The Little Rascals Save the Day goes straight to DVD this week

Movie Title:   The Little Rascals Save the Day

Grade:  C+

PG, 98 minutes

In a Nutshell:   

This family flick goes straight to DVD release on March 30, 2014.  The Our Gang franchise began in 1922 and my mother was actually named after Darla because her mother thought the Little Rascals were so darn cute. Also known as Hal Roach’s Rascals, the series was the first of its kind to film black and white children actors together.

Little Rascal fans will be pleased to see more mischief, clever inventions and kid shenanigans as they try to raise money to save their grandma’s bakery.  They all call her “Grandma” (Doris Roberts who is surprisingly terrible in this), but I think she’s actually supposed to be Spanky’s relative.   

Teens and some parents will be bored and roll their eyes, but little children and nostalgic grandparents should get a kick out of it.  “And how.”

Uplifting theme:

• In the wise words of Grandma “A good leader has to be also a good listener, because you can’t just give orders; you have to inspire.”
• Grandma also said “You have your friends…that’s what’s important.  Not until you all come together do you become something wonderful.”

Things I liked:

• Alfalfa (Drew Justice), Darla (Eden Wood), and Spanky (Jet Jurgensmeyer) were all adorable.  Sadly, the others were forgettable.
• I loved Cecil’s smile.  Wait until you see who Cecil is. 
• I also thought it was cute to put the fish in the rinse cycle.
• Little kids will get a kick out of the slapstick comedy provided by Sergio (Brian Stepanek)  and Officer Kennedy (Lex Medlin from Heroes the Complete Series Blu Ray ).

Things I didn’t like:

• This version has the flavor of the 1920’s Rascals we all know and love, but oddly mixes in some modern elements that don’t quite fit, such as Waldo, the child villain, (played by Grant Palmer II) who has an iPod and a kid-sized Hummer.  Other modern cars are seen on the streets next to old-timey buildings, as if the director (Alex Zamm) couldn’t decide in which era he wanted to film. 
• I liked the 1994 version so much better.

• Buckwheat is usually one of my favorite characters, but in this version he disappeared into the background without much charm.
• The comedic talents of French Stewart, Mindy Sterling, and Greg Germann were underutilized.
• There isn’t much of a plot, but it’s still harmless fun.

Funny lines:

• “I’m not bossy.  I just tell people what to do.” – Spanky
•  “We’re older than we look.  Why, I’m almost 9.”  - Spanky
• “Sounds like a moose trying to sing.” – Porky
• “What should we have for dessert?” asks Stymie.  “More!” replies Mary Anne.
• “That’s a lot of cute, little…people.”  - Big Ray
• “Simmer down, Hot Sauce!” – Spanky
• “I don’t like him.”  “Me neither.”  Me threether.” – the kids
• Waldo asks “What kind of girl are you?” and Darla replies “The kind of girl who doesn’t like cheaters…and who has a brown belt in karate.”
• A German choreographer tries to get Darla and Waldo ready for their talent show performance when he says to them “I want to see a little more ‘I’m a Pre-Teen Idol…worship me!’ and a little less ‘I’m your next President…vote for me.’”

Things to look for:

• Look at the marquee at the theater in the movie and you’ll notice it advertises a Hal Roach Film Festival.  The MC of the talent show is Leo McCarey (played by Robert Torti), one of the men who worked for Roach and directed many of the Rascals films.
• Kids will like the style of the rolling credits.  About half-way through, there is a short clip of Waldo’s new tree house.
• Keep watching until the end of the rolling credits to see Cecil smile again.

Tips for parents:   No bad language, but a tiny bit of rude humor.  Of course, there is no parental guidance and the kids are always free to roam around and get into trouble.  Where ARE their parents?

Divergent movie review

Movie Title:   Divergent

Grade:   B

In a Nutshell:   

This planned trilogy is starting off with mixed reviews, despite its popular book by Veronica Roth.  The Hunger Games and Twilight fans will enjoy another heroine who can kick butt and fight the system while finding time for romance.  Shailene Woodley has been successful in supporting roles, but this is the first time her performance carries an entire film.

I think the ideas are interesting and Director Neil Burger creates a dystopian setting that has holes, yet is still intriguing.

Uplifting theme:   Tris declares “Don’t try to define me.”  The movie is about independent will and finding ourselves.  Jeanine Mathews (Kate Winslet) explains “The system removes the threat of anyone practicing their independent will.  Divergence threatens that system.  It won’t be safe until they’re removed.”  Teens often question where they belong, as if there is only one place that they have to find to be “home.”  This film takes a stab at showing we are multidimensional creatures that need to dance on many floors in order to find balance.

Things I liked:

• I’d love to play Capture the Flag with that glow-in-the-dark flag.  How about playing Paint Ball with those guns that shoot darts that make you feel like you’ve been really shot?
• This movie is full of dangerous stunts that make you want to stand in line to try.  For example, I love that gigantic zip-line that goes through the city.  Do you think Universal Studios will build one if this movie does well enough?  I won’t be jumping onto moving trains any time soon though.
• I thought it was interesting to watch the fears some of the characters had.  Four explains that most people have 10-15 really bad fears.  He has...four.  When Tris can’t run away and her feet move slowly in mud during her “fear evasion” sequence, it reminded me that I had that same recurring dream when I was a little girl.  It’s a terrible feeling to not be able to move forward, whether trying to escape danger or making progress on a goal.
• I thought it was an interesting concept that when people in the movie were injected with a certain serum that their thoughts could be controlled.  Isn’t that called alcohol? 
• I love Shailene’s thick, beautiful hair.
• Cool double infinity mirrors and other special effects.
• Who doesn’t love Ashey Judd?
• I’d like a blue jacket with the stylish neckline that Jeanine Mathews wears.

Things I didn’t like:

• The ending was disappointingly predictable, but I haven’t read the books, so I’m hoping there are more interesting things to come.
• Many of the characters were one-dimensional.
• Those in the Dauntless faction run during most of the movie, yet they’re never out of breath.
• Tris tells Four “I don’t want to go too fast.”  The very next thing you see is her in bed near him.  Huh?

Interesting lines:

• “My mother says there’s an art to losing yourself.” – Tris
• Tris sees the fear in Four’s eyes as they climb up and states “You’re afraid of heights.”  He reveals “Everyone is afraid of something.”
• “Are you even human?” – Four says to Tris as he watches her climb a tower with ease.
• “This isn’t real.”  What an empowering sentence you can say to yourself when you have fear.  Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do.  One of my favorite quotes by Franklin D. Roosevelt is “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Later, Tris says “Don’t think.  Just jump.”  I’m wondering if we’ll see that tagline on basketball shoes soon?
• “I think human nature is the enemy.”  Jeanine Matthews   What a terrible thought.  Human nature is what makes us all fantastically flawed, interesting, and wonderful.
• “There is a certain beauty in the resistance, but it’s a beauty we can’t afford.” – Jeanine Matthews
• In Divergent , kids who leave the nest aren’t allowed to go back.  Thankfully, in our world they can.  In this troubled economy, we’re seeing an increase in “Boomerang Kids” as college graduates return home to save money while trying to pay back student loans.  How wonderful that families can pull together and embrace returning kids to get support.  On another level, it’s a great thing that we CAN reinvent ourselves and not be pigeon-holed into one thing in our lives.
• “We train soldiers, not rebels.” – Eric
• “Trust the test; it will tell you where you belong.” – Tori  

Tips for parents:  The language is clean, but there are a lot of dangerous stunts you may need to remind your kids NOT to try.  An interesting dinner conversation with your family might be to ask everyone which faction they would want to join if they had to choose.  Check out this fun Infogram MTV made and check out the Harry Potter comparisons.

In case you need to catch up on reading the series...

Muppets Most Wanted Steals Laughs From All Ages

Movie Title:  Muppets Most Wanted

PG, 1 hour 52 minutes

Grade:   A-

In a Nutshell:   If you love the adorable Muppets franchise, then here’s another installment of fuzzy fun, filled with clever gags, infectious songs, slapstick comedy, and celebrity cameos that will make audiences of all ages laugh out loud.  There is a Muppet for everyone’s taste and seeing them all together is always a treat.  You’ll even get to see some baby Muppets in this one, sure to evoke an “aww!” from the girl you’re sitting next to in the theater.

Funny Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell sing and dance as main characters in the movie, as well as Tina Fey who plays Nadya, the head guard at the Russian Gulog in Siberia.  Add to that list of surprising triple threats Ray Liotta, Danny Trejo, and Jermaine Clement!  (Triple threats in their case refers to “singer, dancer, murderer.)

The versatile voice talents of Steve Whitmire, Eric Jacobson, Dave Goelz, Matt Vogel, Bill Barretta, and David Rudman bring all of the lovable Muppets to life.  The fun flick is written and directed by James Bobin.

Right now there is a cute animated short featuring Monsters University “Party Central” that plays right before the Muppets Most Wanted. 

Uplifting theme:  Constantine points out in an ironic sneer that the audience will “learn a heartwarming lesson.”  We’re reminded in this movie to appreciate one another and not take our loved ones for granted.

Cameos that are so fast you might miss them:

• I can’t get enough of the punny cameo performances that the Muppets are famous for.  This movie is packed with them, including Tony Bennet, Lady Gaga, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Salma Hayek, Stanley Tucci, Christopher Waltz, Usher, Kanye West, Celine Deon, Sean Hayes, Josh Groban, Saoirse Ronan and a few more surprises. 
• Miranda Richardson (from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 ) is the woman who yells out of a window
• Toby Jones (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ) is a surprised guard at the Museo del Prado
• Mackenzie Crook (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl ) is another guard at the Museo del Prado
• Tom Hollander (Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl ) is the theater manager
• Russell Tovey (HBO’s Looking: Season 1 ) plays a deliveryman
• Ross Lynch (Disney’s Austin & Ally ) plays a flower delivery guy
• Sean Hayes (Will & Grace: The Complete Series ) performs in the opening dance number

Things I liked:

• The opening scene is a clever song that pokes fun at itself and Hollywood sequels, almost as an apology for what you’re about to watch.
• The Muppets traipse all over Europe, featuring the National Treasure Museum in Berlin, the Prado Museum in Madrid, the Tower of London in England (home of the Crown Jewels and good manners), and the Irish National Bank in Dublin, Ireland.
• I thought it was hilarious when Nadya licks her prisoners in the cold Gulog and then sticks them on a frozen wall to torture them. 
• I loved “The Big House” musical number in the Gulog.  Tina Fey Fantastic.  Listen carefully for the voice that comes out of the solitary confinement box.

Things I didn’t like:

• It didn’t have quite enough of the feel-good, tear-jerk moments that made the earlier Muppet movies so magical.
• I always wonder how many advertising dollars are spent on product placement, like when Fozzy the Bear eats a Subway sandwich.

Funny lines:

• “You know what helps at a time like this?  A walk in the fog in a deserted canal.” – Dominic
• “It’s not easy being mean.” – Constantine, the “most dangerous frog”
• “I did not know it’s a crime to steal the show.” – Miss Piggy
• “I have Netflix account with search words Prison Escape.  I have seen every prison escape movie on earth…even ones in space.”  - Nadya 
• “I’m sure Kermit’s not planning some comedy heist bit.”  Fozzy    Walter agrees “Yeah, those never work.”
• Sam, the CIA agent, asks the French Interpol agent “Did you see anything?”  Poking fun at the relaxing lifestyle of the French, the Interpol agent (Ty Burrell) says “Nothing.  It’s my lunch hour.  It lasts 6 hours.”  Later he says “Time for my annual 8 week vacation.”
• “As the saying goes: The show must continue in a timely fashion.” - Constantine

Funny song lines:

• “Everybody knows that sequels are never quite as good…we’re waiting for Tom Hanks to make Toy Story number 4.”
• “All we need is a half-decent plot…” 
• “The lovers, the dreamers, and cheese…” - Constantine

Did you know?

• “Evilin froggen” is how you say Evil Frog in German
• Miss Piggy’s little dog is named FooFoo
• The Muppets get a 5 “Jamon Serrano” review when they perform in Spain.  Jamon Serrano, Sliced Ham - 8 oz is the most famous ham in Spain.  The Muppets perform like hams on stage…appropriate, don’t you think?  I lived in Spain twice and ate a lot of it!

Things to look for:

• Pretty red China plates in the restaurant scene
• Beaker’s unexpected, exploding cupcake
• Piggy’s cute hairdo in Berlin
• Flamingos dancing the Macarena instead of the Flamenco in Spain
• The entire audience in the theater in Spain wears either red or black
• The funky black hats that the police wear in Spain are really what they wear!
• I love Ricky Gervais’ Burberry coat that he wears in Dublin
• The banner hanging at the Gulog show says “Annual Gulog Review. Don’t riot.” 
• Hen who wears a fancy hat at the British wedding
• Wall-E is in the audience at the British wedding
• Stay seated for the cute fireworks and gags while the credits are rolling.
• Giant pink Muppet in the train station and at the wedding
• Signed picture of Celine Deon in Piggy’s dressing room
• The crown made out of forks in the Prison King wears in the Gulog
•  Walter has quite a wardrobe of knitted shirts in the movie.  Check out the watch he wears in one of the scenes.   Yes, of COURSE, you can buy one just like it.

Tips for parents:  This is a “safe” movie for all ages to enjoy.  Yay.

By the way, the train the Muppets ride on says “Robert Stevenot”….does anyone know why?

If you missed the 6th sequel in 2011 with Jason Segel, you'll enjoy that one too!

Veronica Mars fans celebrate KickStarter success

Movie Title:   Veronica Mars

PG-13, 1 hour 48 minutes

Grade:  B+

In a Nutshell:   

Who says you can’t go home? Thanks to Kickstarter, fans of the Veronica Mars TV show finally get to watch a new, extended “episode” of their favorite fast-talking teen-detective, all grown up. The first couple of minutes of the movie sum up the entire Veronica Mars series so newbies can try to keep up.  It even shows screenshots from the original show that ended 7 years ago.  Fans are LOVING the movie.

Snarky Veronica (the talented Kristen Bell who no one knew could sing so beautifully until Frozen came out) is soon to graduate from Stanford law school and begin a “grown up lawyering job”, creating a new life after leaving Neptune, California.  Veronica’s ex-boyfriend, Logan (Jason Dohring), is now an officer and a gentleman, but in a heap of trouble, drawing Neptune’s “very own Angela Lansbury” back to her home town to help him solve a crime.  Upon seeing him in uniform, Veronica tells him “You should only wear this.  Ever.”  Later he sees her dressed in her old high school attire and says the same to her.

Fans will love this movie.  Those being introduced to the characters for the first time will catch on quickly and enjoy the “who dunnit.”

Uplifting theme:   

• Keep a taser in your purse.  (wink)
• Sometimes we leave to find ourselves, only to realize we were in the right place all along.

Things I liked:

• Kudos to Kristen Bell for being featured in two movies in only a few months.
• Tina Majorino’s new grown-up do looks good on her.
• I wish I could spit out clever one-liners as fast as everyone in the movie.

Things I didn’t like:

• That’s pretty convenient that the murder happens around Veronica’s 10 year high school reunion so we can see the old gang again.  About attending the event, Veronica moaned “I circled that date in my calendar ten years ago and vowed to skip it.”  Interestingly enough, everyone wore black at my ten year reunion too.  I think the whole evolution of high school reunions is fascinating.  I missed my 5 year reunion and heard that everyone just got drunk and trashed the hotel.  At my 10 year reunion, some of the social lines began to blur and everyone was trying to prove to everyone else that they were successful.  At my 20^th reunion, everyone talked with everyone and began really opening up, sharing their failures and lessons learned in life.  At my 25^th reunion, it was a big love-fest and celebration of life with everyone hugging and kissing a lot.  I hate to admit I’m getting this old, but at my last reunion (30 years), everyone got drunk and trashed the hotel again.  Ha ha
• I knew for certain that I was missing out on some inside fan jokes since I had only seen a few episodes of the original TV series on UPN years ago.
• Who dates a guy named Piz?

Things to look for:

• Logan’s beach house ON the beach rocks.
• Movie reference to The Accused in the bar scene on Karaoke night.
• Perez Hilton web site
• The Jean Genie clip with James Franco.  James Franco is the new Kevin Bacon; we’re all only 6 people away from him.
• It was fun to see Eden Sher taking a break from her role as Sue Heck, the geeky teenager with braces on the TV sitcom The Middle.  In Veronica Mars, she plays James Franco’s assistant
• Keep watching after the credit rolls for more footage of James Franco trying to put on jeans…but wait, there’s even more at the very end.

Funny lines:

• “New me?  People say I’m a marshmallow.” – Veronica
• When being stopped by the local police, Veronica’s dad explains: “It’s the Neptune way…protecting and serving the highest bidder.”
• “Wow.  Two beers?  That’s how long it takes for you to get surely?”  - Veronica talking to black friend
• “Stay out of the brownies, unless you want to go on a long, strange trip.” – Dick  The attorney says “A little free advice: murder suspect should avoid proximity to narcotics.”   Dick says “Medicine Man, I got my card…chronic depression.  You wouldn’t think, huh?  Mmmm…I can feel my self worth coming back right now.”
• The attorney says “Facts are important.  Yes, but lucky for us, they’re not the end-all, be all.”  Classic attorney, right?
• “What do you expect?  They’re Canadians.” – Logan
• “It’s a one-time deal.  A farewell tour, if you will.  Then again, did you ever hear the one about the junkie who was satisfied with just one more taste of the good stuff?  Neither have I.” – Veronica
• “What’s the largest capacity memory stick we own?” asks Veronica.  Her dad quips “Aw, you wrote that on my first Father’s Day card.
• “Deputy Sacks, kudos for rocking the stash til it came back in style” snarks Veronica to a 70’s looking cop in Neptune.”
• “I really don’t think you should trust her.  She seems kind of skeezy.” – Andrea Estella
• “As it turns out, I am too legit to quit.”  - Veronica
• “I appreciate you keeping it PG-13 for me.” – Logan
• “Come back to me.”  “Always.”  - (No spoiler alert)  Fans will appreciate this scene in a deeper way than newbies.

Tips for parents:  Talk & clip of a sex tape, profanity, 1 F-bomb, murder, shootings, inappropriate sex talk.

Single Moms Club movie review

Movie Title:   Tyler Perry’s Single Mom’s Club

Grade:   C

In a Nutshell:   It’s a fact: women need each other, whether single or married.  We just do.  The women in the audience I joined laughed and loved this chick flick.  Were they single moms?  I don’t know, but they seemed happy to escape their own lives and celebrate the common and crazy threads that tie women together. 

Unfortunately, the acting was not very good and the plot was terribly predictable, but there were some powerful truths and gentle words of encouragement along the way for women who struggle with life in its many forms.

Uplifting theme: 

• No matter our different backgrounds, we all battle with problems and need one another to survive and thrive.
• There is nothing stronger than a mother’s love for her children.

Things I liked:

• Terry Crews is over-the-top funny in every movie.  The sign on his truck cracked me up: “Body & Booty by Branson.”
• I always enjoy outtakes at the end of a movie, especially comedies.

Things I didn’t like:

• It’s both narcissistic and brilliant brand marketing that Tyler Perry puts his name in all of his movies.
• In most of the scenes, all of the moms wore super high heels.  As if.
• Zulay Henao is sexy and sultry, belonging more in a porn movie than one about moms.  Did Tyler Perry create this movie for moms or the men who would be dragged along to the theater with them?
• Struggling single moms don’t usually have such nice houses.  I’m just sayin…
• All of the single moms end up with a man.  Is that the message Tyler Perry really wants to tell women at the end of the day?
•  It felt a bit more like a sitcom than an actual feature film, and I won’t be surprised if we end up seeing a variation of this on the small screen next season.  

Funny lines:

• Looking at her son’s homework, she asks “Did you do your homework?  Is that right?”  - Lytia  (Cocoa Brown)
• There were actually quite a few funny lines, but many of them were too inappropriate to list here.

Inspiring lines:

• Hillary asks Lytia “How do you do it?  How do you be a single mom?”  Lytia answers “You can’t think about it or it’s overwhelming.  You take one snotty nose and one dirty diaper at a time.”
• “My grandmother used to say a woman’s purse is a reflection of her life.” – May.  It’s kind of true, but certainly doesn’t paint the whole picture.  It’s a glimpse of a woman’s priorities on-the-go.
• “Divorced 4 years.  We’re good people, just not good together.” – T.K.

Best line in the entire movie:

• “You don’t have to be good at starting over.  You just have to be good at letting go.” - Peter

Tips for parents:   Discussion about a daughter’s period, inappropriate sexual innuendos.

Gamers get real world ride in Need for Speed

Movie Title:Need for Speed   

Grade:   B-

In a Nutshell:  The very first car I ever bought with my own money was a cute 1965 Mustang I named Scooter.  Need for Speed features a modified Mustang that has all the bells and whistles, as well as a lot of other extremely cool cars.  Based on the most successful racing video game franchise ever, this gear-head flick is full of high-speed racing, violent crashes, and adrenaline that will make it hard for you to keep the speed limit when you leave the theater. Of course, there is a warning at the end of the film that tells you NOT to reenact any of the dangerous driving thrills you just spent two hours watching.

Directed by former stuntman Scott Waugh, the plot of revenge runs a little on empty, but it’s still a fun ride, albeit predictable.  Gamers will feel their fingers twitching a time or two.

Uplifting theme:   Tobey Marshall announces “They took everything from me.  I do not fear, for you are with me.  All those who defied me shall be ashamed and disgraced.  Those who wage war against me shall perish.  I will find strength, find guidance, and I will triumph!”   

Things I liked:

• As you can imagine, there were quite a few car stunts that made me wonder if their feasibility will show up on a future episode of the Mythbusters TV show.  One example is when someone on a truck drives next to a car and fills its gas tank while both are driving fast down a road.  To make the whole sequence even more unbelievable, the lid to the gas tank won’t open, even though the Mustang is worth millions of dollars and has incredible high-tech gadgets everywhere.
• Breaking Bad: Season 1 Aaron Paul does a great job as Tobey Marshall who drives “the chariot of the gods” in the race before the race, which indeed, includes a Need for Speed .  I wanted to see even more of Michael Keaton’s quirky, uber-hyper, and eccentric character, Monarch.
• I was actually startled a couple of times and jumped in my seat.
• Some of the beautiful scenery makes you itch for a road trip.
• Although ridiculous and improbable, I got a kick out of Maverick’s talent for stealing and flying things.
• I loved seeing the teen-filled drive-in theater at the beginning of the movie.  It brought back great memories of fun times.  
• Cool aerial scenes and interesting camera angles.  I saw the movie in 3D which made the shattering glass even more dynamic.  3D has become quite good in movies nowadays, enhancing the viewer’s experience, instead of the gimmicky pranks it used to feature.

Things I didn’t like:

• Yeah, they’re all bad boys, but it bothered me how many innocent people were put in harm’s way due to their disregard for anyone not in the underground circuit of street racing.
• Julia Bonet (Imogen Poots) is a tough, calloused negotiator until she gets a crush on a boy.  Oh brother.
• Some of the dizzy editing of race scenes and scary cliff driving made me have to look away.
• Some of the lines were pretty lame, such as “We’ll settle this behind the wheel.”  (Tobey)
• The story isn’t fresh and runs out of gas.
• I really hope that young viewers won’t get any dangerous ideas like trying to outrace a train.

Funny lines:

• “I believe you, you crazy little tart.”  - Monarch
• “This is the best DeLeon I’ve ever put together.  This is my David.  This is my Pieta.  This is my soup can.”  - Monarch
• “There is $7 million dollars worth of cars.  Winner takes all.  Losers, ya’all can walk home.” – Monarch
• “Racers should race.  Cops should eat donuts.”  - Monarch
• Julia asks “Is there anything else right-seaters are supposed to do?”  Tobey quips “Be quiet.”
• “Looks like a scene out of Speed down there.”  - Maverick as he flies over a street where Tobey is driving like crazy
• Rami Malek’s character tells a lady in an elevator “My friend’s driving the fastest Mustang in the country in the DeLeon race.”  Looking confused, she mumbles “I’m in accounting.”  He pries “Don’t you feel like you’re dying?”  “Yes” she says, looking dejected and then noticing he’s completely naked.  He finishes the conversation “It’s cold in here.”
• “Never judge a girl by her Gucci boots.” – Julia
• “That’s my boy.  Give me some space. I’m about to Twerk it out!” - Maverick

Things to look for:   

• Funny photo of Benny/Maverick on the Mustang’s speaker phone video panel.
• Nice tile floor medallion in Monarch’s office.
• Tobey’s tattoo on his left wrist (shown symbolically when the security guard cuts off his ID bracelet in prison.)
• Keep watching during the rolling credits at the end…

Tips for parents:   Some profanity, although definitely not what you’re used to hearing from Aaron Paul on Breaking Bad: Season 1 !  There is a funny scene when Rami Malek’s character quits his desk job and strips naked so he won’t ever be able to return, revealing his backside several times.  Disrespect for policemen and laws.

Winter's Tale movie review

Movie Title:   Winter's Tale

PG-13, 2 hours 9 minutes

Grade:  B-

In a Nutshell:   Not to be confused with Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale , this time-traveling tale is filled with a wonderfully talented cast: Colin Farrell (Total Recall ), Jessica Brown Findlay (“Downton Abbey”), Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind ), William Hurt (Kiss of the Spider Woman ), Eva Marie Saint (On The Waterfront ), Russell Crowe (Gladiator ), and Matt Bomer (White Collar: The Complete First Season).  Will Smith surprises in an evil role as Lucifer.

This chick flick has a little touch of Somewhere in Time romantic magic, but with even more fantastical whimsy that requires a suspension of belief to enjoy and sometimes to understand.  The cinematography is visually stunning, but the film is a bit of a slushy mess, like a New York winter.  Still, there are some profound moments of truth in a film that tries very hard to inspire and dream.

Uplifting theme:   We are told at the beginning of the movie “What if the stars are not what we think?  What if the light from afar doesn’t come from the rays of distant suns, but from our wings as we turn into angels?  Destiny calls to each of us and there is a world behind the worlds where we are all connected, all part of a great and moving plan. Magic is everywhere around us.  You just have to look.  Look, look closely.  For even time and distance are not what they appear to be.”

One of the demons says to Lucifer “No matter how far we tip the scales our way, no matter how many of them we turn dark, nothing seems to break their capacity for hope.  They pass it back and forth like the flu at a pre-school fair.  We’re losing, Lucifer.”

Things I liked:

• I love movies about hope.  Hope is a powerful thing.
• I love movies with twists.
• Absolutely beautiful movie score by Hans Zimmer and Rupert Gregson-Williams.

Things I didn’t like:

• The film is written, produced and directed by one person: Akiva Goldsman.  Perhaps a few more perspectives could have helped the movie flow better and clean up the plot holes and narrative problems.
• I felt like I was missing something by not having read the book first.
• The idea that we go through life with all of its hardships, pains and sorrows only to become a star in the end seemed unsatisfying when what you really want is for the star-crossed lovers to be reunited.

Inspiring lines:

•  “Is this why we love at all, to save?”  - Peter Lake
• “What if we are all unique and the universe loves us equally, so much so that it bends over backwards across the centuries for each and every one of us and sometimes we are just lucky enough to see it?”  - Beverly Penn
• “No life is more important than another and nothing has been without purpose.  Nothing. What if we are all part of a great pattern that we may some day understand?  And one day, when we have done what we, alone, are capable of doing, we get to rise up and reunite with those we have loved the most forever embraced?”  - Beverly Penn

Tips for parents:   Premarital relations, fight scenes, a few scary demon moments.