His Movie Reviews

It’s been a while seen I have seen a true Disney animated feature.  Granted Princess and the Frog is their first 2D animated film since Home on the Range and that was 5 years ago.  But I know I haven’t seen that movie and the last one i watched before that was probably Lilo and Stitch. So it was nice to hit the theaters and catch some good ole Disney magic. It seemed like the 2D animated feature was dead, gone without any of us fans ever saying goodbyes.  Pixar has made an explosion with Toy Story and ever since then its been a landslide of 3D animation. Everyone these days has been caught up by the 3D bandwagon with Shrek, Ice Age, and the slew of Pixar movies out there.  And while Pixar does amazing work, I still think Disney has a place in the animated feature world. There is really nothing like the Disney classics.  I remember watching Snow White, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Lady and the Tramp, and Peter Pan millions of times growing up and being excited each and every time.  There truly is magic and imagination in those old films and I think Princess and the Frog brings a bit of that magic back while carrying on the tradition of 2D animation.  The strongest aspect of the film is truly the way they hearken to the old films and really try to fit this one in.  There are some modern advancements that can be seen with computer effects and digital drawing that bring the film into the 21st century.  But the way the characters are drawn and the story are definitely stamped with the Disney brand – which I for one am completely fine with. While I don’t think this is the strongest movie in Disney’s line-up, I think it is defintely worth a watch. There are some fun characters and the story gives a more truthful feeling to the ‘wishing upon a star.’  The idea that it is great to wish upon a star but you need to back it up with hard work and determination is fresh and truthful. This gives the main character Tiana a fresh look for a ‘Disney princess.’ She is an independent business woman looking to make her mark in the world.  She cares not for any Prince Charming or love for that matter.  Of course when you’re not looking, love tends to find you.

It’s funny, maybe being a dude, and older then probably the average targeted audience, I was actually more drawn to the bad guy of the film.  With his slick moves and voodoo magic he is, well, awesome.  Unfortunately he’s bad and mean.  In fact, with this evil minions, there are some parts of the film that I thought were kind of scary for children.  But those moments are quickly pushed from your mind when you meet Ray, a local firefly in the bayou of Louisiana played by Jim Cummings.  This little dude packs a punch of laughter and is definitely the highlight of the film.

All in all, it’s good to see that Disney is back in the 2D game, and let’s hope that they stay there.  This has always been their area, their expertise.  If you enjoy watching a classic Disney film with the story, animation, dancing, and singing, then you should definitely check this one out. Welcome back Disney.

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It seems like every year, a sports movie comes along that keeps us reaching for our dreams. I guess it’s because almost everyone enjoys these things.  It’s the underdog fighting for their chance, their dream.  Who can’t get behind something like that?  And so like every other year, 2009 didn’t disappoint.  This time it’s with the new Sandra Bullock movie, The Blind Side. And the best part of this “just another sports movie” is that this one is really good.  Of course every inspirational sports movie has to have a good story (that always seem to be extraordinarily true), so this one is no different, but its really the acting that make this movie shine.  Sandra Bullock is just great in this film.  She plays an upper-middle class housewife who takes it upon herself to take in a really big, homeless, African American child and raise him as her own. Through her nurturing and no back-talking sass, she raises the boy to be an NFL caliber football player.  It’s a heartwarming, family-friendly, all around decent film. And it provides a good mix of comedy and drama that keeps you crying (well not crying, I am a dude after all) and laughing.  Alongside Bullock comes Jae Head playing her younger son that milks every delivered line for all its cuteness.  Some Friday Night Light fans may remember him as Riggins wide-eyed, annoying neighbor that liked to give him two thumbs up (“Hey Tim Riggins!”).  And it seems like he hasn’t changed at all for this film, but damn does he play the part well.  You also have Kathy Bates, Lily Collins (Phil Collins daughter), and Tim Mcgraw that play their parts well and round out the cast. Finally there is Quinton Aaron, who plays the kindest, most polite kid from the wrong side of the tracks that you’ve ever seen.  You fall in love with him and of course get behind him like any good inspirational movie should do.  So like you’ve been suckered into the sports movies before, get suckered again, this one is worth it.

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I don’t know how Pixar does it, but over and over again they are able to produce animated films way above anyone else in the medium.  Within the first 10 minutes you are automatically hooked and realize you’re not watching just an ordinary cartoon. And without even emitting a word, the movie produces more emotion than every Shrek film ever made.   Perhaps its the fact that Pixar is not afraid to introduce real conflicts like death or miscarriage that makes it so much better.  They don’t dumb it down because they know they have children watching.  The movie is emotional, exciting, funny, adventurous, and simply amazing. Perhaps its because before they ever render a single frame they make sure they have the characters and story down pact.  They don’t mess around and I applaud Pixar over and over for making the best animated films in the business. They deserve every award they ever win. I am just disappointed I didn’t check this out in the theater with 3D when I had the chance.

For those that don’t know, Up is an animated film by Pixar Animation Studios that follows the life of Carl Fredricksen.  Starting as a bright-eyed child filled with dreams of adventure and exploration he soon meets his wife so is also a wide-eyed adventurer.  But their dreams soon fall by the way-side as they grow up and live their lives.  And when she passes, he decides to finally fulfill their dreams of exploration and lifts his home to the heavens with millions of balloons.  In his journey he acquires an unexpected sidekick in a neighborhood boy scout that has accidentally become a stowaway on his makeshift airship. The film follows their adventures through South America.

Don’t let the sad introduction for this movie put you off, like I stated earlier, I absolutely enjoyed this movie.  The characters are great, the story is great, the animation is amazing.  While not my favorite Pixar film (Monster’s Inc. still holds that title for me). it is definitely ranked up there. But I did enjoy how Pixar makes a geriatric old man look cool. Though I doubt any 70 year old man could do any of the moves he was doing, but that’s the joys of animation.  If you haven’t seen this movie, rent it now. Or perhaps just buy it – I doubt you’ll be disappointed.  And for those who have seen it, now that its out on DVD, watch it again.

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Going to the movies on a lazy Sunday, we decided to check out Where the Wild Things Are by Spike Jonze. I have been pretty excited about this movie for a while through the trailers and it didn’t disappoint. I absolutely, all-around enjoyed this film, and from the giggles and laughs from the kids in the audience, I wasn’t the only one. This is actaully one of the first films that I have seen so many children so intrigued.  The kid next to us literally sat at the edge of his seat the whole movie.  And it is because from the beginning of the film and Max’s improvised opening credits, you are instantly thrown into the protagonist’s world and you never look back. He is an imaginative kid that is a little strange and dealing with his family falling apart. Through a series of events, he runs away from home and adventures to where the wild things are. And this is when the film becomes, well, visually incredible. I mean, it should be considering it was shot in Australia and the creatures are done by the Jim Henson Creature shop. In a time laden with CG animation and computer rendered special effects, it’s so refreshing to see costumed characters fill the screen. There is just a quality about real characters, a tactile look and feel that is far superior to a CG’d character. Perhaps it is the true interaction between Max and the Wild Things – something literally impossible through 3D effects. But this brought me back to the wonderful films like Labyrinth or Dark Crystal that really showed how well Jim Henson’s crew could perform.

The music seems to plays an integral part to the film and at times makes it almost feel like a music video.  Which makes sense, being Spike Jonze.  But, it’s as if the lyrics are another character, adding a new layer to the story.   While some parts the music is a bit overwhelming and detached me from the story, most of the time, it really helped throw you into the film.  For example during the rumpus, there is this excitement, this chaotic feeling that really only comes from the music.  Karen O does a great job with the music and gives the whole film a stylized approach that is refreshing and fun. Go check out the soundtrack on iTunes.

But it’s through Spike Jonze that this this children’s novel come to life and lets kids of all ages enjoy the imaginative, wonderful world in which the Wild Things live. Through it, you connect with the characters – feeling their feelings – being happy and excited when the rumpus starts and sad and lonely when they are.  I, personally, really liked Max’s character – seeing how he sees the world.  And the Wild Things are like another one of his creations.  His imagination is limitless and yet it is through his experiences with the wild things that he is able to understand the real world around him.  I felt like the film really showed how a child might deal with grown-up issues, making up this fantastic world to figure out how to handle things.  And when he does, its not some fantasy-land, happy ending.  It is real, genuine.

Overall, this is a wonderful film that you should go see. Just go to the movies and for a couple hours, let your imagination run a little wild.  Enjoy.

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