THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS

THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS:   In a world where humans and puppets co-exist, two detectives must join forces to find out who is killing off retired puppet sitcom stars.  Mellisa McCarthy as Detective Connie Edwards and her former partner, Puppet Investigator Phil Phillips (voiced by Bill Barretta) set out to solve the case.  Decidedly, not for children, this film received mostly negative reviews and a couple of nice ones.  So be forewarned, it is raunchy, and in questionable taste at times as it shows the underbelly of the puppet life in Los Angeles ( It's really somewhere between a film noir of a Muppet movie and a Raymond Chandler take on Sesame Street, which is no real surprise since is was directed by Brian Henson, the son of the Muppet creator Jim Henson) So, in conclusion, if you can get past the hard-boiled, dirty, but funny dialogue and have an open mind, you might enjoy it.    I did!  And a special nod to Maya Rudolph as Investigator Phillips long-time receptionist, Bubbles. Too funny!  

CRAZY RICH ASIANS

CRAZY RICH ASIANS: The first movie since "The Joy Luck Club" to have an all-Asian cast, this is a winner all across the boards. Filmed mainly in Singapore, it is a look at the wealthy Asian society that most of us will never know.   And some of them are crazy!   It's funny, touching and a sumptuous film.  Beautiful to look at (it's almost a travelogue) with a wonderful "pop" score.   It concerns the scion of a wealthy family bringing his Chinese-American girlfriend home for a wedding and to meet his family.  And what a wedding it is, unlike any you've ever seen, it's simply magnificent.  But mamma is not happy and that is the basis of the plot for this outing.  A splendid cast and a wonderful script make this one to remember.   I recommend it, whole-heartedly.  You won't be disappointed.

ALPHA

ALPHA:  This movie has no big name stars but it is a big movie, none-the-less.  In some part of Europe 20,000 year ago there was a boy named Keda on his first hunt with his Cro-Magnun tribe.  When a group of bison, they were stalking, turns on them, the boy is thrown over a cliff and his tribe must abandon him, leaving him for dead on an unreachable ledge below.    He survives and eventually is attacked by a pack of wolves.   Injuring one of them, he takes pity on the creature and nurses it back to health. Thus begins this tale of survival in a cruel wilderness as the boy tries to make his way home.  It is a tale of friendship and the ultimate discovery of "mans best friend."    The visuals in this movie are beyond description... breathtaking, inspiring and beautiful don't even come close.   The lead actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a revelation and someone to watch.  Subtitles are used throughout since they speak a language that was created for the film, but it is easy to follow and you soon don't even notice they are there.   This is a totally unique movie that everyone should see for it's humanity and beauty.   And the ending will leave you in awe and enraptured. It really is a must!

SmSSSSmit(KoSmit---

THE MEG

THE MEG:  When a "thought to be extinct" 75-foot-long prehistoric shark known as the Megalodon attacks a deep sea submersible leaving its crew trapped at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, you call in the best deep sea diver you can find and send him on a rescue mission.  In this case, it's Jonas Taylor played with much gusto and grit by Jason Statham.  Only problem is, he doesn't want to go.....seems he had a run-in with the same shark sometime earlier and no one believed him.  So he's now in "retirement."   Well, in true Hollywood tradition, they get it all ironed out and he's on the move.  Let me say the mechanical Spielberg shark pales in comparison to this CGI mega-shark.and some of the underwater scenes near the end of the film will take your breath away.  This is thrilling cinema with a dose of humor along the way and the hint of a love story to be.  Perfect Summer escapism! And worth your view.

THE EQUALIZER 2

THE EQUALIZER 2:  Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall, the vigilante with a mission in this sequel.  And while I did not see the original, it didn't make much difference.  This time after some introductory character "what's he all about" scenes, justice strikes closer to home when thugs kill his best friend and former colleague, Susan Plummer.  Out for revenge, he must face an "army" of thugs who are out to kill him.   With out the usually CGI, in these type of action/thrillers, this is a breath of fresh air, in that department.  And who can resist Mr. Washington as an action figure?   The acting is first rate across the boards and there are subplots along the way (Orson Bean doing a wonderful role) which ultimately pay off in the end.  And what an ending...in the middle of a hurricane in an evacuated town with only Denzel and the thugs who want to kill him.  Oh, yes and there is a living, breathing body in the trunk......Great fun!  Good film.

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN:  From the Disney Studios, the film opens in the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh and the gang saying good-by to Christopher who must grow up.   And indeed, he does, Ewan McGregor plays the grown-up title character who has married, had a child and is lost in his work.   One day, Pooh on his own turf, awakens to realize all his old friends are nowhere to be found so he sets out for London to enlist the aid of  Christopher.  And the adventure begins.   McGregor gives a tour de force performance as the adult Robin and the "live action" characters create by A. A Milne are a wonder to behold......all of them are here, Pooh, Tigger Piglet, Eeyore (brilliant voiced by Brad Garrett), Roo, Kanga, and owl.   What a treat to see them all.   I loved this movie.  It will take you back to your childhood.  Relish in it!  Smiles abounding!