At Theaters: ***Wonder Park (2019)

Wonder Park (2019)  I was in the theater with all the fathers and their small children.  I may have outdone myself.  The story was fun though—a girl’s imagination coms to life, and when she starts to brood because her mother is sick, then darkness enters the Wonder Park world.  Again the evil minions are a bit much—as these movies seem to do.  However when the light shines they repent pretty fast.  This movie provides a creative look at fantasy and your stuffed toys. 

In Theaters ****^ Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

In Theaters ****^ Mary Poppins Returns 

Emily Blunt wows as Mary Poppins and Lin-Manuel Miranda thrills as Jack, the Lamp Lighter and former apprentice of Bert from the original film.  And the Banks family is made up of Michael, (Ben Whishaw) and his sister Jane (Emily Mortimer) who are in the original but now 25 years older.  Michael is a widower.  He has three children, Anabel (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and Georgie (Joel Dawson).  Meryl Streep also portrays a cameo, cousin of Mary Poppins, Topsy, who is a fix-it person.  Michael has borrowed money against the bank, and the bank president (Colin Firth) is intent on taking the home, even if he has to hide stock records to do so.  ALs taking cameo rolls are Dick Van Dyck (bank president’s boss) and Angela Lansbury, balloon seller.   With this cast and Mary Poppins story we are in for a ride.  It seems P.L. Travers published eight Mary Poppins books in all with many stories.  Sheri really loved the music, but it still isn’t in my head like some of the original songs.  I need to return to see this again.

In Theaters: ***^Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)

Lego Movie 2: The Sequel  When siblings have spats the consequences can create a ripple effect.  That is what happens here, and everything is not awesome all of the time.  They take off from the “Everything is awesome” song with this added lyrics:

Everything's not awesome
But that doesn't mean that it's hopeless and bleak
Everything's not awesome
But in my heart, I believe (I believe)

[Bridge]
We can make things better if we stick together (If we stick together)
Side by side, you and I, we will build it together (Yeah, we'll be together)
Build it together (Together forever)
All together now

Chris Pratt and Elizabeth Banks voice the main characters. 

In Theaters: ***^How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

How to Train Your Dragon:   This movie concludes the three part series.  In this movie the goal is to find a place where the dragons can live in peace without humans chasing them and trying to enslave them.  In the process Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) becomes more king like, and his girlfriend, Astrid (America Ferrera)  at the same time becomes more queen like. 

In Theaters: Run the Race (2019)

Run the Race This is a Christian themed movie produced by Tim Tebow.  It is a track and field and football movie as well.  The turning point in the movie is when the main character injures his knee in a backyard scuffle.  He was hoping to play in front of football scouts and earn a scholarship so as to get our of his small town.  Instead his brother takes up the flame in track and field.  His brother has had seizures after a football accident.  He can’t play football, but he can run.  However things take another twist just before the state track meet.  Tanner Stine and Evan Hofer play the brothers.

In Theaters: *****Captain Marvel (2019)

Captain Marvel (2019) We left the theater and Tony announced this was his favorite movie ever.  I wouldn’t go that high, but it does put a new twist on the Avenger series.  Her is an Avenger before the Avengers.  Captain Marvel (Brie Larsen) is a human, who was taken to space and her memory distorted.  However she returns, chasing who she thinks are the bad people, some shapeshifter aliens.  However she discovers that what she believed is not so.  This makes for an interesting twist.  In they end, she serves those she hunted.  Captain Marvel has special powers from absorbing the blast of a light speed engine which was made with a special stone.  The alien race that kidnaps her tries to tell her these powers have been granted by them.  But as will happen the truth wins out.
Nick Fury assists her (Samuel Jackson) and from this the idea of Avengers is born. 

Marvel Universe

In Theaters: *****Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

I don't think I have enjoyed a movie as much as Alita in a very long time.  The character Alita, with her computer enhanced eyes fascinates me.   As does the idea of having a human brain and core on a cyborg body. In this movie, many of the characters have their own brains while being implanted on a different body with fighting characteristics and strengths.  Alita (Rosa Salazar) is discovered in a trash heap, at least her head and heart.  She is put onto a body by Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz).  Ido suspects Alita's origins are thought of an ancient technology no longer available.  Her heart is very powerful, and she is trained in the fighting techniques of the Martian warriors.  Slowly, especially during conflict, Alita remembers her past and her mission.  She and those who fought with her failed to conquer Sky City and now 300 years later another quest begins.


Famous lines, I am not impressed.”  “I do not stand by in the face of evil.”  Can a cyborg person fall in love with a human, and be loved by that human in return.  Can someone change their attitude such that they help those who are in need, rather than go after her goal which she now finds unfulfilling?  And can an old man redeem himself by being a hunter warrior and catch bad people.  The bit about Alita being over 300 years old and a Martian Warrior just enhances the plot.