"Winchester" Movie Review

by John Z.

Spooky? Scary? Entertaining? Suprisingly, the answer is yes to all 3 as far as it relates to the latest Helen Mirren film “Winchester.” While it is not the greatest horror flick ever made, I have to admit it was interesting from a historical perspective (I knew the film was based on the true home out in California but did not know a lot of detail) and did have a good story line. 

The story is based on the widow Winchester, whose husband was the founder of the Winchester company, rifle maker, who is deemed eccentric because of the number of rooms she keeps adding on to her house (over 100). She is supposedly keeping in spirits of people who have died as a result of being shot by a Winchester rifle and have not been able to ‘cross over.’ Jason Clarke is hired to come and evaluate her mental state so they can try and deem her unwilling to keep the majority share of the company. 

The acting in the film is solid and there are a few scares. Some of the bumps and things are standard in most horror flicks but the one thing I did like is that there was not an over abundance of gore or use of torture porn. Overall, a pretty good film.

"The Greatest Showman" is a Happy, Feel-Good Musical

by John Zenoni

The thing we all know (and I assume all love) about movies is that you can find those that will educate you, shock you, scare you, make you sad and then there are those that just entertain you. If you want to see one that strictly is a fun, entertaining film then you must see “The Greatest Showman.” I know, I know it is a musical and not everyone enjoys these particular kind of films but this is one that I just cannot imagine anyone not enjoying. 

The plot is simple - it is a story about the beginning of PT Barnum’s circus and the people he helped find a home/family because of their differences and/or special talents - and is not complicated to follow. Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams both do a great job in their roles as childhood sweethearts - him coming from a very poor family, her from a wealthy family whose father rejects Hugh Jackman’s character due to his low status in society and tells him he will amount to nothing. 

So while the plot itself is ‘simple,’ the music itself is so integral to the plot that you cannot help but enjoy scene after scene. Being set in a circus world, the people or ‘oddities’ who are introduced are captivating and the cinematography is really good. Speaking of the music, the dance sequences are so good and the music is perfect for each scene. There is one in particular that is so beautiful that you are just pulled into it as if you are really there. This is a happy, feel good movie that I could watch over and over again. Definitely a good one to see.

"There’s no such thing as bad publicity,"
-- P. T. Barnum

March 2018 Movie Trailers

Pacific Rim was the biggest pleasant surprise of 2013. Who knew it would turn out to actually be good? But director Guillermo Del Toro got sidetracked by other projects, which resulted in a long 5-year wait for the follow-up. The amazing thing is that Michael Bay was the only other person to put gigantic robots onscreen during all that time. Well, now we'll get to find out if the long wait was worth it.

March 2


Foxtrot

Gnome Alone

Red Sparrow

The Vanishing of Sidney Hall

March 9


A Wrinkle in Time

Gringo

Thoroughbreds

The Strangers: Prey at Night

The Leisure Seeker

March 16


7 Days in Entebbe

I Can Only Imagine

March 23


Pacific Rim: Uprising

Midnight Sun

Isle of Dogs

Sherlock Gnomes

March 29


Ready Player One

March 30


Lean On Pete