Hi everyone! I think I have turned a corner since breaking my arm. I just haven’t felt comfortable typing reviews (even though we have seen movies every weekend as usual). My arms is getting to the point where I have a better range of motion, and typing is not as much of a chore as it was – so here comes my first review since The Batman on March 7! This is the third Fantastic Beasts movie out of what is supposed to be five. I was charmed by the first one, didn’t like the second one at all, and thought this one was better, but not great. When the movies stick with Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, who roams the world looking for fantastic creatures, the movie is enjoyable. Also, Dan Fogler as the muggle baker Jacob Kowalski is a scene stealer and lights up every scene he is in. But the rest of the movie is missing something and that is saying a lot when other characters are played by some great actors, namely Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore and Mads Mickkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald. The plot, involves Grindelwald, who is manipulating people and events to seize control of the wizarding world and ultimately begin a war to destroy all muggles. There is also a secret Dumbledore child, a cute animal called a quilin (looks like a tiny deer), a bunch of look alike suitcases, and a new method of traveling by the pages of a book. This whole Fantastic Beasts franchise doesn’t seem to contain the spark, or whatever you call it, that the original Harry Potter books had in abundance. Maybe it misses the comradeship and trust of the Hogwarts students and their teachers. Maybe it’s that the plot lines are more murky and even somewhat disconnected and harder to follow. It just lacks that something special that the Potter saga has. Even so, if you liked the first movie, I think you will like this one too.
Rogue One
This is definitely a movie for Star Wars fans although you do not have to know anything about the franchise to enjoy this movie. I, for one, loved it! This movie takes place right before the original 1977 Star Wars. Remember that movie started off with a message from Princess Leia to Obi Wan Kenobi delivered via R2D2. This movie explains the origin of that message, how the Death Star was built and how the rebels knew the Death Star had a weakness that ultimately helped them destroy it. There is a lot of fighting, I especially enjoyed Donnie Yen who played a Jedi Knight who is sort of in control of The Force. Diego Luna and Felicity Jones were fine, but I enjoyed some of the supporting characters even more. The comic relief was supplied by the new K2-SO (voiced by Firefly’s Alan Tudyk), a sarcastic but resourceful droid. It was nice to see Mads Mikkelsen play a relatively normal and heroic character. But the biggest surprise was the appearance of Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin. Why was this a surprise, you ask? Well, Peter Cushing died in 1994! The technology needed to create that special effect just boggles the mind. If you are a fan of the Star Wars movies, you will love the last scene – no spoilers from me though, my lips are sealed. If you are going, get there early to avoid running into a sold out show, and may The Force be with you!