His Movie Reviews

Let me just preface this by saying that I have a soft spot in my heart for all Disney films (and all things Disney in general- I love that mouse!), but especially 2D animated Disney films! This was right up my alley.  I also knew I’d love it before I’d even bought my ticket. I’m biased, there aren’t any laws against that, right??

This movie has got a lot of heart. Yes, it’s a cartoon, but it’s not just some dumb kids movie. It was a good message to it, along with some great songs! It’s all about working hard for what you want; wishing on a star will only get you so much, you’ve got to work for it! Come on now, that’s not just a message for the kiddos! That message certainly contradicts the ideas of the studios earlier films, but it is geared towards a generation growing up in a tough economic climate, so I can certainly respect their new approach. I could get on my soap box about this topic, but I will resist!

The story takes place in and around 1920’s New Orleans. What really makes the film is the supporting characters: this includes alligators and fireflies and voodoo shadows. I know this is a contradiction, but the bad guy is awesome. He’s a voodoo king. Does it get much cooler than that?

It’s just a really fun story, and you don’t need to have a 5 year old to enjoy you. You may need a 5 year old to use as an excuse to see it without looking weird, but if you manage to go, I hope you like it as much as I did (and no, I didn’t steal someone’s kid to go see it, we went at 9 o’clock on a Friday night, and we were not the only adults in there. And none of them had children either).

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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 have to admit, J.J. Abrams can make an action movie! And he can also take a dead series and bring some new life into it.  He did a fine job with Mission Impossible 3 and after viewing Star Trek, he did a great job with this series as well.  Now released on DVD this past week, Star Trek takes the space traveling of the old TV show and tells the origin of the infamous sci-fi crew.  The movie is about a rebellious young man named James T. Kirk that is destined to become the captain of the greatest star ship (The Enterprise) to have traveled the universe.  This film starts at the beginning, chronicling the rise of the main characters that command the ship.  Filled with big action fight sequences and an intriguing story, this movie not only stands alone well but I would say meets or exceeds the expectations of even the biggest Trekkie. Now, I am a little young to have actually watched the original show, but I do remember watching a bit of The Next Generation.  And so when watching this movie, I brought with me someone that grew up watching Kirk and Spock explore brave new worlds each night on TV – my dad.  And I have to say, we both walked out of the movie very pleased.  I, the new kid, enjoying the story told by Abrams and the movie as it stands alone.  My dad, a veteran of the show, remembering and musing over the ‘inside’ jokes placed into the film that were lifted from the original series.  It was a fun time had by both of us.

Watching it again, at home and on DVD, I have to admit a bit was lost from the original experience.  This is one of those big budget action movies that is just monumental in the theater.  It is good on the small screen, but no where near the excitement of the big screen. The good thing about it is I wasn’t bored the second go around.  I still enjoyed the movie and watched it through.  And like in the theater, the most interesting part of the film has to be Spock.  It has been a role that has pretty much defined Nimoy’s life. To see that this might be the last time you see him as Spock, it seems like a happy/sad farewell.  But I think having Zachary Quinto take over the role is a great decision and hopefully Nimoy more then approves. Quinto plays a great Spock and it helps that he looks exactly like a young Leonard Nimoy in the film. I hope to see him more as the series becomes renewed in Pine and Quinto. Oh and just a random observation, I have decided that through looks alone, Chris Hemsworth (George Kirk) looks more like William Shatner than Chris Pine. But I’m not the casting director. If you have seen Star Trek already, check it out again, it’s worth the rent.  If you haven’t seen it, pick it up for an exciting film.  And like me, be ready  to catch the sequel in the theater.

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Now hitting rental shelves near you, this con man flick is a quirky, fun, little caper. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Brothers Bloom are very successful con men (as the movie notes, the best in the business) that use their highly dramatic and adventurous stories to swindle money from the richest of people.  Their last and final con is to be played out upon the lovely billionare Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz). She is a girl who has no problem crashing a Lamborghini in the morning and having it replaced before lunch. In addition, she is quite a strange lot, so they will have to stay on their toes to fleece this damsel. But of course they are the Brothers Bloom…

This film is created by the same  man that created the film Brick, so I had high hopes for this film.  And after viewing, I would have to say this film doesn’t live up to the awesomeness of that movie – but I don’t think it has to.  This film has a different quality about it. If he wanted to make a copy of his last film he would pull a Guy Richie and make Snatch.  But he didn’t, I think he tried something new and different and definitely didn’t come out with a Swept Away. Alright enough Guy Ritchie analogies….The truth is that he made a decent little film that is worth a rent.  Maybe I can’t get enough of con men films like Ocean’s Eleven or Matchstick Men with witty dialogue and trying to fool everyone at every turn, but I love these kinds of films.  And this one brings a little indie style and storytelling to the film that gives it a quaint yet enjoyable feeling.  Its like you are in this storybook land of con men with their crazy yet amazingly great sidekick Bang Bang. You sort of follow the team on their tale and see where it all ends up. I do admit, however, that I was a bit disappointed by the final con (which I won’t give away here) but you connect with the characters. You enjoy the ride.

I give credit for this to not only the storybook style and quaint charm, but also to the amazing actors that appear in the film.  Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody do wonderful jobs as the Bloom brothers. And Rachel Weisz is absolutely outstanding as always.  However, the biggest highlight of the film is definitely Bang Bang.  With pretty much no dialogue, she is just a fun character. She is just a bad ass Asian girl that really likes to blow stuff up – and for that you love her.  Also throughout the film look for other small parts played by great actors.  Alot of Brick cast members make appearances in the film if even for a spilt-second (Don’t think we didn’t notice you Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Hell now that I am flipped over to IMDB, did the whole cast show back up for this film?  Nora Zehetner plays a very small role (I think she is awesome ever since Brick came out – check her out now on the new season of Grey’s Anatomy). Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) shows up for a bit and even the kid from Where the Wild Things Are (Max Records) has a bit.  So be on the lookout for great talent while getting lost in one of the Bloom fabricated stories.

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