Jesse Stone: Night Passage

This is a prequel to the CBS series of feature length presentations with Tom Selleck portraying Jesse Stone.  Stone is a cop from L.A. who has come to Paradise to be the police chief.  He comes with his dog, leaving behind his ex-wife.  He makes sort of a good impression, kicks a spousal abuser in the testicles and telling him to leave his ex-wife alone.  This sets off a rivalry, but turns out the ex, Joe (Stephen Baldwin) is also running and killing for the mob--as is his new boss.  One of these kills is the ex police chief.  Appears Stone was hired with the hope he would be inept.  However, with Stone's witty style he seems to figure things out.
This is based on the book by Robert B. Parker with the same name. 

Movie Review: The Croods (2013)

Nicholas Cage and Emma Stone star in this animated feature.  The Croods are a close family, whose life is protected by the confines of their cave.  However when the cave is destroyed by an earthquake their life is thrown out of balance.  They have to find a new place to be safe, no easy tasks in a world of creatures and earthquakes.
This movie focusing on the importance of family, and making decisions to benefit the group.

Movie Review: ****Maleficent (2014

Maleficent 

This is a very good presentation and work by Angelina Jolie as Maleficent.  However I am not sure if it is OK for Disney to change the movie, from Maleficent being an evil character, to a misunderstood character who was wronged with the removal of her wings, and is determined to get even with the king through his daughter Snow White.  However, Maleficent's curse, though she will grow in grace a beauty, loved by all she meets, she will prick her finger and sleep, only to be restored by love's true kiss.  And she did grow in beauty and grace, and all were bound to love her, including Maleficent.  She was able to turn this love into a power which saved herself in the end.  Elle Fanning does a good job as Snow White.  It is she who finds the wings and restores them to Maleficent.  Cameos by Angelina’s daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt as a young Snow White, as well as Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge) as one of the good fairies. 

Movie Review: ****How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

Cindy Lou (Taylor Momsen) Who makes this move.  She sings the "Where Are You Christmas?" and does a beautiful job.  It is also her questions about the meaning of Christmas which get everyone thinking.  The Grinch (Jim Carrey) and his antics almost make it so the movie is bearable to watch.  However, in the end, even the Grinch discovers the true meaning of Christmas.  This movie uses the original script and poem by Dr. Seuss, but also adds its own dialogue and explanation.  Ron Howard directed.

Movie Review: ***^The Nativity Story (2006)

click here to watch the movie.

This movie was made in 2006, but as I watched it it seemed to be a much older movie.  It highlights the stories of Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and Joseph (Oscar Isaac), and the story of the wisemen.  It shows them both traveling through desert and rough country, and shows the difficulty of the trips.  Herod is also featured, and he is very angry, power hungry, and worried about prophesies of a new king who will turn the people against him.  This film starts with Herod's men killing the babies in Bethlehem.  So this film gets stuck on that conflict and portraying the conflict between Herod and Jesus, or any sedition at all. 
What is good is the presentation of the gifts by the wisemen.  Gold for a king, frankincense for the chief priest and myrrh for  his coming sacrifice.
The drama between Mary and Elizabeth (Shohreh Aghdashloo) is very well done.  Mary is seeking someone who will except her pregnancy as from God rather than a sign of sin and law breaking.  She finds this in Elizabeth.  However she does return home to face the challenges, and Joseph is able to accept her after receiving a visit from an angel.
I really don't like the portrayal of the angel, with the bird and the voice, but that is just me.  This movie is very well done, and it is always a good thing to remember the birth of our Savior. 

Movie Review: ****Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1

I have enjoyed the presentation of the "Hunger Games" books in the theaters.  I went and saw the third installment, which is the first half of the third book.  Again it was very entertaining.  We are now past the arena, and the sinister game of the capital, and into a real revolution.  Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is recruited to serve the rebellion as a spokesperson.  She finally accepts, and is drawn into the conflict, and is the favorite target of President Snow (Donald Sutherland).  Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) is held captive by the capital, and his captivity is a major focus of this film, his torture and his eventual rescue.  However, the torture has influenced his mind to the point where he has been brain washed and manipulated, first as the spokesman of the capital, and then as an assassin. 
However has Peeta really been turned, because he does get a warning through to the rebels in District 13 that they are due to be bombed.  The other person prominent in the movie is Gale (Liam Hemsworth).  Gale is Katniss' first love, who has now joined the rebels.
The idea of this movie is very good.  It is very tense. The back and forth between Snow and Katniss is very well down, as President Snow tries to break Katniss, by sending white roses, and by manipulating Peeta, and finally by making Peeta into a killing machine.

Movie Review: Love Story (1970)

Is is one of the true classic love stories.  Oliver, (Ryan O'Neal) Harvard hockey player and son of a millionaire falls for Jenny, (Ali MacGraw) who is struggling through music school at Radcliffe.  This present an other side-or-the-tracks story.  Oliver's father doesn't approve of his choice, and unson's him when he marries.  However the  beauty of this love is that they are willing to endure hardship, while Jenny puts Oliver through law school.  It is after he graduates and move into a comfortable job that Jenny finds out she is sick and it is terminal.  Oliver's goes to his father for money to pay for her treatment, not saying why he needs the money.  When father finds out, he goes to the hospital, but Jenny has already died.  He says he is sorry, and we get the famous line "Love means never having to say your sorry."  This is the second time the line is used, the first after an argument.  One caution, there is plenty of poor language in this film.
An instrumental version of "The theme from Love Story" plays through out the movie.  However I suggest listening to the vocal by Andy Williams which includes a three minute review of the story.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=love+theme+from+love+story+andy+williams&vid=07906874127752aa89301d9ab201f287&l=3%3A12&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608034667903975504%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6weRY4Ab8bU&tit=Love+Story+sung+by+Andy+Williams&c=3&sigr=11avr220b&sigt=1107uqjsp&back=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fyhs%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dlove%2Btheme%2Bfrom%2Blove%2Bstory%2Bandy%2Bwilliams%26ei%3DUTF-8%26hsimp%3Dyhs-001%26hspart%3Dmozilla&sigb=13kaabdlo&ct=p&age=0&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av%2Cm%3Asa&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=mozilla&tt=b