Movie Review: Puss in Boots

Family, 90 Minutes, 2011: Puss in Boots on IMDB

If you follow these kinds of things you’ll know that Puss in Boots was basically a two-gag toss-away character from “Shrek” [IMDB].  You’ll also know that while “Shrek” was a wonderful, sentimental and deeply emotional fairy tale the rest of the movies in the franchise… weren’t.

So how does a cute, but otherwise fairly forgettable character from a franchise that has devolved into digital tripe fare when given the opportunity to carry his own movie?  Pretty good actually.

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Movie Review: Everything Must Go

Drama/Comedy, 97 Minutes, 2010: Everything Must Go on IMDB

Whenever a traditionally comedic actor (especially a traditionally gonzo, off-the-wall comedic character actor) moves into more serious things I always think that there must at least one poor schmuck that just saw the name on the marquee/box and grabbed it because they really, really needed a laugh.  Maybe he had just found out something horrible and needed to take his mind off it; maybe all of life’s normal, tiny horrible things just piled up on him and he just needed one break.

Whatever the reason he saw “Will Ferrell”, paid the price of admission and plopped down to watch Ron Burgundy, Buddy the Elf,  Frank the Tank or even Ricky Bobby.  Five minutes into the movie however they come to the slow realization that all they’re going to get is Nick Halsey: a completely fucked-up alcoholic who just lost his job, his wife and his home.

I feel bad for that guy because he’s didn’t get to laugh much – but on the plus-side he did get to watch an excellent little movie.

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Movie Review: Footloose

Drama/Comedy, 113 Minutes, 2011: Footloose on IMDB

Some movies can be judged for their quality.  The quality of the performances, the script, the effects, staging or any number of things.  Others can be judged for their passion or their commitment to their subjects and still others for their social stances.

So what do you do with a movie that just isn’t needed?

It’s not a bad movie – even bad movies have their place – it’s just totally unnecessary.  The original was always more iconic than truly good but honestly earned its position in pop culture.  It came out in 1984 but nearly thirty-years later it’s aged well.

So what does a completely straight, totally uninspired remake offer beside replacing Walkmans with iPods?  Pretty much nothing.  If you simply can’t stand seeing CRT TV’s and 80′s hairstyles then go ahead, watch this one.  For everybody else just watch the original.

Movie Review: Troll Hunter

Drama/Comedy, 97 Minutes, 2001: Troll Hunter on IMDB

As my hordes of imaginary regular readers know I watch a lot of bad monster movies.  So many, in fact, that when an actual good monster movie sneaks in I sometimes have to consider: is it truly a good movie or have I abused my pallette to the point where even mediocre seems good by comparison?  Can a dog that eats cat-turds truly appreciate filet mignon?

Philosophical discussion aside I have made a decision: “Troll Hunter” is a good movie.  A very good movie.

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Movie Review: The Secret World of Arrietty

Family, 94 Minutes, 2011: The Secret World of Arrietty on IMDB

This is Studio Ghibli’s eagerly anticipated adaptation of the massively popular children’s book, “The Borrowers”.  While not faithful to the storyline of the book it’s abundantly clear that the filmmakers have a deep and meaningful respect for the source material.

For those few unfamiliar with the premise: our world is shared by hidden, tiny people who tuck themselves away in our walls and foundations.  They furnish their lives by ”borrowing” small items and using them in ingenious ways.  A boy, suffering from a heart condition, is sent to live in a large old house with his aunt.  There he encounters the young borrower Arietty, one of the last of her kind, and they develop an unexpected friendship.

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Movie Review: The Artist

Romance, 100 Minutes, 2011: The Artist on IMDB

“The Artist” is a wonderful film that masterfully tells a timeless story.  However if you watch it in the theater you’ll have to prepare for some things.  Perhaps ten minutes into the movie you’ll have deal with the older woman loudly whispering to her husband, “What, they don’t talk in this whole thing?”

Later, and periodically, you’ll also need to deal with a wonderful assortment of snorts and snores as people nod off, wake-up and then nod off again.  You see “The Artist” is a silent film in black-and-white.  Some people just aren’t prepared for that.

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