Movie #769 ........................."Despicable Me 2"

Movie #769 "Despicable Me 2" Loved this one, too! What's endearing about this franchise is the three little girls --- and although there is a tad less about them (since they were introduced in the original), they are still the driving force behind Gru. There's much less exposition here, since we know all the characters from before, but there's a great addition of Kristin Wiig in a more prominent role in this one (she was in the first one as the leader of the home for the girls) but she is an overeager spy here and she's a hoot (as usual). I like that Gru is now working WITH our government rather than on his own, and the new characters are a stitch, too. What I find most intriguing about "Despicable Me 2" is the minions again, and this time they play an even more prominent role ----- they are so playful in whatever setting you put them in, so fun-loving that they can wear down the hardest of hearts! Oh, one less thing in this one that I welcomed: less fighting scenes, which I find no interest in, esp. in animation. So I highly recommend this one --- is it better than Monsters University? I think it is a tie ----- there's a slow part at the beginning of both, but then full speed ahead. Which would kids like more? can't say, since I left our kids at home for both of them! Despicable Me 2 2013 PG Gave it 5 out of 5 stars Arch-villain Gru and his three orphan girls return for more shady exploits in this wacky animated feature voiced by some of Hollywood's biggest stars. The story features new and eccentric characters and a plot to abduct Gru's team of minions. Cast:Steve Carell, Al Pacino, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan, Moises Arias, Benjamin Bratt Genre:Family Animation, Family Comedies, Children & Family

Movie #768 ........................."Monsters University"

Movie #768 "Monsters University" --- loved it! I loved the original, as well, so this shouldn't be a surprise to me, but sequels are something tough to review because the original is so beloved. For me, it was all in the characters ----there are lots of cute new ones, well drawn and delineated and very funny, esp. Mike and Sully's teammates. The plot is very different from the original, since it is a prequel. And it's funny in itself, dealing with campus life in a monster's life ----- in that way, it is more adult than the first one and, therefore, some of the jokes may go over the kids' heads, so it's tough to know if kids would like this any more or less than the first. I do know, I missed Boo's character a lot, but that being said, they upped the importance of music in this one,and that's a positive. The emphasis here is on the scaring tactics they learn, and since they got rid of that pretty much in the original one, not sure if there's room for a third of this franchise. And if they have one, what it would be about. this centers on Mike and how he's bullied, and since that's a subject in the forefront of our daily lives, it sends a good message about the topic. I highly recommend it, and want to own it someday so I can show it to more people who haven't seen it! Monsters University 2013 G I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. This prequel to Pixar's popular animated tale Monsters Inc. once again features eccentric monster pals Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan. Set during their college days, the film tells the strange and amusing tale of how the pair became friends. Cast:John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Joel Murray Genre:Family Animation, Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Family Comedies, Children & Family

Movie #767 ........................."Guilt Trip"

Movie #767 "Guilt Trip" was funnier than I thought it was going to be. I suppose if you don't like Seth Rogen or Barbara Streisand, you wouldn't like it at all, because the film is mostly the two of them bantering back and forth. They seemed really natural and much of what they said, I can believe. And when it gets exaggerated, they point that out. Surprisingly, Babs' acting helps them through some possible clunky moments, but then she reminds you that she was "funny girl" or "Yentl" and she can really act when she has to. There's a turning moment in it, too, that I really, really liked and that's an added bonus. Therefore, I can say I recommend this even though the critics seemed rather harsh in their critiques of this comedy. The Guilt Trip 2012 PG-13 96 minutes I'd give this 3.9 stars out of 5. After Andy Brewster invents a fabulous new organic cleaner, he goes on a cross-country road trip to promote it. His mother, Joyce, comes along for the ride but soon discovers that her son has an ulterior motive: fixing her up with a long-lost flame. Cast:Barbra Streisand, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Colin Hanks, Kathy Najimy, Nora Dunn, Ari Graynor, Casey Wilson Genre:Comedy

Movie #766 ........................."Parental Guidance"

Movie #766 "Parental Guidance" was a bit uneven in the script, acting, and tone. There were some very good moments, esp with the oldest child segments, but then with the littlest child, there was a skateboarding scene that was too ridiculous for me (and just stuck in there to get an endorsement from Tony Hawk fans, maybe?). The acting was good with the kids and Billy Crystal, but Bette Midler kept looking at winking at the camera ---- I didn't believe for one moment that she was married to Crystal. As far as tone, it would go for big laughs (pulling on mom's sweater, or the cake scene)in a ridiculously exaggerated way, and then try to be poignant in others. I really did like the baseball moments, and there were several scenes with that, and the kid's invisible friend was universal, too --- in fact, there were lots of universal scenes that parents and kids could laugh at, but there's a lot that is too far fetched --- but if you know that going into it, the film might be a fun diversion for a rainy Saturday afternoon. It's fluff, to be sure. But Billy Crystal tries to keep it real for most of his stuff. Parental Guidance 2012 PG 104 minutes I give it 3 out of 5 stars. When their daughter must leave for a week, Artie and Diane Decker find themselves in charge of their three grandchildren, whose well-regimented and high-tech lives leave Grandma and Grandpa baffled and ready to bring on the old-school parenting. Cast:Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush, Kyle Harrison Breitkopf, Jennifer Crystal Foley, Gedde Watanabe, Rhoda Griffis, Madison Lintz, Brad James Genre:Family Comedies, Children & Family

Movie #765 ........................."Side Effects"

Movie #765 "Side Effects" was a very different film, very low key, but intense, very slow moving, but intriguing. It's full of people you want to watch like Roony Mara (the American Girl with the dragon tattoo) and Jude Law and a really good script with lots of turns along the way. You must be prepared for something different in a film with this, though. It doesn't follow a usual plot line, but when it gets to the end, all the strings seem to be tied up rather neatly. The title refers to the side effects of drugs that are usually prescribed for certain depression drugs, so it tips off what the film might be about, but it's about so much more. I'd recommend this film to those who want to see something rather different but intense. (be aware that it's slow, though) Side Effects 2013 R 105 minutes --- I would give it 3.8 stars out of 5. Emily copes with her depression by taking antidepressant medication. But when her dire state apparently spirals out of control due to her husband's prison release, she turns to a new medication that alters her life forever. Cast:Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vinessa Shaw, Andrea Bogart, David Costabile, Polly Draper Genre:Psychological Thrillers, Mystery, Suspense, Thrillers

Movie # 764 ........................."Free the Mind"

Movie #764 "Free the Mind" is a documentary that concerns a way to deal with mental illness that isn't drugs ---------so I'm very much in support of the suggestions here --- they mostly deal with mindfulness, a dali lama idea that he has been traveling to Madison about the past couple of years ------ohs theatre alum Deb Hoffman has been asked to join this study and she has been on Q & A panels that follow some showings of this film. We got to see it at Sundance (it isn't showing everywhere) and get the next best thing than attending one of the panel discussions --- we got to have dinner and discuss the film afterwards with Deb. That added to the quality of the film experience for us. As far as the film, it is well done in showing how successful yoga, meditation, proper breathing techniques, etc. have been with several patients. It introduces the idea of mindfulness, has some nice graphics, it makes you feel strongly for the 3 subjects it follows. I just wanted it to give even more information, and maybe cover a female -----but maybe that will be in the next film I assume they will make on the subject. I see this topic as taking off very soon, and that this is just the beginning --- a nice introduction of it to the public. At least I hope this is the case. Thanks, Deb, for suggesting to see this. Well done! Free the Mind 2012 NR I give it 3.8 stars out of 5. This documentary follows the efforts of neuroscientist Richard Davidson as he prescribes yoga and meditation in an attempt to ease the suffering of two war veterans with PTSD and a child with anxiety and ADHD. Cast:Richard Davidson, Travis Leanna Genre:Science and Nature Documentaries, Social & Cultural Documentaries, Meditation & Relaxation, Documentary

Movie #763 ........................."Now You See Me"

Movie #763 "Now You See Me" is going to be one of the best movies I've seen this year, regardless how the jaded critics compare watching magic on film to experiencing ventriloquists on the radio. I have always enjoyed magic, and heist films, so this would be a perfect fit for me --- very enjoyable. I don't want to spend a lot of time on the plot because anything I say about what happens in the plot would probably give it away. Sufficeth it to say that the film sets up a reason why 4 magicians, each skilled in a different area of magic, form the 4 Horsemen, to make the biggest score that anyone has ever tried. Morgan Freeman is a debunker, so he's there to help us understand what we've missed. And the script has twists and turns throughout ---- I tried to keep guessing, and with this kind of film there are lots of red herrings along the way to prevent you from guessing correctly, and I fell for many of them. Of course, the ending has to be worth the journey, and that's where the critics and I disagree. It was fine for me ---- it's a summer movie, and I know it has lots of excellent actors here, but it still doesn't have to have this grand theme it shoots for ---- it was entertaining,with a fine script, full of humor and now- you- see- it -now -you -don't- stuff, so I recommend it. The first two people I recommended it to, they loved it, so I don't think I'm wrong here. But I do think some critics are too tough on it, and they are jaded. The computer graphics bother them,& they write cutesy critiques twisting magic terms to slam the film, but I think they are wrong on this one. It's a fun summer movie you want to put on your list to see! 4.8 stars out of 5 Brainy magicians Atlas and Henley lead a troupe of illusionists who specialize in robbing from the rich, in the form of banks, and giving to the poor, their audiences, all while trying to outwit a team of FBI agents determined to bring them down. Cast:Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, Dave Franco, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Jesse Eisenberg, Mélanie Laurent, Common, Elias Koteas, David Warshofsky, J. LaRose, Caitriona Balfe Genre:Crime Thrillers, Heist Films, Thrillers