Please Look After This Bear... "Paddington"

Paddington (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Ben Whishaw, Nicole Kidman

Directed by Paul King

The Story:

A bear named Paddington (voiced by Whishaw) finds himself in need of a home. Naturally, London is the place to be, so he sets off for England and runs into the Brown family who take him in. Naturally, what starts out as a fish out of water story becomes a tale of love and acceptance into the family. Of course, there's going to be a little bit of danger afoot first!

Okay, honestly, when I heard they were making a Paddington movie, I rolled my eyes and thought, really? The bear with the hat and coat?

Why?

Of course, I try and keep an open mind when these movies are released, and after arriving on my doorstep to groans from just about everyone, in it went.

And you know what?

It wasn't that bad.

No, nothing you haven't seen before, but good, harmless fun for the whole family.

More in the line of Stuart Little than Air Bud, so it's good for the whole family without getting on your nerves, fast!

While the bear is the star, I would like to commend Hugh Bonneville's turn as the beleaguered father who is the most reluctant to want to keep Paddington, yet gets roped into more adventures with him, and to save him, than anyone else. He's a good sport, and brings a whole lot of fun to the film.

So yes, if there's a Paddington 2, I will be there to see what happens next.

I also won't be disappointed if they don't make a sequel.

:)

Final Grade: B-

If It Happened, Then "The Impossible" Is The Wrong Title For This Film...

The Impossible (2012)

Rated PG-13 for language and peril

Starring Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland, Samuel Joslin, Oaklee Pendergast

Directed by J. A. Bayona

The Story:

Henry (McGregor) and his wife Maria (Watts) are on Christmas vacation in Thailand in 2004 with their 3 children: Lucas (Holland), Thomas (Joslin) and Simon (Pendergrast).  As they are enjoying a wonderful day at the pool, they are suddenly and viciously hit by a tsunami.  The force separates the family, Maria and Lucas are swept one direction, Henry and the two little boys another.  As Maria fights for her very survival, Henry chooses to leave his sons to try and find the rest of his family.  Will they all survive? Will the family be reunited?

Well of course!

One, it's a true story, and that's what happened.

However, unlike many who have seen this movie, I was not emotionally traumatized and think this was a great movie.

It was okay, at best.

That's not to make light of the real-life tragedy of what occurred by any stretch of the imagination.

Somehow though, in the cold light of looking at this film, whatever emotional chords they are trying to pluck in me, it didn't work.

In fact, the most emotional scene in the movie...

SPOILER!

Is when the brothers are reunited.

That was a sweet moment, and seemed genuine and unforced, unlike the rest of the movie.

Those little boys looked absolutely thrilled to see their older brother.

Which makes me happy, yet angry as a father.

Sorry Henry, as much as you love your wife and other son, you make sure you get those 2 boys to safety, WITH  YOU, and then you work on finding the rest of your family.

Grr.

Final Grade: C...maybe even a C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not going to happen.