PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES 3D

PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES 3D: The fifth and perhaps final installment in this franchise, (although there is a hint of another, if you stay through the credits) finds our "hero" in hot water once again (although the water is decidedly cold and salty).   Johnny Depp continues to amaze and amuse in this outing as Captain Jack Sparrow, this time pitted against the ghost of an old nemesis, the evil Captain Salazar played with relish and gusto by the wonderful Javier Bardem.  And of course, Geoffrey Rush is along for the ride, still being cantankerous.  That being said, the film has none of the brio of some previous installments although it tries not to sink.  Along the way there are a couple of brilliant bits...(a rotating guillotine is fun) and there is a subplot about the son of the Orland Bloom character from the first film, trying to remove the curse on his father that has doomed him to the "flying Dutchman."  If all of this seems rather convoluted, it is and it is rather long as well. Fans will love it but at times, it seemed that Mr. Depp was relying too much on earlier sthitck.  I will give you one spoiler alert......Paul McCartney makes a brief appearance as Uncle Jack.  (I tell you this because I think it's more fun to know it is him than to see his name go by in the crawl at the end.)   I chose the 3D format to enhance the ride...and I must say good old CGI didn't let me down.... I fact, some  of the film would be banal were it not for that extra dimension.  So see it, if you wish....but the first one is still the best!  Rent it instead.

SNATCHED

SNATCHED:  Touted as a film for the Mother's Day weekend, this bit of froth stars Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn as mother and daughter.  When she is dumped by her boyfriend on the eve of their planned vacation, Emily (Schumer) persuades her mother Linda (Hawn) to accompany her on a South American jaunt.  The two, being polar opposites, soon find themselves at odds and knee-deep in adventure.  Yes, kidnapping is involved (thus, the title.) In lesser roles, but memorable, we have the wonderful Wanda Sykes, along with Joan Cusack (with not a word spoken) and Christopher Meloni both filling their own funny shoes.  While the dialog is crude at times and may offend some, you will still laugh. There is also a bit of comic bloodshed.  I did think it tried a little too hard to pull at your heart strings toward the end.....but hey, it's meant for Mother's day.  So there had to be a happy ending.

THE DINNER

THE DINNER:  Billed as a psychological drama, it is certainly that and then some.  Richard Gere plays Stan Lohman, a popular congressman running for governor.  He and his wife Katelyn (Rebecca Hall) invite his estranged younger brother, Paul (Steve Coogan) and his wife Claire (Laura Linney) to join them for dinner at a fashionable restaurant and so the stage is set for a tense evening.  While the two brothers are virtually strangers to each other, their 16 year old sons are friends and throughout the evening (in a series of flashbacks) we learn that the teens have committed a horrible crime, a crime only known to some of the parents.  While this film is a bit hard to follow at times (as well as hard to take), it is worth the visit only for the master class in acting given by this cast.  This may not suit every taste in cinema, but I found it fascination although I will say, I though the ending was rather abrupt and equally unsatisfying.  Still, all in all, I'm glad I saw it (the food served at this dinner is beautiful to behold) and the film offers a king-size portion of food for thought .

THE CIRCLE

THE CIRCLE:  This modern day "thriller" stars Emma Watson as a young woman who seems headed for success when she lands a job at a high tech company called 'The Circle.'  With encouragement from her boss (Tom Hanks) she rises in the ranks but soon (well, not too soon) discovers  a nefarious agenda afoot.  In retrospect, this film has "Big Brother is Watching you" written all over it...And that's okay, BUT, it is tedious at times i.e. downright boring. Ms Watson continues to grow as a young leading lady with a bright future and Hanks plays with (and against) type in a small but pivotal role. If I had to sum this film up in one word.... Upsetting.  It makes you think about the future of cyberspace and how it can be used...Or is it already being used?  I'll have to ponder this one for a while.  It was a real love/hate experience.

BORN IN CHINA

BORN IN CHINA:  First of all, I am a sucker for a good nature documentary and when it's done by Disney, I'm in heaven.  This latest offering (they always come out on Earth Day) doesn't disappoint in the least. This is a visually stunning look at three animal family in the China that you and I may never see. From the frigid mountains of the snow leopard to the bamboo forest of the panda and the golden monkey, this is mesmerizing. It is funny.  It is sad.  It is thrilling. And we follow them through all of the seasons and see what hardships and joys these animals experience.  Along the way we meet all sorts of other creatures...elk, cranes, villainous wolves and birds and even a butterfly or two. While it is not the best of this Disney series (Next year..."Dolphins") it will hold your interest for the beauty of the landscape, not to mention a baby panda who  keeps falling down.... And  Kudos to John Krasinski for his wonderful narrative skills.  He helps to make the film what it is.....A joy!

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE:  Jessica Chastain is the title character in this story of a woman who, with the help of her husband (Johan Heldenbergh) rescued hundreds of Jews from the Warsaw ghetto.  In a supporting role, Daniel Bruhl plays a Nazi zoologist with ulterior motives and he is excellent.  And while I have mixed feelings, since there have been numerous similar tales (most notably Spielberg's "Schindler's List), this film does has some flaws.   First off, we seem to care more about the animals than the Jews in the first part of the movie so we get a gloss that feels almost like Disney meets the holocaust.  On the plus side, it is filmed beautifully, but it never quite achieves the horror of what ungodly acts were committed at the time. (There are a few jolts along the way but they pale in comparison.)  Perhaps the film makers knew that we knew the back story and didn't want to dwell on it.  Summing it up, at the end,  it is still very uplifting and a testament to the human spirit but based upon real life, I'd hoped for better.

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!