Movies | at home or at the cinema

Laugh, Enjoy, Scare, Cry, Jump

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Monday, 6 April 2009 ‡ 23:40

The penguins from the first film made a huge impact and it was brilliant to see them have more of a feature in this second film. I don't want to say this is a better film, because i don't want to imply the first was no good, because it was. This film was better than i expected, i laughed, which is very difficult since i rarely find comedy funny enough to make me laugh out loud. Again, this was colourful, may have had less music, but it was funny and the penguins almost stole the show.

The penguins are helping the group return to New York, but as the title suggests, they only make it as far as Africa. This time there are two stories within the story and the group is split in two, to account for two individual stories, sounds difficult, but easily followed. This is more complex than the first film and introduces many more characters. Definitely well worth a night in with the kids/friends whoever, easily a comedy to lift the spirits and put smiles and laughter on faces.

My daughter loves watching the first film and i am sure she will be playing this now, every day.

Labels: africa, ben stiller, chris rock, david schwimmer, jada pinkett smith, madagascar

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Slumdog Millionaire

I really did not know what to expect and i was surprised. I suspect it would have been a bit pointless showing the story as a sequence, but i think some early parts of the film and story where over "Tarantino'd" but the rest of the film was easily followed as it continued to present the story.

The film really does show the areas of India that are never usually shown, it tells a real story about how kids grow up, how police behave, how criminal gangs operate, with this film showing a dream that everyone has living in the slums, which i suspect is no different from anywhere else in the world. We follow the story of Jamal and how he knew the answers to all the questions on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

Dev's acting and portrayal of Jamal was excellent, truly believable. With a touch of class from Freida Pinto, this film really does open your eyes. You are easily drawn into Jamal's world, as he tells his story.

Definitely need to add this to my collection.

Labels: danny boyle, dev patel, freida pinto, millionaire

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Seven Pounds

Thursday, 26 February 2009 ‡ 01:30

Powerful message only revealed at the end. If you are on the ball you can guess what's going on in the movie right from the first 30 minutes, i only continued watching because i wanted to see the outcome and Will Smith's excellent portrayal of this character.

There was one line (in particular) which i felt unnecessary, when the character who plays the brother calls and announces himself as the brother - totally unreal, nobody ever announces their relationship on the phone especially when it is such a strong or close relationship. I think it would have added to the list of questions if the brother relationship was not revealed so early in the film.

If you are a Smithy fan, i suspect you will want to watch it. If there was an attempt to place strong emotional tension throughout the film, it didn't work for me. If you are a typically miserable moaning sod, you may love this film.

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Kung Fu Panda

Saturday, 15 November 2008 ‡ 21:40

Fun for all the family. My 7 year old son loves it, my 2 year old girl loves it. It has a fantastic moral and it relays this with fun and laughter all the way. Definitely in my DVD collection.

The story is mostly predictable, the title does give it away, but it is exactly this which makes it watchable. The voices of the lead characters are brilliantly suited to the actors and vice versa, (or is that the other way round?).

Again, this film has a moral, which is revealed at the end and it is a fairly strong message, which my son did not understand but did question, which i enjoyed explaining!

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The Incredible Hulk

Friday, 20 June 2008 ‡ 07:10

Marvel-ous. Enjoyable, well written version of the classic, nice little cameo by Ferrigno as well as the voice of the Hulk.

With the trend to produce "dark" films this was very enjoyable, my son and nephew did get bored when there was no Hulk, but then they are 7 and 6, so suspect the storyline was of little interest, but they were convinced the Hulk was a real actor and my usually nit picking son had nothing to say.

I loved the beginning, but the middle was a bit slow and the ending was predictable, but overall this was enjoyable and personally i think it was a lot more true to the classic.

.Well worth watching on the big screen and i will definitely add this to my collection.

Labels: ed norton, liv tyler, tim roth

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Iron Man

Sunday, 18 May 2008 ‡ 07:51

I love science, robotics, anything technical and i enjoyed watching this film. Another comic book hero modernised on the big screen. Robert Downey Jr. is not the first actor i would have thought would be the type to portray a super hero, but it does work well, neither did Jeff Bridges and Gywenth Paltrow seem to be the suitable cast for this type of film.

There is plenty to watch with all the experiments and tests with Iron Man as Tony Stark attempts to perfect the suit that he cobbled together when he was ambushed and threatened to the hi tech missiles for a group of terrorists during his trip to Afghanistan, where he was demonstrating his company's latest weapons.

The story, like all others contain a bad guy, a girl and a hero. There is nothing different with this film, apart from the little unexpected twist at the end.

Labels: gywenth paltrow, jeff bridges, robert downy jr

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Disturbia

Wednesday, 19 December 2007 ‡ 16:15

Kale (Shia La Beouf), due to circumstances which unfold during the film is under house arrest. Potrayed as typical teenager, he spends his day playing video games, while his mother continues to snap Kale out of his minor depressive mind.

Kale's mother decides to cancel his iTunes and xBox Live subscription, in an attempt to have him help around the house.

Enjoyable film, which concentrates more on how Kale believes his neighbour is a serial killer and tries to prove it. We see little or almost nothing of Mr. Turner's (David Morse) activities as the film lets us believe Kale, then makes us question his beliefs.

This is a typical "nobody wants to believe the kid, cuz the kid is always in trouble, but the kid is telling the truth" film, well that's what it makes out.

I like the spin on words for the title of this film.

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Transformers

Friday, 27 July 2007 ‡ 00:43

I just love the sound effects and CGI in this film, plus the fact that it takes me back to my school days. I remember watching the cartoon aftre arriving home from school.

Sam Whitwicky (Shia La Beouf) is brilliant in this as a young lad having an agreement with his dad to help him buy his first car.

Obviously Sam ends up buying one of the Transformers. Some really funny moments in the film, make it a lot more believable - yeah, like there is ever gonna be huge robotic aliens from another world arriving on Earth.

The gorgeous Megan Fox softens the edges of all the testosterone or does it just make it worse, i dunno, but she is yummy eye candy, which is always a must in this kind of film, which will appeal more to the blokes.

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Happy Feet

Friday, 13 April 2007 ‡ 23:02

I didn't think i would enjoy a film about penguins, not a documentary or even an animated film, but as soon as Happy Feet started, i was tapping my feet.

Its a colourful show of singing penguins, apart from one, Mumble (Elijah Wood) who compensates by the fact that he can dance. This sets him apart from the crowd.

I enjoyed this film and the story it tells about tolerance, individualism, talent and also touches on the subject of environment.

Even though my son has never listed to tracks by Prince, Sinatra, Beach Boys, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury and others, he enjoyed the film and the songs. He asked questions and remained focused with the story.

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Cars

Friday, 20 October 2006 ‡ 22:44

Another Pixar animation that tells the story of how to be a good person. Lightening McQueen is a young racing car heading for the big time, who loses focus of his friends and his loyalties. All the signs of selfishness and narrow mindedness.

On his trip to the biggest race of his life, a minor encounter with the law ends McQueen in Radiator Springs, a small, quiet, town off Route 66.

We spend the major portion of the film learning about all things that make a person good.

I doubt my son and any of the younger viewers picked up on this moral, all they saw is a shiny red racing car, racing around, talking to other cars, some more racing and the end.

I didn't really think this was such a great film, even if it does have a Ferrari at the end voiced by 7 times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.

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Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

Monday, 17 April 2006 ‡ 20:02

We are back with the trio and continue with the story of the life on earth after the great ice age, The Meltdown. Manny discovers huge mass of water, results of melting ice, which will burst into their little corner of the world and flood the entire fishbowl valley. So now the whole tribe begin the venture to reach the end of the valley.

Again we have clues to modern day technology evident with the gang with plenty of comedy and adventure. The story concentrates on Manny finding a mate and their battle to survive not only the flood but the sea creatures, who were frozen during the ice age. We also have more helpings of the unlucky Sabre toothed squirrel trying to gather acorns.

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Madagascar

Saturday, 16 July 2005 ‡ 23:07

A story of friendship through the extremest situations, using the most unlikely animals that could ever be friends. Marty the zebra, Alex the lion, Gloria the hippo and Melman the hypochondriac giraffe are voiced superbly by funny Chris Rock, comedian Ben Stiller, beautiful Jada Pinkett Smith and excellent David Schwimmer. Ben's idiosyncrasy is captured very well in the animation of Alex, Chris Rock is easily recognised as the zebra and Schwimmer really brings to life the giraffe, making them all very believable, except i have never visioned Jada as a large hippo!.

Very colourful, musicial and funny throughout the film, always something going on, rarely did the action dip or slow, lots to focus on but not to make your brain ache.

Some really fun characters in the form of the two monkeys and the four penguins. In fact it is the penguins that plant the idea in Marty's head to want go to "The Wild".

This is a very well written comedy animation, definitely one for the DVD collection.

Labels: ben stiller, chris rock, david schwimmer, jada pinkett smith, madagascar

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Robots

Thursday, 16 June 2005 ‡ 17:33

I've liked Robin Williams since Mork and Mindy, thought he was really funny and strange. Even though Robin Williams did not voice the main character in this movie, for me, he still stood out more than the rest.

Story based around the Copperbottom's who are happy with their life and with what they have, but their son, Rodney has aspirations and dreams, who wishes to travel to Robot City to meet the great inventor Bigweld, to show him his ideas and inventions.

Rodney soon realises things are not as he expected when he arrives at Robot City. This is where he befriends a group of 'Rusties' who help him find Bigweld. Along the way Rodney and his new friends discover there are some who are trying to over throw Bigweld and thus begin their adventure.

All now familiar comments, visuals and jokes that relate to today's environment and one particular moment at the start of the movie where comments about Rodneys arrival, delivery and birth are all mentioned but totally reversed in the order they would naturally happen. Yes, adult humour, but my son found it funny, especially the method of transport in Robot City. Many of the characters are fun and i liked how they were made up, all had a unique feature that made them stand out and truly different in appearance. Made up of every day recognisable parts, such as Rodney's dad, who is a dishwasher, yes, he is an actual dishwasher. All good fun and although Ice Age has it's place, this was a better movie from Wedge and Saldanha.

Labels: robin williams

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Closer

Thursday, 21 April 2005 ‡ 08:37

Set in London, a chance meeting between Dan^?, an aspiring novelist who writes obituaries for a living and Alice^? an angelic looking New Yorker, alone in London, who refer's to herself as a waif. When Dan accompany's Alice to the hospital after she is knocked down and hurt, Dan finds it difficult to continue his journey to work and leave Alice all on her own; this the beginning of their passionate and obviously very sexual relationship. This relationship builds Dan's confidence and although Alice has shown she is insecure and has lied about who she is, she is the most genuine of all the characters.

A confident Dan is now determined to have a relationship with Anna^?, a successful photographer and recent divorcee. Alice recognises Dan's feelings for Anna, but says nothing to Dan, but does let Anna know that she overheard their conversation. Dan deals with Anna's initial rejection by pretending to be her while explicitly chatting to a stranger in an internet chat room, where he arranges a meet between Anna and the stranger, Larry^? the Doctor.

Larry, a smart, confident dermatologist, arrives at the meeting place and instantly recognises Anna from her large mouth and blonde hair description. He begins his conversation with a sexual remark, continuing from where it ended with Dan in the internet chat room. Confusingly Anna questions Larry's comments and audience's initial fears of Larry making a total pillock of himself do not occur, which in real live may have been a lot worse than a couple of retorts from Anna. As soon as Anna discovers Larry was chatting to Dan and begins to tell Larry, they too start a relationship.

I don't know if this was intentional by the writer, but the successful photographer rejects a friend and failed novelist, but later accepts to build a relationship with a professional and a stranger she meets by chance.

Alice appears to be insecure, but tries showing a careless attitude towards relationships, though she is very direct and to the point whoever she is talking to. Dan lacks confidence, until his relationship with Alice, is very emotional and appears not to commit to relationships. Julia comes across as very cold and uninviting, though i feel she was cast as 'the attractive woman' in this film. Larry is very brutal and appears to require honesty from a relationship, though may not be too honest himself, he is probably typical of most blokes in what they initially want from a relationship, sex.

This has now established the characters in this film and now begins the interrelationships between them. For me, this was a fairly dull and uninteresting film, though it was well written and filmed. The cast is very strong and i think this could have been Natalie Portman's first major film in a very adult role. With such strong actors in Law, Roberts and Owen, Portman does well in her acting and character performance.

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The Grudge

Tuesday, 22 March 2005 ‡ 17:35

Glad to see the story began to unfold right from the beginning of the film and not like most that have you sitting through boring scenes for 30 minutes and really opening up the story towards the last 15 minutes.

Though not a single scene made me jump, it was not too predictable. Right from the start of the film, you are asking yourself questions, which is good, because you are hooked for the duration.

There is not much to say about the film. It is very well made and special effects are kept to a minimum. Could have done with seeing more of the horror, which was kept subtle and minimum for most part. Some nice scenes where 'ghosts' were unexpected, which i suspect would make you jump, but then i've yet to find a horror film that scares me or makes me jump.

Labels: sarah michelle gellar

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The Incredibles

Thursday, 24 February 2005 ‡ 17:36

I like this film, thoroughly enjoyed it, even though 120 minutes was almost getting too much, but only because i was sat in a cinema seat. The first thing that came to my mind was the style of the film. I like the animation used to portray the early years and it was nice that the film appeared to be set in the 1950's and 1960's. It is fast paced and full of action all the way through. The story may appear a little vague or subtle to some younger viewers at certain points, but that shouldn't put them off. This is the first Pixar animation to contain only human characters.

The story begins in a time where our superhero's are being super. While out on a routine crusade, our hero, Mr. Incredible, saves a man who doesn't want to be saved. The man sues our hero for injury, which in turn launches other's to do the same. All superhero's are then relocated and given new identities as long as they live and work as ordinary people.

The story then moves ahead 15 years to Mr. Incredibles ordinary life with his dysfunctional children and ordinary housewife. This ordinary life is not enough for Mr. Incredible who can not help wanting to save people. This desire leads the Incredibles into the adventure that brings them together as a family of superhero's.

Brad Bird also directed The Iron Giant, which did not do so well, but i feel had Pixar been involved, it could have been a lot better. The Iron Giant lacked something, that something was probably Pixar.

Labels: craig t nelson, holly hunter

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Saw

Sunday, 14 November 2004 ‡ 17:33

Good concept, good idea, good film... though what did let it down was the weakness of the actual story. Not to give too much away, but had i awoke and discovered i had a choice which determined whether i live or die, i would not have wasted a moment thinking about anything else other than trying to free myself from the shackle chained to the pipe.

Brilliant towards the end as everything begins to kick off and the characters begin to think more about the reality of the situation they face.

There must be more i can say about this film... more psycho less thrill, until towards the end. Some of the situations the maniac put some of his victims through is absolutely awesome and scary!

Labels: cary elwes

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Shrek 2

Saturday, 2 October 2004 ‡ 17:35

Typical married couple lovey dovey stuff until the outlaws are mentioned and then the argument's start.

Again, well made, funny with typical everyday humour. It's fun to see how the makers of Shrek and Shrek2 have put a twist on the names of shops and places, food and other things we see today in the film. I know it has been done in other films.

This is where we get to see Shrek as a human. My wife quite fancied the human version of Shrek. I can see the ever so slight Cameron in Princess Fiona, but not a shread of Myers as Shrek human. Donkey is transformed into a powerful white horse.

The story goes that Princess Fiona was supposed to marry Prince Charming, but she obviously fell for Shrek. So a ploy to lure the happy couple by Princess Fiona's parents in an attempt to keep Prince Charming's mother happy, who is actually blackmailing the King... now i insist you go out and rent or buy the film, well worth the effort. Good all round family entertainment.

Labels: cameron diaz, eddie murphy, mike myers

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I,Robot

Thursday, 16 September 2004 ‡ 17:31

Based partly on ideas from a series of books by Isaac Asimov, this movie concentrates on generating doubt in Asimov's 3 laws of robotic intelligence. Asimov created this idea since he became fed up with story writers depicting robot monsters, but this movie does just that, but with a interesting twist.

A scientist has been developing robots for use in everyday life and to ensure these robot's are always under the control of humans and do not begin to think for themselves, hence the 3 sets of circular rules. When the 'father' of this creation, Professor Alfred Lanning^? apparently commits suicide, he has left a message to contact Detective Del Spooner^? who distrusts robots. With help from robopsychologist, Susan Calvin^? they begin to uncover a story behind the death of the Professor.

Interesting and fairly enjoyable movie. Well made with good, subtle use of special effects. Will Smith is always fun to watch and does play his characters well. Although Susan Calvin is portrayed by the young and beautiful Bridget Moynahan, in his books, Asimov described her as not being attractive or feminine.

Labels: bridget moynahan, will smith

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Van Helsing

Tuesday, 17 August 2004 ‡ 17:36

There were very few moments when something was not happening in this film. Right from the start, special effects gave the film its substance.

I didn't think dracula's character came across as i would have expected, or maybe prefered. Roxburgh reminded me of Peter André or maybe some other boy band member, though his transformation into a vampire bat was great. Also the neat idea of having a new way of man turning into werewolf, over the usual sprouting hairs and elongating nose was cool. Most of the morphing effects were accepted since he choose to have his characters become or transform in more usual and dramatic ways.

I must say that Dracula bloke was a lucky chap to have had 3 gorgeous babes for brides and the chance to pop them several hundred times, wow, what a life... great way to spend 400 years.

Nothing in the film scared me, made me jump or caught me unexpected. Having said that, there were some great moments in the film. The flying cow near the beginning of the film, really funny, amidst all the chaos, something to chuckle about gave the film its 'not too serious' attitude.

I was hard pushed to recognise Coltrane's character and his character looked great. Here was some more light hearted moments of the film, not true horror. The only part of the film that spoilt it for me was the useless need for a scene of passion (was only a kiss) between leading man and leading lady. I really feel there is no need to put in any of this in a film, just for the sake of arghh factor.

I did like the ending, though did guess part of the film's story towards the end. There were some moments that were unexpected. Some parts where i expected some great dramatic scenes, never materialised.

I didn't think it was scary at all, not even classic horror style. It was close to Texas Chain Saw Masacre (original) funny, but not quite. Neat way of bringing together all of the horror movie classic characters together in one film. Sommers is probably more well known for directing The Mummy trilogy.

Labels: hugh jackman, kate beckinsale, vampire

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The Day After Tomorrow

Tuesday, 27 July 2004 ‡ 17:35

Since i had not read anything detailed about this film, i was expecting this to be a fairly interesting disaster film, concentrating more about 'The Day After Tomorrow' in the sense that a major portion of the film was going to depict events after the tragedy.

With a very good start to the film and some interesting facts, the film rapidly slowed to a very boring pace and a major portion of the film concentrating on 'The Day'.

Pathetic symbolism used in American disaster films, of how America can survive anything, the Statue of Liberty, in this film, buried up to her neck in snow, copied from Planet of the Apes?.

It was refreshing to see fairly new young actors in major roles in a big film. I think that if the film concentrated less on happily ever after and maybe depicted a more terrible event and perhaps concentrated more on 'The Day After Tomorrow' this could have been a very interesting film.

I wanted to see complete disaster and destruction, i wanted to see the majority of the worlds population destroyed, i wanted to see survivors coping without modern technologies.

I was expecting to see a view of might happen, what could be, how people would cope without the every day objects they use without a moments thought.

My opinion, this could have been a great film, but it turned out to be just ok.

Labels: dennis quaid, emmy rossum, jake gyllenhaal

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Gothika

Thursday, 22 July 2004 ‡ 17:28

T' was a dark and stormy night...

Ok, a clichéd start to a horror film, but it does add to the effect plus the appearance of the asylum being isolated and remote. Very typical setting for horrible things to happen.

For me, this was just another horror, mystery, thriller type film, nothing special, well not obviously different from any other decently made horror film.

The film starts with Miranda Grey^?, a doctor of psychology, talking to one of her female patients, Chloe Sava^?, who believes she is being raped by satan. Chloe also shows no remorse for killing her step father, who also raped her. Chloe also struggles to convince Grey that she is telling her the truth; Since Grey is the doctor, she believes Chloe is suffering mentally. Grey is forced to question her self when she her self ends up with Chloe for committing a crime upon her husband, Dr. Douglas Grey^?.

Miranda enlists the help of Pete Graham^? at which point you ask yourself, 'there can only be one of two scenarios here'. You have already decided upon Miranda's verdict, but is Pete Graham involved.

The film is set in dark rooms and dim light for most of the time, with typical bright spots of light to add to the cold and erie asylum. Most scenes shot outdoors were also typically horror film environment, dark and raining. At least it was not full of the typical anticipated 'make you jump' scenes.

I felt the story was very weak and was not even an original concept. Apart from the 1 or 2 special effects, this was just another typical (not so) horror film. As the story unfolded slowly, I was expecting something from this film, a twist, another dimension, but it disappointed and it delivered less. It was beginning to bore me. Very weak story, usual interesting start, below average content and dismal ending. I wouldn't rush out to my local video store to rent this film and i definitely wouldn't buy it.

Labels: halle berry, robert downy jr

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Kill Bill vol2

Saturday, 22 May 2004 ‡ 17:32

Don't expect vol.2 to continue from where vol.1 ended. As usual, there is the complete unordered story, which i actually do not mind at all, it adds interest. There is more of the typical Tarantino dialogue than vol.1 and as you'd expect, Black Mamba^? continues on her vengeful killing spree.

In vol.2 more of the story unfolds and answers questions you may have had during or at the end of the vol.1, but at the same time the story does move forwards, strange since vol.2 concentrated more on Black Mamba's history. This is the reason, vol.2 was less action and more dialogue. I hate to say this but there were times were i was getting a little bored of Bill^?. I think Tarantino should have concentrated less on Bill in the film. There were many great scenes and then there were one or two unbelievable scenes, i leave them for you to decide.

For the most, vol.2 was typically brilliant, but unfortunately i was disappointed with the ending. I can understand part of the reason, but i was really expecting a huge bloody battle or at least some action from the Hattori Hanzo.

Labels: quentin tarantino, uma thurman

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Kill Bill vol1

Sunday, 25 January 2004 ‡ 17:32

Quentin Tarantino has truly shown he is the most talented and probably the best action film director of his generation.

You will probably feel the same way, after watching this film, if you don't already. The film is made in the Japanese Anime style, even going as far as having part of the film animated as anime cartoon.

The first thing you notice is the exaggerated blood splatter, typical of anime cartoons. Very graphical, with little or no hint of violence, but actual scenes, which in a 18 certified film, is what i'd expect.

Making sure Kill Bill has a lot of martial arts references and feeling, Uma is, for most of the film, wearing the famous yellow suit, much in the same style as Bruce Lee's in Game Of Death.

From the beginning of the film, you are aware this is a Tarantino movie, with the now typical unordered story telling, jumping in and out, forwards and backwards of the story time line. Very confussing for some and many found Pulp Fiction hard to follow, some still didn't click when the movie ended. I loved it.

Uma Thurman, in my opinion is not the best looking actress, but she is the one of the best actresses around today. Whether it is because of Tarantino or Uma herself, she really does suit the character and film. Uma manages to portray her character very well indeed. The other actors and actresses are also a well balance of famous names and quality performers, who do not over power Uma and her character, but support the story and film very well.

I like Tarantino films, since he does not need to use fancy modern cinematography and visual effects, to emphasise a particular scene or moment in the film, usually it is subtle or simply in your face. In this film, we have anime animation and black & white moments to do just the job. A must for anyone's collection, though i will wait until both volumes are available as a set.

Labels: david carradine, quentin tarantino, uma thurman

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Finding Nemo

Tuesday, 13 January 2004 ‡ 16:24

Pixar's most successful movie and probably won't be the last. In 2003, Finding Nemo became the worlds highest grossing film and was honoured 'The Best Animated Film' Oscar with nominations is several other categories.

Fairly unexpected and dramatic start to the movie, which i won't spoil. This is a story about an over-cautious father who must leave the safety of his home, in the Great Barrier Reef, to rescue his son, who he witnessed being snatched by a diver.

The movie follows the adventures of both the father, travelling through the ocean and the son, who has ended up in an aquarium in the dentists surgery.

The characterisation is great and simply wonderful, since almost all of the expressions are made by just by their face. One of the first things to strike me is the vivid colours, exceptional blue of the sea and a rainbow of sea life under the Reef. It was funny (and now very much expected) to see how Pixar gave fish and other creatures human traits, like going to school and they live in a human environment with traffic and traffic lights, etc.

My son absolutely loves this film, at the time he had just turned 2 years old when he received the DVD. I love this movie too, but i can also appreciate it on a different level. Great fun for both children and parents.

Labels: australia, fish, nemo, sydney

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Ice Age

Wednesday, 22 May 2002 ‡ 17:29

Interesting story of 3 totally mismatched creatures having an inplausible friendship, a Woolly Mammoth, a Sloth and a Sabre Toothed Tiger. Sid the Sloth is left behind on the annual Sloth migration and during an escape from a pair of angry rhino's bumps into Manfred the Mammoth. These two discover a lost baby and Sid has the brave notion to return him to his tribe. The savage Diego, who with his pack attacked the tribe must now find the baby, encounters Sid and Manfred and thus the start of a beautiful friendship begins, well not at the beginning anyway, but as you can guess they grow on each other.

There are plenty of action filled moments to keep the kids entertained and amused through-out the movie. One of the most interesting moments is when the 3 characters are trekking through a huge cove where there are frozen relics, which are comical, my son never got the point, but he was 3 when he first watched the movie. The Dodo scene was funny and emphasized the phrase, "Dumb as a dodo".

I personally could not associate the voices to the characters, like i could with Goodman and Crystal in Monsters Inc last year. Having said that, it was fun to watch and fairly enjoyable. I felt the movie did not make a huge impact, probably due to the lack of advertising compared to Monsters Inc, but then i suspect there were huge budget differences.

Labels: ray ramano

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Monsters Inc

Saturday, 22 December 2001 ‡ 16:33

One of the most eagerly awaited films from Pixar. I read about the making of this film some time before general release and i was expecting this animation to be quite something.

Again, as usual, great animation, great characters and brilliant casting. During the movie, I could visualise John Goodman^? and Billy Crystal^? actually standing together, proportionate to the animated characters they voice.

I am a huge fan of Billy Crystal and his unique style and humour was obvious in his character and typical John Goodman, well that too was fairly obvious in Sulley. Which is why i found Mike Wazowski a lot more interesting. This was the only support Goodman's character had in the film, plus it was the only source of adult humour, (not that it was needed or should have been required at all, since this was a kids movie), in fact most of the one liners and comical injunctures arrived from the one eyed green blob.

This is defintely aimed purely at the kids, with the 'monsters in the cupboard' story taken far beyond my imagination. Great story about how there is a monster world^? beyond the cupboard, monsters having to collect screams from children and i loved the method of jumping from room to room via doors hanging on frames. Another fun filled movie for kids (and parents!).

Labels: billy crystal, john goodman

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Shrek

Sunday, 30 September 2001 ‡ 16:34

Fun animation comedy for all ages, in my opinion. Nice spin on beauty and the beast and other children's fairy tale stories, with the addition of silly humour and witty remarks.

CG is excellent and somehow the voices just suit the characters. I couldn't have imagined the actors together with the characters they have played.

Shrek^? is an ogre who lives in the woods, happy to be alone as long as nobody bothers him. His home is invaded by fairy tale creatures after he befriends an annoying talking Donkey^?.

In a quest to remove the creatures from his swamp, Donkey and Shrek manage to accept a challenge to rescue Princess Fiona^? for Lord Farquaad^?.

Eddie Murphy so suits the Donkey character, non stop talking, annoying and a nuisance. I was half expecting Donkey to use the word 'f#ck' in his sentances. John Lithgow is an excellent actor and i have seen a great many of his films and comedy's. He does truly perform his character well and was it SKG's intention to have a 6´4" actor portray a very short Lord Farquaad.

Cameron Diaz is very attractive and i suppose is not out of place as a Princess, though i can not think of anyone else who could have portrayed Princess Fiona, but Cameron does not immediately spring to mind.

With Shrek 2 due in 2004, with the main actors remaining with the film, i am sure it can be as good as Shrek 1.

Labels: cameron diaz, eddie murphy, john lithgow, mike myers

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Fight Club

Saturday, 18 November 2000 ‡ 16:21

It is easy to feel for The Narrator (Ed Norton) in this film, who is going through life and the Ikea catalogue without blinking. The Narrator first meets Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter) at a Testicular Cancer victims support group, which is strange in itself since Marla being of the type women, could not possibly suffer from testicular cancer!. The Narrator impersonates a victim of different support groups to allow him to achieve some emotional release, in turn overcoming his insomnia.

On a business trip the narrator meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a soap salesman. This chance meeting is the reason why the Narrator turns to Tyler for help when his own apartment explodes on his return from said business trip. The two meet for a drink in a bar, which ends up in a flight. The fight is not a dispute between the two, but a request by Tyler to be smacked in the face by the wimpy Narrator, in return for Tyler's help to let him stay with him. This becomes a routine and soon the pair have established a huge 'cult' like following.

This film really does take you on a journey, with great detail. Everyone is aware there is a twist in the film and you will be guessing and looking for clues to try and predict it, but when the end comes, it is a massive shock and you can finally put all the pieces together.

Labels: brad pitt, ed norton, helena bonham carter

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