Merry-Go-Round

I think I watch more movies with my sisters' kids than I do on my own. The Michigander nieces and neffy also pepper me with movie questions and express shock when I haven't seen their latest favorite.

Because the eldest sobrina apparently read Wonder the book several times and also liked the movie, we had to watch it. It wasn't something I would have selected on my own, nor watched without kids. As an elementary-school feel-good tale about friendship, it was cute. I appreciated how each character had their story told, with backgrounds and emotions coming out that others can't see in their interactions.

Coco was amazing, and not just because it was tailor-made for a Latinx fam. The story is endearing and cute and has a good twist and also had me sobbing at the end. I loved the little cultural touches -- like the chancla, the Mexico futbol jersey, the Spanish phrases not translated into English.

I liked Smallfoot. I expected it to be a reverse-Bigfoot discovery tale (and it was), but it also ended up being a refreshing take on the dangers of fearing the Other.

Inside Out was similarly cute, and all the little characters representing feelings reminded me of my youngest niece, or all of my nieces and nephews when they were little, for that matter. I had flashbacks to their toddler tantrums when various Feelings were dominant in the storyline. Oy.

The kiddos are all getting older, though, so the movies they recommend or want to watch are changing. Who knows what future theatre outings will bring?