Girl On The Train, Rebel in the Rye, Goodbye Christopher Robin

Some newer films that have hit my screen:

Girl On The Train (2016) –  A tale of two movies.  When Emily Blunt is on screen as a divorced alcoholic disintegrating under the weight of an obsession, this is a spellbinding movie.  Then there is the rest of the movie.  There aren’t any other performances to write home about.  Not because the actors fall short, they have little to work with on screen.  So all the rest of the movie drags.  But the scenery is gorgeous and Blunt is astounding.

Rating – *** Worth A Look


Rebel In The Rye (2017) – A biopic on reclusive American author J.D. Salinger.  The problem here is that by the end of the picture you will probably dislike the main character.  A brilliant writer, Salinger wrote a classic in “The Catcher in the Rye”.  The book overwhelmed his life.  After serving in World War II, he came home with what we now call PTSD.  The condition increased the volume of his less desirable personality quirks.  The movie does little to build any sympathy for him, which means the experience is uncomfortable at best.  If you’re a Salinger fan, maybe you want to see this.  Otherwise, take a pass.

Rating – ** Not Impressed

Goodbye, Christopher Robin (2017) – Another biopic that doesn’t do much to polish the reputation of the main characters.  A.A. Milne came home from World War I with PTSD and found relief in writing stories that feature his son and the boy’s toys.  Milne had been a successful writer and playwright before the war, but the Winnie the Pooh stories took him to the highest levels of popular stardom.  Sadly, it carried his unwilling child with him.  People who couldn’t separate the fictional Christopher Robin from the real boy shattered the younger Milne’s childhood.  Some decent performances (including Margot Robbie as the odious mother).  The moments of whimsy and wonder are the best parts of the story.  But it may ruin Pooh for you.

Rating – *** Worth A Look