A-X-L (2018) --- "Man's Best Friend Has Evolved."

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A.X.L. is a top-secret, robotic dog that has advanced artificial intelligence created by the military. After an experiment gone wrong, A.X.L. is discovered hiding in the desert by Alex, a kindhearted outsider who finds a way to connect with the robot. The two soon develop a special friendship based on trust, loyalty, and compassion. Helping Miles gain confidence, A.X.L. goes to any length to protect his new companion, including facing off against the scientists who want their creation back. (1)

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     The bond between man and dog is sacred, and it goes back to the beginning of time. Directed and written by Oliver Daly (Miles), A-X-L (2018) is a charming sci-fi drama about Miles (Alex Neustaedter - Colony), a young motor-cross racer down on his luck, and the advanced robot dog, A-X-L, that he stumbles across after it escapes a government facility.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018) --- “In A Place We Hold Dear, Where Wonder Once Lived, A New Story Begins.”

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Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back a loan. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that shows proof of valuable shares that his father left him years earlier. Just as all seems lost, Michael and his sister receive the surprise of a lifetime when Mary Poppins -- the beloved nanny from their childhood -- arrives to save the day and take the Banks family on a magical, fun-filled adventure. (1)

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     In 1964 the classic Disney film Mary Poppins was released and it is just as timeless and beloved as ever before. The film won 5 Oscars out of 13 nominations, the most noteworthy going to Julie Andrews for Best Actress. Mary Poppins is the nanny that changed everything by charming her way into our hearts with catchy songs and fun dance numbers. Cinematically she was a landmark achievement and her unforgettable teachings sculpted our very outlook on life. When Saving Mr. Banks came out in2013 I re-watched Mary Poppins and found a level of depth to the story that I didn’t notice as a child. Now decades later, the mysterious and mystical nanny makes a practically perfect and glorious return that reawakens the magic she instilled in our hearts all those years ago as well as touches the hearts of a new generation. Mary Poppins Returns (2018) tells a new adventure that follows the same formula of the original film but with enough differences – innovative visual effects, catchy new songs, and well-rounded performances – to stand on its own. Rarely do reboots or sequels, especially those based on classic films, make a dent with moviegoers, yet I believe that this film will be an exception.

Bumblebee (2018) --- "Every Hero's Story Has A Beginning."

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On the run in the year 1987, Bumblebee the Autobot seeks refuge in a junkyard in a small California beach town. Charlie, on the brink of turning 18 years old and trying to find her place in the world, soon discovers the battle-scarred and broken Bumblebee. When Charlie revives him, she quickly learns that this is no ordinary yellow Volkswagen. (1)

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     Directed by Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings) and written by Christina Hodson (Unforgettable), Bumblebee (2018) is an entertaining and action-packed film that is probably one of the best in the Transformers franchise. Bumblebee uses much of the same formula that its predecessors use but also differs from the previous five Michael Bay films. This film succeeds because the story and characters are well-written and have depth Bay’s heavy-handed machismo script is replaced with a more feminine sensibility. Of course, don’t expect there to be big surprises or ground-breaking discovers because that is not what this film set out to do. Instead, Bumblebee rekindles the spirit of the original cartoon, while adding an unexpected dose of warmth and humor that is familiar and skillfully accomplished.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) --- “Inside A Snowflake, Like The One On Your Sleeve, There Happened A Story You Must See To Believe.”

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In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Jim Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen). (1)

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    Directed by Ron Howard (Apollo 13. Solo: A Star Wars Story), and written by Jefferey Price (Shrek the Third) and Peter S. Seaman (Shrek the Third), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) is a delightful family film that can entertain all ages. Howard is a genius in family film entertainment, and this film is probably the most creative vision since The Wizard of OZ (1939) and the most heart-warming film since It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). He uses a gent touch with the film by letting the humor work on its own rather than feel forced and ends on a feel-good note that is not overly emotional like many films of its kind. In a way this film demonstrates the versatility of Howard’s skills as a director, he proves here that he can tack you to outer space or to Whoville with equal levels of alacrity and expertise.

Aquaman (2018) --- "The Tide Is Coming...Home Is Calling."

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Once home to the most advanced civilization on Earth, the city of Atlantis is now an underwater kingdom ruled by the power-hungry King Orm. With a vast army at his disposal, Orm plans to conquer the remaining oceanic people -- and then the surface world. Standing in his way is Aquaman, Orm's half-human, half-Atlantean brother and true heir to the throne. With help from royal counselor Vulko, Aquaman must retrieve the legendary Trident of Atlan and embrace his destiny as protector of the deep. (1)

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     In the world of comic book-to-film adaptations, DCEU once ruled the stage as the fan’s favorite provider of live-action films that bring our favorite paper bound heroes to life. In 2008 Marvel introduces Iron Man as the first film of Phase One in the MCU and with each new film, Marvel has secured its spot as a worthy contender for the throne. However, the same cannot be said for DCEU, which has been limping from film to film in its struggled to consistently deliver exceeding quality for one reason or another. The release of Wonder Woman (2017) brought hope and renewed life back to the franchise, but things started to take a step back with the less than desired release of Justice League Part 1 (2017) later on in the same year. This year DCEU once again provides hope to fans and moviegoers alike with Jason Momoa taking on the role of the legendary king of Atlantis Aquaman/Arthur Curry in his first solo film titled Aquaman (2018). With the coming of highly anticipated Marvel films coming to theaters in 2019 – Captain Marvel (March), Avengers: Endgame (April), and Spider-Man: Far From Home (July) – can Aquaman bring life back to the DCEU franchise or will it fall short like so many of its predecessors?

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) --- “Based On The Magical True Story Behind ‘A Christmas Carol’.”

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In 1843 London, author Charles Dickens finds himself in financial trouble after writing three unsuccessful novels in a row. Desperate for a hit, Dickens relies on real-life inspiration and his vivid imagination to bring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and other classic characters to life in "A Christmas Carol," forever changing the holiday season into the celebration known today. (1)

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     Directed by Bharat Nalluri, written by Susan Coyne, and based on the book of the same name by Les Standiford, The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) is a dramatized biopic on how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. 

Titan (2018) --- “Desperate Situations Require Desperate Measures In Humanity’s Next Step In Evolution.”

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     Directed by novice director Lennart Ruff, written by relatively new writers Max Hurwitz (Unabomber) and Arash Amel (Grace of Monaco and A Private War), and released by Netflix, Titan (2018) is a sci-fi thriller set on Earth in 2048. With Earth being overpopulated and ridden by violent conflicts, scientists look towards Saturn’s moon Titan as a new home for humanity. Under the direction of Prof. Martin Collingwood (Tom Wilkinson) humans experimentation on begins in order to help them adapt to Titan’s extreme surface conditions. Air Force pilot Rick Janssen (Sam Worthington - Avatar) and others volunteer for the project but none of them nor their families are prepared for the horrendous side effects that come with the experimentation.

Mortal Engines (2018) --- “Some Scares Never Heal.”

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Hundreds of years after civilization was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, humankind has adapted and a new way of living has evolved. Gigantic moving cities now roam the Earth, ruthlessly preying upon smaller traction towns. Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan)—who hails from a Lower Tier of the great traction city of London—finds himself fighting for his own survival after he encounters the dangerous fugitive Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar). Two opposites, whose paths should never have crossed, forge an unlikely alliance that is destined to change the course of the future. (1)

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     Directed by newcomer Christian Rivers, and screenplay by veteran writers Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson [the writers of LOTR & the Hobbit]; Mortal Engines (2018) is an action-packed and visually stunning post-apocalyptic film based on the book series by Philip Reeve. This is Rivers’ first full feature – after previously directing a short and working as a special effects designer on LOTR & the Hobbit – and is probably one of the better YA book-to-film adaptation that we have seen in a while; similarly to the Mad Max (comics), the Maze Runner (books), and even the City of Ember (books). Much of the film’s success lies with the story/screenplay and the visuals.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) --- “In This Future, Only The Mad Survive.”

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Years after the collapse of civilization, the tyrannical Immortan Joe enslaves apocalypse survivors inside the desert fortress the Citadel. When the warrior Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) leads the despot's five wives in a daring escape, she forges an alliance with Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), a loner and former captive. Fortified in the massive, armored truck the War Rig, they try to outrun the ruthless warlord and his henchmen in a deadly high-speed chase through the Wasteland. (1)

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     It has been 30 years since directors George Miller and George Ogilvie’s 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome starring Mel Gibson. And now director Miller returns to bring his post-apocalyptic franchise roaring back to life in this dramatic, explosive, and action-packed sequel, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).

The City of Ember (2007) --- “Discover The Secret Where Escape Is The Only Option To Survive.”

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     Directed by Gil Kenan (Monster House and Poltergeist), written by Caroline Thompson (Edward Scissorhands, Addams Family, Welcome to Marwen), and based on the book by Jeanne Duprau, City of Ember (2008) is a futuristic adventure that follows Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway), two inhabitants of an underground city called Ember. The city was only designed to house humanity underground for two hundred years after the unspecified disaster ravaged the surface had passed. But when the two hundred year mark passes with no intent of going to the surface and the city at its breaking point, it is up to Lina and Doon to find the exit to the surface. Follow the pair as they solve a plethora of puzzles and riddles to solve, uncover Ember’s hidden secrets, and face challenges at every turn as they try to save the townspeople from eternal darkness.

Mary Poppins (1964) --- “It's Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

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     Released in 1964 when large-scale musicals were coming to their end, Mary Poppins is widely considered to be Walt Disney’s most successful venture, earning a Best Picture nomination and winning Best Actress (Julie Andrews) at the 37th Academy Awards. Based on the beloved children's book by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins tells how the dysfunctional Banks family gets their strict lifestyle turned upside down when the magical and mysterious nanny, Mary Poppins comes into their lives. Armed with her flying umbrella, bottomless bag, and catchy songs, Mary Poppins takes the whole family on a whimsical adventure to help mend the hurt and bring love back into their lives. Be prepared to go on a musical adventure the whole family will love.

Saving Mr. Banks (2013) --- “To Him It Was More Than A Movie, But To Her It Was More Than A Book.”

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Spurred on by a promise he made to his daughters, Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) embarks on what would become a 20-year quest to obtain the movie rights to "Mary Poppins." The author, P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), proves to be an uncompromising curmudgeon who has no intention of letting her beloved characters become mangled in the Hollywood machine. However, when the books stop selling and she finds herself in need of money, Travers reluctantly agrees to consider Disney's proposition. (1)

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     No matter how fictional it may seem, there is always a bit of truth behind every story or tale and the same can be said for the 1964 cult classic, Mary Poppins. Directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, The Alamo, The Rookie) and written by Kelly Marcel (Venom, Cruella) and Sue Smith (Mabo, Bordertown), Saving Mr. Banks (2013) is the touching story behind the story as it focuses on P.L. Travers and what inspired her to write Mary Poppins.

Instant Family (2018) --- “Just Add Chaos, Laughter, Awkwardness, Mistakes, and Love.”

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When Pete and Ellie decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child, but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl, they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hope of becoming a family. (1)

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WARNING: This film is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, moderate sexual material, moderate profanity, and mild drug references. Preferred audiences: 13+

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     Directed and written by Sean Anders (That’s My Boy; Daddy’s Home 1 & 2) and co-written by John Morris (Daddy’s Home; Dumb and Dumber To), Instant Family (2018) is based on the true story of director Andres’ real family and is heartwarming in a modern way that is not sappy. Although there are some difficult parts due to the profanity and sexual innuendos, it is still more enjoyable than what it could have been, particularly like other films of its kind.