In Theaters: ***** The Sheep Detectives (2026)

The Sheep Detectives is an excellent movie.  I wanted to clap and the end and did a little, but others did not.

How they can make the sheep work with humans, especially since the sheep only talk to themselves and not with people.  But in this case they are the brains as well.

George Hardy (Hugh Jackman) loves his sheep.  He would not think of butchering them, but just sells their wool.  However he has leased some land to his neighbor, Caleb Merrow (Tosin Cole) who does butcher his sheep.  Needless to say, Hardy does not like him.  Hardy also does not like the butcher, Ham Gilyard (Conleth Hill).  Hardy reads to his sheep; detective stories which they very much like, and the most clever of them, Lilly (Julia Luis Dreyfuss) seems to be able to solve the mysteries before Hardy reads the end.  

There are two newcomers in town.  One is the daughter of Hardy, who he has not seen for many years as she was adopted, Rebecca (Molly Gordon).  Hardy has been seeking reunification with her and to introduce her to his sheep.  She was adopted and the local priest, Reverend Hillcoate (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith).   The other is a reporter in town to cover a cultural event which is put together by Beth Pennock (Hong Chau).  It is pretty lame.  She has feelings for Hardy, and steals a letter to her.  

One morning Darby does not feed the sheep like usual, nor give them his medication.  The sheep find him dead.  Merrow bad been trying to get him to sell his sheep.  He discovers the body.  Officer Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun) takes over the investigation.  He is not very bright and concludes it is a heart attack.  

Other sheep who play in the story are Sebastian (Bryan Cranston) who is a mysterious ram who worked in a carnival fighting in a ring against dogs and was rescued by Hardy; the winter lamb (Tommy Birchall) who is ostracized being born at the wrong time of the year; Sir Ritchfield (Patrick Stewart) who is always regal; Mopple (Chris O'Dowd) who helps with the investigation, and accidentally gets his face covered with a cloth and knocks things over in the house during the reading of the will

Lastly also new in town is Lydia Harbottle (Emma Thompson), the lawyer for Hardy and there to read the will.  The will leaves most everything to Rebecca and she becomes the primary suspect.  It also divulges there is another brother in South Africa.  Harbottle talks to him on the phone.  

This movie is very fun with sheep doing crazy sheep things, and their coaching Derry with the investigation.  

In Theaters: Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in ***** Song Sung Blue: Musical

 Sheri and I attended this movie of Neil Diamond music.  It is the story of Lightning (Hugh Jackman) and Thunder (Kate Hudson) a couple of singers who did a Neil Diamond tribute concert.  They meet doing impersonations of other singers.  And eventually team up and create a Neil Diamond act.  They marry.  Their children add an important part to the story.  She has two children, Rachel and Dana (Ella Anderson and Hudson Hensley.). He has a daughter Angelina (King Princess.) Rachel and Angelina become friends.  There is much negativity to their performing, but they persevere and overcome.  They do the opening act for Pearl Jam, and sing with Eddie Vedder (John Beckwith.) 

But tragedy intervenes.  Thunder is hit by a car and loses a leg.  She spirals into depression with pain medication addiction and psychotic features.  They eventually land when she is admitted into a psychiatgric hospital.  She rekindles the dream and instills this in Lightning.  They first perform in a Korean restaurant, but eventually get a large concert show, the same day as a Neil Diamond show.  They both sell out.  That night they are to meet Neil Diamond, but again fate intervenes.  Lightning's heart catches up with him.

I do not think you can get through this movie without tears.  The last tribute sung byThunder to Lightning is very emotional.  "I've Been this Way Before" 

I've seen the light
And I've seen the flame
And I've been this way before
And I'm sure to be this way again
For I've been refused
And I've been regained
And I've sung my song before
And I'm sure to sing my song again

Once again
For I've been released
And I've been regained
And I've seen your eyes before
And I'm sure to see your eyes again
Once again

Some people have to laugh
Some people have to cry
Some people have to make it through
By never wondering why
Some people got to sing
Some people got to sigh
Some people they never see the light
Until the day they die

But I've been released
And I've been regained
And I've been this way before
And I'm sure to be this way again
Once again
One more time again

Just one more time

This movie is based upon a true story.  

Movie Review: ***^X-Men Apocalypse (2016)

 This movie uses the younger X-Men actors putting it chronologically before the original X-Men.  An ancient Egyptian, Apocalypse or En Sabah Nur, has come back to life, who has incredible power which he uses to increase everyone's power, and dong so recruits a good group of X-Men, Magneto, Angel, Storm, Jubilee, Psylocke.  Magneto is easy to recruit because his wife and child were killed by humans.  He is seeking revenge.  In addition they capture Professor Charles Xavier, who is to help them get everyone at the same time, mutant and human.  He is able to send a message to everyone with his powers supplemented by Apocalypse.  

For the other side they are first taken prisoner by Colonel William Stryker.  They have to get away from him, before than can go to Egypt and capture the real bad guy.  They release Wolverine, who was being held for experimentation.  He takes care of all the guards.  

Then they are off to Egypt to confront the real danger.  This sets up a very big confrontation and everyone's loyalties are tested.  Jean finally unleashes her true power.  

Moira shows up as she is investigating the Egyptian phenomena the turned into Apocalypse for the CIA.  Xavier gives her back her memories.

	James McAvoy	...	Professor Charles Xavier
	Michael Fassbender	...	Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
	Jennifer Lawrence	...	Raven / Mystique
	Nicholas Hoult	...	Hank McCoy / Beast
	Oscar Isaac	...	En Sabah Nur / Apocalypse
	Rose Byrne	...	Moira Mactaggert
	Evan Peters	...	Peter Maximoff / Quicksilver
	Josh Helman	...	Col. William Stryker
	Sophie Turner	...	Jean Grey
	Tye Sheridan	...	Scott Summers / Cyclops
	Lucas Till	...	Alex Summers / Havok
	Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler
	Ben Hardy	...	Angel
	Alexandra Shipp	...	Ororo Munroe / Storm
	Lana Condor	...	Jubilee
	Olivia Munn	...	Psylocke

Movie Review: ****The Wolverine (2013)

During WWII Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)was a prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp near Nagasaki.  We see the atomic blast, and wolverine saves a Japanese guard, Yashida (Hal Yamanouchi) using his mutant powers.

Some years later, Yukio (Rila Fukushima) catches up with him in the back country where he has been living since killing Jean, and convinces him to see Yashida one last time as he is dying and wants to say goodbye.  But more is going on.  Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova) has poisoned Wolverine and he is losing his powers; his regeneration is slower and wounds are not healing as they should.  Yashida passes away shortly after after the say their goodbyes.  But not before he confides to Logan/Wolverine that people are trying to kill his granddaughter, Mariko (Tao Okamoto) and when they make the attempt Wolverine intervenes.  However with his diminished ability.  

In this show we get a view at Japanese culture and customs.  I didn't know it was a bad omen to leave the chopsticks sticking up.  This movie leads to a very tense conclusion.

Movie Review: ***^ X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

X-Men series 

Stryker (Danny Huston) is determined to put together the best strike tam, using mutants.  However with this, behind the scenes he is determined to harvest the powers of all the best mutants, and make a super mutant.  This is how Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is created.  However Wolverine/Logan (Hugh Jackman) is the key.  His brother Victor (Liev Schrieber) is pursuing him with this goal in mind.  Although it seems he is just wanting Logan back in the game and is willing to kill people to have his way.  In the end, he is coming for Victor and Stryker (the brains behind everything.). 

Too much violence for my tastes.

***^Missing Link (2019)

***^Missing Link Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) must prove that he is not a failure by making a discovery and proving it to the world.  He decides to pursue a Big Foot.  And he actually finds a Big Foot (Zach Galifianakis) who he discovers want to find others of his kind.  This results in an across the world journey to meet the abominable snowmen.  Joining them on the journey is Adelina (Zoe Saldana).  Unfortunately after making the long journey, and hiking up the mountain, the attitude of the Snowmen is not pleasant.  Their Elder (Emma Thompson) makes it clear they do not want anything to do with a newcomer.  This is a good movie exploring the theme of friendship and success.  I enjoyed myself. 

Movie Review: **Logan (2017)

X-Men series

Logan  I like this movie for the advancement of the story.  I hate it for the salacious violence and language.  Again this is a future look at X-Men; particularly Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).  Xavier has a bad seizure disorder, which effects those around him.  Caliban (Stephen Marchant) has been helping them.  He has an ability to track others but is susceptible to light.  Apparently many of the others have passed away, except for a new generation of young mutants who have escaped a facility in Mexico.  Logan is brought into the fray by Laura (Dafne Keen), his genetic daughter.  When they are confronted by Pierce (Boyd Holbrock) who has been contracted to bring the girl back, we end with a trio, Laura, Xavier and Wolverine, on the road trying to find the safe house for the mutants in the north.  The story line to this movie is really good.  I have watched the tv edited version.  Even with this the movie is too violent and (even though dubbed out on tv) there is too much bad language for me to recommend this movie. 

Movie Review: ***^Australia (2008)

Australia (2008)  This movie is delightsome in its totality. This is a movie which includes some history about WWII which is easily forgotten.  The story centers around Drover (Hugh Jackman) and Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman)  Ashley has inherited a large property after her husband has been murdered.  She employs Drover in an attempt to keep her property from a land tack over scheme.  The story is set in northern Australia, and they must drive the cattle to Darwin so as to be shipped to the military for use during WWII.  They are caught in Darwin during the Japanese bombing.  They have befriended an aboriginal boy, Nullah (Brandon Walters) who was left on an island for orphans during the attack.  Drover and friends go to rescue the orphans.  Drover and Ashley have become involved, and Ashley has adopted Nullah.  They are able to complete the rescue, but they must still deal with Mr. Fletcher (David Wenham), who is the ambitious murderer who is moving up by forcing others to sell.  Nullah’s grandfather is portrayed by David Gulpilil.

Movie Review: ****^The Greatest Showman (2017)

This is a positive thinking film of the first order.  It shows what happens when you chase a dream, lose sight of the dream, and then regain your focus.  P.T. Barnum is from a poor family, with a big dream and a love of his life who is from a rich family.  How can he support her in the style she deserves.  He comes upon the idea of presenting those who are on the edge of society, a midget, a bearded lady, a tall man, a fat man etc.  His show in New York keeps getting bigger and expanding.  However he loses sight we he tries to be accepting by the aristocratic society, financing a U.S. tour of a European opera star.
P.T. Barnum... Hugh Jackman
His wife Charity Barnum...Michelle Williams
Co M.C. Phillip Carlyle...Zac Efron
Trapeze artist...Zendaya
Opera singer Jenny Lind...Rebecca Ferguson
Bearded woman Lenny Lutz...Keala Settle
Midget Tom Thumb... Sam Humphrey
Young P.T. Barnum...Ellis Rubin
Barnum children Caroline and Helen...Austyn Johnson and Cameron Seely
This movie is thoroughly entertaining throughout.  Tony and Miranda are still singing the songs.  The theme of pursuing your dreams is prominent.

Movie Review: ****X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

X-Men series

This movie is cool and in the same genre as the others; but I think it is a bit over the top.  They bring Jean (Famke Janssen) back form the dead, but she has no control over her powers, and her inability to control turns into a power that can take atoms apart, and basically destroy everything. She accidentally kills her boy friend Cyclops (James Marsden),  Dr. Xavier (Patrick Stewart) tries to keep her in an induced coma, while she heals, but Wolcerine (Hugh Jackman) feels they are imprisoning her and lets her out.  Then all trouble breaks lose.  Xavier becomes a victim of the atom thing and is killed. 
A sub plot is the development of an antidote for the X-men phenomena.  All who want to  be cured of being X-men just need to ask.  This becomes a recruitment tool for Magneto.  Beast (Kelsey Grammar) plays a big part, both as a politician and an X-man.  Storm (Halle Berry) takes over Dr. Xavier's school.  Thus the big battle between X-men under Magneto (Ian McKellen, and those who follow Dr. Xavier. It is fought in San Francisco. 
The last battle is a bit intense.  It is about even until Jean/Phoenix starts dissolving everything.  Then only Wolverine can save the day.
Something I don't understand.  How is Dr Xavier in future movies if his atoms have been scattered all over the place.   Maybe someone can explain.

Movie Review: ****X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

X-Men series

This is the most recent and the most successful of all the X-Men series.  It is a bit confusing as it has Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) consciousness going back in time 50 years to change the future, because the future is just death for the X-Men as the result of the development of an army of Sentinals which hunt down and kill the X-Men. Wolverine recruits an army including younger versions of Xavier (James McAvoy), Magneto (Michael Fassbender). Colossus (Daniel Cudmore) and Beast (Nicholas Hoult).  The mission is to secure Raven/Mystique's ( Jennifer Lawrence) blood so it can't be used to enhance the Sentinals. 
This movie rocks during the action scenes.  However at times it gets a bit too bogged down with going back and forth between the past and the future.   It also deals with personal demons and that gets a bit slow. 
True to form, Magneto is focused on beating the humans, and this drive gets him into lots of trouble.  It takes someone changing course, to get them out of this trouble.

Movie Review: X2 X-Men United (2003)

X-Men series

This is a movie with lots of excitement.  The part about Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) looking for his roots, and finding everything abandoned and destroyed at Lake Alkali was sort of not congruent with the action and was a bit lost.  But he comes back just in time to protect the children at the school from a governmental incursion by our evil enemy, William Stryker (Brian Cox) (who wants all mutants dead) and is actually the creator of Wolverine.  This movie makes good use of Magneto (Ian McKellan) and his side kick shape shifter Mystique (Rebecca Romijn).  Mystique helps Magneto escape by giving one of his guards an injection of iron; which Magneto uses to make bullets and a metal platform on which he can float. It also tells us more about the powers of Dr. Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his machine Cerebro.  However, in the wrong hands, and with the wrong manipulation this machine can become one of great power, capable of killing.  The school is attacked by Stryker's government men, and most of the students escape, but six are taken hostage.  Cyclops (James Marsden) is taken captive with Dr. Xavier.  Stryker has a drug with which he uses to manipulate people.  He used it on Magneto to get information about the school and Cerebro.  He also uses this on Cyclops to make him an enemy to the X-men.  This movie is about team work, and some members sacrificing and protecting others. Wolverine ends up leading the escapees with Storm (Halle Berry) and Jean (Famke Janssen).  They not only have to keep the children safe, but also rescue Cyclops and Dr. Xavier.  This takes teaming up with Magneto and Mystique.

Movie Review: ****X-Men (2000)

X-Men  series

 This movie introduces us to several interesting characters.  It is based on the Marvel Universe.  The reason for all these characters is that some have an advanced genetics as humanity goes through a progression in their evolution.  I was not familiar with the comics when I first watched this, so all the characters were new.  There is Magneto (Ian McKellen), who is the leader of those who want to control everything, and Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), on the opposite side who also runs a school for young mutants.  Two drifters are invited to the school, to keep them away from Magneto’s grasp; Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Rogue (Anna Paquin).  Wolverine is almost indestructible, and has long claws, Rogue can take the powers of anyone she touches.  Other important characters are Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) who is a shape shifter and pretty wicked and Magneto’s assistant; Storm (Halle Berry), Cyclops (Scott Summers) and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) are in Professor Xavier’s inner circle. 

The story centers around how the government is wrestling with the idea of registering all mutants, who they are and what they can do.  Magnet is resistant to this, so he is planning a demonstration to prove his point.  He is going to turn many people into mutants, even though the process he has developed is unstable.  He kidnaps Rogue to carry this out, puts her in a machine which will kill her for sure.  The machine of Xavier is sabotaged by Mystique, and almost kills him.  The students have to fight on their own.  They take on the henchmen of Magneto, for the safety of many dignitaries that are discussing mutant issues.  It is a rough go, but they do prevail in the end, Wolverine saving Rogue, and letting her use his regenerative powers.  The first part of this story ends with Xavier’s men on top of sorts.  Magneto is captured, and in a plastic prison (he can manipulate anything of metal) and hopefully there is the possibility for good relations between human and mutant.

The theme of this movie is accepting those who are different than ourselves.  It is hard to do, but possible with patience and understading.

Movie Review: ****^ Les Miserables (2012)

I have seen a few opinions about Les Miserables from--the best movie ever to too dark.  And after visiting the theater yesterday, I can understand both remarks.  Les Miserables is a dark story to begin with.  However with all the expectations, many were predisposed that it was going to be the best ever even before seeing it.  I wave watched the ten year, and 25 year anniversary concerts over and over.  And granted those were concerts not theatrical productions but they music from those far surpasses that in the movie.  The movie was going for character and story, and took the risk of casting theatrical actors in musical parts.  Sometimes it worked, and others it didn't.  So the pluses and minuses.
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean worked.  His singing does not compare to Colm Wilkinson, but he carried the roll.  "Hear my Prayer" is the highlight of the show, and although I would have liked to hear Colm Wilkinson, Jackman delivered the emotion of the song such as to be effective.  It is just so beautiful the way Wilkinson holds that last note.
Russell Crowe as Javert did not work.  The song "I Swear by the Stars" sounded more like some one singing in the shower than a prayer to the stars.  Crowe did  make the suicide scene more believable than I had seen it.
The added song of Valjean singing his love to Cosette added depth to the character.  You also can love instantly.  Being a foster/adoptive parent I know this is true.
The three young people, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) Eponine (Samantha Barks) and Marius (Eddie Redmayne) were the highlight of the show.  They carried their trio and other performing parts with energy and gusto.  I left the theater humming "heart full of love."  "On My Own" was also well done.  However keeping with the dark theme of the director, was done in the rain. Marius sang "Empty Chairs," with such beauty and emotion, I think everyone who has seen this has cried with him.
Fantine (Anne Hathaway) was somewhat of a controversy.  Lea Salonga sings which much greater skill, energy and professionalism.  However, in the mood of the film, Hathaway did an incredible job.  The song "I Dreamed a Dream" was presented later in the movie, after arriving at the bottom, rather than just starting the slide, so there was a different tone (darkness) to the song.  I especially like her in the death scene at the end. 
The innkeepers are a welcome comic relief.  The must have worked so hard at coordinating everything.  I especially like their entrance through the carriage to the wedding. 
So there are more things to like and love about this version of Les Miserables than there are to dislike.  The music is worth going to see, the action is well done, the characterization is good, and the sets are effective (except for the sewer which is over the top) and the theme that when we show love to each other, we show love to God is timeless.  Oh Colm Wilkinson does have a cameo as the priest.  His baritone voice resonates, and somehow he is in the final scene at the pearly gates.  A nice touch.  I recommend this movie, but don't go so far as to say it is the best ever.
I would not recommend this movie for children.