 Universal Pictures/DreamWorks Animation, 2020. "The Croods: A New Age," I guess, is harmless fun...that is, unless you decide to go see this in theaters with your family during a global pandemic. It's the follow-up to the 2013 film that no one really asked for, but one that had been kicked around in Hollywood for nearly 7 years before landing at our feet just in time for Thanksgiving (rumor has it, "The Croods: A New Age" will debut on streaming platforms in mid-December but as of now this has not been confirmed).
Disney+ Review: 'LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special' a nod to the classic, disastrous 1978 special11/16/2020  Who could forget the classic "Star Wars Holiday Special" that aired on CBS during the Christmas holiday of 1978? The answer is, even if you were lucky enough to have seen it when it originally aired, you would have tried forgetting about it almost immediately. The special is famously BAD, despite starring the cast from the films, including Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. It was so terrible that it never aired again, and has never, ever seen an official release, making it all the more of a cult-favorite item when VHS recordings of it would pop up at conventions years later.
Knowing full-well how legendary that special has become, to commemorate the 42nd anniversary of its airing, Disney+ is releasing an all-new "LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special." This new version features the recent Star Wars heroes like Rey, Finn and Poe in their own "Life Day" adventure. as it honors the entire saga new and old, poking fun at the famous special in which it is based all the while.  Apple TV+, 2020. You don't quite realize how "soft" and watered-down animated films in America have become over the years, until you see a film from overseas. Cartoon Saloon and Mélusine Productions (an Ireland-Luxembourg-France co-production) brings us the original Apple TV+ film, "Wolfwalkers," a film that is definitely family-friendly but that doesn't shy away from more mature themes.
Plus, it's an absolute stunning visual achievement.  Disney/Pixar, 2020. The name alone - PIXAR - exudes a certain level of high-quality, creativity and innovation that few other brands have ever achieved. But with high expectations come greater risk of letdown, and while "Onward" sure looks pretty, it feels more like a side-step than a leap forward for the high-powered animation studio.
 Walt Disney Animation, 2019. Not that my opinion will matter in the larger picture, but "Frozen II" feels like re-heated Disney leftovers.
 Walt Disney Pictures, 2019. Despite being crushed by critics, the newest version of Disney's "The Lion King" is anything but soulless. Let me explain.
 Disney/Pixar, 2019. The gang is back for another adventure, but is "Toy Story 4" worthy of its predecessors, or should Pixar put a fork in it?
 Universal Pictures, 2019. What's there to say about a movie like this? Kids will like it, adults probably won't. Even so, the money it's set to make for Universal will rain in like...well...cats and dogs.
 Warner Bros. Pictures, 2019. The first "good" movie based on a video game? I'm not quite sure I can grant "Detective Pikachu" that honor, but it makes a solid case, relying heavily on fan-service...as any Pokémon movie should.
 Read Tom's quick reviews of these movies at the following link: https://www.axs.com/movie-reviews-despicable-me-3-baby-driver-and-the-house-lead-this-week-120396 |
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tom santilli movie reviews
Tom Santilli is a professional film critic, TV personality, host and
the Executive Producer of Movie Show Plus.
He also is the film critic for WXYZ Channel 7 Action News in Detroit,
and appeared weekly on FOX-2 in Detroit from 2016-2020.
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