The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Disney)

Immediate impression: the animation here is exquisite, some of the best in the canon to this point. The songs are inconsistent; some are quite good, others rather bland. The story works quite well--it is a fairly faithful adaptation of Hugo's original, as far as I can tell, so it's a time-tested tale. So the story works...except for its climactic betrayal, when the rules of who gets to be whom are upheld, contravening much of the case made by the whole rest of the narrative. That’s standard operating procedure, of course, found in a thousand tales, but it grates a bit more here, where the very arc of the plot builds the case for rejecting such notions, and a more modern interpretation would have been welcome. (It's not like today's producers and publishers--or even those of 25 years ago--ever shy away from changing a story to suit the times and their own tastes; witness Pocahontas just a couple of films back.) All in all, setting aside that one quibble, this is a solid effort from the Disney studio, not quite up to the dizzying heights of the earlier in the decade works, but probably better than its immediate predecessor (the aforementioned Pocahontas) and at least as good as much that came after. Not perfect, but a win is a win.

Beauty and the Beast (2017)

I must be getting soft in my old age. This is not the hit-it-out-of-the-park masterpiece that it should have been. There are a number of problems with the movie, in particular a tendency to make everything epic, even in moments that should have been more intimate. Also, as always, the usual message comes through loud and clear: if you want love, you'd better be pretty. Doesn't help a lot of us out here. So why is the Bad Cat purring? Mostly on the strength of the sweetness and charm of Emma Watson, who grounds the proceedings and makes its excesses forgivable. It's a movie worth your time, especially if you're really a sucker for the romantic stuff, but this was perilously close to a take-it-or-leave it proposition.

The Ice Storm

A film with a measured pace, to say the least. Makes you want to scream at the screen, "Somebody please do something!" And really, who gives a shit about suburban angst in the '70's anyway?

The Tale of Despereaux

A beautifully made movie, with plenty of visual and directorial artistry. It seems to diverge quite a bit from the book--it's been forever since I read the original--but in this case that may not be a bad thing. Like all animation today, this one suffers from "familiar voice syndrome," but not as much as other animated movies. (There's no Chris Rock doing a jive-turkey routine here.) And there's enough quirky, individualistic charm to overcome any flaws. All in all, a satisfying viewing experience.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)

Shakespeare on the screen, so naturally I was ready to love it. The film isn't bad, but the performances and presentation are too uneven to draw a rave from me. Watch it if you're one of those cultured types who has to see every adaptation, but otherwise you may be better off going to a local staging of the show.

Princess Caraboo

One of our last looks at Phoebe Cates before she slipped quietly into wifedom behind Kevin Kline (whom she met while making this film). A charming story about a strange girl who may or not be someone special--depending upon your definition of special. You'll like it.