Displaying Category: Movie

Let me just say up front, I'm not familiar with the Roald Dahl book this movie is based on. I also probably shouldn't have seen this movie in the afternoon on a weekend. Lots of kids who don't know what an "indoor voice" is. The movie itself? I guess it was alright. A few "adult" jokes, but not really enough to hold my attention. Actually, I felt myself driving off three or four times. I feel like maybe there were some serious pacing issues? Probably. In technical terms, the stop motion animation felt, well, primitive, but it is fun to see something different. The voice acting was fine, but obviously couldn't carry the movie on its own. And what was the thing with the wolf at the end? Someone?

2/5

I don't think I have ever seen such creative and artistic ways to conduct mass slaughter with blades. There was slaughter in rain. Slaughter in fire. Slaughter on the highway. Slaughter in an old castle. Slaughter in darkened apartments. Slaughter in warehouses. Slaughter in a bar. I can't remember exactly, but I think that's pretty much it. On the downside, and not unexpectedly, the plot was weak. But hey, did I mention there's lots of slaughter?

3/5

Alright, that was sarcasm, because I'm not sure a live action/CG version of The Smurfs is really called for. Though, maybe if they make it "darker" and more "gritty" then... no, nevermind, it really doesn't need to happen.

I really have no idea why, when we get to our teen-aged years, we believe we have all the wisdom and experience we need to make significant life decisions. An Education is a movie about basically that scenario. A very bright 16 year old meets an older man and makes some rather uneducated decisions. Unfortunately, the grown-ups weren't entirely on the right page either and the only way to find out is to make the mistake. That is an education.

4/5

The thing is, I'm not sure what the point of this movie is. It's funny and kinda kooky and maybe they want you to think "Really? This is what the US government has been doing with my tax money?" or maybe there just wasn't a point. I came out confused because I couldn't decide if I had enjoyed myself or not. I really wanted to feel something about what was going on, but instead, it was just funny and kooky and that was it. Nothing emotional, nothing to get you thinking, no real drama, and in particular, a scene in which a soldier (on LSD and naked) starts shooting up an Army base (without actually hitting anyone) seemed unfortunately timed. So in the end, this movie was entertaining, but not especially interesting.

2/5

Alright folks, this is your chance to poke fun and ridicule, because I am right now watching Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, recorded off Lifetime, and I am really enjoying it.

Browsing io9 this evening I happened across a wonderful interview with Jesse Eisenberg (Columbus), and Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, the star, and writers of Zombieland respectively. If you haven't seen the movie yet, do not read this interview, however, do go see the movie immediately. If you have already seen the movie, you should find this interview interesting. They talk about the death of the celebrity cameo, which was brilliant, and all the other celebrities considered for said cameo. Very intersting...

Additionally, there's another interview with the writers about the original plans for Zombieland. Apparently, it was originally written as a television series, and in its movie incarnation, you're seeing the first two episodes. Meaning, if there were originally 23 episodes planned, there's enough story left for many more Zombieland movies. Just imagine all of the hilarious possibilities!

It's been a really long time since I've seen the original movie or TV show, so I can't really compare this new movie to any of that. On it's own, though, this movie was pretty good. It's only real problem is that it's trying to cover too many characters and too many stories at once. Because of the very limited time for each character/story, all of the dialog seemed too important. Every line seemed to have some serious weight to it since every character only has a fraction of the total screentime. The result of that is far too much weight and not enough character development. Of course, we're there to see great acting, singing, dancing, and playing, right? All that was great, as you would expect, but it felt more like taking a sip of a really great drink, it just leaves you wanting to gulp down more, but there isn't time. I really feel this would make a great TV drama where every character and story could get its rightful time on screen and I realize it's been done... I'm just saying that would do this sort of story a lot more justice than the hyper-abbreviated presentation we get in this movie.

4/5

A heartwarming tale of loss, love, survival, and zombies. It's also rich with pulsing veins of delectable awesomeness and hilarity. I really don't have anything bad to say about this movie other than how unfortunate it is that it's only 81 minutes long. Though, while watching it, that did feel pretty much like the perfect length, so it's even difficult to fault that. I think this is definitely going to be a must-have DVD.

4/5

You know, when I saw the trailers for this movie, I thought it must take place in 1984 or something. Look at the way they dress and the cars they're driving and the music... but no, it takes place in the present, it's just that they're in the remote town of Bodine, Texas. Well, and Austin too. The point is, the further you get from a mainstream metropolis, the further back in time you go.

Anyway, Whip It is a fantastic movie mostly about female empowerment and "coming of age" and parenting and also about something called "The Squeeler." No, I won't explain what The Squeeler is, you'll have to go see the movie. Unlike Ellen Page's character in Juno, Bliss is shy and quiet and awkward and stuck living her mother's dreams of winning beauty pageants and hating it. Then she discovers roller derby and the tough, loud, and outrageous women who skate the oval for fun and glory. That's pretty much what you get from the trailer and I don't plan on revealing any more. The writing is witty and funny and moving. The music fit so well I can't actually recall much of it (I think that's good). I laughed out loud several times and even cried a couple times. I really couldn't find anything overtly wrong about it, though throughout, I kept getting this nagging feeling like something was just the tiniest bit off, but I have no idea what that thing is... Regardless, it was great fun and had that great feel-good value to it. Definitely go see it.

5/5