By Trina Boice WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Based on the stories by P. L. Travers, this lovely family-friendly film is, as Mary Poppins would say, “practically perfect in every way.” It has the magic, wonder, fun, style, and spirit of the original movie while providing new talent and new musical numbers. It is not a remake, but a sequel. The 1964 Disney movie Mary Poppins became a classic and has warmed ...[Read More]
MARY POPPINS RETURNS Family Movie Review
NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS Family Movie Review
By Trina Boice WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Based on The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T. A. Hoffmann, this coming-of-age movie adaptation feels partially familiar, yet also new and wacky. It feels like a sugary cupcake that is beautifully decorated, but mostly fluff with no nutritional value. Very young girls may enjoy it. Most everyone else will be bored or disappointed. IS IT ANY GOOD? C+ Not ...[Read More]
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN Family Movie Review
By Michael Stanley WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Christopher Robin is the latest live-action reimagining of Disney Studio’s classic characters. Based on the beloved cartoon series inspired by A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories, this film follows a grown-up Christopher Robin (Ewan McGregor) struggling to find a balance between his demanding career and his role as husband and father to his wife (Hayley Atwell ...[Read More]
INCREDIBLES 2 Family Movie Review
By Michael Stanley WHAT’S THE INCREDIBLES 2 ABOUT? Picking up right where the The Incredibles (2004) left off, the super-powered Parr family struggle to fulfill their duty as superheroes in a world where superheroism remains illegal. Given a chance to work as an advocate for a superhero legalization movement, the mother Helen Parr decides to don the mask and tights of Elastigirl once more in order ...[Read More]
A WRINKLE IN TIME Family Movie Review
By Joel Hilton WHAT'S A WRINKLE IN TIME ABOUT? Based on the beloved novel by Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time tells the story of Meg (Storm Reid) and her brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe) as they search through time and space to find their missing father (Chris Pine). Rent or buy it here. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: D) Fans of the book will probably be disappointed. There are a lot of changes ...[Read More]
COCO Family Movie Review
By Lindsi Neilson WHAT’S COCO ABOUT? Miguel, a young boy who wants nothing more than to be a musician, finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead and has to team up with his ancestors to find a way back to the Land of the Living. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A) First thing about this movie: the animation will completely blow you away. Pixar goes above and beyond what they’ve already accomplis ...[Read More]
What to See at Tuacahn: Family Reviews of SHREK, NEWSIES, and MAMMA MIA!
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, entertainment critic) Tuacahn Amphitheatre boasts one of the most gorgeously-unique theatre locations in the world. Nestled against red rock canyons just outside of St. George, Utah and boasting a newly expanded restaurant and gift shop, just being there is half of the experience. Fortunately, the other half is first-rate off-Broadway productions that never di ...[Read More]
CARS 3 Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) Rent or buy Cars 3 here. WHAT’S CARS 3 ABOUT? After finding himself outpaced by younger racers, Lightning McQueen stages a comeback. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B) Rebounding from the abysmal Cars 2, this finale bring the story full circle to the things that made the underrated first film so meaningful: charm, heart, and inspiration. A few laugh-out- ...[Read More]
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) Rent or buy Pirates of the Caribbean: Dean Men Tell No Tales here. WHAT'S PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES ABOUT? Captain Jack Sparrow seeks the trident of Poseidon to keep a pirate-hunting ghost at bay. This is being marketed as the “final adventure.” IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: B-) There's bad news and there's good news. ...[Read More]
MOANA Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT’S MOANA ABOUT? A Polynesian girl sets out to save her dying island, enlisting the help of narcissistic demigod Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson). IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A+) Perhaps my favorite film of the year thus far, Moana is a refreshing, visually-stunning, musically-charged delight. The tropical animation is lush and vibrant, the characte ...[Read More]