Song of the South - 3 stars out of 10
"Song of the South" is the infamous Disney live-action/cartoon that has more of a reputation for it's racially charged moments than it's story or incorporation of the Brer Rabbit characters. I can honestly say that the "racism" in the film can only be categorized as mild and the film is more of a period piece than anything. As a children's film, I can see why the content is a bit much but do not expect to be shocked if you are an adult viewer. I'm fascinated by the fact that Disney based their entire Splash Mountain ride on the characters from this film, despite never releasing it on VHS or DVD in the United States, but I'm glad that they have found a way to allow audiences to meet the characters even if they will not make the movie available. As far as the film is concerned, there is not a ton of value in the live-action moments. James Baskett's portrayal of Uncle Remus is wonderful, but I simply did not care for the story surrounding the 3 cartoon segments. If I had to make a recommendation, I'd say that it's worth watching the cartoon segments (that only total 25 minutes) and fastforwarding the other hour of the movie. The live-action ties it all togetherbut not incredibly well.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Tuesdays with Morrie - 9 stars out of 10
Tuesdays with Morrie - 9 stars out of 10
This is much more than a made-for-tv movie. Both the book and the film "Tuesdays with Morrie" are a very touching account of how author Mitch Albom learned how to live through the slow death of his former college professor, Morrie. Hank Azaria, always associated with The Simpsons, proves himself as a gifted dramatic actor. His portrayal of Albom is raw and dramatic, as he evolves from a workaholic drone to a caring human. Jack Lemmon acts with wonderful subtlety as Lou Gehrig's Disease slowly eliminates each function of his body. His words are inspirational and by the end of the film, Lemmon will have every audience member hoping to a be a Morrie someday. Keeping pace with the leads, Wendy Moniz is fabulous. Her singing is beautiful while her strong acting legitimizes the emotional evolution of Azaria. This film does not contain any sophistocated special effects or expensive parlor tricks - it is simply outstanding emotional acting in an incredible true story.
This is much more than a made-for-tv movie. Both the book and the film "Tuesdays with Morrie" are a very touching account of how author Mitch Albom learned how to live through the slow death of his former college professor, Morrie. Hank Azaria, always associated with The Simpsons, proves himself as a gifted dramatic actor. His portrayal of Albom is raw and dramatic, as he evolves from a workaholic drone to a caring human. Jack Lemmon acts with wonderful subtlety as Lou Gehrig's Disease slowly eliminates each function of his body. His words are inspirational and by the end of the film, Lemmon will have every audience member hoping to a be a Morrie someday. Keeping pace with the leads, Wendy Moniz is fabulous. Her singing is beautiful while her strong acting legitimizes the emotional evolution of Azaria. This film does not contain any sophistocated special effects or expensive parlor tricks - it is simply outstanding emotional acting in an incredible true story.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Rat Race - 8 stars out of 10
Rat Race - 8 stars out of 10
I had forgotten how hysterical "Rat Race" is until revisiting it tonight. The characters are dynamic and the situational irony is so absurd that you can't help but pass from laughing to guffawing to crying until your stomach hurts. I cannot begin to praise the efforts of each actor in this short review, but I can make the general statement that the film is perfectly cast. Each actor makes his character memorable and the characters are so diverse that each facet of the story builds more momentum than the last, leading to the climax of the film. Outside of the main characters, several cameos make the film even more delightful. I know that "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" is the highly lauded predecessor to this film, but it cannot even compare. Rat Race takes every situation from Mad World and amplifies it to hilarity. A few favorite moments: The Lucies, the cow driving, Pepto Bismol, any scene with Rowan Atkinson, Rainbow House, the cab driver, the WW2 rally, buying squirrels. I could go on but I'd raher just give this movie a high recommendation and warn you that laughter will ensure.
I had forgotten how hysterical "Rat Race" is until revisiting it tonight. The characters are dynamic and the situational irony is so absurd that you can't help but pass from laughing to guffawing to crying until your stomach hurts. I cannot begin to praise the efforts of each actor in this short review, but I can make the general statement that the film is perfectly cast. Each actor makes his character memorable and the characters are so diverse that each facet of the story builds more momentum than the last, leading to the climax of the film. Outside of the main characters, several cameos make the film even more delightful. I know that "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" is the highly lauded predecessor to this film, but it cannot even compare. Rat Race takes every situation from Mad World and amplifies it to hilarity. A few favorite moments: The Lucies, the cow driving, Pepto Bismol, any scene with Rowan Atkinson, Rainbow House, the cab driver, the WW2 rally, buying squirrels. I could go on but I'd raher just give this movie a high recommendation and warn you that laughter will ensure.
It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - 5 stars out of 10
It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - 5 stars out of 10
"It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" is composed of the comedy giants from this era and it is quite fitting that the film's reimagining (Rat Race) chose the comedy giants from the modern era. Unfortunately, being from the modern era, I much prefer the fresher take on this classic story. You never know who might appear next in this classic comedy. The story drags on with it's 160 minute runtime and could have easily been edited down, but that would've taken away screentime from each of the stars and they are the focus of the film. This film is worth a watch just to see all of these classic stars in one place, but as far as portrayal of the concept, I would recommend seeing "Rat Race" instead.
"It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" is composed of the comedy giants from this era and it is quite fitting that the film's reimagining (Rat Race) chose the comedy giants from the modern era. Unfortunately, being from the modern era, I much prefer the fresher take on this classic story. You never know who might appear next in this classic comedy. The story drags on with it's 160 minute runtime and could have easily been edited down, but that would've taken away screentime from each of the stars and they are the focus of the film. This film is worth a watch just to see all of these classic stars in one place, but as far as portrayal of the concept, I would recommend seeing "Rat Race" instead.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Letters to Juliet - 7 stars out of 10
Letters to Juliet - 7 stars out of 10
I'm so glad that Amanda Seyfried has finally been given a good role in which she could show her acting talents. Films like "Red Riding Hood" and "Mamma Mia" have made her look average at best, but her portrayal of Sophie in "Letters to Juliet" is outstanding. I respect the fact that this film had several opportunities to become a typical chick flick but abandoned them in favor of drama and realism. The writers throw a lot at you with two love stories, drifting lovers, and a search for identity, but a good screenplay creates a marriage of these themes without overwhelming the audience. Vanessa Redgrave was wonderful and Gael Garcia Bernal was very entertaining, despite having a smaller role than I expected. All of these positive factors take place against a beautiful Italian landscape in a film whose titular letter-writing process has little to do with 90% of the movie. In spite of its misleading title, "Leters to Juliet" is a good chick flick whose unpredictability will keep you guessing and leave a tear in your eye.
I'm so glad that Amanda Seyfried has finally been given a good role in which she could show her acting talents. Films like "Red Riding Hood" and "Mamma Mia" have made her look average at best, but her portrayal of Sophie in "Letters to Juliet" is outstanding. I respect the fact that this film had several opportunities to become a typical chick flick but abandoned them in favor of drama and realism. The writers throw a lot at you with two love stories, drifting lovers, and a search for identity, but a good screenplay creates a marriage of these themes without overwhelming the audience. Vanessa Redgrave was wonderful and Gael Garcia Bernal was very entertaining, despite having a smaller role than I expected. All of these positive factors take place against a beautiful Italian landscape in a film whose titular letter-writing process has little to do with 90% of the movie. In spite of its misleading title, "Leters to Juliet" is a good chick flick whose unpredictability will keep you guessing and leave a tear in your eye.
Just Go With It - 9 stars out of 10
Just Go With It - 9 stars out of 10
"Just Go With It" makes up for every average comedy that Adam Sandler has ever made. Witty, charming, and using potty humor/over-the-top visual gags in moderation, this will quickly become one of the classic chick flicks. The key to this film is its perfect casting. Adam Sandler tones his acting down from the Happy Gilmore/Billy Madison days to be taken seriously as a romantic character while still delivering his brand of humor. jennifer Aniston is stunningly beautiful and portrays her character as someone that we all can relate to, wanting to be with a person whose heart lies elsewhere. Nick Swardson with that sheep... need I say more? Brooklyn Decker - a perfect blonde bombshell. Kevin Nealon - hysterical in his cameo. I never expected to find Nicole Kidman in this film and she was perfect for this fluffy supporting role (and quite a departure from Rabbit Hole). And above all, I was thrilled with Bailee Madison's performance. From her British accent to her fiesty delivery of lines, she had proved herself as an actress to keep your eye on. Aside from the wonderful performances, the script is gold as it cleverly weaves several sets of lies together that all begin with a little white lie. Though it doesn't provide much of a "it is bad to lie" moral ending, it sets the characters up for some great "awww!!!" moments and of course, everybody ends up happy! I had this film on my "Don't see" list for a while but I'm thankful that I changed my mind - this is one of the better romantic comedies that I have seen in the past 10 years.
"Just Go With It" makes up for every average comedy that Adam Sandler has ever made. Witty, charming, and using potty humor/over-the-top visual gags in moderation, this will quickly become one of the classic chick flicks. The key to this film is its perfect casting. Adam Sandler tones his acting down from the Happy Gilmore/Billy Madison days to be taken seriously as a romantic character while still delivering his brand of humor. jennifer Aniston is stunningly beautiful and portrays her character as someone that we all can relate to, wanting to be with a person whose heart lies elsewhere. Nick Swardson with that sheep... need I say more? Brooklyn Decker - a perfect blonde bombshell. Kevin Nealon - hysterical in his cameo. I never expected to find Nicole Kidman in this film and she was perfect for this fluffy supporting role (and quite a departure from Rabbit Hole). And above all, I was thrilled with Bailee Madison's performance. From her British accent to her fiesty delivery of lines, she had proved herself as an actress to keep your eye on. Aside from the wonderful performances, the script is gold as it cleverly weaves several sets of lies together that all begin with a little white lie. Though it doesn't provide much of a "it is bad to lie" moral ending, it sets the characters up for some great "awww!!!" moments and of course, everybody ends up happy! I had this film on my "Don't see" list for a while but I'm thankful that I changed my mind - this is one of the better romantic comedies that I have seen in the past 10 years.
Logan's Run - 4 stars out of 10
Logan's Run - 4 stars out of 10
250th Review
"Logan's Run" is a unique sci-fi tale from the future when the world lives in a peaceful society... but are ritually put to death at age 30 to prevent overpopulation. I was fairly impressed with the special effects considering this movie came out in 1976... until I realized that Star Wars came out the following year. Michael York steals the show. His voice is so memorable that this character will always be in the back of your mind. I liked Jenny Agutter and, though Peter Ustinov was a bit awkward (bordering on annoying), his acting was situationally perfect for the role of the old man. A unique enhancer to the film is Jerry Goldsmith's bipolar musical score, electronic in the city and orchestral in the outside. I enjoy anything with a post-apolcalyptic perspective so it was very interesting to see what Logan 5 and Jessica 6 discovered on the outside, particularly when you realize that ignorance that society developed toward our nation's history. It can't compare to more recent special effects but it is a staple in the sci-fi genre.
250th Review
"Logan's Run" is a unique sci-fi tale from the future when the world lives in a peaceful society... but are ritually put to death at age 30 to prevent overpopulation. I was fairly impressed with the special effects considering this movie came out in 1976... until I realized that Star Wars came out the following year. Michael York steals the show. His voice is so memorable that this character will always be in the back of your mind. I liked Jenny Agutter and, though Peter Ustinov was a bit awkward (bordering on annoying), his acting was situationally perfect for the role of the old man. A unique enhancer to the film is Jerry Goldsmith's bipolar musical score, electronic in the city and orchestral in the outside. I enjoy anything with a post-apolcalyptic perspective so it was very interesting to see what Logan 5 and Jessica 6 discovered on the outside, particularly when you realize that ignorance that society developed toward our nation's history. It can't compare to more recent special effects but it is a staple in the sci-fi genre.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Gosford Park - 3 stars out of 10
Gosford Park - 3 stars out of 10
I still cannot understand how this movie was nominated for 7 Academy Awards. After an hour of slow character development the plot FINALLY begins. In fact, this movie moves so slow that it took me 3 attempts before I got through it without falling asleep. I understand that the character development is important in a whodunit film but it was not necessary for an hour and 10 minutes to go by before the murder occured. Although it only received one Academy Award (out of 7 nominations), I disagree with its victory for best screenplay since Memento's screenplay is absolutely genius. The highlight of the film is Jeremy Northam's stunningly beautiful singing voice, and even better, Maggie Smith's sarcastic comments about his playing. I wouldn't watch this film again - I'd rather just listen to Northam's songs on the soundtrack. Or even better, navigate to you tube and watch the murder sequence (occuring underthe song "What A Duke Should Be") several times, since it is easily the best scene in the film. I expected to love this film because of it's cast including Mirren, Thomas, Smith, Owen, Phillippe, Northam, Balaban, but this film has very little drive to it and Smith's acting was the only performance that impressed me.
I still cannot understand how this movie was nominated for 7 Academy Awards. After an hour of slow character development the plot FINALLY begins. In fact, this movie moves so slow that it took me 3 attempts before I got through it without falling asleep. I understand that the character development is important in a whodunit film but it was not necessary for an hour and 10 minutes to go by before the murder occured. Although it only received one Academy Award (out of 7 nominations), I disagree with its victory for best screenplay since Memento's screenplay is absolutely genius. The highlight of the film is Jeremy Northam's stunningly beautiful singing voice, and even better, Maggie Smith's sarcastic comments about his playing. I wouldn't watch this film again - I'd rather just listen to Northam's songs on the soundtrack. Or even better, navigate to you tube and watch the murder sequence (occuring underthe song "What A Duke Should Be") several times, since it is easily the best scene in the film. I expected to love this film because of it's cast including Mirren, Thomas, Smith, Owen, Phillippe, Northam, Balaban, but this film has very little drive to it and Smith's acting was the only performance that impressed me.
A Civil Action - 7 stars out of 10
A Civil Action - 7 stars out of 10
A Civil Action was a decent law film but did not spend enough time in the courtroom. Regardless, this film is not about the story. From his first monologue delivered at the kid that interrupts his lunch, it becomes apparent that this film is all about Robert Duvall's amazing performance and deserved Oscar nomination. Bitter, manipulative, and too smart for his own good, it is a pleasure to watch Duvall bring this role to life. This is a pretty average performance for Travolta (nothing like Phenomenon or Pulp Fiction). I had expectations with Macy, Lithgow, and Shalhoub rounding out the cast list, but their minor roles hindered them from any opportunity of contributing to the film's quality. As a fictional story, it would be pretty dry. But as a true story, it'll capture your attention and leave you satisfied in the end.
A Civil Action was a decent law film but did not spend enough time in the courtroom. Regardless, this film is not about the story. From his first monologue delivered at the kid that interrupts his lunch, it becomes apparent that this film is all about Robert Duvall's amazing performance and deserved Oscar nomination. Bitter, manipulative, and too smart for his own good, it is a pleasure to watch Duvall bring this role to life. This is a pretty average performance for Travolta (nothing like Phenomenon or Pulp Fiction). I had expectations with Macy, Lithgow, and Shalhoub rounding out the cast list, but their minor roles hindered them from any opportunity of contributing to the film's quality. As a fictional story, it would be pretty dry. But as a true story, it'll capture your attention and leave you satisfied in the end.
Unbreakable (2000) - 7 stars out of 10
Unbreakable (2000) - 7 stars out of 10
“Unbreakable” is not what you typically expect from M. Night Shyamalan. In this film, he provides a unique outlook on the possibility of "real life" superheroes. I was really impressed by his ability to create a completely original superhero and place him into an incredibly believable real-world situation. Rather than be driven by the setup of an extreme “The Sixth Sense” twist, the film relies on the transformation of its characters to drive the plot. Shyamalan thought of everything from the presentation as an origin story to the hero’s own “kryptonite,” making the film is a simultaneous nod to comic book heroes and impressive character development. The dramatic storytelling is supported by Samuel L. Jackson’s acting clinic on how to interpret an infinitely complex character that captures the empathy of an audience while becoming a villain. Bruce Willis offers a memorable performance (though it falls short of “The Sixth Sense”) and Robin Wright helps to round out his character. One of the film’s greatest strengths is its lack of a sequel. In an age of never-ending reboots and over-marketed sequels of superhero films, it is refreshing to have a stand-alone film that allows us to wonder what happens next instead of giving us an unsatisfactory answer to our curiosity. James Newton Howard crafted a dramatic score that keeps the emphasis of the story on Willis’ soul-searching instead of his heroism. The cinematography is stunning with its Hitchcock-inspired shots, particularly the tracking shot that alternates between the reflection and real image of Elijah’s mother, or the scene that takes place in the reflection of an old television screen. There is true beauty in the crowd scene where the "bad guys" are highlighted through bright clothing in a drab world and the train scene where it feels like we are eavesdropping on a conversation between the headrests of two seats, but Shyamalan overuses his creative, indirect shots to a fault. We need a normal perspective once in a while to make these shots special and this overkill of creativity unintentionally detracts from the artistic merit of the film. Still, just thinking about the beauty of the film makes me want to watch it again right now. M. Night Shyamalan stepped out of the box for “Unbreakable” and delivered a drama that reminds us that heroes and villains all face the same emotional struggles as the rest of us.
“Unbreakable” is not what you typically expect from M. Night Shyamalan. In this film, he provides a unique outlook on the possibility of "real life" superheroes. I was really impressed by his ability to create a completely original superhero and place him into an incredibly believable real-world situation. Rather than be driven by the setup of an extreme “The Sixth Sense” twist, the film relies on the transformation of its characters to drive the plot. Shyamalan thought of everything from the presentation as an origin story to the hero’s own “kryptonite,” making the film is a simultaneous nod to comic book heroes and impressive character development. The dramatic storytelling is supported by Samuel L. Jackson’s acting clinic on how to interpret an infinitely complex character that captures the empathy of an audience while becoming a villain. Bruce Willis offers a memorable performance (though it falls short of “The Sixth Sense”) and Robin Wright helps to round out his character. One of the film’s greatest strengths is its lack of a sequel. In an age of never-ending reboots and over-marketed sequels of superhero films, it is refreshing to have a stand-alone film that allows us to wonder what happens next instead of giving us an unsatisfactory answer to our curiosity. James Newton Howard crafted a dramatic score that keeps the emphasis of the story on Willis’ soul-searching instead of his heroism. The cinematography is stunning with its Hitchcock-inspired shots, particularly the tracking shot that alternates between the reflection and real image of Elijah’s mother, or the scene that takes place in the reflection of an old television screen. There is true beauty in the crowd scene where the "bad guys" are highlighted through bright clothing in a drab world and the train scene where it feels like we are eavesdropping on a conversation between the headrests of two seats, but Shyamalan overuses his creative, indirect shots to a fault. We need a normal perspective once in a while to make these shots special and this overkill of creativity unintentionally detracts from the artistic merit of the film. Still, just thinking about the beauty of the film makes me want to watch it again right now. M. Night Shyamalan stepped out of the box for “Unbreakable” and delivered a drama that reminds us that heroes and villains all face the same emotional struggles as the rest of us.
[Pictured: Shyamalan created a fascinating dynamic between these two characters]
How to Train Your Dragon - 5 stars out of 10
How to Train Your Dragon - 5 stars out of 10
The dragons are really cool but overall, the story is cheesy and predictable. The voice acting is average and the characters don't have a lot of depth, nor do they develop much from start to finish. There are a few heartwarming moments when he first bonds with Toothless and at other points in the movie, but this story is definitely intended for kids while entertaining adults with its cool special effects. I'd see it agian, but it is certainly not Toy Story or Shrek.
The dragons are really cool but overall, the story is cheesy and predictable. The voice acting is average and the characters don't have a lot of depth, nor do they develop much from start to finish. There are a few heartwarming moments when he first bonds with Toothless and at other points in the movie, but this story is definitely intended for kids while entertaining adults with its cool special effects. I'd see it agian, but it is certainly not Toy Story or Shrek.
Stand and Deliver - 8 stars out of 10
Stand and Deliver - 8 stars out of 10
Stand and Deliver is an inspirational teacher who believes in a hopeless group of low-level math students. Though they are unable to multiply fractions at first, Jaime Escalante's creative (and often unorthodox) teaching methods capture their attention, driving them to enroll in summer school to study trigonometry and eventually taking the AP Calc exam the following spring. Edward James Olmos' portrayal is inspiring as he fights racism, the system, and takes interest in the well-being of his students' lives (sometimes instead of his own). I do not find it to be as inspiring as Stand By Me and Mr. Holland's Opus, but the closing scene of this inspirational story will surely leave you with a significant amount of warm fuzzies.
Stand and Deliver is an inspirational teacher who believes in a hopeless group of low-level math students. Though they are unable to multiply fractions at first, Jaime Escalante's creative (and often unorthodox) teaching methods capture their attention, driving them to enroll in summer school to study trigonometry and eventually taking the AP Calc exam the following spring. Edward James Olmos' portrayal is inspiring as he fights racism, the system, and takes interest in the well-being of his students' lives (sometimes instead of his own). I do not find it to be as inspiring as Stand By Me and Mr. Holland's Opus, but the closing scene of this inspirational story will surely leave you with a significant amount of warm fuzzies.
Passengers (2008) - 1 star out of 10
Passengers (2008) - 1 star out of 10
This movie moved so slow that it was a waste of time and the longest 90 minutes of my life. I couldn't help but feel that this was little Anne Hathaway trying to pretend to be an adult. I just wasn't buying her as someone old enough to be an established therapist and hold several college degrees. In addition to the film's several "Um... okay?" moments, much of it felt overacted (particularly Patrick Wilson). The only decent moment was Anne Hathaway's brief freakout toward the end - it was expertly acted but certainly did not redeem the poor execution of this poor script. Despite its predictability, I really liked the ending... until it kept going and ruined it. You might want to scratch this one off of your list.
This movie moved so slow that it was a waste of time and the longest 90 minutes of my life. I couldn't help but feel that this was little Anne Hathaway trying to pretend to be an adult. I just wasn't buying her as someone old enough to be an established therapist and hold several college degrees. In addition to the film's several "Um... okay?" moments, much of it felt overacted (particularly Patrick Wilson). The only decent moment was Anne Hathaway's brief freakout toward the end - it was expertly acted but certainly did not redeem the poor execution of this poor script. Despite its predictability, I really liked the ending... until it kept going and ruined it. You might want to scratch this one off of your list.
The Rock - 8 stars out of 10
The Rock - 8 stars out of 10
"The Rock" is a classic action movie filled with fighting, explosions, and a very unique story line. A lot of prisoners tried to break out of Alcatraz, but now these men need to break IN! It features a typical Hans Zimmer score. And that is definitely not a bad thing. This film is unique in that it has two villains... who are actually good guys... and we forget about one of them for nearly 40 minutes as the focus shifts to the other. Although Sean Connery and Ed Harris put forth fantastic performances, their efforts are overshadowed by the poor acting of Nicholas Cage. Maybe it's because his birth name was Coppola, but I still can't figure out how Cage became such an affluent actor. He's excellent in a few early films, but the rest are like this one - unsatisfactory. He's like that clumsy, annoying kid that somebody invited but won't admit it due to the embarassment. Cage's character had great potential but it was lost as he tried to add comedy to lines that really weren't intended to be funny (and his timing was pretty bad). Aside from Cage's distractions, the film has some great twists interesting characters, and thrilling moments. It's filled with adrenaline and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time!
"The Rock" is a classic action movie filled with fighting, explosions, and a very unique story line. A lot of prisoners tried to break out of Alcatraz, but now these men need to break IN! It features a typical Hans Zimmer score. And that is definitely not a bad thing. This film is unique in that it has two villains... who are actually good guys... and we forget about one of them for nearly 40 minutes as the focus shifts to the other. Although Sean Connery and Ed Harris put forth fantastic performances, their efforts are overshadowed by the poor acting of Nicholas Cage. Maybe it's because his birth name was Coppola, but I still can't figure out how Cage became such an affluent actor. He's excellent in a few early films, but the rest are like this one - unsatisfactory. He's like that clumsy, annoying kid that somebody invited but won't admit it due to the embarassment. Cage's character had great potential but it was lost as he tried to add comedy to lines that really weren't intended to be funny (and his timing was pretty bad). Aside from Cage's distractions, the film has some great twists interesting characters, and thrilling moments. It's filled with adrenaline and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time!
Mr. Popper's Penguins - 6 stars out of 10
Mr. Popper's Penguins - 6 stars out of 10
"Mr. Popper's Penguins" is precisely what you would expect from the title - a cheesy family comedy filled with adorable penguins. The computer animation is incredible, but even more incredible is the interaction between the humans and the edited-in penguins. As you watch, you will forget that these animals are computer animated because the live actors are so precise. Carrey's famed over-the-top acting is perfect to make his interactions with the penguins believable. The rest of the acting is mediocre but let's face it - if you see this film, it's either because you like Jim Carrey or you think that penguins are adorable. Mission accomplished. Although there are 3-too-many poop jokes, the story is entertaining while providing a few positive moral lessons (and featuring an AWESOME hockey jersey). It's not a masterpiece but it's definitely worth a watch.
"Mr. Popper's Penguins" is precisely what you would expect from the title - a cheesy family comedy filled with adorable penguins. The computer animation is incredible, but even more incredible is the interaction between the humans and the edited-in penguins. As you watch, you will forget that these animals are computer animated because the live actors are so precise. Carrey's famed over-the-top acting is perfect to make his interactions with the penguins believable. The rest of the acting is mediocre but let's face it - if you see this film, it's either because you like Jim Carrey or you think that penguins are adorable. Mission accomplished. Although there are 3-too-many poop jokes, the story is entertaining while providing a few positive moral lessons (and featuring an AWESOME hockey jersey). It's not a masterpiece but it's definitely worth a watch.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Dude, Where's My Car? - 4 stars out of 10
Dude, Where's My Car? - 4 stars out of 10
"Dude, Where's My Car?" is as wonderfully idiotic as the title would indicate. When they wrote this script, they decided to go all the way with a combination of real life "The Hangover" moments and intergallactic idiocy. A film like this isn't really about the acting since the two main characters are surfer-type stoners. The actre...sses that really stand out are Jennifer Garner and Marla Sokoloff - not so much for their acting but just because they are SO nice to look at. The film doesn't have any deep cinematic value. It's just a goofy comedy that delivers a few laughs and will leave you scratching your head as you think "Dude, what happened to the last 80 minutes of my life?"
"Dude, Where's My Car?" is as wonderfully idiotic as the title would indicate. When they wrote this script, they decided to go all the way with a combination of real life "The Hangover" moments and intergallactic idiocy. A film like this isn't really about the acting since the two main characters are surfer-type stoners. The actre...sses that really stand out are Jennifer Garner and Marla Sokoloff - not so much for their acting but just because they are SO nice to look at. The film doesn't have any deep cinematic value. It's just a goofy comedy that delivers a few laughs and will leave you scratching your head as you think "Dude, what happened to the last 80 minutes of my life?"
Dracula - Dead and Loving It - 2 stars out of 10
Dracula - Dead and Loving It - 2 stars out of 10
"Dracula - Dead and Loving It" has everything that you would expect to find in a parody... except for comedy. Furthermore, there are not many surprises and even the few humorous moments cannot compare to the classic moments of Young Frankenstein and Robin Hood MIT. It helps to have watched and focused on previous Dracula renditions... because many of the scenes in this film are line-by-line (at least content wise) true to some of the original versions. References to Nosferatu are also clever but overall, the movie fails to thrill. leslie Nielsen is funny... but not as funny as he is in the Naked Gun (or many of his other films). If you are a die-hard Mel Brooks fan, I'm sure that this is on your list. If you aren't a huge fan and are just looking for any Brooks film to watch, pick basically any other one.
"Dracula - Dead and Loving It" has everything that you would expect to find in a parody... except for comedy. Furthermore, there are not many surprises and even the few humorous moments cannot compare to the classic moments of Young Frankenstein and Robin Hood MIT. It helps to have watched and focused on previous Dracula renditions... because many of the scenes in this film are line-by-line (at least content wise) true to some of the original versions. References to Nosferatu are also clever but overall, the movie fails to thrill. leslie Nielsen is funny... but not as funny as he is in the Naked Gun (or many of his other films). If you are a die-hard Mel Brooks fan, I'm sure that this is on your list. If you aren't a huge fan and are just looking for any Brooks film to watch, pick basically any other one.
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