It’s a mild spoiler in a movie from 1992. I deliberately didn’t give any details.
I think the XO was ready to transfer to another command or retire. We’re told he was close friends with Jessup. They attended the academy together.
The stress of the trial and his obligations changed the XO options.
I’m trying to be vauge as much as possible.
Wildwood (2026). I am a big LAIKA fan, as is my daughter (in particular Coraline), and so we went to see this. The story is good, and they make great use of the stop-motion animation to create some incredibly rich environments. I’ll warn that this is not for little kids; it gets dark in places, and violent (lots of fighting with not as much gore, but definitely blood and death).
Our new theater is a Phoenix, which uses Dolby Atmos to create sound from all directions and shake the seats, and that added a lot to it.
I’m going to see this tonight. It’s a big deal in Portland – it’s set here and filled with recognizable parts of the city; Laika is based in Portland; and the book was written by Portland hero Colin Meloy (of The Decemberists).
All the smaller independent theaters are sold out for the entire week, and even the big theaters are selling out most shows. I’m guessing based on the weekend box office it’s not quite the same event outside of Portland.
I saw Wildwood, and yes, it’s absolutely beautiful to watch!
Haven’t really thought about it for a moment since I saw it, though. No idea why not? I wouldn’t call it “formulaic” or “unimaginative” or anything like that. But I just… didn’t care that much.
I’d happily watch any number of movies that are as ambitious and successful as Wildwood, any chance I get. But I can’t imagine actively wanting to watch Wildwood itself ever again.
(Whereas, for example, I’m really looking forward to someday revisiting 2024’s Flow, and Studio Ghibli and Aardman Animation films are rewatch standbys. Go figure.)
I would definitely see it again in the theater, but some of that is getting to go with my daughter, who is so busy these days, as well as how rich the animation is. I’m not sure I would watch it on TV.
Hack-O-Lantern
Recommended.
What a fun “bad” movie, though it isn’t truly bad. Just a fun Halloween themed movie I now watch once per year near Halloween.
Tubi. Check it out. What a hoot.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter 2023
Corey Hawkins, Liam Cunningham
Peacock
It’s always fun to watch a new take on the vampire tale. The Demeter is hauling cargo boxes from Varna, Bulgaria to England.
The earth filled boxes soon cause havoc on the ship.
I throughly enjoyed it.
8 out of 10.
I saw Wildwood last night, and it is indeed beautiful. I highly recommend just for the sheer artistry that went into its creation and is evident in every scene. Stick around through the initial credits where they have a few scenes of the animators setting up shots and painstakingly replacing a character’s face for each micro-change in expression.
The story is good straightforward fantasy. It’s kind of a weird mix – it’s definitely pre-teen in the overall plot simplicity with clearly defined good and evil. But it’s also pretty dark at several points, with a lot more violence and death than you’d typically see in stories aimed at that age.
And while it’s great for anyone, it was especially fun as a Portlander. It was littered with Portland features (as well as a few from the Oregon coast and Columbia Gorge) and in-jokes.
Sort of an Over the Garden Wall vibe?
I haven’t seen that so I can’t compare.
Maybe take The Wizard of Oz and throw in the Battle of Helm’s Deep?
Also
There’s an interminable wait for a tree to answer the question of whether to go to war (the answer is no), and it ends in a battle of five armies.
The descriptions I’ve read make it sound a lot like Maurice Sendak’s Outside Over There.
I’d recommend it if you have time for a pretty short, self-contained animated miniseries (ten episodes but they are very short episodes, it’s basically feature film length). It’s got a very Spirited Away feel (if you’ve seen that) but with a darker vibe. Hulu/Disney+ has it I think.
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
Standing far enough back it has some bones of the Sendak story (girl looking after her brother has to retrieve him from a hidden land) but beyond that, no resemblance
I’d agree with @TroutMan to the extent that it has a LOTR vibe, where to ringbearer and her companion are middle schoolers and the ring is a small toddler.
It is unbelievably dark compared to just about every comparable (aimed at YA) animated feature I’ve seen. There is graphic depiction of death and cruelty of war, the sympathetic characters go through genuine peril, with the audience understanding that their survival is not necessarily guaranteed, the stubborn, selfish antagonistic natures of tribes is not something that can be rationalized away, and deaths are not off screen.
That’s more or less the plot of Labrynth.
Crazy Old Lady A Spanish production (Vieja Loca) I just caught on Shudder. I’ve seen others compare it to Misery, in that it involves an unhinged captor and her captive’s attempts to escape. Though it’s not labeled as such, to me it almost feels like a (very) dark comedy. I’m not knowlegable about Spanish cinema but I feel like I’ve seen other horrors films that have the same tone, such as Coffee Table. I’m not sure if it’s a cultural thing or what, but it’s a bizarre mix of high tension and a sort of absurdism. It’s worth it just for the performance of Carmen Maura, who I just learned is a celebrated actress with a long list of credits. It must be especially fun for fans who have watched her throughout her storied career, see this over the top performance. That lady has cajones. It’s not for everyone. It deals with dementia, and there is a scene where a dog dies, though even that is presented with a bit of humor, and you don’t really see anything. I recommend it to fairly serious fans of horror.
They did that at the end of The Boxtrolls too, also a Laika film.
Minions & Monsters 2026
Peacock
I’m not the target audience for this movie. Kids probably love it.
I think the beginning history of them serving various powerful beasts is too drawn out.
I was getting restless when they began the main story about working in early Hollywood.
It must be fun having your grandkids or kids speaking Minion. 
I’m can easily imagine the Minion influence on children.
I recommend watching with your family.
7.5 out of 10
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