Monsters University (G) - Review
"Don't say Boo"
The world of monsters is literally fueled by the screams of fright from human children. When one ambitious yet ostracized young monster stumbles into the process on a school field trip, his future's dream is awoken: To graduate from a Top Monster University and become one of the top Scarers in the field, scaring children nightly for their shrieks of panic and finally achieving recognition from his peers!
In the prequel to Pixar's Monster's Inc (2001), MU stays away from the kiddy cutesy-wutesy part of the Monsters universe, focusing instead on the good-ole college Rah Rah days of Mike (Billy Chrystal) and Sullivan (John Goodman), the two friends from the original who were once bitter rivals. Mike is book smart and an overachiever while Sully is the lazy Jock with an obvious innate talent of scary. Up against a harsh curriculum and an even harsher Dean, the two must team forces with a Fraternity of misfits to give it the Old College try, overthrow the status quo to remain in school (while becoming best friends).
MonstersU is a 6th grader's perspective into the College Experience, an Animal House for preteens or a Revenge of the Nerds without all the naughtiness. While the formula feels a bit odd you are quickly reminded that this franchise is first and foremost about Monsters scaring children to gas up their cars, a macabre subject that if choked down anything could be accepted. The day-glow paisley pallor to everything is an echo of its predecessor's kiddy vibe, and yet MU admirably does not get painted into that corner; instead it has gestated into its own College-centric nostalgia picture, sans the keg stands.
The muppety spectrum of colors and funny voices (with some good new ones including Charlie Day, Joel Murray and Dave Foley), the post-Harry Potter twist on education, the musical score straight from a Blue Devil's Drum Core show, the college in-jokes and traditions, and a pitch perfect third act all adds up to semi-mature Pixar lark for co-eds past, present and future that doesn't haze you with too much sentimentality.
7.5 Pledge Pins out of 10 (GOOD)
Post Scriptum: The short preceding the feature, The Blue Umbrella, shows just how far the CGI giant has come with its rendering power (and just how oversimplified/oversentimentalized the messages of their films are). A modern city filled with taxis, streetlights and other modern conveniences literally comes to life in a rain shower (that also generates the musical score), providing the back beat for a male and female umbrella perchance to meet. The environment is as gorgeous as the love story is trite and meaningless. Why must all Oscar Bait be dialogue-less?
6.5 of 10.
Showing posts with label G. Show all posts
Showing posts with label G. Show all posts
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (G)
"Caveman of your dreams"
Herzog's 3d documentary about the ancient Cave drawings in France may be your only chance to almost see them in person since the cave is sealed off from the commercial world (and rightly so). The quality and variety of the drawings is astonishing, the 3D does lend a hand in immersing you into the cave, and director Werner tries with lighting and music and sound to get you to experience them as our ancestors may have: primally. Mix in a few humans whose own personalities border on the bizarre, and the result is fascinating, mesmerizing and a bit bewildering.
8 Bear Claws out of 10 (GREAT)
"Caveman of your dreams"
Herzog's 3d documentary about the ancient Cave drawings in France may be your only chance to almost see them in person since the cave is sealed off from the commercial world (and rightly so). The quality and variety of the drawings is astonishing, the 3D does lend a hand in immersing you into the cave, and director Werner tries with lighting and music and sound to get you to experience them as our ancestors may have: primally. Mix in a few humans whose own personalities border on the bizarre, and the result is fascinating, mesmerizing and a bit bewildering.
8 Bear Claws out of 10 (GREAT)
Toy Story 3 (2010)
Toy Story 3 (G)
"Third Time's the harm"
The franchise has always been a funny relate-able tale for kids and a smart parable about the threat of obsolescence for us adults. Unfortunately by not having anything new to say and no new ways to say it these movies themselves are now becoming obsolete. The Pixar charm and magic has mostly drained away, leaving us with sequelitis: rehashed jokes, plot lines, and surprisingly manipulative/downright cliche emotional cues. If it wasn't for moments like Chuckles the Clown or an ingenious use of a tortilla, I'd almost think this film has earned it's direct-to-dvd roots. Lucky for all involved (scriptwriters/artists/voice talent) just going through the motions still works (i.e. makes $$$), especially when your previous two films laid the groundwork for this world our plastic pals live in. I feel like the cranky old Prospector for saying it, but perhaps Pixar should permanently shelve this beloved series before they break it beyond repair and it ends up in a landfill of terrible movie sequels for an eternity.
6.5 Snakes in my Boot out of 10 (GOOD)
"Third Time's the harm"
The franchise has always been a funny relate-able tale for kids and a smart parable about the threat of obsolescence for us adults. Unfortunately by not having anything new to say and no new ways to say it these movies themselves are now becoming obsolete. The Pixar charm and magic has mostly drained away, leaving us with sequelitis: rehashed jokes, plot lines, and surprisingly manipulative/downright cliche emotional cues. If it wasn't for moments like Chuckles the Clown or an ingenious use of a tortilla, I'd almost think this film has earned it's direct-to-dvd roots. Lucky for all involved (scriptwriters/artists/voice talent) just going through the motions still works (i.e. makes $$$), especially when your previous two films laid the groundwork for this world our plastic pals live in. I feel like the cranky old Prospector for saying it, but perhaps Pixar should permanently shelve this beloved series before they break it beyond repair and it ends up in a landfill of terrible movie sequels for an eternity.
6.5 Snakes in my Boot out of 10 (GOOD)
Dark Star (1975)
Dark Star (G) - Review
"Space Truckin'"
On a routine mission to destroy unstable planets, the futuristic spaceship Dark Star and its crew must over come the trials of loneliness, their computer, their weapons, their mascots and themselves to survive the long destructive voyage through deep space
The precursor to modern 1980s film greatness, Dark Star is the student film of director John Carpenter (The Thing) and writer Dan O'Bannon (scriptwriter of Alien and director of The Return of the Living Dead). Dark Star is a diamond in the rough, filled with low budget ingenuity, high caliber SciFi ideas and oodles of O'Bannon's & Carpenter's bizarre senses of humor. O'Bannon (who also stars as the accidental hero Pinback) went on to use the idea of the script to form the blockbuster genre redefiner Alien, but there are wonderful touches of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide here. Theres a sentient planet destroying megabomb and an incredibly silly encoutner with an alien life form who just happens to be a beachball with feet. The ending surfs its way to greatness, a groovy 1970s vibe prevades the fun and showed just how great a film these guys could make if just given the chance (and the cash).
7 Cardboard Instrument Panels out of 10 (GOOD)
"Space Truckin'"
On a routine mission to destroy unstable planets, the futuristic spaceship Dark Star and its crew must over come the trials of loneliness, their computer, their weapons, their mascots and themselves to survive the long destructive voyage through deep space
The precursor to modern 1980s film greatness, Dark Star is the student film of director John Carpenter (The Thing) and writer Dan O'Bannon (scriptwriter of Alien and director of The Return of the Living Dead). Dark Star is a diamond in the rough, filled with low budget ingenuity, high caliber SciFi ideas and oodles of O'Bannon's & Carpenter's bizarre senses of humor. O'Bannon (who also stars as the accidental hero Pinback) went on to use the idea of the script to form the blockbuster genre redefiner Alien, but there are wonderful touches of Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide here. Theres a sentient planet destroying megabomb and an incredibly silly encoutner with an alien life form who just happens to be a beachball with feet. The ending surfs its way to greatness, a groovy 1970s vibe prevades the fun and showed just how great a film these guys could make if just given the chance (and the cash).
7 Cardboard Instrument Panels out of 10 (GOOD)
Head (1968)
Head (G) - Review
"A Hard Day's Sight"
The comparisons between The Monkees (the stars of Head) and the Beatles have been around since their inception, that they were just an American attempt at manufacturing a band that could rival the Fab Four in popularity and sales. But one thing the Beatles never tried that the Monkees did was star in a psychedlic live action stream of consciousness film that effectively tried to end their own careers. Allegories of suicide, violence and drug use are abundant, the plotline as as ethereal as reefer smoke. Scripted by Jack Nicholson and the Monkees with their staff, Head is exactly what it wants to be, a 1960s headtrip full of acid, built around the framework of their successful musical Television series but with the handcuffs taken off. It looks the way Sgt Peppers sounds, and in that way the Monkees had at last beaten the Beatles to the punch.
5 Groovy Dudes out of 10 (MEDIOCRE)
"A Hard Day's Sight"
The comparisons between The Monkees (the stars of Head) and the Beatles have been around since their inception, that they were just an American attempt at manufacturing a band that could rival the Fab Four in popularity and sales. But one thing the Beatles never tried that the Monkees did was star in a psychedlic live action stream of consciousness film that effectively tried to end their own careers. Allegories of suicide, violence and drug use are abundant, the plotline as as ethereal as reefer smoke. Scripted by Jack Nicholson and the Monkees with their staff, Head is exactly what it wants to be, a 1960s headtrip full of acid, built around the framework of their successful musical Television series but with the handcuffs taken off. It looks the way Sgt Peppers sounds, and in that way the Monkees had at last beaten the Beatles to the punch.
5 Groovy Dudes out of 10 (MEDIOCRE)
Gone With The Wind (1939)
Gone With The Wind (G) - Review
"I don't give a damn."
A vapidly spoiled plantation owner's daughter loses her fortune in the Civil war and turns to equally vapid womanizer male lead to pay for her troubles. They deserve each other and I deserve better than this hoopskirt melodrama. It's running time, it's historical value and it's box office returns all need to be held up to criticism, but some things you just can't fight. Clark Gable is exceptionally oilly I'll give him that, Leigh is apparently appropriately whiny and unsympathetic, the film itself isn't critical enough of the South or it's actions for my tastes. Call it Soap Opera for the oldest crowd, but frankly I don't give a damn.
4 Jilted Lovers out of 10
"I don't give a damn."
A vapidly spoiled plantation owner's daughter loses her fortune in the Civil war and turns to equally vapid womanizer male lead to pay for her troubles. They deserve each other and I deserve better than this hoopskirt melodrama. It's running time, it's historical value and it's box office returns all need to be held up to criticism, but some things you just can't fight. Clark Gable is exceptionally oilly I'll give him that, Leigh is apparently appropriately whiny and unsympathetic, the film itself isn't critical enough of the South or it's actions for my tastes. Call it Soap Opera for the oldest crowd, but frankly I don't give a damn.
4 Jilted Lovers out of 10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- Kevin Gasaway via HardDrawn
- Turlock, California, United States
- Media and Reviews by Kevin Gasaway