Christopher Robin
This is an interesting twist in the Winnie the Pooh series of movies. Mostly because the focus is not so much on Pooh as it is on Christopher Robin, now an adult with an important business responsibility. It toggles back and forth between Pooh’s world and Christopher Robin’s world.
The cast is talented. Ewan McGregor plays Christopher Robin, Jim Cummings is Pooh. Peter Garrett is Rabbit and Toby Jones plays both Piglet and Owl. Brad Garrett is Eeyore. Bronte Carmichael plays Madelline Robin and Wyatt Dean Hall plays Roo.
Reviews have been mixed. We enjoyed it and found it to be pleasant, creative in the way it bridged adult and children’s subject matter.
It is rated PG for some action. (We’re not sure what that meant.) It is appropriately listed as Action & Adventure, Comedy, Kids & Family. The run time is 2 hours.
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The Darkest Minds
This film has an odd but uniquely poignant message. Suddenly the world’s teens develop new and varied abilities that are viewed by the government as a threat, prompting detainment camps and such. It’s an extreme concept. It is also creative, challenging and often quite dark.
The predominately young cast is quite impressive. Amandla Stenberg and Harris Dickinson give solid lead performances along with Mark O’Brien and Patrick Gibson. Also noteworthy are Skylan Brooks and McCarrie McCausland as youngsters with unique powers.
What is challenging to follow as a viewer is whose bad, good and otherwise. That varies wildly. It’s both unique and confusing at the same time. Our guess is this will be appealing to audiences and we are likely to see a sequel or two.
Reviews have been tepid at best. We liked it and think the messaging and undercurrent deserve consideration. It is rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images and thematic elements. It is listed as a Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction/Fantasy. Run time is 105 minutes.
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Three Identical Strangers
How often is a documentary film interesting and compelling and intriguing all at the same time? It’s also thought provoking and shocking concurrently.
We won’t give away the story but consider this: it is a true story about identical triplets given up for adoption at birth. Two decades later they are reunited.
What is fascinating is the story behind the story. The three brothers, Robert Shafran, Edward Galland and David Kellman play themselves (though one is shown in archive footage only).
This film has already received global attention along with a fair amount of disturbing repercussions. It is rated PG-13 for some mature thematic material. It is listed as a Documentary with a run time of 96 minutes.
Be warned, some of the subject matter is intense and difficult to watch. Nonetheless if this movie is appealing to you, we encourage your viewing. It’s about real people, their incredible life experiences and the potential impact for all of us.
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