OPINION:
Thanksgiving weekend is historically an enormous one for the theaters. Studios historically attempt to present family-friendly leisure that may break up per week of feasting and purchasing. Are the brand new installments within the “Trolls” and “Hunger Games” franchises well worth the ticket worth?
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Trolls Band Together – In Theaters
The “Trolls” are again in theaters. They deliver a lot of coloration and splash as Poppy and Branch not solely dive into Branch’s boy-band backstory, but additionally “Backstreet Stomp” their method via a lot of well-choreographed musical mashups.
It’s bouncy. It’s quick paced. “Band Together” even kinda sorta praises marriage and household whereas declaring that you simply’ve gotta work to your fame.
The largest drawback with this pic is that a lot of the jokes are aimed on the grownups within the viewers somewhat than the children. (Especially if Mom and Dad are boy-band followers.) That’s not a horrible factor total, I suppose. But many of those mildly suggestive quips will float over youngsters heads like a Timberlake excessive word. (In my screening I famous plenty of grownup chuckles, however not a single kiddy giggle.) And just a few jokes carry a really grownup vibe.
Can “Trolls Band Together” nonetheless be a great household outing? Maybe. Just ensure you’re *NSYNC about who’s holding the popcorn.
Read the remainder of the assessment right here. Watch the trailer right here.
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Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – In Theaters
At its core, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is a commentary on humanity. Are folks born good or evil? What drives an individual towards one or the opposite ethical trajectory? The story additionally asks what’s the actual function of the Hunger Games? And why ought to they proceed?
Throughout the movie, a number of characters, specifically Lucy Gray and Sejanus, attempt to persuade these round them of the immorality of the Hunger Games. They’re unwilling to surrender hope. And they fight in earnest to do good.
Unfortunately, most are unwilling to take motion. Capitol residents justify the Games’ existence. District residents are too frightened to begin one other rebel. And others have flat out given up.
So what occurs?
Well, kids are pressured into an area to struggle to the demise. Families are ripped aside. People starve. And the Capitol continues to reap the advantages.
We see most of these deaths happen onscreen. And it’s brutal. What’s worse is that some characters even appear to take pleasure in killing. And all of the whereas, Capitol residents place bets and make predictions, solely caring whether or not a tribute’s demise works for their very own private beneficial properties.
Language and sensuality are stored to a minimal on this PG-13 movie, however we do see the consequences of drug dependancy and alcohol on just a few events.
“The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” asks and makes an attempt to reply some essential questions on good and evil. But as Christians, we’d like to verify we’ve a stable, biblical understanding of human nature—i.e. that whereas we’re all born sinners, we’re redeemed solely by the love and sacrifice of Christ, not our personal actions—earlier than exploring this movie.
That stated, the grim storyline right here additionally gives households loads of causes to cross on this painful prequel’s brutality and bloodshed.
Read the remainder of the assessment right here. Watch the trailer right here.
Next Goal Wins – In Theaters
A season of losses may be discouraging. A decade of losses is devastating.
But that’s a part of what makes the American Samoa soccer workforce so inspiring. Despite experiencing nothing however loss after loss, the workforce by no means gave up. They loved merely taking part in soccer, whereas profitable was non-obligatory.
At the identical time, “Next Goal Wins” doesn’t inform a narrative you haven’t heard earlier than. It’s nonetheless the usual sports film a few jaded coach who’s pressured to coach a workforce of underdogs and who finally comes to understand the workforce for its folks somewhat than its efficiency. Overall, it’s mediocre at greatest.
But what does benefit mentioning are a few issues that you simply’ll wish to bear in mind earlier than viewing. The movie’s secondary plot facilities on a transgender character who performs on the workforce (which, in equity, is true to the precise historical past the movie upon which it’s primarily based). And the frequent, generally surprisingly sturdy foul language on this would-be inspirational sports flick is actually disappointing, too.
Taika Waititi’s latest launch looks like an ideal automobile for his model of comedy. But whereas some jokes will land with the viewers, the movie doesn’t totally ship in ways in which earlier Waititi (and even simply sports comedies) have.
Would or not it’s an excessive amount of to name that one other loss for this workforce?
Read the remainder of the assessment right here. Watch the trailer right here.
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Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a lightweight on the world of in style leisure whereas giving households the important instruments they should perceive, navigate, and influence the tradition wherein they stay. Through our opinions, articles and discussions, we hope to spark mental thought, non secular development and a want to comply with the command of Colossians 2:8: “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
Reviews written by Bob Hoose, Emily Tsaio, Kennedy Unthank.
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