Swiss Family Robinson (1960) - 6 stars out of 10

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) - 6 stars out of 10

“Swiss Family Robinson” is the classic tale of a shipwrecked family who relies on their resourcefulness to survive on a deserted island.  If you have no other reason, watch this film to enhance your experience on the Swiss Family Treehouse at Disney World or Disneyland.  I can’t wait to go back to Disney (for many, many unrelated reasons), but now I can add this to my to-do list!  This film hasn’t fared well in the lineage of Disney films that are still known by kids today; however, in its day it outperformed “Psycho” and “Spartacus” to be the highest grossing film of 1960.  I believe that it can be attributed to its cast who was popular at the time (Danno from “Hawaii Five-O” and Sir John Mills) but aren’t still icons today (like Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke from “Mary Poppins”).  The production of the film is rather incredible, being filmed completely on an island with a 200-foot treehouse build on location.  The treehouse is in a smaller percentage of the film than I expected, but it is probably the most memorable part.  The story is filled with dangerous animals, pirates, and strong male figures like so many of the Disney classics.  The competitive love story is fun and of course it is up to the Robinson family to save the day (several times)!  “Swiss Family Robinson” might not be the most popular Disney classic but put it on your list for a timeless story with Walt’s traditional family-friendly fun.

[Pictured: This is why we actually remember the movie]

The Sixth Sense - 9 stars out of 10

The Sixth Sense - 9 stars out of 10

I believe that “The Sixth Sense” has the greatest twist in movie history.  M. Night Shyamalan established himself as the king of plot twists with this film and the revolutionary twist has become the measuring stick for every shocking ending that has followed it.  Hitchcockian in tone, this film manages to be a scary movie that has you on the edge of your seat without petrifying you.  It is a film that can easily be watched by a family with teenagers and bridges the often wide gap between horror films and critically acclaimed films.  The twist is fabulous but the acting, writing, and directing are what netted the film six Academy Award nominations.  Even the best script will fail without good acting, and this powerhouse ensemble breathes life (or death) into this chilling story.  Bruce Willis is fantastic.  His character requires subtle, pensive mannerisms and every eye movement is refined to perfection.  The critics were blown away by Haley Joel Osment, guaranteeing him stardom with an Oscar nomination at age 11.  As the centerpiece of the story, his acting is the perfect amount of creepy for this make-or-break role.  The casting team could not have found a more perfect boy to be the face of this film.  Toni Collette and Donnie Wahlberg compliment the purposeful numbness of Willis and Osment with high-stakes emotional moments that drive the plot.  The other source of genius in this film is the director.  Shyamalan leaves clues all over the place but you only pick up on them second time around.  Subtle things like the strategic (and sparse) use of red, costuming of Willis, and cleverly filmed moments of dialogue add another dimension to the film.  “The Sixth Sense” isn’t the scariest ghost story ever told, but it reaches a lot deeper than jump scenes.  The singular negative thing about this movie is that you only get to be shocked by the ending the first time, but it sure is fun to watch a first-timers jaw drop at the end!

[Pictured: This picture is worth a thousand words]

The Hundred-Foot Journey - 7 stars out of 10

The Hundred-Foot Journey - 7 stars out of 10

“The Hundred-Foot Journey” is one of the best surprises of the year.  This unique story is a blend of culture, love, and food network.  Most notably, it’s PG-rating proves that you don’t need profanity to write a great script.  PG often implies “kids movie” but don’t let the rating fool you: this story is geared toward adults.  It just happens to be family-friendly.  The idea of a man who is searching to find his culinary style while falling in love may sound cheesy, but the love story and beautiful food cinematography complement each other well.  The literal and figurative culinary journey ranges from traditional Indian and French cuisine to molecular gastronomy, appealing to the foodie in all of us with technique and beautiful food presentation.  You will be so hungry by the end of this film!  I was particularly impressed by this mostly-unknown group of actors.  Helen Mirren’s name draws people in and you know that you will always get a great performance from her, but the rest of the cast keeps up.  Om Puri is hilarious as Papi, Charlotte Le Bon in enchanting as Marguerite, and Manish Dayal carries the entire film in the lead role.  The acting and screenplay are on par with any Oscar nominee, but without the foul language.  “The Hundred-Foot Journey” is a delicious exploration of food that will make you wish that it was available in Smell-o-Vision!

[Pictured: Helen Mirren never disappoints!]

Still Alice - 8 stars out of 10

Still Alice - 8 stars out of 10

“Still Alice” is one of those films that was significant before ever being released to theaters.  This depiction of early onset Alzheimer’s disease is truthful, heartbreaking, and something that we should all see.  Many films have tackled the physical destruction caused by cancer and AIDS, but this film offers an unadulterated look at Alzheimer’s degenerative destruction of the mind.  “Still Alice” explores the emotional suffering of a college linguistics professor as she quickly loses her words, memory, and ability to function; moreover, it shows the devastating consequences on her family as her mind disappears.  This film is particularly difficult because it centers around a loving marriage and a tight-knit family.  It shatters our image of “happily ever after” in lieu of reality.  The success of the film hinges completely on Julianne Moore, and her performance is inspired.  After four previous Oscar nominations, this has to be Moore’s year to take home Best Actress.  The contrast between subtle and dynamic emotional reactions paints the picture of a woman whose soul is at war with her mind.  There is a unique emotional topography as her emotions magnify as she comes to terms with the disease and then slowly diminish as the disease takes over her mind.  Her emotional collapse is physically reflected by her facial expressions as they transform from being full of life to blank.  Of course, the rest of the cast supports the emotionally-charged story.  Alec Baldwin shakes off his typical goofball persona to portray the frustrations of losing your wife emotionally while remaining the loyal caregiver.  While some people might question the inclusion of Kristen Stewart into this cast, she isn’t bad.  Her character lacks emotion but Moore’s performance is so stunning that you won’t even remember that Kristen Stewart was in it.  You need to emotionally prepare yourself for this film.  There is not a silver lining and the reality of this disease is tough to swallow.  But “Still Alice” drives home an important message about life: rather than valuing money or success, value your memories.  Alzheimer’s victims spend each day treasuring each memory, knowing that it could be the last time that they ever get to remember it. 

[Pictured: No picture can do justice to Moore's incredible emotional performance]

Death Race 2000 (1975) - 2 stars out of 10

Death Race 2000 (1975) - 2 stars out of 10

“Death Race 2000” is a cult classic, but I wasn’t really buying it.  The entire thing is basically a high-violence rendition of the old “Wacky Races” cartoon show with a little more politics and a little less Dick Dastardly.  I wouldn’t consider this movie to be “good.”  I believe that it is “important” because it pushed the boundaries of violence in movies, but it would be a stretch to refer to it as “entertainment.”  The film features a nonchalant treatment of violence and nudity, and yet there is virtually no swearing.  Much of the action is slapstick and Sylvester Stallone is so over the top that you would think that this was a kids movie… until they start running people over.  David Carradine was pretty emotionless in the lead role, and Stallone’s acting is so bad at times that it’s painful.  This movie made me want to fast-forward his career to “Rocky,” though maybe the overacting was intentional?  Some of the driving sequences are good, but the plot is confusing and not very well written.  Dystopian films are in right now.  “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” are wildly popular with teenagers, but I wouldn’t count on it leading to a resurgence of popularity for “Death Race 2000.”  In fact, the only thing worse than this movie was the 2008 remake!

[Pictured: Yeah, it's as ridiculous as it looks]

The Old Mill (1937) - 6 stars out of 10

The Old Mill (1937) - 6 stars out of 10

“The Old Mill” is an important film in the history of Disney animation.  It paved the way for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” experimenting with many of the techniques that Walt Disney would go on to use in his first animated feature film.  The most famous of these techniques was the multiplane camera, which allowed the animators to keep a 3D effect through depth perception.  If you are ever fortunate enough to visit “One Man’s Dream” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Disney World, the exhibit features the multiplane camera and how it was used in this short.  The experimental animation of animal behaviors would also play a large part in the realism created in Disney’s animated features.  While the short doesn’t contain the humor of a Mickey or Donald cartoon, it provides animated eye candy.  In the end, it won the 1937 Oscar for Best Short Subject: Cartoons.  “The Old Mill” isn’t my favorite Disney short but is definitely important in the development of the animated films that we all love.

See the film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYEmL0d0lZE

[Pictured: You can see the emergence of the Disney style just before the debut of "Snow White"]