"Rim of the World"

I rarely review kids movies, but in this case, I definitely have to make an exception. Since it's a Netflix original, my expectations were pretty high. The plot revolves around four young kids at summer camp. None of them belongs or wants to be there. And on their first day, aliens attack the earth and it's up to them to save humanity. It sounds corny, but it's so well done you get caught up in the adventure. The actors are all wonderful and the film features some clever dialogue, exciting action scenes, and great cinematography. For those with young children, the language is a tad vulgar at times, but it's really not anything they haven't heard before. Definitely a fun ride for the whole family. Keep it up Netflix!
3.5 out of 5 stars

"Ginger & Rosa"

Another review from the Elle Fanning Fan Club. I started watching this movie and said to myself, "Hey, that looks a lot like Elle Fanning." Well, it was her English accent that threw me. The film stars Ms Fanning and Alice Englert, two young women who have been inseparable since childhood. The story takes place in the early 60s, against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the threat of nuclear holocaust. The two come from troubled families and deals with their coming of age and eventually going their separate ways. The acting was superb as you'd expect. And the story was very engaging and unpredictable. Once again, I'll watch anything that stars the seriously underrated Elle Fanning.
4 out of 5 stars

"The Keeping Hours"

Don't let the "thriller" description fool you, this movie is anything but. It opens at the wedding of a couple with their young son. It then  jumps several years ahead, after their child has been killed in a car crash and they've divorced. When the dad returns to their old home to clean it up to sell, he discovers the ghost of his son living in there. He eventually invites his ex-wife to join them and the three of them carry on as if nothing has happened. I kept waiting for something totally creepy to happen, but it never did. The trailer makes the movie out to be a lot scarier than it really is. I found it to be just a nicely paced, lyrical film.
3.5 out of 5 stars

"Kon Tiki"

This is exactly what an adventure film should be. It features a great story line, understated acting, and cinematography that makes you feel you're in the thick of it. "Kon Tiki" as you may know, is the true story of Thor Heyerdahl and his quest to prove the controversial theory that Polynesia was settled from the east by ancient Peruvian sailors and is based on his international best-selling book. Heyerdahl gathered a crew just after WWII and had a raft built using materials and techniques replicating what would have been done 1,500 years ago. His crew included several men who had never been to sea before which made for some exciting adventures. This is the kind of movie that makes one want to read the book, it's that well done.
4 out of 5 stars