‘Christopher Robin’ strange is a hybrid of mid-life crisis movie, ‘Paddington’-esque fantasy
The enchanting “Christopher Robin” chronicles how Winnie the Pooh (Jim Cummings) and his pals from Hundred Acre Wood are forced to save their grownup pal (Ewan McGregor) from his workaholic ways.
Director Marc Forster (“Finding Neverland”) never quite figures out how to make Christopher Robin as interesting as Pooh, Piglet, Owl and Eeyore, but once Christopher’s daughter (Bronte Carmichael) teams up with the animal posse to save the day, the movie really holds you in thrall. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.
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The Cakemaker: In the tradition of all great food movies, complicated feelings of love and loss are expressed through tasty morsels such as cinnamon cookies and chocolate pastries. But this is a romance unlike any other. The central character is Thomas (Tim Kalkhof), a Berlin baker who falls for a married Israeli man named Oren. After Oren is killed in a car accident, Thomas travels to Jerusalem and winds up enmeshed in the life of his late lover’s widow (Sarah Adler). There’s a stillness and hushed quality about the movie, which unfolds with minimal dialogue. Prepare to be deeply moved by this strange and savory gem. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.
Never Goin’ Back: Even when writer/director Augustine Frizzell confuses gross-out humor with edginess, there’s a go-for-broke vitality about this portrait of two Texas stoners that draws you in. Jessie (Camila Morrone) and Angela (Maia Mitchell) are roomies who are determined to head to the beach for Jessie’s 17th birthday, even though their house has just been robbed, they can’t make rent and they might lose their jobs. There’s been scores of movies about dudes bonding on a quest — think Harold and Kumar and Cheech and Chong — but “Never Goin’ Back” is the rare sweet and smart celebration of female friendship. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.
American Dresser: It’s so rare to see a feature film about senior citizens which doesn’t sentimentalize them, that this movie — flawed and underdeveloped though it is — registers as an enjoyable experience. Tom Berenger stars
as a former Vietnam vet who, following the death of his wife (Gina Gershon), teams up with a war buddy (Keith David) for a crosscountry motorcycle trip. A mystery adds momentum to the adventure, but it’s the small moments, including lovely interludes with Penelope Ann Miller and Bruce
Dern, which really put fuel in this film’s tank. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.
The Padre: A simple revenge saga benefits from some colorful location shooting in Mexico, and the introduction of a scrappy teenager (Valeria Henrique) caught in the middle between a former U.S. marshal (Nick Nolte) and a determined con artist (Tim Roth). So much of “The Padre” feels overly
familiar but Henrique’s quest to reunite with her sister endows the film with a rich vein of emotion that the rest of the action lacks. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.
Who is America: Season One: Sacha Baron Cohen returns to TV for the first time since “Da Ali G Show” with a typically envelopepushing series about politics in America. Both liberals and conservatives are
pranked by Cohen, who disguises himself as a handful of crazy characters. While Cohen scores a few points here and there, the series is surprisingly dull. Yes, the Trump-pardoned Joe Arpaio and Republican politician Jason Spencer come off particularly badly, but the laughs are few and far between. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.
The Good Fight: Season Two: This “Good Wife” spin-off remains a must-see as it unleashes its latest 13 episodes. Christine Baranski is back as Diane Lockhart, a lawyer who, along with her fellow attorneys (Cush Jumbo, Rose Leslie), must help their firm navigate a crooked cop conspiracy, a high-profile deportation and an audition for the DNC in a potential impeachment case. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.
The Woman in White: Don’t miss this crackling good mystery from PBS that gives new life to Willie Collins’ beloved mystery. Starring Jessie Buckley, Ben Hardy, Dougray Scott and Olivia Vinall, the series takes viewers on a thrilling ride through the corridors of English country homes, and down into the darkest corners of a Victorian madhouse. On Amazon, Google, iTunes, Movies Anywhere and Vudu.