Separated pet embarks on perilous journey
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Caribbean Life, Jan. 18–24, 2019 47
f
By Kam Williams
Life has proven to be quite
a challenge for Bella (voiced
by Bryce Dallas Howard) from
the start. Soon after birth, the
puppy was separated from her
mother, though she was lucky
enough to be nursed back to
health by a stray cat.
The lovable mutt eventually
lands at an animal shelter
where receptionist Olivia
(Alexandra Shipp) introduces
it to the cute volunteer (Jonah
Hauer-King) she has a crush
on. Lucas decides to adopt
Bella, hoping she might help
lift the spirits of his mom (Ashley
Judd), a military veteran
suffering from PTSD.
Terri does take to the playful
pooch, although she is subsequently
threatened with eviction
for violating her lease’s “no
pets” provision. A further complication
arrives when Denver’s
dogcatcher (John Cassini)
incorrectly labels mixed-breed
Bella as a pit bull. He warns
that a local ordinance allows
him to euthanize any pit bull
not on a leash in public.
The plot thickens the
day Bella impulsively leaps
through a window to chase a
squirrel down the street. She’s
spotted and seized by Officer
Chuck who is eager to put her
to sleep. But the hound’s life
is spared thanks to a compromise
whereby Bella is shipped
to New Mexico to live with
Olivia’s Uncle Jose (Darcy Laurie).
Unfortunately, Bella is
miserable without Lucas and
Terri, and it’s not long before
she runs away, embarking
on a 400-mile journey home.
That very eventful odyssey,
marked by love, altruism, loyalty,
unlikely liaisons, close
brushes with death and even a
terrible tragedy (which might
upset tykes), fuels the fire of A
Dog’s Way Home, a touching
tale directed by Charles Martin
Smith (Air Bud).
The movie is based on the
novel of the same name by
W. Bruce Cameron whose
best seller, “A Dog’s Purpose,”
was successfully adapted to
the screen a couple of years
ago. Though not technically a
sequel, this is another inspirational
adventure narrated by
an anthropomorphic canine.
The sentimental storyline
is designed to appeal to dog
lovers of all ages. Don’t be surprised
if you just can’t resist
the transparent attempts to
tug on your heartstrings,
despite the fact that this is
a flick which telegraphs it
punches.
Fairly formulaic, but it
works!
“A Dog’s Way Home”
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG for peril,
mild epithets and mature
themes
Running time: 97 minutes
Production Companies:
Columbia Pictures / Pariah
/ Bona Film Group
Studio: Sony Pictures
Barry Watson and Alexandra Shipp in “A Dog’s Way Home” directed by Charles Martin
Smith. www.rottentomatoes.com
Independent & Foreign Films
Adult Life Skills
(Unrated) Midlife crisis
drama about a reclusive
slacker (Jodie Whitaker),
living in her mother’s
(Lorraine Ashbourne)
backyard shed
for years, who finds herself forced
to finally grow up as her 30th birthday
approaches. With Ozzy Myers,
Edward Hogg and Brett Goldstein.
Genesis 2.0 (Unrated) Global
warming documentary chronicling
scientists’ search around the Arctic’s
thawing permafrost for a woolly
mammoth carcass with hopes of
using its DNA to bring the extinct
animal back to life.
The Heiresses (Unrated) Diminished
dreams drama, set in Paraguay,
chronicling a couple of formerly
wealthy BFFs’ (Ana Brun and Margarita
Irun) adjustment to running out
of money. With Ana Ivanova, Maria
Martins and Nilda Gonzalez. (In Spanish
and Guarani with subtitles)
I Hate Kids (Unrated) Baby-daddy
comedy about a groom-to-be (Tom
Everett Scott) who learns during his
wedding rehearsal dinner that he has
a son (Julian Feder) from a fling with
one of a dozen women he slept with
over 13 years ago. Supporting cast
includes Tituss Burgess, Rachel Boston
and Rhea Seehorn.
Kam’s Kapsules
By Kam Williams
The Last Man (R for violence, sexuality,
nudity and pervasive profanity)
Psychological thriller about a paranoid
combat veteran (Hayden Christensen)
suffering from PTSD who
starts building an underground bomb
shelter on the advice of a doomsday
street prophet (Harvey Keitel) warning
of an approaching apocalypse.
Featuring Liz Solari, Marco Leonardi
and Justin Kelly.
Stan & Ollie (PG for smoking and
mild epithets) Bittersweet biopic
about Stan Laurel (Steve Coogan)
and Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly)
recounting the legendary comedy
team’s 1953 reunion in Great Britain
for a comeback concert tour. Supporting
cast includes Danny Huston,
Stephanie Hyam and Susy Kane.
The Standoff at Sparrow Creek
(Unrated) Crime thriller about an excop
(James Badge Dale) who comes
out of retirement to track down the
militiaman behind a mass shooting at
a police funeral. With Happy Anderson,
Brian Geraghty and Chris Mulkey.
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