Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events; Stellar production work brings the first three books alive in a delightfully sinister fashion. Carrey wickedly embodies the Olaf character and his various disguises. The orphan trio are game to go head to head w/Carrey, fabulously spot on casting; A

The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot; Beautifully rendered, lovingly told, the film follows the WALL-E way of endearing the audience to the robot via silent film techniques and cute, tiny interactions. By the time the conflict shows up, we’re rooting for the robot to succeed in its reflection of humanity. Sweet film; A-

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice; Does an excellent job respecting the original while providing decent justification for revisiting the themes and circumstances all over again. The new blood meshes seamlessly and fits right in perfectly. Ortega is a draw unto herself, but O’Hara and Keaton are legendary; B+

Elemental

Elemental; Unfortunately, execution of what could be an amazing allegory of immigration & racial integration falls flat by failing to emotionally connect nor enthral via Pixar’s usual emphasis on storytelling. Instead it offers stunning visuals & a score that amount to a bore; B-

Being Canadian

Being Canadian; Entertaining cavalcade of famous Canucks can't rescue a sad rehashing of Canadian stereotypes. Lacks any depth or insight; C

Frankenweenie

Frankenweenie; Lovingly rendered with stop motion brilliance and horror tropes of days gone by. Monster movie for young and old. Sweet. B+