BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D:

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D:  A tale as old as time... but well worth the re-telling in this highly anticipated, splendid live action version of the 1991 Disney animated classic (and Oscar nominee for Best Picture) with a perfect cast headed by Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the beast.  Other stand-out performances come from Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gad (LeFou), Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts), Kevin Kline (Maurice), Ewan McGregor (Lumiere), Audra McDonald (Madame Gardarobe), Ian McKellan (Cogsworth) and Stanley Tucci (Maestro Cadenza). The score by Alan Menken with  lyrics by Howard Ashman continues to enthrall  with the addition of new songs (lyrics by Tim Rice)  The choreography by Anthony Van Laast is a marvel to behold.  The "Be Our Guest" number took eighteen months to perfect and it is nothing short of remarkable!  How do you choreograph for a teapot and a candelabra?   Remarkable!!!!  Lovingly held together under the direction of  Bill Condon, this "Beauty" will become another Disney classic and be loved by generations to come.  I opted to see it in 3D and I'm thrilled that I did.  There are some wonderful moments that will be lost in flat screen.  So, as if you hadn't guessed, I'm saying see it!  It is pure enchantment from beginning to end.  You will leave the theater is a state of  pure joy!

KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3D:

KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3D:  Well, it's early but I'm thinking this is the first of the typical  Summertime escapist flicks and not a bad reboot of the original.  This time a team of scientist with help from the military, explore an uncharted island and stumble upon the mighty Kong,   With a cast that includes John Goodman, Samuel L. Jackson, John C.Reilly, Tim Hiddleston, and Brie Larson as the new beauty for the beast, this film is part homage and part Apocalypse.  And this Kong is not as approachable as in past tellings. He's one bad-ass ape and not opposed to a little blood-letting.  Along the way we meet an undiscovered tribe of natives who believe Kong to be a god and a bunch of new,  very imaginative creatures who are just mean to the bone.   And there are plenty of bones along the way,  a skull here, a skull there.  As a side note,I am more and more amazed at today's actors who must "act" with only their imagination.  (No spoiler alert, but Kong and his cronies are not real.)   But they seem real enough and the CGI effects are tops.  This is probably the best the beast has ever looked.  I'd go 3D on this one.  It's staggering.

MOONLIGHT

MOONLIGHT:   The winner of this year's Academy Award, this is a groundbreaking film to be treasured for it's extraordinary ensemble cast and the Best Supporting Actor Oscar winner, Mahershala Ali.  A look at what shaped and molded a young black gay man growing up in a poor suburb of Miami, I suppose this falls into the "coming of age" category.  Divided into three parts with our hero as a child, a teenager and an adult. it certainly holds your attention.  That being said, I am not sure I agree with the Academy on this one. "La La Land" and "Hacksaw Ridge" would have been better choices in my book.  Don't get me wrong, this is a fine film and was certainly worthy of the nomination and your attention.  But, after all the hype I was a bit disappointed.