Synopsis: Emmet is just an average guy. He lives his life by the same routine every day, and always follows the instructions. One day, a weird mishap leads to him being declared The Special: the one person who can stop the evil President Business' dastardly plan of unleashing the Kragle on the entire world. The only problem is: There doesn't appear to be anything special about Emmet. Will he be able to save all his fellow citizens regardless?
The Good: This movie is a wonder to behold. The animation really brings inanimate Lego bricks to life, and the humor and pop culture references are spot-on. It also brings home an excellent moral: that everyone is special and valuable, no matter who they are. All in all, a wonderful flick.
The Bad: Nothing, really.
Conclusion: Me and Lego blocks have an interesting history. My mom got me some Lego sets as a kid, but, I had trouble manipulating the small pieces due to coordination issues. I had a good friend at church who loved those building blocks so much, he dressed up as a Lego for Halloween. Toward the end of my high school days, I had fun playing Lego Star Wars on my Nintendo GameCube; since then, I've had a blast with Lego's TV series, ranging from their comedic take on Lucas' space opera to Ninjago. I've been meaning to watch this flick for a while, but just recently got around to it; it was just as good as I expected and then some. If you haven't seen this yet...what are you waiting for? Go rent or stream it, now!
Score: 5/5
Synopsis: Dusty (George Strait) is the biggest country music sensation on the planet! Despite his massive fame, he is tired of playing one sold-out show after another...so, he abruptly leaves town after a concert, leaving his band flummoxed. While they hunt for Dusty, they get an aspiring country singer (Kyle Chandler, Early Edition) to fill in, making everyone think he is the real Dusty. Will his band ever get Dusty to perform again, or are his days of stardom over for good?
The Good: Like many movies about concert performers, this is a great look at what goes into live music. It also shows how easily people can be duped into thinking that "stars" have talent, when they really don't; in a world full of Auto-Tuned singers, airbrushed photos, and sub-par Hollywood actors and actresses, that point hits home even more now than it likely did in 1992.
The Bad: Unfortunately, this movie betrays its "PG" rating. While I expected some language--how often does a movie rated higher than "G" not have any?--I wasn't expecting seven or eight uses of the d-word, almost as many of the h-word, three or four of the a-word, and even two uses of the s-word, the latter of which was unspeakable on network television at the time. Misuses of God's name, euphemisms such as "gosh" and "crap," and unkind phrases such as "shut up" pop up here and there as well. Sexual content is also present; one man talks about a one-night stand, whereas another scene has a woman walking into a men's restroom and making a reference to a guy's private anatomy. There were some brutal fights; they weren't very bloody, but, one guy gets seriously injured. Alcoholism is seen throughout. This feels more like one of the "PG" flicks from the eighties, when the "PG-13" rating didn't exist yet.
Conclusion: As a result of my celebrity crush days, I'm better known for admiring celebrities of the female gender than ones with "Y" chromosomes. Even some of my friends may be surprised to find out that I've admired famous guys, including actors, for years. One of them is Kyle Chandler, who played the lead in Early Edition, a show my mom and I watched together back in the day not only when it was originally on, but also in reruns. Some years ago, I revisited the first season on DVD; recent news that the studio is releasing the entire series sometime this year is music to my ears. So, when I read that Mr. Chandler was in this movie, I gave it a chance. I have to hand it to him; he did his part well...but, that didn't save this movie from being a mess. Hopefully, the sequel (of sorts) is better.
Score: 2/5
Synopsis: Robin Good (Larry the Cucumber) lives in the medieval town of Bethlingham, where he and his "merry men" try to raise money for the poor of the city. When Robin witnesses a ham being stolen by the sheriff of the town by the prince's orders, he decides to do something about it...only for his friends to abandon him. Will Robin be able to save Bethlingham from the clutches of the evil prince? Also, in a bonus story, Lenny (Junior Asparagus) is excited because it's his birthday...but, nobody seems to realize it's his special day. How could they forget something that important?
The Good: What Big Idea has done well in the past, they continue to excel at here. Amazing animation; fabulous values; fun humor...this is exactly what I've come to love about this franchise. Though kids are the target audience, the moral here is one that adults should take to heart as well.
The Bad: Nothing, really.
Conclusion: I've been watching VeggieTales episodes since I was in middle school; I've had a blast with many of them, especially Jonah. This is another hit for Big Idea; I've sat through some sorry movies lately, but, this isn't one of them. Fans of Bob, Larry, and friends should check this out if they haven't already.
Score: 4.5/5
Synopsis: Jake Kincaid, a convicted criminal who recently finished his prison sentence, is searching for a treasure trove of gold he believes to be his. His search leads him to a town called Fairplay, where he soon falls in love and finds work, though the people there don't know his true intentions. When notorious outlaws visit the town, it's up to Jake and his new friends to stop them.
The Good: Some of the characters here were likable. It's also good to see Pure Flix to do something that isn't an end times saga, a Biblical interpretation, or a modern-day drama of faith.
The Bad: Unfortunately, this film falls flat in every area. The acting wasn't very good; the plot is boring; all of the shootouts don't feel like a Christian movie; the sets are unconvincing and obviously low budget; and, overall, this is definitely not one of this studio's best.
Conclusion: I've said again and again that I'm a fan of Christian cinema. Sure, sometimes, filmmakers of the faith get it wrong...but, so do mainstream ones at times. However, when it goes wrong, it can be painful to watch, and makes people of the Way look bad...and this is a prime example of that. I sure hope the other Christian movies I watch later this month are better than this mess.
Synopsis: Ash, Brock, May, and Max travel to a city to see the Millennium Comet; as its name suggests, it only comes once every thousand years. While there, they meet Butler and Diane, a duo of magicians. During their magic act, Max hears a voice calling out to him: Jirachi, a Pokémon that supposedly has the ability to grant wishes. The two of the immediately bond, but, Jirachi can only stick around during the seven days the comet is in the sky. Worse yet, Butler has a plan to harness Jirachi's powers to complete a once-failed experiment. Will Ash and friends be able to stop him?
The Good: Unlike the previous "pocket monster" movie I saw recently, this one had a story that kept me interested. The animation and voice work were very good, and the ending was rather intense.
The Bad: While not as ingratiating as Latios and Latias, Jirachi could still be annoying at times. Also, though I wanted to see this through to the end, it still felt a little lackluster.
Conclusion: I mentioned in a previous review the history I have with the Pokémon franchise. Compared to my previous experience with one of these films, this was a step up...but, I'm still not all that impressed by these flicks. Die-hard fans of those "pocket monsters" may feel differently.
Score: 3/5
Synopsis: In first century Rome, evil Emperor Nero rules with an iron fist. Those who follow Christ live in hiding and fear for their lives; Nero has been casting those of the Way to the lions because of their faith. Paul, world-traveling missionary, is imprisoned and nearing the end of his life. Luke, a doctor and fellow believer, visits him in prison. When military commander Mauritius' daughter is sick, he is desperate to save her...but, nobody seems to be able to help. He has heard that Luke is an amazing physician...but, he can't bear the thought of having one of those Christians set foot in his home. Will he be able to save his daughter...and learn the error of his ways?
The Good: For a Christian movie, the production values here are incredible. It really took me back to the time of Acts, which, ironically, was where I was in my Bible reading plan when I started and finished this. The actors all did amazingly well, and this flick doesn't shy away from showing the brutality that those of the Way faced back in the day. There is some blood, but much of the more intense violence is implied...which can leave quite the picture in your mind's eye. Showing Paul's past haunting him was a plus; I'm a Christian now, but, I had a rather troubled childhood as well, despite being raised in a faithful home. So, when his deeds in his younger years haunted him, that just makes me identify with him all the more. All in all, this was excellent, except...
The Bad: I had a hard time getting into this at first; the jumping around made me feel like I was watching a clips show instead of an actual movie. Plus, though Jim Caviezel did well as Luke, hearing his voice made me think I was hearing Jesus instead, as he does the voice of Christ in The Word of Promise audio Bible.
Conclusion: Other than Jesus, who is your favorite person in the Bible? I've heard answers ranging from Peter to Abraham to even Samson. (I don't understand the reason for the latter answer; he may have been really strong...but he was also a rather messed-up guy, and undone by a woman.) For me, that answer is Paul, because he is a lot like me: a checkered past, a passion for expressing ideas through words, and a head for Scripture. This film illustrates his life very well; though I've seen other cinematic interpretations of his life, this one ranks above the rest. Just make sure that you stick to it when you decide to watch this; it may be a bit hard to get through at first, but it's worth it.
Score: 4/5
Synopsis: Christian couple Shawn (Bradley Dorsey) and Carrie Everett (Haylie Duff, Napoleon Dynamite) are on a camping trip when things suddenly go awry; a recently released criminal (Angus McFayden) holds them at gunpoint and instructs them to drive him to another town...where he plans to kill someone. He doesn't know that the police are on his trail...but, will they be able to catch him? Fearing for their lives, Shawn and Carrie are put to the ultimate test; will they make it out alive?
The Good: I have to hand it to Haylie Duff; she did well in this, despite it being a shoddy film. There were some surprising plot twists towards the end that I won't reveal, just in case you decide to see this after all.
The Bad: This did not feel like a Christian movie. For one, the female lead wears a low-cut outfit throughout...and she is supposed to be of the faith! With the scary criminal holding the lives of an innocent married in his hands, it feels more like a horror movie...which is not my bag. Plus, the makers play tricks on the audience; they tell the later actions of the characters via on-screen text, as if it were a true story...only to say at the end of the credits that it's all fictional! Does that not smack of lying?
Conclusion: I'm a fan of Christian cinema. Sure, filmmakers of the faith don't always get it right, but, then again, neither do mainstream ones. When done correctly, celluloid can be an amazing teaching tool...but, when we get dreck like this, it's embarrassing for people of the Way. I plan on watching more Christian movies later this month; I hope they're better than this mess. It's a shame; with a mainstream actress like Haylie Duff, who has appeared in successful projects such as Napoleon Dynamite and That's So Raven, they could have done something much better.
Synopsis: While walking around a town surrounded by water, Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum notices a strange young woman. When he follows her, he finds a mystical land where two Pokémon, Latios and Latias, the guardians of the city, reside. Hot on the two guardians' trail are Annie and Oakley, two thieves who will stop at nothing to rule the world. When they discover a gem that will give them global domination, it's up to Ash and his friends to thwart their dastardly plan once and for all.
The Good: The best thing I can say about this is at least it was a feast for the eyes. I sort of remember the anime on television being badly animated, but this one features gorgeous computer generated imagery alongside great hand-drawn animation. Also, the content is clean...but, you expected that, right?
The Bad: Latios and Latias are the main problem; they're the most annoying characters I've seen in any movie or show in a long time. Seriously, if you thought Pikachu was irritating, wait until you hear these two. Also, Annie and Oakley dress immodestly in most of their scenes. The overall story just feels lackluster; then again, I was unfamiliar with many of the monsters, even though I've played at least one game from most generations of the franchise.
Conclusion: Like most kids of my generation, I got into those "pocket monsters" around Y2K; unlike most of my peers, I continued being a fan for a while, and even played Pokémon games on my Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo GameCube. Most people I know who were into it back in the day have long since given up on it, but, it holds fond memories for me...to a degree. However, after watching this, I can see why many parents found the entire franchise positively nerve-grating. I grew up playing the games, and I was still bothered by this film. Maybe die-hard pocket monster fans will enjoy it, but, everyone else shouldn't bother.
Synopsis: It's the best-loved Christian song in a long time...but, do you know the story behind it? Young Bart Millard has a tough life; his dad is abusive, and his mother walked out on him. To escape his dire situation, Bart hits the road as part of a Christian band. He and his bandmates want to make it big...but, they're not having much success. When Bart writes a song inspired by his hard upbringing, he has no idea the impact it will have on his band...and the world.
Based on a true story.
The Good: As a longtime fan of contemporary Christian music, this kind of film is right up my alley. The performances were wonderful, especially by Dennis Quaid, although his character was rather despicable. Seeing a young Amy Grant and hearing names such as Audio Adrenaline made me happy. This film's story was rather inspiring, all the more so because it's true. While there's plenty of Christian songs heard here, I also liked hearing ELO's "Don't Bring Me Down"; one of my favorite mainstream tracks.
The Bad: Not necessarily bad, per se, but...this may be tough to watch for some. Seeing Bart get abused by his father and abandoned by his mother could trigger bad memories for viewers who had similar childhoods. Pretty much every scene of this flick is rife with emotional intensity; it makes the story all the more powerful...but, it could prove to be a stumbling block for sensitive people. Proceed with caution.
Conclusion: Me and the song "I Can Only Imagine" have an interesting history. I used to hear it on the way to and from church in my sister's car; she was a big contemporary Christian music fan, and she and my brother-in-law got me into the musical stylings of dc Talk, Audio Adrenaline, and the Newsboys. One time, during a communion devotional, a guy read the lyrics to "I Can Only Imagine"...only for us soon to start singing it during services. Our church was never one to use instruments, so, we sang it a cappella...and it was a tough one. One time, the song leader said just before leading it, "I can only imagine what this song would sound like if we got it right." Back in the day, I wasn't a big MercyMe fan; in recent years, my tastes in everything, including music, have seriously broadened, so, I now have many of their albums on my iPod...and I love them. So, maybe that makes me biased, but I really enjoyed this film; more than just a "behind the music" flick, it's an inspiring story of triumph over dire circumstances. However, for some, this may be too intense; if you're still haunted by childhood memories of abuse and/or abandonment, I'd think twice before watching this.
Attractive female lead + clean content = good movie? Not anymore!:
https://reading-rebel.blogspot.com/2018/10/tv-movie-review-when-sparks-fly.html
Man, talk about unbelievable!:
https://reading-rebel.blogspot.com/2018/10/tv-movie-review-royal-hearts.html
Synopsis: MacLarry lives in a Scottish village with all the Barber-barians...but, he isn't like any of them. They're all excellent pranksters, and use their skills to annoy the neighboring nation of Rome...whereas MacLarry dreams of being an inventor, like his hero Archiemedes. When things go wrong in his town, MacLarry leaves town for Greece...only to be caught by Romans, who concoct a dastardly plan that will use MacLarry's skills. Will the inventing cucumber be able to save the day, or is his village doomed? Meanwhile, Larry and friends sing a Silly Song about Scotland...and other places around the world!
The Good: VeggieTales is usually good fun, and this episode is no exception. With excellent animation, a great story, a wonderful moral, and good music, this is another hit from Big Idea. Even though kids are the target audience, this one has a message that many adults need to hear as well.
The Bad: As good as this is, I've seen better from Big Idea; as many films as they've made, it's tough to top some of them; still, though this was great, it could have been a bit better.
Conclusion: Ever since my brother-in-law showed me The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown in 2001, I've been a fan of Bob, Larry, and friends. I've had a blast with Big Idea's various productions, especially Jonah. While there have been a few missteps from the studio--and, hey, nobody is perfect!--most of the time, their creations are well-made, thought-provoking, and all-around fun...as was this one. Veggie fans who haven't seen this yet should.
Synopsis: Cassandra (Meghan Markle) has a problem: she always goes for guys who aren't willing to commit. Her current relationship isn't cutting it; when he makes her sit there bored while he is having a blast at the batting cage, she walks out in disgust. While at a friend's wedding, she meets a single guy named Robert, whom with she immediately hits it off. Soon after, she goes out on a date with another guy named George, whom she meets via her job. Cassandra's sister wants her to go by a bestselling dating handbook written by "expert" Dr. Susie and go for George, but their mother doesn't put any stock in that literature, and says Robert is the better choice. Who will she choose?
The Good: I can see why Prince Harry fell for Meghan Markle; she is definitely cute, and plays her part well. The rest of the cast does a great job, too. The plot drew me in, and the production values--sets, wardrobe, etc.--looked great. As you'd expect, the content was very clean: no violence, sex was limited to kissing, and as close as it comes to profanity is one use of the word "gosh". As a longtime Apple fan, the fact that Cassandra owned a MacBook and an iPod was a plus.
The Bad: Since most of the characters are adults, they're seen drinking alcohol; while I know it's only a sin to get drunk, I was a bit bothered by all the champagne on display, as well as one scene with beer. The biggest complaint, however, is that this feels a bit cookie-cutter; there's nothing particularly special about it.
Conclusion: Despite knowing the names and likenesses of many Hollywood celebrities, I had never heard of Meghan Markle until her romance with Prince Harry. I grew up hearing about the British monarchy--I remember waking up to news that Princess Diana had been killed in a car wreck in 1997--but, I was never all that enthused about it; then again, maybe I would have been if the late princess had beautiful daughters instead of sons. Still, with Meghan Markle becoming a household name, I had to see her in action...so, I checked this movie out, and I was glad I did. While it's nothing special, it drew me in and kept me until the end. I don't know if I'll ever watch it again, but it definitely brightened my weekend.
A decent adventure, but it ran a little long.
I'm not sure quite what to say about this movie. It's been said that fans are divided over it, and I myself am rather divided, too.
On the plus side, there are some great action sequences, and it's fun to see Luke in action again.
Conversely, there's too many scenes involving characters merely sitting around and talking, and it doesn't quite feel like Star Wars as I'm used to seeing it.
As a longtime fan of Disney productions, I didn't think the House of Mouse would mess up the beloved space opera; now, it kind of seems like they have. If you thought this franchise jumped the shark with the prequel trilogy, just wait until you see this movie.
Disney should have stayed true to the saga as it was and adapted the Thrawn trilogy into celluloid form; now there's something I'd pay good money to see!
Synopsis: Just after being released from an unfair prison sentence, preacher Dave (David A.R. White) names his good friend Jude as his associate minister...only for Jude to be killed in an accident caused by a brick thrown into one of the windows of the church building, which also burns the building down! Dave is bound and determined to have his church rebuilt; problem is, it's on the campus of a university, and the leaders of the college want the church removed. Not sure what to do, Dave turns to his long-lost brother, a lawyer, for help in the legal fight. Meanwhile, Christian college student Keaton (Samantha Boscarino, Nickelodeon's How to Rock) is experiencing serious doubts in her faith...which become even more complicated when she discovers her boyfriend Adam was the one who threw the brick that started the whole affair! Will Adam ever come clean? Will Dave be able to rebuild his church building?
The Good: This had some surprising plot details, especially portraying a preacher as a flawed individual who messes up in a big way. It also makes a wonderful point about what a church truly is. (Hint: It's not a building!) All of the actors did amazingly well, and the storyline had me hooked.
The Bad: The only complaint I had was with the beginning's out-of-order chronology; it would have been better if they'd shown it in order.
Content Concerns:
Sex: College co-eds briefly seen dancing at a party; kissing.
Nudity: A girl in a one-piece swimsuit; slight midriff.
Language: Name-calling, at worst.
Violence: A man is killed in an accident, which is a bit bloody; two men get into a fight, which leaves a gash on one's face; a man knocks a college student into the bushes.
Drugs: Possible drinking at a college party.
Frightening/Intense Scenes: The accident scene at the beginning; emotional intensity throughout; people arguing on television news programs; a funeral; the fights.
A fairly recent addition to the Disney franchise, Stitch has left viewers divided. I've known many people who adore the little blue alien, and just as many who despise him. I'm sort of middle of the road: not an ardent fan, but not against him either. For what it was, this movie was good fun; it provides the cuteness you'd expect from a animated film from the House of Mouse. Other than the wardrobe of some of the human characters--which was present in this franchise from the beginning, as it takes place in Hawaii--and a male alien wearing a young woman's clothes (played for laughs), there's little here that could be considered offensive. If you're not into Stitch, nothing in this will change your mind, but it makes for a fun diversion for an hour, though the length seems a bit short, even for a direct-to-DVD flick. Unless you're absolutely obsessed with that little blue thing, though, I can't recommend purchasing this.
Score: 4/5
My friends and family know that I've been a fan of Disney Channel for quite a while. However, I wasn't always keen on their Original Movies, also known as DCOMs. Just after discovering Lizzie McGuire, I was all excited for the telefilm You Wish!, which starred Lalaine...only to be super disappointed. After a few other bad experiences, I stuck with the sitcoms...until recent viewings of DCOMs on DVD were actually fun and entertaining, if only for one viewing. Some of my friends may also know that I've been a fan of Danielle Panabaker, this telefilm's lead actress, for years; I even named my first iPod touch after her. So, you probably would expect me to enjoy this...and I pretty much did. While it can be silly at times, it provides cutesy escapism, which is the kind of movie I enjoy the most. Gritty realism is not my thing--I watch movies and television shows and read books to get away from that--so, if it's yours, you won't enjoy this...but, for fans of innocent entertainment like me, this is a great one. There's no profanity, the violence is only comedic, and about as sexual as it gets is the main character wearing a midriff-baring outfit, which she soon changes out of. The one issue I take is with the closing credits: While I love Anneliese van der Pol and her song "Over It," it doesn't fit with the rest of the movie; it's like ending Cinderella with "Enter Sandman".
Score: 4.5/5
(As part of my New Year's resolution for 2018, I will be more focused in my movie reviews and avoid unnecessary filler. Therefore, my reviews from now on will be shorter and more to the point.)
I grew up around Disney. Between seeing their films both in theaters and on VHS and DVD, watching their cable network and even their production on ABC, and playing computer and video games based on their properties, you could say I had a very Mousey childhood. So, you'd probably expect me to say that I enjoyed this movie. To a degree, I did; the stories of both Coach Bombay and his ragtag hockey team were very inspiring. As an old-school flick, this also took me back to my childhood. Unfortunately, it was also edgier than I was expecting. With a movie about hockey--or pretty much any contact sport--you expect some rough-and-tumble action, and that's what you get here, though none of it is bloody or graphic. What I didn't expect was some un-Disney-like language: the d-word and h-word get a bit of a workout, and there are also a-words and misuses of God's name. Worse yet, some of the expletives are uttered by the kids. While I expected a small amount of profanity--seriously, a "PG" film without any is rare--I found the amount here to be a little too high. Add a scene involving kids looking at dirty magazines (though no nudity is shown,) and I can't recommend this to discerning viewers or families with little kids, unless you have a device that eliminates profanity from your viewing choices.
Score: 2.5/5
(As part of my New Year's resolution for 2018, I will be more focused in my movie reviews and avoid unnecessary filler. Therefore, my reviews from now on will be shorter and more to the point.)
I grew up around Disney. Between seeing their films both in theaters and on VHS and DVD, watching their cable network and even their production on ABC, and playing computer and video games based on their properties, you could say I had a very Mousey childhood. So, you'd probably expect me to say that I enjoyed this movie. To a degree, I did; the stories of both Coach Bombay and his ragtag hockey team were very inspiring. As an old-school flick, this also took me back to my childhood. Unfortunately, it was also edgier than I was expecting. With a movie about hockey--or pretty much any contact sport--you expect some rough-and-tumble action, and that's what you get here, though none of it is bloody or graphic. What I didn't expect was some un-Disney-like language: the d-word and h-word get a bit of a workout, and there are also a-words and misuses of God's name. Worse yet, some of the expletives are uttered by the kids. While I expected a small amount of profanity--seriously, a "PG" film without any is rare--I found the amount here to be a little too high. Add a scene involving kids looking at dirty magazines (though no nudity is shown,) and I can't recommend this to discerning viewers or families with little kids, unless you have a device that eliminates profanity from your viewing choices.
Score: 2.5/5
Synopsis: Erica Enders (Beverley Mitchell, 7th Heaven) wants to follow in her father's footsteps and become a champion drag racer! The only problem is: Drag racing is a male-dominated sport! Determined to prove she has what it takes to keep up with the boys, she practices hard and wins many a race, inspiring her little sister, Courtney (Brie Larson), to follow in her footsteps. However, school, relationships, and other teenage issues get in the way of Erica's dream. Will she give up drag racing in order to be a normal kid?
Based on a true story.
The Good: Okay, so, I'm not the target audience for this movie. Still, I found Erica and Courtney to be likable protagonists, and the story to be inspiring, especially since it's true. The race scenes were nicely done; it helped that the real Enders sisters served as stunt doubles for the actors playing them. A scene showing Erica refusing to cheat to get ahead was a big plus.
The Bad: As good as this was, it was a bit pokey at times; it could have used more racing action and less school and home scenes. Still, that's a minor complaint.
Conclusion: This movie was advertised on Disney Channel like crazy back when I first got into Lizzie McGuire; however, after a bad experience with the DCOM You Wish!, I passed on it...until it became available on iTunes; then, it sat on my hard drive for a while...until this past week, when I watched it in its entirety and had fun with it. I doubt I'll watch it again, but it was great for what it was.
Score: 4/5
Synopsis: Young Mary Grant (Hayley Mills) has found a note in a bottle written by her father, who was lost at sea and presumed dead! She is sure that he wrote it, so, she finds a ship and a crew, and they travel around the world in search of Captain Grant...only to face one peril after another. Between earthquakes, a flood that leaves them stranded in a tree, and getting marooned, finding Mary's father will be tough! Will they succeed?
Based on a book by Jules Verne.
The Good: Like the previous film I reviewed, this is the kind of old-school cinema adventure they don't make anymore: clean-cut, and with plenty of thrills. I love Disney's live-action productions, and this is a perfect example of why; it stands the test of time very well.
The Bad: One quibble, and it's a bit of a spoiler: A character who quotes the Bible left and right is not only crazy, but is revealed to be a forger--aka a criminal--by the film's end. Though I was glad to hear quotations from the Word of God, I didn't care for the fact that the character uttering them was nuts.
Conclusion: Lately, I've really been delving into Disney's history! Thanks to the library I work for and garage sales, I've been able to find these older films from the House of Mouse. They really stand the test of time, more so than some of the studio's most recent releases will. Fans of Mickey's live-action productions will have a blast with this.
Score: 4.5/5
Synopsis: There's an undersea monster that has been taking the lives of sailors, and nobody can catch it! What could it be? It's soon discovered that the "monster" is actually a submarine, captained by a man named Nemo, who uses his submersible to isolate himself from society. Professor Aronnax, his assistant, Conseil, and their cocky harpooner, Ned, believe Captain Nemo to be crazy, and try to escape...only to put the ship and its entire crew in danger. Will the professor and his associates be able to safely emerge from the clutches of the insane Captain Nemo?
Based on the book by Jules Verne.
The Good: This is the old-school kind of adventure they don't make anymore. Not only is it clean-cut and exciting, but there's nary a female character in sight. (While I don't mind a character of the fairer sex, I do mind when she becomes a Mary Sue, and starts outdoing all the males in everything, which happens far too often in modern entertainment.) While this film may be quite old, it stands the test of time quite well. It's easy to see why this continues to be revered, several decades after its release.
The Bad: The violence wasn't graphic or bloody, but some may find there to be a bit too much here, especially for a "G" film. Also, the scenes involving smoking or drinking were rather disturbing, especially when they get their pet seal to join in.
Conclusion: Believe it or not, I haven't read the original Jules Verne novel. (I know; what kind of bibliophile am I?) Still, I enjoyed this throwback to a time when films were meant to be enjoyed, not brooding with hidden meanings. If you're a fan of Disney's live-action productions, you should check this out.
Score: 4.5/5
Great animation, a fun story, excellent voice work...all in all, a blast!
Synopsis: Lady Larken (Zooey Deschanel) is expecting...but she isn't married! To avoid shaming the kingdom, she and her fiancée must wed; the only problem is, the queen of the kingdom (screen legend Carol Burnett) won't let anyone say "I do" until her son finds a bride...and Mother Dearest is making it nearly impossible for that to happen! Out of desperation, the price ventures into a faraway land and finds the Princess Winnifred (Tracey Ullman), whom he is immediately smitten with...but, the queen isn't impressed! She sets up an impossible test for the princess: Winnifred will sleep on top of twenty mattresses, under which there is a single pea. If Winnifred falls asleep, she fails...and the queen does everything to make her insanely tired! Everyone in the castle has been waiting forever and a day to get married...but, if the princess doesn't pass this seemingly insurmountable test, they'll be waiting even longer! Can she do it?
Also starring screen legend Tom Smothers.
The Good: This was a fun musical adventure, with great musical numbers, amazing choreography, and a winning story. Having two stars of yesteryear among the cast was a big plus, and gave this a classic feel. Though the ending is obvious from the outset, seeing the finale made me want to cheer nonetheless. This film even taught me a new word--incipient--which rarely happens these days, as I have a large vocabulary. All in all, I had a blast with this, except...
The Bad: I didn't like how a pregnancy outside of marriage was a main plot device. Also, there's a scene with a sex talk of sorts, though both of those topics were handled with very old-school decorum. The biggest concern, however, was the outfits of the female characters; too many low-cut dresses were seen.
Conclusion: I grew up on songs from Broadway musicals; my mom was a big fan, so, I heard tunes from productions ranging from The Phantom of the Opera to Les Miserables to even Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat countless times. I'm sure I was the only kid I knew who knew who Michael Crawford, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Michael Ball even were. So, this kind of thing is right up my alley...and that's why I enjoyed it. It may be over a decade old, but it's a serious throwback to even older Disney movies...the kind you rarely see from any studio anymore. Plus, I still can't believe it taught me a new word.
Score: 4/5
Synopsis: They may look like ordinary guinea pigs...but, the G-Force team is anything but! When they discover that appliance manufacturer Saber is hatching a nefarious plot to take over the world using kitchen appliances, it's up to G-Force to stop him once and for all! They hit a roadblock when the FBI shuts their operation down, and the guinea pigs end up in a pet store. Will they be able to escape and save the world?
The Good: I love movies like this: live-action, clean-cut, thrill rides. Though the premise may be silly, the film drew me in, and kept me until the end. The special effects were outstanding, and the voice work was fabulous, as were the action sequences. This is the kind of Disney film I enjoy most.
The Bad: Some crude humor was present. Also, I was disappointed in the ending.
Conclusion: Faithful readers of my reviews know that I have preferred Disney's live-action productions to their animated ones from a young age; see my earlier reviews for more on that story. So, you'd probably expect that I enjoyed something like this...and I mostly did. It's not a perfect film, and I don't think I'll watch it again, but, I enjoyed it for what it was. This is a throwback to the days of old-school escapism, not the gritty realism that we see far too much in media these days.
Score: 4/5
Synopsis: You know the dynamic duo of Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc....but, do you know how they first met and became friends? All young Mike (Billy Crystal) has hoped for is to be a scarer at Monsters University...but, he gets upstaged by James P. Sullivan, a member of the legendary Sullivan family. After getting kicked out of the scaring program due to lack of scariness, Mike issues the dean of the college a challenge: If he can win a competition, they must readmit him. Unfortunately, Mike and his fraternity of misfits don't seem to be well-suited to the games. Will they emerge victorious, and get readmitted?
A Pixar film.
The Good: Words can't describe how blown away I was by the animation; it was so detailed, I thought I was watching either a live-action film or stop-motion animation. The lighting, the scenery, the character designs...all incredible. It's also fun to see what happened before Mike and Sulley met Boo, and...well, you know that story. The narrative of the film is inspiring, and the content is very clean.
The Bad: Like with the other film in this series, some moments could be scary for young children; for older fans of movies like this, though, it's no big deal. That's really the only complaint I have.
Conclusion: It's been a while since I've seen it, due to us not having a DVD copy...but, Monsters, Inc. is my favorite Pixar film. It's much funnier than Finding Nemo and easier to appreciate on a small screen than The Incredibles, not that those flicks weren't great in their own right. I had my doubts on how Pixar could follow that film up...but, they did a bang-up job, especially with the animation. If Pixar keeps making movies like this, they've got my support.
Score: 5/5
Synopsis: Four musically talented New York City teenage girls (Raven, Sabrina Bryan, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams) are collectively known as the Cheetah Girls, and have dreams of making it big in the music biz. Unfortunately, obstacles plague them at every turn: family issues, a music mogul who wants to turn them into some cutesy kiddie act, one of the Cheetahs who is a bit selfish, and plenty more. When it seems like the Cheetah Girls are over, will they be able to reunite and rediscover what brought them together in the first place?
As seen on the Disney Channel.
The Good: First and foremost, the musical numbers were fabulous, and not just by the title group. All of the actors do a great job, and I found the four Cheetahs to be likable. This movie is much superior to the terrible book on which it was based.
The Bad: As good as this is, it wasn't anything spectacular, and it won't change the minds of those who aren't already Disney Channel fans.
Conclusion: This movie premiered back when I was a huge fan of the Mouse network...yet, I'm just now seeing it! How can that be? (In my defense, I was a much bigger fan of the sitcoms than...well, anything else on the channel back in the day.) I had a blast with it, and it definitely brought me back to my high school days. However, I probably won't watch it again, though I'm interested in checking out the sequels.
Score: 4/5
Synopsis: Young Phiona lives in the African country of Uganda, and sells corn her mother grows only because it's the only source of income her family has. When Phiona is introduced to the ancient game of chess, she finds she has an affinity for it; she learns to predict her opponents moves so far in advance, they think she is reading their minds. Phiona has what it takes to become an international chess champion...but, between the funds required for entering and traveling to the tournaments, her family losing their home, and Phiona not believing 100% in herself, the odds to reaching that dream seem insurmountable. Can she overcome them?
Based on a true story.
The Good: What an amazing film! It took me to a faraway yet real land, and illustrated its people's struggles quite vividly. It also features a main character who overcomes seemingly insurmountable odds, and challenged me to refrain from chickening out when faced with problems, whether small or big. Better yet, it portrays the Christian faith in a positive light. Though there are references to sex, they're handled with very old-school decorum. The performances, sets, and production values in general were all fabulous.
The Bad: Other than one misuse of God's name, I can't come up with any complaints. I will say one thing: Largely accented dialogue may make you want to turn on the closed captions or English subtitles in order to understand what they're saying. Also, some Lugandan dialogue, which is subtitled in English, may present a problem for those with reading issues.
Conclusion: While I've adored many of Disney's live-action productions, this is in a class all its own. Inspiring and affirming, this is the kind of cinema we need more of. If you haven't seen this, you definitely should.
Score: 5/5
Synopsis: Oscar, also known as the great and powerful Oz, is a magician with a traveling circus whose act hasn't been doing very well lately. When he lands himself in trouble with the circus' strongman, he hops into a hot air balloon to make an escape...only for a storm to take him to the land of Oz, where it was prophesied that a great wizard who bears the name of the land will save them from utter disaster. There, the magician meets three witches, two of which turn out to be evil, and want to rule the land of Oz with an iron fist. However, Glinda, the good witch, wants Oz saved, and she believes Oscar can do it. However, the so-called "wizard" is merely a master of illusion, not a sorcerer. Will he be able to rescue his namesake land from the clutches of the two evil witches?
The Good: I love a good, clean-cut, fantasy/action story, and this is definitely one. The special effects were amazing; the characters either easily likable or utterly despicable; the action sequences were on point; all in all, a fun adventure that brings L. Frank Baum's fictional land into modern cinema.
The Bad: While minor, some content concerns did exist, namely the low-cut wardrobes of the witches, including Glinda. There's also magic present, but, anything that deals with the land of Oz would have that, right? Occasional name-calling and misuses of God's name pops up, and there are a few scary moments. However, this film does not betray its "PG" rating.
Conclusion: I've mentioned more than once that I've always been more partial to Disney's live-action productions; while the House of Mouse has done some animated marvels, especially with Pixar, I've always preferred the non-cartoon ones. So, something like this is right up my alley...and that made me enjoy it all the more. Maybe this isn't Disney as you've come to expect it, but this is how I like my Mickey Mouse productions.
Score: 4.5/5
