Elemental (2023)

Elemental is a 2023 American computer animated romantic comedy drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Peter Sohn. The film features the voices of Leah Lewis, Mamamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Catherine O’Hara. Set in a world occupied by anthromorphic elements of nature, the story follows the element of fire, Ember Lumen (Lewis) and water element Wade Ripple (Athie), who meet and fall in love after Wade is summoned to by a plumbing accident at a convenience store owned by Ember’s father Bernie (Del Carmen).
Fire elements Bernie and Cinder Lumen relocate to Element City, where they face xenophobia from other elements and struggle to find a home. They have a daughter, Ember, and eventually set up a convenience store called The Fireplace, setting up a Blue Flame that represents their heritage and traditions and attracting many fire element customers over time. Bernie intends for the store to give the store to Ember to run the shop on her own, she becomes overwhelmed by the customers and runs to the basment. Her firey outburst breaks a water pipe, flooding the basement and ordering Wade Ripple, a water element and city inspector. Wade talks about the faulty pipe and unwillingly leaves for City Hall to send the violation report to his air element employer, Gale Cumulus, who will have The Fireplace shut down. Ember persues Wade but it’s too late.
Taking pity on Ember he takes her to Cyclone Stadium to convince Gale to be more forgiving and reconsider shutting down her father’s store. When Wade mentions he was investigating recocurring floods before ending up at The Fireplace, Gales gives the two of them a tight deadline to find the cause. If they are able to seal the leak, then the violations will be forgiven. While searching the canals for the cause of the leak, Wade remembers that Ember’s temper comes from her trying to tell herself something that she is not ready to accept, but Ember denies this. They then find a hole in a dam that allows wave runoff from ships to flood the city’s plumbling, so they close the hole with sandbags. Meanwhile, Bernie deals with water leaks all over The Fireplace.
Wade and Ember spend time together in the city and learn more about each other. Later, Wade tells Ember that the sandbags did not hold, so Ember uses her glassmaking ability to create a sturdier seal for the hole in the dam. Meanwhile, Cinder suspects Ember is seeing someone and follows her. Ember visits Wade’s family at a luxury apartment, where she uses her fire to fix a broken glass pitcher, impressing Brook, Wade’s mother, who recommends her for a glassmaking internship. Gale then calls Wade and give her approval of Ember’s glass seal, thus saving The Fireplace from closing down. Ember then realizes that she does not want to take over the store.
Bernies announces his plan to to retire and give The Fireplace to Ember. Wade takes Ember to Garden Central Station to see Vivisteria flowers, which she was denied seeing as a child. Gale gives her an air bubble for safety while Wade pushes her underwater through the station. Afterward, Wade and Ember discover they are able to touch without hurting each other and share a romantic dance, but Ember reminds herself of her duty to The Fireplace and her family’s prejudice against water elements and leaves, upsetting Wade.
As Ember is about to take over The Fireplace, Wade shows up and confesses his love for her, while spilling that she caused the broken pipes. Ember rejects Wade, but Cinder senses genuine affection. Disappointed, Bernie decides not to retire and denies Ember the store. When the new seal on the dam breaks, the fire district floods. After saving The Blue Flame, Ember and Wade become trapped in a room in The Fireplace, causing Wade to evaporate from the enclosed heat. When the flood subsides, grief-stricken Ember tells Bernie she does not want to run the store and expresses her love for Wade.
Pixar has had mostly great movies, but this one is only good, not great. It has a creative plot and relatable characters. It teaches about family, disasters, acceptance, and love, as well as following your heart. Conservatives may compare the fire and water elements being romantically involved to an interracial relationship and maybe that’s what Disney and Pixar were going for. Also, some may not like the rebellious nature of Ember and how she sneaks around to see Wade.
This is a film with such heart and emotion. It is a truly great story for the most part, but it does focus a bit too much on Bernie’s store and Wade and Ember’s relationship, than much of anything else. At times it does feel much like an animated teen rom-com with a bit of drama, so it’s definitely not Pixar’s best film, but no their worst either. It is a very sweet movie that tugs at the heartstrings and reminds you of the power of family, true love, and following your heart.
This is an entertaining film for most part, but older children will enjoy it more than younger ones. The plot is a pretty predictable, so not Pixar’s or the screenwriter’s or director’s best work. This movie comes off largely as overly sweet, which almost makes you miss the metaphor of racial acceptance within it’s storyline. Despite great messages within this film, it does not have the wow factor of other Pixar films. Some viewers will likely get bored, others may genuinely enjoy it and bawl their eyes out, children will likely get bored with it fast, as it is not as action packed as most animated films these days.
Overall, this film is filled with emotion, mostly romantically and family-wise. The metaphor of the elements of nature characters representing different races is is a smart idea, but that is about the only smart idea of the plot. Maybe the studio’s running out of ideas, who knows? Let’s hope not. This is a charming movie, but it it falls flat in entertainment factor, especially when up against others like the Toy Story films and Up. This one is not a complete win with the studios, but not a complete failure either. 3.5/5 8+
Top 75 Greatest Films Summer of All Time

- Thelma & Louise – 1991
- Jaws – 1975
- Caddyshack – 1980
- Do the Right Thing – 1989
- Summertime – 1955
- Before Sunrise – 1995
- Moonrise Kingdom – 2012
- The Parent Trap -1961
- The Parent Trap – 1998
- Fire Island – 2022
- Dazed and Confused – 1993
- The Endless Summer – 1966
- Little Miss Sunshine – 2006
- American Graffiti – 1973
- Point Break – 1991
- Clueless – 1995
- Grease – 1978
- E.T. The Extra Terrestrial – 1982
- Stand By Me – 1986
- In the Heights – 2021
- The Sandlot – 1993
- A League of Their Own – 1992
- Vicky Christina Barcelona – 2008
- Roman Holiday – 1953
- King Richard – 2021
- What About Bob? – 1991
- Dr. No – 1962
- Dope – 2015
- Palm Springs – 2020
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall – 2008
- Crazy Rich Asians – 2018
- Crooklyn – 1994
- Something’s Gotta Give – 2003
- National Lampoon’s Vacation – 1983
- The Goonies – 1985
- The Graduate – 1967
- Dirty Dancing – 1987
- Bull Durham – 1988
- Risky Business – 1983
- The Flamingo Kid – 1984
- Breaking Away – 1979
- The Way Way Back – 2013
- Sylvie’s Love – 2020
- Bend It Like Beckham – 2002
- Real Women Have Curves – 2002
- Say Anything – 1989
- Move Over Darling – 1963
- Summer of Soul (… Or When the Revolution Could Not be Televised) – 2021
- The Talanted Mr. Ripley – 1955
- The Florida Project – 2017
- A Summer Place – 1959
- The Long Hot Summer – 1958
- Summer of ’42 – 1971
- Summer with Monika – 1953
- Smiles of a Summer Night – 1955
- Summer Stock – 1950
- Summer Interlude – 1951
- Summer Pasture – 2010
- Y Tu Mama Tambien – 2001
- Stranger by the Lake – 2013
- Swimming Pool – 2003
- Swimming Pool – 1969
- Beach Rats – 2017
- The Man in the Moon – 1991
- In July – 2000
- Splash – 1984
- White Men Can’t Jump – 1992
- Luca – 2021
- Cha Cha Real Smooth – 2022
- Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday – 1953
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants – 2005
- South Pacific – 1958
- Pierrot le Fou – 1965
- August: Osage County – 2013
- Oslo, August 31st – 2011
Classic of the Week: Psycho (1960)

Psycho is a 1960 American thrilleer film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The film stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin and Martin Balsam. The story centers on an encounter between embezzler Marion Crane (Leigh) and shy motel worker Norman Bates (Perkins) and its aftereffects, in which a private investigator (Balsam), Marions lover Sam Loomis (Gavin), and her sister Lila (Miles) investigate her disappearance.
During a Friday afternoon engagement in a Phoenix hotel, real estate secretary Marion Crine and her boyfriend Sam Loomis discuss their inability to get married because of Sam’s debs. Marion returns to work, steals a cash payment of $40,000 entrusted to her for deposit, and drives to Sam’s house in Fairvale, California. She pulls over and falls asleep and is woken up by a police officer the next morning. Her anxious behavior makes him question her reasons and asks to see her license but lets her go. Marion quickly trades her car with Arizona plates for a car with California plates.
Marion stops for a night at the Bates Motel, located off the main highway, and hides the stolen money inside a newspaper. Owner Norman Bates walks out of a large house ovetrlooking the motel, registars Marion under an alias, and invites her to dinner. After Norman returns to his house, Marion overhears he and his mother arguing over Marion being there. Norman returns with the meal and apologizes for his mother’s anger. He tells her about his hobby as taxidermist, and his mother’s “illness.” Marion decides to drive back to Phoenix in the morning to return the stolen money. As Marion showers, a shadowy figure appears and stabs her.
This film has its thrills, but at times comes off as a low-budget exploitation film. Many times throughout the film, there is no dialogue, just music, adding to the eerieness and intensity, which isn’t a bad thing, as we can still what’s going on. It is more disturbing than scary. At the time of its release, this movie was considered super scary, but it is very tame by today’s standards.
Bates is very dark and very slow for its nearly two hour runtime. It has the thrill factor, the intensity, and the fine acting from all of its lead cast, but at times it comes off as cheaply made. It is only slightly entertaining, even though there have several remakes of the film and a TV series version.
This is definitely one of Hitchcock’s more gruesome films even though the gore is pretty mild, and even after learning that the blood in the shower scene was actually chocolate syrup, the scene is still disturbing enough and well done that it could still keep one up at night. Most of the movie takes place at the motel, so not much change of scenery, which may bore some viewers. Though this may not be Hitchcock’s best film in my opinion, it’s not his worst either. The plot may be simple, but the movie is well directed, well acted, and the effects are good too.
Only Hitchcock could’ve taken such a basic storyline and turned it into what many consider a masterpiece. He knew how to shock and amaze then and his films still do to this day. 18+ 3.5/5
TCMFF 2023 Highlights
There is so much build-up going into the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival (TCMFF) and it goes by in a flash. From April 13 through April 16 thousands gathered in Hollywood to watch movies, get a glimpse of movie stars, mingle with TCM hosts, and meet up with like-minded friends. It is an event many […]
TCMFF 2023 Highlights — Once upon a screen…
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (2023)

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a 2023 American coming-of-age period comedy drama film directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume. The film stars Abby Ryder Forston as the title character Margaret Simon, along with Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates.
Sixth grader Margaret Simon and her parents move from New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey. Since one of her parents Christian with the other is Jewish, she tries to find her identity of religion. The film follows the eleven year old as she goes through puberty, experiencing the normal girl experiences like growing breasts, her first bra, boys, shaving, and getting her period, but also her exploring both of her parents’ religious upbringings. She becomes friends with several popular girls in her grade and they form a secret club called the Pre-Teen Sensations where they talk about boys, bras and menstruation. The girls axiously await their first period, preparing by buying pads. They also do exercises to increase their bust sizes: “We must, we must, must increase our bust!”
Gretchen gets her period first, which causes Margaret to worry that she is abnormal because she hasn’t started to menstruating. Margaret is jealous of her classmate Laura Danker, who started menstruating and wears a bra. She has a crush on the popular boy Philip Leroy. They kiss while playing “two minutes in the closet” during a party. Margaret’s parents plan to spend the spring vacation with Sylvia, her Jewish grandmother, in Florida. The day before the vacation, Margaret’s conservative Christian grandparents, Mary and Paul Hutchins visit. Because they disapprove of their daughter’s interfaith marriage, Mary and Paul have been estranged from Margaret’s mother for fourteen years. Margaret’s mother cancels the Florida trip. Margaret is upset but tries to be polite to her grandparents. When her grandparents mention religion, arguing starts. Margaret boils over with anger saying she doesn’t need religion or God. On the last day of school, Margaret gets her period.
This film differs a bit from the book it is based on. In the book, Margaret tells her friends why she has no religion, in the movie she is unsure and asks her mother. Barbara (Rachel McAdams) explains to her daughter that as “devout Christians.” her parents did not want a Jewish son in law, so if she married Herb, she’d no longer be their daughter. The book focuses mcuh more on Margaret’s experience, that her parents are almost empty pages. In the movie she and her parents equally focused on.
In the book Barbara is portrayed as stereotypical overworked mom, in the movie, she is warm throughtout the majority of the runtime, as she must be a safe haven and must conquer her rocky journey to realization. Barbara is a bigger presence in Margaret’s life in the film, than in the book, but that doesn’t make either version bad. McAdams is great in this role, bringing the overly-sweet and overly protective mother to life thoughout the film.
Abby Ryder Forston is a powerhouse of a star. She brings the awkward pre-teen girl to life in a way that is nostalgic and relatable, as well as funny at times. This girl is definitely going on to more big roles. Benny Safdie does a fine job as Herb Simon, a hardworking, yet awkward father, who also embarrasses Margarget. He is the typical New York City Jewish dad, without actually affiliating with the religion much. Kathy Bates is great Sylvia Simon, Marge’s Jewish grandmother. She also is a typical New York Jew, but she still follows the religion.
Overall, the film is equal parts awkward, funny, nostalgic, heart-warming, and cute. It is the perfect mother-daughter movie. It is a little too silly in some parts, much more than the book, which make the film a bit cheesy at times. Boys will probably not enjoy this one as much as girls, as it does deal with pre-teenage girl subjects throughout. Conservatives will likely object to the relgious theme, but those with an open mind will find this more engaging.
This is not the most entertaining coming-of-age movie, but it is also far from the worst. It has it’s laugh out loud moments, but some scenes are pretty slow, but that’s to expected if you ever read the book. There are uncomfortable themes throughout the movie like body-shaming, and talking about the sizes of private body parts, but that’s what makes this film relatable for any lady that was a pre-teen or teenager then as well as pre-teen and teenage girls today. Though this movie is PG-13, it is still a must see for any tween or teen. This film can also help girls and their parents discuss uncomfortable subjects. This is a cute and charming film, filled with heart and laughter. 11+ 4.5/5
Judy Blume Forever (2023)

Judy Blume Forever is a 2023 documentary film centered on the author Judy Blume, directed by Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok. The film covers the life, career, and legacy of Judy Blume, including her experiences with some of her books being banned and the current condition of free speech in the United States. It covers her life from her upbringing in New Jersey to suburban housewife to novelist. It includes new interviews with Blume, as well as talk show appearances, photographs, as well testaments from celebrities and the impact Blume has had in their lives.
Blume leads her audience with a gentle tone of narration. recalling stories both funny and sad, memories of happiness, and reading parts of her books with warmhearted zeal that brings the characters and the scenes to life-often with visual animations, as well as live footage from the past, like old ads of the time, and newsreels to take viewers on rides to various times in Blume’s life, which is then shown by using a montage of family photos and home movies. Sitting before the camera, Blume is a powerful storyteller. She isn’t afraid to tell about the more painful momets in her life, like the sudden death of her father, early marital issues, just as much as she is excited to talk about the development of some of her books.
Blume’s presence is the most important one, but many intuitive friends, family members, and fans join her. Childhood friends remember some of the schoolyard horseplay and conversations they shared with Blume, that later inspired some of her books. The film also includes interviews from her children, Randy and Lawrence, and her husband, Goerge Cooper, for a peak at the author’s life beyond writing. Celebrity fans like Jacqueline Woodson and Alex Gino, axtresses Molly Rongwald, and Lena Dunham, and comedian Samantha Bee. add more praise and appreciation for her work. Finnaly we hear letters written to Blume from children struggling with issues who found comfort in her books. Blume is impactful in their lives as she spends unknown hours looking after her readers of all ages.
With over 80 million copies sold and 25 titles, there is lots of Jufy Blume stories to tell. In this documentary, Pardo and Wolchok conceive a heartwarming admiration of an American literary hero, that brings up memories of nestalgia, talks about how powerful the written word is, and tells of the inspiration behind notable lines, and reminds us of her fight against literary censorship still is especially in her home state of Florida and is on a mission to ban children not just from reading her books, but also those of LGBTQ authors and writers of color.
This documentary is a proper tribute to the life of writer catering to generations of readers still growing up and finding their voices. There is humor, tragedy, inspiration, appreciation, and controversial topics throughout Judy Blume Forever. All of it makes for a well put together documentary, that is steaming on Amazon Prime Video just in time for the theatrical release of the film version of Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.” Even though she’s retired (since 2015), she is still one of the most influential and best selling writers of all time and people today are still finding her books and enjoying just like when they first published. She wasn’t afraid to tackle controversial subjects when her books were published, and isn’t afraid to tackle them today. This film shows the gentle and tough sides of Judy Blume in interesting and entertaining way, that make you want to reread, or if you haven’t read any yet, her books. Today, though she may be a bookshop owner, she a true American icon. 13+ 5/5
On James Stewart — Humanizing The Vacuum

To be a young cineaste in, say, 1964 was to endure Jimmy Stewart’s aw-shucks drawl: as terrifying a feature as Julie Andrews’ teeth. But the canny actor who cultivated a gangly Everyman image for decades understood, as self-help books and other uniquely American addictions do not, how folksiness and malice co-exist, like a clownfish and […]
On James Stewart — Humanizing The Vacuum
The Greatest Films About or Featuring Dogs

- Isle of Dogs – 2018
- 777 Charlie – 2022
- Togo – 2019
- The Shaggy Dog – 1959
- 101 Dalmatians – 1996
- Benji – 1974
- Lassie Come Home – 1943
- The Adventures of Tintin – 2011
- Turner & Hooch – 1989
- Because of Winn-Dixie – 2005
- Where the Red Fern Grows – 1974
- Oddball – 2015
- Shiloh – 1996
- White Fang – 1991
- Bolt – 2008
- The Call of the Wild – 2020
- My Dog Tulip – 2009
- My Dog Skip – 2000
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey – 1993
- The Incredible Journey – 1963
- Marley & Me – 2008
- Old Yeller – 1957
- One Hundred and One Dalmatians – 1961
- Cruella – 2021
- Red Dog – 2011
- Best in Show – 2000
- Hachi: A Dog’s Tale – 2009
- The Fox and the Hound – 1981
- Lady and the Tramp – 1955
- The Secert Life of Pets – 2016
- As Good as it Gets – 1997
- Dog – 2022
- Babe – 1995
- Red Dog: True Blue – 2016
- Heart of a Dog – 2015
- Wallace & Gromit: The Cure of the Were-Rabbit – 2005
- Lassie – 2005
- White Dog – 1982
- Snoopy, Come Home – 1972
- Baxter – 1989
- White God – 2014
- Wendy and Lucy – 2008
- Frankenweenie – 2012
- Megan Leavey – 2017
- Alpha – 2018
- A Boy and His Dog – 1975
- I am Legend – 2007
- Rescued By Ruby – 2022
- Dog Days – 2018
- Chicken Run – 2000
- Fantastic Mr. Fox – 2009
- Oliver & Company – 1988
- The Triplets of Belleville – 2003
- Howl’s Moving Castle – 2004
- Crawl – 2019
- The Truth About Cats and Dogs – 1996
- Lady and the Tramp – 2019
- Eight Below – 2006
- Amores Perros – 2000
- Blind Love – 2015 (Polish)
- Eliot & Me – 2012
- John Wick series – 2014-Present
- The Drop – 2014
- My Dog Stupid – 2019
- My Life as a Dog – 1985
- Year of the Dog – 2007
- Seven Psychopaths – 2012
- The Sandlot – 1993
- The Wizard of Oz – 1939
- The Artist – 2011
- Beginners – 2010
- There’s Something About Mary – 1998
- Umberto D. – 1952
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas – 1966
- Anchorman: The legend of Ron Burgundy – 2004
- The Nightmare Before Christmas – 1993
- The Thin Man – 1934
- Up – 2009
- The Muppet Movie – 1979
- A Boy Named Charlie Brown – 1969
- Annie – 1982
- The Queen – 2006
- Men in Black – 1997
- The Phantom Tollbooth – 1970
- Widows – 2018
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – 2001
- The Hound of Baskervilles – 1959
- The Champions – 2015
- Patton – 1970
- Down and Out in Beverly Hills – 1986
- Balto – 1995
- The Accidental Tourist – 1988
- Alpha – 2018
- The Thing – 1982
- Coco – 2017
- Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior – 1981
- Back to the Future – 1985
- Beyond the Myth – 2010
- A Dog Named Gucci – 2015
- We Don’t Deserve Dogs – 2020
The Greatest Films About or Featuring Cats

- Puss in Boots – 2011
- The Lion King – 1994
- The Rabbi’s Cat – 2011
- Kedi – 2016
- The Voices – 2014
- That Darn Cat! – 1965
- Harry and Tonto – 1974
- Stuart Little – 1999
- The Aristocats – 1970
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey – 1993
- The Incredible Journey – 1963
- Puss in Boots: The last Wish – 2022
- The Cat From Outer Space – 1978
- A Street Cat Named Bob – 2016
- Keanu – 2016
- Inside Llewyn Davis – 2013
- The Shrek Francise – 2001-2005
- A Whisker Away – 2020
- Lady and the Tramp -1955
- Lady and the Tramp – 2019
- Meet the Parents – 2000
- The Harry Potter Series – 2001-2011
- Alice in Wonderland – 1951
- The Secret Life of Pets – 2016
- Coraline – 2009
- The Grand Budapest Hotel – 2014
- From Russia With Love – 1963
- Bell, Book and Candle – 1958
- The Godfather – 1972
- Kiki’s Delivery Service – 1989
- Alien – 1979
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s – 1961
- The Jungle Book – 1967
- The Third Man – 1949
- A Cat in Paris – 2010
- The Future – 2011
- Aliens – 1986
- The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo – 2011
- The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo – 2009
- The Cat Returns – 2002
- Whsiper of the Heart – 1995
- True Grit – 1969
- True Grit – 2010
- The Black Cat – 1934
- Re-Animator – 1985
- Batman Returns – 1992
- The Long Goodbye – 1973
- L’Atalante – 1934
- La Dolce Vita – 1960
- Day for Night – 1973
- Ghost – 1990
- Can You Ever Forgive Me? – 2018
- A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night – 2014
- Elle – 2016
- A Bucket of Blood – 1959
- Gifted – 2017
- Tales of Terror – 1962
- Gladiator – 2000
- Zootopia – 2016
- The Tomb of Ligeia – 1964
- House – 1977
- Two Brothers – 1974
- A Man Called Otto – 2022
- A Man Called Ove – 2015
- Kuroneko – 1968
- The Incredible Shrinking Man – 1957
- Escape to Witch Mountain – 1973
- Cat’s Eye – 1985
- Babe – 1995
- Cat people – 1942
- Pinocchio – 1940
- Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – 2022
- Aladdin – 1992
- Captain Marvel – 2019
- Life of Pi – 2012
- Bringing Up Baby – 1938
- The Wizard of Oz – 1939
- Born Free – 1966
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – 1977
- Mine – 2009
- The Electrical Life of Louis Wain – 2021
- Madadayo – 1993
- The Last of the Lions – 2011
- Duma – 2005
- Apocalypse Now – 1979
- A Gift From Bob – 2020
- Men in Black – 1997
- The last Unicorn – 1982
- My Neighbor Totoro – 1988
- Feral Love – 2018
- The Lion in Your Living Room – 2015
- African Cats – 2011
- The Travelling Cat Chronicles – 2018
- Dogtooth – 2009
- The Strange Little Cat – 2013
- April and the Extraordinary World – 2015
- Take Care of My Cat – 2001
- Burning – 2018
- Sita Sings the Blues – 2008
- The Secret World of Arrietty – 2010