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Reviews
Scooby-Doo (2002)
This is NOT a bad movie.
Ok, first off, I'm 21 and was a big Scooby Doo fan as a youngster. When I first heard that they were making a live action Scooby Doo, the first thing I though was, oh no, they're going to ruin it. Then I heard that Freddie Prinze and Sarah Michelle Gellar were cast... and I knew it was over. But wait... I knew I had to at least give this movie a chance. So I went opening day. There were about 10 other people my age in attendence and scores upon scores of little kids. I can tell you, the kids were definately entertained. Other than the laughter (which there were lots), they were quiet and seemed very enthused. As for me, I laughed my butt off through most of the movie. The movie had a very cartoony feel, which really made it all work. From Scooby, who after a few minutes I fully accepted as Scooby, to the clothing, sound effects and such, it was a live action cartoon. As for the acting. Matthew Lillard was Shaggy Incarnate, it was almost scary how much like Shaggy he was. Linda Cardellini was also very good as Velma, and by the end of the movie, she was perfect. Even Freddie and Sarah pulled off their roles adequately, but were definately overshadowed by Lillard and Cardellini. There were a lot of homage to the original cartoon, from plot devices to catch phrases. In closing, this is one of the best cartoon to live action adaptations I've seen. They managed to make a movie that kids seem to enjoy and one that I could go to and enjoy myself. Oh, I also enjoyed it when I saw it again the next day.
Bandits (2001)
Funny action comedy...
I'll be honest, when I saw the trailer I wasn't too interested in seeing this movie. Then my roommate gots some free passes to the sneak preview. I figured, what the heck. And now I'm glad I went.
Bandits is one of the funnier comedies that has come out this year. Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thorten had great on camera chemistry. When I saw the trailer I thought Kate (the character, not Cate Blanchett) was going to break this movie. I was wrong. The interactions between her and the two bank robbers and Cate's chemistry with Bruce and Billy was just as good.
All the acting in the movie was good, like I said... The directing and camera style was equally as good. It was an interesting style. Everything worked together to make a good movie.
Not an Oscar winner, but I left with no complaints. Great movie!!!
Bless the Child (2000)
Well crafted movie that allows you see the good...
Bless the Child was a good movie. I have to admit that when this movie came to theatres, it was one of the few times that negative reviews kept me from seeing a movie. After watching the DVD last night, I was kicking myself for missing a chance to see this movie a year earlier.
Bless the child is full of new or unknown actors, but reguardless it is well acted... Kim Basinger and Jimmy Smits both play their parts well and the script and their acting allows the viewer to see something that may be chemistry building between the two, but doesn't throw it in our faces. The problem with most movies of this type is that the villian is flat and poorly acted... That is not the case in Bless the Child. Rufus Sewell does an excellent job portraying the evil Eric Stark. Although she has a nominal part in the movie, Angela Bettis played the part of Maggies drug-addicted sister so well, I was absolutely hating her. Even with all of this, the movie would not be what it is without the superb acting of Holliston Coleman who plays 6-year-old Cody. At 7, Holliston has more ability than many adult actors. She definately has a future.
The story and directing were both done well. Although it is not the most original story line, it is done a different way. Rarely, if ever, is the force of good allowed to manifest itself in a visible presence. In Bless the Child, however, the good can be seen along with the evil. Although I not by any means a very religious person, this struck a cord with me. There's a sense of hope within this growing evil... The world may just have a chance, not because a big guy with a big gun blew away Satan... no, because there is good out there. The battle between good and evil does have two sides... It's just nice to be able to see the good for a change.
The special effects are also good in this movie. It is by far a special effects movie, but they are used in a smart fashion to provide a glimpse at the battle that goes on all around us, although we don't see it... Only the rat bedroom sequence left me somewhat disappointed, the rest provided a eery mood to the film.
Bless the Child is a great film for what it is and maybe be known as the starting point to the great career of Holliston Coleman. 8/10
Although it may not be a perfect movie,
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Quite possibly the best Disney film yet!
When I first heard of Atlantis, I was thrilled. I saw the first teaser trailer on the net and I was hooked. But then I saw the Disney logo at the end and my heart sunk. No... This great movie was going to ruined by Disney. But the more teasers and trailers I saw, I had to admit that it still looked a great film. They did a good job with Lion King and Mulan, they could do it again... So I went. Now I have seen Disney's Atlantis and I can say they did two things with this film. First, they made me belive that somewhere inside Disney, there is a person with brain. Second, they made a movie that beat The Lion King as my favorite "mainstream" Disney cartoon. By mainstream I mean their big cartoon-of-the-year animated film (is, Aladdin, Mulan, Lion King, Little Mermain, not Toy Story, Little Mermain II, or 102 Dalmations). Atlantis is quite possibly the best thing they've ever put out. I mean, I loved this movie. I'm 20 years old, and I'm planning on going out tomorrow and buying the soundtrack (which I'll get to in a minute).
First off, this isn't your older brother's Disney. Gone are the cheap animal sidekicks and spontaneous songs. Instead, we are given characters, while are funny, are real people whom we can like or hate, depending on which one. Now, I knew this was going to be something different when I saw a tiny thing at the end of one the trailers. It was something I have never before seen in a mainstream (see above for definition) Disney movie. PG!!! This movie is rated PG!! Mulan, with enormous battles was rated G! This is PG!! That opens a lot of door my friends. Believe you me. I would now spend a little time about the music. Like I said before there are no musical-esqe melodies here. In fact, there are no lyrics at all, if you don't count the chanting during several of the scenes. In fact, the music was incredible. I didn't realize at the time, but most of the trailer music is in the movie, and it gets a lot better than that too. Beautiful melodies, great action music, and eerie chants as well. I could feel the anime influence on this. And I can't say how great a thing this is. I hope this a sign of a new direction Disney made be heading. In closing I would to say that this is an excellent film that young children, teenagers, and more can go and enjoy this film.
Gekijôban Poketto Monsutâ Kesshôtô no Teiô Entei (2000)
Don't bash it just 'cause it's Pokemon
I went to se this movie opening day, just like I went to see the second movie, only this this time I didn't take my nephew as a shield. Instead I went with two of my friends from college. That's right, I'm a 20 year old Pokemon fan... a true child of the 80's. Why watch Pokemon you ask? I'll tell you. It's a good show, and the movies are pretty darn good as well. It's become pretty "in" to bash Pokemon just because it's Pokemon. Instead look at it for what it is, a funny cartoon that beats out just about any cartoon America has produced in the last five years. Yeah, I grew up with GI Joe, Scooby Doo, the Smurfs, and all that... but nowadays... the crap they put on TV just plain sucks. And people wonder why Pokemon is doing so well???
Now on to the movie... I started watching Pokemon with the first movie, and have seen all three so far. Pokemon 3: The Movie had some great animation, great battle scenes, and a lot humor to mix in as well.
*mild spoilers for those who haven't seen the trailer* Pokemon 3 begins when a famous Archeaologist disappears, leaving his young daughter, Molly, all alone. A mysterious group of Pokemon called the Unown find their way to Molly and she accidently releases them. They tie themselves into her dreams and start to change reality into her dreams. They summon Entei, a lengendary Pokemon, to fill the place her father left, and when she asks for a "momma" as well, Entei kidnaps Ash's own mother! From the action builds, with battles and adventures galore, including a surprise return for those who follow the series. Team Rocket finds their way into the mix, mostly adding to the humor, as when James says, upon seeing the Unown, which looks a bunch of odd letters, "I haven't seen this many strange letters since that time I placed a personal ad." *end spoilers*
Pokemon 3 is a strong G.. but is sure to delight any children, and even the child inside you. Go see it and judge it for yourself. Take your kids, take your friends, take yourself!
Gurikku no bouken (1981)
Touching cartoon that hits the spot
The Enchanted Journey is one of the first feature length cartoon I can remember watching. Funny is places it's not afraid to show a dramatic side at times. Great acting and animation combine to make this a great among the genre, easily beating out most Disney movies. While it a rather hard movie to find, it is definately worth the search. In closing, this is a great movie for the whole family entertaining young and old alike.
Shin kidô senki Gundam W: Endless Waltz (1997)
Great ending to a great series
While I am still new in the world of anime, I have to say Gundam Wing was a great series. I watched the entire series in the subbed as well as watched Endless Waltz. This movie is quite possibly one of the best ending any series could ask for. The themes behind the characters give more feeling to their actions. Much of the back story of pilots are explained. Watch and enjoy. If you liked the series you will love the movie.
I just saw the dubbed version of Endless and I must say they did a pretty good job. One particular character whose persona was warped in the dubbing of the series is brought back in all of his glory.