The Boss Baby

My View:  The Boss Baby  (2017)  PG  Tim (Miles Christopher Bakshi) was happy in his home with his mom (Lisa Kudrow) and dad (Jimmy Kimmel). Then, one day, a suit-wearing briefcase-carrying baby (Alec Baldwin) arrives at Tim’s home via taxi. Tim knows something is up with this new baby, but his parents can only see that the baby needs all the attention. This is one of those films that after you see it, you say, “Well, it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.” There are some funny bits in the film (loved Alec Baldwin making a Glengarry Glen Ross joke), and kids will enjoy all the action. The film is brought down by its many sub-plots and a somewhat confusing conclusion. Older kids and adults will be bored at times, but little kids may enjoy it.  My Rating:  Cable  The Boss Baby Website

My View:  Ghost in the Shell  (2017)  PG-13  A cyborg counter-cyberterrorist field commander, called Major (Scarlett Johansson) and her task force thwarts cyber criminals and hackers. Now a new enemy has emerged that will stop at nothing to sabotage the artificial intelligence technology that the world runs on. I love Scarlett Johansson, and I hope that someday there will be a Black Widow standalone movie. Unfortunately, this film wastes her talents in a slow moving, confusing tale that has some of the dullest villains I have ever seen on screen. The action scenes are well done, and you can see the video game influence throughout the film. Much has been made about the whitewashing of this movie, and it is disturbing that the film is set in Japan but it seems like three-quarters of the cast isn’t Japanese. I understand that Johansson, someone who has proven she can open a film by herself (Lucy), getting cast in the lead, but to have almost all the other major parts portrayed by non-Japanese actors just made the film seem silly.  My Rating:  Cable   Ghost in the Shell Website

My View:  The Zoo Keeper’s Wife  (2017)  PG-13  Based on a true story, this film tells the story of Antonina (Jessica Chastain) and her husband Jan (Johan Heldenbergh), who owned a small zoo in downtown Warsaw. When the Nazis took over, Antonina and Jan saved hundreds of Jews in their zoo, right under the German’s noses.  Jessica Chastain makes this film worth watching as she gives a compelling and moving performance of a brave and loving woman who risks everything to save the lives of over 300 strangers. Being a big fan of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (a co-sponsor of the screening I went to), I have seen a lot of films about the Holocaust. Where this film is lacking is in its depiction of the Warsaw ghetto and the horrors that went on there.  The husband travels into the ghetto numerous times (to transport Jews out under the ruse of collecting garbage for his pigs), but its depiction feels frail and sanitized. The Zoo Keeper’s Wife is a fascinating tale about two people who had the courage to step up and help their fellow man.  I just wish this film was as powerful as Chastain’s acting is in it.   My Rating: Full Price   The Zookeeper's Wife Website 

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD/Blu-ray):  Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them  (2016)  PG-13  Seventy years into the future, Harry Potter will read writer Newt Scamander’s (Eddie Redmayne) book. First, Newt has to have the adventures in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards. If you are a fan of the Harry Potter film and book series, then you will want to see this movie. The film uses the Harry Potter world as its basis but makes this its own world. The action is fun and fast paced with special effects that bring the many, and I do mean many, beasts alive. Redmayne is obviously having fun with the role, and it shows in his performance. His boyish charm makes his character come alive on the screen. Alison Sudol is dazzling as the headstrong love interest for Newt, Queenie, and I adored Katherine Waterston as the sweet and mind reading-sister.  Dan Fogler steals the movie as the hilarious human who becomes Newt’s sidekick. You will enjoy this fantastic ride full of beasts and wizards.    My Rating:  Full Price   Fantastic Beasts Website

Forgotten Film:  Times Square  (1980)  R  Two troubled young women (Trini Alvarado, Robin Johnson) meet in a  psychiatric hospital. They call themselves the Sleaze Sisters, and they run away to New York City.  The two friends get help from a rock DJ (Tim Curry) and embrace the punk scene of NYC. While not a great film, there are two reasons you should check it out:  the two actresses are a blast to watch, and the soundtrack really represents what the Punk/New Wave music scene in the late 70s, early 80s sounded like with music performed by The Cars, The Cure, Joe Jackson, David Johansen, Gary Numan, Lou Reed, The Pretenders, Roxy Music and XTC.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Times Square Info

Weird Credits:   From the credits of The Zookeeper’s Wife:  Animal Prosthetics

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)  The continuing adventures of the band of misfits as they travel the outer reaches of the cosmos.  If it’s just half as good as the trailer, we are in for a fun ride.  Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Info

Until Next Time!