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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Coco
Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alana Urbach, Jamie Camil, and Edward James Olmos
Synopsis: Sometimes films are victims of poor marketing plans and campaigns. I think we will end up remembering that "Coco" suffered that fate. Originally, it was talked about as a late September release. Then the Disney decided to pair "Coco" with a special Christmas-themed short from "Frozen," and suddenly the film had a Thanksgiving weekend release. From one standpoint, Thanksgiving is a time when people go to the theaters. And "Frozen" certainly has its own mass appeal. I, in fact, quite enjoyed the "Frozen" short. But both the inclusion of the "Frozen" short, and the marketing campaign surrounding it, and the Thanksgiving release date serve to distract from "Coco," which is in many ways a stunning achievement that deserves its own spotlight. It's also the kind of film that would have benefited from a late September to mid-October release, as the film centers on Dia De Los Muertos, which happens on November 2 each year. Much of the film, in fact, has that seasonal look and tone, which leaves it feeling a bit out of place released during a time of year when the focus is on Christmas stories. (The fact that it's paired with a Christmas story is also an interesting juxtaposition.) Upon attending a screening, it would be somewhat easy to believe that the actual feature "Coco" was almost an after thought in marketing, and that's a big shame. It's a shame first because it celebrates a culture that isn't often given the spotlight, and does so in an engrossing and loving way. And second, because it's a beautiful and breathtaking film. In a short introduction prior to the feature, the artists at Pixar give a glimpse into the detailed and intricate work it took to bring "Coco" to life. But you see that on the screen. That and the beautiful, bold, and bright colors that populate this fun and interesting world. This isn't a perfect film. I thought the film was a little too long and the ending felt a bit protracted, but none of that takes away from the fun and joy of the experience. Lately Pixar, like so many other movie studios, has gotten caught up in continuing established franchises. Last year it was "Finding Dory" and this summer it was "Cars 3." There's nothing wrong with those films, per se, but one of the best aspects of "Coco" was that it introduced us to a rich, original world full of interesting characters..This film is well worth checking out.
Rating: PG for thematic elements.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

The Star
Starring: Steven Yeun, Keegan Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Christopher Plummer, Ving Rhames, Anthony Anderson, Tracey Morgan, Tyler Perry, Mariah Carey, and Oprah Winfrey
Synopsis: This film boasts one of the most impressive casts of the year, and is perfectly timed for the Christmas season. It's an animated take on the Nativity Story, this one told in large part from the perspective of the animals that were a part of the journey. It covers all the aspects, from Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem to the quest of the three Magi who wanted to follow the star to the new king, and it does it in a fun and engrossing way. It also focuses on the story of a young donkey (Yeun) who wanted to rise above his life as a simple mill donkey. After breaking free, his sole focus is to be a part of the caravan carrying the king. Along the way, he gets connected with Joseph and Mary, and ends up a part of their journey and, in a way, completing his own life's goal. It's a fun and seasonal take on the most important birth in history. It's a good film, full of humor and fun characters, and one that should appeal to audiences of all ages this holiday season.
Rating: PG for some thematic elements.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Wonder
Starring: Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Jacob Tremblay, Izabela Vidovic, and Mandy Patinkin
Synopsis: This is the little film that could this month. It took in an amazing $29 million opening weekend, and has continued to shine despite more high profile competition, and it's done it all while earning rave reviews from critics and fans. And when you watch the film, it's not hard to understand why. There's a deep beauty to this story that makes it one of the most delightful films of the year. Based on the novel by R.J. Palacio, "Wonder" tells the story of Auggie (Tremblay), his sister Via (Vidovic) and their whole family. Mostly, though, it's the story of growing up. Director Stephen Chbosky, who co-wrote the screenplay, knows how to tell this kind of story. He previously wrote the novel and the film adaptation of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," a film I liked a lot when it came out in 2012. One of the beauties of this film is the way it swings around and shows the perspective of many different characters. Nothing is as simple as it appears to be and, as in life, no characters motivations are simple and straight forward. They all have struggles and issues weighing on them, and they're all just trying to make their way in a complicated world. There's power in that narrative that runs deeper than the simple story of Auggie, a boy with a physical deformity who is trying to find his place in the outside world. And that is a powerful story, but it's just one piece of the puzzle that makes this film such a rewarding experience. Chbosky paces the film beautifully, but he's also able to get some wonderful performances from his cast. Roberts is perfect as Auggie and Via's mother, while Wilson turns in a beautiful performance of his own as their father. Tremblay, who was great in the film "Room" a few years ago, gives another great and rich performance as Auggie. I also thought Vidovic did a beautiful job as Via. The supporting cast, mostly all children and teen actors, do a fine job, too. There are a lot of emotional arcs in this film in part because the story and characters richly draw you in. This is a beautiful story, beautifully told. It is a  must see.
Rating: PG for thematic elements including bullying, and some mild language.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, December 1 - "He's Out There"
Friday, December 8 - "The Disaster Artist," "The Shape of Water," "I, Tonya"
Friday, December 15 - "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," "Ferdinand," "Gotti"
Wednesday, December 20 - "The Greatest Showman," "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle"
Friday, December 22 - "Pitch Perfect 3," "Father Figures," "Downsizing," "The Post"
Monday, December 25 - "Molly's Game," "The Phantom Thread"