It’s the weekend again, and that means Film Focus. Here’s Mike Laidman with what’s new in local theaters.



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Many parts of the world are getting Rogue One this week, but not Korea. We’ve got to wait until after Christmas. But surely we must be getting something else pretty special in its place, right? Well...not really…

We’re going to catch up with Storks, which opened last weekend, and then move onto a new, small release - Snowtime - which should whet the winter appetite and get us all hankering for some snow.

This weekend is for the kids.

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Mike Laidman

Welcome to another edition of Film Focus. I’m Mike Laidman.

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Storks (2016, Nicholas Stoller, Doug Sweetland)
Storks move packages - not babies - until a baby order arrives.

Storks deliver babies - everyone knows that - or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for global internet giant Cornerstore.com. Junior, the company's top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl. Desperate to deliver this bundle of trouble before the boss gets wise, Junior and his friend Tulip, the only human on Stork Mountain, race to make their first-ever baby drop - in a wild and revealing journey that could make more than one family whole and restore the storks' true mission in the world.

Storks is a lovely tale, and will appeal to younger audiences. The animation is nice, the voice cast talented. However, what works against it is something that seems to hamstring so many other medium-budget, original animated properties - it doesn’t deliver equally on all fronts. And while there’s nothing to prevent you enjoying Storks, it doesn’t have the storytelling depth and consistency of some other popular animated franchises, something that can make a big difference in your viewing experience.


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Snowtime (2016, Jean-Francois Pouliot, Francois Brisson)
A boy is joined by a new girl for a huge snowball fight.

Next this weekend is Snowtime.

To amuse themselves during the winter school break, the kids in a small village decide to have a massive snowball fight. Luke and Sophie, both 11 years old, become the leaders of the opposing sides. Sophie and her cohort defend an elaborate snow fort against the assault of Luke's horde. Whichever side occupies the fort at the end of the winter break, wins.

The storyline of Snowtime is simple enough on the surface, but take a closer look and you’ll find a film that deals with some pretty adult themes. It’s at turns childish and boisterous, but is also tender, and even tragic. While squarely aimed at younger viewers, those a little older and able to see past the whimsical fun will leave with a feeling of something greater.