Movies Seen in 2011:
"The Last Airbender"
Release Year: 2010
Format Seen: DVD [Rented]
Thoughts: Oh god, what did they do to the fantastic series Avatar: The Last Airbender? I'm serious. All I could do watching it was stare, dumbfounded, while they destroyed almost every good thing about that series. Aang was lifeless. Katara was pouty and sad, Sokka was NOT. FUNNY. The acting was horrid, the special effects were good in some places, godawful in others, and the bending moves? Not even close. I realize you can't pack an entire season into 94 minutes, but could you at least pack a good storyline, good characters, a good script into those 94 minutes? M. Night Shymyalan is no longer even remotely a credible anything to me anymore. I gave him a big chance here, because I wanted him to succeed and I wanted to see one of my favorite animated series' get it's chance in the spotlight, and he just wrecked it. Wrecked it all. Anyone who has seen TLA and doesn't want to see the series, I urge you to see the animated series. It is light years ahead of the dreck you saw in the movie theater.
1 out of 5 Stars. The one star is for Shaun Toub, who played Uncle Iroh. He did a pretty good job with what he had. Plus, I just love Uncle Iroh too much to ever push him aside and give it the Zero it deserves.
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"Toy Story 3"
Release Year: 2010
Format Seen: DVD [Rented]
Thoughts: A great movie all around. It felt good to see the gang together again, although there were some noticeable misses. All the fun, adventure and comraderie is still there from the first two, and I didn't notice any drop in quality or care applied to this movie by the geniuses at Pixar. I admit that the ending got to me, and I teared up, and I'm not giving anything away, I promise, but the movie just touched my heart on so many levels.
5 out of 5 Stars. If I could, I'd play this movie round the clock.
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"They Died With Their Boots On"
Release Year: 1941
Format Seen: Turner Classic Movies (Cable)
Thoughts: Surprisingly good. I didn't know what to expect of this classic movie about Custer's life from his academy days up to the events of Little Big Horn. The historical accuracy is very fast and loose, as far more effort is given to drama rather than details. That said, I couldn't help but be engaged by the movie's lead actor, Mr. Errol Flynn, who has a charm and charisma all his own. It's no wonder he was such a popular actor in the 1940s, and the beautiful Olivia DeHavilland, who won my sympathies so quickly as Mrs. Custer's wife, Libby. Lots of action, great villains, Anthony Quinn as Chief Crazy Horse was funny to see, all in all, a great way to pass the time and an adventure brought to life in a way only a classic movie can.
4 out of 5 Stars. It may not have been accurate, but it was damn fun.
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"Planet 51"
Release Year: 2009
Format Seen: Netflix Instant Watch
Thoughts: In a nutshell? Peppy. That's an odd description, but one that fits this movie. It's a combination throwback sci-fi classic, and a campy comedy cartoon. The great thing is, for me, it works. I like the characters, I like the storyline, the dialogue, I love the look and feel of the environment they're in. The animation is of very good quality, and the story itself is very lighthearted fare, fun for kids and adults, and that's the best part: the dialogue isn't dumbed down and debasing for anyone over 8. Lots of in jokes for the baby boomers, of course, and an all in all good time. I enjoyed it.
4 out of 5 Stars. Campy, classic, comedy cartoon captivates curmudgeon.
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"UP"
Release Year: 2009
Format Seen: Netflix Instant Watch
Thoughts: I'm starting to wonder whether Pixar is ever going to misstep with me. I have never disliked a single outing they have brought to the fore, and I have never felt I have wasted my money in any way when the movie is over. UP is such a delight, on so many levels, in so many ways. I laugh, I cry, I am excited to see what happens next. For anyone who hasn't seen it, I won't go into great detail, but suffice to say, UP is a work of art from beginning to end. The love and care put into this movie is palpable, and I remember finishing the movie, and just sitting there, thinking about life, and what it holds for each of us, destinations, places we want to see, a life well lived, and that is truly a powerful thing for a movie to do. Wonderful.
5 out of 5 Stars. This movie was unforgettable. Like Wall-E from the year before, the movie is so magical and so touching, I can't grasp the fact that these aren't real people. They're so human it's uncanny, almost unbelievable.
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"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
Release Year: 2009
Format Seen: Netflix Instant Watch
Thoughts: The movie started off okay, and I liked the odd turns it took, but overall, it felt like a big jumble of uncertainty, and I don't mean it in a flattering way. I understand that due to the death of Heath Ledger, this movie had it's share of troubles, but even if he had lived, I don't think the movie would have succeeded. Some may think it's brilliant, and that's fine, but it just didn't click with me. The effects were very good, almost seamless, and the actors did reliably, but maybe it was the dialogue, or the setting, or any number of things that might leave me cold instead of getting my interest.
2 out of 5 Stars. Just not my cup of tea, imaginary or no.
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I might have a few more later, this is good for now. I don't want to overload anyone or go on too long in just one post.
