(Movie Review) FROZEN (2013)

FROZEN warms the heart as one of the best Disney films ever

Last year I praised BRAVE (2012) for being one of the best Disney related films to grace the screen in a long time. I still stand by that statement. Brave was an awesome movie. But technically it was a “Disney” Pixar film (which means it was Pixar doing all of the heavy lifting) and I really shouldn’t have heaped love for Disney onto a product that they only “presented”. Frozen, however, is ALL Disney. Which means that I will once again claim a movie to be the best thing that Disney has produced in years. I think that this settles into the #2 spot on my favorite all-time Disney movies. Nothing beats The Little Mermaid (1989). Nothing.

Storyline: Princess Elsa (Menzel) is special. She was born with the ability to control ice and snow. As children she and her sister Anna (Bell) would use Elsa’s powers to play and have wintery fun. But an accident causes Anna to get injured and, in retaliation, Elsa’s father makes her promise to never use her powers again. Years later, the relationship between Elsa and Anna becomes strained because Elsa is scared that she will hurt Anna again. Then, at a coronation ceremony, Elsa accidentally exposes her powers to the town’s people and, fearing for her life, retreats into the mountains to live in solitude. This leaves the town in a wintery state that it can’t survive long. Anna decides to strike out on an adventure, with the help of Kristoff (Groff) and Olaf the snowman (Gad), to find Elsa and end this eternal winter.

Worth the admission? This movie is so good. I really hated for it to be over with. The musical numbers were fantastic, the voice acting was great, the animation was top notch, and the story was absolutely wonderful. It was a seriously touching movie about strained relationships, embracing the fact that everyone is different, and a continuing cautionary tale about trusting the wealthy good looking people of the world.

While everything in the movie was really great the one thing that stood out above most others was Olaf the Snowman. Voiced by Josh Gad this character was often the most subtle comedy in the entire movie but the character that I found to be the most fun to watch.  

Also be sure to look for some of the small inclusions of other Disney/Pixar characters in the film. At one point it can be seen that Rapunzel and Rider from Tangled (2010) are attending the coronation of Elsa. It’s little things like that that make these movies so fun to watch.  The interconnectivity of these worlds are always interesting to see and they add another layer to the depth of the world that makes up Disney and Pixar. 

A

Here are a few links that show the ways that these movies are all connected in some way or another. 

http://jonnegroni.com/2013/07/11/the-pixar-theory/ 

http://www.cracked.com/video_18459_why-pixar-movies-are-all-secretly-about-apocalypse.html 

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Did-You-Spot-Other-Disney-Easter-Eggs-Frozen-40633.html

(Movie Review) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire manages to burn the competition in its record breaking opening weekend

I’m not a film snob. Some are and enjoy the fact that they look down on certain movies/genres as “lacking”. They consider movies like this to be a waste of time. But I can always find something that I like about every movie. It may be something VERY tiny, but there is always something. Heck, even with the ABISMAL Twilight series I constantly praised them for their scenery (while also mercilessly berating them for the horrible acting and story). It’s no wonder that when I watched The Hunger Games (2012) I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I expected it to be another Twilight-esque movies about a damsel in distress that has to be saved by the heroic male. Little did I know that it would turn out to be more “Buffy” than “Bella”.   Since then, Catching Fire has been one of the few movies that I was actually looking forward to this year. The world needs strong, believable and well developed female characters on the big screen...and Katniss Everdeen fits that need perfectly.

Storyline: It’s been a year since Katniss (Lawrence) and Peeta (Hutcherson) won the 74^th Annual Hunger Games. They have returned to their homes and are constantly reminded of their actions taken and losses suffered during the contest. Katniss has become a symbol of hope for the downtrodden. Showing people that they can fight the government and make their own path. This does not sit well with President Snow (Sutherland). He wants her dead. To stomp her, and the hope she gives the people, out. Knowing that killing her will make her a martyr for the cause and galvanize the rebels, President Snow and his cohorts devise a plan that the 75^th Hunger Games will be a contest between past winners. In this way, Snow is positive that he can not only take out Katniss and Peeta, but also take out every other past champion that gives their districts hope. He plans to end them all, but Katniss has no intentions of taking this lying down. She is prepared for the fight of her life. If she goes down she plans to take President Snow with her.

Worth the admission? Obviously! It’s a Holiday weekend and you should take the extra time off to go check this movie out. It’s getting great reviews, the actors have really gotten a grasp on their characters in this installment, and the message of the film is a pretty powerful one. I have two small critiques for the movie. One, the camera work in the first few minutes of Katniss and Gale (Hemsworth) in the woods is not great. I don’t know what it was about it, but it didn’t look good to me. Second, Josh Hutcherson is not a believable male lead. I’m not sure what it is about him, but I just don’t believe him as a lead. Other than that, I have no problems with the movie and think you should go check it out. 

A-

(Rental Review) Much Ado About Nothing (2012)

Do you ever get back together with old friends that you haven't seen in a while? I mean friends that you were once REALLY close with, that you saw every day, and now that you are adults you may see each other once a year (if you are lucky) but as soon as you do you slip back into the friendship like you are in highschool again. You don't skip a beat. There is no rust on it. It's like things never changed? That's what this movie felt like to me. Joss, God bless him, brought together a lot of the actors from his older shows (and some of his newer shows) and graced the world with some of the most fluid character interactions I can remember seeing in a film. It was amazing to watch actors that you have watched on many different shows come together and make a fun movie. 

Storyline: Leonato (Clark Gregg), the governor of Messina, is visited by his friend Don Pedro (Reed Diamond) who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother Don John (Sean Maher). Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Claudio (Fran Kranz). While in Messina, Claudio falls for Leonato's daughter Hero (Jillian Morgese), while Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice (Amy Acker), the governor's niece. The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange with Leonato for a marriage. In the days leading up to the ceremony, Don Pedro, with the help of Leonato, Claudio and Hero, attempts to sport with Benedick and Beatrice in an effort to trick the two into falling in love. Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, with the help of his allies Conrade (Riki Lindhome) and Borachio (Spencer Treat Clark), plots against the happy couple, using his own form of trickery to try to destroy the marriage before it begins. A series of comic...Written by http://muchadomovie.com

Thoughts? I know that some people will KILL me for saying this, but the dialog is not my favorite this movie. While, of course, the words of Shakespeare are sacred to most and directors wouldn't dare change them. But what drives the dialog in this film is the delivery. Just the way the actors deliver the lines modernize them greatly. Also, actors like Nathan Fillion (playing Dogberry) steal the show by the intense, but brief, comedy that he gets to put on display. It is wonderful to see. 

The actors that deserve the most credit are, obviously, Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker. Their chemistry is undeniable and they truly make this movie what it is. They ooze affection and, in some cases, distain for one another. It is an absolute joy to watch them coupled once again.  Check it out!

(Movie Review) Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Thor: The Dark World hammers the competition in its opening weekend 

I’m a DC comics fan. I have been all my life. So it shames me to admit this but MARVEL really dominates the world of comic based movies. When I say dominates, I liken that comment to Chuck Liddell dominating my grandmother in a fist fight. Sure, DC has had success with Batman and Superman lately, but it has failed to capitalize on the other 99% of its roster. Marvel is so far ahead of the game with their films that it’s not even a fair comparison any longer. Thor: The Dark World was not only an entertaining film, but it set up 2 other future Marvel movies in its end credits alone. I have to give credit where credit is due….even if I don’t like doing it. 

Storyline: A war that raged thousands of years ago pitted the Dark Elves, led by Malekith (Eccleston), against the army of Asgard . The Dark Elves wanted to use and ancient power known as the Aether to send the 9 realms into complete darkness for all of eternity. When Asgard defeated the Dark Elves, with Malekith narrowly escaping, the Asgard king hid the Aether deep underground. In present day, Jane Foster (Portman), after slipping through a “break” between realms, comes into contact with the Aether and in invades her body. Malekith, sensing that this powerful weapon has been unearthed, seeks it out. Thor (Hemsworth) must now protect Jane and Asgard from the onslaught of the Dark Elves. 

Above I gave this movie some much due credit, and I will stand by that, but this movie is not without flaws. First and foremost, they try too hard to load it with “accessible” comedic moments. It strives to be Iron Man without including Tony Stark. I think that considering the dark tone of the film, the comedy was sometimes overused. 

Also, while I love Natalie Portman, the focus of the film should stay with Hemsworth and Hiddleston. They have amazing onscreen chemistry that CRUSHES the forced chemistry between Thor and Jane. I feel like the human side of the story weighed down the Asgard side of the film.

Worth the admission? Of course! Sure, it has some hiccups, but the movie is really entertaining. When you can bring in one of The Avengers (I won’t spoil which one) for a bit part…you know you have a big movie on your hands. Also, in the credits it not only promises Thor 3 but also sets the premise for Guardians of the Galaxy. If anyone watches that scene and doesn’t understand the significance of it, let me know and I will happily give you the rundown of what is going on.  

Marvel also announced a new series with ABC in development as well as 4 Netflix projects that will soon be in development (Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist). Needless to say, the comic book geeks of the world will be entertained for a long time to come. 

(TV REVIEW) ALMOST HUMAN - Pilot (11.17.13)

I have been waiting on this show for months now. While the dystopian future concept is nothing new, in this version technology and crime have risen beyond the control of human cops alone and the requirement of a synthetic partners becomes law, the manner in which this show presents it FEELS like it is a new concept. There series starts off with Detective John Kennex (Urban) under heavy fire and trying to save his partner who has been mortally wounded. After an explosion ends the life of his partner and knocks Kennex into a semi -unconscious state a mysterious figure that Kennex can't seem to remember throws a grenade and causes  the loss of Kennex's leg. We then find that this is just Kennex's attempt to remember the past incident and he is currently undergoing a treatment by a "Recollectionist" (Kanagawa) to help him solve the mystery of who the person was that killed his partner and caused the loss of this leg.

Kennex is forced to use a synthetic leg and is finally going back to work on the force. He is reluctant to do so. But under the direction of his boss, Captain Sandra Maldonado (Taylor), he rejoins. Upon arrival he is partnered with an MX Synthetic. Their is a clear disconnect and Kennex shows his distrust for the synthetic by throwing it from his moving car and destroying it.

He is then partnered up with decommissioned model of synthetic called DRN / Dorian (Ealy). Dorian does not follow the orders that most synthetics would. He emotes. He empathizes. He was created to feel human emotions and was made to have the closest replica to a "soul" that a machine could. He gets offended, mad, happy, and has a full range of human emotions that the soulless MX models do not have. Although their partnership starts out rocky they quickly learn to trust and rely on each other. While I won't give away what happens in the pilot, the two become a great team and the series suggests that they will continue to grow to be friends.

Thoughts? So many shows end up disappointing me. Agents of SHIELD is the biggest offender lately. The previews hype them up so much that they can never deliver. I was never worried about that with this series. Not only are the actors fantastic (Karl Urban, Michael Ealy and Lili Taylor are PERFECTION) but the creators are some of my favorite in TV (J.J. Abrams can do no wrong). I think that the most refreshing thing about this series, other than the actors, is that it make "old ground" feel like a new concept. Not only has the "odd couple" thing been done a million times for cop dramas, but the "android partner" thing has been done a good bit too. But somehow, this show feels new and fresh.

In closing, the last thing I will praise with the pilot is just how well shot the thing was. I mean, really. It was movie quality. Obviously FOX and Bad Robot have a lot of faith in this series and it looks like that faith is rightfully placed. The pilot (and 2nd episode) have been well received and I can't wait for more. Do yourself a big favor and check it out.

(Movie Review) Gravity (2013)

Things are not always as they seem. At least in Hollywood. To prove this, I am about to blow your mind. Do you realize that Sandra Bullock is actually a bigger box office draw than George Clooney? It’s true. I just ran the numbers. Before starring in Gravity, Clooney has a box office record of $1.6 billion, which is an astonishing sum of money. But Sandra blows past him with $1.96 billion. So we know that Bullock is a true box office power house. And it’s not just cheesy movies like Miss Congeniality (2000). She had been in movies like A Time to Kill (1996), 28 Days (2000) The Bling Side (2009) and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) that prove that she is much more than just a comedic actor. So WHY are many people surprised that she was picked to star in this movie? People act as if Clooney (the man who starred in Men Who Stare at Goats) was the “sure thing” and she was a “gamble”. But I assure you, she was absolutely fantastic in this film. I don’t think that I would have enjoyed it nearly as much if anyone else would have starred in it.

Storyline: Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and astronaut Matt Kowalsky (Clooney) are on a routine spacewalk when they have an incoming message from NASA regarding shrapnel from numerous destroyed satellites that are headed in their direction. As Matt tries to help Ryan back to the ship, she is knocked off course and begins to float off site. They have approximately 90 minutes to get back on board and safely begin their trip back home before the shrapnel returns. But things are not that simple and their escape plan is riddled with obstacles that will test their resolve and their will to survive.

Worth the admission?  If there has been a single movie that I have seen this year that was worth it, it was this one. First of all, this movie is BEAUTIFUL. There is not a scene that you will not be in awe of. Second, the actors are phenomenal in this. This is basically a two person show with very little assistance from other actors. But they told your attention with almost every line and with every scene. It is the best that I have seen from Bullock and Clooney and the way that they work together is amazing.

I would also like to point out that there is so much symbolism in the film, about life, evolution, afterlife, and everything in between that it really adds some weight to certain scenes and to the movie as a whole. This is a movie that you want to see in the theater. Not only should you see it in a theater, but if you can see it in 3D (or even IMAX 3D) pay the extra money to do it. It’s worth it.

A- 

(TV Review) The Walking Dead - 30 Days Without Accident (10.13.13)

Last night was the season 4 premiere for The Walking Dead, and some people are going to cry and moan about how it was "slow". My answer to those people is that no one starts off at full speed. A season has to grow. Build. Not that this episode was soft in any way. There was a LOT of interesting stuff brought up, we see how the dynamic of the group has changed, meet some new characters (that I assume will be big players in the coming months) , and the most important thing of all....Carl's voice has started to change.

Below are the major developments of this episode and how I think that they will impact the group. *SPOILERS *

- We see that Rick has, somewhat, shunned the "sheriff" role. No more Ricktatorship. Rick is perfectly happy working in the garden and tending to the pigs. In his place, we find that a council has been set up. As we always thought that there should be, the group has now gotten large enough to where one man was never going to be able to be responsible for all of them. So the council is pretty much made up of all of the surviving original members with a few others as well. In theory, it works, but the first time something is in need of a tie breaker, Rick will be the one that makes the call

- Daryl has become a rock-star in the group.It's about damn time.

- We find that animals, one pig in the prison and one boar in the wild, is dying without cause. (more on that in a bit)

- It rained zombies. Literally. While in a convenience store a weak roof gave way and zombies began to fall through. Glenn was almost killed, a new guy named Bob was almost killed, and another new guy named Zach was killed. All in all, it was a pretty rough day for the group. But the scene that showed the zombies falling was pretty awesome. Especially the one that was suspended from the rafters by his guts.

- Rick meets a woman that he warns "if you try anything, you will lose". She then tried something....she lost.

- Carl is still having a hard time fitting in with others. He is a man-child. He has been forced to react to life like a grown man would, but he is still a kid. Adults are always going to look at him like he is a kid, but he doesn't feel like he can do the same things that other kids do. When he finally breaks and goes to "story time" to see what all of the other kids are doing, his world is pretty crushed when he finds out that Carol is actually training all of the children on how to use weapons (something that no one else seems to know about her doing).

- We continue to see a walker at the fence that has bleeding eyes.

- The only friend that Carl has is a kid named Patrick. Patrick hasn't been feeling well and excuses himself from the knife lesson that Carol is teaching. We later see Patrick stumbling through the cell-block, going to the showers, coughing excessively in the water at the shower, and while trying to cool off he passes out. Later we see that his eyes are bleeding and they have turned to look like those of the walkers. Patrick, obviously, has been infected. But no bites. Nothing. So what happened?

This all brings me to Bob. A new guy in the group. Bob was military and has been trying to work his way into the group for the past week. Seems like a nice enough guy, but you can tell that something is very off about him. Then I remembered why. Bob Stookey, in the comics, was a drunk and an Army medic. He showed up in Woodbury and became a confidant to The Governor. He even saved The Gvernor's life when Michonne mutilated his body. Now, in the TV show, he has been with this group for about 1 week. He is a struggling alcoholic (as we see from him almost taking the bottle of liquor). So I think that it is safe to assume that he is the same character. That makes me think that he is working for The Governor as a saboteur and has probably began poisoning the livestock and the areas around the prison (where wild animals would be). I think that is what killed Patrick. Patrick will now go on to, most likely, take out his whole cell block next week.

So, that is my break down and thoughts. Let me know what you think!