I loved this movie. Sure it was a winter vacation, star studded, money grab, but it had soul.
The characters were great. I particularly liked how complicated the theater owner was. Bug really took to Meena the Elephant.
The message was upbeat and the plot, while predictable, moved along nicely. The humor was flexible enough to entertain young and old.
The music was pretty great as a bonus.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, December 30, 2016
Rouge One
As the first stand alone Star Wars movie, and a prequel of sorts, Rouge One had a heavy burden. It was also saddled with persistent rumors of trouble and large scale reshooting.
It did always have one thing going for: Gareth Edwards. I have been a big fan of his previous outings and knew he could put together a good film.
Rouge One proved once again that he is a director with a bright future.
While not a great film, it was a very good film. It's plot drove the movie forward at a good pace and the action scenes were everything one would hope for in a Star Wars movie.
Its greatest strength, the plot, was also its greatness weakness. Because the plot moved so quickly, there was very little time for character development. It wasn't that the characters were overly thin, unsympathetic, or unbelievable. They just left you wanting a bit more back story. In some ways, it is the exact opposite of the Skywalker Star Wars movies where there is almost too much back story for fairly uninteresting characters.
The film also felt like it was in a duel with itself at times. I could feel the darker version trying to break through the Disney sheen. I will be very interested to see if Rouge One ever gets a directors cut. I think Edwards original vision was a few shades darker and less morally clear.
Anyway, it was enjoyable in the form that was released to the theaters. It was a fun ride with good characters. It also adds some depth to the rebellion.
It did always have one thing going for: Gareth Edwards. I have been a big fan of his previous outings and knew he could put together a good film.
Rouge One proved once again that he is a director with a bright future.
While not a great film, it was a very good film. It's plot drove the movie forward at a good pace and the action scenes were everything one would hope for in a Star Wars movie.
Its greatest strength, the plot, was also its greatness weakness. Because the plot moved so quickly, there was very little time for character development. It wasn't that the characters were overly thin, unsympathetic, or unbelievable. They just left you wanting a bit more back story. In some ways, it is the exact opposite of the Skywalker Star Wars movies where there is almost too much back story for fairly uninteresting characters.
The film also felt like it was in a duel with itself at times. I could feel the darker version trying to break through the Disney sheen. I will be very interested to see if Rouge One ever gets a directors cut. I think Edwards original vision was a few shades darker and less morally clear.
Anyway, it was enjoyable in the form that was released to the theaters. It was a fun ride with good characters. It also adds some depth to the rebellion.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Civil War
The Marvel Movie machine can be counted on for good movies. Some are better than others, but that is true of the comics as well. I always liked Iron Man more than I liked Thor. One comic I never got into too much was Captain America; he always seemed too good. It was the same issue I had with Superman, Spider-Man, etc. I was always more of a Wolverine/Batman fan.
Despite my meh attitude to the Captain America comic book character, I find that Marvel's best movies are the Captain America ones. Steve Rodgers is still to good, but in his current movie version that is what makes him compelling. He is an uncompromising Boy Scout, but instead of making him bland, it makes him more complex. He knows he is a man out of time, and some times out of step with the morality of the now, but he is willing to take it to the mat for good old fashion loyalty and the belief in the basic goodness of individuals.
In each of the three solo Captain America movies, we see Rodgers fighting against a corrupt, or at least, poorly working system and proving that one man can make a difference. He is truth to power.
In Winter Soldier we saw how systems can be corrupted. In Civil War we see Rodger's resistance to allowing that to happen again. The question is never as simple as "should enhanced soldiers answer to a centralized power". Of course they need to be accountable; the question is can a centralized power be trusted to do the right thing. It is a question that should haunt the halls of power in any free democracy. It is the founding principle of America's bizarre tri-power structure. Organizations can be corrupted or ineffective.
Anyway, This was by far the best of the Marvel movies that I have seen. It has all of the big, smashing fights, but also provides the audience something to think about.
Despite my meh attitude to the Captain America comic book character, I find that Marvel's best movies are the Captain America ones. Steve Rodgers is still to good, but in his current movie version that is what makes him compelling. He is an uncompromising Boy Scout, but instead of making him bland, it makes him more complex. He knows he is a man out of time, and some times out of step with the morality of the now, but he is willing to take it to the mat for good old fashion loyalty and the belief in the basic goodness of individuals.
In each of the three solo Captain America movies, we see Rodgers fighting against a corrupt, or at least, poorly working system and proving that one man can make a difference. He is truth to power.
In Winter Soldier we saw how systems can be corrupted. In Civil War we see Rodger's resistance to allowing that to happen again. The question is never as simple as "should enhanced soldiers answer to a centralized power". Of course they need to be accountable; the question is can a centralized power be trusted to do the right thing. It is a question that should haunt the halls of power in any free democracy. It is the founding principle of America's bizarre tri-power structure. Organizations can be corrupted or ineffective.
Anyway, This was by far the best of the Marvel movies that I have seen. It has all of the big, smashing fights, but also provides the audience something to think about.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Dark Knight Returns
I am very late on catching up on the Nolan Batman series. I finally got the DVD out of the library and watched The Dark Knight Returns.
It was a fine finish to a fine series of movies that proved comic book characters can make for serious films and still be fun. It is a little ironic that Nolan paved the way for the success of the Marvel Universe using one of DC's Crown Jewels and DC hasn't been able to recreate the magic.
The film is not perfect. I think they took the decrepit Bruce Wayne thing a little too far in the beginning and I think the Wayne's recovery in the pit was a little too fast for belief. I cannot see Bane as leading an army of devoted followers.
Beyond that it was pretty great. The acting was good overall. I could feel the depth of conflict Commissioner Gordon was suffering. I never saw the twist about who was pulling Bane's strings coming. I even thought the chemistry between Batman and Catwoman was good.
The movie, as the one before it, also showed some ambition towards social commentary. It showed the worst and best of humanity and how sometimes they can co-exist in the same people.
At the end of the movie, I was saddened that DC has decided to go a different way with the future Batman movies. The last appearance of the Bat was sad and I have little hope that Justice League will be much better. Here's to hoping Ben can bring a good solo Bat to the screen before the decade runs out.
It was a fine finish to a fine series of movies that proved comic book characters can make for serious films and still be fun. It is a little ironic that Nolan paved the way for the success of the Marvel Universe using one of DC's Crown Jewels and DC hasn't been able to recreate the magic.
The film is not perfect. I think they took the decrepit Bruce Wayne thing a little too far in the beginning and I think the Wayne's recovery in the pit was a little too fast for belief. I cannot see Bane as leading an army of devoted followers.
Beyond that it was pretty great. The acting was good overall. I could feel the depth of conflict Commissioner Gordon was suffering. I never saw the twist about who was pulling Bane's strings coming. I even thought the chemistry between Batman and Catwoman was good.
The movie, as the one before it, also showed some ambition towards social commentary. It showed the worst and best of humanity and how sometimes they can co-exist in the same people.
At the end of the movie, I was saddened that DC has decided to go a different way with the future Batman movies. The last appearance of the Bat was sad and I have little hope that Justice League will be much better. Here's to hoping Ben can bring a good solo Bat to the screen before the decade runs out.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
The Secret Life of Pets
To escape the heat we saw The Secret Life of Pets. It gets good reviews and other people we know really enjoyed it, but the trailer never impressed me. It looked like another perfectly OK kids movie that would be on Netflix in a few months.
I wasn't wrong. It was perfectly OK and that is about it. The movie, which is a rarity these days, does have more going on than the trailer implies. That was a nice surprise.
The funniest part was the minions short before the movie.
Anyway, Bug gave it a thumbs up and thought the crazy bunny was her favorite character.
I wasn't wrong. It was perfectly OK and that is about it. The movie, which is a rarity these days, does have more going on than the trailer implies. That was a nice surprise.
The funniest part was the minions short before the movie.
Anyway, Bug gave it a thumbs up and thought the crazy bunny was her favorite character.
Friday, July 22, 2016
The Digital Lorax
For movies night we chose the new version of The Lorax.
I like the book and the original movie version. I don't love them. They are a little preachy for my tastes, but they are still good Suesian fun,
I don't dislike the new version. On its own, it is a fun, well executed kids movie. It is still preachy, but the core message of protecting nature is good.
When considered as a remake, or reimagining, of the original, the new version is a mess.
First off, it does not move the story forward in any meaningful way. The new animation is good, but so what. The reframing of the story actually detracts from the core message.
Second, the reframing of the story is terrible, The hero becomes a slacker kid who saves the trees for a girl? The Lorax forgives the Onceler for doing nothing for a long time and then giving the seed to a slacker, love sick kid? Seriously? Why doesn't the Onceler come down from his tower and atone by planting the tree? Why not make the girl, who actually cares about the trees, the hero of the story?
My opinion is that if you want to see The Lorax, see the original. The remake is fine, but nothing special,
I like the book and the original movie version. I don't love them. They are a little preachy for my tastes, but they are still good Suesian fun,
I don't dislike the new version. On its own, it is a fun, well executed kids movie. It is still preachy, but the core message of protecting nature is good.
When considered as a remake, or reimagining, of the original, the new version is a mess.
First off, it does not move the story forward in any meaningful way. The new animation is good, but so what. The reframing of the story actually detracts from the core message.
Second, the reframing of the story is terrible, The hero becomes a slacker kid who saves the trees for a girl? The Lorax forgives the Onceler for doing nothing for a long time and then giving the seed to a slacker, love sick kid? Seriously? Why doesn't the Onceler come down from his tower and atone by planting the tree? Why not make the girl, who actually cares about the trees, the hero of the story?
My opinion is that if you want to see The Lorax, see the original. The remake is fine, but nothing special,
Sunday, June 19, 2016
The Knights of Badassdom
I was looking to winnow down my Netflix queue a little and had the TV to myself for long enough to watch one movie. My allergies had my head clogged up and a river of liquid snot running down my face, so I wasn't up for anything that required a lot of thought. The Knights of Badassdom seemed like it would be perfect. I thought I had heard somewhere that it was a cult classic and it had Summer Glau in it. It had to be a decent, if mindless, horror comedy.....
Let's just say that it should be called the Knights of Bad. It wasn't the worst movie I have ever seen. It was even OK enough for me to semi-pay attention to for its entire running length, which was on the short side. It was just bad and uninspired and predictable and not funny. Mostly, it was just not funny. If there was a trace of successful humor, The Knights of Badassdom would have been cult classic material. Instead it is just blah.
Let's just say that it should be called the Knights of Bad. It wasn't the worst movie I have ever seen. It was even OK enough for me to semi-pay attention to for its entire running length, which was on the short side. It was just bad and uninspired and predictable and not funny. Mostly, it was just not funny. If there was a trace of successful humor, The Knights of Badassdom would have been cult classic material. Instead it is just blah.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Akeelah and the Bee
The Friday night movie this past week was Akeelah and the Bee. Bug is still on her "non-fiction" kick and is also getting into competition shows like Chopped and Cup Cake Wars. Akeelah and the Bee was right up her alley.
Overall, it was a good movie. It was a mostly predictable feel good movie where the underdog wins in the end. It does have good messages sprinkled through out. It stresses believing in yourself, working hard, dreaming big, accepting differences, and always doing your best job. Even the "bad" guy turns out to be not so bad.
There were moments in the film that overwhelmed Bug. She didn't like it when people made fun of Akeelah or some of the more tense competition. She did watch the whole film and seemed to enjoy it. She gave it a thumbs flat which is an OK.
Overall, it was a good movie. It was a mostly predictable feel good movie where the underdog wins in the end. It does have good messages sprinkled through out. It stresses believing in yourself, working hard, dreaming big, accepting differences, and always doing your best job. Even the "bad" guy turns out to be not so bad.
There were moments in the film that overwhelmed Bug. She didn't like it when people made fun of Akeelah or some of the more tense competition. She did watch the whole film and seemed to enjoy it. She gave it a thumbs flat which is an OK.
Friday, May 27, 2016
My Neighbor Totoro
Bug has surprisingly eclectic tastes. For movie night, she asked for a non-fiction movie. For movie night, I pick up three DVDs at the library and we choose as a group. Since there was a request for non-fiction, I got March of the Penguins. For the other two choices I selected Snow White and My Neighbor Totoro. I thought that Totoro looked interesting, but was going to be a passed over in favor of penguins. I was pretty sure the Bug wouldn't pick it as her choice, and was pretty sure that H would vote for anything else.When presented with the choices, Bug choose Totoro. H decided to abstain. I was shocked and pleased. It was my first choice.My Neighbor Totoro is a Japanese animated movie by Hayao Miyazaki. Miyazaki is a genius whose other films include Castle in the Sky and Spirited Away. His films differ from typical American animated films in much the same way the European films differ from American films. They are not as in your face or fast paced. They take their time to develop and the animation is muted while still epic. I thought that this would be a problem or Bug, who is used to American entertainment. I was happy to be proven wrong.
When the weird shit does happen, it is beautiful and touching.The girls need a friend and the world provides.
I think it was a great film.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Zootopia
Bug and I saw Zootopia at the Lexington Venue. It was so small that we sat in hot front row and didn't have to look up. It was quaint in a way that a modern megaplex with powered reclining seats and the latest sound system will never replicate. The theater didn't change my view of the film in anyway. It was just a nice place to see a film.
Zootopia itself was nice. As with all Pixar films, the animation and voice acting were top notch. Pixar doesn't do bad production quality. That does not mean their movies are always great; Pixar did make all of the Cars movies.....
Zootopia is not Cars. It is one of their truly great movies. The story was fun and fast paced, but covered a lot of moral ground. It is a caper that manages to provide serious commentary on bigotry, race relations, police profiling, and other social ills. It is seriously funny for both adults and children. It does not play down to the kids, but it does make some jokes that only an adult would get.
Bug thought Zootopia was engaging and funny as well. She and I both liked it better than Inside Out. Bug did not, however, find it better than Frozen or Tangled.
Zootopia, while great, is not as great as the classics like Toy Story, Up, or Wall-e. It lacked some of the emotional depth of the those films. It also feels a little too wedded to current events. It will be interesting to see how it ages.
What Zootopia lacks in emotional depth it makes up for in social commentary. It is a worthy trade off for an early summer movie.
Zootopia itself was nice. As with all Pixar films, the animation and voice acting were top notch. Pixar doesn't do bad production quality. That does not mean their movies are always great; Pixar did make all of the Cars movies.....
Zootopia is not Cars. It is one of their truly great movies. The story was fun and fast paced, but covered a lot of moral ground. It is a caper that manages to provide serious commentary on bigotry, race relations, police profiling, and other social ills. It is seriously funny for both adults and children. It does not play down to the kids, but it does make some jokes that only an adult would get.
Bug thought Zootopia was engaging and funny as well. She and I both liked it better than Inside Out. Bug did not, however, find it better than Frozen or Tangled.
Zootopia, while great, is not as great as the classics like Toy Story, Up, or Wall-e. It lacked some of the emotional depth of the those films. It also feels a little too wedded to current events. It will be interesting to see how it ages.
What Zootopia lacks in emotional depth it makes up for in social commentary. It is a worthy trade off for an early summer movie.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Maleficent
I know this movie sort of ruins Sleeping Beauty for some. I, on the other hand, thought it makes the story much better. "Evil witch curses girl; girl is saved by handsome prince" is a lame story compared to what the new movie presents.
Making Maleficent more complex and giving her a good reason for her wicked act provides space for the original films lessons about being good hearted and that love conquers. In addition, it provides space for lessons about honor, rage, and forgiveness.
Angelina Jolie does a great job chewing up the scenery. She also does a good job showing the conflicting emotions in Maleficent. Her turn to darkness and willingness to see it through are not a surprise given her earlier passion and willingness to use violence to defend the Moors. Her eventual redemption also feels part and parcel of the character. Her earlier self was a lover of beauty and honor and love.
I personally liked how the movie turned all of the fairy tale tropes on their heads. The good King is a small, fearful, greedy madman. The handsome Prince is a bit dopey. The good fairies can barely help themselves.
I am a big fan of Disney's new live action reinventions of classic properties. Maleficent is more radical than the Cinderella live action film, but still in the same spirit. It gives me hope that the new Beauty and the Beast film will also be something that I would want my daughter to see.
Making Maleficent more complex and giving her a good reason for her wicked act provides space for the original films lessons about being good hearted and that love conquers. In addition, it provides space for lessons about honor, rage, and forgiveness.
Angelina Jolie does a great job chewing up the scenery. She also does a good job showing the conflicting emotions in Maleficent. Her turn to darkness and willingness to see it through are not a surprise given her earlier passion and willingness to use violence to defend the Moors. Her eventual redemption also feels part and parcel of the character. Her earlier self was a lover of beauty and honor and love.
I personally liked how the movie turned all of the fairy tale tropes on their heads. The good King is a small, fearful, greedy madman. The handsome Prince is a bit dopey. The good fairies can barely help themselves.
I am a big fan of Disney's new live action reinventions of classic properties. Maleficent is more radical than the Cinderella live action film, but still in the same spirit. It gives me hope that the new Beauty and the Beast film will also be something that I would want my daughter to see.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
I am very behind on my Marvel movie watching. It is hard to find the time between all the princess movies.
However, with all the rave reviews for Civil War, I felt obligated to at least try and catch up. At least I will have a glimmer of hope of seeing this one in the theater.....
So to catch up, I took Winter Soldier out of the library. It feels like the only required prequel to seeing Civil War. I'm sure seeing Age of Ultron would help, and I do want to see it, but it does not feel necessary.
I thought the first Captain America movie was the best Marvel movie out of its cycle. The Iron Man movies were great fun and Thor was epic, but Captain America was fun, epic, and more real. Steve Rodgers was somehow more human and likable than Tony Stark. I thought that was true in the comics as well. Stark, even when felled by drink or wracked with guilt, always seemed a little to entitled for my taste.
I think Winter Soldier continues the pattern. Steve Rodgers, even when faced with difficult moral choices, sticks to his, perhaps naive and outdated, moral code. Truth, honor, loyalty, freedom, justice: these are not just words to Rodgers; they are the bedrock of his world view.
It was interesting watch Rodgers adjust to a world that was more complicated. SHIELD is a spy organization and not an army. It keeps the world safe through subterfuge and managing the truth. That is not Rodger's way even if he sometimes understands that it is necessary. He do what needs to be done, but not blindly follow orders. How does that fit into an organization that does not always provide clear information to its soldiers?
Rodgers is the type of hero that will fight his best friend, if he has to, but will also fight to help that friend.
So, thumbs up.
However, with all the rave reviews for Civil War, I felt obligated to at least try and catch up. At least I will have a glimmer of hope of seeing this one in the theater.....
So to catch up, I took Winter Soldier out of the library. It feels like the only required prequel to seeing Civil War. I'm sure seeing Age of Ultron would help, and I do want to see it, but it does not feel necessary.
I thought the first Captain America movie was the best Marvel movie out of its cycle. The Iron Man movies were great fun and Thor was epic, but Captain America was fun, epic, and more real. Steve Rodgers was somehow more human and likable than Tony Stark. I thought that was true in the comics as well. Stark, even when felled by drink or wracked with guilt, always seemed a little to entitled for my taste.
I think Winter Soldier continues the pattern. Steve Rodgers, even when faced with difficult moral choices, sticks to his, perhaps naive and outdated, moral code. Truth, honor, loyalty, freedom, justice: these are not just words to Rodgers; they are the bedrock of his world view.
It was interesting watch Rodgers adjust to a world that was more complicated. SHIELD is a spy organization and not an army. It keeps the world safe through subterfuge and managing the truth. That is not Rodger's way even if he sometimes understands that it is necessary. He do what needs to be done, but not blindly follow orders. How does that fit into an organization that does not always provide clear information to its soldiers?
Rodgers is the type of hero that will fight his best friend, if he has to, but will also fight to help that friend.
So, thumbs up.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins is a crazy anime series being distributed by Netflix. I stumbled into it while suffering from Dardevil withdrawal and waiting for Jessica Jones.
It is supposedly a very popular manga series and in Japan there is already a second season aired. Many people consider it good. I'm on the fence about saying it is good.
I think it is interesting enough to keep watching. The plot is pretty standard: princess seeks out supposed outlaws to save the kingdom from overly sanctimonious men. The characters are also pretty stock. The good man with a dark and dangerous secret. The pure girl who doesn't know her own strength.
What makes it weird is that it is very sexualized. There are a lot of dirty jokes and borderline R rated material. It is not a kids cartoon.
While I didn't find the Seven Deadly Sins a must watch, I will likely watch the second series if it is on Netflix and I am in between good shows.
It is supposedly a very popular manga series and in Japan there is already a second season aired. Many people consider it good. I'm on the fence about saying it is good.
I think it is interesting enough to keep watching. The plot is pretty standard: princess seeks out supposed outlaws to save the kingdom from overly sanctimonious men. The characters are also pretty stock. The good man with a dark and dangerous secret. The pure girl who doesn't know her own strength.
What makes it weird is that it is very sexualized. There are a lot of dirty jokes and borderline R rated material. It is not a kids cartoon.
While I didn't find the Seven Deadly Sins a must watch, I will likely watch the second series if it is on Netflix and I am in between good shows.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Aldnoha Zero
I have a minor anime addiction. It also happens that anime series on Netflix happen to be packaged in under thirty minute episodes that I can sneak in without much disruption.
That is how I happened upon Aldnoa.Zero. It follows all of the standard tropes of the genre and is beautifully drawn. The action is satisfying. It ticks all of the right boxes.
What made it appealing to me was that it had the feel of the proto-anime from the late 80s and early 90s. It was dark but not hopeless. There were moments of touching emotion, humor, heroism, and ultimately redemption.
The female characters were not caricatures. They all had agency and talent and heroism. I wouldn’t mind my daughter finding any of them, except for one of the princesses, as a role model.
One other thing that I found appealing was that it ended its first season in utter darkness. Before I knew there was going to be a second season, I was truly shocked at how things ended. The fact that there was a second season and the unbelievable explanations does bring it back a notch. However, it was still a bold move.
Aldnoah.Zero is still anime and does not rise above its genre. It is, however, a finely crafted piece of work.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Two Days in New York
I am a sucker for Julie Deply and I loved the chemistry she had on Wittertainment with Chris Rock. I added Two Days in New York to my Netflix cue as soon as I could. It took a while to get around to watching it, but that is mostly because I tend to watch Netflix for my boy movie fix before my rom-com fix.
Anyway, H and I were looking for a fun rom-com to while a way a Saturday night, so we opted for Two Days in New York. Overall, the plot was predictable. Cooky family from France visits New York and makes all sorts of mischief. It could have been just a terribly ordinary film.
What makes it so good is the dialog and the level of crazy. The family is totally bonkers and turns Delpy’s character into a mad woman.
There is also a subplot about selling your soul that is an interesting side show.
The acting is great. Delpy and Rock play their characters straight and with a loving understanding of who they are in time and place.
For a run of the mill rom-com, Two Days in New York is special.
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