Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Rango (2011)
I can't be the only person who shrugged this movie away. I know I'm not the only person who dismissed this movie due to the lack of the attention. I saw the poster of the chameleon with Johnny Depp in bold letters above his name. I did not carry one ounce of excitement for this movie. No one else did either. And it quietly shuffled away in the dark.Dammit. I went along with the masses and almost missed this amazing gem of a movie. And damn you bad publicity. Oh how you have ruined so many first movie impressions ("First Class".....grrr...).
I am also really burned and bummed out from 3-D animation. I'm not impressed with it much anymore. I really miss 2-D animation. I really, really miss 2-D. So that just added to my aversion to the movie.
What saved this movie from sheer obscurity? Boredom and Redbox. Ahhh
"Rango" is a 3-D animated movie, as you might have gleaned. We are introduced to a chameleon aspiring to be an actor. He is practicing a scene in his tank as he being driven along some non-descript desert highway. With the tank being precaroiously perched and roadkill, the car swerves to avoid being hit and the tank flies away. Disoriented, the chamelon stumbles around until he walks into a deserted town. After lack of attention, he decides to puff his character up by taking on the persona of Rango, a tough gunslinger. Well, that will stir up a hella lot of trouble won't it? Pretty soon there's gonna be some gun fights, a town mystery, a bandana gang, water crisis, and one of the greatest chases I have seen on film.
3-D has become very innovative in its detail and ability to capture live motions. I have heard the praise that "Rise of the Apes" recieved for using realistic 3D apes instead of real ones. But damn this was amazing! I am a growing reptile lover. I own a couple and work with many of them. I know how soft and tough their scales can be. I have held onto a chameleonm they can be velvety soft. Every time I saw Rango onscreen, I could feel his texture. That is so weird to write but thats how I felt with every character. Their visual details were stunning. And these were desert creatures!!! Wow!
The story was a great western story. A newcomer comes in, stirs up buried trouble, and saves the town. Except now you added a swollen ego chameleon, various desert creatures, and some dangerous predators all suffering from a water crisis(huh....humans are going through the same..thing...).
It's a great childrens movie but it's also a great movie for the adults. There are alot of jokes nestled in everywhere. The nod towards "Fear and Loathing
in Las Vegas" cracked me up. The nod towards "Pirates" made me smile ( How sad is it that the "joke" worked better for this storyline than "Pirates"?).Johnny Depp played Rango like a mish mash of Raol from "Fear and Loathing" and Jack Sparrow of "Pirates". It was an oddball mix of spazzy charisma. I loved so many of the characters.The Mariachi oqls cracked me up. Was it bearded toad? Whatever it was,I loved it.I forget their names but they all had their fun quirks and jokes.Jokes that are really adult in nature but sound so innocent. I love those.
The heart of the movies power comes from the super awesome chase scene with the water tank. I dare not describe it. I do not want to lessen the awesome feeling that you will get from watching it. It was exciting, it was breathtaking, it was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.Seriously. This movie MUST be watched. It is too stunning to pass over.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Heaven Can Wait (1943)
I haven't been completely ignoring my classic film 
genre. It's just that there weren't any to excite me enough to write about. I think I was really lucky with my steady stream of enjoyable movies. Then I just hit dud after dud. Either they were too boring, too silly, too un-relatable, too this, too that. So I looked at other genres to pique my interests.
Once again,the random power of netflix came through! I love opening the red envelope and being surprised by the movie (I know that emails are sent of what movies are next on my queue- I make it an unconscious choice to ignore them).
This is a movie done by Ernest Lubitch. I know zilch about him, only that he's a very famous filmmaker.
We start at the modern and stylish office of the Devil. Oh yes, the devil, flames and all. His is visited by an elder gentlemen, named Henry. Befuddled, the Devil wonders why. Henry then proceeds to tell his life story. See, Henry considers himself a heartbreaker and womanizer.He tells the story of each of the women he has come into contact with and the troubles he has put them through.
This sounds like it should set up the story of a complete asshole. Instead, I find that Henry was a sweet, romantic, and charming person. I love how the Devil describes it all in the end, that the woman were all happy that they were in his life.
Such a sweet movie. So many moments that me laugh and tear up.No matter how much of a womanize Henry thinks he is, his heart always belonged to Martha. Martha played by mesmerizing Gene Tierney. They met when she was engaged to his cousin. I smiled at times that he ran away with his true love in front of her family. The time they slow danced before she passed away. Their love was so sweet. How she grew to understand him, at times hating him, but always loving him.
On a side note, I was completely mesmerized by Gene Tierney. This is the first time I seen her in a movie. Wow!!! What a stunning beauty. I'm planning on reading "Leave her to Heaven" and then watch the movie of the same title that she gained her fame from. Seriously, wow. No wonder Henry fell head over heels over her.
Through it all , it is Don Ameche's charisma that shines. Despite his "misgivings", he is still a really likable person. He's the type of guy that you know will break your heart but you still want to be near him. The crush
that stays within you no matter how improbable the relationship could be. I already loved Don Ameche from "Midnight". This makes me love him even more.
I definitely recommend this movie fro all the romantics. Just in time for Valentines. Have a great sexy time everyone.
[later side note: Just realized that Ameche was in "Cocoon"!!! ]
genre. It's just that there weren't any to excite me enough to write about. I think I was really lucky with my steady stream of enjoyable movies. Then I just hit dud after dud. Either they were too boring, too silly, too un-relatable, too this, too that. So I looked at other genres to pique my interests.Once again,the random power of netflix came through! I love opening the red envelope and being surprised by the movie (I know that emails are sent of what movies are next on my queue- I make it an unconscious choice to ignore them).
This is a movie done by Ernest Lubitch. I know zilch about him, only that he's a very famous filmmaker.
We start at the modern and stylish office of the Devil. Oh yes, the devil, flames and all. His is visited by an elder gentlemen, named Henry. Befuddled, the Devil wonders why. Henry then proceeds to tell his life story. See, Henry considers himself a heartbreaker and womanizer.He tells the story of each of the women he has come into contact with and the troubles he has put them through.
This sounds like it should set up the story of a complete asshole. Instead, I find that Henry was a sweet, romantic, and charming person. I love how the Devil describes it all in the end, that the woman were all happy that they were in his life.
Such a sweet movie. So many moments that me laugh and tear up.No matter how much of a womanize Henry thinks he is, his heart always belonged to Martha. Martha played by mesmerizing Gene Tierney. They met when she was engaged to his cousin. I smiled at times that he ran away with his true love in front of her family. The time they slow danced before she passed away. Their love was so sweet. How she grew to understand him, at times hating him, but always loving him.
On a side note, I was completely mesmerized by Gene Tierney. This is the first time I seen her in a movie. Wow!!! What a stunning beauty. I'm planning on reading "Leave her to Heaven" and then watch the movie of the same title that she gained her fame from. Seriously, wow. No wonder Henry fell head over heels over her.
Through it all , it is Don Ameche's charisma that shines. Despite his "misgivings", he is still a really likable person. He's the type of guy that you know will break your heart but you still want to be near him. The crush
that stays within you no matter how improbable the relationship could be. I already loved Don Ameche from "Midnight". This makes me love him even more.I definitely recommend this movie fro all the romantics. Just in time for Valentines. Have a great sexy time everyone.
[later side note: Just realized that Ameche was in "Cocoon"!!! ]
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hook (1991)
There are times where I forget that the generation now have not been exposed to the movies that I've seen 
when I was younger. However you may feel about it, a generation can easily be defined by the celebritties permeating our screens. For my adolescent years, I remember seeing alot of Robin Williams.
He was everywhere! "Mrs. Doubtfire", the Genie in "Aladdin", "The Birdcage", and oh so much more. The man hammed is way into every media possible! Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Williams. His flamboyant arms and humor always freaked me out. After seeing a bit of "Death to Smoochy", he made me nervous. And I refuse to watch "One Hour Photo" (the cover alone scares the crap out of me for some reason). Despite all that, there have been two movies that Williams sheds his annoyance factor for the most part and executes a great movie: "The Birdcage" (hilarity!) and "Hook" (adventure!)
Peter Pan, a story written in 1904, has been a solid and strong story for a very, very long time. a story of a boy from Neverland who can fly and never grow up. Takes a group of siblings to Neverland and an adventure awaits! There have been numberous versions and retellings of the story. I first saw the Disney version and that has been my visual core.
Now. How about a twist? Yes please!
What if Peter Pan never went back to Neverland? And actually grew up?
This is where "Hook", hooked me in (hee hee, couldn't help myself there).
Williams plays Peter, an old, pauncy, overworked businessman who leaves barely any time for his family. He talks on his cell phone during his daughters play and misses his sons baseball game. During a family visit to England, we find that Peter was taken in by Granny Wendy along with Tuttles. It turns out that the Wendy that we have known to fly away with Peter had grown up. Laura, is her daughter and the one that Peter marries. While the adults are off to a celebration honoring Wendy, Hook comes to kidnap the children away! With the arrival of Tinkerbell, Peter is carried to Neverland. Where he re-discovers his identity and rescue his children.
Whats so cool is that Williams is prefect as an adult Peter Pan. This is where the goofiness and energy really work. And when the scene is touching, it works. The fun scenes are when he's trying to re-train his body as Pan. And it's during the food fight scene is where it call clicks together. Although the food that materializes never seemed very appetitizing to me even when I was younger. It just hurt my tummy
What can I say about Hook? Dustin Hoffman must have had alot of fun playing his character. It was fun and over the top. And on that note, Bob Hoskins did a great Smee! Instead of the wimpy Smee from the Disney version. Smee was likeable with a tinge of scary. Awesome.
I loved Rufio. I absolutely loved Rufio. I had a major crush on him. Oh yeah. His red and black mohawk hair was awesome. He was badass awesome. I was so shocked when Hook stabbed him.
Even though you could tell that the movie was made on different sets, I really liked that. Peter Pan is usually performed on stage (by a female). Having the sets just made it feel like a much bigger stage. All exaggerated and theatrical. The scenery always captured my attention.It felt like a wonderful interpretation of what Neverland was.
Oh and the scene with the clocks?! Wow!!! After I watched that I wanted to smash clocks and let out all my aggressions...well whatever aggressions seemed important to my young mind then.
One of my annoyances with the movie is Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. She looks great but that is not tinkerbell. Sheesh, that awkard scene where she materilizes with a poufy white gown? What was that all about? No, really what the hell???? That always confused me. So was Tinkerbell always lusting after Pan??In fact how did she even come so quickly to nab Pan? Was she hovering nearby? If she was, why didn't she use her super-abnormal demon strength to knock Hook's ass as he took the children? Did
Tinkerbell always have a crush on Pan???Even when he was younger:?? Ew...... cougar fairy....
The movie really was viewable by everyone. The fight scenes were definitely exciting and silly. You have the brash pirates with swords whereas the lost boys have nerf guns of fluid spoking out. They were fighting but no one was seriously injured. Except for Rufio. That was messed up.
For all its flaws, I absolutely love this movie. This easily tops one of my favorite adventure movies. Its fun, silly and yet can be really deep and touching. The message is pretty simple but the movie is just so much fun. For someone who loves to run around ignoring reality in general, this movie is great favorite of mine. I will admit...I did have fantasies of very handsome flying boys coming through my window.....they were pretty innocent....for the most part.
I wonder which celebrities would define this time in life?
Just for added fun, I added Nostalgia Critics review of the movie. Enjoy!
when I was younger. However you may feel about it, a generation can easily be defined by the celebritties permeating our screens. For my adolescent years, I remember seeing alot of Robin Williams.He was everywhere! "Mrs. Doubtfire", the Genie in "Aladdin", "The Birdcage", and oh so much more. The man hammed is way into every media possible! Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Williams. His flamboyant arms and humor always freaked me out. After seeing a bit of "Death to Smoochy", he made me nervous. And I refuse to watch "One Hour Photo" (the cover alone scares the crap out of me for some reason). Despite all that, there have been two movies that Williams sheds his annoyance factor for the most part and executes a great movie: "The Birdcage" (hilarity!) and "Hook" (adventure!)
Peter Pan, a story written in 1904, has been a solid and strong story for a very, very long time. a story of a boy from Neverland who can fly and never grow up. Takes a group of siblings to Neverland and an adventure awaits! There have been numberous versions and retellings of the story. I first saw the Disney version and that has been my visual core.
Now. How about a twist? Yes please!
What if Peter Pan never went back to Neverland? And actually grew up?
This is where "Hook", hooked me in (hee hee, couldn't help myself there).
Williams plays Peter, an old, pauncy, overworked businessman who leaves barely any time for his family. He talks on his cell phone during his daughters play and misses his sons baseball game. During a family visit to England, we find that Peter was taken in by Granny Wendy along with Tuttles. It turns out that the Wendy that we have known to fly away with Peter had grown up. Laura, is her daughter and the one that Peter marries. While the adults are off to a celebration honoring Wendy, Hook comes to kidnap the children away! With the arrival of Tinkerbell, Peter is carried to Neverland. Where he re-discovers his identity and rescue his children.
Whats so cool is that Williams is prefect as an adult Peter Pan. This is where the goofiness and energy really work. And when the scene is touching, it works. The fun scenes are when he's trying to re-train his body as Pan. And it's during the food fight scene is where it call clicks together. Although the food that materializes never seemed very appetitizing to me even when I was younger. It just hurt my tummy
I loved Rufio. I absolutely loved Rufio. I had a major crush on him. Oh yeah. His red and black mohawk hair was awesome. He was badass awesome. I was so shocked when Hook stabbed him.
Even though you could tell that the movie was made on different sets, I really liked that. Peter Pan is usually performed on stage (by a female). Having the sets just made it feel like a much bigger stage. All exaggerated and theatrical. The scenery always captured my attention.It felt like a wonderful interpretation of what Neverland was.
Oh and the scene with the clocks?! Wow!!! After I watched that I wanted to smash clocks and let out all my aggressions...well whatever aggressions seemed important to my young mind then.
One of my annoyances with the movie is Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell. She looks great but that is not tinkerbell. Sheesh, that awkard scene where she materilizes with a poufy white gown? What was that all about? No, really what the hell???? That always confused me. So was Tinkerbell always lusting after Pan??In fact how did she even come so quickly to nab Pan? Was she hovering nearby? If she was, why didn't she use her super-abnormal demon strength to knock Hook's ass as he took the children? Did
Tinkerbell always have a crush on Pan???Even when he was younger:?? Ew...... cougar fairy....The movie really was viewable by everyone. The fight scenes were definitely exciting and silly. You have the brash pirates with swords whereas the lost boys have nerf guns of fluid spoking out. They were fighting but no one was seriously injured. Except for Rufio. That was messed up.
For all its flaws, I absolutely love this movie. This easily tops one of my favorite adventure movies. Its fun, silly and yet can be really deep and touching. The message is pretty simple but the movie is just so much fun. For someone who loves to run around ignoring reality in general, this movie is great favorite of mine. I will admit...I did have fantasies of very handsome flying boys coming through my window.....they were pretty innocent....for the most part.
I wonder which celebrities would define this time in life?
Just for added fun, I added Nostalgia Critics review of the movie. Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)