Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Four teenagers get sucked into a video game and must beat the game in order to get home before losing their lives.

This was a very clever, very creative new adaptation of the original movie. It will be especially endearing to those that grew up playing early NES style video games like The Legend of Zelda. In fact younger viewers who are unfamiliar with the limited technology of those early gamers may not entirely get all of the subtle humor and references. That being said, it is very entertaining and unlike the original Jumanji (1995) the CGI in this new version is very well done and doesn't look like it was pasted onto the film.

A little long at one hour and fifty nine minutes, but paced well enough to keep the audience engaged.

** 1/2 Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for violence, crude humor and language) 

Wonder Wheel

A young girl returns to the house of her estranged parents in 1950's Coney Island. Her unexpected arrival changes the subtle dynamics of the household.

Woody Allen is always at his best when not in front of the camera and this is no exception. The story is tragic, about tragic people, in tragic circumstances and the tricks we play on ourselves to cope and find happiness even if fleeting.

Admittedly this probably isn't for everyone and has a very slow pace that makes the running time of one hour and forty one minutes seem much longer than it actually is.  There are scenes of long running dialogue that are more play-like than cinematic which may put off some viewers. When all is said and done, it is a character piece and the development on screen is slow, brutal, and ugly which somehow translates into something beautiful.

**1/2 Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for thematic elements and language) 

Ferdinand

Ferdinand is loosely based on the children's book Ferdinand the Bull (1936), written by Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson.

This liberal adaptation is cute albeit forgettable. With a running time of one hour and forty seven minutes it strays from the original story quite a bit and may find parents getting restless as it drags.

Although now that Blue Sky is technically a Disney company, it is still worth suggesting that one check out Walt Disney's Oscar winning short Ferdinand the Bull (1938) as it is a perfect adaptation of the book and has a running time of less than eight minutes.

** Rentable

Rated PG (for some peril and rude humor) 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi...

Spectacular, exhilarating moments wrapped in a mediocre storyline. This is fun and greatly entertaining but the narrative drags and the humor seems slightly out of place, more at home in our galaxy than theirs perhaps. The plot is weak, the pacing is off and there are several holes. Overall it has an odd vibe, that being said it was light years ahead of any of the prequels.

Fun but unfulfilling.

** Must See for all Star Wars Fans

Rated PG-13 (for violence and language) 

Just Getting Started

I don't remember the last time I was this antsy or this bored in a movie theatre...it never gets started.

* Not A Chance

Rated PG-13 (for crude humor and language) 

The Man Who Invented Christmas

A fun twist on a familiar tale. Based on true events, this is a clever story about what writing A Christmas Carol might have been like for famed Charles Dickens.

Well cast and for fans of the original work and/or any of the countless films that have adapted the story to the screen this is one that you won't want to miss.

*** Must See

Rated PG (for thematic elements)

Coco

Completely unexpected!

Super cute, charming and enchanting, the new Disney~Pixar film focuses on family history and the importance of not forgetting those that have come before us, suggesting that families are truly forever.

**** Oscar Worthy

Rated PG (for thematic elements and death)

Justice League

Meh - it's fun eye candy.

** Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for violence and language)

Wonder

True story based on the novel. This is such an uplifting, sweet, heartwarming story about selfless service and unconditional love. Great family film that will tug at the heartstrings of all ages.

***1/2  Must See

Rated PG (for mild language and thematic elements)