Reviews

I don't think I have ever been more impressed - and simultaneously disappointed - in a Disney movie in my entire life! The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a gorgeously filmed fairy tale, filled with absolutely stunning visual scenes. The CGI images are wondrously and seamlessly integrated with the "real" actors and the plot has all the necessary ingredients of an exciting and fanciful adventure. Mackenzie Foy as Clara does a credible job as the main character, and veterans Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren add necessary interest to their roles. But if anyone "steals the show," it would be Keira Knightley as Sugar Plum.

However, having enjoyed numerous productions of the Tchaikovsky ballet over the years as an annual Christmas tradition (in earlier days), I was dismayed to find that this film is clearly in the category of "inspired by," and not "based on" its famous predecessor. I was hoping that the movie would use Tchaikovsky's themes and perhaps mirror the (admittedly limited) structure of the ballet. Although the score hints at the original composition from time to time and there are some very beautiful ballet scenes (including during the closing credits) the film is only superficially related to the original.

That said, my guess is that seeing it again - without my "originalist" expectations - I might enjoy the film even more than the first time. Also, the visuals are at times so incredibly rich, this film may achieve in time a high level of acceptance on its own merits. So my advice is, by all means, go see this movie and enjoy it for what it is: a new Disney fairy tale inspired by a beloved work of art. But be sure and leave your Nutcracker Ballet expectations at home before you go!

The movie, "Roman J. Israel, Esq." is excellent. I was concerned about lukewarm reviews and a low Rotten Tomatoes score, but decided to chance it and am glad I did! I believe I understand why some people might not "like" the film. Denzel Washington's character is socially unskilled and is designed to make us feel uncomfortable, as we continually wonder what he might say next. And by the time his attempt to correct some of the injustice in his own life backfires badly, we are invested in his life and of course wish things might be otherwise. However, the movie is ultimately about personal integrity (which today is dramatically lacking in the behavior of so many of our public officials!) and when the main characters' conflicts are ultimately resolved, the plot remains absolutely true to its main theme. Also, Denzel's performance is impeccable — perhaps even brilliant. I thought the movie was extremely moving and very well done!

Yesterday we went to see the BBC film, "Their Finest," staring Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy (Nighy is wonderful in it!) at the Broadway Independent Film Theater in Salt Lake City. Jeremy Irons is also good as always, in a brief cameo as the British Secretary of War. The movie is a bit of a tragic love story set in 1940 Great Britain, with a feminist sub-theme. The part we enjoyed most is that since it is about the making of a British propaganda film, it follows the making of the movie all the way from concept, plot ("inspired" by a "true" story), funding, casting, writing, rehearsing, filming (there is a Dunkirk "special effects" scene that is hilarious!) to the insertion of a final "missing scene" at the end. Without revealing too much, I will say that the propaganda film about Dunkirk is a success and "Their Finest" ends on a very upbeat note.

My only criticisms are two: (1) At the beginning, the Welsh accents are a bit hard to follow so you have to "tune your ears" to get what they are saying, and (2) I believe the film should have been rated PG-13. There is one "F word" and a very brief scene of two people making love. The rest of the movie kept me wondering, "Why is this rated "R?" Oh well, . . .

Although it provides only a "light" WWII history lesson (on the bombing of London, attitudes toward women, Dunkirk, etc.) the movie provides an excellent lesson on the history of film-making for students. For example, female film dialogue was referred to as "slop" requiring someone on the writing staff with a feminine viewpoint to make it "authentic." If you have access to a good Art Film theater or can stream this, I don't think you will be disappointed!