“It” (Horror: 2 hours, 14 minutes)

Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis and Finn Wolfhard

Director: Andy Muschietti

Rated: R (Violence, profanity, sexual innuendo and gore)

 

Movie Review: “It” is entertaining, although it is not a scary movie.

It does not have the thriller moments that cause fear. It is a horror film. It is gory moments as visuals. This adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is a story that plays like a dramatic horror. Within this sense, “It” features fine performances by a young cast in an interesting story.

Seven pre-teens led by Bill Denbrough (Lieberher) and Beverly Marsh (Lillis) face their fears to defeat Pennywise the Dancing Clown (Skarsgård). The kids’ task will not be easy. Pennywise is no ordinary clown. He is a malicious demon who feeds on fear.

Skarsgård makes a much creepier clown than the one in the 1990 television version of “It.” Pennywise is creepier, but not scary in the horrific sense that causes fear for audiences. The fear that Pennywise creates with other characters is what is intriguing. Their reactions to him create a nice tension.

Including Skarsgård, the movie works because of fine performances from its young cast.

Jaeden Lieberher is a talented actor. He previously starred in “St. Vincent” (2014), “Midnight Special” (2016) and “The Book of Henry” (2017). He is exceptional in those films, more than holding his own with more seasoned actors.

Sophia Lillis (2016’s “37”) and about 10 other young people provide intriguing roles. They work well to make this engaging movie.

Andy Muschietti (“Mama,” 2013), only has a few movies on his resume, but he handles his adolescent cast well. Muschietti directs this photopla, offering plenty, even when it comes off as a comical at times.

Grade: B- (It entertains, but it is not scary.)

“Home Again” (Comedy/Romance: 1 hour, 36 minutes)

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Pico Alexander, Michael Sheen and Candice Bergen

Director: Hallie Meyers-Shyer

Rated: PG-13 (Violence, some thematic and sexual material)

 

Movie Review: A 1973 movie was titled “You Can’t Go Home Again” (Director Nicholas Ray). That title is fitting for “Home Again.” It tries to create a touching movie about friends, family and lost relationships. Instead, it is a mild romantic comedy.

Single mom Alice Kinney (Witherspoon) lives in Los Angeles with her two daughters. As she celebrates another birthday, she is depressed. Her and her daughters’ lives change for the better after Kinney allows three 20-something-year-old men to move into her guesthouse. Unexpectedly, Kinney begins a relationship with one of the men, Harry (Alexander).

“Home Again” is the directorial debut and the first full-length screenplay for Hallie Meyers-Shyer. She was primarily a lesser-known actress until now. Her direction and style are lackluster here.

This romcom has some fun moments, but its characters are thinly developed. The story appears forced material. The characters coming together appears unconventionally fast. This is where Meyers-Shyer’s writing is lacking. The characters are not as tangible as they should be. Albeit bubbly and personal, Witherspoon’s agreeable congeniality cannot rescue this mild comedy.

Grade: C (This is abode is not a strong one.)

“9/11” (Drama: 1 hour, 28 minutes)

Starring: Charlie Sheen, Luis Guzman and Whoopi Goldberg

Director: Martin Guigui

Rated: R (Profanity and thematic elements)

 

Movie Review: Many may find it too soon to watch a fictional story set during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on World Trade Center Towers in New York City.

The tragic event is still ever-present in minds. Based on Patrick James Carson’s play, director-writer Martin Guigui (“The Bronx Bull,” 2016) renders a movie containing heavy-handed acting, poorly scripted characters and some ill-placed humorous moments. The quality of the screenplay does not match the significance of the tragic moment.

Based on Patrick Carson’s play, “Elevator,” “9/11” transpires primarily in an elevator of the North Tower, where five people remain trapped. Soon-divorced couple, billionaire Jeffrey Cage (Sheen) and Eve (Gina Gershon), custodial engineer Eddie (Guzman), bike messenger Michael (Wood Harris) and Tina (Olga Fonda). They are socioeconomically different and are varying races.

Their only link to the outside is Metzie (Goldberg in a weird wig), an elevator operator. They must work together to free themselves from a doomed elevator.

Some may see this movie as exploitative. It is not too soon to try this, yet it is too soon to present it in this nature. The acting, despite well-known talents, is not up to par. This is the fault of Guigui, who co-wrote the screenplay with Steven James Golebiowski (television’s “Haunted Collector,” 2011). They give the characters little depth. When the elevator descends is the most depth the characters exhibit.

If one placed the characters in any other situation, the movie’s poor attributes would matter little and be better received. One cannot place halfhearted, poorly developed personas in an emotional moment of history for many still.

Grade: C- (9/11 deserves better treatment.)