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

Movie Review: Star Trek

Movie: Star Trek

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: PG-13

Movie Summary: The greatest adventure of all time begins with “Star Trek,” the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. In the midst of an incredible journey full of optimism, intrigue, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind.

The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals born worlds apart. One, James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine), a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy, a natural-born leader in search of a cause. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), grows up on the planet Vulcan, an outcast due to his half-human background, which makes him susceptible to the volatile emotions that Vulcans have long lived without, and yet an ingenious, determined student, who will become the first of his kind accepted into the Starfleet Academy.

Kirk and Spock could not be more different. Yet, in their quest to figure out who they really are and what they have to give to the world, they soon become competitive cadets-in-training. With their drastically opposite styles, one driven by fiery passion, the other by rigorous logic, they also become defiant, contentious adversaries, each equally unimpressed with the other, each going all out to be among the special few chosen to join the crew of the most advanced starship ever created, the U.S.S. Enterprise.

The crew is headed by Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood). Joining him are the ship’s Medical Officer Leonard “Bones” McCoy (Karl Urban); the man who will become the ship’s Chief Engineer, Montgomery “Scotty” Scott (Simon Pegg); Communications Officer Uhura (Zoë Saldana); experienced Helmsman Sulu (John Cho); and the 17-year-old whiz kid Chekov (Anton Yelchin). All will face a harrowing first test that will set in motion the loyalty, camaraderie, daring and good humor that will bind them forever.
In the midst of it all, Kirk and Spock will come face-to-face with an undeniable destiny: a need to forge an unlikely but powerful partnership, enabling them to lead their crew to boldly go where no one has gone before.

From left to right: Pavel Chekov (Anton Yelchin), James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott (Simon Pegg), Dr Leonard 'Bones' McCoy (Karl Urban), Hikaru Sulu (John Cho), and Nyota Uhura (Zoe Saldana).

See trailers here.

Review: J.J. Abrams did a wonderful job in bringing the old flavor of the original Star Trek while updating it for a new generation. The ship, the cast and even the costuming was flawless (there is even a scene of Kirk sans shirt!). Everything that made Star Trek the phenomenon it is was maintained. The humor, the adventure, the villain and the ship (Majel Barrett Rodenberry was still the voice of the ship's computer), it was all there.

The cast was did a spectacular job in bringing to life and maintaining the mannerisms and quirks of the original cast. Many times when an actor reprises a role that was played by another, there is something missing. But here there were no mistake. The one that shines brightest is Zachary Quinto. He had Nimoy's Spock down perfectly right down to the the raise eye brow in query and the inflection of "fascinating". But the character I loved most was Chekov. Yelchin did a superb job of bringing Koenig's Chekof to life. The heavily accented english, the difficulty in dealing with the computer because of it and his enthusiasm in figuring out the puzzle at hand.

What I liked best: The cast. They did a superb job in bringing the original crew back to life.

What I least liked: There was nothing that I didn't like about the movie.

Rating: A+, Must see for all trekkies!

Hancock

Working sure does cut into the reading time. But weekends are still free to hang out with friends and to go to the movies.

Movie: Hancock

Genre: Action

Rating: PG-13

Movie Blurb: There are heroes, there are superheroes, and then there’s Hancock (Will Smith). With great power comes great responsibility - everyone knows that - everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock’s well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough - as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy. Hancock isn’t the kind of man who cares what other people think - until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock’s greatest challenge yet - and a task that may prove impossible as Ray’s wife, Mary insists that he’s a lost cause. See preview here.

Review: This is Will Smith's summer release for this year and I have to say I expected better. Hancock was an interesting story but overall poorly thought out and written. The well-intended acts of heroics that this hero performs seemingly causes more harm than good. Sure the bad guys are caught and people are saved, but the cost of the collateral damages is quite high: police cars destroyed, building and roads are badly damaged. And Hancock is not very lovable. He is a drunk, sarcastic loner who seems to go out of his way to annoy and has a large disregard for public opinion.

Enter Ray Embry, do gooder, a bit too goody-goody to be very interesting. Hancock saves his life and he decides to improve Hancock's public image. First he invites Hancock to dinner, much to his wife's dismay and son's delight. Then 'pitches' Hancock with the 'I can improve your image' spiel. For some unknown reason, or perhaps we are to assume that because Ray is treating him nicely, Hancock follows along tamely with Ray's ideas and goes to prison where he gives up alcohol and attends some anger management peer counseling while waiting for the world to miss him. The whole motive/inter-struggle of the hero was sadly lacking, there is no 'ah-ha' moment when the hero realizes that he can do good and make a difference.

The story had so much potential, but it all seemed to be watered down and very blase. Sure the surprise twist was interesting and it raised our hopes for a more dynamic action. But again I was left wanting. As twists go, it was fabulous, but unfortunately it went no where. That pretty much sums up the movie. Lots and lots of potential that went no where. A renter or better yet wait until its on TV and watch it for free.

Rating: 2.75 of 5

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

Going Out in the Real World

Contrary to popular belief, I do sometime venture out of my pajamas and into the great outdoors for something other than food and drugs. The summer movie rush is well on its way with a wider selection of blockbusters. The summer movie season is definitely looking good.

Movie: Ironman
Genre: Action/Adventure
Movie Blurb: Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios’ big screen adaptation of Marvel’s legendary Super Hero Iron Man launched into theaters on May 2, 2008. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark/Iron Man in the story of a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges and will be directed by Jon Favreau. See preview here (Quicktime required).

I really enjoyed this movie. This is definitely what we look in a summer blockbuster movie. Lots of action and comedy throughout the story. The storyline was well developed and seamless. If you enjoyed the comics then you will not be disappointed with this film. It stayed true to the Marvel comic story line, with an update for this generations 'forces of evil', as well as the general feel of the classic comic. It was not all action, though there was plenty there to satisfy and not over done as some action films. A lot of comedy was sprinkled throughout the movie to lighten the tone. The casting was superb. Robert Downing Jr was perfectly cast as Tony Stark/Iron, he was the comic book hero brought to life. Ironman creator, Stan Lee, also makes a wonder cameo.

Rating: 5 of 5

Movie: You Don't Mess With The Zohan
Genre: Comedy
Movie Blurb: A comedy from screenwriters Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog), and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up), Sandler stars as Zohan, an Israeli commando who fakes his own death in order to pursue his dream: becoming a hairstylist in New York. Dennis Dugan directs. See preview here (Quicktime required).

It was not as funny as I expected it to be. It was enjoyable but some of the jokes were overused in the film (Adam's well padded underwear). Its a film that you have to been in the right mood to fully enjoy. If you enjoyed Adam's other films (Mr. Deeds, The Waterboy, Happy Gilmore) and are looking for more, you will enjoy the film. Adam does a wonderful job of playing an Israeli commando trying to make a new life in America as a hairstylist. There are many cameos from the SNL casts that Adam was a part of as well as other well known faces.

Rating: 4 of 5