lovable bear was on the screen.  This ain’t no bear from The Revenant!
• Casting Christopher Walken as the creepy, funny King Louie was perfect. Walken has that reputation in Hollywood.
• Idris Elba voices the scary Shere Khan and provides a villain who is frightening, yet not so much that young children won’t be able to watch the movie.
• Scarlett Johansson’s soothing, tempting voice was also a great choice for Kaa.
• The wolf oath has been borrowed by the Boy Scouts of America, because it teaches some important principles still today!  The 8 year old boys in Cub Scouts repeat a somewhat different version each week in their gatherings.
• Adorable, yet realistic creatures in the jungle.  The porcupine was an especially popular character for the audience.   
• Pay close attention to this fascinating detail…there is a water scene where you actually see water splashes on the camera…but is there really a camera there or was it all CGI?
• Honey IS actually good for scratches and bee stings!

Things I didn’t like:

• There is nothing at the end of credits, so feel free to leave the theater after the last scene.  I was disappointed, because they could have easily added any number of fun nuggets to surprise and delight audiences.
• Some of the CGI looks a little fake, but most of it is actually stunning.

Funny lines:

•  “Bears don’t hibernate in the jungle.” – Bagheera 

“Not full hibernation, but I nap…a lot.” – Baloo

• “I realize you weren’t born a wolf, but couldn’t you just act like one?” - Bagheera
• “If you can’t learn to run with the pack, one of these days, you’ll be someone’s dinner.” – Bagheera
• “He’s walking on two legs!” – animal child at Peace Rock

“Don’t stare!” – animal’s shocked mother

• “What did I tell you?  He’s special.” – Baloo talking about Mowgli

“I know.  I raised him.” - Bagheera

Interesting lines:

• “If it’s meant to be, it will be.” – Raksha (Lupita Nyong’o)
• “You have never been a more endangered species than you are in this moment.” - Baloo 

Tips for parents:   

• There are some animal fight scenes that might frighten very young children.
• Shere Khan has a scarred eye that makes him look scary.
• No profanity.

Other great versions I loved of The Jungle Book :

    

Monster's University takes Mike and Sully back to college fun

 

I imagined the director and producers of Monster’s Inc sitting around a board room table, trying to come up with a plot for the next installment of the Pixar’s lovable monster flick.  During the brainstorm, someone in the room must have said “Monsters scare you….Scare U” and suddenly the college template was framed for the newly released prequel.

 

How the one-eyed Mike Guzowski and furry “kitty” giant, James Sullivan (Sully), first met in college is a ragtag underdog story that includes party monsters in frat houses, a rousing alma mater fight song with spunky cheerleaders, jocks, boring Ferris Bueller-esque professors, and inspiring competition between students who want to win the annual Scare Games.  The campus is full of all the clichéd groups you ever saw during your undergrad years, complete with an emo Goth goul and dragon-winged, centipede-bodied dean who is easily the scariest monster in the entire school.  You know you had a dean like that.

 

Randy Newman’s theme song gets you in the mood for some magical monster animation from beginning to end.  And by the way, be sure to stick around at the end of the rolling credits for the final touch.  I love it when movies reward their diehard fans who want just a little bit more and are willing to stay in their seats until the bitter end.  

 

The cast includes the exceptional voice talents of Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Sean Hayes, Bonnie Hunt, and Jennifer Tilly.  Mike and Sully are fleshed out with back-story details that leave us loving them even more.  Can you say “Merchandising Jackpot!”?

 

One of my sons is currently an animation student in college, so I always love to hear his opinion on the artistry and CGI in films.  He gave Monster’s University two big thumbs up and bows to Pixar’s talent and creativity.  Fingers crossed my son can get a job with Pixar when he graduates next spring!

 

The film doesn’t rely on the fans’ love of the first movie; it introduces new characters you’ll fall in love with, as well as new dimensions to the Monsters’ world that are sure to create new areas in theme parks.

 

It’s an adorable movie that the entire family will enjoy.