| The House with a Clock in its Walls | ||
| Time to Step Forward | ||
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| Review by Ross Anthony | ||
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A little bit Willie Wonka, a little bit Harry Potter, this house casts a magical weaving wonder that breezes through the doors and windows to make you feel like a wide-eyed 10-year-old again. It's a fresh first step into a new scary, but alluring life that the heart-broken protagonist simply can't help but embrace … as nothing else seems embraceable. I'm referring to the first two-thirds of the film. Unfortunately, after that, the production trades well-earned opportunities to explore emotional growth/bonding for silly shoot-em-up pumpkin action. Jack Black and Cate Blanchett are fine, but neither rises to a tear-jerking pitch, even though the inner groundwork had been laid. Fortunately, the film is still a lot of fun, creative, and inventive, has crazy moody cool art direction, and a great sense of humor – just would have loved it to go heavier toward the heart. Also, Owen Vaccaro delivers an enduring performance as Lewis. |
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Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4) |
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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186.
Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow. |
