Peter Rabbit has something for all ages

Title:  Peter Rabbit

Grade:  B

Rating: PG

In a Nutshell: Beatrix Potter’s beloved The Tale of Peter Rabbit gets a very modern spin as Sony Pictures blends live action with impressively expressive animation.  

With lots of critter mayhem, silly banter, and posh British accents, this family flick will make old and young viewers giggle at least a few times.  While it’s not the greatest movie out, there is something for everyone here, as well as some surprising depth that will touch your heart.
                                                 

Tips for parents: 

• An old man dies by having a heart attack.
• The rabbits steal things and trash a house and all of that is supposed to be considered cute and funny.
• Your kids are going to want a pet rabbit after they see the movie.
• Some fighting and violence
• Some references to things anyone under 25 wouldn’t understand.
• Some rude humor, but no profanity.

Uplifting theme: 

• The importance of family
• Forgiveness
• Kindness

                                     

Things I liked:

• James Cordon does a great job as the voice of Peter Rabbit.  We’ll see him in two more animated movies this year: Smallfoot and Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.  He’s probably hoping everyone will forget he was in The Emoji Movie.
• Other voice talent includes Sam Neill and a cast of very lovely ladies: Daisy Ridley, Elizabeth Debicki, Sia, and Margot Robbie.
• Domhnall Gleeson is perfect, just like he is in everything else he does.
• Cute beginning.  Quick intro to all of the characters with some humor.
• Very expressive animation with incredible details.
• Some of the original Peter Rabbit animation design is shown as a respectful nod to the past.
• Upbeat soundtrack.
• I liked the enthusiastic rooster’s reaction to each new day.  We should all feel that way when we wake up!
• It’s sweet when their foreheads touch.
• Keep watching during the rolling credits at the end.
• Funny deer gag.
• Peter Rabbit’s motivation is much deeper than you would expect.
• Parents aren’t going to mind watching this with their kids.
• When Bea and Tom play Scrabble, she makes the word “Potter” in honor of the author of the original The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter.
• Very fast moving in action, gags, and jokes.
• Surprisingly, many of the live scenes were filmed in Australia, although the story takes place in England.

Things I didn’t like:

• It veers VERY far from the gentle original.
• Harrods department store is mentioned several times.  Americans may not know what it is.  It’s similar to the famous Macy’s department store in New York City, enormous and hugely successful.
• It’s predictable, but still enjoyable.

                                                                    

Funny lines:

• “And where did they get those little jackets?  They’ve been there all along!” –  Mr McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) 

                                     

                                              @trinaboice

I, Tonya has ice-melting performances by Allison Janney and Margot Robbie

Movie Title:  
   I, Tonya

Grade:   A-

Rating: R, 119 minutes

In a Nutshell: Tonya Harding is old news, but Margot Robbie and Allison Janney are two powerhouses that, combined, make for an entertaining biopic movie that somehow feels fresh and worthy of awards for the two outstanding actresses.

Robbie and Janney are so amazing that they were just nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance in their roles.  Well deserved.

At the beginning of the movie, there is a message that says, “Based on irony free, wildly contradictory, totally true interviews with Tonya Harding and Jeff Gillooly.

 Tips for parents: 

• F-bombs and sooo much profanity.
• Most people under 30 won't even remember this ice skating drama and will wonder why on earth Tonya Harding is even being featured in a movie now.  Good question.
• Two scenes with a topless woman half-heartedly dancing in the background at a strip bar.

                                       

Uplifting theme: 

•  Hard work
• Athletic ambition
• What people do to be loved...
• Truth

Things I liked:

• I love Margot Robbie in everything she does. Her career is still pretty new and she just keeps getting better and better.  She was actually a member of an amateur ice hockey league before the movie.  She trained for the role and did a lot of the skating, but they had to use visual effects and CGI to make it look like she was doing the triple axel that very few people in the world can do.  If you Google "triple axel", you see videos of Tonya Harding.  It really was an impressive accomplishment what she did.
• When the audience is introduced to LaVona Golden (Allison Janney), the song Devil Woman is playing.  Perfect.  She is so incredibly awful that it's just a pleasure to watch Allison Janney work her evil magic.  Her haircut, oxygen tank,and pet bird are hilarious. Allison Janney had actually trained to be a professional figure skater when she was young, but had an injury that dashed her leg and her dream. Professional ice skating's loss is most definitely our win. I first took notice of her in The West Wing: The Complete Series Collection and thought she was absolutely fantastic, certainly worthy of her 4 Emmy awards for her role as C.J. Cregg.  Everything she does is stellar.
• It was fun to see the evolution of Tonya's ice skating outfits.
• Great ending.
• I always like seeing footage of the real people at the end.  You get to see Tonya do her famous triple axel.  Keep watching during the credits at the end.
• I thought the scene where Tonya puts on her makeup was really clever.  For a minute, she looked like a clown, which is what the ice skating community thought of her.

Things I didn’t like:

• Sooo much profanity.
• Sooo much white trash behavior and violence.
• Why is this a movie now?  I wonder if Tonya is getting any money from this film.  She's certainly getting the recognition she constantly craved.
• Maybe I missed it, but I didn't hear the title phrase in the movie. It sounds like something she would say while giving testimony in court, but there is no scene like that.  Why do you think the director chose that for the title of the movie?
• The movie was just nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in the Musical or Comedy category.  While it's extremely well done, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.  I'm not saying all movies need a happy ending, but I do wish that Best Picture winners were ones with redeeming values that made you a better person by having watched it.  I know, that's asking a lot.  I also know we can all learn from bad examples too.  In that regard, this movie wins.
• The news cycle.  AAAAH!

Funny lines:

• “So, do you like food?” - Jeff’s big pick-up line when he first met Tonya. ha ha
• “We don’t even know anything.” – Tonya

“Well, that must make life difficult.” – FBI agent

• "What do you think I should do?" - Jeff
•     I don't know.  I really think you should kill yourself." - Tonya
• Apparently, when Tonya Harding saw the movie, she said she really liked the line, "Suck my dxxk" and wished she had said that in real life.  Weird, right?  Shouldn't she be completely embarrassed by this film?

Interesting lines:

• “Ordinary.  Nothing special there.” – LaVona Golden
•  "I was loved for a minute.  Then I was hated. Then I was just a punchline.  It was like being abused all over again." - Tonya

                                                 

                                            @trinaboice 

The Legend of Tarzan blends Human with Nature..and a lot of CGI

Movie Title:     The Legend of Tarzan

  

Grade:   B

Rating:   PG-13, 109 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Director David Yates is most known for his work with the last four Harry Potter films.  This time he brings us a new take on Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan. 

One of Hollywood’s first silent films was the Tarzan story, shortly after the original book came out.  While the story is flawed, and many feel like there was no need for a remake, the lush, romantic images in this movie will make you feel like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bocall could float down the river at any minute.

Did you ever see the 1984 movie “Greystoke”?  I loved it and highly recommend it.  This story...sort of....begins where that movie left off.

Uplifting theme: 

• “A normal man can do the impossible to save the woman he loves.  My husband is no normal man.” - Jane Clayton
• Honor, friendship, loyalty, revenge, respect.
• The value of human an animal life.

Things I liked:

• The musical score sounded very exotic and mysterious from the very beginning.
• Christoph Waltz is fantastic in anything.
• Alexander Skarsgard makes for a perfectly believable Tarzan.  I loved it when he greeted the lions he had known since they were cubs.  So sweet.  Great CGI moment!  As a 6'4" hunk of muscle and abs, Alexander convincingly plays a kind Tarzan who can easily kick butt when needed.
• Margot Robbie makes a lovely, spunky Jane Porter.  She's a British actress playing an American, while Alexander Skarsgard is an American playing a Brit.  
• Samuel Jackson.  Ha ha  He looks like he's having fun.  His character is actually based on a real person.
• Beautiful scenery and settings.
• Tarzan thinks those pincer ants taste like bacon.  Ha ha
• There is a lot of action and movement from start to finish. 
• There are some emotional moments akin to Bambi losing his mother.

Things I didn’t like:

• The movie jumps back and forth in time and could become confusing for some people.
• Sometimes the apes and animals looked real; other times the CGI looked too fake.
• There is a LOT of narration so that the audience can understand what’s going on.  The problem is that the movie almost talks down to the audience.  Show us; don't just tell us.
• Samuel L. Jackson’s existence in the movie is merely for comic relief.  He represents an American emissary, which doesn’t make a lot of sense in the story line.
•  You hear Tarzan's famous yell, but you never actually see Alexander Skarsgard do it.  You also hear him growl like lions and other animals, but again, it's a soundtrack behind him and you never see his face while he's making those sounds.

  Funny lines:

• “I’ve already been to Africa.  And it’s hot.” – John Clayton (Tarzan)
• “I never take the stairs.  I usually take the curtains.” – John Clayton
• “You DO know that the right side of your mustache is just a little bit lower than the left?” – Jane
• “How are we supposed to catch a train going 40 miles an hour?” – Samuel L. Jackson    “Gravity.” - Tarzan

Interesting lines:

• “He’s Tarzan.  You’re Jane.  He’ll come for you.” – Captain Rom (Christoph Waltz)
• “They say an elephant’s eye speaks the greatest language.  Who else can say so much without speaking a word?”  - Tarzan
• “These are what you came for?  What will you do for them? – Chief Mbonga (Djmon Hounsou)

“Whatever is necessary.” – Leon Ron (Christoph Waltz)

* No man ever started with less.” – Jane

• “Your husband’s wildness easily disturbs me more than I can easily express, whereas your spirit…” Captain Rom
• “That woman!”  - Captain Rom
• “What was that?” – Captain Rom’s assistant

“Tarzan, although it sounded different than I thought.  Better.” – Captain Rom

Tips for parents:   

• There is a LOT of violence.  Man vs. man.  Man vs. animal. 
• Some profanity, usually out of the mouth of Samuel L. Jackson.
• The issues of African slavery, mistreatment of the American Indians, and “blood diamonds” are addressed.
• There is a before and after sex scene, but the audience doesn’t see what happens in between.