Movie Review: ****Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)

This movie tells the story of the relationship between Christopher Robin, and his father, the author of the children's books about Winnie the Pooh.  It is sandwiched around two wars WWI and WWII.  AA Milne, the father served in WWI and Christopher Robin served in WWII.  AA Milne (Domhnall Gleeson) was a playwright before WWI.  The war traumatized him so that he had difficulty finding peace, and as a result the "fled" to the countryside.  He had lost his enthusiasm to right, but found it again when he was left to care for Christopher for several weeks.  Nannie (Kelly Macdonald) had left to attend to her sick mother.  His wife, Daphne (Margot Robbie) had left because he wasn't writing.  She returned to London.  His son's play and imagination provided the inspiration for the Winnie the Pooh stories.  He started writing poetry to go with the stories.  Christopher is portrayed by two actors, Will Tilston (young) and Alex Lawther as a young man.
The tragedy is that Christopher Robin was caught up in the publicity for the books.  In a way his childhood was put on display, and given to the world, whether Christopher wanted to share or no.  Being a public figure was not Christopher's choice, and as a result his childhood was stolen.  He became bitter, and enlisted in the military for WWII, against the wishes of his mother.  He could have been deferred for health reasons, but he insisted he be allowed to be his own person. 
He left bitter and mad at his father.  When his parents received notice of his death, it seemed that was the end.  Somehow the notice was wrong, he came back to let his father know that he had resolved the issues with his childhood.  Being in the world he was able to see the positive influence the Pooh stories had on other children.  He was glad to have been a part.

Movie Review: Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride II

Father of the Bride movie has plenty of fun.  Steve Martin portrays George Banks, the father of the bride, who is having difficulty letting go of his daughter.  At the same time, he is selling his home as the family is down sizing, but he is having a hard time letting go of the house as well.  Diane Keaton stars as Nina Banks, and Martin Short as Franck, the wedding planner.  There is lots of fun.  Some of the best father scenes take place on the family basketball court.  When the demolishers show up to knock down the house, Steve Martin has a change of heart, and buys they house back, with a new mortgage.

Father of the Bride II is even more fun.  In this film we are presented with not only the daughter having a new baby, but also George's wife.   Martin Short is back to plan a new nursery as well as a baby party.  This movie is even funnier than the first, and shows parenting in a new light, as a grandfather, and father of a new baby.

Music Review: Kenny Rogers, Back to the Well

Kenny Rogers, Back to the Well, Dreamcatcher Label, 2003.

This C.D. presents the beautiful voice of Kenny Rogers, singing, for the most part, some pretty forgettable songs.  One song that caught me was about a father’s love for his toddler, “Handprints on the Wall.”

The wait turned into hours,
Before you came my way.
The smile that filled a daddy's heart,
On that special day.
The moment left me speechless,
I didn't know what to say.
Then you took your first breath,
An' that took mine away.

Days go by so quickly;
Summer turns to fall.
Seems like only yesterday,
That you began to crawl.
So don't be afraid to take that step,
I'll catch you when you fall.
I don't mind if you leave behind,
A few handprints on the wall.

I can't describe this feeling,
Way down deep inside
"The Itsy-Bitsy Spider",
Was the first thing that we tried.
An' "Patty Cake, The Baker's Man,"
With your hands, so very small.
You could always stay this young,
And I wouldn't mind at all.

 

There are a couple of songs on the risqué side of the spectrum.  But one of these is enjoyable presenting Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing a duet, “Undercover”.  Dolly Parton wrote this song.  The CD concludes with a heartfelt song, “Love Like This” where Rogers sings of getting the passion back into a relationship.