This month we decided to review the 2017 movie “Goodbye Christopher Robin”, since last month we had reviewed “Christopher Robin” 2018. There is a lot of nostalgia surrounding Winnie the Pooh and all the characters of the A.A. Milne books and Disney movies. There is no denying that these are beloved characters and have been for generations. Its natural that our love for these characters would lead to curiosity about the author and the child on which he based his books. Which is most likely why Fox Searchlight Entertainment gave us a movie that explores the history of the Winnie the Pooh stories, while simultaneously making you laugh, cry and feel guilty about ever having adored these characters.
This is not a kid’s movie. You may be tempted since it is rated PG and relates directly with the Winnie the Pooh characters, but this movie deals with very bleak subject matter. We are shown an A.A. Milne that is shell shocked (PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was referred to as Shell Shock at the time) after WWI. He is trying to recapture his life, during a time in history when much wasn’t known about PTSD and its effects. A noted playwright, Milne is struggling with his craft and his symptoms and so decides to move his family to the countryside, away from the noise and chaos of London. It is here, while spending time with his son, that he comes up with the idea of writing the book Winnie-The-Pooh. Most notably the A.A. Milne character shows us how PTSD influences everyday life. Christopher Robin is shown to be resentful of the fame associated with his father’s books from a very young age. Though his relationship with his parents has been strained from the beginning, it comes to a head when Christopher inlists and is sent off to WWII. He decides to share his feelings with his father before leaving for war. The mother Daphne, is portrayed as an uncaring, self-centered and materialistic woman. She doesn’t really care for her son, getting a nanny to look after him almost immediately. It appears as though she is more concerned with being a socialite than being a mother, or even a wife. We actually discussed the possibility of her actions being ordinary for the time and her status in society, but still couldn't give her a pass to act the way she was. It helped to learn, through research, that this was a gross exaggeration of what Daphne was actually like as a person. Still hard to watch. Overall, this is a cautionary tale: Don't allow your children to become renowned. Actually take an interest in the day to day affairs of your children and maybe don't watch this movie(?). If you enjoy dramas, you will probably enjoy this movie, however, if you are a huge Winnie-the-Pooh fan, then this is a recipe for heartbreak.
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This month we are reviewing the latest Marvel Movie (MCU), next to be released after Infinity War: Ant-Man and the Wasp. This was a nice reprieve from the shock experienced by most Marvel fans, following the events of Infinity War (Which was a great movie and pivotal to the MCU. You should definitely watch it before watching any of the newer Marvel installments). MCU movies don’t always follow the same timeline as their release dates, but they are released in a certain order on purpose, you can trust that.
Ant-Man is a light-hearted character. He and the actor who portrays him, Paul Rudd, are both good at being silly and making even the most dire of situations seem whimsical. This time around we find Scott Lang, Ant-Man’s alter ego, under house arrest due to his involvement in the battle between Captain America and Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War. It is almost the end of his 2 year sentence and he is trying his best to behave the next few days, so that he can have his ankle monitor removed and be free to roam the city as a free man. Of course, it wouldn’t be much of a superhero story if all we did was watch Scott finish out his house arrest in peace. The supporting characters are fun to watch, but still we need action. So, enter Hank Pym and his daughter Hope Van Dyne, characters from the first Ant-Man movie. They have a small favor to ask of Scott that doesn’t go anywhere close to plan. Suffice it to say that there are several people, in the same area, after the same technology, for differing reasons, causing the outcome of Scott’s small favor to be a big ordeal. There are fight scenes, giant ants, truth serums, shrinking and growing items of all kinds and a new character causing havoc, Ghost. Ant-Man does prevail in the end, but it’s definitely a rocky road to the finish. Ant-Man and the Wasp is rated PG-13 For Sci-Fi Action Violence. It is funny and action packed and may be best for children ages 10 and up. As with all Marvel Movies there are extra scenes in the credits so be sure to stick around until the very end of the credits. Terry and Brook Saunders 2/3 of the Saunders Girls ![]() Not a movie, but I've decided not to keep to strict guidelines on this blog. So I introduce you to the NBC series A.P. Bio. This comedy is about a man, Jack (played by Glenn Howeton) that lost his position as a Professor of Philosophy at Harvard. We meet Jack as he starts his new job teaching at a high school in Toledo Ohio. Of course, everyone will be surprised to learn that he is now teaching A.P. Biology at Whitlock High School. Go Rams! The casting was done well. Everyone fits their role perfectly! The teachers are interesting and Patton Oswald, who plays the principle is hilarious. The interactions between Jack and his students are what make the show funny. And Glenn Howeton appears to be a charming person, not to mention easy on the eyes. However, as with many situational comedies there are the situations that I find frustrating. Times when the characters make choices that you know will end badly and fit into the common tropes. That being said, I have thoroughly enjoyed the first season and look forward to watching the 2nd. On an unrelated note, I can't help but see this as my high school, which is in Ohio, starts with a W and our mascot was the Rams. This show feels like home. You can watch A.P. Bio on the NBC app or online at NBC.com |
AuthorMother & daughters team that enjoy movies, discussions and writing! We have had many of our movie reviews published in a local Magazine. Archives
September 2019
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