“If I Stay,” ***: A teen (Chloe Grace Moretz) must decide between life and death. Director R.J. Cutler’s film of Gayle Forman’s best-selling novel is a complex examination of how love takes many forms and each version can bring its own heart-lifting highs and heart-breaking lows. How we deal with it is what shapes us as human beings and serves as the blueprint of the film.
“And So It Goes,” **: Veteran real estate agent faces being a grandfather. The combination of Academy Award winners Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton with Oscar-nominated director Rob Reiner should add up to something more magical than this bland offering.
“Into the Storm,” *½: Group fights to survive when a super tornado hits. This is the latest attempt to pull off the “found footage” style, but it stumbles so often it takes a lot of wind out of the sails of this film about massive tornadoes.
“The Wind Rises,” ***½: Animated film about a young man who finds magic in flight. It would be a great loss if this does end up being Hayao Miyazaki’s last movie. There hasn’t been an animator since Walt Disney who understands as deeply how to make their work become more than just a projection of light and sound. Animation is an art form that’s lifted to amazing heights when in the hands of a master craftsman like Miyazaki.
Also new on DVD this week:
“Power Rangers Megaforce: Robo Knight Before Christmas”: One Power Ranger goes on a journey to find the true meaning of Christmas.
“Reclaim”: Adoption leads couple into battle with man running human-trafficking ring. John Cusack stars.
“Three Dogateers”: Three dogs fend for themselves a few days before Christmas.
“Housebound”: Woman forced to stay in the home her mother is convinced is haunted.
“Ragnarok”: Archaeologist looks for proof to myth about the end of the world.
“Northpole”: Santa’s home is in trouble.
“Jeff Dunham: All Over the Map”: Stand-up comedy special featuring Dunham.
“Masterpiece: Worricker: Turks &Caicos”: Sun, sand and CIA are themes of Johnny’s (Bill Nighy ) retirement on a Caribbean island.
“The Jimmy Wang Yu Collection”: Includes four martial arts movies.
“Brazilian Western”: Film adaptation of the song “Faroeste Caboclo.”
“The Dark Half”: George A. Romero film based on the Stephen King novel.
“Frozen Sing-Along Edition”: Bouncing snowflake helps you follow the lyrics.
“Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings”: Five teens resurrect a demon.
“Masterpiece: Worricker — Salting the Battlefields”: Johnny (Bill Nighy ) manages to stay a step ahead of an international dragnet.
“Kiki’s Delivery Service”: Enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch.
“Monkey Shines”: Paralyzed man uses monkey to get revenge.
“The Paradise: Season Two”: Britain’s first department store re-opens its doors for a second season.
“Women of the Bible”: Examination of influential and inspiring women in the Bible.
“As the Light Goes Out”: Firefighters battle to save Hong Kong.
“Wolfblood Season 2”: Series about high school students who part part human, part wolf.
Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee
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