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


Time again to take a look at what the theatres have to offer for your entertainment. Children’s Day might be behind us, but this weekend still has a lot in store for kids to enjoy.

Thanks to this past week’s holiday, a hit from two years ago is opening again in theatres, and is worth a look if you missed it on the big screen back then.

So fill up that popcorn bucket, grab a drink, and put your feet up; it’s time to head to the silver screen.

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Mike Laidman

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

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45 Years (2016, Andrew Haigh)
A couple gets news that promises to forever change their lives.

We’ll get to the stuff for the kids in a minute. First, 45 Years, a solid adult drama that offers thought-provoking rewards for fans of the genre.

There is just one week until Kate Mercer's forty-fifth wedding anniversary and the planning for the party is going well. But then a letter arrives for her husband. The body of his first love has been discovered, frozen and preserved in the icy glaciers of the Swiss Alps. By the time the party is upon them, five days later, there may not be a marriage left to celebrate.

The movie stars Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, two veterans of the screen who put their incredible talents to use and allow the tragic tale to unfold in a way befitting its nature.

Add in solid direction from Andrew Haigh and 45 Years is a drama that should move you with its emotional weight.

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The Lego Movie (2014, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Chris McKay)
An ordinary Lego worker is recruited for a special quest.

The Lego Movie was a huge hit when it released two years ago, and there’s no reason to think anything has changed in the meantime.

Beautifully animated, the movie follows lead character Emmett, a completely ordinary LEGO mini-figure. But Emmett is later identified as the most "extraordinary person" and the key to saving the Lego universe. Now, Emmet and his friends must go on an epic journey to stop the evil tyrant Lord Business.

What’s special about this one is that the animation, voice acting, and story are spot-on. This makes it fun for not only kids, but also the generations of adults who grew up with the familiar blocks. There’s definitely some nostalgia here, and that’s a good thing.