Review of film: “THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX” -- A Mouse shows the Power of No-COWER

Review of film:    “THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX” --  A Mouse shows the Power of No-COWER  =    

                                   [ Rating:  8 of 10 stars ]

Date Rated: Dec 24, 2008 | Rel. Date: Dec 19, 2008

This is the animated story of an unusual little mouse with super big ears named Despereaux (voiced by MATTHEW BRODERICK)...

...  The other mice see him as somewhat odd because, rather than “cower” about things as they’ve been taught to do, he instead has an outgoing, fearless and brave attitude towards the world around him...

...  Rat Roscuro (voiced by DUSTIN HOFFMAN) plays a discontented and role-shifting character as the cause of sadness in the kingdom, and servant girl Miggery Sow (voiced by TRACEY ULLMAN) lives an equally unhappy role in the palace...

...  The human characters have the angularity and "bulbousness" of Dreamworks-type animation, while the animals have a wonderful, sophisticated sense of movement and character...

...  While I found the story somewhat convoluted and weak in parts (& possibly scary to some very young kids), there’s an infectious enthusiasm of all involved, and thus you’ll be likely to enjoy seeing why the tag line “Small Hero. Big Heart.” is very appropriate.

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Review of film: “BOLT -- IN DISNEY DIGITAL 3D” -- It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane -- No, it’s a Super DOG!

Review of film:    “BOLT -- IN DISNEY DIGITAL 3D”  --  It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane --  No, it’s a Super DOG! =    

                             [ Rating:  8 of 10 stars ]

Date Rated: Dec 21, 2008 | Rel. Date: Nov 21, 2008

This animated Disney film is the story of a dog named BOLT starring in a TV series. He (as voiced by JOHN TRAVOLTA) doesn’t realize that the “super powers” he has on the show are all FAKED & don’t exist...

...  That comes into play when he’s separated from the girl Penny (voiced by MILEY CYRUS) who’s his owner on the TV show & he tries to get back to her. Since he doesn’t really have the super powers he expects, he needs to be helped by various animal companions including:

...  Pigeons, a cat named Mittens (voiced by SUSIE ESSMAN) who knows he’s just an average dog, and a hamster Rhino (voiced by MARK WALTON) who still thinks his sci-fi TV persona is real...

...  There are numerous clever adventures as the group fights baddies and a threatening accident to reunite Bolt with Penny...

...  I found the Digital 3-D version to be frequently FUNNY & CHARMING, well acted and constructed, and an enjoyable time spent (as was the Pixar short preceding it featuring a tow truck from the “CARS” film having a race in Tokyo).

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Review of film: “ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO” – SUBTLETY was NOT an Option!

Review of film:    “ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO”  – SUBTLETY was NOT an Option! = 

                                        [ Rating:  8 of 10 stars ]

Date Rated: Oct 29, 2008 | Rel. Date: Oct 31, 2008

(Based on an advance preview:)  Crude. Racy. Dirty. Raunchy. Shocking. FUNNY! That pretty much describes the latest effort of director Kevin Smith (of "CLERKS" fame)...

... This is the story of the 'typical' everyday lives of 2 coffee house employees (SETH ROGEN & ELIZABETH BANKS) who have a problem coming up with enough money to pay the bills for their platonically-shared apartment...

...  Naturally, they decide to follow Seth’s idea of making a PORNO to earn needed funds, enlist the help of a co-worker (CRAIG ROBINSON), & recruit other gung-ho actors for the video (including JASON MEWES, & TRACI LORDS)...

...  Hovering around are various other people (including BRANDON ROUTH & JUSTIN LONG who have a number of funny scenes, including at the end of the CREDITS) as the main characters surprise themselves by finding "love" in all the "WRONG" places...

...  If you’re easily shocked, this move is NOT for you! My rating is for those who don’t expect great writing, but enjoy scandalous hilarity.

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Review of film: “SEX DRIVE” -- The Urge to “MERGE” May Make You Splurge!

Review of film:   “SEX DRIVE”  --  The Urge to “MERGE” May Make You Splurge! =

                   [ Rating:  8 of 10 stars ]

Date Rated: Sep 16, 2008 | Rel. Date: Oct 17, 2008 =

[Based on an advance preview:]  Ian (JOSH ZUCKERMAN) is about to graduate high school. As a reluctant virgin, he desperately wants to change that status by traveling cross-country to met a sexy-sounding girl he met on-line...


...  He’s joined by two friends, secretly-attracted-to-him Felicia (AMANDA CREW) and nerdy-looking but socially-charming Lance (CLARK DUKE). On the way to Ian’s hoped-for "coming-of-age" [episode], they’re chased by Ian’s angry brother (JAMES MARSDEN), and they get caught up in various unwise and law-breaking activities...


...  Typical of this summer’s R-rated comedies, this has a bunch of raunchy episodes in the midst of its ridiculousness. But, unlike many of those films, this one has some real CLEVERNESS, such as in the form of a guilt-trip-inducing Amish guy (well played by SETH GREEN)...


...  There’s a bunch of really FUNNY situations and lines in this surprisingly well-done, carefree comedy, & that’s why I rated it as I have.

Review of film: “THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR” -- Daddy & Mommy fight the MUMMIES again!

Review of film:  “THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR”  --   Daddy & Mommy fight the MUMMIES again! =   

                                       [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Aug 6, 2008 | Rel. Date: Aug 1, 2008 =

BRENDAN FRASER has had a good (& profitable) time fighting MUMMIES (in 1999 & 2001). He’s back at it again (with his wife played by MARIA BELLO & his son by LUKE FORD) in this 3rd installment, based on artifacts found in the tomb of a powerful Chinese emperor (played by JET LI)...


...  MICHELLE YEOH plays an immortal who (assisted by her daughter) works with our heroes to try to stop the resurrected Emperor from gaining his full powers...


...  The plot is somewhat thin overall, and yes, there’s a lot that’s fairly silly & unbelievable— but, this is about mummies after all, & the sets & SPECIAL EFFECTS and action scenes are often TERRIFIC, making the film a quite enjoyable popcorn-infused experience for me.

Review of film: “AMERICAN TEEN” (documentary) = The Truth Shall Set You REMINISCING

Review of film:   “AMERICAN TEEN”  (documentary) = The Truth Shall Set You REMINISCING = 

 

                      [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Jul 23, 2008 | Rel. Date: Jul 25, 2008 =

This won a Best Director award at the Sundance Festival for Nanette Burstein. She's been able to get very open and natural performances from a bunch of graduating High School seniors in a small Indiana town: 


...  Basketball jocks COLIN CLEMENS (who needs a scholarship to college) and easy-going MITCH REINHOLT; well-to-do MEGAN KRIZMANICH (who was called “the bitch!” by a lady to my right) & her friends GEOFF HAASE and ALI WIKALINSKA... 


...  Also, nerdy video-game-loving band-member JAKE TUSING; and rebellious HANNAH BAILEY who hopes to be a film-maker...


...  Some of the thoughts expressed by the people are periodically shocking in their bluntness (and lack of social grace), but it adds to the realism of the story-telling of their often-painful growing pangs...


...  While the film is sometimes limited in giving a “full” view to their lives, there are a lot of fascinating insights into the relationships with their families & friends... 


...  I found the film well-done, & liked the story “post-scripts" during the end credits.

Review of film: “HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY” -- Enlist in the FUN of IMPERFECT Heroes

Review of film:   “HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY”  --  Enlist in the FUN of IMPERFECT Heroes =   

                                    [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Jul 22, 2008 | Rel. Date: Jul 11, 2008 =

Director Guillermo del Toro has continued his mastery of fantastical characters shown in his “PAN’S LABYRINTH” & sort of combined them with creatures somewhat akin to the “rough” side of “STAR WARS” and an iconic song from Barry Manilow to assemble this clever and enjoyable entry in the world of Super Heroes (& Villains)..


...  RON PERLMAN reprises his role as a Paranormal agent, assisted by DOUG JONES and SELMA BLAIR. They work to stop the re-assembling of the Golden Army by enlisting the help of turn-dress Princess Nuala (ANNA WALTON) to fight the evil doings of her twin brother Prince Nuada (LUKE GOSS)...


...  Besides some very good action and special effects, there are loads of send-ups and tongue-in-cheek humor to expand the enjoyment of this “Saving Humanity the Hard Way”... 


...  While it’s not great, I’m recommending the film because it’s a lot of well-done FUN.

Review of film: “TROPIC THUNDER” -- LIGHTNING may strike with a (general) Roar of Approval

Review of film:  “TROPIC THUNDER”  --    LIGHTNING may strike with a (general) Roar of Approval = 

                      [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Jul 15, 2008 | Rel. Date: Aug 13, 2008 =

One of the main characters in this BEN STILLER comedy (about making a new Vietnam War “film”) says, “The insecurity of you guys is ridiculous!” That pretty well DESCRIBES them...


...  The movie starts out with some very funny fake “trailers” for previous films of the supposed stars (JACK BLACK, etc.). It’s a good intro to the often-inept & self-absorbed people who are starring in the frequently-misguided film-making project...


...  ROBERT DOWNEY JR. insists on pretending to be a BLACK man (which is sporadically funny-- when you can understand his periodically-indistinct words). The actors get accidentally caught up in fighting some REAL-life “bad guys” (tho they don’t realize that until near the end of the reel)...


...  This is a RAUNCHY comedy, with language not suited for kids-- &, “Holy ‘Magnolia’!”, some of the best work is done by TOM CRUISE letting it all “hang out” as the boss of a movie studio...


...  The humor is more slapstick than well-written or clever, but, overall, it’s an enjoyable diversion.

Review of film: “THE LAST MISTRESS” -- the story of a womanizer in 1835 as it might’ve been reported on TMZ

Review of film:  “THE LAST MISTRESS”  --  the story of a womanizer in 1835 as it might’ve been reported on TMZ  =

                

        [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Jul 11, 2008 | Rel. Date: Jul 4, 2008 = 

While the times were different (set in the mid 1800’s), the openness of the story might remind you of today’s paparazzi-based TV shows. Ryno de Marigny (FU’AD AIT AATTOU) is a womanizer, a gambler, and a usually-penniless compatriot of numerous rich people in France...


...  He endures a long-term obsession with a Spanish mistress named Vellini (played with fiery intensity by ASIA ARGENTO). While the film has been described as “scandalous & explicit” about sex, it’s French-- so it probably doesn’t seem that way to them (just to people like periodically-Puritanical Americans)!...


...  The talk and action is indeed unpredictably frank and generally not what you might expect. Aattou is dandy playing a dandy, Argento is fascinating even when unlikeable, observers are frequently pompous, and it’s enjoyable seeing a film so different from mainstream American dramas...


...  But, don’t go expecting typical “happy ending” type conclusions to the various relationships!  Recommended for open-minded filmgoers.

Review of film: “GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON” --

Review of film:   “GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON” -- 

                           

        “GONZO” – the life and times of a REBEL  =   

                  [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Jul 11, 2008 | Rel. Date: Jul 4, 2008

This is a periodically in-depth documentary look at the life and times of influential hippy-ish writer Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, with a lot of items read by JOHNNY DEPP (who also appears in scenes from the movie made of Thompson’s book “Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas”)...


...  There are a lot of interviews and comments by Thompson himself, along with those of friends (such as Rolling Stone publisher JANN WENNER and his co-workers), family members (his 2 ex-wives and his son), etc...


...  There are some fascinating tidbits -- his thoughts on the open use of various drugs, his hate of politicians such as Richard Nixon & Hubert Humphrey, his influential promotion of the candidacies of people like George McGovern, & so on...


...  As Wenner comments on the disappointing end to Thompson’s life, he had a lot more he could have “given” (seemingly referring to possible weight he could’ve provided to coverage on the missteps of Emperor George the Inept)...


...  Overall, I found the film often interesting, tho nothing great.

Review of film: “SPEED RACER” -- WHEEL Good!

Review of film:   “SPEED RACER”  --  WHEEL Good! 

                    [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: May 9, 2008 | Rel. Date: May 9, 2008 =

[From an advance screening:]  This is basically an extended live-action CARTOON (reprising elements of the animated TV series from the late ’60’s). EMILE HIRSCH plays the sometimes-conflicted grown-up version of Mr. Speed Racer, who has to fight inner and outer demons in deciding how to handle offers to compete for rich racing moguls. JOHN GOODMAN and SUSAN SARANDON play his parents, and MATTHEW FOX plays his mentor “Racer X”…

…  For the audience I was with (including a lot of kids), most of the laughs in the film came from actions by a pet chimpanzee. The film (by the Wachowski Brothers) is expectedly superficial, with a story-line that’s elemental-- but, it boasts a riot of colorful and impressive CGI effects to go along with set designs done in appropriate cartoon-like exaggerated color.

…  It’s not a great film by any means-- but, it’s FUN in a lighthearted, action-filled way (cleverly calculated to encourage a hoped-for series of Sequels).  I enjoyed it, & you probably will too [despite the fact it got very BAD reviews from most other reviewers after I wrote what I thought].

Review of film: “THE PROMOTION” -- It’s Hard Out Here For An Assistant Manager =

Review of film:   “THE PROMOTION”  -- It’s Hard Out Here For An Assistant Manager = 

                       [ RATING:  8 of 10 stars ] 

Date Rated: Apr 23, 2008 | Rel. Date: Jun 6, 2008 =

[Based on an advance preview:]  One-upsmanship, backstabbing. It sounds like the latest ELECTION… But, in this case, it’s the story of competition for a promotion from being an Assistant Manager to a full Manager at a soon-to-open store of a local grocery chain (which actually does involve "politics" of a certain type)…

…  Writer / director Steve Conrad has crafted a clever and enjoyable commentary on the difficulty of getting really ahead in today’s America. There are quite good, understated (rather than overblown) performances by SEANN WILLIAM SCOTT & JOHN C. REILLY as the dueling A-M’s who are periodically seduced by the “dark side” to try and beat the other and win the higher pay…

…  The side characters (including JENNA FISCHER, GIL BELLOWS and JASON BATEMAN) add flavor to the mix. The audience laughed regularly and enjoyed the vagaries of the competition and the difficulties faced in the Aisles of Right and Wrong… 

[…  SEANN was at the screening in person, & was very “easy-going” & “free-wheeling” in the Q&A with the audience after the film… ]