Tangled

My family has a tradition of going to a movie on Thanksgiving and really this is one of the traditions I rather enjoy. This year we went and saw Tangled, the 50th animated movie from Walt Disney. After seeing the previews I wasn't sure what to expect as it seemed to be more in line with movies like Shrek rather then typical Disney movies like Aladdin, The Lion King and so on. Well I can now inform you that I was pleasantly surprised by Tangled and can report back that the previews in no way do justice to this movie. It is very much a typical Disney movie and that is a good thing. Tangled is the story of Rapunzel which is familiar to most. In the vein of previous Disney movies there is something for everyone here, young and old alike. What I wasn't expecting was the musical numbers that used to be the staple of Disney animated movies. The way they work them into the story is perfect and makes you wonder why people don't break into songs more often in the real world, I mean it would make things much more interesting don't you think? There was also a surprising amount of humor in this movie. If you are a fan of movies like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Hercules or really any of the great Disney movies from the 90's you will most likely enjoy Tangled. I know I did.

Cars 2: Official Trailer 1

Movies, Movies, Movies

It's been awhile since I have reviewed any movies and I don't want you to think that is because I haven't been out seeing movies. I do it for you really! So, without further ado here is a quick rundown of the last 5 movies I have seen.

• Alice in Wonderland- I saw this on in 3D and 2D and have to say I liked it much better in good ol' 2D. The colors seemed more vivid and the movie just seemed more real. As for the movie; I found it quite enjoyable. The story is a fresh take on the story that most of us know from the books or the animated movie. There are some fighting sequences that may be a little scary for the under 6 crowd but otherwise this one is a crowd pleaser.
• Clash of the Titans- After learning that this was was converted to 3D at the last minute, and because of enjoying Alice better in the second dimension, I saw this one in 2D. This is best described as an adult Percy Jackson prequel of sorts. I say that because I had just read the 1st Percy Jackson book (and seen the movie) and haven't seen the original Clash of the Titans. This movie was okay, nothing great with okay special effects. Worth a rental or dollar movie viewing if you have to see it on the big screen.
• She's Out of my League- I enjoyed this movie; sure it is crude and predictable but it has a new, relatively unknown cast that do a good job with the material they have been given. I should add a side note that me and my movie companion were the only ones laughing in the theater for the first half of the movie and this might have added to my overall enjoyment of the movie. It was almost like it was an inside joke that only we got.
• Kick-Ass- This one turned out to be more of a violent action movie then I was expecting and the fact that it has teens and a pre-teen doing, and receiving, most of the violence it is defiantly not for everyone. I liked the movie because it was different from most of the comic book/superhero movies that have come out but if you are turned of by large amounts of violence and language this movie isn't for you.
• Death at a Funeral- Another remake, this one of a British movie by the same name. Full of laughs and more enjoyable then I was expecting it to be. James Marsden steals this movie and really is the best reason to go see it. I would tell you more but that would ruin the fun. This one does have some low brow humor but overall a good laugh. It made me want to go out and watch the original just to see how close they are in nature.

Well there you have it. A quick take of five movies. Seen anything good lately? Let me know in the comments section.

Quick Reviews: State of Play, 17 Again, Bedtime Stories

It must have been the weekend because I ended up watching 3 movies. Here is a quick recap of each.

• State of Play: I really enjoyed this movie. I am a fan of thrillers that make you use your brain. It has been awhile since I have seen a good old fashioned political thriller. While the movie was a little on the long side I didn't find myself getting bored at any point during the movie. The cast is great and full of many well known stars: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn, and it just keeps going. If you are looking for a lot of action then this movie isn't for you. This is a thinking man's, or women's, movie.
• 17 Again: I admit that I laughed a lot during this movie. Sure it is predictable down to the last scene, but you are laughing down to the last scene. I have never seen Zac Efron in anything before this but thought he did a good job, especially since he was basically carrying this movie. Think of this a Big only in reverse and you pretty much know what you are in for. Some humor in this is not for the under 8 crowd as it leans a little more on the teen/adult side.
• Bedtime Stories: Not your typical Adam Sandler movie but at the same time it is your typical Adam Sandler movie, just aimed for a younger crowd. If you have younger kids they will be sure to enjoy this movie since the Bedtime Stories that are told take a strange twist and come to life the next day. The movie felt a little rushed and seemed like some of the special effects were an afterthought. Overall I did laugh, mostly at the minor characters and the guinea pig, but I am glad that I saw this one on DVD when all was said and done.

Race to Witch Mountain

I have to confess that I was excited to see Race to Witch Mountain as I was a fan of the original movies, Escape to Witch Mountain and Return to Witch Mountain, from the late 70's and early 80's. What can I say I have a soft spot for those movies as I had watched them numerous times growing up, just don't ask me to explain them. I just remember that I liked them when I was little. Needless to say, I was excited when I heard they were doing a remake. It's the little things that bring me joy these days. Anyway on to the new movie...

...I have to say that I was not disappointed by Race to Witch Mountain. It was a fun family movie in the same vein has National Treasure, the first one not the second, that had something for everyone in the family. Action, Adventure, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, you name it this movie has it. Did that make it feel like there was a lot going on at some points during the movie? Yes, but the overall plot moves along at a brisk pace and there is enough car chases and explosions to keep you from thinking about all the side stories to much. They are there for comic value and so on and do serve their roles well.

The cast here is led by Dwayne "No longer the Rock" Johnson, who seems to really be enjoying his time here. You really feel that he develops a connection to the two alien teens who hitch a ride in his cab at the start of the movie. This really is a movie for the whole family and there doesn't seem to be many of those out there these days that the whole family will actually all enjoy. It is rated PG and there are some frighting scenes that may scare the under 4 crowd, but come on it is a movie about aliens so I think you know what you are in for. It is no worse then E.T. so if they can handle that movie they should be okay here.

Harry Potter Movie News

I got home from work today and found this little bit of information: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince release date has been changed from this November to July 17, 2009!! I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS!!

Now I can understand moving a movies release date if the film isn't ready but that is not the case here. No Warner Bros., fresh off making truckloads of money from The Dark Knight, thought the movie would do better in the summer! To which I reply; It's Harry Potter, it is going to make money whenever you release it!

This really bugs me. Why you ask? Well because this was one of the few movies I was looking forward to this fall. Actually it was one of two movies, the other being the new Bond movie. Like I said before, if it was because the movie wasn't ready then by all means delay it. But when an exec at WB says that is not the case and he has seen the movie and it is great, then that just makes it worse. I want to see it too! Don't make me wait. I will pay five extra bucks, as I am sure a lot of people would, to see the thing in November. I guess I am just ranting because there is not much I can do about it and yes, I will still see the movie when it comes out in July. To help tide you over til then, you can watch the preview here. That concludes my geek freakout session for today.


-Eric

Wall-E

The first thing you notice while watching Wall-E is that it is so life like you don't realize its animated. I am not going to give away any of the story here because any details about the plot might take away from your enjoyment of the movie. All I have to say is that this is one of my favorite movies of the year, right up there with Ironman. The animation is amazing! Oh, I already said that, well it really is that good that it deserves a second mention. The story is well written and by the end of the show you will all be wanting your very own Waste -Allocation-Load-Lifter-Earthclass. Wall-E is another smashing success from Pixar full of heart and amazing animation. One more mention!

If you have seen the movie, and I suggest seeing it on the big screen, then feel free to post your thoughts in the comments. I would love to know what you thought.

Also make sure you get to the theater on time for this one. The short film before the movie, Presto, is hilarious. Overall Grade: A-

Eric

Kung Fu Panda

The first thing that I have to say about Kung Fu Panda is that it made me want to eat Chinese food! Kung Fu Panda is a story about....a Panda! Who saw that coming? Po, the panda, works at his fathers Noddle (Ahh the food!) store but dreams of being a Kung Fu master. Well he gets his chance to live his dream when he is accidentally chosen as the Dragon Warrior who is prophesied to bring lasting peace to the valley. You can imagine that this does not go over with the students who have been studying Kung Fu for quite some time. The cast here, led by Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman, do a great job and you really feel for all the characters. While the animation is not up to Pixar level it is much better than that of Shark Tale before it. Overall the movie is a fun ride and the kids it's aimed at will enjoy it, and at only 1 1/2 it is not too much for an adult to sit through either. Now keep in mind this movie is about Kung Fu so there is violence associated with it, but it is only cartoon violence. There is one fight scene that may scare those younger then 4 or 5. My overall grade on this: B

Eric