Movie Review: Up

Movie: Up

Genre: Animated Fantasy

Rating: PG

Movie Blurb: Carl Fredricksen, a 78 year-old curmudgeonly balloon salesman, in not your average hero. When he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America, he finally fulfills his life long dream of adventure. But after discovering an 8-year-old stowaway named Russell, this unlikely duo soon find themselves on a hilarious journey in a lost world filled with danger and surprises. See trailer here.

Why This Movie: I love Pixar movies. They are just so much fun. Really brings out my inner child.

Review: I don't know how those Pixar folks do it but this is definitely another outstanding movie. And the storyline is once again very unique. It tells the story and adventure of one Carl Fredricksen. From childhood Carl has wanted to go to Paradise Falls in South America to follow the dream of his beloved Ellie and in the footsteps of their childhood hero, the famed explorer Charles Muntz. As he starts his adenture Carl finds a stowaway, Russell, a young Wilderness Explorer trying to earn his "Assisting the Elderly" badge, the only one he needs in order to become a Senior Explorer.

This is also a movie about growth and moving forward in life. Carl has lost his beloved Ellie and he sets out to fulfill their lifelong dream as a final tribute to her. And this had become his goal in life. But as he spends time with Russell, he finds others reasons to live and how to make new advertures in his golden years. As for Russell, he wants to become a Senior Explorer so that his dad will spend time with him. We see his sadness and determination to make this happen. But in the end he finds a new friend and father figure in Carl.

The story is lively with lots of laughs as Carl and Russell, and later Dug, struggle to fulfill their dreams. The action is fast paced and the animation was perfect. The wonderfully drawn characters to the extraordinary adventure, it has everything that we have come to expect from Pixar. And as always we get to see a bit of local Bay Area color that Pixar loves to but in their films. In this case it is Fenton's, a local ice cream palor which serves the best sundaes in the area. Come visit and we'll go to Fenton's for a sundae! *g*

What I liked best: Dug the dog. LOL! Those Pixar folks definitely had a dog's personality down pat. The enthusiasm, the fascination with rodents, the thrill of the chase, and the loyalty and love of one's master. Dug was perfect and very, very funny.

What I least liked: There wasn't anything I didn't like about the film. It was lots of wonderful fun from the beginning to the end.

Rating: A

To the Movies!

Ah! The last unemployed weekend was spent trying to relax for the big day. To completely take my mind off of being nervous about starting a new job and just being working again it was off to the movies. This summer is really turning out to be a great blockbuster summer.

Movie: WALL-E

Genre: Animated, Family

Rating: G

Movie Blurb: After hundreds of lonely years doing what he was built for, WALL-E (short of Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) discovers a new purpose in life (besides collecting knick-knacks) when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. EVE comes to realize that WALL-E had inadvertently stumbled upon the key to the planet’s future, and races back to space to report her findings to the humans (who have been eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home). Meanwhile, WALL-E chases EVE across the galaxy a sets into motion one of the most exciting and imaginative comedy adventures ever brought to the big screen. See preview here.

Review: How do those creative geniuses at Pixar do it? They managed to make another unforgettable film. The poor little WALL-E robot is alone on earth, except for his pet cockroach, and is charged with the directive to clean-up earth while the humans are away on a luxury cruise of the galaxy. In all his time alone he has discovered a personality and is lonely for company. His whole world changes with the arrival of EVE. As to be accepted of Pixar, the story is both unique and entertaining, a perfect blend of comedy to entertain every member of the family delivered in out of this world animation. WALL-E is both a great love story and a commentary of where the earth is heading without some changes. How our lives have been taken over by machines and how easy it is to go with the status quo. Pixar has also manage to add its little bits of its hometown. Those familiar with Emeryville (home of Pixar) and Oakland California will easily recognize it as it would be if pollution manages to run amuck.

Rating: 5 of 5


Movie: Mongol

Genre: Drama, Historical, Foreign Film

Rating: R

Movie Blurb: Award-winning Russian filmmaker Sergei Bodrov (PRISONER OF THE MOUNTAINS) illuminates the life and legend of Genghis Khan in his stunning historical epic, MONGOL. Based on leading scholarly accounts and written by Bodrov and Arif Aliyev, MONGOL delves into the dramatic and harrowing early years of the ruler who was born as Temudgin in 1162. As it follows Temudgin from his perilous childhood to the battle that sealed his destiny, the film paints a multidimensional portrait of the future conqueror, revealing him not as the evil brute of hoary stereotype, but as an inspiring, fearless and visionary leader. MONGOL shows us the making of an extraordinary man, and the foundation on which so much of his greatness rested: his relationship with his wife, Borte, his lifelong love and most trusted advisor. See preview here.

Review: Truly an amazing film. A story of love and devotion even in the worst of times, of vengeance and persistence and making of a fearless leader. The cinematography is spectacular and the story revetting. It gave humanity and heart to one history's most ruthless warlords, Genghis Khan or Great Leader. As with most, his past most likely colored his future and made him into the power that ruled the largest empire every seen in history. Although accurate accounts of his life are not found, this wonderful depiction gives an account of what his youth might have been like using what little is known about him. The movie gives an excellent portrayal of his cunning and revolutionary tactics that made him the most powerful warlord of his time as well as his ruthlessness both to friend and foe alike.

Rating: 4.75 of 5