Starting off today with the latest Disney soon-to-be-classic, Raya and the Last Dragon. It takes place in a fantasy world once known as Kumandra. 500 years ago, Kumandra was beset by evil entities called the Druun, which turned people to stone. The people turned to their protectors, dragons, who used the last of their power to create a magical orb which vanquished the Druun and brought the stone people back to life. Unfortunately the dragons did not return, and the last living one, Sisu, went into hiding. Rather than stay united, the people fought each other for control of the orb and is supposed mystical powers, and Kumandra was divided. Now in present day, Chief Benja of the Heart tribe wants to unite the people again, but old jealousies rear their ugly faces, and in a struggle, the orb is smashed. Its breaking unleashes the Druun again, and this time, there are no dragons to save mankind. Benja’s daughter, Raya, goes on a quest to find Sisu, and then find enough power to fight back the Druun before all is lost. The movie is getting heaps of praise, and it is deserving of all of it. As you’d expect from Disney animation, it is beautifully crafted, but the wonder of the film doesn’t end at the visual splendor. The story is fun (and funny!), with a diverse cast and a meaningful message for kids and adults both. A rare 5 star rating for me. ★★★★★
The Dark Divide is a film about a man coming to terms with the grief over losing his wife to cancer, with the help of the great outdoors. It’s a theme that’s been done before, and while it is based on a true story, those have been done before too. Still, it’s well presented and enjoyable. Robert is a rather staid man with the highly adventurous career of a lepidopterist (studies butterflies and moths). He’s out for a 30 day adventure in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, despite having only been camping on overnights before (a fact that causes the locals to scoff in disbelief, knowing the dire reputation of Gifford Pinchot). The adventurous side in the man’s relationship was his wife, who is seen in flashbacks to her time before she got sick, and as the film progresses, as she gets worse. It was she that applied for a Guggenheim grant before she died, and now Robert wants to use that money for this trek, both for his career, but also to preserve his wife’s legacy. Some films (like Reece Witherspoon’s Wild) are more serious, whereas this one has a lot of humor in it, but it wasn’t off-putting. What can I say, I’m a sucker for these kinds of movies. ★★★
The Personal History of David Copperfield is a new take on the classic Dickens tale, and with modern cameras and computers, it brings the story to life in dazzling, colorful way. It tells the semi-autobiographical story of Dickens as Copperfield. Born to a lady but without a man in the household, little Davey is shuffled around throughout his life, living with family, servants, boarding schools, and even strangers. He is put upon in life, but never lets it get him down, amusing himself and friends with stories elaborated from his own life, to the point that the line between fantasy and reality is blurred. And that helps in a story like this, with crazy, nearly unbelievable characters and the almost dreamlike way the tale unfolds. The movie is visually gorgeous, just like a good old children’s book, and very funny (like how every person in David’s life makes up a new nickname for him). Putting it all together is an amazing cast including Dev Patel in the lead, Tilda Swinton, Peter Capaldi, Hugh Laurie, Ben Winshaw, Benedict Wong, and others. I really enjoyed this wonderful picture and the spectacular way it unfolded. ★★★½
You got me HBO, you reeled me in. I thought Those Who Wish Me Dead might be a tightly wrapped thriller hiding inside a Hollywood budget, but no, it’s not. Shame on me for not at least checking a review or two and saving myself a couple hours. Owen and his son Connor are on the run from some well trained and well funded assassins because “he knows something,” and the father and son are running towards rural Montana for help from his brother-in-law, Ethan, a sheriff. The assassins beat them there though, and ambush them on a rural highway. They are run off the road, and Owen is killed. Connor is able to escape, and finds refuge with Hannah, a firefighter who’s on lookout for fires in the forest. She’s been demoted there after a failed psych evaluation, after watching a trio of boys die in a fire, boys she was unable to rescue. As the assassins hunt down Ethan and his wife, in hopes of finding Connor and tying up loose ends, Hannah and the boy bond and try to survive. There are more plot holes than there are bullets in this movie, and that’s saying something, as the assassins never seem to run out of ammo. This Hollywood “blockbuster” can’t be saved from a strong cast, including Angelina Jolie and Jon Bernthal, and the bad guy team of Nicholas Hoult and Aiden Gillen. By the final crushing crescendo, and last forced emotional run, I was exhausted, and not in a “mind blown” kind of way. ★½
What a way to right the ship. Supernova is my kind of film: a quiet, introspective, and deeply personal story about a couple in love and facing a tragedy that hopefully I don’t have to experience. Sam and Tucker (Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci) are a gay couple, partners for decades, and Tucker is suffering from early onset dementia. He’s early enough in the illness that he still retains a lot of memory, but he does have moments of confusion, and they both know that darker days are ahead. While Tucker is still cognizant, they go on a road trip visiting places that were special to them over the years, ending at Sam’s family home for a big surprise party. It is there that Sam learns that Tucker is not planning on fading away quietly until he doesn’t remember who Sam, or even himself, is. Firth and Tucci are at their absolute best: two decorated actors in brilliant performances. The connection between the two are felt in the subtle glances, or a lingering touch, or a strain of the eye. It’s a deeply touching film about the pervasiveness of love. ★★★★½
- TV series currently watching: Gotham (season 3)
- Book currently reading: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Jons Movie Takes 