Culture
‘Mario Kart 8’ puts a supercharge into Nintendo’s Wii
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Can Super Mario save Nintendo? Yes, apparently. Sales have been spectacular, and with good reason: “Mario Kart 8″ pleases in every way. A racing game, it boasts joyful, nonviolent action, kid-friendly characters and graphics that break new ground.
Movie review: Jersey Boys
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Success on the stage does not easily translate into success on screen, particularly for a musical. And yet if the tunes are enjoyable, all is not lost. That's the case with "Jersey Boys" (Warner Bros.), a movie version of the long-running Broadway show about The Four Seasons, a 1960s vocal group.
‘Thinking’ without a moral compass
NEW YORK (CNS) -- "What happens in Vegas" ought not to be made into a movie, but that is "Think Like a Man Too" (Screen Gems), a vulgar sequel with some laughs but much bad behavior in Sin City, and a bit of relationship advice.
Author’s broad opinions weaken otherwise interesting book about girls
To some readers "Daughters in Danger: Helping Our Girls Thrive in Today's Culture" will bring awareness about the perils young women face and instruct families and institutions how to help girls survive in an overly sexualized and violent world.
How to train your child’s ecological viewpoint
NEW YORK (CNS) -- "How to Train Your Dragon 2" is visually pleasing, amusing and occasionally poignant. But saddled with promoting an ecologically correct agenda, the dialogue often sounds clumsy. The theme is taken so far and expressed in such bald terms that viewers may find it unsettling.
’22 Jump Street’ takes a flying leap into ugliness
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Chaotic, foul-mouthed and ultimately loathsome, "22 Jump Street" (Columbia) tries to have it both ways with the subject of homosexuality, alternately snickering at it and defending it.
‘Obvious Child’ treats abortion in obviously deplorable way
If Satan were a movie critic he'd likely give the abortion-themed romantic comedy "Obvious Child" (A24) an enthusiastic "two horns up." He'd love this propaganda piece on how "terminating a pregnancy" can serve as the gateway to a bright and fulfilling future.
‘Groundhog Day’ goes sci-fi thriller in ‘Edge of Tomorrow’
Despite its premise of a soldier reliving his last day of mortal combat over and over, this satisfying action film starring Tom Cruise also features rare costars: self-sacrifice, romantic restraint and transformation from death to life.
For the aging and the ages, stories provide valuable insight
Spend any time with the aging and you will discover that one thing they have in common is personal stories.
Cancer-themed teen drama delves into love, death and tears
What's a film with a literate, sensible teenager doing in a theater like yours? "The Fault in Our Stars" allows for much weeping while deftly handling an untimely death by cancer. Praise the movie and pass the tissues.