THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)

Featuring: Bill Murry; Ben Kingsley; Neel Sethi

Director: Jon Favreau

One of my favorite childhood movies was the 1967 Disney version of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. However when I first learned the company plans a possible remake, naturally I was more than a bit apprehensive. So often when remakes are done from one of the old all time classics, the results are, so say the least, disappointing. Fortunately that was not the case this time round.

In stead, this turned out to be an absolutely amazing movie. Not only did they keep the iconic original songs ("The Bear Necessities", "I Wanna Be Like You" and "Trust In Me") in Neel Sethi they also manage to find a boy that actually looks like the original animated Mowgli (see image below). And then there are the voices of Ben Kingsley as Bageera, Bill Murry as Baloo and Edris Elba as Shere Khan which are as authentic and convincing as the life-like animation of the film itself. In short: this is a true masterpiece!

I therefore have no hesitation in giving this movie one of my very rare 5 out of 5 star ratings.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mkm22yO-bs

Mowgli meets...Mowgli

And on this high note I wish to bid you all a very merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. Hope to see you all again in 2018!

     

GOING IN STYLE (2017)

Featuring: Morgan Freeman; Michael Caine; Alan Arkin

Director: Zach Braff

Zach Braff is of course best known for his role as JD in the TV sitcom Scrubs. And although this is not his first stint as director, this movie might be his behind-the-camera breakthrough as the critics generally had only good things to say about it.

Willie (Morgan Freeman), Joe (Michael Caine) and Al (Alan Arkin) are three retirees who find out the company they worked all their lives for is going bust and their pension fund will be used to pay off its debts. But even worse is the fact that the bank handling the whole affair is the same one that is about to foreclose on Joe's house. So, they decide to get even and rob it.

The plot is rather thin and predictable but to see three such iconic actors in action, makes it all worth while. Not recommended for adrenaline junkies but if you just want to have fun with a big fat smile on your face throughout, this one is for you.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcdTN5soeQw

 The 'Rat-Pack' robbers