What to Watch in the Theater:
Cats (PG) opens today. Sometimes plays should stay on the stage, and not try to become movies. This big-budget, star-studded spectacle gives the audience too many things to pick at, from props and perspective to SO many form-fitting cat suits on celebrities. This distracts from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music, which gave the theater version its longevity. The storyline was always a little awkward, which makes it even more difficult to bring to the local megaplex. A few redeeming graces – tons of meme material here, a startling production number with Rebel Wilson and cockroaches, and of course the song “Memory” still has the power to bring tears (this time thanks to Jennifer Hudson).
Our rating: 3 out of 5
Little Women (PG) opens on Christmas Day. The performances in this retelling keep the classic story fresh, even though it’s been done and re-done, even a few times recently. Fans of the book should be pleased with the casting and portrayals of their favorite characters, and those new to the story will be drawn in to a timeless story of family, perseverance and the power of being true to one’s self. Greta Gerwig has done a great job writing and directing a story that could be considered the origin of “girl power.”
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
What to Watch at Home (Or Not):
Santa Girl (TVPG) is streaming exclusively on Netflix. One of our favorite Disney Channel actors, Jennifer Stone (Harper on Wizards of Waverly Place), takes the title role in this holiday movie. As Santa’s daughter, Cassie, she longs to sample a normal life, and is allowed to go away to college for a semester before returning to the family business. She loves the experience, but things get complicated by a love triangle and all is not what it seems. It’s a fun movie for the holidays.
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Home Alone (PG) is streaming exclusively on Disney+. We found that viewing this movie with present-day knowledge and judgement, made some of the story feel a bit off. Once we surrendered to the time period it was made and suspended our disbelief of the parental neglect that made the story possible, we were able to enjoy Kevin’s survival skills and ingenuity in dealing with criminals. But we still can’t get over the iconic scene (featured TWICE in the movie) that actually means nothing to the plot. We hate when that happens, but enjoyed the re-watch.
Our rating: 4.17 out of 5
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