Directed by: Dean Israelite

Much like 2013’s Man of Steel, Power Rangers, released in 2017 and directed by Dean Israelite, begins with the failure of a previous generation of heroes. The main characters go on to uncover buried spaceships that house all the answers to the powers they have been bestowed. Their conflicts and responsibilities as heroes ensue from there, except the Power Rangers’ inheritance of their abilities isn’t familial but rather subject to five coloured stones which have dictated that five teenagers from Angel Grove be the saviours of their world.

The timeline of this movie is a bit unrealistic, and the fighting scenes, appropriately, aren’t too mature. That being said, it’s a reminder that Power Rangers was, after all, a kids’ superhero series about a band of teenagers. On the bright side, the movie stayed quite true to what details I can recall from the original 1990s series by incorporating chief Power Rangers terms, feats, antagonists, and even the theme song. The positives don’t stop there. The rangers’ suits were nothing short of an upgrade, the graphics were also impressive, and the soundtrack, heroic and intense but also young and hype when it needed to be, was more than effective. Furthermore, despite the movie being relatively short and there are a handful of main characters—which admittedly work well together—it develops them well, giving just enough insight into their individual lives, relationships, pasts, and personalities.

Overall, other than a few minor plot holes, a common occurrence in this genre of movie, it’s a compelling story of teamwork and responsibility as well as loss and triumph in which humorous immaturity and relatability duly shine through. Surprised it didn’t gain more traction after the initial release since it was a fantastic reintroduction of the old show. For ages 13+, I seriously recommend it.

4 Stars

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Directed by: Ron Howard

It’s 1820, the streets and much else are long-lit, and whale oil is a paramount commodity. Ron Howard’s In the Heart of the Sea, released in 2015, recounts the events of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and more. However, this is a mere commentary on the storytelling in this medium as opposed to a comparison of the preceding book. The movie follows: In a sit-down with Melville himself, the riveting tale is told via the last survivor, Thomas Nickerson, who was merely 14 years of age at the time of the ruinous voyage of Nantucket’s “Essex”. The crew, lead by the overconfidence of posh newbie Captain George Pollard Jr. and the zeal of rugged and experienced first mate, Owen Chase, sailing 1000 leagues along the equator. Seemingly for the “edge of sanity,” they discover the sperm whale oasis that brings them a rather fleeting victory. Fleeting since among the pod is a monstrosity of a whale—Moby Dick—ghostly in colour and vengeful.

In terms of themes, the movie is humbling and demonstrates how easily the authority of nature diminishes the whims of men as there is a palpable shift in conflict from profit to survival for which the crew must commit abominations. It’s an amazing film that develops the characters as well as the growth and relationships among them quite well and provides an incredible sense of closure despite all the loss.

Comparing this to a fair share of historical dramas/adventures watched, this one doesn’t warrant much criticism at all. It’s arguable, as an adaptation of such a prominent story, the soundtrack could’ve been a bit more distinct and memorable. Still, this movie, starring Chris Hemsworth and Tom Holland, who played major characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, certainly does this classic justice. I recommend this movie for ages 13+.

5 Stars

Chaya J.

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Directed by: Justin Baldoni

The movie Five Feet Apart, directed by Justin Baldoni, follows Stella Grant, a fun-loving seventeen-year-old cystic fibrosis patient whose life is filled with routine and boundaries. Stella meets Will Newman, a charming teenage boy that has the same illness as her. They develop an instant connection even though they must keep a safe distance between them. To reduce the risk of cross-infection that can potentially be dangerous and life-threatening, cystic fibrosis patients are strictly kept six feet apart. As Will and Stella begin to fall for each other, they secretly go on their first date and stay only five feet apart from each other. Their intensifying feelings for each other build an irresistible temptation to disregard the rules and break the boundaries.  

This film moved me to tears and was truly touching from the romance, heartache, and illness. The movie gave me an insight into the struggles those suffering from chronic diseases have to endure, which was very inspirational. The overall storyline was beautiful and hopeful, giving the audience an eye-opener into the life of individuals suffering from cystic fibrosis and the challenges they must overcome every day. The main actors, Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson did a phenomenal job portraying teens with cystic fibrosis, and their emotions within the film felt so real. Five Feet Apart is a fantastic movie that I would recommend to anyone, as it is not only an entertaining young love story but is also a great learning experience about people that are suffering from this chronic illness.

4.5 Stars

Emily K.

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Directed by: Lee Issac Chung

A Korean American family moves to California in 1983. Father Jacob and mother Monica move with their two American-born children, a mature girl named Anne and a six-year-old boy named David, to farmland in Arkansas. Jacob hopes to build a sustainable farm growing Korean produce to sell to vendors in Dallas and live the American Dream. As Jacob and Monica busily work, Monica’s mother, Soon-ja, travels from South Korea to help watch the children. Soon-ja is a mischievous but loving character. She adjusts to life in America and tries to bond with the children despite David avoiding her as she does not conform to his idea of a “normal” grandmother. The family deals with many issues that test the resilience of the household, and through the pain and struggles, the family becomes closer and stronger together.  

The film showcases spectacular cinematography, excellent story-telling, and beautiful acting. Minari captures a family of immigrants who came to America in hopes of a better life and the struggles they faced doing so. The message from the film is something that will stick with me forever. The film teaches you that as a family, we can overcome and navigate our way through the challenges in life. It is okay to struggle at times and fall down, however, we must remember to keep going together. I love how the storyline was simple, yet still thoughtful and well delivered. This is a perfect film for the whole family to enjoy and take away an inspiring message.  

Emily K.

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directed by Adrian Molina and Lee Unkrich

5 Stars

As your typical teen who occasionally overthinks about life’s ideals and how one, like myself, communicates these types of thoughts via any kind of art that tells a story. So as a person that really puts her soul into a movie she watches, I have to say that this film is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Coco does an excellent job at capturing the viewer’s attention from the start. It skillfully portrays the beauty of the “Day of the Dead,” a Mexican tradition, while unravelling one of the most endearing storylines I’ve ever seen in a film, which depicts a young aspiring musician named Miguel and his pursuit of his ambition of being a musician despite the disapproval of his family.

Throughout the film, Miguel entangles himself in an adventurous journey through the land of the dead, and he is caught between the love he has for music and the importance of family. Coco manages to convey the core of what it is to be human in such a simple and lovely way. What it means to love and to be passionate about the things and people you care about. The tale was delivered in such an exquisite manner that it didn’t make me think about the ideals it represented, but rather let me feel them with each scene, without my even analyzing what I was seeing. It did it so gradually that at the conclusion, I was overcome with a sequence that surely ranks among my favourite movie scenes, and I found myself sobbing. I’m not crying as I normally do when a scene moves me. I could go on and on about Coco, but I’ll just say that it’s a great film that I’ve rewatched at least twice. This movie is definitely a must-see!

Manaal I.

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directed by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers

5 Stars

Joe Gardner is a middle school band teacher whose life hasn’t gone exactly how he expected. He feels unfulfilled at his current job, and he knows that with his excellent piano skills, his true passion is jazz. One of his former students informs Joe of an opening in the band of the legend Dorothea Williams. Dorothea is impressed by Joe’s piano playing and offers him a job immediately. Joe gets the amazing opportunity to play at the best jazz club in town that night. However, in the streets of New York, Joe falls down a manhole transporting his soul into the “Great Beyond”, a foyer with a long walkway, where souls line up going to a white light. Not wanting to die so soon, he escapes the pathway and ends up in the “Great Before”, a place where young souls are mentored to discover their personalities and sparks before going to Earth. Because Joe is determined to get back to Earth somehow, he pretends to be an instructor who trains souls. Joe is given a girl who is only known by her number, 22. 22 is a soul who does not like Earth and finds it pointless. Joe desperately tries everything he can to get 22 to find her purpose and passion. Doing so, Joe learns what it means to have a soul.  

Soul is a funny, moving, and incredibly animated film. The film is all about life journey and finding your “spark”. The movie showcases the journey of finding your true purpose by helping each other. The concept is unique and thought-provoking for older audiences, yet still funny and relatable for children. I loved the deeply moving message of appreciating the gift of life. This is a must-watch for the entire family!  

Emily K.

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directed by Garth Jennings

5 Stars

Sing is not the first movie to incorporate the talent-show concept into its story, but it is unquestionably the most successful. While not especially unique, this zany escapade centered on a theatre-owning koala with great ambitions has enough charm and enough variety in the song choices to avoid alienating older audience members. Buster Moon, our protagonist, is barely hanging on to his business; the bank is ready to seize control of the theatre. Before tragedy hits, his plan of hosting a talent show draws the public interest. Throughout the movie, each of the main candidates is shown overcoming their own obstacles, whether it’s debilitating stage fright, the invisibility of being a stay-at-home mom, or a bank-robber dad with a job opening in the family firm. I didn’t have high hopes for this film at first.

This film was equally entertaining for both adults and children, and I honestly couldn’t tell you who had a larger crowd. I could tell from the teaser that this was going to be engaging because it wasn’t only animals singing, but also familiar voices! During the audition, they sang current songs as well as some older songs, but that was a good way to truly cater to their audience. Each actor/actress gave their all to their roles, and I was surprised to see that a few of them could sing! The start was interesting. It drew my interest, but I was hooked until the main character started talking about his current situation. The most intriguing aspect of the film was the lessons it taught, which were that people would do what they want when they want to do it and that you should never be scared to do what you are best at and go for your dreams! The great ensemble, which includes many well-known figures in the entertainment world, makes the film more appealing to parents as well. Overall, this film was enjoyable to see!

Manaal I.

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directed by Michael Gracey

The Greatest Showman is a biographical musical about the journey of young Phineas Barnum as a kid, entrepreneur, museum owner, circus producer, and entertainment producer. Phineas, son of a tailor, meets Charity, the daughter of one of his father’s affluent clients. He makes her laugh and gets slapped for it by her dad, but the spark from their first encounter lasts throughout their youth, even when she’s away at boarding school, and he’s an orphan on the streets. Despite all odds, Finn and Charity marry and have two daughters years later. In the midst of raising his family, he secures a loan to build a museum of curiosities, eventually fails. He is inspired by an encounter to ask unusual-looking people to participate in a performance centered on them.

With help from costumes and makeup, he launches what will become the first circus. Barnum’s show is critically criticized, but the general public enjoys it. Barnum makes a fortune, but he can’t seem to stop looking for approval from higher classes. We all need some positivity and light in our lives. The world is filled with so much hate and unkindness toward anybody who is different. This film teaches us that everyone is valuable, that everyone’s existence has significance and purpose, and that we should work hard to help everyone, rich or poor. The message of this movie reminds us of how we should treat those around us and gives those of us who are different the courage and power to be who we are. Not to mention the amazing songs people of all ages can enjoy! This is the type of movie which you can’t help but come back to just because of its timeless nature. Human nature craves the light and goodness movies such as The Greatest Showman give to us in this world.

Manaal I.

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directed by John Lee Hancock

5 Stars

Michael Oher is a seventeen-year-old homeless African-American teenager who has been in foster care with different families due to his mother’s drug addiction. Every new home he is placed in, he decides to run away. With the help of his father’s friend, Michael is enrolled in Wingate Christian School. Coach Burt Cotton is impressed by Michael’s size and athleticism and gets him admitted. Michael becomes friends with a younger student named Sean Jr. (S.J.). S.J.’s mother, Leigh Anne Tuohy is an interior designer and the wife of Sean Tuohy, a wealthy businessman. Leigh Anne sees Michael walking alone on the road at night, shivering in the cold. When she learns he does not have a place to stay she offers him to sleep on the couch in her home. Michael slowly becomes a member of the Tuohy family, and when Leigh Anne discovers more about Michael’s past she wishes to adopt him. Michael begins playing football and improves drastically as time goes on. With the support of his new family, who helps him overcome difficulties, Michael’s life changes for the better.  

I enjoyed watching this movie and believe that it was excellently done. This heartwarming film teaches us that small acts of kindness can change people’s lives forever. In addition, the film emphasizes that we should not judge someone based on their appearance or where they came from. The acting from each character is spot on and truly moves you. Sandra Bullock’s acting was outstanding and so strong. Overall, The Blind Side is inspiring, beautifully created, and can move you to tears. This is a movie that I will continue to watch over and over and love every time. This is a great family-friendly movie with a wonderful message.

Emily K.

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by Robert Zemeckis

5 Stars

Forrest Gump (1994) - IMDb

Forrest Gump, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is a critically acclaimed drama film starring Tom Hanks in the lead role and a winner of 6 Academy Awards. The movie follows the main character, Forrest Gump, throughout his fascinating life, filled with unexpected twists and turns, all told from Forrest’s point of view. 

Forrest, a kind-hearted man with an IQ of 75 (10 points under the average of 85), recalls the story of his life to curious strangers while sitting on a bench at a bus stop in Georgia. He recounts the many events he has gone through in his life, including achieving a football scholarship to a renowned college and even fighting for his country in Vietnam. President Lyndon B. Johnson awards Gump with a Medal of Honor for his efforts in Vietnam, where he rescued many of his fellow soldier’s lives, bringing them to safety. 

Though he had accomplished so much in his life, it never mattered to him. All he ever cared about was his childhood friend and love interest, Jenny Curran. Once he receives the Medal of Honor, he gives it to Jenny as a gift, telling her he only received it by doing what she told him to do in his childhood when he was relentlessly bullied “Run, Forrest, run!”. 

This is a fantastic film that explores the fact that a person born with difficulties is only ever limited by their own thoughts and if they put their minds to it, are able to accomplish anything. I recommend this movie to anyone 13+. It is a definite 5/5 film that explores important issues.

Vlada E.

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