Movie Review: Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium ( 2007 ***** ) stars Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Zach Mills, and Jason Bateman.  The story takes place in a magical toy store owned by an eccentric 243 year old man — Mr. Magorium (Hoffman).  His one employee, Molly Mahooney (Portman), feels stuck in life and doesn’t know if she wants to continue working in the store.  However, Mr. Magorium goes about his business of preparing to hand the store over to Molly and hires an accountant, Henry Weston (Bateman), to get his “financials” in order.  What follows is a magical journey of discovery and imagination that the whole family can enjoy.  This movie gets 5 stars out of 5.  I’ts an extremely clean movie and lots of fun to watch.  If your inner child doesn’t come out, then something is wrong with you.

Movie Review – The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007 **** ) stars Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson, David Morrissey, and Brian Cox.  It is a delightful tale about a young boy who finds a strange rock near the loch during WWII.  The boy takes the rock home to later discover an odd creature has emerged from what was really a shell.  What follows is a series of antics and mishaps that leaves the viewer grinning from ear to ear.  I give this movie 4 stars out of 5.

In the News: Chicago University Distances Itself from Rev. Wright

The Chicago Tribune reports that Northwestern University is withdrawing an offer to bestow Rev. Wright with an honorary degree.  The announcement comes after recent controversial statements made by him.

Vice President of University Relations Alan Cubbage said in a statement, “In light of the controversy around Dr. Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of Commencement not be affected, the University has withdrawn its invitation to Dr. Wright.”

 

Commentary:  Northwestern makes a wise decision.  They prevent a media circus from disrupting commencement.  The young minds leaving college don’t need their graduation memories tarnished by this man.  Good for them.

We all should take a step back and recognize one thing.  It’s the man we all have problems with.  I could care less that he is a Man of God.  It doesn’t protect him from being evil in his own way.

source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-northwestern-wright-web-may02,0,1675581.story