Elemental (2024.14, Disappointing , Light )
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Elemental is top-notch creative world building on top of a mundane story! (3*)
Fantasy
Nimona (2024.13, Good , Little-Known )
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Nimona may not be the best in animation, but it tells an important message about gender identity. (3.5*)
Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse (2024.12, So-So , Hero )
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Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse is a sequel and like the original, it isn’t for everyone. If you are into comic book action heroes go for it. Otherwise, there are plenty of other movies to see. (3*)
Barbie (2024.4, Terrific , Energy )
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So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)
Killers of the Flower Moon (2024.1, Exceptional, Murder )
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Killers of the Flower Moon is an exceptional and powerful movie about the Osage Native American murders of the 1920s, but it’s just too long! (4*)
2023 Oscar Fantasy Films
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An overview of the 2023 Oscar Fantasy Films with recommendations and a few extra from last year.
Turning Red – Spunky but Lost (2.0*)
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Turning Red is about a 13-year old’s experience with adolescence and her family’s reaction. Though with spectacular animation and colors, who is this story really for? (2.5*)
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On – Extra Bold and Odd (4*)
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Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Will hold your interest with an unusual combination of live-action and stop-motion animation, an intriguing main character, and unique perspectives on life, nature, and relationships. (4*)
The Sea Beast – An Epic Moby Dick and Master Political Metaphor (3.5*)
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The Sea Beast has terrific computer animation, a Moby Dick story, a young girl as the leading character, and multiple political and social threads for adults. (3.5*)
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – Master Animation, Odd Story (2.5*)
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Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a superb example of stop-motion animation, but it falls short as a musical and doesn’t tell a story most audiences will enjoy. (2.5*)
Avatar: The Way of Water – (Superb Spirit & Beauty) (4*)
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Avatar: The Way of Water is a visual spectacle, a story setting up the next three sequels, and, yes, long.
Everything Everywhere All at Once – Deep and Insane Look at the Multiverse (4.5*)
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Everything Everywhere All at Once is an insane look at one woman’s romp through the multiverse as she learns what is really important about life. (4.5*)
2022 Oscar Fantasy Genre
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An Overview of the six movies from this year in the Fantasy genre and a couple of recommendations from last years list.
Free Guy
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(2.5*) Free Guy – Some good acting can’t quite save this fairly shallow movie.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
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(3.5*) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is thrilling and a lot of fun to watch. It also involves a compelling story of family dynamics.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
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(4*) Spider Man No Way Home has great visuals but also tells a human-level story. A surprisingly good comic-book movie.
Luca
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(1.5*) Luca is fun for about twenty minutes and then descends into boredom!
Raya and the Last Dragon
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(2.0 *) Raya and the Last Dragon is visually stunning, but is going to leave adults rather empty!
Encanto
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Encanto (3.5*) Good family entertainment, but Disney and Miranda might be showing fatigue!
The One and Only Ivan
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(1.5 Stars) Might work for families with small children.
The Midnight Sky
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(4 Stars) Much better than the critics say. Beautiful imagery and sounds and a story with a twist.
Wolfwalkers
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(4.5 Stars) Beautiful animation, Celtic music, and an Irish folk story with modern day lessons.
Over the Moon
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(3 Stars) The film doesn’t hang together real well, but there are some great songs and terrific visuals.
Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
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(2.5 Stars) Family Entertainment and a refreshing unique style of animation.
Soul
1 Comment
(4.5 Stars) Interesting and Creative approach to some very abstract questions. Excellent film.
Mulan
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(2.5 Stars) A disappointing remake when it could and should have been much better.
The 2020 Fantasy Movies
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An Overview of this year’s Oscar nominated movies in the Fantasy genre.
Maleficent: Princess of Evil
1 Comment
(1.5 Stars) Some fun visual moments do not make up for a plodding story. Pfeiffer occasionally shines, but Jolie’s talent is wasted.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
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(3.5 Stars) I suppose if you are a Star Wars buff, you will be disappointed. But for the rest of us, it is just plain fun.