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Short Takes

Condensed from Daily News movie critic Gary Thompson's reviews, unless noted otherwise.

A LETTER TO MOMO Directed by Hiroyuki Okiura The second film by Hiroyuki Okiura (director of Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade and animator on Ghost in the Shell and Akira) is a wonderfully expressive, beautifully hand-drawn tale that combines whimsy and kinetic humor with deeply felt emotion and drama. The last time teenager Momo saw her father before his sudden death they had a fight—and now all she has left to remember him by is an unfinished letter with only the words "Dear Momo." Moving with her mother to a remote but beautiful island, Momo at first suspects their house is haunted. She soon discovers three goblin spirits living in the attic, mischievous creatures that only she can see who, constantly hungry, create mayhem as she tries desperately to keep them hidden. But these funny monsters have a serious side and may hold the key to helping Momo discover what her father had been trying to tell her. Seven years in the making, A Letter to Momo builds to a bravura finale—a frantic chase featuring thousands of squirming, morphing ghosts and spirits that is the best cinematic flight of supernatural fancy in many years.
A LETTER TO MOMO Directed by Hiroyuki Okiura The second film by Hiroyuki Okiura (director of Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade and animator on Ghost in the Shell and Akira) is a wonderfully expressive, beautifully hand-drawn tale that combines whimsy and kinetic humor with deeply felt emotion and drama. The last time teenager Momo saw her father before his sudden death they had a fight—and now all she has left to remember him by is an unfinished letter with only the words "Dear Momo." Moving with her mother to a remote but beautiful island, Momo at first suspects their house is haunted. She soon discovers three goblin spirits living in the attic, mischievous creatures that only she can see who, constantly hungry, create mayhem as she tries desperately to keep them hidden. But these funny monsters have a serious side and may hold the key to helping Momo discover what her father had been trying to tell her. Seven years in the making, A Letter to Momo builds to a bravura finale—a frantic chase featuring thousands of squirming, morphing ghosts and spirits that is the best cinematic flight of supernatural fancy in many years.Read more
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SHORT TAKES

Condensed from Daily News movie critic Gary Thompson's reviews, unless noted otherwise.

THE IDENTICAL. Like an old-school Elvis musical - in the worst ways. (PG) F Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

INNOCENCE. Yawn of a haunted-school story, based on YA novel. (PG-13) D Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

AS ABOVE, SO BELOW. Shaky-cam found-footage thriller from Paris catacombs. More unpleasant than scary. (R) C- Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

THE LAST OF ROBIN HOOD. Kevin Kline as Errol Flynn in star's icky last days. (R) B Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

THE NOVEMBER MAN. In thriller, Pierce Brosnan comfortably slips back into world of international intrigue. (R) B- Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

THE TRIP TO ITALY. Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon take hilarious schtick abroad. (Not rated) B+ Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR. 3-D slice of nihilist noir lacks punch of original. (R) C Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

FRANK. Insanely inventive "band trying to make it" tale. (R) B Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

WHEN THE GAME STANDS TALL. Loser of a film on football-winning machine De La Salle High (PG). C Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

IF I STAY. Weeper is your basic manipulative, contrived melodrama. (PG-13) B- Reviewed by Daily News wire services.

THE GIVER. Lois Lowry's novel translates poorly to screen in flat dud. (PG-13) B-

LET'S BE COPS. Great chemistry between Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Johnson can't quite carry too-light-on-comedy action comedy. (R) B- Reviewed by Molly Eichel.

 

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