christopher-morton-236-865257 Reviews

Sing 2 (2021)

Just Makes You Happy

[9/10 · 11 February 2022]

I'm not a big fan of musical theatre (most West End shows leave me with a headache). But the final production of "Out of This World" at the end is something I would be happy to pay any price to see if it was in our world. The songs are great, the choreography amazing, and the joy real. It would be worth the price of admission just for the final 20 minutes.

But what makes Sing 2 one of those rare animated films that are actual cinema is the emotional journeys of the main stars: Buster, Johnny, Ash, Rosita, Gina (or is it Mina...internal joke to movie), Gunter, and even Porsche. I think almost everyone alive can connect with one or more of the emotional, physical or psychological challenges before the stars, and seeing them overcome them brings smiles (and sometimes tears) to your eyes. And yes, this love is as much for adults (in some ways more) than kids. But grab a nephew or friend's kid if you worry about watching this film alone at a theatre as an adult.

And for any fan of U2 the closing musical number...it's just fantastic. Best film I have seen since before Covid became a thing.

Millions Like Us (1943)

A Great Look at a Forgotten Theatre

[9/10 · 14 October 2021]

When you watch a film made in 1943 you realise, they had no idea how things would play out. Or for how long. The constant fear of invasion and the Blitz (the V1 and V2s would soon start landing on the citizens of Britain.) was gone and they had to stay focused and sacrifice and fight for...how long? Amazing people. And this movie gives such a delightful view of the great leveling that took place in both world wars efforts.

The acting is well-done and typically downplayed. No overacting or supreme confidence. As an ex-pat living the UK and meeting people of this era, they were more restrained that Americans. Patricia Roc, a lovely woman, takes us on a tour of the change in her life, from mindless middle class to mutineer and lover of a simple soul, Sergeant Fred (Gordon Jackson). Her quirks and her hopes make her feel so real, and when she says "it always works out like I plan" you know her love story will soon end. The final minutes as Roc's character resumes the life briefly interrupted by marriage. How many young women who watched that would soon lose their "Fred" or just had. Handled with care and honesty that is uniquely British WW2 cinema.

The secondary stories are excellent and the acting of the whole cast is wonderful (though Americans may struggle with the varied accents of the mutineers). Anne Crawford's pursuit/pursued of Eric Portman is particularly interesting, reminding us class differences still needed their own revolution. To have seen this in 1943 and not knowing if victory would ever come, the audience would have been inspired but not given a fantasy. Too many more visits from RAF chaplains awaited.

Matilda (1978)

Have to remember it's a kid's movie

[6/10 · 7 May 2020]

My brother took me to this back in the 70s, and I loved it. And only recently found it again. No, it's not Citizen Kane or Vertigo, but it is a fun little story similar to Gus the Kicking Mule and The Cat from Outer Space (which is the best of those cheap but fun Disney movies of that era). This is a fun, cute and very silly movie that actually has good acting and a very bad faked Kangaroo. If it's snowing on a Saturday or you are in lockdown, it's a fun romp to watch with the kids.

Moms' Night Out (2014)

How is this movie so low rated?

[9/10 · 22 March 2020]

Up front, I am a person of faith, but wasn't when I saw it. And I have only laughed this hard in two other movies, What's Up Doc and Hot Fuzz. Absolutely funny, but also very thoughtful. I am a stay at home dad, so, perhaps not being a woman but one who had to raise our kids when they were small made me connect to it differently.

Sarah Drew and Sean Astin have real chemistry, are very cute together and were fantastic. Patricia Heston shows she really was the best part of EL Raymond. The rest of the cast is a step below, but do an adequate job. But the one who may have stolen the show (but not the baby) is Trace Atkins. He was fantastic and you can tell Sarah Drew is fighting laughing at him in the police station he is so...dead-on. Regardless of your faith or position on stay-at-home moms (and again, I stay at home so my wife can be a superstar), or even if you are afraid of luchidores and children, you will have fun watching this. And then realise (if your a man) the way to your wife's heart can be found you cleaning the kitchen.

Now go watch the momma eagle.

Indivisible (II) (2018)

Hard to Watch, Well Done

[8/10 · 22 March 2020]

The hard to watch part is obviously the damage of war on people. You will cry. The beginning is a bit slow, and in the early stages much of what is said by the chaplain feels...shallow. But his experience grounds him, and he becomes a deeper man through it. The portal of PTSD is well-done, as living in a military community I have seen and talked to families with these same experiences. But the portrayal of home life was even harder, maybe because as a military brat, it reminded me of a lot. Turner's wife (Sarah Drew) was daily in her own form of combat and shell shock. In the end, very receptive time.

Well acted (evidently one day on Gray'a Anatomy they must have said, "who wants to do a movie together" because they pretty much all have been on there), relatively well-paced, and well worth the time to watch and talk with people about later.

Psych: Spellingg Bee (2006) Season 1, Episode 2

Few Shows Are as Quoteable or as Fun!

[25 January 2020]

If you haven't watched Psych, start with this episode. This shown is a weird combo of ADD and bipolarism (in the form of Shawn) and some of the best straight men (Gus and the Chief) around. You will finish with a smile, laugh lines and elevated serotonin levels.

And you will never misspell banana or Michum again.