Thank you for submitting this lovely painting – Mrs. Long

Jungle Cruise

Movie Length: 2 hr 42 min

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, and starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt, Jungle Cruise is an adventure film based on the popular Disney attraction of the same name.

Dr. Lily Houghton is a talented researcher set on retrieving a legendary cure-all Tears of the Moon from deep within the Amazon rainforest, but is taunted by the chauvinistic scientific community when she presents her idea. Taking her ambitions into her own hands, she travels with her assistant brother to the Amazon itself. There, she meets the able but questionable Frank Wolff, a steamboat skipper who provides Amazon river tours laden with faux dangers to entertain wealthy tourists. However, when Lily pressures Frank to take her to find the Tears of the Moon, the dark history surrounding Frank and the Amazon river are slowly revealed.

Largely carried by the charisma of its two leads, Johnson and Blunt, Jungle Cruise is entertaining throughout – but not much else. Filled with homages to the films like Indiana Jones that it and its namesake ride were so influenced by, Jungle Cruise successfully recaptures a similar spirit of adventure – but with a $200 million dollar budget and modern CGI graphics to bring to life a jungle voyage beyond imagination. At the end of the day, Jungle Cruise is a family-friendly adventure, based entirely around contrived plot elements. It’s recommended for what it is – a shallow, enjoyable movie with big-name stars and Disney charm.

Thanks for a great review, Griffin! – Mrs. Long

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I am Legend

Movie Length: 1 hr 44 min

Directed by Francis Lawrence, loosely based on the book of the same name by Richard Matheson, and starring Will Smith in one of his greatest tour-de-force performances, I am Legend is an unexpectedly topical post-apocalyptic film that explores the aftermath of a deadly global pandemic.

Robert Neville is the apparent lone survivor of a devastating virus that wiped out 90% of the population, turning the rest into hideous husks of the humans they once were. Neville adheres to a strict daily routine living in a desolate Manhattan, trying desperately to maintain his sanity while attempting to develop a cure for the virus, with only his dog Sam for companionship. However, his calculated post-outbreak life devolves into chaos as he gets closer to a cure, and realizes he may not be the only one out there.

I am Legend is a moving tale of a man’s struggling psyche, torn between past, future, and the cataclysm that he presently faces. For much of the film, Will Smith is alone, talking to himself or Sam – yet still manages to give one of the most compelling performances I have seen. While some of the computer-generated graphics in the movie are questionable, its atmosphere, sound design and visuals make for an amazing thriller. However, something that makes I am Legend especially relevant now is its depiction of solitude. In the midst of this pandemic, the powerful imagery in I am Legend of a barren New York City is strangely poignant. Neville bitterly traveling the overgrown, empty streets and his increasingly unusual everyday actions reflect what many have experienced during this time. These moments where Neville is truly alone, questioning self, world, and God are when I am Legend is strongest. Highly recommended!

Thanks Griffin! – Mrs. Long