If you have to see one movie this summer, for me it's a tough call between Inception and Scott Pilgrim. If you're looking for the most all-encompassing movie, Scott Pilgrim would win out hands down. This movie is unclassifiable for the simple reason that it has something for everyone, and I do mean everyone. Fight scenes, comedy, romance, Nerdy/geeky stuff; and that's just to name a few.
Scott Pilgrim vs The World is a comic/manga that is meandering through life. His band, the Sex Bob-ombs are good, he's dating a high school girl (though he's 22), and he just ran into the girl of his dreams. Seriously, he has a dream about her and then there she appears. Scott (Michael Cera) eventually finds this girls name is Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and starts his journey to win her heart. Little does he know, in order to do this he needs to defeat her seven evil ex's.
Simple enough plot right? Well, this movie is anything but simple and ordinary. Throw in the old school 80's Batman "Kapow" and "Thud" along with video game elements like extra lives, and an 8-bit Universal intro and any fanboy of movies or video games will be pleased with this movie.
There literally was one moment where I thought to myself "There has not been a bad scene yet" and true enough, every single scene is brilliant and ripped right from the books. The music was amazing, from the high energy fight songs to the smallest sound effect, or even using Universal's theme in the movi, was placed at the appropriate time. Lights and acting were easily the best part, namely the acting.
Michael Cera still plays the same character he plays in every movie, but it seems that all the other movies were put there to build Scott Pilgrim into a great full flesh and blood character. Though the characters obviously know their in a movie/comic (in the book they reference it a few times) they don't take the acting to seriously, but they are able to pull the aloof-ness of the book into the movie.
I wish that I could say that I have enough to talk about this movie but the truth is I could pick out brilliant moment after brilliant moment throughout this film. Not once did I feel this movie drug in any way. Actually the opposite, with a run time of around two hours, I almost could have sat through more. This movie left such a great feeling in me that I wanted to walk right back in and sit through another showing. That's why I give Scott Pilgrim vs The World a 9.5, wait... make that 9.75 out of 10
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Despicable Me
Despicable Me, initially a movie that had nothing at all about it in the trailer but a bunch of celebrity names. Second trailer comes in and we find a little more about the movie. So, in case you didn't really pay attention, the best way to describe this movie is a heart felt spy vs spy.
With an A-list cast, and great animation behind it, you really love these characters from beginning to end. Steve Carell plays Gru, the over the hill villain who is determined to get back on top once he finds out that some new villain has stepped in and stolen a Pyramid from Egypt and replaced it with an inflatable copy. Jason Segel joins the cast as Gru's villainous enemy, Vector, who is just starting his carrer as the owner to the Pyramid.
Initially, this movie plays to the children who drug their parents to see it with cutesy humour and child like humor. But then it brings in the adults with a deeper humor (think Shrek movies, but not as obvious). Gru eventually adopts three little orphan girls in order to steal Vector's shrink ray. While at first he puts them off as nuisances but eventually he learns to love them. Gru's mastermind plan once stealing the shrink ray, is to steal the moon, but without funding from the Bank of Evil, he's forced to make changes.
The minions easily became a favorite of mine, even though you can't understand what they are saying with out the Best Buy Minion translator (plugging away at my day job). Though they are much like Kenny from South Park, you can't understand them fully, but still get the gist of what's trying to be past along. While they bring most of the humor, it's really once the kids are introduced to the minions (or cousins as Gru refers to them around the kids) is when the humor really kicks into high gear.
Very few movies this summer has caught my attention enough to come home and write a review, but this movie so far makes my top five without fail. This movie kept me entertained and laughing for the majority of the film and really touches your heart once you start connecting to the character. No animation movie has caught me like this since my first time watching Toy Story. And I'm proud enough to easily give this film an 8 out of 10.
With an A-list cast, and great animation behind it, you really love these characters from beginning to end. Steve Carell plays Gru, the over the hill villain who is determined to get back on top once he finds out that some new villain has stepped in and stolen a Pyramid from Egypt and replaced it with an inflatable copy. Jason Segel joins the cast as Gru's villainous enemy, Vector, who is just starting his carrer as the owner to the Pyramid.
Initially, this movie plays to the children who drug their parents to see it with cutesy humour and child like humor. But then it brings in the adults with a deeper humor (think Shrek movies, but not as obvious). Gru eventually adopts three little orphan girls in order to steal Vector's shrink ray. While at first he puts them off as nuisances but eventually he learns to love them. Gru's mastermind plan once stealing the shrink ray, is to steal the moon, but without funding from the Bank of Evil, he's forced to make changes.
The minions easily became a favorite of mine, even though you can't understand what they are saying with out the Best Buy Minion translator (plugging away at my day job). Though they are much like Kenny from South Park, you can't understand them fully, but still get the gist of what's trying to be past along. While they bring most of the humor, it's really once the kids are introduced to the minions (or cousins as Gru refers to them around the kids) is when the humor really kicks into high gear.
Very few movies this summer has caught my attention enough to come home and write a review, but this movie so far makes my top five without fail. This movie kept me entertained and laughing for the majority of the film and really touches your heart once you start connecting to the character. No animation movie has caught me like this since my first time watching Toy Story. And I'm proud enough to easily give this film an 8 out of 10.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Toy Story 3
Buzz, Woody, Ham, and friends are all back in the new Toy Story 3D. The story of Toy Story is as brilliant as the characters always were with a few changes to advance the story. Andy is now 17 and going away to college and must choose what to finally do with his favorite toys. Though the numbers of toys have dwindled down to a measly dozen, all your favorite toys are back for the adventure of their lives. Once the toys find themselves a new home at Sunny Side Day Care, things aren't always what they seem. New toys are brought into the mix such as Lots o' Hugs, Ken, and others.
The issue with this movie comes less from the story and plays on the emotions we all know, sadness. Unfortunately, throughout this story the Toys just can't seem to catch a break. Time and time again you think that they might have a chance but every single time you end up thinking "These guys just can't get lucky.
The voice acting is great as usual, and there are a good amount of laughs to not make you feel completely bad. The scenes that do have comedy, such as when Buzz starts to speak spanish, are brilliant. Though once again, I attempted to see it in 3D and see the greatness that is in this 3D fad, but this movie it just didn't seem to matter at all. Not once do you have any cheap tricks such as throwing something at the screen or anything like that. But it also didn't deliver on giving the depth that Up felt and Avatar proved to be tolerable.
Overall, the movie was still a Toy Story film and was a good movie, clearly to be the last, and at the end you still feel like your going to love your toys forever. This film proved that no matter how old, sometimes you just want to play with that special old toy. So when push comes to shove this film gets a 5 out of 10.
The issue with this movie comes less from the story and plays on the emotions we all know, sadness. Unfortunately, throughout this story the Toys just can't seem to catch a break. Time and time again you think that they might have a chance but every single time you end up thinking "These guys just can't get lucky.
The voice acting is great as usual, and there are a good amount of laughs to not make you feel completely bad. The scenes that do have comedy, such as when Buzz starts to speak spanish, are brilliant. Though once again, I attempted to see it in 3D and see the greatness that is in this 3D fad, but this movie it just didn't seem to matter at all. Not once do you have any cheap tricks such as throwing something at the screen or anything like that. But it also didn't deliver on giving the depth that Up felt and Avatar proved to be tolerable.
Overall, the movie was still a Toy Story film and was a good movie, clearly to be the last, and at the end you still feel like your going to love your toys forever. This film proved that no matter how old, sometimes you just want to play with that special old toy. So when push comes to shove this film gets a 5 out of 10.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Nightmare on Elm Street
This movie was what most reboots fail to do. Quite simply this movie makes you want a sequel. Nightmare on Elm Street is a well known movie series that was kicked off in 1984 and shook us to our core. Their main villain, Freddy Kruger, would attack you in your sleep. Not only that, but the wounds he would inflict on you in your dreams would appear in the real world, creating the sense of pure vulnerability since it's never an easy feet to stop yourself from dreaming.
Jackie Earle Haley comes to this movie with all his acting chops sprinting forward. Many people will recognize him as Rorschach from Watchmen. Well, take the craziness that he had in that movie and add a melted face, knife claws and you create the most terrifying Freddy since the first film. This movie focus's less on the humor Freddy brings in the original series and starts to give you more of a chilling horror effect.
Not only does the storyline improve on the original script but it brings new deaths and great emotion to the characters. We finally see what happened to Kruger and seeing him around the little kids is the most chilling moments of all. This was easily the best horror film I've seen in years and kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first moment, till the last death which leaves room for sequels to come.
Rooney Mara plays Nancy, but rather than her be the teeny bopper that she was in the original film, she's more artsy and reluctant to open her mouth for fear of what others will think. While you can easily tell how much love and work was put into this film you can easily forget that your watching a movie and really start caring about the characters and Freddy himself, once you find out the back story.
Freddy Kruger was always one of my favorite villains of all time. Going into this I was sure that I would either love this movie or hate it and I am very glad to report that I loved it. Every moment just keeps me thinking about the next crazy kill or humorous line from the opening scene in the diner to Nancy's final battle with our Dream world fiend.
This movie was phenomenal and I am so excited for the DVD to come out so I can see how much work and time was put into this, not to mention the commentary. I can honestly say that I look forward to seeing this movie again in theaters and that's a huge deal considering the price of tickets now a days. Without a second thought this movie gets a 8 out of 10. Easy.... Rest in peace!
Jackie Earle Haley comes to this movie with all his acting chops sprinting forward. Many people will recognize him as Rorschach from Watchmen. Well, take the craziness that he had in that movie and add a melted face, knife claws and you create the most terrifying Freddy since the first film. This movie focus's less on the humor Freddy brings in the original series and starts to give you more of a chilling horror effect.
Not only does the storyline improve on the original script but it brings new deaths and great emotion to the characters. We finally see what happened to Kruger and seeing him around the little kids is the most chilling moments of all. This was easily the best horror film I've seen in years and kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first moment, till the last death which leaves room for sequels to come.
Rooney Mara plays Nancy, but rather than her be the teeny bopper that she was in the original film, she's more artsy and reluctant to open her mouth for fear of what others will think. While you can easily tell how much love and work was put into this film you can easily forget that your watching a movie and really start caring about the characters and Freddy himself, once you find out the back story.
Freddy Kruger was always one of my favorite villains of all time. Going into this I was sure that I would either love this movie or hate it and I am very glad to report that I loved it. Every moment just keeps me thinking about the next crazy kill or humorous line from the opening scene in the diner to Nancy's final battle with our Dream world fiend.
This movie was phenomenal and I am so excited for the DVD to come out so I can see how much work and time was put into this, not to mention the commentary. I can honestly say that I look forward to seeing this movie again in theaters and that's a huge deal considering the price of tickets now a days. Without a second thought this movie gets a 8 out of 10. Easy.... Rest in peace!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Kick Ass
Let me start off by apologizing for again not keeping up on my movies. But other than that I'd also like to say that I've never read any Kick Ass comics so I have never known anything about the story other than what was in the film.
Going off that, this film was kind of a let down for me. The basic plot of the movie is high school teen David, played by Aaron Johnson, is just like many of us when we were in high school, just surviving. One day he decides he's going to be a super hero, though he doesn't have any super powers, wasn't biten by a radioactive spider, etc. He just starts training to be one. As he goes around stopping petty crimes he finds out that there are others like him who are doing more than just stopping the petty criminals, their going after the mob bosses.
Without giving anymore of the plot away that's about as much as I can write. But the whole movie never really amazes me. It was very bland. While yes, it had funny parts, and was extremely violent, I never really got into the characters enough to relate and root for them to succeed, Other than Hit Girl that is. Chloe Moretz plays this part brilliantly, as the little girl who runs around with Nick Cage (as Big Daddy) and uses fowl language and gratuitous amounts of violence.
This movie set out to be something new among the massive amounts of comic hero movies but stopped about a mile to short. The movie could have had many things that could have used a bit of finesse, like the acting and filming, but for those of you who don't go in with expectations might really enjoy this movie but for me, it never really got to that point. This movie to me isn't an unforgettable movie but it most definitely isn't a forgettable one either. End point,
Going off that, this film was kind of a let down for me. The basic plot of the movie is high school teen David, played by Aaron Johnson, is just like many of us when we were in high school, just surviving. One day he decides he's going to be a super hero, though he doesn't have any super powers, wasn't biten by a radioactive spider, etc. He just starts training to be one. As he goes around stopping petty crimes he finds out that there are others like him who are doing more than just stopping the petty criminals, their going after the mob bosses.
Without giving anymore of the plot away that's about as much as I can write. But the whole movie never really amazes me. It was very bland. While yes, it had funny parts, and was extremely violent, I never really got into the characters enough to relate and root for them to succeed, Other than Hit Girl that is. Chloe Moretz plays this part brilliantly, as the little girl who runs around with Nick Cage (as Big Daddy) and uses fowl language and gratuitous amounts of violence.
This movie set out to be something new among the massive amounts of comic hero movies but stopped about a mile to short. The movie could have had many things that could have used a bit of finesse, like the acting and filming, but for those of you who don't go in with expectations might really enjoy this movie but for me, it never really got to that point. This movie to me isn't an unforgettable movie but it most definitely isn't a forgettable one either. End point,
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Avatar
So it's been a week since James Cameron's Avatar came out in theaters and I finally just got a ticket to see it in the true IMAX 3D experience. This show has been sold out in every theater since it's release and rightfully so, James Cameron has been working on this film for longer than I'd care to remember. Was the wait worth it or was it just another flop?
The movie open's and creates a back story that isn't to original but yet created a completely new environment that just screams beauty. We learn that sometime in the 2100's Earth's population has found a new planet where everything is hostile, from the animal and beasts to the plants and indigenous people. The human's are there for one reason and one reason only, to mine a rare mineral that seems to thrive under the surface of the beautiful planet of Pandora.
Sam Worthington plays Jake Sully, a marine drop out who is only chosen to come because his brother was killed right before shipping off and since he has the same DNA, he's able to drive his brother's avatar. Jake is a handicapped marine who's stuck in a wheel chair but doesn't like to be told what he is and is not capable of.
Jake is introduced to the mercenaries of Pandora, since the pay is better most of the human army is mercenaries. Then in complete contrast to the brute force of the mercenaries is the scientific team consisting of Grace (Sigourney Weaver) and Norm (Joel Moore). This group is only in it to find out the fascinating details behind this incredible planet.
On his first day out in the field he gets attacked by some animals and gets completely lost in the jungle. He then must fight the odds and survive a night alone in this new world that only wants to destroy him. Strangely, one of the indigenous people, the Na'vi, saves his life. After this Jake begins to see the wonders of this beautiful world.
Now this movie is suppose to be completely epic, and NEEDS to be seen in 3D. As many of you know, I don't like this gimmick partly because... well, that's all it is, a gimmick. This movie didn't change my mind about the 3D but at the same time, for once, it did enhance the experience. This film didn't use corny 3D tactics like throwing anything at you, but instead, they use the 3D to show the depth of the scenery. During this entire movie I really felt like I could move to another part of the theater and find myself seeing everything from a different point of view.
Everything about this movie was brilliantly done and you can tell that this is easily Cameron's baby. This is the movie that he's been dreaming of making for years. From the individual styling of each character to the smallest details of the Na'vi people this movie was just done completely brilliant, even the animals had their own personalities.
To sum up this masterpiece, this was what should have been a summer blockbuster but instead it came out in the winter. If they continue to make films using these characters this could be just as great as the original Star Wars saga. Topping out at a 9 out of 10 this movie had very few flaws and couldn't have been done better.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sherlock Holmes
Guy Richie has yet to make a movie that I do not thoroughly enjoy. With that said, I have to marvel at yet another one of his movies with one of my new favorite actors, Robert Downey Jr. It has been years since I've read Sherlock Holmes but I believe it's safe to say that Guy Richie did for Sherlock Holmes what J.J. Abrhams did for Star Trek.
Robert Downey Jr. does an immaculate at portraying the opium smoking Sherlock Holmes and while they never actually say that he's smoking opium it's easily apparent that he is out of his mind half the time. When Richie shows us how Holmes goes through his mental process he does it in such a spectacular way. Holmes clearly see's the entire fight through while planning out every action and reaction and explaining the ramifications of his movies.
Jude Law plays Dr. John Watson, Holmes' assistant and physician. Both actors did such a surpurb job at playing such classic characters that you begin to forget they are just actors and not actually best friends who solve crimes together.
Without giving to much of the plot away, Watson is trying to move out of 221 Baker St. and in with his girlfriend Mary, but can't seem to pull himself away from the charismatic Holmes. With a touch of super natural in the mix it brings together one hell of a murder mystery. In right fashion when the story comes to a close, Sherlock explains everything and lays out every little detail that you never even picked up on until now.
Through and through, I've tried to find something that I could say would have been better but I'm at a loss for words here. Even the musical score fit the moods and scenes brilliantly. I don't know how it could have been done better and frankly I don't really think it could have, it lead perfectly into a possible sequel or more without even coming off hokey once. The film was a perfect match of action, comedy, and drama. Without a doubt in my mind one of better films of the year. Sherlock Holmes easily gets a 9 out of 10.
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