“It”- “It” should turn out to be the “It” movie of summer, since it Is still, technically, summer. This is one of the best horror films in years- whether you read the legendary ’86 Stephen King novel, or not. I didn’t read the book but I took Ian O’Malley with me and he DID read the book & we both had the same reaction. It’s REALLY scary, well, at least for the first three-quarters of the movie. This is a hell of an entertaining movie. It’s a lot more than a horror movie. And while it’s funny , at times, it hits on some very hot topics: bullying & sexual abuse, among them. It’s a coming of ager and it just nails the mind of a 13 year old, The kids are just phenomenal. Most are unknown, except for lead Jaeden Liebherer, who was so impressive in his debut in “St. Vincent” with Bill Murray. “Stranger Things” fans will recognize Finn Wolfhard. The stand out is Sophia Lillis, who lives in Brooklyn, btw. This girl has a hell of a career ahead of her. You can’t take your eyes off her. Ditto with Bill Skarsgard, who plays the clown Pennywise. The stuff of nightmares. “It” is rated “R. Not for the easily scared.
3.5 stars
“Home Again”- Reese Witherspoon and Candace Bergen are totally WASTED in this movie, which is written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, the daughter of legendary chick flick director Nancy Meyers. You know Nancy’s movies : “It’s Complicated”; “The Intern” and “What Women Want”. Well, think of “Home Again” as Nancy Meyers-lite. It’s thin on story and plot but, like mom’s movies, Haille will have you drooling over the kitchens and furnishings of the perfect L.A homes. The plot is simple: Reese Witherspoon plays a recently separated mom who at 40 is starting over. The only new thing in this chick flick is Reese’s character never apologizes for being a cougar. But the plot is ridiculous. What single mom in her right mind would let three 20something year old guys movie into her home the morning after meeting them and spending a night drinking themselves blindly drunk??? With grandmom Candace Bergen cheering this on???!! Come on. The problem could be the writer/director was 29 when she made this, her first film. Maybe she just needs to grow up some more.
1 star