A Wrinkle In Time

My View:  A Wrinkle in Time  (2018)  PG  Meg (Storm Reid) finds out that her father (Chris Pine), who has been missing for years, is alive and being held captive by an evil force. With the help of her young brother (Deric McCabe) and a friend (Levi Miller), they go on a journey with the help of three astral travelers, Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon) and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling) to save him. Visually this film is stunning, but, other than that and the brilliant performances by all three kids, the film falls flat. The dialogue is horrible, especially that of Mrs. Who, as she only talks in famous peoples’ quotes. The soundtrack is one of the worst I have heard in a movie and, at times, overpowers the dialogue. I can only recommend this film for young kids, who will enjoy the visuals, and there is an excellent message in the film that will appeal to young girls. My guess is that director Ava DuVernay, who directed the touching Selma, was overwhelmed by the enormity of the budget and a book that is hugely complicated. This is one of those films that you wanted to succeed, but it fails to deliver.    My Rating: Cable   A Wrinkle in Time Website

Indiefest:  Gringo  (2018)  R  Harold (David Oyelowo) is a down-on-his-luck businessman who finds out he is about to lose his job and decides to stage his own kidnapping. What Harold doesn’t know is that, due to his boss’s bad decisions, he has become a kidnapping target by a drug lord. Will Harold survive? I enjoyed this film, but, after seeing the trailer (which made it seem funnier than it is), this film is a bit of a letdown. The film drags, and it has plot holes the size of Mexico. There are some characters that you don’t know why they are doing what they are doing and other characters are entirely forgotten until they just show up on screen for no reason. There are several twists and turns that are unnecessary and make the movie seem much longer than it is. Some of the actors look out of place, and I got tired of Harold’s co-boss (played by Charlize Theron) with her I am better than everyone else attitude. There are some fun action sequences, but that’s not enough to make this film enjoyable.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee     Gringo Website

Indiefest:  Thoroughbreds  (2017)  R  Two upper-class suburban Connecticut teenage girls ( Anya Taylor-Joy, Olivia Cookein) rekindle their friendship after being estranged for years. Together, they hatch a plan to solve both of their problems by any means necessary. I loved this odd, quirky film that’s part dark humor and part suspense film. Amanda (Olivia Cooke) is a troubled teen who did something horrible in her past and, by the way, can’t feel any emotions. Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) is being tormented by her stepfather (her birth father died a few years ago). First time director Cory Finley does a bang-up job directing this film as it never feels staged or slows down even though most of the film takes place in Lily’s mansion. It’s an amazing job for a director who is a playwright who never had stepped on a set before directing this film. The plot moves at a quick pace, keeps you guessing what is going to happen next and slowly builds the tension until the final scenes. This isn’t a movie for everyone as it is not your ordinary teenage drama, but if you’re up for an interesting adventure, then check out Thoroughbreds.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Thoroughbreds Website

Indiefest:  Submission  (2017)  A cynical college professor (Stanley Tucci) takes an interest in a talented young writer (Addison Timlin). It’s not a question of if, but when lines will be crossed, and we just don’t know who is the predator, and who is the prey. In the “Me Too” era this movie should have hit all the issues on the head. Instead, we get a movie about a self-indulgent professor who thinks he is going to foster the next great writer. The professor is more turned on by the fact that she can write and less about that she is young and pretty. Tucci, Timlin and Kyra Sedgwick are let down by a script that is predictable. The film almost feels like it is in love with itself it’s that self-indulgent.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Submission Info

Indiefest:  The Cured  (2017)  R  A virus that turns people into zombies, and it hits Ireland especially hard. A cure is found, but it only cures 75 percent of the zombie population. Now the people who have been cured are moving back into their old neighborhoods, and people who lost loved ones are not too happy. There is one problem with the cure; you remember what you did when you were a zombie. This is an excellent twist on the zombie genre as its makeup is more psychological than horror (though there are still some horrifying zombies in the film). There are some brilliant performances in this film including Ellen Page, who plays Abby, who is still getting over the loss her husband in the initial zombie attack, and Sam Keeley, who plays Senan, Abby’s brother-in-law who goes to live with her and her young son. The action sequences are exciting, and there are plenty of plot twists to keep you interested. If you are a fan of horror and suspense, this film is for you.   My Rating: Full Price    The Cured Info

Forgotten Film: Il Postino  (1994)  PG  When a famous Chilean poet (Philippe Noiret) is exiled to a small island, the mail delivered to the island increases substantially. Mario (Massimo Troisi), an unemployed fisherman, is hired to hand-deliver the mail to the poet. Mario becomes enamored with Beatrice (Maria Grazia Cucinotta) and uses the poet and his poetry to help him woo her. This is a beautiful, simple film about life and romance. Troisi gives a moving performance as the mailman who discovers a love for poetry. The film’s cinematography is gorgeous as it shows off the exquisiteness of Italy.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Il Postino Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of A Wrinkle in Time: Science Advisor

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Incredibles 2  (2018)  Bob (Mr. Incredible) is playing “Mr. Mom,” taking care of Jack-Jack while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world. I loved the first film about a family of superheroes, so I am looking forward to this one.    Incredibles 2 Website

Until Next Time!