New Release
‘Peter Asher: Everywhere Man’
Peter Asher (himself) began his career as a child actor and became a 1960s pop singer, but eventually discovered that his real gift was in shaping other people’s records. His path crossed Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and Carole King as British pop gave way to the singer-songwriter era.While the famous faces are fun, Asher’s generous nature becomes the real attraction here. His career offers an uplifting reminder that lasting success can sometimes grow from recognizing talent and treating people well.
Family Pick
‘Benji the Hunted’
After a storm strands Benji (Benjean) far from his trainer, the little dog finds four cougar cubs left helpless in the woods and refuses to abandon them. Wolves, hunger, and rough country turn his rescue into a full-blown wilderness mission.This family-friendly tale makes the animal work feel noble without getting too syrupy. Benji does a lot with worried eyes, quick paws, and little-dog stubbornness. The part I liked most is how, even though he’s stranded too, he keeps choosing the cubs’ safety over the fastest way home.
Jane Austen Daydreams Get Pricey
‘Austenland’
Jane (Keri Russell) spends her savings on a resort where guests obsessed with Jane Austen-style romance get gowns, fake courtship, and a shot at the perfect gentleman. Once stiff Mr. Nobley (JJ Feild) and resort stablehand Martin (Bret McKenzie) enter the picture, the fantasy starts to look shady.Thankfully, the film pokes at Jane’s dream-man obsession instead of legitimizing it. It’s still very polished rom-com fluff, but at least it knows that the whole “perfect man” fantasy is a little ridiculous.
Comedy with a Conscience
‘The Big Hangover’
David Muldon (Van Johnson) wants a clean start at a powerful firm, but one look at booze can wreck his dignity, his romance with Mary Belney (Elizabeth Taylor), and his chance to stand up against prosecutor Carl Bellcap (Leon Ames) in a nasty legal case.Van Johnson makes David’s curse funny without begging for pity, and the tenant legal case gives this comedy a decent little backbone.
