“Alpha” Review
“Dog” Battles for Number One
Universal Picture’s latest movie about the many lives of one dog is bringing controversy as a video surfaced more than a week prior to its world premiere that caused the company to cancel it and spark protests for its opening debut weekend.
Despite the bad press, the author and producer assured the dog was never in any danger and A Dog Purpose opened in theaters this weekend, with packed to nearly packed audiences as everyone came out to see Bailey transform and touch hearts. The film stars the voice talent of Josh Gad as one dog, living the lives of Bailey, Ellie, Tino and Buddy as he discovers the meaning of life as a dog. Throughout he learns lessons along the way that ultimately helps him reunite with his original owner, Ethan, played by Dennis Quaid and helps him to be happy once again like he was when Bailey first came to him as a puppy.
A Dog’s Purpose will have you laughing, crying and ultimately sitting on the edge of your seat not knowing what will happen next. At an hour and forty minutes, it’s a movie that the whole family can enjoy as they watch each dog transform each human’s life in the most common way possible.
It’ll be interesting to see who takes the number one spot at the box office this week as two Universal films, one of which Split that took number one last weekend, will be going up against each other this weekend. A Dog’s Life is rated PG and is currently playing in a theater near you.
“Max” Melts Hearts
The family drama about a war dog who comes home after his owner/handler dies in combat is pulling the heartstrings of its audience. Though it was no match for the three blockbusters including Jurassic World, Inside Out and Ted 2, that dominated the box office with nearly 150 million combined total, it still had a fair amount flooding in to rank number 4 with over 12 million.
Max stars Josh Wiggins as Justin Wincott, the brother of the Marine, who dies in combat and was handler to Max. After the death, it is clear the dog recognizes Justin at the funeral of the soldier, though Justin wants nothing to do with Max. His mother, played by Lauren Graham and his father, played by Thomas Haden Church, insist that the dog is now his and Justin and Max begin to form a bond
that is stronger than one can imagine.
But when a rumor about what happened to the brother starts circulating around the family and Church doesn’t want to have a dangerous animal threatening the life of his other son, it’s up to Justin to do some investigating to save Max’s life as well as his father’s.
Max, with a run time of 111 minutes, is a family adventure that will bring tears to your eyes. As good as Old Yeller with an even better ending.
Max is currently in a theater near you.