Finding Neverland

Pros: Depp and cast, Forster's direction, story
Cons: Some may object to language used in a situation early in the film

Playwright James M. Barrie sometimes saw critical acclaim for his work elude him. At the premiere of one of these plays, Barrie (Johnny Depp) watched eagerly for an audience response. His producer, Charles Frohman (Dustin Hoffman), would like to see ...

Pros: Excellent acting, never over-the-top into maudlin or sugary territory
Cons: Made me cry at least once

One of the exciting things about being a parent of young children is that you never get to see movies in the theatre anymore. I used to see two movies a week, now we're down to two per year. That means sometimes, maybe once per month, my wife and I ...

Pros: Excellent cast and brilliant visuals
Cons: Takes some fictional liberties with the real life story

Finding Neverland is loosely based on the real life story of J.M. Barrie, the author who wrote Peter Pan. This movie is sort of like a cross between Shakespeare in Love and The Neverending Story. Barrie was married at the time, but ...

Pros: Depp and excellent supporting cast; emotional tone; score; cinematography and costumes
Cons: A difficult film for children who nonetheless might feel drawn to it

I am fascinated by creative process. I am almost endlessly awestruck by the mysterious and diverse ways that human beings are inspired to create, to put things together in ways no one else has ever quite thought of before. Biographies and film biopics ...

Pros: Depp
Cons: none

Johhny Depp has a way of finding unique roles where he takes a special twist in showing his acting abilities. Once again he does his magic but this time free of makeup and props. We see Depp here as a never aging fellow who plays a low key but dramatic ...

Pros: beautiful English scenery, cute kids, Depp and Winslet, sweet, comforting
Cons: manipulative, sappy, unrealistic at times, predictable (all of which are forgivable)

"I feel used," I said, wiping a small tear from my cheek as Finding Neverland’s credits rolled. The film adaptation of Allan Knee’s play The Man Who Was Peter Pan is wholesome family fare—enjoyable, sugary sweet, but not exactly ...

Pros: great acting, cinematography, score, tender story
Cons: questions as to its historical accuracy

Last year, I watched Two Brothers and fell in love with Freddie Highmore, the English answer to H aley Joel Osment. I soon learned he was set to star with Johnny Depp in ...

Pros: Forster's Directing, Script, Look, Costumes, Score, & Cast led by Johnny Depp.
Cons: Slow on Some Spots.

The story of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan has been beloved by many children all over the world since it arrived as a play in the early 1900s. Since then, many film adaptations had come across the board. The most famous was by Walt Disney in his ...

Pros: Vivid portrayal of imagination's power. Depp.
Cons: Barrie's moral flaws. Rest of cast, as written.

Finding Neverland is a fact-based story about the life of J.M. Barrie, the author of the classic play and book Peter Pan. Although the setting is England in the early 1900s, the movie is a sort of fantasy picture, often set within the ...

Pros: great story, great dialogue, great performances
Cons: not enough explosions to satisfy a 12-year-old

We live in sick times. How sick? Consider what the term, "Neverland" means to the average American. Unless you just crawled off the boat - or have been living Amish, it means two things: (1) a song about child abuse; or (2) the Jacko ranch, or as ...

Pros: Charming. Brilliant cinematography and directing , Johnny, the boys , Dustin, Kate and Christie
Cons: In-between bland movie, without a designated audience. Oh a Disney film? Never mind then

I have been some time in pondering this review, because as much as I enjoyed watching it (which is to say I did not watch it with a sneer of disgust) it just seems a bit staid, a little held back. While the movie has humor, and a certain amount of wit, ...

Pros: Creative plot, visually beautiful, fine acting
Cons: Made me cry! Kind of deep for children

I finally was able to see Finding Neverland at the dollar theater last night, after seeing countless previews for it and reading positive reviews. I left the theater last night a big sobby snotty mess, (many other people cried) and have recovered ...

Pros: Depp, promotes the power of imagination while acknowledging that sometimes you must face reality
Cons: other actors can't match Depp, a few bits that impose visuals of imaginary scenes

All children, except one, grow up. These immortal words by J.M. Barrie begin one of the most famous children's stories ever written. They are your entree into Neverland, a world filled with pirates and mermaids and boys who fly, a world fueled by pure ...

Pros: acting, storyline, cinematography
Cons: schmaltzy

I’ve never seen Peter Pan performed in theatres. Nor, to the best of my knowledge, have I ever seen one of the movie versions. Yet somehow I’ve known the story all my life (I think a little picture book may hold the answer to this mystery from my ...

Pros: Brilliant performance from Johnny Depp and a fantastic supporting cast
Cons: Does not let the facts stand in the way of a good story

Take the first star to the right and straight on until dawn... ...