“The Half Blood Prince”: A Magically Good Film
***
Harry Potter seems to have become one of the most famous franchises in film history. This is understandable, the fact being that the actors are picked brilliantly, and they are just great books. Everyone from the original cast is back again including Michal Gambon, the man who took the place of Richard Harris as Dumbledore in 2004. There are some new characters; Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave) and another new teacher named Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent.)
The movie opens as Dumbledore takes Harry with him to meet Slughorn, in an attempt to get him back at Hogwarts, to which Slughorn agrees. Harry is then taken to his best friend Ron’s house. Meanwhile, Professor Snape (who is supposed to be a good guy) promises to take care of Draco Malfoy and groom him to take his father’s place as a death eater, since his father is in prison after certain events from the last episode. Once at school, Harry and Dumbledore start to try to understand how to defeat Voldemort by looking into his past. While in class, Harry gets an old textbook with cheat notes written by someone called the Half Blood Prince, thus the name of the book/movie.
Along the way, Harry and Hermione both start to realize their feelings for longtime friends Ron and Ginny, his sister. Ron however, is going out with Lavender Brown, who loves to kiss him. Ginny is going out with variety of boys. Ahhh, young love (and jealousy.)
This film has action, romance, and comedy in it. It focuses on relationships (come on, these people had to grow up sometime) and the great plot J.K. Rowling wove when she wrote the book. I liked that this movie had a bit of realism in it-the characters finally started to act like real people in the relationship department. The comedy also amused me, especially one scene where Ron gets a hold of a love potion meant for Harry. He starts ranting and raving about this girl whom he has never even met! Also, when Harry drinks a luck potion, he becomes quite ridiculous and overconfident. My mom compared him to me when I’m acting silly.
Compared to the other Harry Potters this movie skips around. It was directed by the same man as The Order of the Phoenix, but not films one through four. It starts at chapter 5 or 6, and then goes back to chapter 2. Parents, one scene in this film has Dumbledore and Harry surrounded by dead people or Inferi (dead people brought back to do Voldemort’s bidding) that may be scary to some younger viewers. Some scenes in the film are not in the book at all, like the opening scene and the first half of the 2nd scene. The good news is, Quidditch is back this time. Unfortunately, some scenes from the book were left out that gave detail on the background of the characters. I know it’s a long book and some things must be cut out, but I’m happy to report that “The Deathly Hallows” will be made into two films, not one, so as little as possible will be cut out.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is a funny, action filled film that will entertain most people. I thought that this should be PG-13, like the previous two Potter films, but this one was PG was for scary images (Draco gets a little bloody in one scene), violence, language, and mild sensuality (teenagers kissing.) I rate it PG for Pretty Good.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Go Nuts for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
***1/2
The last time Ice Age was on the big screen, I didn’t like it. This time I was greatly impressed. Thanks to Sid, our heroes are off on another big adventure. Compared to The Meltdown, this film has more adult humor in it then kid humor. Jokes go from bodily humor to movie references and many times the adults in my screening laughed out loud, loudly. The 3D is great; in fact it’s noticeable without diverting our attention from the scene on the screen. For instance, in the movie Spy Kids 3D I was distracted from the movie by the things coming at my face. This time it just seemed real.
Everyone is back: Ray Romano as Manny, the serious mammoth, John Leguizamo as Sid the ADD-induced sloth, and Dennis Leary as Diego, the tough-guy Sabertooth tiger. Also, Queen Latifah returns as Ellie, Manny’s wife. My mom enjoyed the moments of marital bliss AKA “we’re having our first baby and freaking out about it.” Whatever.
Basically, Manny and Ellie are having a baby any day now, and Sid, the ultimate slothful bachelor, wants to raise a family of his own. Diego wants to leave the “herd” to avoid eating these babies. Sid’s mission becomes easier when he finds some dinosaur eggs and takes them on as a science project. Unfortunately, the dinosaur mom finds those eggs that have now hatched into baby dinosaurs and takes them away along with Sid. This causes Manny, Diego, Ellie, and her two possum friends Crash and Eddie (Josh Peck and Seann William Scott) to go after her. Suddenly underground, they must also get help from a strange weasel named Buck (Simon Pegg). Buck was a hilarious character who never failed to entertain. If they decide to make ICE AGE FOUR, I hope Buck will return to add to the hilarity.
There is once again a back story with the little squirrel named Scrat, and how he must now compete for his acorn with another new character, a smart flying female sexy squirrel. Scrat has always been in the films, but this time I thought it took too much away from the main story. Sometimes during a scene they cut to Scrat in the middle of the scene, and then switched back again. Huh? What was that about??
I recommend this movie for children age’s seven to eleven. This movie is rated PG for mild crude humor peril
The comedy in this film is almost endless, which is a good thing. Funny fresh humor is used throughout the movie, and for once the third movie was better then the second. Should you see it? I think so.
The last time Ice Age was on the big screen, I didn’t like it. This time I was greatly impressed. Thanks to Sid, our heroes are off on another big adventure. Compared to The Meltdown, this film has more adult humor in it then kid humor. Jokes go from bodily humor to movie references and many times the adults in my screening laughed out loud, loudly. The 3D is great; in fact it’s noticeable without diverting our attention from the scene on the screen. For instance, in the movie Spy Kids 3D I was distracted from the movie by the things coming at my face. This time it just seemed real.
Everyone is back: Ray Romano as Manny, the serious mammoth, John Leguizamo as Sid the ADD-induced sloth, and Dennis Leary as Diego, the tough-guy Sabertooth tiger. Also, Queen Latifah returns as Ellie, Manny’s wife. My mom enjoyed the moments of marital bliss AKA “we’re having our first baby and freaking out about it.” Whatever.
Basically, Manny and Ellie are having a baby any day now, and Sid, the ultimate slothful bachelor, wants to raise a family of his own. Diego wants to leave the “herd” to avoid eating these babies. Sid’s mission becomes easier when he finds some dinosaur eggs and takes them on as a science project. Unfortunately, the dinosaur mom finds those eggs that have now hatched into baby dinosaurs and takes them away along with Sid. This causes Manny, Diego, Ellie, and her two possum friends Crash and Eddie (Josh Peck and Seann William Scott) to go after her. Suddenly underground, they must also get help from a strange weasel named Buck (Simon Pegg). Buck was a hilarious character who never failed to entertain. If they decide to make ICE AGE FOUR, I hope Buck will return to add to the hilarity.
There is once again a back story with the little squirrel named Scrat, and how he must now compete for his acorn with another new character, a smart flying female sexy squirrel. Scrat has always been in the films, but this time I thought it took too much away from the main story. Sometimes during a scene they cut to Scrat in the middle of the scene, and then switched back again. Huh? What was that about??
I recommend this movie for children age’s seven to eleven. This movie is rated PG for mild crude humor peril
The comedy in this film is almost endless, which is a good thing. Funny fresh humor is used throughout the movie, and for once the third movie was better then the second. Should you see it? I think so.
Imagine That; Murphy's Latest Comedy Entertains
Imagine That; Murphy’s Latest Comedy Entertains
***
Eddie Murphy has made some very badly reviewed films in the past few years (I.E. Norbit, Meet Dave). Nickelodeon Movies’ last film, Hotel for Dogs, was very stupid. But now both NM and Eddie Murphy are getting their act together as they bring us Imagine That, a peculiar and surprisingly funny story with no bathroom jokes, just clean family humor.
Evan Danielson (Murphy) is a stock market advisor who is good at his job but horrible at being a father to his daughter, Olivia. Olivia always carries around her Goo-gaa, a blanket and the girl and blanket are inseparable. She also has imaginary princess friends. Thank the Lord the mom is not dead in this comedy, but Evan is divorced from Tricia, played by Nicole Ari Parker.
To add on to the comedic situation, Evan also must deal with a seemingly Animal Planet obsessed coworker named Johnny White Feather (Thomas Haden Church from Spider-man 3.) They’re competing for the top spot at their job.
When he must take care of Olivia for the week, Evan is not happy, but is obligated by former wife Tricia. All Evan does is talk on the phone or work on the computer, barely giving Olivia any attention. This all changes when Olivia’s drawings on Evan’s notes turn out to have magical powers of financial fortune-telling. Soon Evan lets Olivia take him into her imaginary world so her imaginary princess friends can start telling him about other companies.
This film is quite hilarious even for a kid’s movie. It’s great to watch Eddie Murphy’s character act so funny and stupid in front of other adults. The acting was mostly believable but for instance, in half the film Olivia screams like a banshee whenever her Goo-gaa is taken away. I would expect that kind of behavior from a 3 year old but Olivia already about 6 or 7. But then again, you don’t expect a grown man to act like Eddy Murphy does on a normal basis either.
While Murphy delivers most of the laughs, credit is due to Thomas Hayden Church who is comical in his outrageous ‘belief’ that we all live under one sky, or whatever nonsense he was spouting. I’m also still laughing over a small but very funny part of the 10 year old kid at the pizza place who tries to extort $50 from Evan. He’s probably got a future as a financial trader.
Rated PG for mild language and some questionable behavior. I recommend this for kids 7 and up.
***
Eddie Murphy has made some very badly reviewed films in the past few years (I.E. Norbit, Meet Dave). Nickelodeon Movies’ last film, Hotel for Dogs, was very stupid. But now both NM and Eddie Murphy are getting their act together as they bring us Imagine That, a peculiar and surprisingly funny story with no bathroom jokes, just clean family humor.
Evan Danielson (Murphy) is a stock market advisor who is good at his job but horrible at being a father to his daughter, Olivia. Olivia always carries around her Goo-gaa, a blanket and the girl and blanket are inseparable. She also has imaginary princess friends. Thank the Lord the mom is not dead in this comedy, but Evan is divorced from Tricia, played by Nicole Ari Parker.
To add on to the comedic situation, Evan also must deal with a seemingly Animal Planet obsessed coworker named Johnny White Feather (Thomas Haden Church from Spider-man 3.) They’re competing for the top spot at their job.
When he must take care of Olivia for the week, Evan is not happy, but is obligated by former wife Tricia. All Evan does is talk on the phone or work on the computer, barely giving Olivia any attention. This all changes when Olivia’s drawings on Evan’s notes turn out to have magical powers of financial fortune-telling. Soon Evan lets Olivia take him into her imaginary world so her imaginary princess friends can start telling him about other companies.
This film is quite hilarious even for a kid’s movie. It’s great to watch Eddie Murphy’s character act so funny and stupid in front of other adults. The acting was mostly believable but for instance, in half the film Olivia screams like a banshee whenever her Goo-gaa is taken away. I would expect that kind of behavior from a 3 year old but Olivia already about 6 or 7. But then again, you don’t expect a grown man to act like Eddy Murphy does on a normal basis either.
While Murphy delivers most of the laughs, credit is due to Thomas Hayden Church who is comical in his outrageous ‘belief’ that we all live under one sky, or whatever nonsense he was spouting. I’m also still laughing over a small but very funny part of the 10 year old kid at the pizza place who tries to extort $50 from Evan. He’s probably got a future as a financial trader.
Rated PG for mild language and some questionable behavior. I recommend this for kids 7 and up.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Classic Kevin-March of The Penguins (August 2005)
Slide on Down to see March of the Penguins
*** (3 stars)
Attention: has anyone ever wondered how penguins survive in the South Pole? Or how they have babies? Or whether they fall in love or not? Well, this is the movie for you. All your questions about penguins will be answered in this thing.
It starts as penguins are getting ready to leave their ocean home to have a little ‘family reunion’ which, by the way, is about 70 miles away. When they get there, they have to decide who their spouse is going to be. Then, they start having cute little eggs. Mothers then leave for food and Dads watch the babies on their feet in a special way until the Moms return. Then, it goes the opposite way, and Moms watch the babies while the Dads go for food, which they haven’t had in 4 months! This goes on for quite some time until the babies can take care of themselves and the parents let them walk behind them in little schools to follow them back to the water for food. Finally, when they are old enough, they get to live their own lives without their parents.
My mom and my principal, Mrs. Watson, made me see this thing, which I thought was going to stink, like a skunk’s bottom. But, it was good, for two reasons. One, because I could learn about penguins, and two, it included a free slip and slide video for those who have trouble sliding on their stomachs! Also, since it was practically empty I could put my feet on the chair in front of me.
Kids, if you like movies with cute moments and baby animals, this will be a pretty nice movie for you. Nature for the boys, and romance for the girls. Girls, the marriage only lasts for a year. Rated G for cute moments and stuff. Warning, some penguins kick the bucket and go to the great South Pole above. Way above.
*** (3 stars)
Attention: has anyone ever wondered how penguins survive in the South Pole? Or how they have babies? Or whether they fall in love or not? Well, this is the movie for you. All your questions about penguins will be answered in this thing.
It starts as penguins are getting ready to leave their ocean home to have a little ‘family reunion’ which, by the way, is about 70 miles away. When they get there, they have to decide who their spouse is going to be. Then, they start having cute little eggs. Mothers then leave for food and Dads watch the babies on their feet in a special way until the Moms return. Then, it goes the opposite way, and Moms watch the babies while the Dads go for food, which they haven’t had in 4 months! This goes on for quite some time until the babies can take care of themselves and the parents let them walk behind them in little schools to follow them back to the water for food. Finally, when they are old enough, they get to live their own lives without their parents.
My mom and my principal, Mrs. Watson, made me see this thing, which I thought was going to stink, like a skunk’s bottom. But, it was good, for two reasons. One, because I could learn about penguins, and two, it included a free slip and slide video for those who have trouble sliding on their stomachs! Also, since it was practically empty I could put my feet on the chair in front of me.
Kids, if you like movies with cute moments and baby animals, this will be a pretty nice movie for you. Nature for the boys, and romance for the girls. Girls, the marriage only lasts for a year. Rated G for cute moments and stuff. Warning, some penguins kick the bucket and go to the great South Pole above. Way above.
Classic Kevin-Underdog (August 2007)
It’s a Bird, It’s a Frog, it’s Underdog!
***1/2
Alpha Dog (Jason Lee) is perhaps the worst dog on the police force. In a scene at the Capital we find out he is smelling-impaired, which makes him mistake a piece of ham for a bomb. When he wonders off in shame, he is bullied by some German Shepherds, then picked up by Cad (Patrick Warburton), henchman to the evil, the terrible, and the short, Dr. Simon Barsinister, played evilly by Peter Dinklage of Elf.
Barsinister does animal testing and genetic manipulation at his lab. Unfortunately, in the process of Alpha Dog’s genetic mutation, he gets away and blows up the lab, giving Barsinister a new facial and also getting chemicals in his body. Dan Unger (James Belushi) is a previous policeman who is now the watchman at the lab. Unger takes Alpha Dog home to his son, Jack, so he won’t be lonely. He’s lonely because his mom is dead (again.) Dan also renames Alpha Dog “Shoeshine” because he licks his shoes. Even though he does not know it yet, Shoeshine has super powers including the ability to fly, run fast, and speak human, even in rhyme! He’s a beagle, who can fly like an eagle!
When Jack finds out about this, he tells Shoeshine that he must become a superhero. Shoeshine says no. Jack takes Shoeshine for a walk where he meets the girl of his dreams, Molly, and Shoeshine meets her dog Polly. When Shoeshine saves Molly and Polly from bad guys, he agrees with Jack to become a superhero. After many stupid name suggestions, Jack picks out Underdog, and he uses his dad’s old college sweater for a costume. But, Barsinister, now living in the sewer, is plotting against Underdog.
You’ll be sick if you miss this summer flick where evil gets licked! Get off the phone, give this dog a bone!
Rated PG for rude humor, mild language, and action.
***1/2
Alpha Dog (Jason Lee) is perhaps the worst dog on the police force. In a scene at the Capital we find out he is smelling-impaired, which makes him mistake a piece of ham for a bomb. When he wonders off in shame, he is bullied by some German Shepherds, then picked up by Cad (Patrick Warburton), henchman to the evil, the terrible, and the short, Dr. Simon Barsinister, played evilly by Peter Dinklage of Elf.
Barsinister does animal testing and genetic manipulation at his lab. Unfortunately, in the process of Alpha Dog’s genetic mutation, he gets away and blows up the lab, giving Barsinister a new facial and also getting chemicals in his body. Dan Unger (James Belushi) is a previous policeman who is now the watchman at the lab. Unger takes Alpha Dog home to his son, Jack, so he won’t be lonely. He’s lonely because his mom is dead (again.) Dan also renames Alpha Dog “Shoeshine” because he licks his shoes. Even though he does not know it yet, Shoeshine has super powers including the ability to fly, run fast, and speak human, even in rhyme! He’s a beagle, who can fly like an eagle!
When Jack finds out about this, he tells Shoeshine that he must become a superhero. Shoeshine says no. Jack takes Shoeshine for a walk where he meets the girl of his dreams, Molly, and Shoeshine meets her dog Polly. When Shoeshine saves Molly and Polly from bad guys, he agrees with Jack to become a superhero. After many stupid name suggestions, Jack picks out Underdog, and he uses his dad’s old college sweater for a costume. But, Barsinister, now living in the sewer, is plotting against Underdog.
You’ll be sick if you miss this summer flick where evil gets licked! Get off the phone, give this dog a bone!
Rated PG for rude humor, mild language, and action.
Classic Kevin-King Kong, The King of All Movies (2005)
King Kong, The King of all Movies
*****
Move over Lion King, there’s a new ape in town!
This is no Mighty Joe Young. This is more incredible than The Incredibles. More swinging than Spider-man. More gigantic than George of the Jungle! More terrific than Tarzan! It’s the one, the only, KING KONG!!!
This movie has the kind of violence you see in Jurassic Park but it’s funny in some ways too. The islanders or native people don’t take kindly to the newcomers. When Carl offers a native child some chocolate he violently grabs Carl’s arm and bites him. I had to hide behind my mom’s scarf when the natives were offering Ann to Kong, because if you see the natives you’ll get nightmares for the rest of your life (0r maybe a week.) Cover up!
It’s a love story between female and ape. King Kong is such a hero he saved Ann 3 times. In one scene in New York, Kong is playing with Ann on the ice in Central Park. Basically he is ice skating on his behumpus. My mom thought it was romantic when they were playing on the ice, but I liked it when the ice exploded as the military shot a gun at Kong. From my perspective violence rocks but romance makes me want to barf.
I think it stunk that they made King Kong into a show animal. He seemed human, just like your regular everyday Robert De Niro. I’m not sure who Robert De Niro is, but Kong looked like the kind of guy who should be named Robert De Niro. Carl [Jack Black] is a movie producer with a wild mind for films. But when he hears the CEO are planning to fire him’ he slips away to a ship that will take him to the destination of his next film, Skull island. Everything’s going the way it’s supposed to be. Carl has got a crew, a beautiful female, and an actor to do the stunts. No problem right? No. Once they get on the island, the native people who live there don’t take to kindly to the crew. They attack the crew members and later steal Ann’ Jack’s female to offer as a sacrifice to Kong.
*****
Move over Lion King, there’s a new ape in town!
This is no Mighty Joe Young. This is more incredible than The Incredibles. More swinging than Spider-man. More gigantic than George of the Jungle! More terrific than Tarzan! It’s the one, the only, KING KONG!!!
This movie has the kind of violence you see in Jurassic Park but it’s funny in some ways too. The islanders or native people don’t take kindly to the newcomers. When Carl offers a native child some chocolate he violently grabs Carl’s arm and bites him. I had to hide behind my mom’s scarf when the natives were offering Ann to Kong, because if you see the natives you’ll get nightmares for the rest of your life (0r maybe a week.) Cover up!
It’s a love story between female and ape. King Kong is such a hero he saved Ann 3 times. In one scene in New York, Kong is playing with Ann on the ice in Central Park. Basically he is ice skating on his behumpus. My mom thought it was romantic when they were playing on the ice, but I liked it when the ice exploded as the military shot a gun at Kong. From my perspective violence rocks but romance makes me want to barf.
I think it stunk that they made King Kong into a show animal. He seemed human, just like your regular everyday Robert De Niro. I’m not sure who Robert De Niro is, but Kong looked like the kind of guy who should be named Robert De Niro. Carl [Jack Black] is a movie producer with a wild mind for films. But when he hears the CEO are planning to fire him’ he slips away to a ship that will take him to the destination of his next film, Skull island. Everything’s going the way it’s supposed to be. Carl has got a crew, a beautiful female, and an actor to do the stunts. No problem right? No. Once they get on the island, the native people who live there don’t take to kindly to the crew. They attack the crew members and later steal Ann’ Jack’s female to offer as a sacrifice to Kong.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
UP
Up takes Off
****
Let me begin by saying that Pixar always impresses me even if it is in a small way. Their unique ideas (I.E rats that want to cook, toys that move around and speak when no humans are present) are always totally original and usually hilarious. However, Pixar’s last film, Wall-E, was in my opinion more aimed at adults and environmental groups then kids. But Pixar came back and gave us Up, an action comedy with heart. It is also the 2nd Pixar film to be rated PG. The first was The Incredibles back in 2004.
Up is the story of Carl Fredrickson, an old man who dreams of going to Paradise Falls, like he promised his deceased wife Ellie he would. To accomplish this (and to stop the neighborhood from forcing him into Shady Oaks retirement home,) Carl puts a large number of helium balloons on his house and takes off. Just as things seem perfect, Carl discovers that a young and quite annoying Wilderness Explorer named Russell has stowed away on his porch. Russell is seeking to get his “assisting the elderly” badge, but instead Grumpy “Uncle” Carl must take care of him.
This film has lots of laughs that everyone will understand. Most of them come from the many talking dogs especially the one with ADD, Dug, who adopts our characters. (I wonder what my dog, Cooper would say if he could speak, maybe please walk me?) Again the dogs are the funniest characters in the film. The Alpha dog has a defective collar, thus making him sound like Simon from Alvin and the Chipmunks. There is also a dog air force with tranquilizer guns that are shot out by chew toy. I loved the “Cone of Shame”, one of those collars put around a dog’s neck so it won’t bite itself.
The scenery is exotic and colorful as I imagine South America looks. Other characters, including the villain, add a twist to this tale as does the violence which earns the PG rating. Unfortunately, when the Fredrickson’s lives are being shown in the beginning of the movie, a long sequence with no talking, the younger ones might get bored. The adults will love it, according to my mom.
Besides that, Up is a hilarious and heartfelt family film with no profanity or bad content. There is only one joke about bodily humor which most parents will find adorable.
Rated PG for some peril and action
****
Let me begin by saying that Pixar always impresses me even if it is in a small way. Their unique ideas (I.E rats that want to cook, toys that move around and speak when no humans are present) are always totally original and usually hilarious. However, Pixar’s last film, Wall-E, was in my opinion more aimed at adults and environmental groups then kids. But Pixar came back and gave us Up, an action comedy with heart. It is also the 2nd Pixar film to be rated PG. The first was The Incredibles back in 2004.
Up is the story of Carl Fredrickson, an old man who dreams of going to Paradise Falls, like he promised his deceased wife Ellie he would. To accomplish this (and to stop the neighborhood from forcing him into Shady Oaks retirement home,) Carl puts a large number of helium balloons on his house and takes off. Just as things seem perfect, Carl discovers that a young and quite annoying Wilderness Explorer named Russell has stowed away on his porch. Russell is seeking to get his “assisting the elderly” badge, but instead Grumpy “Uncle” Carl must take care of him.
This film has lots of laughs that everyone will understand. Most of them come from the many talking dogs especially the one with ADD, Dug, who adopts our characters. (I wonder what my dog, Cooper would say if he could speak, maybe please walk me?) Again the dogs are the funniest characters in the film. The Alpha dog has a defective collar, thus making him sound like Simon from Alvin and the Chipmunks. There is also a dog air force with tranquilizer guns that are shot out by chew toy. I loved the “Cone of Shame”, one of those collars put around a dog’s neck so it won’t bite itself.
The scenery is exotic and colorful as I imagine South America looks. Other characters, including the villain, add a twist to this tale as does the violence which earns the PG rating. Unfortunately, when the Fredrickson’s lives are being shown in the beginning of the movie, a long sequence with no talking, the younger ones might get bored. The adults will love it, according to my mom.
Besides that, Up is a hilarious and heartfelt family film with no profanity or bad content. There is only one joke about bodily humor which most parents will find adorable.
Rated PG for some peril and action
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