“Anna and the Apocalypse”
This could be the most creative movie experiment of the year: a Zom-Com (zombie comedy)-musical-Christmas mash-up. And it works!
It’s a little gem from Britain set in a high school during the holiday season when the zombie apocalypse hits. The pluses: the songs are catchy, the characters are relatable – there’s lots of heart- and there’s no tamping down of the gore factor. Plus it’s not predictable…and it doesn’t wear out its welcome at just 92 minutes. My only problem was one of the only American on screen looks too old for high school. By far, this is one of the most unlikely holiday movies in years. But it won’t be the last. The door is left wide open for the sequel.
2 ½ ♥
“Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”
This year’s version of “The Jungle Book.” Andy Serkis (of “LOTR” fame) directs/wrote/stars in this reinvention of the Rudyard Kipling masterpiece about a boy torn between 2 worlds: the jungle and civilization. Great cast: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Frieda Pinto & Naomi Harris. It’s a Netflix movie so it’s opening in just a few theaters before being exclusively featured on the service. I didn’t see it. But I know I won’t be taking my 6 year old grandson, Zach. “The Jungle Book” two years ago ruined Zach forever with going to movie theaters. My son never lets me forget. Like “The Jungle Book,” this one’s rated PG-13. Not PG-6 or PG-4!!!! It's getting a very tepid 45% on Rotten Tomatoes.
“The Possession of Hannah Grace”
I didn’t see it. It’s an exorcism gone wild deal...as in leaving the "possessed" young woman dead. Then months later a morgue worker is forced to deal with the demonic fall out of this botched exorcism. The consensus on Rotten Tomatoes…not great: 29%