I will freely admit that I, an adult of middle age, enjoy watching Disney movies. It's a guilty pleasure I have. If you look at it objectively, you have to concur that these animated movies are beautifully done. Those in charge of the script took pity upon the parents who will have to schlep their children every year to a movie theater to watch these movies by adding humor adults can appreciate. Even the songs are catchy! So recently I revisited the magic of "Beauty and the Beast." Here is a heroine, Belle, young girls can emulate. She's a young woman who loves to read and to learn. She's also a devoted daughter to her father. The story unfolds as a concerned Belle searches for her father who's late returning from an errand.
Belle shows much courage as she confronts a beast who has imprisoned her father. The Beast agrees to release her father, but in exchange, Belle must remain his prisoner. Over the course of time, Belle discovers that there's more to the Beast than meets the eye. Along the way we're treated to some amazing and creative songs which capture the moment and help illustrate the story. And what would a heroine be without her sidekicks? The ready, willing and able army of a "tea cup," "teapot," "candlestick", and "clock" aid Belle in "battle." These characters help round out the beautifully animated love story of one beauty and a beast. I know I won't give anything away by saying that the story has a happy ending. I highly recommend watching "Beauty and the Beast" with your children. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I proudly proclaim to be a fan!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
SWAT -- Non-Stop Action
I watched the movie SWAT with my son the other day. I was a little nervous because even though he is a teenager, I don't like him watching movies with mature themes. Unfortunately, many action movies contain gratuitous scenes of sex and also have a lot of bad language. I don't mind violence. I mean we all love seeing gun battles. But I could really do without some of the other stuff.
That's why SWAT is go good. There is no nudity or "mature" scenes. Yes, there is a lot of cursing, but as my son pointed out, real cops do curse a lot. Let's face it. Today, kids have heard every word in the book even before they become teenagers, so I wasn't that alarmed.
What I really liked about SWAT is the action. Almost from the time the film starts, we get one fast paced action scene after another. The movie starts with the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) squad responding to a bank robbery. The bank robbers have taken hostages and are threatening to kill them. The police want to negotiate. Two SWAT members, T.J. and Gamble, have other ideas. They decide to drop down from the roof and shoot the bad guys. In the fight, a hostage is shot by a SWAT member. The result is that both SWAT team members get in big trouble. T.J. agrees to hang up his gun and work in the equipment room. Gamble, who thinks he was right about the decision to disobey orders, leaves the force.
A new commander picks T.J. as part of his new squad. Soon, T.J. is back in action fighting the most dangerous criminals. Of course, it is no surprise when we see that Gamble has gone bad. Everyone knows that the final scene will be a fight to the death between T.J. and Gamble, but we still love to see it.
SWAT is a great film. However, one word of warning. It is not a "date" film so don't even think about it. Take the guys, not a romantic interest.
That's why SWAT is go good. There is no nudity or "mature" scenes. Yes, there is a lot of cursing, but as my son pointed out, real cops do curse a lot. Let's face it. Today, kids have heard every word in the book even before they become teenagers, so I wasn't that alarmed.
What I really liked about SWAT is the action. Almost from the time the film starts, we get one fast paced action scene after another. The movie starts with the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) squad responding to a bank robbery. The bank robbers have taken hostages and are threatening to kill them. The police want to negotiate. Two SWAT members, T.J. and Gamble, have other ideas. They decide to drop down from the roof and shoot the bad guys. In the fight, a hostage is shot by a SWAT member. The result is that both SWAT team members get in big trouble. T.J. agrees to hang up his gun and work in the equipment room. Gamble, who thinks he was right about the decision to disobey orders, leaves the force.
A new commander picks T.J. as part of his new squad. Soon, T.J. is back in action fighting the most dangerous criminals. Of course, it is no surprise when we see that Gamble has gone bad. Everyone knows that the final scene will be a fight to the death between T.J. and Gamble, but we still love to see it.
SWAT is a great film. However, one word of warning. It is not a "date" film so don't even think about it. Take the guys, not a romantic interest.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Grease!
I was around twelve years old when the film version of "Grease" hit the big screen. It was such a huge hit with my peers. I even went on a "group date" to catch it at the local theater. My girlfriends and I would spend evenings singing along with the characters. Who can forget such classics as "Summer Nights", "We Go Together" or "You're the One That I Want." I can't speak for the male gender, but as a female, the story of a boy from the wrong side of the tracks who falls for a prim and proper girl grabs me every time. Boy wins girls, boy loses girl, then boy changes and girl changes in order to win each other over. I'm such a sucker for happy endings.
It doesn't matter if you're a high school student in 2007 or 1957, peer pressure is peer pressure. Danny had a chance to shed his "greaser" image for a summer when he met Sandy, a very proper young lady. But once one is back in the environs of school, you cannot easily break out of the group mentality. Danny reverted to his smoking, trouble making ways as a member of the Thunderbird gang. Much to Sandy's shock and dismay, Danny was not the boy she remembered from the summer. What happened? Was it all a lie?
Along the way, Sandy learns to broaden her horizons, i.e. let loose a little, and Danny tries to tame his wild behavior. By the end of the movie, each demonstrates to the other that they're willing to make changes for the sake of love. While I believe outward changes to your appearance are fine, you still should be true to who you are. I suggest revisiting this movie classic. "Grease" is the definitely the WORD!
It doesn't matter if you're a high school student in 2007 or 1957, peer pressure is peer pressure. Danny had a chance to shed his "greaser" image for a summer when he met Sandy, a very proper young lady. But once one is back in the environs of school, you cannot easily break out of the group mentality. Danny reverted to his smoking, trouble making ways as a member of the Thunderbird gang. Much to Sandy's shock and dismay, Danny was not the boy she remembered from the summer. What happened? Was it all a lie?
Along the way, Sandy learns to broaden her horizons, i.e. let loose a little, and Danny tries to tame his wild behavior. By the end of the movie, each demonstrates to the other that they're willing to make changes for the sake of love. While I believe outward changes to your appearance are fine, you still should be true to who you are. I suggest revisiting this movie classic. "Grease" is the definitely the WORD!
A Foul -- but Fun -- Movie
Looking for a movie that provides comedy, romance and humor? Look nofurther than "Foul Play." I love the chemistry between Goldie Hawn andChevy Chase. It's a shame these two actors only collaborated one moretime (Seems Like Old Times). In "Foul Play," Chase and Hawn play adetective and librarian, respectively, who become involved in anassassination plot and find romance along the way. Why shouldn'tcomedy/mystery movies have a fairy tale ending?
Goldie Hawn first sees Chevy Chase at an engagement party but is notimpressed at his fall, which is vintage Chase. As Hawn driveshome, she picks up a stranger who experienced car trouble on the road.His name is Scotty, and he arranges to meet Hawn at a movie the nextevening. He asks her to hold on to his cigarettes. But unbeknownst toHawn, he slips in a microfilm container. When the two meet the nextevening, Scotty collapses from a gunshot wound but managed to whisperto Hawn, "Beware of the dwarf." Chaos ensues as Hawn tries to convincethe theater manager that there's a corpse in the seat next to her.Nothing is amiss in the theater. Hawn returns home only to find thattrouble has followed her. Enter Chevy Chase who is the detective incharge of Hawn's case. He's immediately drawn to her even though herstory appears farfetched with disappearing corpses, intruders, and adwarf.
Eventually Chase comes to believe Hawn and the two discover adiabolical assassination plot, which is to take place at theperformance of "Madame Butterfly" in San Francisco. The chase scenethrough the historic hills of the Golden Gate City are awesome. Twounsuspecting Japanese tourists go along for the ride as Hawn and Chasecommandeer a taxi to reach the theater in time to stop theassassination.
You'll appreciate the excellent comedic talents of Hawn and Chase, aswell as the supporting characters in "Foul Play." Dudley Moore has ahysterical cameo as an amorous orchestra conductor. You cannot gowrong with this very enjoyable comedy which also includes an excellentmystery component. So sit back with a bucket of popcorn and prepare tolaugh from start to finish.
Goldie Hawn first sees Chevy Chase at an engagement party but is notimpressed at his fall, which is vintage Chase. As Hawn driveshome, she picks up a stranger who experienced car trouble on the road.His name is Scotty, and he arranges to meet Hawn at a movie the nextevening. He asks her to hold on to his cigarettes. But unbeknownst toHawn, he slips in a microfilm container. When the two meet the nextevening, Scotty collapses from a gunshot wound but managed to whisperto Hawn, "Beware of the dwarf." Chaos ensues as Hawn tries to convincethe theater manager that there's a corpse in the seat next to her.Nothing is amiss in the theater. Hawn returns home only to find thattrouble has followed her. Enter Chevy Chase who is the detective incharge of Hawn's case. He's immediately drawn to her even though herstory appears farfetched with disappearing corpses, intruders, and adwarf.
Eventually Chase comes to believe Hawn and the two discover adiabolical assassination plot, which is to take place at theperformance of "Madame Butterfly" in San Francisco. The chase scenethrough the historic hills of the Golden Gate City are awesome. Twounsuspecting Japanese tourists go along for the ride as Hawn and Chasecommandeer a taxi to reach the theater in time to stop theassassination.
You'll appreciate the excellent comedic talents of Hawn and Chase, aswell as the supporting characters in "Foul Play." Dudley Moore has ahysterical cameo as an amorous orchestra conductor. You cannot gowrong with this very enjoyable comedy which also includes an excellentmystery component. So sit back with a bucket of popcorn and prepare tolaugh from start to finish.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Eat this Movie for Breakfast
You were a teenager once, right? I think I can make a sweeping,generalized statement that high school is a period of angst andpressure. Would you say that that period of your life was carefree, noworries? No way! You're put in a category: jock, nerd, popular oroutcast. You try to "fit in." Sound familiar? Would you say that themovie "Breakfast Club" encapsulates everything we felt as high schoolstudents? It doesn't matter if it's 1980 or 2080. Teenagers areteenagers. What makes "Breakfast Club" unique is that five studentswho would otherwise not associate with each other, spend one morningin detention and unwittingly break through stereotypes and labels todiscover they share things in common. Maybe things appear good on theoutside: star athlete (Emilio Estevez) will get a scholarship tocollege, the popular girl (Molly Ringwald) has beautiful clothes,jewelry and car, or the class genius (Anthony Michael Hall) is on theroad to Harvard. But beneath it all, each reveals the pressure ofhaving parents who push or expect too much, or don't care at all. Orin the case of the social derelict played by Judd Nelson, an abusivefather. Ally Sheedy plays a social misfit who keeps to herself.
I enjoyed "Breakfast Club" immensely. It was funny, but it alsotouches you with its message of breaking through the barriers whichkeep young people apart. It provides an opportunity for dialoguebetween disparate groups. Does this mean Ally Sheedy's character andAnthony Michael Hall's character will start socializing together atparties? Maybe that's not realistic, BUT each is definitely moresympathetic to the other and better understand where he/she is comingfrom. That's what makes this movie great. You're rooting for thesecharacters to continue building upon the bond forged during onedetention session. There's a lot still to share with each other. Maybethey're stronger from the experience.
On a more superficial level, the "Breakfast Club" movie draws upon thestudent vs. the mean teacher theme. It's the detention studentsagainst the evil detention teacher who's unforgiving and unwilling tobend. We can't help but root for the characters to get away with theirdetention antics without the teacher discovering them. What studentdoesn't fantasize about putting it over one of their hateful teachers?So enjoy this entertaining and thought provoking movie. I highlyrecommend "Breakfast Club."
I enjoyed "Breakfast Club" immensely. It was funny, but it alsotouches you with its message of breaking through the barriers whichkeep young people apart. It provides an opportunity for dialoguebetween disparate groups. Does this mean Ally Sheedy's character andAnthony Michael Hall's character will start socializing together atparties? Maybe that's not realistic, BUT each is definitely moresympathetic to the other and better understand where he/she is comingfrom. That's what makes this movie great. You're rooting for thesecharacters to continue building upon the bond forged during onedetention session. There's a lot still to share with each other. Maybethey're stronger from the experience.
On a more superficial level, the "Breakfast Club" movie draws upon thestudent vs. the mean teacher theme. It's the detention studentsagainst the evil detention teacher who's unforgiving and unwilling tobend. We can't help but root for the characters to get away with theirdetention antics without the teacher discovering them. What studentdoesn't fantasize about putting it over one of their hateful teachers?So enjoy this entertaining and thought provoking movie. I highlyrecommend "Breakfast Club."
Thursday, June 12, 2008
An Alien that is Here to Stay!
Five stars go to the movie "E.T." which has become aclassic. Steven Spielberg is a genius at engaging an audience from theget-go. You cannot help but fall in love with E.T. and his humanfriend Elliot. This unlikely pair: an alien and a 10? year old boyforge an unbreakable bond as Elliot tries to help his friend return tohis world. What child hasn't fantasized about discovering themysteries of outer space and aliens? And to think that Elliot actuallybefriended one!
The movie opens with a space ship landing in a forest close to asuburban town in Anywhere, USA. A sole alien is left behind during amad rush to escape humans who discovered their presence. Elliot'shouse becomes the hideout for this homeward bound alien. Elliotencounters the alien one evening. He's intrigued by the creature afteran initial scare. Who wouldn't scream after discovering an aliencreature in your backyard? Once the shock was over, Elliot lures thealien or "E.T." as he calls him, to his room. Over a period of time,the alien learns English from watching TV and the two grow close infriendship. Comic antics ensue as Elliot hides E.T. from his mother,but unable to keep him a secret from his brother and sister, theybecome willing allies in protecting E.T.
Elliot realizes that E.T. longs for home. He cannot stay with hishuman friend forever. Elliot resolves to help E.T. "phone home" so hecan return to his "people." Unfortunately the "bad guys" (officialgovernment officers) discover E.T.'s existence and want to study theircaptive. Elliot knows E.T. will perish if he's not released. Elliot,his siblings, and several friends mount a rescue operation and deliverE.T. to the exact location where him spaceship will retrieve him. Thetouching farewell scene is sure to melt the hardest of hearts.
This classic appeals to any age or gender. The amazing technical teamwho created the E.T. did an amazing job with his facial features. Hisexpressions and emotions make you believe this creature is real, andmake you believe that all aliens could be as cuddly and lovable asE.T! I strongly urge you to watch E.T. as a family and experience thewonderful magic of Steven Spielberg's "E.T."
The movie opens with a space ship landing in a forest close to asuburban town in Anywhere, USA. A sole alien is left behind during amad rush to escape humans who discovered their presence. Elliot'shouse becomes the hideout for this homeward bound alien. Elliotencounters the alien one evening. He's intrigued by the creature afteran initial scare. Who wouldn't scream after discovering an aliencreature in your backyard? Once the shock was over, Elliot lures thealien or "E.T." as he calls him, to his room. Over a period of time,the alien learns English from watching TV and the two grow close infriendship. Comic antics ensue as Elliot hides E.T. from his mother,but unable to keep him a secret from his brother and sister, theybecome willing allies in protecting E.T.
Elliot realizes that E.T. longs for home. He cannot stay with hishuman friend forever. Elliot resolves to help E.T. "phone home" so hecan return to his "people." Unfortunately the "bad guys" (officialgovernment officers) discover E.T.'s existence and want to study theircaptive. Elliot knows E.T. will perish if he's not released. Elliot,his siblings, and several friends mount a rescue operation and deliverE.T. to the exact location where him spaceship will retrieve him. Thetouching farewell scene is sure to melt the hardest of hearts.
This classic appeals to any age or gender. The amazing technical teamwho created the E.T. did an amazing job with his facial features. Hisexpressions and emotions make you believe this creature is real, andmake you believe that all aliens could be as cuddly and lovable asE.T! I strongly urge you to watch E.T. as a family and experience thewonderful magic of Steven Spielberg's "E.T."
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Dragon Story: Not Oscar Material
Do you like to watch giant snake-like monsters? Do you hate Los Angeles? Are you willing to put your brain in hold and not think too deeply about such minor facets of a movie such as plot and characterization? Then "Dragon Wars" may just be the movie for you.
According to legend (which legend does not really matter, it's only a legend.) Every 500 years a good dragon has to battle a bad dragon. I hope it hasn't gotten too complicated for you yet. So as these two monsters battle, they destroy the entire city of Los Angeles. Then they go fight somewhere else. I guess because there was nothing left to break in the City of Angels.
There is one unfortunate part. The real death and destruction does not start for 45 minutes. So don't be afraid to arrive late and spend some time waiting in line for popcorn and soda. During this time, the movie explains about the complicated legend. But if you read my first paragraph, you already know all you need to. 500 years. Good dragon fights bad dragon. Done.
At one funny point in the movie, the lead actress (the one with the good dragon tattooed on her arm) yells, "None of this makes sense!" So if she doesn't understand the movie (and she is the star), don't you try to. You might hurt yourself.
Yet this is what movies used to be. Just sheer entertainment. After all, they can't all be "Gone With the Wind." Sometimes, you just need to see a good monster flick. And thankfully, now we have these films with English as the original language. No longer do we have to see poor Tokyo destroyed with actors moving their mouths out of synch with the English over-dubbing.
According to legend (which legend does not really matter, it's only a legend.) Every 500 years a good dragon has to battle a bad dragon. I hope it hasn't gotten too complicated for you yet. So as these two monsters battle, they destroy the entire city of Los Angeles. Then they go fight somewhere else. I guess because there was nothing left to break in the City of Angels.
There is one unfortunate part. The real death and destruction does not start for 45 minutes. So don't be afraid to arrive late and spend some time waiting in line for popcorn and soda. During this time, the movie explains about the complicated legend. But if you read my first paragraph, you already know all you need to. 500 years. Good dragon fights bad dragon. Done.
At one funny point in the movie, the lead actress (the one with the good dragon tattooed on her arm) yells, "None of this makes sense!" So if she doesn't understand the movie (and she is the star), don't you try to. You might hurt yourself.
Yet this is what movies used to be. Just sheer entertainment. After all, they can't all be "Gone With the Wind." Sometimes, you just need to see a good monster flick. And thankfully, now we have these films with English as the original language. No longer do we have to see poor Tokyo destroyed with actors moving their mouths out of synch with the English over-dubbing.
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