Recent Viewings, Part 2

[M.10rda]

I love it when screenwriters name major characters after celebrities.    Why???

[Rev. Powell]

I love it when screenwriters name major characters after celebrities.    Why???

They were blatant about it in the advertising. "Neuroscientist Jennifer Connelly invents..." Actually fooled me at first---what's Connelly doing in this microbudget film?---then I quickly figured it out.

[Dr. Whom]

The Wild Robot (2024)

A robot designed as a domestic helper gets shipwrecked on an island and becomes the adoptive mother of an orphaned runt gosling.

I liked this a lot better than I thought I would. The Miyazaki is strong in this one, notably in the design of the robot, but instead of just injecting some random whimsy (looking at you, Suzume) it also has the heart of a Miyazaki movie. It avoids annoying comic relief and its universe is more dangerous than your average kids feature. At the end of day, it still is a feel good movie aimed at a younger audience, but a very enjoyable one at that.

[FatFreddysCat]

"Ted" (2012)
In 1985, 8 year old John Bennett's wish that his new teddy bear would come to life comes true, and the two swear to be best friends forever.
25 years later, however, Ted's drunken pot smoking ways have become a threat to the now-grown up John (Mark Wahlberg)'s shot at true happiness with his girlfriend (Mila Kunis).
Seth "Family Guy" MacFarlane's directorial debut makes the most of its absurd premise and even manages to have a sweet side amidst the raunchy gags. Silly comedy/fantasy fun.