Evan Almighty—spinoff
from Jim Carrey’s Bruce Almighty—continues
to use Morgan Freeman as God while examining how diametrically opposed family prayers
can work when otherworldly forces are at work. The story concept is good, the
comedy is there, and Director Tom Shadyac shows great promise for comedy
movies. It’s a good family share film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Newly
elected Congressman Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) has an appointment with God
Almighty.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Tom Shadyak for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Ilona Herzberg, Matt Luber, and Dave
Phillips for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: God
(Morgan Freeman), Joan Baxter (Lauren Graham), Dylan Baxter (Johnny Simmons),
Jordan Baxter (Graham Phillips), Ryan Baxter (Jimmy Bennett), Congressman Long
(John Goodman), Rita (Wanda Sykes), and Marty (John Michael Higgins).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe.
There’s enough comedy to make it a watch for the whole family.
Despicable Me 4—another great film that marks Illumination Studios as
king of the animation world—WOW! This movie may not stand out quite as much as part 1, 2, and part 3 of the series, but its colorfulness and flair for catching family life can be well received. This is a 'no shab' watch that emphasizes original and creative character development and the impact good writers can make to a movie. Fun watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Gru is a special agent who takes down criminals. But an old villain wants revenge for Gru ruining his award reception and putting him in prison.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Chris Renaud for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Chris Meledandri and Brett Hoffman for making the film possible. Cast includes Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Sofia Vergara, and Will Ferrell.
Buy a
ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This
is great watch and has the Illumination Studios stamp for a quality, wonderful story.
If— unusually kind and gentle—earns its watch recommendation. Its poignant reminder that everyone needs their childhood imaginary friend all through life is sweetly delivered and can be well received. Director John Krasinski (A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part 2) also acts in the movie along with Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds and Fiona Shaw. It's a complicated watch that more than deserves its addition to the home video library. Be aware there is a bit of 'language' that may need some editing before watching as a family share. This is a terrific example of a movie that provides good, after viewing discussion time.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A young girl loses her mother to cancer and her father later needs heart surgery. Traumatization leads to a whole world of imaginary friends who materialize into her universe.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director and Producer John Krazinski for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer George Dewey, John J. Kelly, Kimberly Nelson LoCascio, for making the film possible. Cast includes Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Alan Kim, Liza Colόn-Zayas, Bobby Moynihan, Catherine Daddario, and Audrey Hoffman.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie rates high on the creativity scale and has been exceptionally well-written. Do a reading of the plotline and perhaps a little research into imaginary friends before diving in to watch. It's a high level share movie that works for the whole family...no time to go get popcorn as the movie completely engages the intellect and relies on multiple flash-back scenes to tell the story. Good work for all who cooperatively produced this highly needful movie.
Over the Hedge—light, fun, animated watch—features recognizable voicing: Bruce
Willis, Steve Carrell, Nick Nolte, Wanda Sykes, Eugene Levy, Allison Janney,
Thomas Haden Church, William Shatner, and Avril Lavigne. The dialogue is witty
and slightly reminiscent of The Nut Job animation series. It’s a good
watch overall and serves as a good child/adult share as it serves that wide
audience range.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Animals team to raid food from a neighborhood that is on the other side of a hedge.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Directors
Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick for directing effort. Thank you to Producer
Bonnie Arnold for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bruce Willis, Gary
Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes, Nick Nolte, and Thomas
Haden Church.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This animated film has its fair share of
comedy written into the dialogue, well-drawn characters, and easily becomes a
good child/adult share.
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