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Reviews
Infection: The Invasion Begins (2011)
Eh, it was free...
A lot of people have been focused on how terrible this movie is, but there are some bright points. First of all, it's a silly fun plot - just the kind of alien invasion movie you'd expect from no one you'd ever heard of's neighbors who they've never heard of. The acting is terrible, of course, but it's terrible like an old show on the CW, not like a B movie from the 60s. And the CGI is fun terrible. There's a shot at the end where there is fire... that is NOT fire. It's funny, silly background fun and it's on Netflix, so while I wouldn't sing its praises, I would give it props for being exactly what you'd expect it to be.
Olive, the Other Reindeer (1999)
The Fine Line
Somewhere in the middle of this movie, our main character is in a bind in a mail truck. Looking around, she finds a package, addressed to her, that helps get her out of it. The sender? Deus ex Machina.
It is quite common for children's movie makers, especially in the animated genre, to try to be modern, hip - to push the limits of their audience. The results are usually just vulgar - anyone who ever watched 8 Crazy Nights, regardless of their opinions on the rude, contrived piece - can't help but wonder if it is appropriate for all children, at least those whose behavior we have to live with. Olive is witty, funny, and original, and yet there is no smart- alecky kid, no fart jokes - it's interesting because it's tightly written, well-crafted, and voiced by excellent people.
Several people have written about Ms. Barrymore's voice in it - it's laughable to imply that she had meant to create a refined, beautiful sound, as well as a bit sexist. No one questioned that Dan Castellaneta (read: Homer Simpson) also sings an off-key silly song - but Drew Barrymore is compared to Alicia Keys? No, if a Dog - no, a dog who was eager, sweet, and unflappably lovable - had a speaking and singing voice, hers would be it.
Altogether, I can think of no modern Christmas or holiday special (Martini, Olive's penguin friend, is Jewish, somehow), that succeeds in being warm, smart, and interesting all at the same time. There is no preaching, no moralizing, and yet, it leaves you feeling good about being good, almost the same way the Charlie Brown Christmas Special did just over 40 years ago. There's a fine line between sappy and sweet, rude and witty - Olive the Other Reindeer stands firmly on the good side of that line.