The obvious reaction to this movie (and even I, a huge Downton Abbey fan, thought this way) is that it’s just another cash-grab sequel with an irrelevant plot that keeps these aging characters around as long as they can make a buck. The title, “Downton Abbey: A New Era”, suggests a big transition, but it’s…
Category: (4 out of 5)
No Time To Die – Movie Review
No Time To Die is special in a few ways: not only is it the last time Daniel Craig plays James Bond, but also this time Bond is married (I know!) and retired (which seems to happen a lot) and working for (or maybe “with”) the CIA. Those clues may seem to suggest that this…
Luca – Movie Review
What could be better on a warm summer afternoon than Pixar’s latest gelato scoop of a movie about two boys (who also happen to be sea monsters) having a little fun in the eternal Italian summer? While it’s not groundbreakingly original (compared to some past Pixar masterpieces), this enjoyable film really captures the warm, languid…
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Movie Review
Despite the fact that this film would bring to a close a story that began over 40 years ago, I can’t say that I was really excited to go see it. Plus, it didn’t help that early reviews panned the finale to the Skywalker saga so thoroughly. Nevertheless, having taken great pains to enjoy all…
Getting Creepy with Netflix 2019
I hope everyone had a fun Halloween and things got a little scary or creepy. As an occasional tradition, I like to pick out a few scary movies to watch around this time. However, as I’ve said before, I am a chicken when it comes to truly gory or malevolent horror. I am satisfied with…
Downton Abbey – Movie Review
“Welcome back to Downton Abbey”. This feature film’s return to our favourite castle in the English countryside is fan-service of the best kind. It’s almost as if the successful and beloved show (I’ve watched the series through three times already!) never ended — or at least kept going while off the air. Everyone is back,…
Spider-man: Far From Home – Movie Review
I’m not sure whether it was the European locales, or another fresh performance by Tom Holland as Spider-man, that had me most looking forward to this movie. Having the kids from Spider-man: Homecoming head to London, Venice, Prague, Berlin, etc. for their class trip may have seemed unrealistically extravagant, but how else do I get…
Toy Story 4 – Movie Review
I didn’t expect Toy Story to keep going, but having enjoyed this fourth installment, I’m thinking that the franchise could probably continue indefinitely. This time around, we pick up the tale of Woody, Buzz, and the others after they’ve been with new child, Bonnie, for a while (long enough for Bonnie to neglect Woody and…
Mamoru Hosoda: A New Japanese Animation Master
One of the joys of the TV off-season is the opportunity to catch up on movies. Recently, I spent five evenings binge-watching the works of new Japanese master animator, Mamoru Hosoda. When it comes to Japanese animated films, most people think of Studio Ghibli, founded by master animator Hayao Miyazaki. Their kinds of movies are…
Alvin's Adventures in Pop Culture 