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MOVIE REVIEW: Why Him? Why Not?

The Fleming family, dad, Ned (Bryan Cranston), mom Barb (Megan Mullally), and son Scotty (Griffin Gluck) head to California to spend the holidays with Ned’s and Barb’s older daughter, Stephanie (Zoey Deutch) who attends Stanford. Things unravel quickly. First, rather than staying in the luxury hotel suite that Ned proudly obtained at a discount rate, Stephanie announces that the family will stay with her boyfriend. A boyfriend the family didn’t know she had. When they arrive at his house, it’s some house: a multimillion dollar 21st Century state-of-the-art estate. And her boyfriend, Laird Mayhew (James Franco) turns out to be a wealthy Silicon Valley executive who greets them shirtless displaying a multitude of tattoos, having heard so much more about them from Stephanie. The Flemings reluctantly agree to stay with Laird. Ned is quickly turned off by Laird’s crass behavior: dropping F-bombs with almost every other word, talking openly about private moments with Stephanie and overall just trying too hard to become a member of the family. Why Him? follows the Flemings through the holidays as they get to know this person who might become a member of their family.

Why Him? works on so many levels and gets an overwhelming See It! rating. Conflicts and issues are the keys to any great story. The film has a literal smorgasbord of issues large and small: boyfriend - girlfriend; father – daughter; wife – husband; old school – new school views on relationships; and new technology versus the old way of doing things.

Successful filmmaking thrives on a very basic formula: an interesting story with characters that viewers connect with brought to life by good actors. Why Him? has it all. This movie takes an age old plot – father objects to his daughter’s suitor – but gives it a different twist. Usually, the boyfriend isn’t successful. But here Laird is highly successful, rich, and internationally known. But Ned believes that Laird’s just too crass. However, maybe this film is a bit naïve as to the impact millions of dollars would have on softening Ned’s middle-class attitudes toward his possible son-in-law. After all, Laird does love Stephanie and is fundamentally a nice guy. Also, Ned’s small business is floundering.

One of the weaker aspects of this otherwise solid production starts with Laird’s claim that he’s setting up a foundation which will be run by Stephanie, which raises suspicions with Ned. So he enlists his small business’ tech guy to hack into Laird’s computer to see if Laird really has the resources to fund a foundation. And this effort fails miserably since the very savvy Laird has installed the most sophisticated anti-hacking software. This is an unrealistic and unlikely gesture. Laird’s financials would be public knowledge. Simply googling Laird would yield articles and other information on his wealth.

Why Him? gets an “A” cast diversity. Actor/comedian Keegan-Michael Key plays Laird’s estate manager and life coach. Comedian Cedric the Entertainer is the second in command in Ned’s printing company. And there are other individuals of color in supporting roles.

Why Him? is 111 minutes and rated R for strong language and sexual material throughout. This movie gets a strong See It! rating for its great storylines and solid performances.

MOVIE REVIEW: OZ: The Great and Powerful

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Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a circus magician of dubious character flees a well-deserved beating by an angry "colleague" by escaping in a hot air balloon. Diggs celebrates his triumphant getaway; but his glee is short lived. The balloon is soon engulfed by a Kansas-style twister. He lands in a strange place called Oz where the residents await his arrival. For it has been prophesized that a wise and powerful wizard would arrive, save the residents from the evil witch and would then become king. Along with becoming king, goes riches beyond Diggs' imagination.

But then there's the witches. There are the two sisters, Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Theodora (Mila Kunis); and Glinda (Michelle Williams). Evanora and Theodora warn Diggs that Glinda is evil and must be killed before he can ascend to the throne. But Glinda asserts that it is one of the sister who's really the evil witch. What's a man to do? In this case, Diggs has to prove to the residents of OZ that he is wise and powerful and worthy of their trust - and he has to determine who is actually the evil witch and deal with her.

In reviewing OZ: The Great and Powerful I have to acknowledge that I was never a fan of the classic, Wizard of Oz. So I am not surprised that I find OZ: The Great and Powerful the better of the two.

As would be expected of a Disney film, OZ is visual masterpiece with rich and vibrant colors which are enhanced by 3-D. The story is an entertaining mix of the old from the classic, and new storylines. There is a steady and undeniable sexual tension between Diggs and each of the three witches throughout the film. The cast is strong. Franco does an exceptional job playing the sneaky but likeable Diggs. Rachel Weisz is fascinating as Evanora.

OZ: The Great and Powerful receives a "B" grade for its cast diversity. Bill Cobbs plays a pivotal role as the Master Tinkerer. The diminutive Tony Cox scores big as Knuck.

According to press reports, Oz cost Disney plenty: $200 million in production costs, with another $125 million in advertising and publicity expenses.

On my rating scale of: See It, Rent It and Dead on Arrival. OZ: The Great and Powerful is definitely a See It. Oz is Great and Wonderful entertainment.

It rated PG and is 130 minutes in length.

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