MOVIE REVIEW: A Monster Calls

J.A. Bayona’s film, based on the 2011 novel of the same name and adapted for the screen by the author himself, Patrick Hess, operates with a similar dichotomy and balancing act with its genre. “Fantasy” and “genuine” are two words that do not normally mix together. “A Monster Calls” creates an engrossing tale of allegory and myth and still roots it in a setting of stark reality filled with family and flaws.

MOVIE REVIEW: The BFG

Faithful and imaginative as “The BFG” may be, the proceedings lack contagious inspiration that should come from a film of this intended caliber. Other than “whizpopper” humor, the slivers of cuteness present are ineffectual and the intended themes on dreams are lost in yawns. The silliness misses any chance at meaning. The film is too ridiculous to be approachable and too bizarre to be endearing. Meet Steven Spielberg's worst film.

MOVIE REVIEW: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

No matter where today's "Star Wars" fans come from, all of them want the same thing out of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Everyone wants an inspired, entertaining, and compelling fantasy adventure. They want a return of the emotions, wonder, and heartstrings that stirred and inspired their souls when they first encountered these science fiction fantasies. With great pleasure and a nearly pitch perfect blend of innovation and reminiscence, J.J. Abrams promised, and now has delivered, all that anyone could hope for with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

2015, 5 STARS, Best Films, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanDecember 18, 2015Marcus Addison CinemaStar Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars, Star Wars trilogy, Star Wars: Episode VII- The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams, Star Trek, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleason, Adam Driver, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Leia, R2-D2, C-3PO, Darth Vader, Finn, Snoke, Poe Dameron, Chewbacca, BB-8, Bill Hader, Rey, John Williams, Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Arndt, George Lucas, Gwendoline Christie, Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren, General Hux, The First Order, Movie trilogies, Simon Pegg, Lupita Nyong'o, Warwick Davis, Daniel Mindel, Rick Carter, Michael Kaplan, The Force, The Force Awakens, 2015, 2015 Holiday Movies, 2015 Holiday Movie Preview, Rogue One, Disney, Lucasfilm, Industrial Light and Magic, ILM, movie review, movie commentary, film review, film commentary, Science fiction, Fantasy films, life lessons, life lessons from film, life lessons from films, life lessons from movies, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Don Shanahan, Donald ShanahanComment

ADVANCE MOVIE REVIEW: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

With the arrival of "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies," we have made it to the payoff. This big story gets its ending, its tidy bow, and its cherry-on-top. Even if you think the movie studio was milking you for three movie tickets over three years out of a book that probably could have fit into a single film, you now get to see your patience rewarded and your virtue justified. You will realize it was worth it. You will feel like you stuck around to see "Superman" save the world, you survived the walk down those basement stairs in "Psycho," and you partied with the Ewoks and spirit Jedis in "Star Wars."