Hamsa—short film—tells a good, heartfelt story. The animation is lovely
with a very strong human element written into every scene.
Film Poster Available Google Images
Storyline
A shop keeper works to save, protect, and comfort
a young girl when she is accidentally separated from her mother.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Daniela
Dwek’s efforts to create a great story.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Created especially for persons who love
quality short films for their quick messages of human kindness. The film works
completely within the value of human kindness and acceptance. It creates desire
to see more of Daniela Dwek’s work for her great imagination and adherence to
good human value systems. This could so easily be made into a larger story but
stands alone as it is.
Burn-E—cute, well-presented and comical short film—tells a good story. It
seems to have elements of the 2008
animated film, WALL-E,. The creators made this short film into a
100% cohesive, standalone film that serves as a good child/adult bedtime share
watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A small, outer space repair robot experiences challenges
while outside a spaceship endeavoring to complete needful repair.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Angus MacLane for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Galyn Susman for
making the film possible. Thank you to Disney and YouTube for creating the
necessary platforms to distribute the film.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Competes at the professional level with tight
conformity to introduction, main body story, and correct concluding time. Great
for families and completely worth watching. An honest and clean watch.
A Joy Story: Joy and Lucky Carp—cute short film—tells an interesting story and
has good animation. It has a sweet, unexpected conclusion and makes a good,
bedtime child/adult share film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A dog forms an attachment to a small carp and
helps the carp turn into something much larger than expected.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Wang Zheng for directing effort. Thank you to YouTube for providing the
platform to distribute the film.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a joyful short film, well portrayed,
and worth its watch.
Devotion—odd short film—lacks clarity to the point where it’s difficult to
analyze it even at the metaphorical level. Its purpose of production is
ambiguous from its beginning to its conclusion. The animation shows good
imagination, and the coloring of each scene is much appreciated. That shows uniqueness
and catches the eye.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Thin men work to bring books to a personage who
shelves some in a large library collection.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to CGMeetup
and YouTube for providing the distribution platform for this film.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
No. The creators need a re-write to establish
clarity in the storyline.
Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh—fails to provide the good, clean watch that appeals
to the wider audience—leaves the question in mind: Is this comedy? Comedy is
one of the most difficult entertainment genres to work within. Adam Sandler has
the rare ability to consistently deliver, at very high levels, within this
genre. He has no need to lower his talent to toilet comedy or raunchy
performances. It would be wonderful to see him step outside of what is
delivered within this show and reach his full potential as a comedian. A
comedian builds the population of a nation. It would be wonderful to see
Sandler reach the higher level of potential he is more than capable of delivering.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Stand-up comedy a la Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Directors
Steven Brill and Nicholaus Goossen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Barry Bernardi, Steven Brill,
Dan Bulla, and John Irwin for making the film possible. Cast includes: Adam
Sandler, Rob Schneider, and Dan Bulla.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
No. This routine drags the audience through the
lowest levels of comedic performance and fails to show the true ability of this
performer.
Trapeze presents an interesting view of circus life, dreams of performers,
interpersonal relationships, and the work effort necessary to provide
entertainment for the circus-going audience. The movie is fast paced and has a
solid storyline, but it is dated and shows its strong ties to the 1950s movie
presentation style. Because of its stylistic presentation, it can be a bit boring
at times and a little hard to follow. It requires some thought at its
conclusion as one trapeze artist has such a different outcome than the other
two artists. A better circus film is Charlton Heston’s film, The Greatest Show
on Earth.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A movie that explores the circus world, circus
world romance, and moving careers forward in the circus world.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Carol Reed for directing
effort. Thank you to Producer James Hill for making the film possible.
Characters/cast include: Mike Ribble (Burt Lancaster), Tino Orsini (Tony
Curtis), Lola (Gina Lollobrigida), Rosa (Katy Jurado), Bouglione (Thomas
Gomez), Max (Johnny Puleo), John Ringling North (Minor Watson), Chikki (Gerard
Landry), Otto (Jean-Pierre Kerien), Harry the Snake Charmer (Sid James), and
Stefan (Gamil Ratib).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
No. While it was a good box earner both in
America and Britain in the 1950s, the movie presentation is locked into the
1950s style to the point that it does not survive the advance of time to
provide that classic view that never fades away.
Gone Fishin’—interesting concept—has good animation. The storyline seems ambiguous
without a clear conclusion.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Olaf fishes for a variety of items which he can
use to escape the island he is marooned upon.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Rosa Niclas and Marcel Knudeler for making the film
possible. Thank you to Magnet Film and YouTube for providing platforms for
audiences to access this short film.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. It needs more time to provide a clear
conclusion.
Rita’s Great Trek—cute short film—has good animation with fair
character development. It seems to have been built more as a teaser that has
been removed from a larger story. The tease works to some extent. One might want to see
an expansion on the storyline.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Rita stays in her South African campsite.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Team Olumo for making the film possible. Thank you
to The CG Brothers, The Animation School, and YouTube for providing the
platform for audiences to view this film.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. it works at the ‘cute’ level and seems to
have been built as a teaser film for a larger story.
The Music of Silence—terrific Italian film—outlines the life of Andrea Bocelli. The film educates and inspires. It crosses both foreign and domestic
borders with its strong appeal to pursue worthwhile dreams with patience,
endurance, and self-sacrifice. The writing is excellent…the story
well-organized and relayed with taste…a truly heartfelt drama. Toby Sebastian
performs at the WOW! level as Amos Bardi, the alter ego of Andrea Bocelli. Excellent, spoken English makes this Italian film an easy watch for English-speaking audiences. It’s
great to see Antonio Banderas in this film. Director Michael Radford performs
at a high level of artistic ability to bring this story to full fruition.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Thoroughly documents the life of Andrea Bocelli
from birth through current times.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Michael Radford for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Monika Bacardi, Jordi
Molla, Toby Sebastian, and Paola Lavini for making the film possible. Characters/cast
include: Amos Bardi/Andrea Bocelli (Toby Sebastian), Edi (Luisa Ranieri), Sandro
(Jordi Molla), The Maestro (Antonio Banderas), Giovanni (Ennio Fantastichini),
Katia (Francesca Prandi), Umberto (Anthony Souter), Ellonora (Nadir Caselli),
Adriano (Alessandro Sperduti), and Eltore (Francesco Salvi).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Award winning, inspirational film that
leaves an excellent life message behind that is as beautiful and meaningful as
this life lived. Worth an addition to the home video library and serves as high
quality entertainment for guests through the years.
Gunpowder Milkshake plays like a Quintin Tarantino film. It is
well-organized and appeals to audiences who like the constant display of aggressive
female violence that marked the Kill Bill series of films. Watch for the
performance of Cloe Coleman as she incorporates the very young tough girl
persona as she did in My Spy with Dave Bautista. The female casting in
this film has been well chosen and give a quite believable performance.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A group of female assassins work to eliminate a
series of thugs.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Navot Papushado for directing effort.
Thank you to Producers Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman for making the film
possible. Characters/cast include: Sam (Karen Gillan), Scarlet (Lena Headley),
Madeleine (Carla Gugino), Emily (Chloe Coleman), Jim McAlester (Ralph Ineson),
Virgil (Adam Nagaitis), Dr. Ricky (Michael Smiley), Florence (Michelle Yeoh),
Anna May (Angela Bassett), and Nathan (Paul Giamatti).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This works on blood, gore, and a constant
barrage of assassin scenes with little storyline. For audiences who like this
type of entertainment, it works.
Shrek the Third—terrific characterization—supports itself on great animation and
superior vocalization. It sprinkles itself with dialogue that promotes a fair
share of chuckles and easily becomes a good child/adult share movie.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Shrek cannot cope with the idea of being the next
king in line for the throne and goes to look for another heir to the throne.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Chris Miller for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Aron Warner for making
the film possible. Character/cast include: Shrek (Mike Myers), Donkey (Eddie
Murphy), Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), Queen
Lillian (Julie Andrews), King Harold (John Cleese), Prince Charming (Rupert
Everett), Merlin (Eric Idle), Artie Pendragon (Justin Timberlake), Gingerbread
Man (Conrad Vernon), Pinocchio (Cody Cameron), Doris (Larry King), The Three
Blind Mice (Christopher Knights), Snow White (Amy Poehler), and Rapunzel (Maya
Rudolph).
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides—‘no shab’ sequel film—places Johnny Depp as character Jack Sparrow at the forefront of ‘pirate films to watch’ list. This is a wonderful
teen/adult share film, provides a lot of action, and incorporates terrific
special effects. The characters, as casted, seem ‘back in the groove’ as if they’re truly
enjoying making a movie an audience will love.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Pirates look for the Fountain of Youth.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Rob Marshall for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Jerry Bruckheimer for
making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny
Depp), Angelica (Penelope Cruz), Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Captain Barbossa
(Geoffrey Rush), Joshamee Gibbs (Kevin McNally), Philip Swift (Sam Claflin),
Syrena (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), Scrum (Stephen Graham), King George II (Richard
Griffiths), Theodore Groves (Greg Ellis), The Spaniard (Oscar Jaenada), and Captain
Teague (Keith Richards).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The film makes one look forward to a sequel.
This is exceptional entertainment for Pirate of the Caribbean fans.
Watch for some terrific mermaid scenes.
Men in Black 3 has a great story that is very
well put together. This film works due to the great onscreen charisma between Tommy
Lee Jones and Will Smith. There are surprises at each turn of the story and the
conclusion is completely unexpected. Watch for a terrific performance by Josh
Brolin. Great watch. A WOW! film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Men in Black are on the job keeping law and order
among the aliens who have emigrated to earth.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Barry Sonnenfeld for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Walter Parkes and
Laurie MacDonald for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: James
Edwards III (Will Smith), Agent K (Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones), Boris the
Animal (Jemaine Clement), Agent O (Emma Thompson and Alice Eve), Griffin
(Michael Stuhlbarg), James Darrell Edwards Jr. (Mike Colter), Lilly Poison
(Nicole Scherzinger), Jeffrey Price (Michael Chemus), and Agent X (David
Rasche).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie complements the first two MIB
films well. Wonderful charisma between the leading actors and the characters
that appear in the movie.
Walter—short film—has potential due to well-chosen main character, his
personality, the soft animation, and the uncomplicated storyline. But, as with
many short films, the interpretation or intent of the film seems unclear.
Film Poster Courtesy of YouTube images
Storyline
With much effort, Walter takes care of plants.
Additional
Thanks
Written, directed, and produced
by Lorenzo Fresta from CalArts (2019).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
No. This short film needs expansion to establish meaning
and clarity. However, the animation and characterization are quite well done.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies settles into
its rhythm as dwarves defend their right to the mountain. This movie is not
quite as good as its two prequels but is a necessary watch to conclude the
story. The characterization is deeply
drawn. There are terrific depictions of the fight between good and evil both on the
individual and national level. There is no lack in cinematography skill,
epic scenes of grand proportion, outstanding special effects, and highly imaginative costuming. Imagination
plays at a high level of confidence here. There is no lack in entertainment
value. The movie provokes deep reflection on what it means to be good.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
The five armies gather for their portion of the mountain and the wealth
it contains.
Additional Thanks
Thank you
to Director Peter Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers
Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner, Fran Walsh, and Peter Jackson for making the
film possible. Characters/cast include: Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Gandalf
the Grey (Ian McKellen), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), Smaug (Benedict
Cumberbatch), Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), Bard the Bowman (Luke
Evans), Thranduil (Lee Pace), Master of Lake-town (Stephen Fry), Legolas
Greenleaf (Orlando Bloom), Dwalin (Graham McTavish), Balin (Ken Stott), Kili
(Aidan Turner), Fili (Dean O’Gorman), Dori (Mark Hadlow), Nori (Jed Brophy),
Ori (Adam Brown), Oin (John Callen), Gloin (Peter Hambleton), Bifur (William
Kircher), Bofur (James Nesbitt), Bombur (Stephen Hunter), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett),
Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt), Radagast the Brown (Sylvester McCoy), Azog the
Defiler (Manu Bennett), Bolg (Lawrence Makoare), Galion (Craig Hall), Alfrid
(Ryan Gage), Bain (John Bell), Braga (Mark Mitchinson), Narzug (Ben Mitchell),
Fimbul (Stephen Ure), Elros (Robin Kerr), Feren (Simon London), Saruman the
White (Christopher Lee), and Bill Ferny (Dallas Barnett).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The hobbit movies easily reach high classic entertainment value. This movie sums up the series
and wraps the story into its conclusion. It includes some of the best dragon scenes to ever have appeared on screen. It’s one of those rare movies that work as pure entertainment as well as an intellectual watch.
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi—good movie—does not capture the original magic
present in the first 6 Star Wars stories partially due to the overwhelming
presence of alien or alien-related stories in the entertainment market. It has
tendency to play on the level of a good science fiction movie and uses familiar
music and story theme to generate nostalgic interaction with the movie. But that may
fail to generate the same enthusiasm for the story for younger audiences as
much as for seasoned audiences. Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, and Carrie
Fisher perform their character roles at the same level as in the last film
while Mark Hamill does not increase the movie’s value. John Boyega creates
energy and drives the onscreen charisma. The Star Wars spirit is not present
within the iteration of the new films.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
The last Jedi refuses to fight or to
teach.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Rian Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kathleen Kennedy and
Ram Bergman for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Luke
Skywalker (Mark Hamill), General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), Kylo Ren (Adam
Driver), Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyenga), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), andSupreme
Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This
movie sets in place the idea that something better than the Jedi is about to
emerge to usher in an entirely new era that does not depend upon resistance as
much as something new. It’s a good watch but operates without the magic of the
first Star Wars stories produced by George Lucas.
A Second Chance: Rivals!—part of the Second Chance stories—presents
a simple movie that is not easy to relate to the film, A 2nd Chance!, if
one watched that movie first and followed with this movie, due to lack of sufficient
preparation time at its beginning to correlate the films chronologically. There are many road driving scenes to ‘fill
in time’ and there are multiple scenes of gymnasts doing handstands in the
country desert which also seem to ‘fill in time’ rather than using that time to
deepen and enrich the story itself. The team rivalry seems conflicted as hugs
and smiles are passed freely between the teams. This film is not as good as A 2nd Chance but can serve as a simple afternoon watch. Emily Morris and Carmel
Johnson reprise their roles. These two films set Emily Morris up for a potential career in acting.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Competition develops between country gymnasts and
city gymnasts.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Clay Glenn for directing
effort. Thank you to Producer Clay Glenn for making the film possible.
Characters/cast include: Maddy Cornell (Emily Morris), Tess Fuller-Jones
(Stella Shute), Beverly Teague (Carmel Johnson), Mary (Natasha Wanganeen), Kate
Fuller-Jones (Nina Pearce), Shane Fuller-Jones (Adam Tuominen), Becky (Elysia
Markou), Jason (Alexander Lloyd), Alkira (Eva Grados), Tavia (India Colombi),
Kylie (Abbey Wilkinson), Cassie (Quincy Gray), and Li (Akira Van).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. If one wants to see a follow-up movie in the
Second Chance series, this is it. It’s a clean watch for young or
wannabe female gymnasts, 7+ years and up.
