Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 2.5 Stars

I did like this movie but it drags in places. At 132 minutes it could be shorter by 20.  The story is a good one (albeit somewhat ponderous), written by J.K. Rowling and it does play off the Harry Potter franchise in some references, special effects and occasional musical backgrounds. (You don’t have to know the HP stories but it helps.)

Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) is excellent and further demonstrates his wide range of talents in this somewhat understated role. Katherine Waterston (who has some facial characteristics of her father Sam {but is new to me}) and Colin Farrell (Saving Mr. Banks) are solid and Alison Sudol (new to me) is appropriately ‘over the top’.

I understand that there are plans to make a mini-franchise of several films (with Jude Law {Sherlock Holmes movies} playing  a young Dumbledore). I think I might rent this one again at some point.

The Zookeeper's Wife, 3 Stars

I liked this movie. It has been criticized (quite rightly) for the simplistic flaws in the story line amidst the horrific impact of war and the Holocaust.

In spite of all that, it is still a good story that flows and basically holds together without many obvious weak spots. The reason to see it is Jessica Chastain (The Help) – her acting is riveting and wide-ranging, and dominates the screen.  Strong performances by Johan Heldenbergh (new to me), Daniel Bruhl (Joyeux Noel) and especially Shira Haas (also new to me) hold the movie together.

There are brutal portions that are difficult to watch (or you have to be quick to close your eyes), and I’m not sure if I would watch it again. But I do recommend it.

Beauty and the Beast, 3.5 Stars

I love Emma Watson (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) and I loved this! The colours and contrasting of lightness and darkness served the film well.

Watson is very good, although her voice is a little light, especially in the opening scene. But the familiar music and story are beautifully done. Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda) and Luke Evans (whom I don’t recall in Robin Hood) are adequate, as were the (mostly computer-generated) supporting cast of Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings) and Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge).

This is a classic story and I’d see it again (and again).

I, Claude Monet, 2.5 Stars

This is the story of Claude Monet and was delightful to see in the theatre. As noted in other Art ‘tours’, the workmanship, colours and prolific production by the artist is breathtaking. 

I was interested that Monet was quite poverty stricken for a long time – not unusual for any type of artist, just something I didn’t know. And in contrast to what appeared to be a substantially well-off life in later years. Having visited Monet’s home in Giverny made the story of additional interest. 

If you like a different (artistic) movie experience, I do recommend the big screen.

Me Before You, 2 Stars

Emilia Clarke

This is a mostly fluffy movie that we rented for $0.99. It deals with a couple of difficult topics, somewhat awkwardly (sometimes deliberately, sometimes not). The trailers show most of the movie.

Emilia Clarke (new to me but big Game of Thrones star) and Sam Claflin (Hunger Games series) perform adequately, as does the supporting cast.

It's not very good, but it's not horrible.

Lion, 3.5 Stars

Dev Patel

I really liked this movie. The story is fascinating, moves along dramatically and well, has interesting characters, beautiful scenery and evokes strong emotions.

I continue to be impressed by the abilities of Dev Patel (TV's The Newsroom) and my admiration grows each time I see him. Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge) and Rooney Mara (The Social Network) are moodily good. And newly introduced Sunny Pawar is stunning as he conveys his raw emotions, often without words, to great effect.

I will definitely see again and urge you to see it.

La La Land, 3 Stars

I enjoyed this movie and think it will win this year's Oscar but it is Hollywood being (consistently) narcissistic (both the film and the Academy voting). (Yeah, yeah, it's tough making it in movies but those aren't the only topics that deserve the spotlight...)

Having said that, it's a good story. It drags in places and, as I exited the theatre, I wasn't sure I liked it. But it was memorable and stayed with me for days.

Some of the scenes are exceptional, especially the opening and, of course, the dancing. Ryan Gosling (Ides of March) continues to develop and show his acting 'chops', and his performance is superb. I really like Emma Stone (EasyA) and she is very good, but I wonder if her acting range and development have stalled? The two do dominate the screen throughout.

I think I'll see this again but...

Hidden Figures, 3.5 Stars

Taraji P. Henson

I liked this movie a lot. It is my hope for this year's Best Picture Oscar, but I don't think the Academy is ready to reward it that way. (See La La Land review.)

It is a compelling story about the space race in the 1960's that, for the most part, moves along well (it seems to falter when personal background stories are being told).

The casting is superb and the acting is excellent: Taraji P. Henson (Benjamin Button) and Janelle Monae (new to me) dominate their scenes and, along with Octavia Spencer (The Help), are the focal points who drive the movie. Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory) surprised me with his range, while Kevin Costner (McFarland USA) played his more recent 'congenial' persona.

I highly recommend this and look forward to seeing it again.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, 3.5 Stars

If you like the Star Wars (SW) franchise, you'll enjoy this movie. (I did.)

It fills in some background between Episodes III and IV about how the Rebellion got hold of the design plans of the Death Star.

Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) and Diego Luna (new to me) are good, 'one-off' additions to the SW series and give assertive performances. The strong supporting cast includes Mads Mikkelsen (see my Doctor Strange review) and Alan Tudyk (A Knight's Tale) as the voice of K-2SO.

The story is good and moves along, sometimes at a frenetic pace. I would see it again.

The Man Who Knew Infinity, 3.0 Stars

This is a somewhat obscure film that some friends introduced us to on Netflix. I'm not sure if it was in my local theatres and might have only had a short run elsewhere. It didn't get great reviews (according to Rotten Tomatoes).

The story is about a brilliant Indian mathematician around the time of the First World War who travels to Oxford, England (these facts may explain the lukewarm reception it received). I like math and I also liked this movie very much.

The cast is led by Jeremy Irons (The French Lieutenant's Woman, 1981) and Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), who dominate every scene they are in. It also introduces Devika Bhise, who displays a good range of emotions.

It is an interesting, engaging story and I recommend it.

The Jungle Book (2016), 2.5 Stars

I liked this movie. It's a good story and the Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) makes it very strong and believable.

Neel Sethi (new) is very good as, essentially, the only live human in the film. The rest of the CGI characters have strong voices, some of whom are recognizable (this is especially true of Bill Murray (Ghostbusters 1984), as a lovable bear).

A little long but well-paced, it would be a good rental and I recommend it. (Note: This is not for young children.)

Doctor Strange, 3 Stars

This is an entertaining movie from a comic book series (unknown to me, but that's not unusual...). It has good story, some great special effects, and a very strong cast.

Led by the great Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game) and the enigmatic and talented Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles of Narnia series), it also has Rachel McAdams (About Time) who plays her usual role. as well as Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) whom I'm starting to admire more each time I see him.

The film is long but the story mostly moves along. If you like the latest rounds of comic adaptations, I think you'll like this. And Cumberbatch as usual makes it all worthwhile.