Movie and Book Reviews – Page 21

Movie – ****+ La La land (2016)

rmann January 3, 2017 January 9, 2017Movie and Book Reviews 0

Modern musical set in Los Angeles. Lovely acting, sets, and songs. A perfectly entertaining film of two creative people whose careers were in conflict.

Movie – ***+ Allied (2016)

rmann December 28, 2016 January 9, 2017Movie and Book Reviews 0

Enjoyable Brad Pitt spy/romance flick. Well-constructed uncertainty about who was good and who wasn’t.

Movie – ***+ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

rmann December 25, 2016 January 9, 2017Movie and Book Reviews 0

Beautifully produced, well-acted, but, for me, focused too completely on fighting between the rebels and Stormtroopers. I would have liked to see light sabers invented, or the Force in hiding, or any plot element not solely revolving around the Death Star. Best was the new robot addition.

Book – Fablehaven – Keys to the Demon Prison (2010)

rmann December 21, 2016 December 4, 2016Movie and Book Reviews 0

Book – ***+ Brandon Mull’s 5th novel of the Knights of the Dawn takes them on D&D type adventures through deadly puzzles, complex plot twists, and battles to prevent the rival Society of the Evening Star from opening the demon prison Zzyxx.

Movie – ***+ Sing (2016)

rmann December 21, 2016 January 9, 2017Movie and Book Reviews 0

Animated musical on the theme of the Voice or American Idol, where an unsuccessful theater owner tries to recover by staging a singing contest. Nicely done and entertaining for both children and parents.

Movie – **** Manchester by the Sea (2016)

rmann December 18, 2016 January 9, 2017Movie and Book Reviews 0

Fascinating character study of a man damaged by a personal tragedy who’s faced with a new responsibility he feels incapable of. Excellent performance by Casey Affleck.

Movie – **** The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

rmann December 15, 2016 December 8, 2016Movie and Book Reviews 0

Excellent coming of age story where family, friends, and love seem bound to misunderstand each other. Hailee Steinfeld was great in the title role.

Movie – ***+ Fantastic Beasts (2016)

rmann December 11, 2016 December 8, 2016Movie and Book Reviews 0

Good story and characters, fantastic CGI, but hurt by clumsy editing and slow delivery of the plot and how the various characters are connected to it. If you drift successfully through the first third, you should enjoy the rest of the movie.

Book – The Finisher (2014)

rmann December 7, 2016 December 4, 2016Movie and Book Reviews 0

Book – **** David Baldacci YA novel of magical Wugmorts was a very quick read full of fun ideas and fantastical danger.

Movie – ****+ Dr. Strange (2016)

rmann December 4, 2016 December 8, 2016Movie and Book Reviews 0

Finally, a superhero movie that gets the right balance between story and outrageous special effects. I thoroughly enjoyed Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel McAdams in the title roles, as well as Tilda and the rest of the secondary characters.

Category: Movie and Book Reviews

Movie – ****+ La La land (2016)

Movie – ***+ Allied (2016)

Movie – ***+ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Book – Fablehaven – Keys to the Demon Prison (2010)

Movie – ***+ Sing (2016)

Movie – **** Manchester by the Sea (2016)

Movie – **** The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Movie – ***+ Fantastic Beasts (2016)

Book – The Finisher (2014)

Movie – ****+ Dr. Strange (2016)

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