By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times
“Here”
Robert Zemekis has written and directed some great movies, including an Oscar for Best Director for “Forrest Gump,” but his latest is a surefire miss. The concept is unique but absolutely ruins the movie. Imagine putting a camera in a position in your home or your yard and then checking back on that camera from the days of the dinosaurs to present day. Remember that the camera cannot move on its own, so you just get slices of a story. I’m sorry but I need more than a slice of 25 or so stories. “Here” ends up being more annoying than interesting, completely wasting Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. I was glad when it was over. Grade: D+
“Before”
This slick new series on Apple TV features Billy Crystal as a man haunted by nightmares and the photo of a farmhouse from his past. Add in a young boy with many of his own issues, who has ended up on his stoop, and you’ve got a compelling story. Grade: B+
“Anora”
The son of a Russian Oligarch visits a strip club and falls in love. All good so far, but when Mom and Dad arrive from Russia, things go south quickly. This movie is well made and acted, and I expect this will earn an Oscar nomination or two. Very sexual and very violent. You’ve been warned. Grade: B
“Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
I have never seen the play or any other of the movie adaptations of this classic story, so I was caught by surprise at the sweetness and charm of this movie. A small town puts on a Christmas pageant every year with great fanfare, but, this year, the town bullies want to be part of the play. The story has many twists and turns but has solid heart and a wonderful message. I’d bring a Kleenex if I were you. Grade: A
“Red One”
Jake Kasdan has made a few good movies. This isn’t one of them. It is a complete mess of special effects and less-than-special story-telling. Actually, it is one of the worst movies of the year masquerading as a new holiday classic. If you love special effects and don’t care about storytelling or strong acting, this might be right up your alley. My advice? Don’t go there. Grade: D
“A Real Pain”
Jesse Eisenberg writes, directs and stars in this story of two cousins who are traveling to Poland to see where their grandmother grew up. Macaulay Culkins’ brother, Kieran, plays the other cousin and is almost annoying enough to make you want to leave early. I’m not sure what they were shooting for here, but they sure missed whatever the target was. Grade: B-
“Heretic”
One of the year’s biggest surprises is a horror movie starring, of all people, Hugh Grant. He plays an old man who lives alone (or does he?) and one night has two young Mormon women stop to talk to him about their faith mission. This is one of the creepiest movies of this year, or any year, and Grant is outstanding in a very, very disturbing way. Grade: B+
“Moana 2”
I have a vague recollection of the first movie, which has become a classic thanks to forever access on the Disney Channel. “Moana 2” contains no aggressive changes, but that’s exactly what this audience wanted. The songs are OK, and Dwayne Johnson does a great impersonation of… Dwayne Johnson. (Still not enough to redeem “Red One.”) The kids will love it, and that is all that matters. Grade: B
“Wicked”
Years ago, Sue and I took the boys to New York City, and our family went to see a much-heralded sequel to the great and powerful movie, “The Wizard of Oz,” on Broadway. Everyone loved it but you know who. I found it less than compelling. Most of the songs were not special, and the story left me wanting more. OK, flash forward to last weekend when gazillions of people packed movie theaters from coast to coast. The movie is outstanding on so many levels, I will have a hard time not finding a space for it on this year’s Top 10 list. It is a crowd pleaser and will be packing theaters for a great portion of the holiday season. Grade: A-
“Gladiator 2”
This is a sequel to the beloved Ridley Scott movie starring Russell Crowe. Attempting to make a sequel is a brave move, but actually pulling it off is amazing. Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington help to make this sequel work way better than it should have. It is a worthy sequel for sure, and kudos to Ridley Scott for not only trying it but actually succeeding. Grade: B+
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday, and I will be back next month with the remaining Christmas releases and maybe a peek at my 2024 Top 10 list. Until then, pass the popcorn.
Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.