What to Watch in the Theater:
Bohemian Rhapsody (PG13) is in theaters now. True Queen fans will find this film takes a lot of poetic license with the details (especially dates), but that doesn’t take away from the overall celebration of the artistry of this band and its lead singer, Freddie Mercury. The music is a character in itself, gleefully carrying this film back to the 70s and into the 80s, as the story is bookended by Queen’s triumphant Live Aid performance of 1985. It’s not your typical rock ‘n’ roll biopic, with a PG13 rating, but then there was nothing typical about this band. Freddie kept his private life just that, and this movie stays true to that aspect, reveling in the creativity of this legendary group, without revealing too much.
Our rating: 5 out of 5
The Grinch (PG) opens today. This movie returns the beloved Dr. Seuss story to animation, with a glimpse behind the self-imposed isolation of the Grinch. There’s more of his daily life shown, including a shopping trip into Whoville and his interactions with the citizens, who surprisingly don’t regard him with any fear or disdain. We see more of his relationship with dog, Max, and the devotion they have to each other. This is a much more relatable Grinch than we got in the very dark Jim Carrey live action version – we’re actually rooting for him – and Benedict Cumberbatch is the perfect voice talent for the job. For us, Dr. Seuss’ work just translates better to animation than live action. This is a new family classic we’d be happy to add to our shelf, right next to the original 1966 version.
Our rating: 4.33 out of 5
What to Watch at Home (Or Not):
Forever My Girl (PG) is available on DVD. This romance is about an aspiring country singer who leaves his love at the alter, and makes it big on the road. Eight years later, he returns for a friend’s funeral, only to discover he has a daughter. Everything about this movie is predictable, but it’s a pleasant watch, if you like that kind of thing.
Our rating: 2.83 out of 5
Outlaw King (R) is a Netflix original about Scottish king Robert the Bruce. This story takes place shortly after the events of Braveheart, at the turn of the 14th century. As Scotland bows to England, Robert is momentarily in favor with the king, and settles into life with his young daughter and new bride. He organizes a new rebellion, which separates him from his family. The torture and battle scenes are long and graphic – these are incredibly brutal times! There’s some good acting here, but if you’re not into medieval history and/or war movies, this may not be your cup of tea. Warning: Chris Pine’s naughty bits are on display, and there’s some female nudity as well.
Our rating: 3.5 out of 5
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