Ruby Barnhill (Sophie) and Mark Rylance (BFG) were both very good with their animated cast. The Roald Dahl story provided a lot of fun images. The conflicts (child consumption, bad dreams, etc.) were largely off-screen or historical making the film a very pleasant but also bland adventure.
Randy’s daughter, Sally, is as much of a sleuth as he is. How can he protect her as a parent when she takes the same risks he does? He is himself the counter example to every admonishment he delivers. How can you be the right example for children who aren’t…
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, was played by John Cusack and Paul Dano, both well cast. Elizabeth Banks was also good, but the story overindulged the portrayal of his mental state and glossed over how the controlling psychiatrist came to dominate him.
Every profession relies on experts, especially criminal investigation. Think of Randy’s use of experts during the story. How did he validate that what he was hearing was the truth? How can you test what you are hearing on the internet and in the news? Is it good to have a…
Randy is confronted more than once in Fire Trap with bullying. When should you give in to bullying and when should you resist? Randy also experienced bullying in school. What can schools do to control bullying? How would you respond if bullied?
Book – **** A Darker Shade of Magic (2015) – V. E. Schwab’s fantasy world of overlapping Londons, traversed by magicians, has a few conceptual holes, but a lot of fun adventure making it a quick read.
Book – **** The Library at Mount Char (2015) – Scott Hawkins’ debut fantasy has everything to recommend it for those who like a darker vision. It brings to mind American Gods for originality and the dark fun it has with its premise—a God could be living just down the…
One of my favorite comic fantasies. Bill Murray was in top form as the self-absorbed weatherman and Andie MacDowell perfect as his unobtainable producer. Harold Ramis and Danny Rubin get six stars for their screenplay and Ramis six for direction as well.
Tour de Force fantasy if you can swallow the multiple bizarre premises. Within the world of its own creation, it’s amazing, but without a strong willing-suspension-of-disbelief it would be lucky to get three stars from most folks.
Randy uses Western Insurance money to fly to Los Angeles during his investigation. Was the time and money for the flight to interrogate Simon’s mother necessary in an age of Skype and every other type of electronic communication? Discuss how face-time matches up to phone-time. What are the advantages of…