Victor Frankenstein features spit and stitches

Movie:    Victor Frankenstein   Rating:    PG-13, 1 hour 49 minutes   Grade:   C-   In a Nutshell:    “You know this story….” Says the narrator (Igor),  except that this version isn’t as good as others we’ve seen before. The twist is … Continued

90 Minutes in Heaven spends more time on pain than miracles

posted in: Based On A Book, Drama, Religious | 0

Movie  90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life   Rating: PG-13, 2 hours 1 minute   Grade:    C   In a Nutshell:  I wanted to see heaven, not a hospital room.  This sluggish film of faith … Continued

Paper Towns features too many self-absorbed teens

posted in: Based On A Book, Comedy, Drama, Teen | 0

Movie:    Paper Towns   PG-13, 1 hour 49 minutes   Grade:    C for Couldn’t stand the self-absorbed teenage angst OR           D for Don’t waste your time or money on this In a Nutshell:    Critics love … Continued

Still Alice moves

posted in: Based On A Book, Drama | 1

Movie:   Still Alice   Grade:  A-   In a Nutshell:   Julianne Moore won a Golden Globe for her stellar performance in this important drama.  The script isn’t brilliant, but Julianne’s use of subtle nuance is.  Her grace and skill in … Continued

The new Cinderella is quite charming

Movie:  Cinderella   Rating: PG Length:  1 hour 45 minutes   Grade:  A   In a Nutshell:  In an era of movie remakes, this version of Cinderella by Director Kenneth Branagh is very simple, elegant, pure, and even old-fashioned, staying … Continued

The Boxtrolls movie is artistically outstanding, but stylistically icky

Movie Title:  The BoxTrolls Grade:  B In a Nutshell:  From the quirky and creepy creators of Coraline and Paranorman, this family flick has a steampunk feel to it and features the voice talents of Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, … Continued

My friend, James Dashner, just had his book The Maze Runner turned into a movie!

Movie Title:  Maze Runner PG-13, 1 hour 54 minutes Grade:  B+ In a Nutshell:   I’m so thrilled for my friend, James Dashner, who is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Maze Runner Series (Maze Runner)that this film … Continued

The Giver asks great questions about life and free will

Movie Title:   The Giver [HD] PG-13, 1 hour 40 minutes Grade:  B In a Nutshell:  If you haven’t read the best-selling young adult novel The Giverby Lois Lowry, you’ll understand the movie well enough, but also won’t know what you’re … Continued