IT

By -
IT movie poster 2017
A supernatural force that preys on children descends on the small town of Derry every 27 years. When his little brother disappears, young Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Lieberher) and his friends in the Losers' Club go searching for his lost sibling during their 1989 summer vacation. Standing in the way are the school bullies and a sinister clown named Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård).

Horror and a dash of humor keep this Goonies-style chiller afloat. Make no mistake, this violent adventure is
not for kids. The teen heroes are seeking something far more dangerous than hidden treasure - and they find it. Based on Stephen King's 1986 novel, director Andy Muschietti ("Mama") delivers graphically bloody thrills, with many jump and gasp moments, amidst an emotional coming-of-age tale. The humor that breaks up the tension comes in the form of wise-cracking banter among the seven (a magnificent number) members of the Losers' Club. The young cast makes this work oh so well. Jaeden Lieberher ("The Book of Henry") takes center stage as the guilt-ridden Bill. Finn Wolfhard, known for his role as Mike Wheeler in TV's "Stranger Things", is the extremely vocal and insecure Richie. Jack Dylan Grazer is hypochondriac Eddie and Wyatt Oleff is Stan, the pressured son of a rabbi. Rounding out the seven are Jeremy Ray Taylor as the overweight and self-conscious Ben, Chosen Jacobs as Mike, who is haunted by the fire that killed his parents, and Sophia Lillis as Beverly, the lone female member looking to break free of her abusive father. When the focus is off these youngsters, Bill Skarsgård (another son of Stellan Skarsgård) grabs the attention - adding his own signature to the demonic clown that Tim Curry became famous for in the 1990 television mini-series of the same name. Skarsgård's maniacal cartoon voice and toothsome grin are the stuff nightmares are made of. Adults are given minimal screen time, only showing up as a catalyst for the childhood emotional pain of some of the club members and at least one of the school bullies. This gives plenty of time to fully develop the kids' characters. Maybe a little too much time - the movie is over two hours. This is the first film of a planned 2-parter. The second will follow the Losers' Club members as adults, who return to Derry to face their fears. Installment number one is good enough to warrant a part two. "IT" is the clown prince of King screen adaptations. (4 CAMS)


Rated R (violence/horror, bloody images, and for language)
Running Time: 135 minutes

Popular posts from this blog

THE MARKSMAN (2021)

By -
Image
Trying to save his Arizona ranch, the last thing loner and ex-Marine Jim Hanson (Liam Neeson) needs is more trouble. When he encounters migrants Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) and her 11-year-old son Miguel (Jacob Perez) running from drug cartel assassins, more trouble comes his way. Promising Rosa he will get Miguel to relatives in Chicago, the hardened Hanson and the young fugitive reluctantly take a dangerous road trip. An unlikely friendship develops as the killers, led by relentless Mauricio (Juan Pablo Raba), get closer. With Liam Neeson the main attraction, a full-blown action thriller is expected. But this latest attempt at making a modern western is surprisingly short on action and thrills. Director Robert Lorenz, who helmed the Clint Eastwood baseball drama "Trouble with the Curve", spends most of this film's length on drama and emotion. Mr. Neeson is up to the task, but this is not what the fans look forward to with a title like "The Marksman". The screenplay by
Read more

THE RHYTHM SECTION

By -
Image
When depressed, drug-addicted prostitute Stephanie Patrick (Blake Lively) learns the plane crash that killed her family wasn't an accident, she sets out to avenge their deaths. With the help of a former British MI6 agent (Jude Law), Stephanie trains to become an assassin. Under various disguises, she takes on missions that will lead to vengeance. A strong performance by Blake Lively and sudden bursts of action can't save this mostly lackluster thriller. Based on the popular book by Mark Burnell, who also wrote the screenplay, director Reed Morano ("Meadowland") relies heavily on
Read more

SOUL (2020)

By -
Image
Band teacher Joe Gardner (the voice of Jamie Foxx) is offered a full-time position at his school and also gets a dream opportunity: the chance to play at a popular jazz club. But after an accident on a New York City street, Joe ends up in The Great Before where new souls get their personalities formed prior to going to Earth. Desperately wanting to return home, he is paired with difficult soul 22 (voiced by Tina Fey), who is reluctant to become human. Together, they may just find their purpose in life. Leaving sequels behind, Disney/Pixar strikes gold with an imaginative and fanciful animated original. Like their "Onward" earlier this year, interesting characters and fresh storytelling captivate the audience. Director Pete Docter, with help from co-director Kemp Powers ("One Night in Miami" screenplay), goes out-of-body for an experience that has some similarities to his inner body "Inside Out". But the story/screenplay by Docter, Powers and Mike Jones has
Read more