What to Watch in the Theater:
Welcome to Marwen (PG13) opens today. This movie is based on the true story of Mark Hogancamp, who was brutally beaten almost to death, but learned to live again through the creation of his own little town, filled with dolls who act out scenes that he photographs, thus giving him the therapy he needs. The women in his life support him, and he creates characters in his parallel world that represent them. This is a sad tale of perseverance, with a lot of special effects that bring the dolls to life on the screen. Although visually stunning, we wonder if the CGI-filled trailer will draw people in, expecting a different type of movie. Steve Carell shines in this dramatic role.
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Aqua man (PG13) opens today. We knew this was going to be a big movie, and it was even bigger in IMAX. Not quite as dark as some recent DC movies, this one was a little campier, like a futuristic SciFi movie underwater, with dramatic camera shots and swelling music. This origin story, for the half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur, presents us with a likable, although at times reluctant, hero. Jason Mamoa fits the role perfectly. We’re not entirely sure about the other characters, including the de-aged trio of Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson and Nicole Kidman. In some ways this draws comparisons to Black Panther – like Wakanda, Atlantis is the thriving city we never even knew existed. It’s a fun watch and we can’t wait to see what Aquaman brings to the DC Universe in the future.
Our rating: 3.83 out of 5
What to Watch at Home (Or Not):
The Nun (R) is on DVD. This prequel to the Conjuring series is bookended with clips from some of the other movies, just to set the stage. However, with Vera Farmiga’s younger sister in the main role, there was a little confusion about just how the stories related to each other. The story centers on a nunnery in Romania, where a sister has taken her own life and been found by one of the local men. The Vatican sends a priest and novitiate to investigate, and they learn that the locals believe the convent is an evil place. They believe they have to vanquish the evil to save the remaining nuns. There were a lot of good jump scares here, but at least one of us felt this movie could’ve been scarier.
Our rating: 4 out of 5
Christmas Inheritance is streaming on Netflix. This story is about a spoiled young woman, the “party heiress,” who is forced to spend time with real people in a small town, as she transforms into a nicer, more giving person. Yes, it’s a familiar story, and one you’d normally expect to find on the Hallmark Channel. We’re not sure why Netflix wanted to venture into this territory, but they definitely nailed the formula. It’s not bad for a holiday redemption story – we were just really shocked to find it on Netflix.
Our rating: 3.33 out of 5
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