Movie Review: "The Book of Eli"

This movie is the most recent addition to the recent explosion of post-apocalyptic stories. Denzel Washington plays Eli, a mysterious loner whose divine vision leads him to journey west across the mayhem of a barren lawless North America with his sacred book. Gary Oldham convincingly portrays Carnegie, an ambitious ruthless ruler who is determined to take Eli’s book. The characters are well developed. The plot of semi-sophisticated, but the running time is too long. Were it not for the salty language, the movie could have forgone it’s “R” rating. Scenes are violent, but not particularly gory by today’s standards.

Movie Review: "A Christmas Carol"

This 3D animated version of the Dickens classic was directed by Polar Express’ Robert Demeckis. Jim Carrey is the visual template and voice for the Victorian character Ebenezer Scrooge. Because of it’s popularity, there are very few plot surprises in the story’s telling. The animation truly brings 3D viewing to a new height. The screenplay was a fairly accurate rendering of the book. The film did not over rely on it’s highly sophisticated animated effects. The movie is rated PG, but some of the ghostly scenes would probably be a little too intense for younger viewers.

Movie: "Where the Wild Things Are"

Max Records is a boy living in a single parent suburban home. He has a fantastic imagination, but cannot control his anger or emotions. In a fit or rage, he leaves home and sets sail in a small boat to an island populated by bigger- than- life sentient fantastic creatures. There he establishes himself as king over the wild things. Most of the story is spent in conflicts amongst the wild things and his rule over them.

Max is mostly out of control emotionally the first twenty minutes of the movie. The facial animation of the creatures is excellent. The story and cinematography are dark and cheerless. You definitely will not leave the theater feeling enlightened or uplifted.

Despite being based on a children’s book, I would not recommend taking small children to see this.

Movie Review: "Zombieland"

This movie is a spoof of Zombie movies- including “Night of the Living Dead” and “I Am Legend.” Almost the entire population of the earth has been infected with a virus that turns everyone in to flesh-eating zombies. The plot centers around the relationship between a dysfunctional neurotic University of Texas undergraduate, Columbus, and a zombie-killing psychopath, Tallahassee, played by Woody Harrelson. Columbus wants to return to see his family in Ohio and Tallahassee wants to return to his home in Florida. Tallahassee is obsessed by his search for the last Twinkie and the desire to kill as many zombies along the way. Their quest is complicated by their encounter with two sisters who are on their way to an amusement park in Los Angeles. Billy Murray makes a cameo appearance as a zombie impersonator.

I personally enjoyed the twisted sense of humor that usually centered around the application of the myriad “Rules of Zombieland.” You need to get past the first ten minutes of unnecessary gore at the beginning of the movie. If not for the needless profanity, the movie would not have been rated R.

Movie Review: "The Informant"

This tongue-in-cheek comedy chronicles the torturous real life story of ADM executive informant Mark Whitacre. Matt Damon gives an above average performance as a Walter Mitty character who lies even when the truth might be more convenient. The plot is fairly sophisticated and not always predictable. A Who’s Who supporting cast made the film even more interesting- including The Smother’s Brothers and former Comedy Central comedian Allen Havey. Ocean’s Eleven Stephen Soderbergh directed the movie. Were it not for the repeated fowl language, the movie would likely have merited only a PG-13 rating.

Movie Review: "GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra"

This is a highly animated movie based on the Hasbro toy series “GI Joe.” An elite international group of soldiers forms a secretive Brussels-based organization that battles the mysterious terror organization “Cobra.” Cobra is led by a corrupt Scottish arms dealer, Destro, and his mad scientist collaborator. Dennis Quaid plays the leader of the GI Joes.

The animation is superb and non-stop. The roles are predictable and corny. The plot allows some closure at film’s end with an opening for a sequel.

This movie won’t win any academy awards. This is a fun summer adventure movie with elements of Star Wars, James Bond, and The Mummy.

Movie Review: "UP"

Up is the latest animated 3D offering by Pixar. Ed Asner is the voice for the central character Carl Frederickson. His early life and middle life are quickly montaged during the first five minutes of the movie. As an elderly recently widowed man alone in a changing city, he pursues his life long dream of traveling to Paradise Falls in South America by attaching balloons to his house. He is unexpectedly accompanied by a neglected young scout named Russell. During their journey, Carl ultimately discovers his greatest joy helping others fulfill their needs and dreams.

The animation is superb. The story line, character development and comedy are fairly sophisticated. This is a movie that could be enjoyed on multiple levels. Best animated film since Toy Story.