Posts Tagged ‘movie’
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So, I might be just a LIIIIIIIITLE zealous about the new Muppet Movie coming out this month. Just a smidge.
See, growing up I was a healthy Muppet-head. Loved them. Still love them. Sad that they fell into shambles in the past decade. But, recently, I’ve seen proof that they’re getting better. It started with the recent holiday special A Muppets Christmas: Letter to Santa which really reminded me of the classic Muppets more than anything has since, well, Jim Henson left us.
Then came the fantastic YouTube videos. Very good, very funny, and all perfectly Muppet.
Now comes the return to film. Spearheaded by fellow Muppet-head Jason Segel and staring my not-so-secret crush Amy Adams, this movie just resonates a true return to the wonderful Muppets I was scared we’d lost. I can not WAIT to see this film.
Although I will have to, since it’s going to release on Thanksgiving and I probably won’t be able to find any time to see it until that Monday.
But, whatever, it’s still Muppets!!
So, this month I’ll be posting some YouTube videos and sharing some awesome Muppet stuff with you on Mondays. Not super original, but hopefully fun. To start off with I figured we should post up the newest trailer, which really points out just how… um… foreign the Muppets might be to some people.
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Show of hands: who likes the Muppets?! Okay, good, lots of hands. Now, who likes OK GO videos? Mmhmm, yep, still a lot of hands. Awesome, awesome. Who wants to see an OK GO video WITH the Muppets?! Well, put those hands down and feast your eyes on this my friends!
That is the first single from the newest Muppets tribute, entitled The Green Album.
The Green Album features artists such as OK GO, Weezer, Hayley Williams (from Paramore), Amy Lee (from Evanescence), The Fray, Billy Martin (from Good Charolette), and a bunch of other people you may or may not recognize. The tracks are all songs that have some connection to the Muppets – whether they’re original tunes from the movies or just bits performed on the original Muppet Show. Now, I have to admit, when I think of a tribute album I’d prefer all the songs were originals from the Muppets in some way, but I’m not going to hold that against the album because I realize that when people hear a song like Mr. Bass Man they might think of Scooter and Sgt. Floyd Pepper performing it on the Muppet Show in 1976, instead of the original 1963 international smash hit written and performed by Johnny Cymbal.
Whatever, point is, all the songs in SOME WAY connect back to the Muppets. Good enough for me. Mostly.
Anyway, enough about the song choice; let’s talk about how the album sounds. In general, I found that most of the tracks fell into one of two categories: “keep it simple” or “push it into our genre.” Let’s cover the simple tracks first. Basically, I consider most of these tracks to be very similar to their original presentation, with the key changes being a more polished sound or very slight change that makes it’s style a bit more familiar to the musicians performing. OK Go’s version of the Muppet Show Theme Song is really not that different from the actual theme, just with a more OK Go sound in the arrangement. The Fray’s cover for Mahna Mahna is almost the exact same as the original – which was very disappointing to me. Amy Lee barely changed Halfway Down The Stairs and Andrew Bird did the same with Bein’ Green.
Now, I want to be very careful to point that NOT changing the songs is not necessarily bad. It IS safe, and it IS a bit dull, but it can be done well. Sometimes I want the songs to sound very different – like a remake of an old 80′s song should not sound the exact same… that’s just lame. In the case of these Muppet songs, for the most part, I was really able to enjoy the classic touch. Especially the way Weezer and Hayley Williams brought Rainbow Connection back with such a pure and simple charm that was every bit as familiar and heart-warming as the original. Plus, once again, I am amazed by the range and tone that Hayley Williams can bring with her voice. This isn’t her best song, but it’s such a unique sound from her. Really great track.
What about the other group? The songs that pushed our old familiar tunes into new and different places? To be perfectly honest there weren’t any terrible songs in this group either. Which… surprised me. Alkaline Trio took a song that was originally a bit of a campy upbeat tune and made it a bit more goofy rock and it worked – which is good because Movin’ Right Along is one of my favorite Muppet songs ever. Another one of those favorites is I’m Going To Go Back There Someday, which was guided down this interesting path of soft goth rock mixed with simple acoustic piano. Hard to describe but so very easy to enjoy. May be my favorite on the album, a great work by Rachael Yamagata. The only other song that might beat it is Wishing Song by The Airborne Toxic Event. They took this simple, slow song by Gonzo and turned it into this mellow tech rock tune that I could not stop listening to. Sure, I couldn’t understand half the lyrics – weird since I know the lyrics to Gonzo and Camilla’s version – but still very alluring and a wicked good song. (Quick fun note, the common version of that song you can find is Gonzo and Camilla but the original original was Gonzo and Madeline Kahn! She was replaced by Camilla for the soundtrack album. Wild, huh?)
What about Mr. Bass Man (or Mr. Bassman as the album lists it and I’m not sure which is actually right?) Well, it too was a good song. A charming and fun rendition that just gets caught in your head. To be fair, it’s pretty much the same song as the original… or even as the Muppet’s original… just updated a little with some simpler acoustic guitar by Sondre Lerche. And I would be completely horrid if I didn’t mention the charming spell that Matt Nathanson did with Ralph and Kermit’s song I Hope That Something Better Comes Along. Honestly, as a whole I think I liked the songs that pushed the envelope a bit better than the group that kept the same.
A bit.
Which is to say… I really liked the whole album! From start to finish it’s a great tribute with fresh and well put together performances that are fun and easy to enjoy. Even the ones that aren’t very original or maybe push a bit to hard. I would totally give it 5 out of 5 Muppets. No doubt.
One last thing. As much as I know about the Muppets and their music (and I know a lot)… there was a song on this album that I did NOT know and had NO CLUE where it came from. NO. CLUE. To make it worse… the song is brilliant and beautiful. Sadly, I can’t really compare it to the original because it came from a Christmas special later turned into a theater production called Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. Brought to life by Jim Henson but originally a book by Russell Hoban. The song is called Our World and performed by My Morning Jacket, and it is so beautiful that I’ve now made it a goal to somehow find a video of the original Christmas special it came from.
So, how about that… this album even had a new treat for an avid Muppet lover like me. Really, what a great album.
Well, this review is a little late and I’m sure that most of you that even thought about seeing it have seen it by now. And, you know what? That’s alright. It’ll make my review a lot easier cause I want to break down the progress of the film. So, while I will still try to keep this spoiler free I’m going to really break this movie down some.
So, to start off: I don’t really think this whole Avenger’s movie needed all this build up. I don’t think every member of the Avengers needed a movie. Going into Thor, I thought he probably needed it the least. (Actually, The Hulk was the one that needs a movie the least but I know better then to dream when it comes to movies.) I would still argue that, based on how the movie ends, we didn’t need a Thor movie at all. However, after seeing the movie I have to admit that Paramount and/or Marvel did succeed at making this movie matter.
You see, Thor did a great job of setting up OTHER parts of the Avengers that have nothing to do with the actual hero Thor. Establishing other characters that may or may not play vital roles in the Avengers movie.
But, whether or not a Thor movie was needed, it was made, and it’s time to take a look at that movie for what it is. Now, to clarify, I’m a fan of Norse Mythology and I’ve never really liked the way Marvel handles that mythos… but, I do like the character Thor in the Marvel Universe. Odd, I know, but regardless that’s how I felt going into the theater. A bit cranky about the myth stuff, not sure the movie even needed to be made, but excited for a little Thor loving.
Unfortunately for me, the movie pretty much starts with Thor’s mythical realm of Asgard. It goes on and on for about twenty minutes… establishing characters, background, and why Thor is on Earth. While some of the characters upset me, a few others where presented so well I have to admit that I was impressed. So, the myth stuff was a toss up.
Overall, I thought it looked great but I was actually very bored during the Asgard segment that began the movie. What I would’ve suggested to the writers instead is a bit more “in medias res” for this. I’d have rather seen us jump in during the battle that lead to Thor’s being cast out of Asgard without all the build up. Just toss us into the confrontation between Thor’s pack and the Frost Giants. Then give us some of his first few days on Earth. Later, during a scene between he and Jane Foster driving in a truck and her asking him a bunch of questions we could’ve been given the full background of Thor, his family, the Frost Giants, and the whole thing. I think the flow would’ve been a lot easier to get into, and to be honest, I would’ve been more invested in the character Thor and his struggles earlier in the film. Instead I nearly lost all interest and I didn’t feel connected to the character at all until more then halfway through the movie.
Alright, that’s all my thoughts on the plot. What about the acting? Fantastic. All win. I don’t know who Chris Hemsworth is, but from now on I’ll always call him Thor. The same way that Dwayne Johnson will always be Rock, now Chris Hemsworth will be known forever to me as Thor. He was spot on. Perfect choice. Natalie Portman was again amazing, and in the last two years (without even seeing Black Swan yet) I’ve really developed a lot of respect for her work. On a side note: the kiss between Chris and Nat was HAAAWWWTTT. Hot hot hot. You know when you bite your Hot Pocket to early and it sears every bit of flesh within your mouth? But it’s to late now so you swallow and tears well in your eyes and you nearly pass out? Well, it was that hot but without all the pain. It. Was. Hot. And it’s not creepy that I think that. Not at all.
Oh, and Loki was okay. I think that’s a very hard character to play and Tom Hiddleston didn’t do a bad job. The character is just a nightmare and I can’t fault him for being a tiny bit flat. Everyone else in the film was just okay, but really no one else mattered.
The most interesting thing for me was the director. I had NO CLUE that Kenneth Branagh was the director. No idea. Had I known, Thor would’ve been a top three anticipated movie. I am a HUGE Kenneth Branagh fan. HUGE. Admittedly, it’s his work with Shakespeare that I love so much. Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet, and Henry V are some of my favorite movies. Ever. The only reason I ever even read Shakespeare was because of Kenneth Branagh. The man is brilliant. Branagh, not Shakespeare. Oh… wait… okay, they’re both brilliant but I was referring to Branagh in this case.
That said, I wouldn’t claim Thor as one of his best works. Still, you can see his fingerprints all over this film. The chemistry between Thor and Jane Foster (despite a weak WEAK written script between the two) was made believable because of good acting and great directing. The vision of Asgard was beautiful and I know that was at least 80% Kenneth. Almost every successful joke came down to great timing, and that is created by a great director. So, it’s my opinion that a lot of the success of this movie will come down to Kenneth Branagh. And that is about the only time you’ll hear me praise a director. So enjoy it. One thing I didn’t like was the action sequences- also the director. In that respect Thor fell flat. None of the fights felt very epic and most of the larger battles were to all-over-the-place to really follow. That would be my one big director complaint.
Alright, final score time. Did Thor live up to it’s divine background, or will I slap it down like Thor was cast down from Asgard? The answer is: neither. Three Mjolnirs.
It was alright. I wasn’t as impressed as Twitter apparently was, but I didn’t hate it at all. I’d recommend it to most people. It was the middle spot on my top ten must see list and it really was just average. A good starting point for Captain America and Avengers later on, but I won’t be counting the days till its bluray release.
In the end, I still say this movie never had to be made. But… it’s not soooo bad that it was. I guess.
This last list of the week is about the movies that I just don’t know enough about to make a judgment on way or another. These are the unknowns…
4. Super 8
This isn’t a very unknown unknown. Here’s what I do know: this movie will be GREAT. Here’s the problem. What genre is it? Every time I see a trailer I get more and more confused. At first I thought it was a horror movie. Then it was a sci-fi movie. Then a family / coming of age type film, then horror again. Now I think it must be some kind of mesh but that presents it’s own problem. As badly as I want to see this movie for the sci-fi and buddy film aspect (I’m thinking a new age ET) I’m also not at all interested in seeing a horror movie. I never watch horror and monster films. Especially a monster film chasing a bunch of kids around a rural town. That just doesn’t sit well with me. So the problem is I don’t know what I’m paying twelve bucks to see… and since the line here makes all the difference I probably won’t see a movie I know is going to be great in a lot of other ways.
3. Conan the Barbarian
Um… I guess it’s about the barbarian and not the comedian? Who knows. It’s almost impossible to find anything about this movie. The teaser is just some smoke and a logo really. Title does say “the Barbarian” so that’s what I’m going with. I’ve never really heard of the guy playing Conan and that worries me a bit, and while the director has made some other movies none of them (that I know of) are any good so that makes me nervous. In the end, this is a movie I’d love to be great but I don’t have ANYTHING to make that kind of bold guess – yet.
2. X-Men: The First Class
Let me start off by saying the X-Men movies are some of the worst hero movies ever made. Not “the” worst but up there. This movie is written by the same guy that messed all those movies up, so we’re already off to a bad start. However, if you watch the trailer you’ll see that this movie is a fresh start. New actors, new timeline (it’s a prequel) and a cool concept. I’ve always like the story of Magneto and Professor X being both friends, rivals, and enemies. The final verdict for me is that I will pay to see this movie, but I’ll be ready to scream in pain the entire time. Still, if they do this movie right… well, it could be a first class film. (Ayuckyuckyuck.)
1. Green Lantern
Originally, I was going to have this movie on both my good and evil list. I thought the idea was funny, but it’s best fit is the top of the unknown list. I’ll run down the pros and cons real fast for you. Good: It’s Green Lantern, it’s got Ryan Reynolds, it’s directed by the guy that did the recent Bond movies, and its (mostly) the story of Hal Jordan. Evil: Have you seen a trailer? This looks soooooo bad. And that is what makes this the ultimate unknown movie. How can a movie with so many great components in it end up so terrible looking?! And it’s not just bad CG I’m talking about – and make no qualms about it – that suit looks stupid. I’ve never seen a picture, an article, or a video that made me think this movie had any chance of being any good. I have reserved myself to the fact that I will see this movie expecting it to be amazing and I will end up ashamed of myself down to the depths of my soul. Nothing good will come from this movie, and there’s nothing I can do to stop myself from suffering it.
So, as I wrap up my awesome lists for the summer movies there’s a few that got my interest but didn’t really fit into either of the previous categories. This first set of movies are ones that I think could be amazing, but they’re not getting or going to get much attention. Basically, for one reason or another, they’ll be dwarfed by the big-budget films and outlandish comedies that made up the other two lists. I call these three my Underdogs of Summer.
3. The Beaver
Mel Gibson plays a man in the midst of a mid life crisis and divorce who, essentially, has a breakdown and ends up finding his sanity through a puppet beaver. Alright, first things first: Mel Gibson probably shouldn’t be in a role that swings this close to home. There. Got that easy joke out of the way. So, when I read the brief summary of this movie I thought there was no way it had a chance. Then I saw the trailer and immediately changed my mind. I forget with all the drama surrounding Mel Gibson that he can act. Not just action movie act, but really act. I honestly think this movie will be great because of his work alone. However, because of all his off-screen fiascoes and the absurdity of this plot there’s not a lot of hope it will do well.
2. Everything Must Go
Nothing better then a comedian playing a serious role. I always feel bad too, because some of them can act and I know they want the chance but they rarely get it. In this movie Will Ferrell plays another man in the midst of a life changing, middle aged crisis. This is the drama theme of the year I think. In Everything Must Go, Will and all his possessions get locked out of his house. He spends the week selling everything in an impromptu lawn sale and re-evaluating his life. I was drawn to this movie early and none of the trailers have let me down. Sadly, no one else I talk to seems to have heard of the film and it’ll be out in two weeks. Not a good sign for what might be a very good movie.
1. Winnie the Pooh
Every time I’ve asked anyone what the Disney animated movie this year is I either hear Cars 2 (wrong) or crickets. And how can I blame anyone for not knowing? First, this movie is coming out in the middle of summer instead of Thanksgiving or Christmas. Unforgivable. Second, if you’ve seen the trailer and remember it you probably thought what I did at first: that looks like a straight to DVD release. But it’s NOT. It’s a theater release. It’s classic Pooh, with new stories, and that warm and fuzzy feeling just oozing out of it like honey from one of Rabbit’s honey pots! (Cause Pooh’s honeypots never have no honey in them. Silly old bear.) I’m not going to lie, I’m absolutely bias in this case cause I grew up on Pooh. The old movies like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the old “people in costumes” show Welcome to Pooh Corner, the best Saturday morning cartoon ever The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and even the book as a present one year. I loved Pooh, and it breaks my heart to know that he’s going to drift by like a lonely, little black rain cloud. So sad.
Yesterday I gave you guys a list of the ten movies I’m most excited about this summer. Today I’ll flip the coin and list off the movies I hate. Detest. Loathe. Will never, EEEEEVER go see. To give you an idea of how this scale works, number 8 is a movie I’d not pay money to see but might watch on Television if there was nothing else to do and I had two broken bones. The torture gets worse and worse until you get to the top two. Those two movies are so awful, that if I were dating someone like Mila Kunis and she said “Hey, let’s go see [insert either of those movies]” I would immediately dump her and move to Siberia. That’s how much I hate these movies. I actually spent 4 hours trying to decide which movie I hated the most. I would actually say, of all the terrible movies in the last 5 years… the two worst movies of all arrive this year.
The point is: I hate these movies.
8. Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Awwww, isn’t that cute? Jim Carrey with a bunch of wild animals learning tap dancing and becoming friends? NO. It’s not cute. It’s called STOLEN MATERIAL. Mary Poppins anyone? Yeah, and let me just add: Dick Van Dyke is a better dancer too. Actually, this whole thing is Jim stealing from himself. Might I remind you of a not-to-funny movie called Ace Ventura: Pet Detective? Oh snap! Busted!
7. Bridesmaids
There’s a reason The Hangover is a great movie. Because everyone can believe a group of guys in Vegas at a Bachelor’s Party could get into that much trouble. It’s the tall tale that every dude thinks happens but never really did. Women don’t party like that. They watch the Royal Wedding. Alright, that’s not fair, there are some crazy women out there – just look at Jersey Shore. But, honestly, does anyone anywhere care about a female version of The Hangover? No. No one does.
6. The Smurfs
I wasn’t allowed to watch Smurfs as a kid. Oh, I saw some episodes, but overall my knowledge of little blue weirdos is limited. Even so I don’t remember them looking like playdough, having an Irish accent, and generally being crass. What really sucks, is I like Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays. I want this movie to be good just for their sakes, but there’s no chance it will be. No chance at all.
5. Cars 2
This is where the list starts to get personal. Pixar makes amazing movies. Except for Cars. That movie was awful. Now they’re making a second one? When they could be making something outlandishly brilliant like Newt? They cancelled Newt? WHAT?!! I’ll KILL YOU PIXAR!! I’LL KILL YOU DEAD YOU SOULLESS MONSTERS!!!!!!!
4. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Obviously the people behind this movie don’t realize 3 things. Thing 1: what made the ORIGINAL movie Planet of the Apes work. Thing 2: James Franco is one of the most annoying actors to listen to ever. Thing 3: Reboots don’t work when they SUCK. (aka – remake of Planet of the Apes in 2001 was terrible too, why would this be better?) (It won’t be.)
3. Harry Potter Blah Blah Blah Whatever
Look, I enjoyed the books for a while. Then book seven came out and I read it and when I finished the last page I calmly stood up and THREW IT ACROSS THE ROOM. What a terrible, AWFUL, unholy slap in the face to fantasy writing that dribble was. I vomit a little in my mouth just thinking about it. Forgiveness is not an option. And as such, I refuse to further acknowledge this series in any capacity. I will not read her slop. I will not watch her movies (even if they are usually better then the books). I will not even list the actual title of this or any of her works when referencing them. Just know, I’m glad this blech is finally over.
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A pause here to remind you: the next two movies are vile and evil on a level unforseen in many, MANY years. It was all but impossible to decide which was worse. But if I were allowed to add other evil things to this list, the list would go Harry Potter, Asparagus, Megan Fox, music by Coldplay, the Denver Broncos, these two movies, and then those sticky labels on the top of brand new CDs that never peel off right or easily. So, basically, around the 15 mark on the top 100 things. Really, really high. Okay, now that the setting is made…
1.5 Transformers: The Evil Continues
Hatred. I just don’t understand why people who obviously don’t know ANYTHING about the Transformers are allowed to make horrible movies about them. When I was in the second grade, I was always playing “make believe” as Transformers – doing the chook-chook-chook sounds and jagged motions. I wrote an ‘essay’ in third grade saying that Optimus Prime was my hero. (Yes, my Dad was offended.) The bottom line is that these robot things are not the Transformers I grew up admiring. They’re stupid, immature Lego Technic toys that Michael Bay can blow up every two minutes. “Story? WHO NEEDS IT! We’ve got EXPLOSIONS!” I was literally FORCED to watch the first Transformer movie, and I cried for half an hour after I realized the irreparable damage done to my soul. I will never watch another of these bile-crusted films again.
1.5 Pirates of the Crapibbean
My own stupid hurts me sometimes. I went to see the first Pirates movie like an idiot. I paid money. I sat in the theater just as excited as everyone else. Then Johnny Depp started talking. I don’t remember everything, I just remember at some point, when Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp were sword fighting I groaned as though my gall bladder had just ruptured, stood up, walked out, and swore off the movie forever. I think I lasted about twenty minutes. My disgustment of Depp is legendary, but a lot of people don’t realize it was THIS MOVIE that made it so intense. Before this I just thought little of him. Now I think a lot of him. As in “How can I prove he’s actually a Acidic Larva Spawn of Hades here to destroy the mind of all women and children in preparation for Satan’s eventual takeover?” Because he is. Anyway, Depp is poison to my ability to watch a movie – and this Jack Sparrow character is only a catalyst to make it worse. Now they want to give him/them a whole movie? No. NO. NO NO NONOOOONONOONONONONOOOOO!!!! I’d rather bury myself alive – in a bed of cockroaches and cat vomit – then watch this movie.
Ewwww… that made me sick to write, but it was still better then watching either of those last two movies.
So, okay, you know the drill. Hit that comment button and tell me why I’m wrong. It won’t offend me. Trust me on this, I’ve heard it all. My friends all think I’m insane and stupid and have no clue what I’m talking about. I hate weird movies… but this is my list so that’s what I hate. Tomorrow, assuming you come back, I’ll point out some of the lesser-known movies as well as movies that I don’t know how to grade.
Oh, and Mila, call me. Let’s go catch a GOOD movie.
Hey, BlueCrew, it is May and while I still call it Spring some baseball fans might think it’s summer. Either way, there is no doubt that Summer Movies are about to hit. The only logical thing to do at this point is to preview the forthcoming movies in a way only I can. I and most other people who know how to count to ten. But I do it with style. (Style not always included.)
Today’s list will be the ten movies that I am looking forward to seeing the most. They are in order from ten to one, with one being the movies I salivate for every time I see the trailer. The only deciding factor is me, cause I’m the one making the list. It’s completely based on my tastes and interests, but it’s fun and it gives you guys a good idea of what odd flavors I’m into and why.
So, without further ado…
10. Zookeeper
Silly romantic comedy involving Kevin James and a bunch of the zoo animals voiced by people like Adam Sandler, Nick Nolte, Sylvester Stallone, Jon Favreau, and Judd Apatow. I’ll be honest, this movie could tank… but, since I’m the only person in the world who liked Paul Blart: Mall Cop I’m pretty sure I’ll like Zookeeper.
9. Bad Teacher
I got tired of Cameron Diaz about ten movies ago. And that’s why this movie works. She’s a jerk, she’s obnoxious, she’s the vile main character. And I love it. Add to that it’s writers both work on The Office and I’m pretty sure it’ll get some laughs. Plus, it has GIBBY from iCarly and I can’t get enough of Noah Munck. Kid’s a riot.
8. 30 Minutes or Less
I will never be able to explain the plot of this. Just, assume it’s odd and funny. My only real worry on this movie is that I really don’t like Danny McBride who plays the moronic antagonist. Still, the trailer reminds me a bit of Pineapple Express. Actually, that may not be a good thing…
7. Crazy, Stupid, Love
This movie might be brilliant. It’s an interesting mix of actors and an odd mash of humor and drama. I’m stoked about this movie. Steve Carell loves this type of mixed lines movie and most of the time he scores a win.
6. Thor
This movie looks great so far, but I’m not a huge Thor fan. I’m a bit of a Norse mythology buff and I’ve never liked how Marvel slapped that mythos around. So, I’m going in with a bit of a chip on my shoulder. That said, if they nail this movie it could be blockbuster of the year. It’s got a lot of potential. Can it catch lightning in a bottle? (HAHAHA…that’s a killer.)
5. Our Idiot Brother
This one is the dark horse of the list. Totally snuck in at the last possible moment. Paul Rudd plays an simplistic, overly-naive guy who’s life goes into disarray while he spends time in jail. Now released, he tries to put his life together while trampling the lives of his three sisters. Looks like a brilliant comedy.
4. Hangover 2
Hangover was brilliant. Then they promised a sequel early on. Then we waited. Finally it’s here. The trailer cracks me up. I’m ready for another insane weekend.
3. Cowboys & Aliens
Cowboys? AWESOME. Aliens? SWEET! Harrison Ford and James Bond team up? SOLD!!! Let’s go to the movies, let’s go to the movies!!
2. Kung Fu Panda 2
I saw the original Kung Fu Panda about 7 times in theaters. That includes many trips to the “dollar theater” but the point remains: one of my favorite movies ever. In terms of pure enjoyment it’s up there with Princess Bride. I just love it. So, I hold a LOT of hope for this sequel. While it’s one of the movies I’m most anticipating, it could also be one of the biggest letdowns ever. I hope not, but it’s that tiny fear that keeps the Furious Five from being Number One.
1. Captain America
When the Avengers movie series was announced, this was the movie I feared the most. Would they sell it short and just focus on Cap’s defrosting or would they go for gold and make a golden age WWII movie that creates fist pumping, heart pounding responses from the crowd? Trailers suggest the later, and now I’m sold. I wanted this – the origin of Captain America. Why? Because it will establish his intense sacrifice and resilience so much more – and it’s those traits that makes Cap one of the greatest heroes ever created. Why he’s worthy of being Captain America.
Okay, check back tomorrow for the summer movies that terrify me. Trust me, that’s the list you want to read. No one will agree with it. You’ll probably think I’m crazy. But, hopefully, it’ll make you laugh.
This weekend I stumbled over something I’d not seen before: a free internet movie designed to be an ad. Confused? Let me explain a bit. There’s a “Premier Residential Community” near Dallas called Castle Hills, and in an interesting and brilliant advertising campaign they made a movie called Cooper and the Castle Hills Gang. A full-on movie. Trailer available on the Apple Trailers site and a full IMDB page. It is a movie.
Now, at first I was really confused. I watched the trailer and thought “that doesn’t look half bad” but the release date was weeks ago. Never saw a trailer at the theater – in fact I didn’t remember seeing it at the theaters at all. I figured maybe it was direct to video, so I went to the movie’s website I found in the trailer hoping to see more info about the movie. Instead of a trailer there was a huge banner that said “Watch the Movie Here.” That confused me even more, cause who has a movie on a website for free… but, I went ahead and clicked on it. Sure enough, the whole movie is right there. Free to watch.
About ten minutes into the movie I wasn’t sure what I was watching. It had credits, and characters, and everything – but they’d spent about 4-5 minutes talking about the setting. I know settings are important, but this is a family movie about kids in a neighborhood not Wuthering Heights. Why all this focus on Castle Hills? I paused the movie, went back to the movie’s homepage and actually took a moment to LOOK at the page.
So like…DUH!
Castle Hills is an actual place. It’s a swank community with it’s own homes, parks, shopping centers, golf course, and restaurants. It’s actually in North Dallas. Real place, all run by Bright Realty – wait, all run by one realty? Oooh, I get it now. This movie is a really, REALLY fancy ad? UGH?!
I sat puzzling at the paused presentation for perhaps five minutes. I didn’t want to watch an advertisement. I wanted to see the movie I saw in the trailer. The trailer was pretty good! After a bit of mental debate, I decided to give the movie another ten minutes or so – afterall it IS free, right?
I am SO GLAD I went back to the movie. Guys, listen, it’s a good movie! After that first bit with the “this is the awesome place I live in” monologue there really isn’t to much more ad left. A few bits of dialogue here and there where they remind us just how amazing Castle Hills is, but, for the most part it becomes a regular Disney Channel type family movie. Group of kids helping an old man find his lost wedding ring, all while getting into mischief and fighting with the older sister. The director did a good job, the script is pretty solid, they’ve got a real soundtrack, and the kids were fun. Like I said, I could absolutely see this movie on Disney or ABC Family and I wouldn’t even blink.
And it’s FREE!
Yes, it is a big ad, but let’s be honest – everything has ads now. Every episode of Chuck features a Subway plug. Who can forget that over-the-top Kenmore plug in the last Indiana Jones movie? BARF. Really, if anything, this Castle Hills movie is normal. Normal and free.
So, if you like family movies then give it a shot. I watch way to much of that stuff and I thought it was great. In fact, I’d buy the blu-ray if they ever released it. I know it’s not a house but it’s way more in my price range.
About a month ago I made a tweet questioning how an actress the caliber of Anne Hathaway could end up in a movie like Rio. At that time, I had written Rio off as just another “Pixar Wanna-be” I am known to make mistakes, and this comment was definitely a mistake.
After having seen Rio, my updated Twitter would be: “How does a movie like Rio not get a better lead actor then Jesse Eisenberg??”
Yeah, you heard me. You read that. So let’s break it down:
First, the new implication is that Rio is a good movie. You know why? Cause it is!! Yeah! Even I was surprised! I mean, even if you put aside my original opinion that this was a faker movie, then the best – THE ABSOLUTE BEST – I was hoping for was that it wasn’t another Hop. I actually spent half my morning thinking of witty ways to use the city of Rio de Janeiro, the country of Brazil, and the many terms for birds as insults. I was by no means confident in this movie.
It is reasonable to ask why I would think that way, and here is my simple answer. Blue Sky Studios had not ever yet impressed me. Not until now. I didn’t like Ice Age much and I never could convince myself to see either of it’s sequels. I hated Robots. Even Horton Hears a Who was just ‘good enough’ and I’m convinced the spirit of Dr. Seuss is the only thing that carried that movie. Blue Sky is not Pixar. They’re not Dreamworks. Not Disney.
And for the first time I can say that’s “okay.”
In my mind, Rio is a coming of age for a studio. Welcome to the game, guys. Keep up the good work!!
Okay, enough about the backstage junk; let’s talk about the actual movie. Rio is a movie set in… wait for it…Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – during Carnival no less! Now, take a moment to consider the imagery that creates. Bright colors. Dancing. Beautiful beaches, lively jungle, mountains, a wild city, and music. So much music! That is a LOT of sight and sound to live up too. If you put a movie in such a vivid place, you better be able to live up to my imagination. I’m happy to say Rio does live up to it. It might have passed it actually.
Now, it helps that the cast is a bunch of well-animated, bright-colored birds voiced by the likes of musical talents Jamie Foxx, will.i.am, and Anne Hathaway. (Yes, Anne can sing and if you didn’t know that shame on you!) For the most part the music works – whether it’s sung or instrumental. It lays a very nice groundwork and enhances several of the scenes. I would’ve pushed that one step further though, and given Anne her own song. The one exception is the standard ‘villian’ song. This ain’t no “Be Prepared” or “Poor Unfortunate Souls” here. It’s pretty much the worst song I’ve heard in a movie since… um… that horrible bat-rap song in Fern Gully. Yeah, that bad. Very bad.
Now, the story itself is… well, it’s pretty predictable. There isn’t anything you haven’t seen before, just maybe cut and paste into different spots. Still, the writing is pretty good and I did laugh plenty throughout so it’s not dry. One thing I did like was that the humans don’t just disappear at the start then reappear at the end. Instead, they play a parallel storyline that manages to keep them interesting without overshadowing the birds.
Voice acting is pretty solid. Anne Hathaway is her typical amazing self. The sidekicks ( George Lopez and Tracy Morgan for example) are quirky without being over the top. Jemaine Clement is actually a really good baddie. The only lackluster performance for me was (unfortunately) the main character Blu, played by Jessie Eisenberg. Yeah, he’s a good actor in movies, but he has a dull and uninspired voice. Yes, that’s the voice I think they wanted for Blu, but he’s not able to bring that to life at all. He’s pretty much just flat the whole movie, and his voice never felt right on the parrot. That’s just how I heard it, and I’ve already been told by Rob I heard it wrong. Meh.
Still, my only complaints boil down to ONE really bad song and ONE bland voice. That’s it. Rio is a solid movie. It’s a good movie. In fact, I think it’s an early competitor for Animated Movie of the Year. (We’ll see how Pooh and TinTin do later.) Trust me, even I’m surprised.
So, with all that hype I just shoveled on you guys can you guess the final verdict? A well earned 4 out of 5 (blue) feathers.
One last note: I was forced to watch this in 3D. I personally do NOT like 3D movies, but that’s me. If you DO like 3D this is a good movie for it. Lots of birds flying around, neat glitter effects with the leaves, feathers, and parades. Tons of cool scenery shots that engulf the 3D space. It makes me dizzy and gives me a headache, but if it’s your cup of tea… well, Rio serves up a large jug.
Who remembers the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Live action movie with a cartoon rabbit drawn in over the film. Not the greatest movie, but a cult classic now. Well, Hop is almost exactly like that except I highly doubt it will ever reach cult classic status.
Quick summary: the main rabbit character is E.B – the future Easter Bunny. Poor chap doesn’t want to be the Easter Bunny, he wants to be a drummer. He runs away from home, and stumbles into a professional no-job loser Fred (played by James Marsden). Fred’s Dad told him he could be ‘great’ when he was a kid, but Fred’s ambition for greatness has limited his ability to grow up. Somehow to two become friends and save Easter from a Latin Chicken.
Hop is one fourth buddy movie, one fourth a Christmas movie, one fourth a family movie, and one fourth good.
So, lets start with that good part. Visually, the rabbits and their Easter Island factory looked pretty good. Nothing that made my jaw drop but definitely good enough for me to appreciate. E.B was voiced by Russell Brand and while I originally was worried about him as a voice actor, I was pleasantly surprised by his work on Hop. In fact, between the decent graphics and the good voice acting I’d go so far as to say E.B. was a very likable character – almost cute even. Almost. However, there is no doubt in my mind that the scene stealer in this movie was David Hasselhoff. By hamming it up to the max, David was one of the few parts of this movie that actually made me laugh.
And that is probably a good place to start nitpicking Hop. Dialogue in this movie is forced and awkward and rarely fluid. I’m not sure if the cause of this problem is writers trying to hard to be funny, or a script that didn’t know how to make an Easter Bunny story seem natural. Maybe some of both?
True, there aren’t a lot of Easter Bunny stories. Or legends, or fables, or anything. So, it’s hard to decide how the world would react to a talking rabbit with a British accent and a desire to bang the drums all day. The problem is, while I may not know how the world would react, I’d like it if my writers would decide and then stick to it. Sometimes people freaked out. Sometimes they shrugged it off. In one scene E.B. is pretending to be a puppet, the next he’s ordering carrot cake at a diner, and then the next he’s a stuffed animal. Very back and forth.
In a way, that inconsistent reaction to E.B. is a great example of the much larger problem in this movie. Why does anyone do anything? WHY?! I never got a sense for why the chickens tried to take over Easter. I never understood why Fred wanted to be the Easter Bunny. I still have no clue why Fred’s sister was so nice to him or why the rest of his family acted like he was human garbage. I don’t have the slightest clue why the ending went down the way it did. (I’m trying to avoid spoilers here, but lets just say the Easter Bunny grants a wish for someone that goes completely against the rules of Easter according to movie.)
Most of the movie made little sense if you thought about it for half a second. Characters were way to willing to accept things that didn’t make any sense at all. Stuff just happened and everyone moved on.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The movie wasn’t bad. I didn’t groan or roll my eyes or suffer through at all. I scratched my head a few dozen times, but even when it was just weird it wasn’t wrong. Depending on your sense of humor, it is entirely possible to sit down and watch this whole movie and feel good and move on with your life when the credits roll. To me, though, it was just sort of ninety minutes of quasi-entertainment with no thrills and only a couple of laughs. It was there, I was there, and together (somehow) we made it through. I do think kids will like it (the younger the better) but it doesn’t offer anything you can’t already find in any other animated movie.
In the end I’m going to give Hop a simple 2 Easter Eggs.
It’s not a movie I’d suggest going to see in the theater, but maybe later this year grab it from Netflix for the kids to watch. That’s about the best I can offer.
