Downton Abbey

“Downton Abbey” is the long awaited feature film version of the six season television series that was previously shown on PBS and, like its creator, was also written by Julian Fellows,

The film was directed by Michael Engler and stars all of the usual suspects including Elizabeth Mc/Govern, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery.

 It is difficult to write a review of a film where this viewer, at least, has seen all prior television episodes. As a result, its  feature length counterpart  appears  to be more like another but longer episode of its parent television series.

For those few unfamiliar with the series and its characters, I would assume that for them there is a problem in not understanding the true nature and history of the characters that past viewers had a chance to learn, absorb and understand over 6 years of television watching. To that extent those “uneducated”  viewers will be seeing an interesting and well acted film presentation with extremely high production values in a well written format..

For those experienced veterans of the series, it will be like “old home week” seeing the beloved and respected group of noble persons and their staff as they encounter diverse and interesting plots and plot twists where the viewer is involved until the very end of the theatrical experience. The latter type of viewer, most of whom were in the audience in which I saw the film, acted much like a group of dedicated  groupies  at a music concert where the performers could do no wrong regardless of the performance.

Factoring all of the above I give the film 3 stars because, when all is said and done, it is an enjoyable film to watch and despite its 2 hour and 15 minute length, the only watch you will look at is the one held in the hand of Lord Crawley as he awaits the call for dinner.

 

Before You Know it

"Before You Know It" stars Hannah Pearl Utt, Jen Tullock, Judith Light and Mandy Patinkin in this quirky

 film which was directed by Ms. Utt who co-wrote the screen play with Ms. Tullock. In addition, these two ladies also star in the film and help to relate a simple story of life in the Village where, as two sisters, they work and live in and above their father's small and unsuccessful theater. There is very little substance to the film which, for some mysterious reason, never makes the viewer feel bored or deprived. However, even with support from a number of cameo appearances, such as the likes of Alec Baldwin, the film never succeeds to go beyond its built in plot limitations. I give the film 2 and 1/2 stars and suggest that if nothing else is playing that you want to see, then this might the choice in order to save an otherwise wasted trip to the cinema.

"The Peanut Butter Falcon"

"The Peanut Butter Falcon" was written and directed by both Mike Schwartz

and Tyler Nilson and stars Shia LaBoeuf, Bruce Dern, Dakota Johnson and

an amazing actor, Zack Gottsagen, who, in real life has, and who plays the role of,

a young man afflicted with Down syndrome. This is a tender and sweet story

of a disabled person with a dream and of those willing to assist him in

attaining it. Unfortunately, the powerful message is conveyed via a thin

vehicle that would better have been exhibited as a short film for there just

isn't enough substance to sustain and carry it as a full length feature.

I give the film 2 stars for, in attempting to be a modern day

Hucklebery Finn saga of life on or near

the Mississippi, the film goes nowhere and, like the current on the

river, continues downstream to its shallow end.