FERDINAND (2017) – My rating: 8.5/10

Ferdinand is a 3D computer-animated comedy-drama adventure film produced by Blue Sky Studios, Davis Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Animation. The film was based on Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson’s children’s book, The Story of Ferdinand, written by Robert L. Baird, Tim Federle and Brad Copeland and directed by Carlos Saldanha.  Ferdinand is another animated movie I was obligated to see because of the Oscars.  Ferdinand is also another animated movie I was happy to have seen because it was excellent with a beautiful message.  I must say, animation story telling is getting better and better.

Ferdinand opens in Spain on a ranch owned by Moreno (Raúl Esparza) called Casa del Toro that trains bulls for bullfighting.  There is where a bull calf named Ferdinand (Colin H. Murphy) lives.  He is ridiculed by his fellow calves, Bones (Nile Diaz), Guapo (Jet Jurgensmeyer), and Valiente (Jack Gore) for being non-confrontational and for his habit of smelling and protecting flowers.  After months and months of ridicule, a melon collie Ferdinand runs away from home after his father, Raf (Jeremy Sisto) doesn’t return to the ranch after being chosen for a bull fight, plus a flower Ferdinand was fond of was flattened by Valiente after his own father was defeated by Raf. Running away eventually lands Ferdinand at a florist’s farm, where he is lovingly accepted and adopted into the family.

Ferdinand (John Cena) eventually grows up into an enormous bull, he still retains his non-violent, flower-loving nature. Due to his size, he is left alone when his new family, Juan (Juanes), Nina (Lily Day), and their dog, Paco (Jerrod Carmichael), goes to the town of Ronda for an annual flower festival. Against the family’s decision that Ferdinand stay home for his own protection, he decides to go to the festival anyway.  As a result, Ferdinand gets stung by a bee and unintentionally causes much chaos around town that results in him being sent back to Casa del Toro, much to his and the family’s sadness.

Once back at his old ranch, Ferdinand finds his old friends, Bones (Anthony Anderson), Guapo (Peyton Manning), and Valiente (Bobby Cannavale) have also grown up and have been joined by a Scottish bull named Angus (David Tennant) and a silent but intimidating bull named Maquina (Tim Nordquist). Ferdinand is still disrespected by the bulls, but manages to befriend a crazy goat named Lupe (Kate McKinnon).

Ferdinand goes on to bigger and more exciting adventures. The message projected in Ferdinand is extremely profound.  Between Ferdinand’s beginnings at Casa del Toro to the Florist farm and back to Casa del Toro, there are many plots to explore.  I am unable to find anything negative about this film.  Ferdinand is brilliantly smart, beautifully illustrated and well acted with lessens to be had by all. Or course, the actors only lend their voices to the characters.  I highly recommend Ferdinand, which is now on DVD and Blu-Ray and is also streaming on Amazon.  I don’t think you can go wrong with this one, the kids will love it!

[Ferdinand is Oscar nominated for Best Animated Feature.]

 

NIGHTCRAWLER (2014) – My rating: 8.5/10

What a great actor Jake Gyllenhaal has turned out to be.  For Nightcrawler, Jake lost 10 pounds to play his part and shows off his acting skills as he plays a dark, sinister character who is willing to do anything to be the best at what he does.  It’s a whole, different style of paparazzi we never think about.  A Nightcrawler goes way beyond paparazzi status because they don’t just film celebrities.  They film anything that interest the public and sells it to the highest bidder.  That means crime, accidents, fires and whatever shows pain and suffering when you are most vulnerable.  It seems the more privacy laws in affect, the less privacy we actually have.  Jake Gyllenhaal plays Louis Bloom to perfection.  He was down right creepy.  Rene Russo plays Nina, the News Director of the night crew of the LA TV station where Lou sells his videos.  Bill Paxton plays Joe Loder, another Nightcrawler with a better character.   Riz Ahmed plays Rick, Lou’s apprentice.  Nightcrawler is a thriller that’s well directed, well acted and has a plot that’s different enough to lead the pack in entertainment.  Of all the movies out right now, you’ll find this a refreshing change of pace.

[NIGHTCRAWLER is nominated for Original Screenplay (Writing)]

ADDICTED (2014) – My rating: 7/10

Addicted is a real eye opener into the world of sex addiction.  Zoe Reynard, played by Sharon Leal, appears happily married with a gorgeous husband and 2 lovely children. She owns her own company that solicits other companies to display her client’s art work everywhere they are associated. Zoe’s mother, Nina is played by Maria Howell.  As moms go, Nina  is extremely passive and lives with them, playing the role of nanny, because Jason and Zoe have high powered jobs.   Zoe’s husband, Jason Reynard is played by Boris Kodjoe who is an architect who works some late nights but still finds time for the kids.  I found Addicted to be a little slow, up to a point.  Zoe’s excessive sex-capades became too redundant and boring.  Her visits to Dr. Marcella Spencer, played by Tasha Smith, seemed hopeless and only served minimal purpose in Zoe’s life.  For a while, Addicted was interesting but after it was established that Zoe has a sex problem, we needed to move on.  Some of her manipulations were obvious and made a likable character unlikable.  The end was believable and surprising hopeful.  All the men in this movie are eye candy and the acting was excellent.  Garrett Hines who played Benny, was Zoe’s first lover and Tyson Beckford who played Corey was her second lover, after Jason.  Both Benny and Corey seemed just as addicted to her as she was to them.  I didn’t like the mother, Nina.  I felt she had no real connection to her daughter and was too passive.  All in all, the ending helped make the movie acceptable, despite the obvious redundancy.  I would wait for the DVD.