Brave Review

Friday saw the entrance of Pixar/Disney's newest Princess Merida as she made another excellent #1 debut in Brave.  I particularly enjoyed this screener and I recommend it for all the little Princesses out there.

I immediately fell in love Merida who is adorable.  They introduce her as a toddler with her trademark wild hair and how could your heart not melt?  She is especially wonderful because I think she represents the great hopeful gorgeous tomboy set that sits well with the millennial generation.  They went old school to find her.  She's willful and defiant but spirited and her ability to go her own way often gets her in trouble yet she also finds herself and her voice (NO SINGING).  It sounds familiar, I know, but they do it well and it's a great new entry in the Disney Princess catalogue.

There are some slightly scary parts with a huge menacing bear but I don't think it's too much for most kids to handle.  Mostly it's hilarious with great Scottish actors lending his trademark Scottish voices to the cast and little brothers that work the laughs like you would expect from triple gingers.

In the end the story is pretty straight forward but the entertainment is top notch.  The moral is taken from the oldest human truths as always, but Merida stands out.  May she teach the tomboys out there that their time is now.  Though they have obligations to family, they must shine in their own way.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Hype

Just saw this poster at the AMC Palladium after watching the screener for Contraband.  Don't you love the excitement of seeing a concept movie on the horizon that's either going to be spectacular or awful?  I love that Tim Burton is heading this one up because he should be very much in his element.  In any case it will certainly be an experience in June.  There are no previews available yet to get an idea of how this will play but the tone of the posters seems spot on.  It should get you warmed up but not overexposed for Spielberg's very serious Lincoln movie set for December 2012 where the giant president is portrayed by none other than Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York.)

More about Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
More about Lincoln by Steven Spielburg.

If you liked the first Sherlock Holmes with Guy Richie's quick cuts and hyper reality set against the cold European post-industrial revolution *breath* you'll love this one.  Immediately you will realize he's taken everything and cranked it up a notch.  The plot twists intermix with the action perfectly but you will have to pay attention so you don't get left behind.  Fair warning, an older crowd may find all the density in the story difficult to follow.  Luckily, there are plenty of places to jump back on the train and there is enough exposition as the pace slows toward a climax to tie up your lose ends.
Robert Downy Jr. shines as much as ever and Jude Law plays the straight man with vigor.  Both characters keep their familiarity, though I'm surprised that Richie took the time to develop their characters just as much if not more so than the original.  Jared Harris also carries out the bidding of Holmes' legendary nemesis Moriarty well.  The character's ingenious intellect has always given Holmes trouble and this script continues that tradition with devious grace.  A lovely addition to the plot is Noomi Rapace who you may recognize from the original Girl With A Dragon Tattoo movies.  I don't know that her character was too much more than window dressing but she made the living room shine.  She plays a gypsy, which I would think would be difficult for a Swede.  It turns out she has roots in Spain as her biological father was a Spanish flamenco singer.  In any case, she shines and gives the movie another dimension so that it doesn't feel too familiar. 
It keeps you guessing and when you're not ducking for cover and allows you to soak up another dimension to the mythos of Sherlock Holmes.  I over heard many a pleased audience member talk about how it was one of the best of 2011.  My wife thought it was great fun, entertaining for the whole family.

The Help Review

There are a few of us that like to go out and see anything that smells like Oscar, there are also some of us that know a good movie when it's coming, and there are even more still that get suckered into a chick flick bound and gagged and find ourselves pleasantly surprised. We were all in attendance at this viewing.

Though the catch line of the film indicates that this is a story about the initiative of change, it is more about the lives of people living in the furthest reaches of progress, feeling the tidal wave of change, and overcoming their fear to be the wave through courage. I did not read the book, so you can feel safe that I'm not trying to sell you some crushed pulp, though I'm sure it would be good for you.

Emma Stone is the central vessel through which much of the story unfurls. To her credit she does a wonderful job bridging the perspectives of the story. She plays a budding journalistic novelist, Skeeter, that takes a big risk, but none more than her interviewees. In fact she is out-shined by these very talented actresses, dwarfed by their story. Though the arc of her story does find it's legs in the last quarter of the film.

It is the hard working maids of Jackson, who are still considered property among some circles in this small town, who give her the stories that convincingly sharpen a dangerous edge. It is this central theme that gives every suspicious look and every awkward bridge move an intensity that is tempered by the fantastic humor of Viola Davis and Octavia Spenser. They balance the chummy hardy laughs of women who know more than they let on with the exquisite somber moments of pain that draw tears consistently.

It seems like the entire town is under the watch of Hilly played by Bryce Dallas Howard, niece of Ron Howard. She is sensationally evil as a backward plastic who tries with every breath to make retreats in societal tolerance. This girl has a future in villainy who has also been typecast ever since she played Victoria in the Twilight Series. In fact she's a horrible girlfriend in the upcoming 50/50 (in a good way).

From beginning to end you find yourself involved and enriched by this period piece that is flawlessly delivered by what are sure to be Oscar hopefuls. As Octavia clearly says, even when it necessary, "Minny don't burn chicken."

9 out 10 perfectly cooked chickens

Lovely Wife: 9 "

Son (12 years): 7 "It's a chick flick!"

Son (11 years): 9 "Happy mixed with sad"

Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review

My wife and I caught this one at the midnight showing. I wore my Donkey Kong shirt in case you were interested. I know you are.

I was looking forward to this one after getting sucked in by the Andy Serkis and CGI tacking featurette I saw online, see below. Though, I was still reserved about how yet another apes movie would fare considering they've beaten the subject to chimp crazed pulp.

I was astounded to find that the featurette hype was right on. Though many might feel that the CGI isn't quite there, they do a FANTASTIC job of following Caesar from birth and showing his progression. I think that most complaints are from people who see an emotive ape and aren't used to it. The intelligent eyes and expression set them apart and though it's really what might make them look less believable in the end they hand hold you and explain that this part was very much intentional. They also cover their tracks by explaining that the eyes of the apes are changed by their genetic/mental alteration.

I must preface my score on this one by adding that though I've seen most of the PofA movies I don't consider myself a die hard fan and would be hard pressed to quote much more than the "damn dirty apes" line. Yet geekyness prevailed and I found myself in line at midnight.

James Franco and John Lithgow help give the movie a lot of its heart and crazy as a duo. Freida Pinto does well enough as the required female role. Tom Felton delivers one particular line that feels really really flat, but does well enough being a sniveling coward of a man. He's been typecast of course.

I don't like to give away much plot because personally the less I know about a movie the more I enjoy the experience. If you want a synopsis you can look it up on IMDB. One thing I will say is that this story line MAKES SENSE. Thank you ape script gods. Yup 99% of movie goers will feel like they know what happened. This is a movie that feels like an origin story should. It has 75% heart to 25% action but the action is fierce and well balanced. If you're expecting Ape on Man violence for 2 hours you'll be disappointed but if you want to find yourself genuinely caring for Caesar and rooting for his freedom, then strap in because this film grabs you.

It's a must see. 3.7 out of 4 bananas.

Cowboys & Aliens Review

The whole family (4) went out to this one because the premise envelops so many possibilities. The kids and I just thought it would be immensely cool where as my wife was bracing herself for the worst. The promise of wonders that only a childhood imagination can reach is a tough sell. By naming this movie Cowboys & Aliens you would be hard pressed to find someone who was expecting a serious run at a Western or Sci-fi Thriller.

The way that Cowboys & Aliens grabs you is by doing just that. They set upon making a run at a real Western flick and a science fiction thriller that gets you hopping out of your seat. The cinematography is majestic. Quick, switch to the AMC channel! Yeah, like that. The CGI on all the alien's, their ships, and set pieces are superbly well done.

Harrison Ford teeters on the edge of over acting but holds it together. The resident hottie of the area OK 54 Corral, Olivia Wilde, seemed off throughout the film but though it's distracting it eventually adds to the film. It was refreshing to see Paul Dano playing the roll of Ford's son who did so well in Little Miss Sunshine and was a redeeming voice in Knight and Day. He didn't have to flex his acting chops in the one though. I only had a few odd things which I will bring out later after opening day but by no means are they deal breakers.

Many have seen the opening scene with Daniel Craig seemingly disoriented but with serious hand to hand skills and a descent shot. The movie keeps that hard edge small town survival mode and while it makes stops along the way, they are generally important story points that are also much loved western cliches. Even the silly "townsfolk plucking" seen in the trailers doesn't seem silly at all during it's 118 minutes. It's a fun thriller that does well to move the story along to the action so you don't get swamped up in the details or question why you're enjoying the movie so much.

To my relief most of all the questions thrown at you in the movies early minutes get resolved. Daniel Craig did a fantastic job as the silent hero. Harrison Ford, according to my son, "He's still in shape, I'll tell ya that." My wife thought it was "way better than Transformers, but that's not saying a whole lot" and my youngest thought it was scary in parts but loved it the most. It won't win any awards, but that's not what this movie is about.

It's a must see! Bring fun and imagination, not speculation. Either way you'll likely enjoy it.

Losnsa 8 out of 10

Wife 7.5 out of 10

12 Year Old Son 8.5 out of 10

11 Year Old Son 9 out of 10

Audience Applause?: Yes.

Captain America: The First Avenger Review

America can breathe a sigh of relief. It was not terrible. Not the movie to end all movies but the tone was fantastic, the mood was set right, and they even had a bit of satirical look at the WW2 era propaganda which incidentally birthed the Captain America comics in the 40's. It's cheesy at times, which is to be expected from the comic book styling, but all in all it was done well.

The CGI work they did to shrink Chris Evans, Captain America, into a scrawny version of himself is amazing. This is one of those rare times that the CGI styling really adds to the character development. You get run through a few required montages of hero building but because of the set pieces and the era it really looks fresh and they have fun with it.

Hugo Weaving plays the villain well as usual, intense and unyielding as the Red Skeleton. Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci also give the average standout performances we've come to expect of them. It is setup well for kids and adults with tons of fun explosive action. I recommend you go in expecting a comic book hero movie and you'll be just fine.

Dismissing one major plot hole regarding plane flight I was very happy. FYI we were all very disappointed to find that there was nothing tacked on after the credits. Hmph

Update: The screener had nothing because they don't trust us. The actual movie has a teaser for The Avengers after the credits.