WEBmikey

Latest Flickr


Nim's Island : 3 of 5
4.18.2008 6:44 AM \| Link	Since I'm not really a Jodie Foster fan, I wasn't sure that I would see this movie, but because the trailer seemed really fun and my parents enjoyed it so much, I went with my pal Melinda to see it. Actually we were the only ones in the theater, but even though audiences may have given up on Nim's Island, I really enjoyed it. The main surprise for me was that the trailer makes the movie seem to be a story about a scared city person's stay on a remote island with the little girl Nim, when actually the plot is all about the journey to get to the island. Once Jodie Foster's character finally makes it, the movie abruptly ends! But the character development is nice, though, focusing on an agoraphobic author who writes Indiana Jones style adventure novels without ever leaving her house. Nim is a cute girl living with her scientist father alone on their island, but she has to reach out for help (thank goodness for satellite internet!) when her dad is lost at sea. This is without a doubt a fantasy movie - there are lots of facts that you just have to accept and move on, like Nim's animal communication, the unlikely survival of Nim's dad, and so on. There's also an encounter with an unsavory cruise line, and the crew is so surreal that they might as well be pirates! But even with all the goofiness in the story, I was still interested throughout the film. Nim's Island is a nice relaxing movie that's good for a quick escape! Labels: movies
Horton Hears a Who! : 3 of 5
3.21.2008 6:14 AM \| Link	You may already know that I'm a Jim Carrey anti-fan, but my love of animated features overcame my aversion to seeing this movie, so my pal Melinda and I went on opening weekend. If you ask me, after how terrible How the Grinch Stole Christmas was, Dr. Seuss should have a restraining order to keep Jim Carrey away from his stories, but thankfully Jim's much more toned down than usual this time around. Actually, Steve Carrell has a much bigger role as the Mayor of Whoville, and he does an excellent job! The animation is really nice, and extremely true to the Dr. Seuss designs, which was a joy to see (I thought the snooty kangaroo looked like she had just stepped out of the book). It made me wish for a series of films for all of the classic books, as long as they were done in this style! The screenplay follows the story pretty closely, keeping just a little narration and enough of the well-known lines (in rhyme), along with the inevitable plot fillers, and the addition of the Mayor's son JoJo, who provides the "misunderstood son saves the day" element to the story. In addition to the nice CG animation (definitely above average), there are a couple 2D segments that really excited me - especially an extended anime-style fantasy fight sequence that was completely hilarious! The most unusual moment comes at the end of the movie, when disaster is averted and everyone celebrates by suddenly singing REO Speedwagon's I Can't Fight This Feeling, which is one of the most off-the-wall choices I can imagine! I'm sure the filmmakers were just sitting around brainstorming and couldn't let go of the idea once it popped up! It was fun to see a Dr. Seuss story presented with respect, comedy, and warmth, and I'm happy that Blue Sky Studios is out there as another animation studio to watch for! Labels: movies
Be Kind Rewind : 4 of 5
3.08.2008 10:26 AM \| Link	When I read a blurb about this movie in a magazine several months ago, I knew right away I wanted to see it, since I love making movies and would enjoy all the amateur remakes in the film! Matt and I took Jonathan to see Be Kind Rewind for a birthday outing, and we are surprised by what we saw - we knew this movie would be funny, but we had no idea it would be touching, too. Through a freak accident (which is the silliest part of the plot, actually), Jack Black erases all of the VHS tapes in failing video store, so he and Mos Def decide to re-shoot some of the movies to appease their few customers, and eventually their "sweded" versions become so popular with the neighborhood that they can't make them fast enough! All of the mini-movies are hilarious, from Ghostbusters to The Lion King, and it's fun watching the characters (including their friend Alma who really spurs on their efforts) film them. Eventually the plot revolves around the imminent demolition of the video store, which inspires the whole neighborhood to shoot a biography of Fats Waller (who was born in the building, according to "legend"). They all gather to watch their movie, and it's such a celebration of togetherness and the joy of creativity that I was really moved. All of the acting is well done, and even though Jack Black is insane as usual, it really fits his character perfectly. It's rare to see such a funny story that still has some real meaning, and it definitely inspired me to be more artistic and appreciate the opportunity to create that everyone has these days! Labels: movies
The Spiderwick Chronicles : 3 of 5
3.02.2008 12:12 PM \| Link	I went to see this movie over a week ago, so I'll do my best to remember it for this review! I didn't know too much about the story, since I haven't read this series of children's books (although my parents gave me a "sample chapter" book freebee that was interesting), so I had no idea what to expect. I knew the plot involved an unseen world and strange creatures, but I was surprised at how scary and gross most of the creatures were! Maybe I thought it was going to be fairies and cute fluffy monsters, but the evil characters in this movie are definitely horrific, and bite and scratch with fury! The plot is an interesting premise, involving a scientist who discovers and catalogs this unknown world (which happens to be right in front of you, as long as you look through a special stone or have hobgoblin spit in your eyes!), which twin brothers and their sister discover and must keep from taking over. The twins are played by Freddie Highmore (from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) in a duel role, and he does a fine job of showing the differences in each boy's personality. The effects are pretty cool, too - there's never any doubt you're looking at CG, but the designs of the characters are so deliciously disgusting that it's fun just to see how these bizarre creatures move and fight. Another interesting facet of this film is the harsh reality of the characters' family life, which erupts into some harsh interactions - pretty bold for this kind of movie! The final battle is quite exciting, and I love all of their unusual defense preparations involving things like tomato sauce (which happens to be like acid to the bad guys!). The Spiderwick Chronicles seems like something a studio would love to spin into a long series of movies, but this story is surprisingly self-contained, and I really enjoyed it! Labels: movies
The Water Horse / Legend of the Deep : 3 of 5
1.19.2008 1:39 PM \| Link	Even though I love movies about children and fantasy, I wasn't sure I was going to get to see this one, since the timing just wasn't good for me so soon after Christmas. But after my Mom & Dad saw it and enjoyed it (and told me I would definitely cry!), I saw it with my pal Melinda and I'm glad I made it! From the trailer I knew all about Agnus' discovery of the egg and how the creature eventually grows up to become the Loch Ness monster, but I had no idea the story was set against World War II, in particular a platoon of English troops who come to live at the children's home so they can guard the loch against German submarine attack. This provides some nice character interaction (and some nice pipe smoking scenes from the commander!) and even a small triangle between the children's mom, the commander, and the handyman who shares the secret of Crusoe (the name Agnus gives to the creature, after Robinson Crusoe). The special effects of the Water Horse itself are really well done, especially when it's a baby getting in trouble around the house. I thought the scenes of Crusoe being petted were incredible - the touching of the boy's hands seemed very real! Of course, soon Crusoe must live in the loch, where the legend is born (including a funny reenactment of the shooting of the famous Nessie photo), and eventually an unexpected story turn happens pitting poor Crusoe against the troops and their gigantic anti-submarine gun! I was certain the end was going to be unbearably sad, but thankfully the only tears I shed were from sentimental good-byes rather than tragedy! The Water Horse isn't going to win any awards, but I thought it was a nice touching story and I really enjoyed it. Labels: movies
Sweeney Todd / The Demon Barber of Fleet Street : 3 of 5
1.06.2008 12:03 PM \| Link	News flash! Fake blood shortage in Hollywood! That's what I figured the headlines would say after seeing Sweeney Todd, which is the bloodiest film I've seen in a long time! I've seen this Stephen Sondheim musical on stage two or three times, and I've always enjoyed the amazing music and dark comedy. Of course, the plot is gruesome, but it's handled with a light touch when performed live. This is definitely not the case with Tim Burton's film - this version shows all the terror and gruesomeness in great detail, so when the movie's over, I really felt drained from the spectacle! However, this is still a fantastic film, and does an incredible job of highlighting both the actor's talents and Sondheim's music. Johnny Depp does a great job of truly acting while singing, and Helena Bonham Carter is also wonderful showing her totally twisted love for Sweeney. Tim Burton goes all out with his favorite grey palette, so much that when the screen brightens up with color for flashback and dream sequences, it's like flipping on a light in a dark room. Seeing this familiar musical in this new interpretation really makes me appreciate the genre, since while there is certainly more singing than talking, it felt exactly like watching a masterful horror film (though of course the heightened emotions in the music add to the tension). I missed the opening theme song, but I can see why it was removed to tell the story Burton wanted to get across. If you enjoy the original musical, or happen to be a fan of blood baths, I definitely recommend Sweeney Todd (but you might want to watch a few cartoons before you go to bed like I did!). Labels: movies
Walk Hard / The Dewey Cox Story : 3 of 5
1.03.2008 6:35 PM \| Link	Good parodies don't come along very often, because it's tough to come up with the right portions of story, farce, and downright silliness, but Walk Hard manages to combine all of the recent musician biography movies (such as Walk the Line and Ray) into a hilarious mix! John C. Reilly does a great job as Dewey, and I think it's amazing how he can play Will Ferrell style comedy and still have the range for drama. The plot begins with Dewey's childhood, when he accidentally chops his brother in half, and the trauma makes him lose his sense of smell, causing him to learn to play the blues (does any of that sound like a spoof to you?). The movies covers his entire career, while he tries all kinds of musical moods (including a funny take on Brian Wilson in his later days), and there are tons of cameos from other comedians playing other famous musicians (who always address themselves with their full name to make things obvious!). There are several songs in the movie, all of which are really well-written and unbelievably funny (especially the lyrics of Let's Duet), and there are so many great lines that you'll wish you could remember them all when you leave the theater. Walk Hard is probably a little better if you know a little popular music history, but it's easily as funny as every other comedy I've seen in the past few months! Labels: movies
I Am Legend : 3 of 5
12.29.2007 6:32 PM \| Link	I didn't expect to be seeing this film, but Mom & Dad are Will Smith fans, so we decided to see a third movie together while I was in Oklahoma City. I Am Legend is based on the same book that inspired The Omega Man with Charlton Heston, which was a pretty cool (yet goofy) movie, so I already knew the basic plot idea, but this time around things are much more intense and serious. The main character (just about the only character, actually) is a military scientist who is immune to a terrible virus (caused by an engineered cure for cancer), now living alone in New York City trying to find a cure. He spends his days driving around the abandoned streets, breaking into empty stores and homes to take what he needs, and hiding at night with his canine companion, since the virus has turned everyone else into light-sensitive zombies! The zombies are the worst part of the movie, actually, since they are all CG and definitely show it. The tone of the movie is serious and played as reality, so I wish they would have just used extras in make-up, since the zombies end up looking like a video game. But putting the effects aside, the story is really told well, using just enough flashbacks to keep the audience informed, and it does a great job of showing both the strength and vulnerability of Will (especially as we watch him start to go crazy). I enjoyed the small details such as Times Square ads for movies we haven't heard of yet, $6.00 gasoline prices, and even Will's obsession with Bob Marley, which is a nice thread running through the film. The ending seemed a little tacked on (and had to stoop to narration to make everything clear), but overall the pacing was great. It's certainly not a feel-good holiday film, but definitely a cool near-future action movie! Labels: movies
National Treasure / Book of Secrets : 4 of 5
12.21.2007 9:54 PM \| Link	The second movie my parents and I went to see during my holiday visit was this fun sequel to the original National Treasure, which I really enjoyed a few years ago, and I'm glad to say that I had just as much fun watching this new story! While I think the puzzles were a little cooler and more complex in the original film, I still really enjoyed following all the clues this time around. My favorite thing about these movies is that I end up learning some actual history, and within minutes I discovered there's more than one Statue of Liberty (which I never knew), as well as the history of the Resolute Desks (that I had never even heard of before!). Both of these movies are kind of like an Indiana Jones adventure taking place in modern cities, but after Nicolas Cage and his pals find their way into the secret caves at Mount Rushmore, the tone of the movie changes, but it's still really exciting and interesting. I thought the bad guy's motive was a little shaky, too, but it doesn't really matter, since once the story begins it keeps a nice momentum going. Overall, I think National Treasure is a nice series for Disney, since it maintains the spirit of adventure found in lots of early Disney live action films, as well as Walt's love for America and its history. The next movie has definitely been setup, so I'm looking forward to finding out about Page 47! Labels: movies
The Golden Compass : 3 of 5
12.18.2007 9:50 PM \| Link	Before I saw this movie, I knew nothing about the book trilogy, and I only knew a brief overview of the church/atheism controversy, so I went to the theater simply looking for a fantasy adventure to enjoy with my parents. I think that's the best way to enjoy this movie - if you're looking for some nice effects, great child acting, and some cool battles, then you'll like The Golden Compass. I actually got pretty caught up in trying to figure out this alternate universe! Although it's bizarre, the idea of everyone's souls being out the outside of their bodies, represented by animals, is fascinating, and it was cool to see how everyone's animal reflected their personality and even mood (plus I'm sure it was a huge challenge for the CG department to add so many animals to every scene!). It was also amazing to see the animals vanish in a burst of light when a human was killed in combat. I thought the ice bears were really well done - I could feel their weight when they were bounding through the snow. Ian McKellen provides a great voice performance (though for some reason I kept thinking he sounded like Patrick Stewart), and Dakota Blue Richards is a wonderful new child actress who really does a fine job filled with emotion and excitement. The Golden Compass certainly isn't the best fantasy film in recent years, but it's a fun movie for holiday relaxing (if you don't get caught up in all the controversy hype). I'm sure I'll be seeing the sequel in a few years! Labels: movies
Fred Claus : 3 of 5
12.10.2007 6:44 PM \| Link	Even though I enjoyed the quirky trailer for this movie over a year ago, I wasn't planning on seeing it due to all the bad things I had heard about it. But I was kind of in the mood for a holiday movie, and my pal Melinda asked me to go, so I figured I would just try to enjoy it, fully expecting to be giving it my not-so-good "2" or even "1" rating. But while I was at the theater, I was definitely surprised to find myself laughing out loud and even feeling plenty of holiday spirit! Fred Claus starts with the interesting idea that Santa Claus has an older brother, and then quickly explains that when someone becomes a Saint (as in Saint Nicholas), their entire family freezes in time, which explains why Santa's brother can be living in modern day Chicago! Fred goes to the North Pole because he wants to borrow some money, and we get to see just how dysfunctional the Claus family is, along with the workshop, all the elves, and Santa's hot blonde secretary who just happens to be normal sized. Unfortunately, Santa's operation is being checked out by an efficiency expert, and Fred doesn't make things any easier! Lots of things are predictable - it's obvious that Fred is going to have to deliver the toys, and it's easy to figure out that Kevin Spacey (the efficiency expert) was a bad kid who just needs some Santa love, but I still enjoyed the crazy plot! Best of all, they even managed to get some holiday emotion out of me, especially when all the elves gather around a giant snowglobe to magically watch the whole world open their Christmas presents - a nice idea and well done! If you love Christmas movies, ignore the bad ratings and check out Fred Claus while there's still time (or just wait for it to be on TV next year)! Labels: holidays, movies
Enchanted : 4 of 5
11.25.2007 12:49 PM \| Link	I've been so excited to see this movie, mainly because as an animation fan, Enchanted is especially important, since it's the first 2D traditional animation from Disney on the big screen in years! Since Enchanted is designed to celebrate and spoof the "Disneyness" of classic features, I was totally in love with the opening animated sequences - all of the wonderful artwork, characters, and music was there right before my eyes, and it was so fantastic to see. But aside from keeping the animation geek in me happy, Enchanted is actually a hilariously clever film that anyone can enjoy! It's a great story about animated characters being transported to the real world, where they have to struggle with the harshness of New York, but end up showing people that fairy tales actually do have value. There are some fantastic laugh-out-loud moments, such as a pigeon eating a cockroach right after tidying up the house with it, and Prince Edward's line "Thank you for taking care of my bride, peasants" had me rolling (right when I was getting misty-eyed as Giselle was saying good bye!). Disney references are totally overflowing (such as cameos from princess voice artists, little animation details, and tons of plot moments), and I had lots of fun finding them. I really don't have anything bad to say about Enchanted, except that I thought it could have used a little more heart-tugging at the end, but I'm fine with the light-hearted tone of the story. Go see it both for a fun time at the movies, and to remember what real animation is supposed to look like! Labels: disney, movies
Bee Movie : 3 of 5
11.18.2007 5:03 PM \| Link	I always try to see every animated feature that hits the theater, just to show my support for animation in general, but I was especially excited to see Bee Movie, because I knew Jerry Seinfeld would be a great voice actor, and because DreamWorks Animation keeps getting better! After so many insect-related movies in the past few years, you would think they would start to run out of ideas, but Bee Movie is filled with creativity. I really koved the introduction to the film, seeing the incredible honey factory, and enjoying all the bee puns (and there are a million of those, right down to the beehive hairdos on all the girls!). The animation is definitely fun, and I was glad to see the quirky style of the human characters (definitely not up to The Incredibles standards, but they're on the right track), but even though I enjoyed the bees themselves, I think the character design didn't allow for enough emotion to come through. The story starts out predictably with Barry the bee seeking an exciting life outside the hive, then gets really wacky with the whole "bees vs. humans" court trial, and then suddenly tacks on a third act to bring the moral home. Normally I would say the story is a little disjointed, but the final scenes in the airplane are pretty funny, so I guess it's worth it for the sake of the finale! As a suspected, Seinfeld's voice really works in the movie (he's just playing himself, of course, but he's so natural!), and Renee Zellweger is great as well (but no one can top Patrick Warburton, who seems to have a contract to do at least one voice in every animated feature ever released). I'm glad Bee Movie has done well at the box office, and I'm always happy to see studios making animated features for me to support and enjoy! Labels: animation, movies
The Heartbreak Kid : 2 of 5
10.16.2007 7:24 AM \| Link	I probably wouldn't have seen this movie, but since my pal Dae and I were having a nice lazy Saturday in Los Angeles last weekend, we decided it would be fun to see a comedy. We definitely had a great time, but that doesn't mean the movie was that good. The Farrelly brothers did their best work with There's Something About Mary, and I think they've been trying to top that ever since, mainly by trying to shock the audience with jokes that seem totally out of place for this type of comedy! While the famous "hair gel" scene was outrageous for 1998, it doesn't compare to the raunchy jokes this time around. Seriously, who goes to see a Ben Stiller movie expecting to see a donkey show joke, or even a glimpse of full frontal female anatomy? In between those wild gags there's a pretty funny story about a guy who quickly marries his dream girl only to find she's a completely different person, then meets the girl he really loves while on his honeymoon. There's some funny interaction with the girl's family and some nice misunderstandings to keep the plot going, but it's a shame this movie can't figure out if it wants to be a romantic comedy or a farce, so it ends up screwing up both genres. Ben Stiller does his best as usual, but this movie still needed a little more charm. Of course, I have to admit I laughed a lot, so it was definitely a nice Saturday movie choice, but if you decide to check it out, don't expect too much! Labels: movies
3:10 to Yuma : 4 of 5
9.13.2007 8:01 AM \| Link	I'm not really a fan of Westerns, but the trailer for this movie was really intriguing, so I decided to go with my pals to see it (even though it wasn't at the Alamo Drafthouse, which felt really weird!). I think Christian Bale is an excellent actor, and Russell Crowe is no slouch either, so combined with the fantastic story (adapted from an old dime magazine, I've heard), this movie really couldn't miss! Crowe plays the notorious Ben Wade, a mysterious outlaw whose charisma and psychological prowess affects everyone around him (especially his devoted gang), and Bale is Dan Evans, a poor lame rancher who takes on the job of transporting Wade as a way to prove himself to his family (and because he's desperate for money). The plot follows them on their way to catch the train, as members of their posse fall victim to Wade, Cherokee, or even to other guys who want to kill Wade. There are some fantastic fight sequences, all of which make you feel surrounded in the action, and I was really impressed with the sound during the gunfights - I could really hear bullets and ricochets all around me! But much more important than the cool shootouts is the character development that happens along the way. It's fascinating to watch both lead roles discover who they are and what they stand for, especially in the final moments of Ben Wade. I love characters who seem simple but actually turn out to be complex, and 3:10 to Yuma definitely delivers that element. After enjoying this movie along with all the Western details thrown in (swinging saloon doors included!), I can certainly see the appeal of the genre, so it's nice to see it's still alive and kicking. Labels: movies
Shoot 'Em Up : 3 of 5
9.11.2007 7:21 AM \| Link	My Dad loves action movies (and my Mom tolerates them), so my parents and I saw this movie at the Alamo Drafthouse during their recent visit, and we had a great time watching this bizarre mix of violence and comedy. There's no question why it's called Shoot 'Em Up, since the film opens with guns blazing and never stops, continuing the battle through childbirth and even a sex scene, from car chases to mid-air sky diving! Clive Owen is perfect as Smith, the carrot-chomping hero who finds himself protecting a baby (along with his lactating prostitute lover), and he does a great job of looking cool and delivering a one-liner for every occasion (starting with "Eat your vegetables" as he kills a bad guy with a well-placed carrot). Paul Giamatti is an excellent villain, too, but truthfully this movie isn't about acting at all - it's about shooting down the bad guys! I'm not a fan of particularly violent movies, but even though at least 250 henchmen get shot to pieces in 90 minutes, this film somehow makes it hilarious, partly because the situations are so impossible and over the top that you have to just sit back and enjoy the amazing movie making. I liked the way the plot was revealed as the action progressed, with almost no down-time for exposition, making every minute (and every bullet) count. If you're looking for nothing but action, Shoot 'Em Up is the movie to see - just get ready to watch the craziest Bugs Bunny cartoon ever made come to life! Labels: movies
The Bourne Ultimatum : 3 of 5
9.05.2007 7:36 AM \| Link	I really don't know anything about the Jason Bourne saga, since I'm positive I didn't see the second movie, and I don't even know for sure if I saw the first (since I can't remember it!). But even though I wasn't planning on seeing The Bourne Ultimatum, it was a fun way to spend my Labor Day evening with my pals at the Alamo, and I really enjoyed the movie! Ernesto and Matt gave me a little background info to catch me up, but actually I think the film does a great job of presenting just enough so it can stand alone really well (I didn't find myself asking any questions once it got started). The whole movie is one big chase as the government tries to stop Bourne from returning to the place where he first became Jason Bourne, and of course there are tons of foreign countries, lots of hi-tech surveillance systems, amazing tricks to throw off pursuers, and almost non-stop action! The fighting scenes are pretty incredible, actually, with lots of hand-held, close-up camera work that makes you feel like you're part of the struggle (definitely nothing like artistic Matrix-style fighting!). This grittiness also applies to the big car chase scene, which I wouldn't even call a chase, since most of the time they're crashing. Bourne certainly has a demolition derby style of driving, which makes for an unbelievable sequence! I had a great time learning about these characters and getting into all the action, so I could definitely be persuaded into seeing the next movie if they make one. Labels: movies
Mr. Bean's Holiday : 3 of 5
8.27.2007 8:59 PM \| Link	I was pretty surprised when I saw a second Mr. Bean movie was being released, and I never expected to go see it, but my pal Melinda and I couldn't think of anything else to watch. I'm glad I went to see it, especially since it's supposed to be the last time Rowan Atkinson plays the character, and it was actually really funny. Mr. Bean wins a trip to France, ends up accidentally kind of kidnapping a boy, and eventually ends up at the Cannes film festival helping a young actress (who is totally cute) become famous! Of course, lots of crazy things happen on the way in typical Mr. Bean style, and there are plenty of hilarious moments. I really enjoyed watching him pretend to eat oysters (and dumping them in a woman's purse), and his lip syncing of the opera aria O Mio Bambino Caro is absolutely fantastic! Unfortunately, there's a huge lull in the middle of the movie, when Bean is kind of alone and having a really rough time, but after a few boring moments the film really picks up at the end, with a great finale that even includes an incredible parody of art films (with some great comedy from Willem Dafoe). As usual, there's not much dialogue since Bean doesn't really speak, and most of the other characters are speaking French, but the lack of language makes it even funnier, I think. Mr. Bean's Holiday certainly isn't a must-see movie, but I definitely had some nice laughs and enjoyed some beautiful European scenery! Labels: movies
Superbad : 3 of 5
8.23.2007 7:01 AM \| Link	Imagine your favorite 80s teenager movie, about high school kids trying to be cool, get drunk, and get the girls, and then add in a huge dose of modern raunchiness and sarcasm, and you come up with Superbad! That's definitely not a negative comment - this movie is hilarious! I was just amazed at how many times these kids can drop an F-bomb in an average sentence, but there's no doubt that the script is incredibly funny. There are even some fairly long segments of Tarantino-esque dialogue, but the actors are so good and the lines are so genuine that they completely make it work. There's nothing special about the plot (get the booze, get the girls), but the supporting characters really make the movie, especially the two cops who like to have a few beers and practice shooting at stop signs! They make friends with McLovin (which is the fake ID name of one of the boys), and their adventures are the best part of the movie. There's a minor message about accepting each other as best friends, with an unexpected tense argument scene that I didn't really think was necessary, but most of the movie is non-stop craziness. Superbad is absolutely jam-packed with hysterical lines that you really want to remember to use with your friends, but there are so many of them that it's impossible to recall more than one or two when you leave the theater (I'll definitely rent it on DVD to check them out again). If you're looking for an incredibly funny movie (and you can handle some truly crude humor), check out Superbad and laugh until your Coke comes out your nose! Labels: movies
Hairspray : 5 of 5
8.17.2007 5:26 AM \| Link	Although Hairspray has become a Broadway classic, somehow I've completely missed out on this show, so I really didn't know anything about the show. But since I love musicals, I knew I had to see this movie, and now I'm a fan! The music is absolutely fantastic, full of upbeat numbers that kept my toes tapping and my hands drumming through the entire movie right there in the theater, and the performances are pretty amazing. I can't imagine anyone as perfect as Nikki Blonsky for the role of Tracy - she's exploding with energy that makes you cheer for her all the way. Thankfully my pal Melinda was with me to explain that the role of Edna is always played by a man, or I would have been constantly wondering why in the world John Travolta was shaking those big fake boobs around! He does a pretty good job - he manages to be funny, but his singing voice seems really weak when he's trying to sound female. All of the other performances are fantastic, and I always love seeing Broadway production numbers done on film where they can change scenes instantly between lines of a song (which was fantastic on I Can Hear the Bells). The scenes on the Corny Collins Show were hilarious, too, doing a great spoof of perfect plastic kids, right down to a Mickey Mouse Club style role call. In addition to enjoying all of the sheer talent, I also loved the story, since I always like plots where the underdog wins out in the end. I had a fantastic time watching Hairspray, and now I'm certain I won't miss any future opportunities to see it on stage! Labels: movies
Stardust : 2 of 5
8.15.2007 6:52 AM \| Link	Since I'm generally a movie lover who finds a way to enjoy practically everything, I sometimes think something's wrong with me when my opinion goes against the crowd. But even though most critics (as well as my pal Matt and his visiting friends) enjoyed Stardust, I just found myself wishing for it to end! In the style of The Princess Bride (which I wasn't too crazy about either), this is a semi-serious fantasy adventure with a huge dose of farce added in, and that's my main problem with it. I love totally goofy movies, and I love fantasy movies, but when they are mixed together it just seems unfaithful to both genres. I'm completely fine with jokes and comedy relief, but seeing De Niro prance around as a gay pirate while I'm supposed to be concerned with the rest of the plot is just too much. I would much rather have seen the entire film as farce (in an Airplane style)! That's enough of my ranting, but I have to mention a few other annoyances. There was far too much CGI simply for the sake of CGI (crazy camera sweeps that really didn't add to the excitement), and the final battle at the end of the movie was way too long (every time it seemed it was over, there was always "one more thing" to sit through). As far as good things to say, some of the funny scenes were genuinely funny, and the production is generally well made. Truthfully, I can't think of anything else good to say - WEBmikey just has to be a rebel on this one! Labels: movies
Metropolis : 4 of 5
8.09.2007 7:29 AM \| Link	I think it's cool that Austin's Paramount Theater always shows classic movies during the summer, even though I haven't been to one in ages (the last time was to see the original Godzilla!). Last weekend my pal Matt invited me to see the 1927 silent science fiction masterpiece Metropolis, and although we both predicted we would nap a little, we ended up being completely enthralled by the movie! I've seen Metropolis at least twice before, but it truthfully felt like this was the first time I actually understood and enjoyed the movie. I think this was because the version we saw contained helpful descriptions of missing scenes from the movie (the film is so old that about a quarter of it is completely lost, yet it still runs over two hours!). The special effects are absolutely spectacular for 1927 - I can't even comprehend all the tricks they had to do to accomplish such amazing scenes. The detailed miniatures of the futuristic city itself are awe-inspiring (complete with moving traffic, trains, and planes), and of course, the design of the Machine Man is classic (definitely an influence on C-3PO's design). Everything about the movie pushed the limits of film, from the huge sets to the thousands of extras, and certainly the budget, which nearly bankrupted the studio - it cost around $200 million in adjusted dollars! I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing this classic movie, and I'm glad I can finally appreciate it now. Labels: movies
The Simpsons Movie : 4 of 5
7.30.2007 6:56 PM \| Link	I'm really only a semi-fan of The Simpsons, since there are hundreds of episodes I haven't seen, but I still love the show enough to know that I had to see this movie right away (and now that I've seen it, I want to start recording the show again)! After so many episodes, I'm sure it was next to impossible to come up with a plot, but the writers did a great job of including everyone's favorite characters (I love the Comic Book Guy, who shows up just long enough for some choice hilarious lines!). The first half of the movie had me roaring with laughter - the pace is really fast and the jokes keep coming. I really loved seeing a few things they could never show on TV, especially Bart's nude skateboarding, with the outstanding sequence of things coincidentally hiding his little yellow privates, until suddenly... well, you just have to see it! Of course, the Spider-Pig song was great, and the big finale is pretty exciting and funny, but unfortunately there's definitely a slow section of the film where things get kind of gooey and emotional (but I guess that happened on every TV episode, too). The animation is certainly "Simpsons style", although the backgrounds and environments are CG, which makes everything feel a little more like Futurama. I had a great time at the theater, and I definitely recommend The Simpsons Movie to anyone, not just fans! Labels: movies
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix : 4 of 5
7.19.2007 7:26 AM \| Link	Since this is the 5th movie in the Harry Potter series, Harry has now caught up to the Planet of the Apes in length, and it still has two more movies to go (which will both be hits, I'm sure)! Even though I haven't read a word of the books, I'm really a fan of these movies, though it helped to have my pal Melinda with me to fill me in on some details (by the way, the good ol' IMDB has a nice FAQ that explains some things). This is a fast-paced movie with a much different feel than the earlier films, since there isn't much comedy relief, and it's really depressing to see Harry so angry and outcast most of the time. There are some great action sequences, especially the wizard battle at the end, and watching Dumbledore and Voldemort fight was really thrilling (with awesome special effects), even though I kept flashing back to Jedi battles! The story is definitely one of those "in the middle" plots, so most of the events are just setting up what's coming in the next movies, but I definitely had a great time watching it! Of course, the kids are really grown up now (which I've mentioned before) - there's a quick scene of Harry from the first movie, and it was such a shocker to imagine that little bowl-haired kid is only supposed to be five years younger! Oh well, maybe they can finish the next two movies before the actors go grey or bald (or both!). Labels: harry potter, movies
Transformers : 4 of 5
7.09.2007 8:42 PM \| Link	I was never totally into Transformers as a kid (since I preferred Micronauts!), but I still enjoyed the cartoon every now and then (and I even had fun watching the animated feature in my adulthood), so I knew this movie would be cool. Unfortunately, Michael Bay turned it into the typical cheesy Michael Bay movie, but the outstanding CGI effects outweigh his sappy directing to give this film a decent WEBmikey rating! To get the bad stuff out of the way, there are so many moments of manufactured, unreal emotion that it's unbelievable, and besides using the original voice of Optimus Prime, there are far too few fan moments, in direct contrast to movies such as Spider-Man, which was filled with fan details. It would have been so easy to keep the "wonk wonk" transforming sound (which I definitely missed), or let The Touch be heard on a radio for a few seconds, but I guess that wasn't considered important. But enough complaining - the effects are truly fantastic, and the battles are awesome! I especially enjoyed the Starscream scenes with their incredible aerobatics and mid-air transformations, and Optimus himself was majestic and powerful, especially when using his sword-arm. The acting is fine for this kind of movie, except for the over-the-top Sector 7 Agent Simmons who made me cringe (but I think it's more the fault of the script). Wow, I've said so many negative things, but Transformers is still a fun movie with some incredible geek-out sequences! Labels: movies
Ratatouille : 5 of 5
7.01.2007 1:34 PM \| Link	Writing this short review is really a joy, since I'm always happy to report on fantastic examples of the art of animation! In this case, Disney/Pixar's Ratatouille is much more than just an incredible animated feature, since it's a wonderful film with a story and characters that literally anyone will enjoy. My pal Melinda and I loved it (of course), but it was great to hear so many adults in the theater laughing right along with their kids (and often more than their kids!). The story of a rat with a passion to be a gourmet chef in Paris is already genius, but Pixar takes that story and weaves it together with romance, family situations, and some inevitable thoughts about following your dreams (but it never gets preachy). There are too many spectacular visuals to mention - the realistic hair, the even more realistic wet hair, the truly exciting scenes following Remy as he scurries through walls (it really gives you a rat's experience!), the beauty of Paris, and once again, Pixar's magnificent character design that will always be 1,000 times better than any over-human approach. Even the food looks amazing - this is a cartoon that will make you hungry! I think my favorite scene is when the bitter food critic Anton Ego takes his first bite of Remy's ratatouille dish - he is whisked back in time to his mother's kitchen and her home cooking, and the emotion packed into that brief moment was enough to make me misty eyed in only a few seconds. Ratatouille is beautiful, brilliant, and of course, entertaining. It's definitely the kind of movie that makes me proud to be a Disney/Pixar fan! Labels: disney, movies, pixar
Ocean's Thirteen : 3 of 5
6.19.2007 6:53 AM \| Link	I didn't even see Ocean's Twelve (and from what I hear, I didn't miss anything), but I liked Ocean's Eleven enough to want to check out this third film, and it was pretty fun. This time the gang of suave Vegas con men go up against Al Pacino as a way to get revenge for their pal Rueben, so they do everything they can to ruin a new casino (which is created beautifully in CG approximately on top of where the actual Aladdin casino stands). It's always cool to see their plans and how they manage to rig games (going as far as infiltrating the dice manufacturer in Mexico) and their other crazy schemes (even though getting both of the giant underground drilling machines from the Chunnel seemed pretty crazy!). This is definitely a fashion movie, too - watching all the expensive suits and other designer clothes in every scene is half the fun! The soundtrack is nice and funky, very much in the style of the original (which I still listen to every now and then). No one really has to stretch in their acting, since every character is essentially an extension of what we all think these actors are really like, but that's not a negative - it's fun to root for these kind criminals and see them take down the badder guy. If you're a fan of Vegas movies or any of these actors, you'll enjoy the movie! Labels: movies
Surf's Up : 4 of 5
6:48 AM \| Link	Lots of comments have been made about the avalanche of penguin movies lately, but believe me, surfing penguins make much more sense than tap-dancing ones! I've been looking forward to this movie from the first time I saw the trailer, so my pal Melinda and I decided to see it soon after it came out, and we really enjoyed it! Surf's Up is shot as a documentary covering Cody Maverick, a penguin from Shiverpool who dreams of competing in a big world surfing championship to be like his idol, Big Z. The fake documentary film style is sheer genius! It definitely reminded me of all the Bruce Brown films I've enjoyed in the past, and the creative "hand-held" camera work looks fantastic. Most of the dialogue takes place in interviews, which have incredible natural voice work, and work as a great device to make the typical song-montages much less boring than usual! Of course, the water animation is another breakthrough for CG animation, but I think the character design far outshines it. Each penguin has great expressions, very different body and face types (similar to The Incredibles, in a way), and I love the details like the tropical tattoo patterns their feathers make. The story is great as well, and really captures the surfing spirit that I admire so much. Surf's Up is a surprisingly wonderful film, and definitely one of the best from Sony Pictures Animation! Labels: animation, movies
Pirates of the Caribbean / At World's End : 3 of 5
5.31.2007 6:42 AM \| Link	For the most part, I really enjoyed the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie, but unfortunately I think it could have been a much better film if the story had been simplified a bit. If you thought it took a little thinking to keep track of everyone's motives in Dead Man's Chest, you will go a little crazy trying to figure out At World's End, which has as many double-crosses as the Black Pearl has holes in its sails! All of the characters have a secret agenda, many of which have little effect on the main flow of the plot, so my advice is just to enjoy the amazing visuals and exciting action, and don't worry so much about everything else (definitely not how you would normally watch a Disney movie!). On the positive side, the battles are fantastic (I really enjoyed the wedding sequence), the huge special effects sequences (like the massive waterfall and the huge whirlpool) are totally cool, and seeing scraggly old Keith Richards make his appearance was actually much cooler than I thought it would be. I only spotted one line from the Disneyland attraction, but it was great to hear it, especially as delivered by Barbossa, who in many ways out-pirates Jack! Geoffrey Rush is really fantastic, shouting his pirate dialogue with sheer gusto. Johnny Depp is fun as always, although I wasn't too fond of the multiple-Jacks idea. The ending was a big surprise to me, since it's definitely not a typical happy ending, but it definitely wipes the slate clean for the next possible film. Even though this trilogy's final chapter is my least favorite, it still makes for an amazing theater experience! Labels: disney, movies
Hot Fuzz : 3 of 5
5.23.2007 7:01 AM \| Link	I really had a movie-filled weekend, since my pals and I went to see Hot Fuzz together as part of Ernesto's birthday celebration! This is a super-quirky film with some hilarious scenes, but I have to say right away that it was a little too disjointed for me. Even though I had a fantastic time watching it, I couldn't help thinking that the filmmakers couldn't decide what kind of movie they were making, so they just combined farce, mystery, thriller, slap-stick, situation comedy, and everything else into one plot. I guess this makes for some interesting shock value (like when you think you're watching a funny show and suddenly there's gore all over the screen), but I prefer a consistent genre (call me old fashioned!). Hot Fuzz is the story of Nicholas Angel, a London cop who is so good that he makes the rest of the force look bad, so they send him to a rural town where there seems to be no crime at all. Of course, his super-cop senses find crime in everything, and eventually he does uncover the most bizarre crime wave you can imagine! Along the way there are some incredibly funny action sequences, paying homage to classic cop fighting scenes - it's hilarious to see elderly men and women dueling with rifles and suffering flying kicks! Besides our main character, there are plenty of other townsfolk and police officers to enjoy, particularly Nick's partner Danny, who idolizes action film stars - there's some great interaction between the two of them. I'm sure I'm in the minority with my ho-hum review, but don't get me wrong - Hot Fuzz is still great entertainment and I definitely recommend it for an evening of laughs! Labels: movies
Shrek the Third : 3 of 5
6:58 AM \| Link	I was happy to help Shrek the Third break some box office records on its opening weekend, and my pal Melinda and I really enjoyed the movie. I recently re-watched the first Shrek just for fun, and it was interesting to me how the jokes just aren't as funny the second time around. I'd say this is the major flaw with trendy animated comedy, which is a formula so many features have been following lately. This time around is no exception, but that doesn't mean I didn't laugh like crazy during the best moments of this movie! I've always loved the Gingerbread Man, and there's a fantastic Six Million Dollar Man spoof when his life flashes before his eyes! I also really loved seeing the princesses decide to take charge and kick some butt - Snow White was especially cool during this Kill Bill tribute. The main characters are just so-so, though. Shrek never really does anything really ogre-ish, and Puss in Boots and Donkey are practically wasted during their body switch. Of course, there's the usual set of pop tune montages to sell soundtracks - the typical "emotional" number seemed particularly out of place this time. Overall I definitely enjoyed myself at the theater, and I'm always thrilled that animated features are getting so much attention these days, but I think the Shrek-esque formula film has run it's course, and I hope the studios can break out of it's money-making mold to provide some timeless entertainment in the future. Labels: movies
Spider-Man 3 : 4 of 5
5.06.2007 7:33 AM \| Link	Spider-Man 3 is a terrifically fun movie, full of incredible action and effects, along with an entertaining story - definitely quite a departure from the comic books, but managing to capture the spirit of the characters really well. I've been extra-excited about seeing this movie, since my pal Jerry worked on it, and seeing the specific scenes that he worked on added an entirely new level of coolness for me! I really enjoyed the sweeping camera movies in the action sequences and all the creative fighting moves, and I loved Spidey firing web bombs and the giant Sandman scenes. I thought Tobey Maguire did an especially good job this time around, and it was hilarious to see him as the "bad Peter" as the Venom suit starts to affect him (though I have to say, the entire jazz club scene was a little silly and could have easily been cut!). Even though it was tough to weave together a plot with these multiple villains, I really enjoyed the result, although the ending was such a low-energy moment after all that action. My biggest complaint is about the brief moments of narration, which are totally unnecessary (just imagine the opening sequence without it and it's so much better!), but that's just a pet peeve of mine. Spider-Man 3 is an awesome roller-coaster ride, one of the best superhero movies ever, and a spectacular effects showcase! I'm sure I'll be seeing it again! Labels: movies
Grindhouse : 2 of 5
4.24.2007 7:40 AM \| Link	I'm not really a fan of Tarantino or Rodriguez (although both of them have made some good stuff I've enjoyed), but the concept for this double-feature was so good that I had to check it out with my pals Tom, Chris, and Ernesto. I love the idea of celebrating the genre of these movies, complete with fake trailers (which was my favorite part of the experience) and lots of grainy "bad print" effects. Rodriguez gets things off to a great start with Planet Terror, an awesome zombie movie featuring a hot chick with a machine gun leg! There's plenty of gore, but it's the kind that's so gooey that it's laughable, and Rodriguez fills his plot with corny jokes and over-the-top action that really make the movie fun. After some more great fake trailers, Tarantino's Death Proof takes the screen, and I've never seen such an incredible turd of a movie! On the plus side, there's about 20 minutes of fantastic car chase to enjoy, but you have to suffer through more than an hour of absolutely boring scenes of characters that you care nothing about, talking on and on about things you don't care about, and then getting killed so there was no point watching them in the first place. Tarantino just crapped out the movie that he wanted to make, almost ignoring the genre, and forces you to watch it - it's just as terrible as the Rodriguez movie is good! So, if the concept sounds good to you, take a look at Grindhouse, but you might want to walk out in the middle. Labels: movies
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters : 4 of 5
4.15.2007 7:40 AM \| Link	I'm pretty amazed that this film actually got made and released, because even though Aqua Teen Hunger Force has been on Cartoon Network for several years, most of the world still has never heard of it (evidenced by the insane bomb scare in Boston!). If you are an Aqua Teen fan, then you've probably already seen this movie (my pal Chris and I went on opening night), and if you aren't a fan, there's no reason for you to go (but I definitely recommended checking out the show and seeing if you get hooked). As for me, I loved it and laughed my head off - sometimes it was hard to stop laughing to hear the next joke (I totally lost it during the MC Pee Pants cameo)! Besides Master Shake, Frylock, and Meatwad, almost all of the other side characters make appearances, although I have to say it seemed a little unbalanced. I wish there would have been more Carl and more Mooninites, and a little less Cybernetic Ghost. The plot is pretty cool, since it kind of tells an origin story (and incorporates the weird closing credit images from the show) and it does a good job of intertwining all of this bizarre stuff. The opening spoof of the singing snack bar foods is unbelivable, and several other moments are too funny to be believed (especially the Civil War video game!). I'd say Aqua Teen works much better as a 15-minute TV show, but this movie was still an incredible gift to the fans - I can't wait to watch it again on DVD! Labels: movies
The Last Mimzy : 3 of 5
7:23 AM \| Link	Since I see lots of animated features and films that are marketed to kids, so I saw the trailer for The Last Mimzy several times, and each time I wondered what in the world it was about! My pal Melinda and I decided to find out, and we both really enjoyed the movie. The story is really unusual, and I guess I can reveal some of the plot since this probably won't be in theaters much longer. A brother and sister find a strange box on the beach that contains bizarre items with strange powers, along with a cute stuffed bunny that seems to talk to the little girl. The whole movie involves finding out just what these items are for and where they came from, and gets mixed up with ancient Tibetan Mandalas and even anti-terrorist FBI agents! The child actors do a fine job (especially the girl), and I also enjoyed Rainn Wilson as the science teacher (I don't watch The Office, but I liked him in Six Feet Under). The story really kept me guessing and intrigued all the way to the end, and includes several subtle hints that all add up once the plot is revealed (such as the nice connection to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland). The Last Mimzy really has an E.T. feel to it (without needing alien special effects), and I definitely recommend it as an engaging, intelligent story! Labels: movies
Meet the Robinsons : 3 of 5
4.08.2007 7:05 AM \| Link	I'm glad that my local theater is equipped to show Disney's recent 3D movies, since my pal Melinda and I have enjoyed going to see all of them. I think Meet the Robinsons has taken advantage of the 3D process the most so far - many of these scenes were definitely designed with 3D in mind, so much so that it will be interesting to see how it looks on DVD. This is the only Disney animated feature with a good ol' science fiction time travel paradox, which seems a little crazy for young audiences to grasp, but then again, all of the characters are crazy, too! In fact, Meet the Robinsons feels like a bunch of funny, talented storytellers got in a room and threw out every gag they could think of, and then they managed to put them all into the same movie! The story starts out nicely, covering Lewis' childhood situation, but after Wilbur takes him forward in time, it starts to feel really off-course. Thankfully, things definitely come together at the end and there are some great emotional moments wrapped up in a nice quote by Walt Disney (which seems like something John Lassater may have contributed to the film). On the positive side, the animation looks really cool, and I love the extreme character designs. I also laughed a lot, and I appreciated that the jokes had a much less contemporary edge than your average DreamWorks movie. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the movie experience, but I'm still longing for Disney to bring back some real magic (and I'm confident they will)! Labels: disney, movies
Blades of Glory : 3 of 5
4.02.2007 7:27 AM \| Link	It seems like Will Ferrell has a knack for choosing subjects that are just begging to be parodied and then giving it his usual hilarious treatment. It's amazing that no one else has made a male-male pairs figure skating movie before, but I'm glad Will got this story first, since it's much funnier than his other recent movies (much better than Talladega Nights!). This is also the first movie I've seen with Jon Heder since Napoleon Dynamite, and I was pretty surprised by his great comedic performance, since I expected him to get stuck in the Napoleon role. The best parts of this movie are all jokes about figure skating in general - the outlandish costumes, the overly emotional routines, and the gushing commentators (including Scott Hamilton, which brought a lot of realism!). I especially loved the mini-bios at the beginning, covering each skater just like ABC Sports would, right down to the quick editing style and the cheesy puns! Watch out for the video of the dreaded Iron Lotus move in China - that's a good example of a shock joke gone too far! Overall, Blades of Glory made for a great night of laughing at the Alamo with Jonathan and Ernesto, and I'm looking forward to seeing what subject Will takes on next! Labels: movies
Ghost Rider : 3 of 5
3.19.2007 4:30 PM \| Link	I used to read lots of Marvel comics as a kid (more than I do now, anyway!), and I used to think Ghost Rider was really cool, especially when he teamed-up with other heroes like Spider-Man. Of course, Ghost Rider is kind of an anti-hero, and basically is just a cool idea (who wouldn't want to see a flaming skeleton riding a motorcycle?) that became an interesting character with lots of fans. The movie definitely takes a comic book approach to the plot, and the script is about as campy as you can get for today's audiences. There are certainly some groaner lines and plot holes, but I didn't really mind because the action sequences were really exciting! Any superhero movie has to start with the origin story, and even though there's a lot to watch before you get to see his skull catch fire, lots of the details help the plot make sense later. Nicholas Cage is just fine as Johnny Blaze, playing him just a little dim-witted (at least that's how I saw it), and I really liked Donal Logue as his friend Mack, though he dies way too quickly with almost no drama at all. Roxanne, on the other hand, was really boring, even though all of her blouses were missing the top three buttons. Ghost Rider himself is really well done - watching him use his chain whip and transform his motorcycle was especially cool, but I thought the long effects sequences during his "Penance Stare" were a little too much. This is definitely a movie to see when you're itching for some superhero action that doesn't take itself seriously - definitely better than Fantastic Four, but miles away from Spider-Man. Labels: movies
Wild Hogs : 2 of 5
3.11.2007 6:32 PM \| Link	There certainly has been a lack of movies that I want to see lately, but since I still like to see something at the theater every now and then, my pal Melinda and I went to see this goofy little movie. My low rating is only because I wouldn't really recommend seeing this (unless you're a big fan of this genre), but I still had a few laughs, and there have certainly been worse movies than this one! Wild Hogs is about four older guys feeling like life has passed them by, so they go on a long road trip on their motorcycles. Of course, they meet up with a gang of bad-guy bikers, and the whole thing ends up in a showdown where they learn to be thankful for their lives and their friendship (big surprise!). I liked William H. Macy's character, since he's basically a computer geek (who is proud of his Apple logo tattoo), and the skinny dipping scene was pretty funny, too. However, there were some things that seemed really contrived (thrown in for a desperate laugh), especially the twin cops where one makes fun of his brother for having a shot-off ear! This movie probably should have been made for TV, but I guess it had to have a theatrical release since people always go to see movies with stars in them. Overall, Wild Hogs was good for some laughs with a friend, but I definitely won't be TiVo-ing this when it hits cable! Labels: movies
Dreamgirls : 5 of 5
2.20.2007 9:12 PM \| Link	I don't know why I waited so long to see this movie, especially because I like musicals so much, but Dreamgirls was a great choice for a Sunday night at the Alamo Drafthouse with Ernesto and Jonathan. Just like when I saw Chicago, I couldn't stop myself from applauding after many of the incredible numbers, and I think the rest of the theater joined in! I'm sure you already know that Dreamgirls tells a kind of history of soul music through fictional characters, and includes musical styles from Motown all the way through disco. The music is absolutely fantastic, with tons of energy and fantastic production (I especially like the way the drums are always really loud, with a huge snare "pop", yet never get in the way of the other instruments), and the songs are pretty much wall to wall. Beyonce is great in her role (and beautiful, of course), and although she sounds terrific, she sounds like a beginner next to Jennifer Hudson, who gets several chances to belt out some real emotion. This is definitely the best role Eddie Murphy has ever played (combining joy when he's performing to tragedy when his life falls apart), and since I'm not a Jamie Foxx fan, I didn't mind that his character was such a jerk. Dreamgirls is a celebration of some truly incredible music, combined with some great character development, that makes for an exciting time at the theater - I hope I can see the Broadway production someday! Labels: movies
Bridge to Terebithia : 4 of 5
2.18.2007 5:34 PM \| Link	I knew nothing about this movie before I went to see it, since I haven't read the book, but before I went I heard some interesting comments by the filmmakers about how Disney has mis-marketed the film. The trailer definitely makes it look like another Narnia-style story, but that couldn't be further from the truth! Actually, the film is about young friends who find the courage to overcome problems in real life by facing difficulties in their shared make-believe life. The plot deals with many difficult subjects, including family difficulties, school bullying, faith questions, and even a shocking tragedy that left me completely shocked (which of course, I can't actually mention here!). So, the fantasy portions of the movie are extremely brief, but they're fun and important to the rest of the story. The child actors do an absolutely incredible job - their performance is really amazing! I have a feeling Josh Hutcherson could grow up to be a real star (he definitely has a great emotional quality). The final scenes of the film really had the tears rolling for me, and afterwards my pal Melinda and I were at a loss for words to describe how we felt. Bridge to Terebithia is a beautiful, emotion-filled movie that celebrates the magic and difficulty of life. Labels: disney, movies
Epic Movie : 2 of 5
2.09.2007 6:49 PM \| Link	I'm just as surprised as you are that I saw this movie, but my pal Melinda and I went because there really wasn't anything else that one of us hadn't already seen! Of course, Epic Movie is pretty much mindless, but every now and then it's not so bad to just laugh for a while and wonder how some movies ever get made. The idea is just to spoof tons of recent Hollywood blockbuster films, so lots of things are thrown together to make some kind of story. I definitely wasn't expecting The Chronicles of Narnia (or Gnarnia, in this case) to be the framework for the plot, but I guess it worked pretty well. Although several jokes fell flat, there were some moments I really enjoyed, especially the Harry Potter segment, where Harry and his friends are all middle-aged and run-down even though they are supposed to be teenagers (so true!). The Pirates of the Caribbean spoof was pretty good, especially the crazy music video (based on Lazy Sunday from Saturday Night Live). It was kind of fun seeing how well they reproduced sets and props from the various films, which was a nice distraction whenever the jokes were lame. I wouldn't really recommend Epic Movie to anybody, but I still got some laughs in and had good time seeing it. Labels: harry potter, movies
Night at the Museum : 3 of 5
12.22.2006 9:00 PM \| Link	When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I thought it looked pretty silly and had too many stars in the cast to actually be good. But, this definitely seemed like a perfect movie to enjoy with my parents for the holidays. It turns out I was right all around - Night at the Museum definitely has a really silly, even stupid plot, but I still laughed out loud for the whole movie! If you've seen a commercial then you know the plot - Ben Stiller is the night guard at New York's Museum of Natural History, and at night everything comes to life, including wax figures, miniature dioramas, and even a dinosaur skeleton (which shows off some excellent animation when these huge bones take on the character of a playful dog!). Lots of really goofy things happen, but I can't be critical because they all made me laugh! I liked watching the miniature cowboys fight with the miniature Roman Empire, but I probably cracked up the most when Ben consoles the raging Attila the Hun by understanding his childhood and giving him a big hug - completely ridiculous, but still funny! My parents and I had a great time during the whole film and spent a fun day at the theater laughing together, so in my book that makes this a great holiday movie! Labels: movies
Eragon : 3 of 5
12.17.2006 9:54 PM \| Link	When I saw the trailer for this movie, I never thought I would be going to see it, but since my parents and I love to go to the theater a few times during the holidays, it seemed like it might be fun to check it out. It turned out to be a surprisingly great time, and we all enjoyed it! I've never heard of the book this story is based on, but the plot is so much like Star Wars that someone should be ashamed! A farm boy meets an old former knight and they go rescue a princess - there's even a Han Solo kind of character. But putting that aside, Eragon is a nice fantasy adventure to just sit back and enjoy for a while. There are plenty of cliches and nothing is super original, but it's exciting to see a dragon in action! The effects were much better than I expected, especially during the flying sequences (and of course, no can resist a cute blue-eyed dragon hatching from an egg). The acting is decent enough (especially from Jeremy Irons), but John Malkovich is kind of silly as the evil king with 10 minutes of screen time (just a setup for the sequel, really!). So, I'm glad this was one of my holiday movies this year, and now I'm a dragon fan! Labels: movies
The Santa Clause 3 / The Escape Clause : 3 of 5
12.09.2006 9:57 PM \| Link	I knew this movie was going to be goofy from the moment I first saw the trailer a few months ago, but since I like seeing holiday movies of almost any kind, my pal Melinda and I decided to go. The good news is that The Santa Clause 3 wasn't as bad as I expected, but the bad news is that they should have stopped with The Santa Clause 2! For me, the charm of the original movie (one of my holiday favorites) is discovering that Santa Claus is a real person, and how his magic can do wonderful things at Christmas. So, when you set the whole movie at the North Pole, and throw in all the silly other legendary characters (like the Easter Bunny and even the Tooth Fairy), it definitely becomes less special. In fact, the whole thing felt like a made for TV movie, or even something that should have been animated in stop-motion! But I have to say, I did have a fun time with the story, especially when Santa and Jack Frost travel back to the moment when Scott Calvin first wears Santa's coat in the original film. Even though Martin Short can be painfully annoying, he actually fits the Jack Frost character perfectly, and I kind of enjoyed his bizarre performance. So, I guess I don't mind too much that Disney is squeezing the last dollar they can from this 1994 hit - I just like watching Christmas movies at Christmas time (but any other time of the year, I would definitely give this a 2 rating)! Labels: disney, movies
Happy Feet : 3 of 5
12.01.2006 9:57 PM \| Link	I'm always glad to go to the theater to support any animated feature film, and Happy Feet was a fun movie to see, and quite interesting for many reasons. I was a huge fan of the trailer, because seeing penguins sing is just inherently funny, so I was thrilled when the movie began with tons of penguins hanging around and singing. The opening act has so many pop songs intertwined (with excellent arrangements, by the way), that I was instantly reminded of Moulin Rouge, and at first I though this would be the whole movie - one long musical. The plot is that Emperor Penguins are born to sing, but poor Mumble is born to dance, so he becomes an outcast who can't get a girlfriend and so on. That would have been enough for me, but instead, Happy Feet transforms into an entirely different movie in the middle, where Mumble tries to discover why "aliens" (humans) are stealing their fish, and even ends up trapped in a Sea World kind of exhibit, which is depicted kind of like an asylum! The tone change is really kind of jarring, and then resolved far too quickly with a montage. However, these scenes are pretty innovative, since they use live-action humans along with the CG penguins, which was a surprise! The musical first half of Happy Feet definitely gets a 5 rating, but the too serious second half gets a 2, so the whole film gets a 3 from WEBmikey. I still recommend seeing it for a fun movie time! Labels: movies
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan : 3 of 5
11.13.2006 11:20 PM \| Link	I'm one of the few who haven't seen a single Borat segment - I don't know how I completely missed them, but I never would have even known about Borat if my pal Chris wasn't always talking about him. In fact, I probably wouldn't even have heard of Kazakhstan if my pal Tom hadn't done his Peace Corps work in Uzbekistan next door. Anyway, the trailer for this movie looked great, so I went with my pals Ernesto and Jonathan, and we all laughed our heads off! Generally I'm very sensitive about humor involving racism, but for some reason, when it reaches the point of being so outrageous that it's impossible to mistake it as genuine, I think it can be hilarious. The fact that Borat can say some of the unbelievable things he does with straight face is pretty amazing - you will either laugh it off, or be terribly offended. If you can get past all of that, the movie weaves together several different segments nicely by turning the story into a road trip, with the ultimate goal of meeting Pamela Anderson. Part of the fun is figuring out what's scripted and what's spontaneous, and believe me, most of it seems real! If you're looking for a few big laughs (or if you're hoping to see nude men wrestling), then Borat should be just what you need. Labels: movies
Flushed Away : 4 of 5
11.09.2006 10:43 PM \| Link	It's great to see Aardman Animation bringing their claymation expertise to the CG world, and it's really an amazing combination. Aardman has developed software that gives their work the feel of real claymation (most obvious in the mouth movements), and of course the character designs all have that signature Wallace & Gromit look. The story is about Roddy, a pet rat who gets flushed into the sewer, where he finds a complete miniature London (creatively built of all kinds of scrap parts) full of sewer rats and their frog enemies. Along the way he meets Rita, who has a crazy boat that she uses to navigate the sewer waters kind of like a pirate. All of the voice acting is well done and the characters are really likeable (even the bad guys), but the slugs steal the show! Yes, there are little slugs everywhere (after all, this is a sewer) who show up from time to time and sing appropriate tunes in hilarious harmony. The pacing of the movie is really well-done, focusing nicely on character development (for Roddy and Rita), and finally revealing the evil frog plot at just the right time. I definitely couldn't count the number of laugh-out-loud moments, which were well-divided between visual jokes and clever dialogue. All in all, it was incredibly fun to see another great Aardman movie produced in a new medium, and I hope it's successful enough to keep the ball rolling. Labels: movies
The Prestige : 4 of 5
10.31.2006 11:58 AM \| Link	I first heard about this movie when I saw the trailer before The Illusionist (which is pretty funny, considering they are both films about magic in roughly the same time period), and I was intrigued right from the start. This movie is really difficult to write about (even for a short and sweet WEBmikey review!), because almost anything could end up revealing some of the many plot twists, and believe me, there are a lot of them! The Prestige (which refers to the final act of a magic trick) is about two magicians who work together at first, but later become involved in a bitter and sometimes violent rivalry, mostly focused on Hugh Jackman trying to discover the secret to Christian Bale's ultimate illusion. Because of the way the story is revealed, there's quite a bit of time-jumping in the movie, but it does a great job of using this device to make the plot extremely fascinating, and even to lead the audience into solving puzzles (which is always fun when watching a movie like this). Everyone gives fine performances (even David Bowie as Tesla, which at first made me groan), and the pace of the film is just perfect. I really enjoyed watching this movie, which has just enough "real magic" to go along with the reality. Once again, a fantastic story proves to be the essential ingredient to a really entertaining film! Labels: movies
The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D : 5 of 5
10.26.2006 10:37 PM \| Link	One of the best ways to start getting into a holiday mood is to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, since it does such a great job of making Halloween fun and beginning Christmas anticipation! My pal Melinda and I were really excited to hear about the new 3D re-release, and it was a blast to see again - I couldn't even remember seeing it on the big screen back in 1993, since I've watched it a million times on DVD since then. The added 3D effects are really subtle, probably because transforming an existing movie into 3D has got to be a new and bizarre process (I can't even imagine how they do it), and also because most of the scenes weren't really designed with depth in mind. It's still very immersive, however, and some sequences have many distinct layers (especially Jack's solo in the graveyard, since the many tombstones provide lots of depth opportunity). The songs are all just as wonderful as the first time, and I'm always impressed by what a fairy-tale quality story it is - it's really like a modern mini-opera! It was fun to see all the crazy monsters again, too - I always crack-up at the roly-poly kid with his eyelids sewn shut (what's up with that?!). As an extra bonus, the movie begins with a super-3D version of Pixar's classic short Knick Knack, which looked fantastic in spite of it's ancient graphics technology! Labels: disney, movies
Jackass Number Two : 3 of 5
10.06.2006 10:09 PM \| Link	It's hard to explain why anyone likes seeing guys getting hurt just to be funny, but whatever twisted reason we all come up with, I can't deny that I used to like watching the show on MTV. The first Jackass movie was just OK, because I think they went a little too far (because they could do just about anything they wanted in a movie), but it was still kind of fun. Jackass Number Two gets it just right, though! I wasn't even planning on seeing it (and I was surprised they even made it, since the popularity has died down so much), but the guys and I decided to take it in at the Alamo Drafthouse (a perfect environment for this movie), and I have to say that I laughed the entire time! The best thing about the movie is that this time they decided to do stunts that are just way off the scale for everyday people, which was much more interesting. No one is going to be able to build a giant rocket and strap themselves to it (just like Wile E. Coyote) and shoot themselves out into the middle of a lake, which makes it even more amazing to see Johnny Knoxville do it! There are definitely some super gross-out moments, but at least they are spaced apart well enough so we don't have to linger on them. It's also really cool that the opening and closing segments have some real studio production value, beyond the usual handheld video quality - no matter what you think of these guys, they really know how to make fun of themselves, right down to parodying their own silliness in a big Broadway style number. This is totally crazy-ass stuff, but I dare you watch the whole thing without laughing! Labels: movies
Open Season : 3 of 5
10.05.2006 10:25 PM \| Link	It's always a good thing when a new animated feature is released, and I love going to see them in the theater. Lately I haven't been too picky - I don't expect too much from these movies (since there have been so many this year), but I always enjoy myself anyway. Open Season was nice because it was much funnier than I was predicting! Of course, this is definitely another talking animal movie, and because it has to do with a domesticated bear learning his way in the "wild" forest, you can almost compare the basic plot to The Wild or even Madagascar. Open Season has a much different feel, though, because Boog the bear and Elliot the deer turn this into a buddy movie, and it's their crazy dialogue that really had me rolling. When Boog wants to find a toilet because he's never used "the woods", Elliot actually tells him, "Come on, it's just like riding a bicycle, except you're crapping on it." That line has to go down in history, don't you think? As far as animation goes, I was happy with the character design (nothing made me cringe, though I think McSquizzy the squirrel was just plain ugly), and there were plenty of nice effects (I was really impressed with how