By Jonathan Decker (Clinical Director, LMFT) “Not the hero Star Wars deserved, but the one it needed” When the prequel trilogy hit theaters, many lifelong fans felt blindsided by the portrayal of Anakin, the Jedi who became Darth Vader. Long imagining him to be a dashing and heroic figure, instead fans got a whiny child, a petulant teen, and an entitled lover. Many found him unlikable, ...[Read More]
Assessing Anakin: A Therapist Explores Vader’s Humanity
FINDING DORY Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) WHAT'S FINDING DORY ABOUT? Forgetful fish Dory travels with friends Marlin and Nemo to California in search of her long-lost parents. IS IT ANY GOOD? (GRADE: A-) Though lacking the novel originality of Finding Nemo, this is a worthy sequel that advances the story and grows the characters in satisfying ways. Thankfully, transitioning a supporting c ...[Read More]
Films for Fathers’ Day
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) Happy Father's Day! Looking for a movie to celebrate with? Scroll on down for my suggestions. So make some wings and pizza, settle down on the couch with dad, and enjoy these touching tales of father-children relationships this week. Here are my favorite films for Father's Day. BACK TO THE FUTURE (buy or rent here) A teenager travels back in time ...[Read More]
MADAGASCAR 2: ESCAPE TO AFRICA Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) IS MADAGASCAR 2: ESCAPE TO AFRICA ANY GOOD? Rent or buy it here. Superior sequel finds our heroes fleeing Madagascar and reuniting with Alex’s (Ben Stiller) family in Africa, where another lion threatens his family’s claim to lead the pride. Meanwhile, Melman (David Schwimmer) struggles to confess his feelings to Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith) and M ...[Read More]
MAMMA MIA! Family Movie Review
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) Rent or buy Mamma Mia here. Did you know Meryl Streep can do a toe-touch? Seriously! And that Pierce Brosnan has a raspy yet macho singing voice? Kind of like a deeper Bryan Adams. Basically, if you like ABBA, if you like fun fluffy musicals, if you dig that type of energy, this is a blast. If not, move along. Colin Firth adds charm, Amanda Seyfr ...[Read More]
Which INDY Film is Best?
By Jonathan Decker (Family therapist, film critic) Buy the Indiana Jones films on Bluray and DVD here. Note: This was written in 2008 in anticipation of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. May 22 is only ten days away, marking the glorious return of, arguably, the silver screen's greatest action hero. I've already got my ticket to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and this past week ...[Read More]