Movie Review: *** The Lady in the Van (2015)

 The Lady in the Van has Maggie Smith portraying, Mary or Margaret who is on the run from the law, and goes off grid and parks her van in a driveway, for 15 years.  She lives in the van and takes advantage of the restroom in the home of Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) who is torn between empathy and taking advantage by writing her story.  He is a playwright.  He often does one person shows talking about his mother.  He is wanting to add a new show about the homeless lady.  Jennings actually plays this character twice, the generous man and the take advantage man.  We often see him talking to himself.  Smith does a great job of portraying the cantankerous old lady who lives in the van, and often grumbles.  But then there is Mr. Bennett who actually cares for her.  She has a brother (Jim Broadbent) who visits on occasion.  It isn't until after she has died that we learn why she is living in the van and she has changed her name.  She is actually a pianist who has played with the symphony.   

Animated Movie Review: ****Robots (2005)

 A movie about what happens when profit is your bottom line rather than helping people.  Madame Gasket (Jim Broadbent) is intent on melting all the old bots so as to make a money.  Her son, Rachet (Greg Kinnear) has become head of the Robot factory, Bigweld Enterprises taking over for the inventor Bigweld, (Mel Brooks).  Rachet is evil and arrogant and takes pride in sending robots to the scrap heap which his mother runs.  They are going to be so rich; until Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor) and his friends arrive.   Rodney is intent on seeing Bigweld to share his inventions.  However Bigweld has been put to pasture playing with dominoes.  So Rodney decides to take on Gasket and Rachet with his friends.  Sometimes you need some good friend to stick to your dream.  Halle Berry portrays Cappy, a business executive who sees merit in Rodney's ideas.  Robin Williams plays Fender, Rodney's friend, and discovers the real motive of Gasket and Rachet.  Robin uses his voice talents to bring the character to life.  And Amanda Bynes portrays Piper who is Fender's sister.  She and Cappy play a big part in defeating the robots of Rachet.

fun show showing us a different world, very human like but robots.

Movie Review: ***^Arthur Christmas 2011)

This was a delightful Christmas movie.  This is a British/American collaboration between Aardman Animations and Sony Pictures.  This movie presents Santa Claus (who many believe is due for retirement) and his sons, the older, capable and the younger, mail room klutz.  Santa Clause, and his older son have a smooth operation, computerized, with a rocket powered sleigh, and everything is in order--except one child is missed.  Steve the older brother (Hugh Laurie) feels almost 100 percent is OK, and convinces his father, Santa (Jim Broadbent) the same.  However Arthur (James McAvoy), the younger brother worries about the little girl who will wake up without a toy.  Grandpa Santa (Bill Nighy) is seeking some honor for the last time, and takes Arthur to the barn with the old sleigh, and the flying reindeer.  Just like that they are off, but going through many adventures and bumps on the way.  It takes quite of bit of doing to get that bike there, and many times all seems lost.  However, in the end, all of the Santa realize they had lost the true meaning of Christmas.  For next year Santa is retiring, and younger brother who still believes, is going to be the next Santa, and Steve will be the top executive.  Imelda Saunton plays Mrs. Claus.

Movie Review: ****^Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

This is a great continuation of the Harry Potter story.  This year Dumbledore is back at Hogwarts, and they have the task to figure out how to kill Voldemort.  Part of this plan is totally unexpected.  Dumbledore, is intent on discovering how they can defeat Dumbledore.  To do this he must review the memories of Professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) (prior potions teacher who has agreed to come back to teach) with regards to a conversation with Tom Riddle (Voldemort).  This conversation had to do with Horcruxes, and how you could put your soul into a physical object, and thereby assure your own immortality.  This could be done by murdering someone.  They discover that Voldemort did this several times, and thus there are many Horcruxes around, which must be destroyed.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince:

Draco Malfoy also received a special mission from Voldemort, and Snape is brought into this agreement with a spell he cannot brake, to assist Draco.  Dumbledore and Harry meet regularly to review memories of Voldemort in the pensieve.  Harry Potter does very well in school thanks to a book owned by "The Half Blood Prince" which he has found.  This gives keys to making potions and casting curses.  

Dumbledore and Harry visit a cave, where they feel they will find a Horcrux.  This experience leaves Dumbledore in a weakened state, he had to drink a poison to get to the Horcrux, but they do discover what they think is the Horcrux.  As they get back to Hogwarts, Draco has let death eaters into the school.  He faces Dumbledore, but is not able to kill him, but Snape does kill him.

The last scene is Harry chasing Snape.  He uses a curse from the book, and Snape says, don't use my own curses on me.

I enjoy all the Harry Potter movies.  This movie is no exception.  There is plenty of action.  The movies keep getting a bit darker as we go along, and the murder of Dumbledore was not expected.