Luana Lewis

Brilliantly acted by Fiennes and Binoche. The film sticks closely to the key elements of the famous epic tale. But it also adds a poignant twist: the battle-scarred king returns alone, haunted by the brutality of war, exhausted in spirit, and uncertain of his welcome. The natural lighting, simple clothes and agricultural setting establish the scene very persuasively. Some have complained that the plot of this film moves too slowly. I didn't think so: throughout the film there is a sense of growing danger. If you are familiar with the story - you know that the ending to this homecoming is well worth waiting for.

Ignore the trolls who tried hard to sink this movie and see it, it's fun. Loved the all-female super and villain lineup. Loved the humorous touches. Loved the kitty action. Sure, there were a few plot gaps - all the super hero movies have them, so who cares. Mom and Dad, it's perfectly fine for kids but adults can enjoy too.

First, my rating is 3 stars, not 5. Go figure why Google keeps changing it to something I did not post. Bottom line: for those willing to look past all the clunky stuff, this movie can be entertaining. Even so - if there was a lazy, easy choice to make in this movie, JJ made it. "Rise of "Skywalker" seems to represent a compilation of fan theories, Easter eggs, critters, and space toys. The plot line feels rushed and compressed. Ridley and Driver as Rey and Ren strive mightily to inject some semblance of complex human feeling, against the odds. Tran's Rose Tico, another character who displayed persuasive emotion, has regrettably been shoved to the margins of this tale. The other characters are not allowed to do much more than spout exposition and dash madly across a variety of battle scenes. Worse, a notable death doesn't seem to inspire an appropriate response. Hollywood: please note that space operas, like any other stories, work best when driven by plausible character development and organic human relationships (hint: use The Force - reach out with authentic feelings). Despite these major disappointments, this remains a mildly enjoyable movie, fast-paced, and full of striking and carefully composed images. But it could have been so much more than an inch deep, after all these years. I do award one gold star for having Rey continue to be the central hero. Plus, there is a plot twist involving Rey near the end, which could be put to interesting use in a future SW film by a better screenwriter.

This gorgeous eyeful of a movie is a splendid rendition of A.S. Byatt's wonderful tale. Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton handle their roles with delicacy and conviction in lovely performances that ought to bring nominations. The Djinn, himself an embodiment of the power of myth, at last meets his match. She is a professor and a student of storytelling, who better than anyone else knows the danger a Djinn represents. This is not just a romance, although love is the ultimate door to true liberation in this movie. Do yourself a favor and see it soon. Like all good things, this Djinn could too easily vanish in a trail of smoke.

Saw Captain Marvel on her first day out, and I thought the movie was fun. Anybody saying that the heroine is too humorless is missing the point of this origin tale. At the start of the film, "Vers" - as Marvel/Carol Danvers is then known - is literally alienated from her home and herself. Her character's lively humor and her humanity return in force when she reconnects with her former life on Earth. In fact, it's Carol's human and female nature that ultimately saves her and her friends. Throughout the entire movie, people are constantly telling Carol/"Vers" that she isn't good enough or strong enough to make the grade. She's too emotional, or too something (sound familiar?). Eventually she realizes that just isn't true. This is the moment when she comes fully into her powers. That's why this is a classic superhero origin story, relevant for anybody. It"s also why this is a good movie choice for a date, your kids, or just a quick bit of entertainment on your own. We all need to be reminded about what happens when we are finally set free of the fears other people want us to have. Sure, there are a few clunky bits of plotting in the movie. That really didn't bother me. Most superhero stories have a bit of clunk going on. It is part of the geeky fun. PS: hurray for Samuel L. Jackson and the orange kitty!

Great fun and twisty action. Cinephiles, count the winking allusions to many famous films and movie tropes. Must see.

Extraordinary cinematography and intelligent editing distinguish this moving documentary about a street dog in Istanbul, and the struggling humans she encounters. Just loved it. Dog lovers, pounce on this one.

Brilliantly realized look at nomadic workers, featuring a five-star performance by Frances McDormand, as well as moving contributions by non-actors. Gripped me from the first few minutes. Well worth the viewing.

Messianic mumbo jumbo. Lots of portentous music, meaningful glances, and gorgeous shots of desert. Hardly any dialogue. Almost no character development. Yes, the imagery is often stunning. But I have to say the thing that impressed me most was the giant sand worm. Why do we keep buying white boy savior stories? The supposed point of Herbert's "Dune" - that "great men" can easily become grotesquely oppressive dictators - is buried in the sands of this film. I was hoping for what sci fi can deliver when it's really well done: gripping characters confronting difficult moral choices, and a fresh take on social order.

Verdict: recommended. Director Greta Gerwig engages in a conversation with the past through the golden gateway of Alcott's tale, Little Women. Looking through that Transcendentalist portal, we can see that these women of the 1860's were as passionate, flawed, determined, playful, and gifted as any we might wish to know now. In the world of this film, death is often near; loving connections are deep and powerful; kindness is a fundamental basis for true community. While the society of that time gives women few ways to carve out their own identities and paths, all of the sisters do just that, through choices and destinies that they fully own. This story's marriage of personal and social integrity was, for a time, a great part of the collective American soul: I found myself wondering how we might bring it home again. More than once I was moved to tears. That kind of movie experience is a rarity.