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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Well, it’s time for another one of those strange times where the only new movies are animated. That might have you thinking it’s a kids-only weekend, yet these two are just as relevant to adults as they are to kids.

The Lego Batman Movie sounds ridiculous, I know but it’s shaping up to be one of the best animated movies released in recent memory, and a very strong follow-up to the excellent Lego Movie.

It’s a tough place to be for Ballerina then, an animated French-Canadian movie about, you guessed it, a ballerina.

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Mike Laidman

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

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The Lego Batman Movie (2017, Chris McKay)
Bruce Wayne must fight criminals and raise a boy he adopted.

In the same irreverent spirit of fun that made The Lego Movie so popular comes The Lego Batman Movie, featuring the self-described leading man of the original. But there are some big changes brewing in Gotham, and if Batman wants to save the city from The Joker's hostile takeover, he may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

Dazzling animation, jokes aplenty, self-awareness, quotable lines for both the young and old - these are just a few of the treats that this surefire hit brings to the table. It’s oh-so-very rare for an animated sequel to really take on its predecessor like this and succeed. And while it can be argued that The Lego Batman Movie has just a little less heart than the original, there’s no denying that it’s a nonstop thrill ride of childhood fun.


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Ballerina (2017, Eric Summer, Eric Warin)
An orphan dreams of becoming a ballerina and flees to Paris.

Second, we have Ballerina, another movie that will, without a doubt, be remembered for a long time as a movie with excitement, beauty, and heart.

It tells the story of Felicie, a young orphan girl with a passion for dancing. With the help of her best friend Victor, she manages to escape from an orphanage and travel all the way to Paris, where many challenges and intriguing encounters await her.

It’s beautiful to look at, and listen to - with its top-notch voice cast, has some funny moments, and is all capped off with a touching ending that is able to give a little hope to all. Ballerina is a moving story about friendship, self-confidence, and family.