âThe Promiseâ
A love triangle set amid a modern day genocide not widely known and still denied: the pre-world war one genocide of one-and-a-half million Armenians. Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac star as the two men in love with newcomer Charlotte Le Bon..Itâs epic, educational and heart-breaking â only getting a little-too-over-the top near the end. Also starring and guesting on âSonstein Sundayâ at 7:15 âThe Green Mileâ and âBabeâ star: James Cromwell.
3 stars
âBorn in Chinaâ
Almost every year, Disney Nature comes out with an incredible Earth Day film (Earth Day is tomorrow) and part of the first weekâs ticket sales goes to The World Wildlife Fundâ. This yearâs amazing offering is shot in a remote part of China even most Chinese havenât visited. The scenery is extraordinary but even more so is the upfront filming of pandas, snow leopards and snub-nosed monkeys, shot over a one year period- all following a mom and her offspring. Breathtaking. But I have to warn you of a Bambi moment with one of the moms- for the super-sensitive kids. If they can handle that- this is one of best family pics of the year!!!
4 stars
âUnforgettableâ
A âFatal Attractionâ in reverse cuz itâs the ex-wife, Katherine Heigel who is terrorizing the betrothed of her ex-hubby. Rosario Dawson is the fiancĂŠe. Non-household name Geoff Stults is the man theyâre warring over. He was Ben on â7th Heavenâ years more than 10 years ago. This one is sooo bad itâs good. The critics in my screening audience howled with laughter âŚand itâs NOT a comedy. Itâs so over the top with every cliche in the book. A true guilty pleasure! So bad- itâs good. âUnforgettableâ may be unforgettable at the Razzie awards this year for the worst of 2017.
1 star
Also opening : the doc âCitizen Janeâ- a David vs. Goliath story of early 60âs NYC urban activist Jane Jacobs, who defeated Robert Mosesâ plans for a crosstown expressway on whatâs now Canal Street- She also defeated Mosesâ plans to destroy Washington Square Park and his plans to tear down the West Village. This is not just an urban history lesson of NYC, itâs a how-to manual for todayâs activists. And it has great pics of a NYC gone by. The director of the doc, Matt Tyrnauer, is my 7am guest on âSonstein Sundayâ..and if you miss you can catch my interviews on the IHeartradio app under âSonstein Sessionsâ...key word Shelli or Sonstein.
3-and-a-half stars