Movie Reviews
Just what is the truth about Norma McCorvey?
The documentary “AKA Jane Roe” (FX, streaming on Hulu) is ostensibly a portrait of Norma McCorvey, the official but largely nominal plaintiff in the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade, the outcome of which was the legalization of abortion across the United States.
Scoob — A-II (PG)
Baby boomers may remember whiling away their Saturday mornings, beginning in 1969, by watching the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”
Trolls World Tour — A-II (PG)
With its psychedelic palette, upbeat energy and fun interludes of song, director Walt Dohrn’s animated musical sequel “Trolls World Tour” (Universal) is a delightful diversion, one especially well calculated to reduce stress amid the present trying — and, for many, tragic — global circumstances.
‘Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,’ streaming, Netflix
“The chronicle of [Joe Exotic’s] downfall is thoroughly unhealthy media junk food on which many, apparently, are bingeing — ‘Tiger King’ is currently Netflix’s most popular program.”
Dolittle — A-II (PG)
Exactly a century ago, British author Hugh Lofting published “The Story of Doctor Dolittle,” the first in a long series of books for children that have won lasting popularity for their protagonist, a physician-turned-veterinarian who has, need it be said, the unique ability to communicate with the critters he treats.
Catholic movie reviews of 2020 Oscar best picture nominees
“1917” – “Ford v Ferrari” – “Jojo Rabbit” – “Joker” – “Marriage Story” – “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” – “Parasite” – “The Irishman” – “Little Women”
1917 — A-III (R)
“1917” is a great movie about the Great War. By turns harrowing and lyrically beautiful — and deeply humane throughout — director and co-writer (with Krysty Wilson-Cairns) Sam Mendes’ gripping historical drama displays both the horrors of trench combat and the endurance of fundamental decency and spiritual striving.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker — A-III (PG-13)
A long time ago, in a world that now seems far, far away — to wit, Earth in spring 1977 — George Lucas wowed audiences with the original “Star Wars” film.
The Two Popes — A-III (PG-13)
In “The Two Popes,” their glossy but highly speculative account of supposedly real events, screenwriter Anthony McCarten and director Fernando Meirelles ill-advisedly try to extol Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) by trashing retired Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins).
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood — A-II (PG)
Last year, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” — filmmaker Morgan Neville’s documentary about iconic public television children’s show host Fred Rogers (1928-2003) — achieved both critical acclaim and remarkable success at the box office.
Frozen II — A-II (PG)
Both the filmmakers and the central voice cast of the much-loved 2013 original are reunited in “Frozen II” (Disney). They deliver an exuberant animated musical adventure that’s suitable for a wide demographic.
Ford v Ferrari — A-III (PG-13)
“Ford v Ferrari” (Fox) revels in its 1960s gender stereotypes, evoking a “Great Man” age of auto racers in which the men were men and the women glad of it.
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