Articles by Paul Hall

I like to believe that anything is possible in life. The next magical moment may be waiting for me around the corner, producing equal parts hope and wonder amid life’s day-to-day issues. And after seeing the film Dumbo from Disney and director Tim Burton, I’m happy to say I know anything is possible. In 1919 the circus was the place to be. Traveling from city to city, it brought all of the excitement and magic of show business to the smallest towns across America. The Medici Bros. Circus is headed by none other than Max Medici (Danny DeVito). As Holt […]

Individuality. Each of us is born with slightly different characteristics than our neighbor. The things that make each of us different also help to define the person we become. Imagine, however, looking across the yard and witnessing versions of yourself looking back at you. But those versions, although similar, behave nothing like you. In the film Us, we’ll find out who or what those bodies are and what they are doing. Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong’o) has a history with the boardwalk and the beach in Santa Cruz. As a child, Adelaide got lost in a house of mirrors. As she […]

Through the years we have seen a variety of alien invasion films. We have witnessed many of the fights for survival and vicariously fended off the attackers. In the film Captive State, we focus on the aftermath of an invasion as a powerful alien race known as the Legislators are trying to unite the population they have controlled for years. In this future Chicago, citizens work endlessly for the Legislators. The rarely seen creatures who run this city are both revered and vilified by the residents. Some are excited for the Unity Rally that promises to fill Soldier Field and […]

Origin stories: As the Marvel Cinematic Universe has evolved over the years, we’ve witnessed the birth of Iron Man, Captain America and Thor, among other amazing superheroes. Our latest origin story features another powerful hero, Captain Marvel. Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) has a history as a pilot for the Air Force, but she only understands some of her past — her memories are lost. As she is caught in the middle of a war between two alien factions — the Kree and the Skrulls — Vers (as Carol is known within the Kree) is tormented by memories and tries to […]

Trust — it’s one of the things that make us a civilized society. We trust one another to do the right thing. We trust those who love us to take care of us and keep us safe. And we trust perfect strangers to find the same values important. But when trust is compromised in the film Greta, the results are frightening, to say the least. Frances McCullen (Chloë Grace Moretz) is new in New York City, sharing an apartment with her friend Erica (Maika Monroe). Frances still has all the trust in the world within her, so when she finds […]

Dragons. They’ve lived in peace with the Viking inhabitants of Berk. But their harmonious coexistence is in danger with the appearance of a new dragon, the female Light Fury, in the film How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Chief Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel) and his trusty Night Fury, Toothless, have led the inhabitants of Berk well. But when the Light Fury steals Toothless’ heart, the village’s smitten alpha dragon becomes distracted from his duties. Unfortunately, love is not the only thing at work. It seems the evil Grimmel (voice of F. Murray Abraham) is behind the Light […]

The year was 2017, and a little film called Happy Death Day hit the screen. I was shocked that this out-of-left-field teen horror/comedy found a way to entertain me and give me that much enjoyment. So the sequel Happy Death Day 2U can’t find a way to do it again — can it? Tree (Jessica Rothe) is back, and she has put the nightmare of her birthday —which she relived in a time loop until she successfully prevented her own murder — behind her and is focusing on her new relationship with Carter (Israel Broussard). But it’s happening again to […]

Imagine seeing inside the mind of the opposite sex. The film What Men Want will give one woman a look at the innermost thoughts of men everywhere, whether she likes them or not. Ali (Taraji P. Henson) is a sports agent to some of the biggest names around. She directs the careers of a number of truly extraordinary players in a variety of sports, but the sports agency world is a notorious boys club. After being passed over for a well-deserved promotion, Ali is determined to show everyone who is in charge. But a night out at her friend’s bachelorette […]

What starts out as a simple trip to Tijuana to help a friend quickly escalates in the film Miss Bala. Gloria (Gina Rodriguez) lives in Los Angeles and works hard as a makeup artist. Her friend Suzu (Cristina Rodlo) needs help with her makeup for the Miss Baja California pageant. Little do either of the women know, they are about to be thrust into the middle of an intense feud. While spending a night on the town rubbing elbows with the pageant’s judges, Gloria witnesses an assassination attempt on the police chief. Hiding from the flying bullets and running for […]

What really is serenity? It’s a state of being, a feeling of calmness or tranquility. So why is it that after viewing Serenity I feel anything but serene? Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey) lives as a charter fishing boat captain who operates off the coast of Plymouth Island, where everyone seems to know everyone’s business and everyone lets you know they know. Day after day, he obsesses over catching one solitary tuna that has evaded capture several times. Dill isn’t married, but his frequent visits to Constance (Diane Lane) substitute for a relationship — well, maybe less of a relationship and […]