Gloria Bell (2018)

I am familiar with La Mujer Fantastica, which has a similar use of light and the same enchanting use of music. That was my favorite part. Gloria Bell is a remake of the Chilean film Gloria that I hear is exactly the same, frame for frame, song for song, same crew and all.  I haven't seen the original but I don't really understand why this was necessary except as a vehicle for Julianne Moore. She is excellent and quite funny in a role that is rare for an actress of her age but that's beside the point. Did the director feel compelled to remake his own film in English? Is he saying something about universality?  Was an American audience not willing to watch a more culturally specific movie? Are older white singles really into Earth, Wind and Fire?

Christopher Robin (2018)

It has always been my philosophy that it is sometimes best to do nothing. It's overall a sweet movie with a powerful underestimated message. The great philosopher Winnie the Pooh has some words of wisdom for us all. And he delivers them to us effortlessly and unknowingly, making it all the more delightful and unexpected. Just let the levity yet simultaneous depth of his words sink in and you too can find value in this children's movie. The movie masterfully mixes melancholy and humor.

The opening montage is very well done. Christopher Robin grows up before our eyes, with a series of brief scenes from his life punctuated by hand-drawn stills echoing the books.  The references to the original stories sprinkled throughout the movie are charming.