I liked the original in its big, dumb square way (even had an 11th birthday cake with Elliot on it), but that may have been nascent gay boy talking. (Remember, Disney was SURE in 1977 the world wanted another attempt at "Mary Poppins"…then a little something called "Star Wars" came out 6 months earlier…) This new…

I'm still trying to.

Yes, 3 of the crew survive.

That one really has gotten lost, and a shame—compared with some of the other 70's Disney crap, I remember it being pretty clever and charming.

I actually like the ending—as I recall, she's not just a random witch, but Huston's abused assistant, so her undoing the spell has an element of revenge/payback. (Those who also love British children's lit might remember Cruella de Vill's white cat in "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" who helps the Dalmatians get some…

Going this weekend, probably along with "Absolutely Fabulous" and maybe "Cafe Society." (Portland's in the 90's for a couple days.)

"Zootopia" "The Jungle Book" "Sing Street" "Life, Animated" "The Witness" "Eye in the Sky" "Demolition" "Where To Invade Next" "Neighbors 2" and "Buddymoon" are all at least 4-star (out of 5) movies in my book—hell, I'd give "Zootopia" and "Life Animated" Oscars right now in their respective categories. Those plus a…

Sorry about that. (You probably don't want to hear the not-so-secret messages in "Forrest Gump.")

I went on a lengthy rant on another thread about how appallingly sexist "GB2" is. Three years after "Aliens," Sigourney Weaver is reduced to Whimpering Mom; does SHE get to strap on a pack and go kick supernatural butt? No, but Rick Moranis does—and at the end all the 'busters (and NO MOM) are glowing heroes in the…

"I've worn dresses with higher IQ's than you!"

Haven't seen the movie since it was first released—I loved the book so much, it couldn't help but be something of a letdown. That said, I remember the opening credits being just right, and after a frenetic, excessively juvenile first half the story beginning to tighten the screws, and the last 1/3 getting…

I liked the first "AGM" a lot—it still has some big laugh-out-loud moments (especially the bit with Graham Norton & the coffee table). But the 2nd one is godawful, aside from Brent Corrigan's charming turn as Stan the Merman.

Wolf of Wall Street. The Big Short. The Martian. The Aristocrats. Sideways. Role Models. Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Under The Tuscan Sun. Neighbors 2. About a Boy. High Fidelity. Tropic Thunder. Zootopia. Friends With Benefits. Moonrise Kingdom. Jeff, Who Lives At Home. Amelie. G.B.F. Cedar Rapids. I Love You Philip…

God, you scared me for a minute, then I got the joke.

Indulged different friends different days with "The BFG" and "Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates." Neither painful, but neither more than 3 stars out of 5; the former was at least stunningly beautiful to look at, and the latter had a couple raunchy laughs and Zac Efron, who is also stunningly beautiful to look at. …

There's also an interesting gender thing going on: aside from "Romy and Michelle," you rarely see movies centered around stupid women (though the "dumb blonde" stereotype remains prevalent, even post-Elle Woods). However, every year there are a number of movies with stupid guys—often in pairs or groups—whom audiences…

God, you should meet my mother in law(or should've before Alzheimer's kicked in). Before our wedding, she went over to our friend the harpist and stage-whispered, "Just so you know, (partner's father)'s favorite song is "Send In The Clowns." As if he was taking requests, and was going to throw in a Sondheim tune…

He's a great guy and a nifty actor, but would some others agree that the automatic Emmy nod he got over and over for "Monk" bumped a lot of equally or more deserving competitors out of the running for several years? ("Galaxy Quest" remains unimpeachable.)

Yeah, I've always been squeamish about that school of thought: "the Holocaust 'belongs' to the Jews and you dishonor them by even mentioning other victims." on the other hand, I've had a few days popping in on the African-American site The Grio that have made my jaw drop: "Who cares if they're Jews, they're still…

Or unless you're Mel Brooks. He can get away with things almost no one else can.