Film and TV 2024
Best Films and TV of 2024
It’s been a fabulous year for both film and TV, with so many different genres and many wonderful family films. Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” is definitely my favorite animated film of the year. It’s not … Read more
A Complete Unknown (R) ★★★½
Dylan, a 19-year-old singer and songwriter, leaves his home in Minnesota and arrives in New York in 1961, destined to change the course of American music. Moving into Greenwich Village, he begins forming personal relationships … Read more
Mufasa: The Lion King (PG) ★★★
Mufasa: The Lion King” is a prequel to the ‘The Lion King’ movie series, focusing on Mufasa’s early years as a lion cub. Director Barry Jenkins addresses two key questions: How did the young Mufasa … Read more
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (PG) ★★★½
‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is the perfect holiday family film for all to enjoy this year. It’s playing now in theaters and streaming online, told through a narrator, young Beth Bradley (Molly Belle Wright), … Read more
Moana 2 (PG) ★★★
Families can rest assured that younger children will enjoy “Moana 2” in the theater just as much as their older siblings and friends. The film boasts catchy songs, a powerful female lead character, and breathtaking … Read more
Wicked (PG) ★★★
“The Wizard of Oz” (1939) holds a special place in my heart. It’s been my favorite movie since I was 10 years old, and I’ve had the pleasure of viewing it over 25 times, many … Read more
Gladiator 2 (R) ★★★½
The historical story begins sixteen years after the Academy Award-winning movie “Gladiator” concluded, as Ridley Scott returns as director, with an opening setting of northern Africa where Lucius, a refugee, warrior, and farmer, is captured … Read more
Here (PG-13) ★
Tom Hanks reunites with director Robert Zemeckis of the film “Forest Gump”(1994) in an adaptation of the graphic novel Here by author Richard McGuire, as Robin Wright completes the reunion. Utilizing one room as the … Read more
We Live in Time (R) ★★★½
Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield tug at your heartstrings, rendering extraordinary performances in their shared love, loss, and pliability. Together, they raise the question of how do you want to be remembered after you are … Read more
The Diplomat Season 2 Netflix ★★★★
The popular TV series “The Diplomat” begins Season 2. It features 8 Episodes, starring (Keri Russell) as Kate Wyler, the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Season 2 opened on October 31 on Netflix. Beginning … Read more
Conclave (PG) ★★★★
“Conclave” was filmed at the legendary Cinecittà studio in Rome, where the Sistine Chapel was painstakingly recreated. This excellent film is based on a novel of the same name by Robert Harris, published in 2016. … Read more
Shōgun (R) ★★★★ TV Series 10-Episodes
Japan’s 17th-century historical drama “Shōgun” is by far a Hollywood masterpiece. The meticulous details in the set design, wardrobe, and character development take you back to a time of protocol, duty, love, and power when … Read more
Saturday Night (R) ★★★
Who knew that “Saturday Night Live,” the live comedy-sketch TV NBC show, would ever celebrate 50 years on October 11, 1975? This groundbreaking show, which launched the careers of numerous comedy legends, has become a … Read more
Piece By Piece (PG) ★★★½
American singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams’s biographical animated movie “Piece by Piece” follows his early life and career. What makes the movie lively and fun is that the storytelling is filmed using only Lego pieces. … Read more
The Wild Robot (PG) ★★★ by Kathryn Rachford
“The Wild Robot,” the newest DreamWorks film, pairs a dazzling animation style with a heartwarming story, delivering a beautiful experience. It follows the turbulent life of a robot, Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), who inexplicably finds herself … Read more
Megalopolis (R) ★★½
Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis is a science fiction futuristic film in which the theme of early Rome is the center. Imagine a ‘Modern America’ as the city of ‘New Rome,’ and due to the unrest … Read more
Transformers One (PG) ★★★★
“Transformers One” is the 8th movie since the series began in 2007; yes, I’ve seen all of them. They are based on Hasbro toys and can be changed to any form. The robots change to … Read more
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice (PG-13) ★★★½
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” is the sequel to the original 1988 film “Beetlejuice,” with Tim Burton returning as director and Michael Keaton reprising his role as the beloved Beetlejuice. Keaton shines throughout the film with his nuanced … Read more
Ripley TV Series ★★★½
As the prestigious Emmy Awards draw near, ‘Ripley,’ the TV series, stands out with an impressive 13 nominations. This acclaimed series, now available for streaming on Netflix, promises a viewing experience of the highest caliber.… Read more
My Penguin Friend (PG) ★★★½
The film ‘My Penguin Friend’ is a poignant portrayal of the extraordinary bond between a solitary father and a penguin, set against the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The narrative unfolds as the penguin, … Read more
It Ends with Us (PG-13) ★★★½
Blake Lively, staring as Lily Bloom, the main character from Colleen Hoover’s ultra-successful 2016 romance novel about an abusive relationship, is an excellent choice as we can see her serious side. She plays serious well; … Read more
Harold and the Purple Crayon (PG) ★★★ by Kathryn Rachford
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” (2024), based on the beloved children’s book by Crockett Johnson, follows the story of Harold (Zachary Levi), a young boy with a vivid imagination, as he grows up and faces … Read more
Deadpool & Wolverine (R) ★★★½
It’s been six years since Wade Wilson, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) retired from his superpower role. However, his quiet life is about to get crazy as he’s informed by Mr. Paradox (Matthew MacFadyen), that the world … Read more