Anyone still reading this? looks like going by the number of hits.
Listed here is an archive of films I’ve seen in theaters. Two of them have been nominated for Academy Awards. The review contains the film’s title, genre, an overview and some trivia.
Movie Reviews
2009-Early 2010
Below are a list of reviews for movies I’ve seen in 2009 and early 2010. The list ranges from films seen in theaters to ones rented on DVD. At the end of each review are few ‘Trivia’ notes. So… read on!
Rating system:
5 stars – A must see
4 stars- Good
3 stars- Rent it on DVD
2 stars- Fair
1 star – Not worth seeing
Michael Jackson’s This Is It
Movie poster(c) Columbia Tri-star
Studio: Columbia Tri-Star Motion Picture, Sony Pictures, The Michael Jackson Company.
Theater release: October 28th 2009.
DVD Release: 1/26/2010
Rating: PG.
Running time: 1 hr. 51 min
Main actor/actress: Michael Jackson
Supporting Cast:
Daniel Celebre
Shanon Holtzapffel
Charles Klapow
Kenny Ortega
And Others
Category: Documentary/Musical/Performing Arts
Info: A look at the final days of one of the greatest entertainers. The documentary features behind-the-scenes footage, rehearsals and interviews with collaborators and close friends of Michael Jackson.
Reviews and ratings: “Nothing at all like I was expecting to see” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times.
Personal rating: **** Good
Opinion: ‘This is It” is an enjoyable film for those who are fans of Michael Jackson. The effects and choreography were done well. There are a few comical moments as well as some that are dramatic and heartwarming.
Trivia: This is It is complied of an estimated 80 hours of behind-the-scenes and rehearsal footage for the late entertainer’s sold out 50 shows at London’s O2 Arena. The concert was scheduled to begin in July 2009 before Michael Jacksons’s death in June at the age of 50.
Kenny Ortega directed the documentary as well as Michael Jackson’s other music videos.
All the songs featured in This is It are sung by Michael Jackson.
The documentary is dedicated to Michael’s children, Paris, Prince Michael and Blanket.
Originally scheduled for a two-week theatrical release, news of an extension had been announced.
This is It was nominated for a Critic’s choice award.
Avatar
Teaser Poster© 20th Century Fox.
Studio: 20th Century Fox/ Lightstorm Entertainment.
Theater release: December 18th 2009.
DVD release: N/A
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hrs 40 min.
Main Actor/Actress: Sam Worthington- Jake Sully and Zöe Saldana- Neytiri
Supporting Cast:
Sigourney Weaver- Dr. Grace Augustine
Stephan Lang- Colonel Miles Quaritch
Michelle Rodriguez- Trudy Chacon
Giovonni Ribsi- Parker Selfridge
Joel David Moore- Norm Spellman
CCH Pounder- Mo’at
Wes Studi- Eytukan
Laz Alonso- Tsu’Tey
Matt Gerald- Corpal Lyle Wainfleet
Dileep Rao- Dr. Max Patel
Peter Mensah- Akwey (aka Horse clan leader)
Sean Anthony Moran- Private Sean Fike
And Others.
Category: Sci-fi/ Action/Adventure/Drama
Info: Avatar tells the story of Jake Sully who is paralyzed from the waist down. Jake travels to Pandora, a moon located in Alpha Centuri. While there, he meets Norm Spellman and few other employees who work for the RDA mining company run by Parker Selfridge. During a walk out in the forest with Grace Augustine and Norm, Jake is chased by one Pandora’s top predators, the panther-like Thanator. After getting separated from Norm and Grace, Jake is now lost and unaware he’s being watched!
That night, Jake encounters a pack of Viperwolves which are similar to hyenas and gray wolves. Though he tries to scare them off, the wolves seem to be giving Jake a run for his money so to speak; until Neytiri steps in. Shortly after, the viperwolves flee; sometime later, Jake meets Neytiri’s parents, Eytukan and Mo’at who are also leaders of the clan. At first, Eytukan isn’t too keen about Jake and neither is Tsu’Tey, another clan member. After Jake explains himself, Mo’at announces Neytiri will be tutoring him. Later on, Jake tells his co-workers about what happened. The head of security, Miles Quaritch, tells Jake to go ahead and learn about the Na’vi. He also gives Jake a three-month deadline to get the clan to move after Parker explains that the village is sitting on a large deposit of a mineral called Unobtainium. If he manages to pull off the job, Miles states he’ll see about helping Jake ‘get his legs back’ via surgery. Although Neytiri was ready to gut Jake like fish when they first met, she gradually befriends him. Over time, Jake also becomes friends with Norm and Trudy, even Grace warms up to him. But later, Jake is caught in a bind to either finish the job or help his new friends.
Reviews and Ratings: “An extraordinary film” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times.
Personal rating: **½ -Fair.
Opinion: Though the storyline is interesting, there are some things that weren’t so great. The effects and performances by the cast were done well. Overall, for those who are curious about the film but choose not to see it in theaters; either rent it, catch the movie on TV or just skip it altogether. Although, for this being James Cameron’s first feature film since ‘Titanic’ which was released in 1997; he’s definitely proved he can still put on quite a show.
Trivia notes:
This is the first feature film James Cameron has directed since Titanic.
Avatar won the golden globes for Best Director and Best Picture(Drama).
The film has been nominated for nine Academy Awards and held the #1 spot at the box office for seven weeks straight before it got demoted by the movie, Dear John.
Motion capture was used in the film.
The script was originally written in 1994 and James Cameron had wanted to release it in 1999 but the idea was turned down due to the high budget.
Avatar cost over $300 million to make and $150 million spent on marketing. The film so far has made a total of $ 2 billion dollars at the box office.
The cast spent time in a bonding boot camp in Maui months before filming.
James Horner composed the music for the film; the last time he’s worked with James Cameron was when he did the music for Titanic in 1997.
Two other films Sam Worthington and Zöe Saldana starred in were Terminator Salvation and Guess Who, working alongside Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher.
Actress Michelle Rodriguez starred in the Fast and the Furious.
Though James Horner is mostly known for composing scores for kid/family films including: An American Tail, Balto, The Land Before Time and several others.
Avatar sold more tickets during the opening day than Star trek did when it was released in early 2009.
The film was nominated for best original score at the Golden Globes but lost to Disney and Pixar’s Up.
Coincidentally, Avatar, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The squeakquel are all 20th century Fox films.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Movie Poster© 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox, Indian Paintbrush, Regency.
Theater release: November 13th (Limited) November 25th (Wide)
DVD: N/A
Rating: PG
Running time: 1 hr 28 min
Main actor/actress: George Clooney- Mr. Fox and Meryl Streep – Felicity Fox.
Support cast:
Bill Murray- Badger
Willem Defoe- Rat
Jason Swartzman- Ash
Wallace Wolodarsky- Kylie
Eric Anderson- Kristofferson
Michael Gabon- Franklin Bean
Owen Wilson – Coach Skip
Jarvis Cocker- Petey
Wes Anderson- Weasel
Karen Duffy- Linda Otter
Hugo Guiness- Nathan Bunce
Helen Mccrory- Mrs. Bean
Roman Coppola- Squirrel contractor
Robin Hurlstone as Walter Boggis
Jeremy Dawson- Beaver’s son
Garth Jennings- Bean’s son
Brian Cox- Action 12 reporter
Tristan Oliver II- Explosives man
Steven M. Rales- Beaver
Robert Hersov- Pilot
Allison Abbate- Rabbit’s ex-girlfriend
Molly Cooper- Rabbit girl
Adrien Brody- Field mouse
Mario Batail- Rabbit
Juman Malouf- Agnes
James Hamilton- Mole
Jennifer Furches- Dr. Badger
Martin Ballar- Fire chief
Category: Animation/Family/Comedy/Action/ Adventure/Adaptation.
Info: Based on the book written by Roald Dahl. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stop motion animated comedy. The film starts out with Mr. Fox and his mate, Felicity stealing poultry from the farms owned by Boggis, Bunce and Bean. The two are later caught in a trap by one of the farmers. After Felicity announces she’s pregnant; she tells her mate to make a promise to stop stealing birds and take up another job if they escape from the trap alive. Although Mr. Fox does keep his promise and now has a job as a journalist, he slowly slips back into his old habit of stealing from the farmers. Sometime later when Boggis, Bunce and Bean discover Mr. Fox’s raids they decide to catch him. As a result Mr. Fox’s family and neighbors are at risk. With the animals trapped underground, Mr. Fox and friends band together against the farmers.
Reviews & Ratings: “This movie deserves to be called groundbreaking”- Peter Travers, Rolling stone.
Personal rating: *****-A must see.
Opinion: Being a stop motion film fan and animal lover this is a film worth seeing. An enjoyable movie from start to finish. Highly recommended.
Trivia notes:
The recording sessions took place both outdoors and indoors.
In the original Fantastic Mr. Fox, he and his mate had four pups (3 males 1 female) whereas in the film, Ash is their only son and Kristofferson is Mr. Fox’s nephew.
Though the film most likely takes place in England, possums like Kylie are typically found in America.
Kristofferson is Ash’s cousin. On his unaccompanied minor I.D. tag his last name is Silverfox. Most likely, Kristofferson is a silver phase red fox.
Another trademark Fox and Badger friendships is featured in the Animals of Farthing wood book series. A cartoon adaptation came out in the 90s and ran for three seasons.
Prior to doing the voice of Coach Skip, Owen Wilson played Lightning McQueen in Disney/Pixar’s Cars.
Wes Anderson worked with the animation crew for Aardman whose work includes Wallace and Gromit, Creature Comforts and Chicken Run.
Beagles are used as guard dogs by the farmers in the film. Though they are originally used to track and catch rabbits and hares, beagles have also ran alongside their larger cousins, the Foxhounds.
Though the film is based on Roald Dahl’s book, some characters have been added or have a more prominent role than they had in the book. One example is the character, Badger who is Mr. Fox’s neighbor, attorney and friend.
Fantastic Mr. Fox was nominated at the Golden Globes in the animation category but lost to the movie Up.
The movie is also an Academy Awards nominee for best animated film.
Well that’s part one of my Movie reviews.Stay tuned for reviews for the following films:
Up
The Blindside
Julie and Julia
The Soloist
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
and others.
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See ya on Friday!
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