The Washigtnon Post - 03.04.2020

(Joyce) #1
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friday,

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2020

Movies


Dolphin Reef (g)
streaming
age 6+
Entertaining, educational
nature documentary has some
peril.


The educational documentary
“Dolphin Reef” is about much
more than just dolphins. Viewers
will learn about the entire
ecosystem of the Polynesian
coral reef and the traits and
behaviors of many of its
creatures. A dolphin mother and
her calf are the stars, and their
tender relationship is both
heartwarming and enlightening.
A sequence in which the calf gets
separated from his mother and
pod and is lost for the night,
facing dangers on his own, could
potentially upset some viewers.
Likewise, a scene in which a
humpback whale mother and
calf must escape a group of
predator orcas is set to tense
music. narrator natalie Portman
explains the idiosyncrasies and
beauty of this underwater cast of
characters, reminding viewers at
the end that “their world is our
world.” ( 77 minutes)
Available via Disney Plus streaming.


Elephant (g)
streaming
age 6+
Nature documentary has
stunning visuals, positive
messages, peril.


The nature documentary
“elephant” is appropriate for all
ages, but some viewers may find
it a little slow-going. The
filmmakers confront that by
introducing new dangers for the
elephants, creating moments of


suspense throughout the film.
These scenes include possible
drowning, such predators as
lions and hyenas, a baby
elephant with his head stuck in
the mud, and more. some could
be scary/upsetting for certain
viewers, especially when the
youngest elephants are put at
risk. But the elephants always
come through the scares intact
until near the end of the film,
when one matriarch dies of old
age. It’s a tender scene as the
herd gathers around her and
feels for her last breath with
their trunks, covering her eyes
with her ear when she’s finally
gone. some viewers, though, may
feel uneasy knowing that her
body is likely to be attacked by
surrounding lions as soon as the
herd moves on. Likewise,
narrator Meghan, Duchess of
sussex, makes clear that
although this herd has survived
its perilous journey, not all do.
(88 minutes)
Available via Disney Plus streaming.

Endlings (tV-Pg)
streaming
age 8+
Campy sci-fi series has
heartwarming themes for
families.

“endlings” is a Canadian
drama series about a family that
protects the extraterrestrial
beings and endangered creatures
they discover. some of the

creatures look scary, and there
are tense moments during which
the creatures’ intentions are
uncertain. And some of the adult
characters do things that suggest
they’re motivated by greed and
selfishness, at the potential
expense of endangered species.
on the upside, the family
dynamics among the four
children and their foster father
emphasize communication,
respect and empathy. The cast
offers a positive array of
representations — especially in
the case of one character’s
physical differences — but rather
than being a matter of
conversation or analysis, it’s all
just part of the family’s reality.
The show isn’t superbly acted or
animated, but viewers who can
forgive that will find plenty to
like in its themes about family
and conservation. (12
approximately 22-minute
episodes)
Available via Hulu streaming.

The Letter for the
King (tV-Pg)
streaming
age 11+
Underdog hero stands out in
book-based fantasy series.

“The Letter for the King” is a
book-inspired fantasy series
about a young knight named
Tiuri (Amir Wilson). He’s a misfit
whose compassionate character
and strong principles earn him
see common sense on 19

Photos by Disney Plus

Common Sense Media What parents need to know


A scene from the slow-going film “elephant,” which is about a family of African elephants and is narrated by meghan, Duchess of sussex.


“Dolphin Reef,” narrated by natalie Portman, is as much a
documentary about dolphins as it is an educational film about the
entire ecosystem of the Polynesian coral reef and the traits and
behaviors of many of its creatures.
Free download pdf