Encanto

(Streaming on Disney Plus)

The Madrigal Family of Columbia is magical. Since Abuela and her baby triplets escaped The Violence that haunted her country years ago, she and her descendants have lived in an enchanted place in the mountains (Encanto) doing good works and caring for their community while their home (Casita) takes care of the family. The magic is fueled by Abuela’s ever-burning candle. 15 year old Mirabel does not have a special gift like everyone else in her family. Through songs we learn that everything is not as perfect as it seems for those with gifts. It becomes up to Mirabel to find a way to save her home, family and community when magic begins to disappear and Casita starts to crack. This wonderful Disney movie has songs by Lin Manuel Miranda using traditional Columbian rhythms and instruments. This story of magic in Columbia becomes a universal story of family expectations and generational misunderstandings.

The Greatest Showman

(Streaming on Disney Plus)

Biographical movies can lead you to investigate history’s real-life characters. But a movie version of someone’s life is seldom factual. The PT Barnum portrayed in “The Greatest Showman” is not meant to be realistic. The creator of The Greatest Show on Earth put people on display so audiences could stare at them. But this gave power to some of society’s the most powerless people when he did. This movie version of his life is magical and joyous. The story of a poor tailor’s son who grows up to see a million dreams come true is full of original songs, inventive dancing and a happy ending. It’s also about accepting people for who they are and creating a community of tolerance and support. The story of Phineas T. Barnum is also the story of his family who believed in him when nobody else would.

City Of Ember

I was afraid this movie would make me feel claustrophobic (afraid of closed-in spaces), but it didn’t. The story: Ember is a city built deep within the Earth, but the reasons for building the City and instructions on escaping from the City are long lost. This information would come in handy, since the generator that powers the underground City is beginning to fail, with the result of many blackouts plunging the City into darkness. Lina and her sister Poppy live with their forgetful Granny. When Lina locates a box, Granny is overjoyed, but she can’t remember why the box is important. You’ll learn the box has historical importance to the citizens of Ember and could help lead to a solution to their energy problems. Lina works with her friend Doon to uncover some of the secrets of Ember, and she discovers some secrets about her own family and the leaders of Ember.

This movie has messages about friendship, leadership, and power (electrical and political) within a fascinating story. The underground City of Ember is imaginatively brought to visual life, yet the possibility of doom always hangs overhead. Lina and Doon are excellent young characters whose friendship grows when they swap job assignments. Doon’s father will appeal to “techies” and anyone who enjoys inventions. The Mayor is played by Bill Murray, one of my favorite actors. He does not remain one of my favorite characters, though. This is a book the whole family should watch. The plot is a little complicated, so be warned. I needed to pause the DVR a couple of times so we could recap the plot. Part of the fun of watching this movie together is explaining the plot to each other.