Movie Magic is Back - In the Heights on the big screen

 Yes - Saturday I went to the movies. Wasn't crowded and they are still spacing seats.  But, when the lights go down and that movie begins, I am transported to another world. 

This time it's Washington Heights, NYC.  In the Heights, from a Tony winning Broadway musical, is a superb translations on to the movie screen. Written by Lin Manuel Miranda (before Hamilton), In the Heights brings a Latino community to life. We get the story of hard working immigrants - the bodega, the taxi company, the nail salon - all brimming with vitality. They are a community that works hard together, eats well together, and looks out for each other. Each character's story is full of energy and soul. 

The key is Usnavi (the very talented Anthony Ramos). He's our soul. 

I loved this movie. The music, singing, dancing, production, acting, scenery, and energy - it's a musical that soars. You will leave the theater uplifted and feeling positive. 

Movie magic is BACK!

Movie Review Monday - Mary Poppins

Nothing can replace Mary Poppins starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. That’s absolute movie law. However, Mary Poppins Returns, is a nice homage to the original with plenty of little reminders (including a scene with very old but spry Dick Van Dyke) of some tunes, frivolity, and instead of chimney sweeps we have lamplighters. All plucky dancers.  This is a movie with musical scenes – if you hate that, bow out now. This is a movie with incredibly wise, cute kids – if you hate that bow out now. But if you are ready for Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins – practically perfect in the right way – then you are in for a treat.

Michael (Ben Whishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) are grown up now and Michael has kids of his own. His wife passed. Life is in disarray on Cherry Street Lane, and they could lose the house. Time for a wind shift and the arrival of Mary Poppins, carpet bag and talking umbrella in hand. Spit spot – soon she has the kids clean and orderly and ready to be kids again. Each errand or outing is an adventure with a ride in an animated carriage, a swim under the ocean, or a dance with the lamplighters led by Jack (Lin Manuel-Miranda – sparkly eyes and cheeky grin). All in all, they must find bank shares to keep the house from foreclosure. Oh the mean banker (Colin Firth at his stuffiest). Can they beat out that stroke of midnight?

Pleasant tunes, jolly dancing, colorful film-making, and the calm control of Mary Poppins. You can’t lose. I enjoyed Mary Poppins Returns a lot. After a busy week and on a gray dreary Friday, this after work matinee replenished my soul and made me feel like a kid again. Cheers!