The Simpsons Movie
Friday, January 11, 2008
3 GOOMBAS
SYNOPSIS: In Springfield, the home of the Simpsons, the day never finishes where it starts. Homer Simpson heroically saves a pig from slaughter, but he irresponsibly dumps its waste in lake and single-handedly pollutes the water to toxic levels. The EDA places a glass bubble around the city of Springfield to contain the pollutants, and the Simpsons manage to find a way out. Who will save Springfield in their absence?
The GOOM: It’s an extended, 87 minute episode with the same kind of bafoonish humor and the same kind of bombastic storytelling.
The BA: It’s an extended, 87 minute episode with the same kind of bafoonish humor and the same kind of bombastic storytelling.
Grindhouse: Planet Terror
3.5 GOOMBAS
SYNOPSIS: After a toxic biochemical agent is accidentally released in a small, rural town in Texas, those affected turn into zombies that eat the flesh of those still alive. A group of surviors, including Cherry, a stripper, El, her ex boyfriend, a motivated doctor, the sheriff and a slue of random others fight to live out the night.
The GOOM: Just as the other half of the double feature, Deathproof, Planet Terror has the same gritty charm, with maybe a bit more grit. It was creatively styled and was carried out through every last detail. Like the exploitation films of the 1970s, which this film is bases its appearance, the focus of this film is on entertainment not quality. The significant attempt to imitate the lack of quality is entertaining enough as it is, but the ridiculously cheesy action, the considerable amount of gore, and the deliberately horrible story-telling make for a pretty interesting film.
The BA: I kind of get how it could be fun to create a film that mimics the cult, nostalgic genre, just like it would be fun to do spoofs, but is a movie, which is made to look deliberately bad, really good? Or is it just bad? Is it just because Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino make the film that it’s automatically cool? Did the gun really need to go in her leg socket?
Surf’s Up
3 GOOMBAS
SYNOPSIS: Cody Maverick is penguin surfer, and his childhood dream is to travel to the tropics and ride the waves just like his idol Big Z. His one chance of getting out of Shiverpool, Antarctica arrives when he is invited to the Penguin World Surfing Championship on Pen Gu Island , and it’s there that he finds his small town skill may not survive the big island surf.
The GOOM: Creatively and sophisticatedly animated (just look at that water!), Surf’s Up is a straight-forward “you can do anything when you set your mind to it” kind of story. It’s perfect for kids of all-ages, and you get to listen to my main man’s (Shia LaBeouf’s) wonderful, though smoke ridden, voice. The penguin’s distinct markings, made to mimic tattoo art, gives the characters a hip, yet still squeaky clean, vibe; the Chicken surfer was hysterical; and the chicks were cute and adorable. I'd also like to note the documentary style approach the movie took. Nice touch.
The BA: The story isn’t much to rave about. It’s just okay; nothing fancy or different, just okay. I’ve seen better movies, but this film isn’t all that bad either. I’d be indifferent if I didn’t call myself a critic (that’s with a lower case “c”).
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
2.5 GOOMBAS
SYNOPSIS: Brooklyn Firefighters Chuck (Adam Sandler) and Larry (Kevin James) are best friends. Following the death of Larry’s wife, Larry becomes so consumed with his own grief and the pressure of raising his children alone that he forgets to change his primary financial beneficiary to children, and its past the deadline. His only option is to marry, but he trusts no one except his loyal friend, Chuck Levine. They obtain a gay marriage license, but their lawyer is sexy Alex McDonough (Jessica Biel) makes Chuck less faithful to his marriage.
The GOOM: As un-politically correct as this movie is, it had its moments. I was totally compelled by the Adam Sandler-Jessica Biel attraction, and by the end of the film I knew that many of Chuck’s anti-gay comments stated in the beginning were meant to show a change of character. And in celebration of this gay themed film, I thought Jessical Biel was hot.
The BA: I often forget how crude Adam Sandler can be. I only like his wholesome movies like The Wedding Singer or 50 First Dates, so I forget what a retarded jackass he can be. Many of his gay references and sexual innuendos were just too off-the-wall, and it really turned me off during the first half of the film.
Evan Almighty
1.5 GOOMBAS
SYNOPSIS: The sequel to the Jim Carey is God flick Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty stars Steve Carrell as Evan Baxter, a successful Congressman turned Old Testament Noah. Following his election, Evan moves his family to a large, expensive house to begin his new political life, but God (AKA Morgan Freeman) has ark-building in Evan’s future.
The GOOM: Pretty much nothing, but I did like the filmmakers’ attempt (and I stress the word attempt) to make it a family flick and not just a crassly corny movie.
The BA: Pretty much all of it. It wasn’t funny; it created no connection between the audience, the story, or the characters; and my favorite Gilmore Girl just can’t pass for a mom of three boys.
Enchanted
Thursday, January 03, 2008
4 GOOMBAS
About a year ago, Ashleigh, one of my two devoted readers, gave me the heads up on this movie after she saw the trailer. Ashleigh, my wonderfully "I take crap from no one," "melodramas are cheesy" best friend, the girl who answers something juvenile with her signature raised eyebrow, was excited about Enchanted, a movie about a Disney princess who is banished to reality and the Prince who would save her. It was my turn to give her the eyebrow lift.
Starring Junebug’s Amy Adams and Cyclopes (James Marsden), soon-to-be princess, Giselle, meets Prince Edward, they fall in love, and are to be married the very next day. However, in true Disney fashion, Prince Edward’s wicked step-mother banishes Giselle to New York City, the place without happily ever afters, and she’s left to wait and be saved by Prince Edward.
The film begins in animation and then transitions to motion picture at the point of Giselle’s banishment. As a kid, I hated movies that mixed cartoons with real-life motion picture. I thought the technique cheapened the movie and made it less real. To me, these movies had no magic, and I couldn’t possibly understand how a movie like Enchanted could ever be clever. Ash, I guess you saw something I didn’t.
This movie didn’t do just the normal, drop a princess in New York and show what happens kind of deal. It took it to the next level. She gets the animals to dress her in the morning. She can conjure her own beautiful dress out of nothing and still get a full night’s sleep. She’s always annoyingly happy and genuine. Oh, and the singing – the gloriously fun singing. Enchanted is hilarious, smart, and wholesome, but I think a lot of its success can be attributed to Amy Adams. Had they chosen a different actress to play Giselle, I don’t think this movie would have received such great reviews. James Marsden was too corny, just as you’d expect an actor to be in a movie like this, but Amy Adams is believable. She really is a princess; naive and sincere through and through. In those moments where cheese is almost certain, she fills it with cuteness and grace.
More things I want to point out:
-Patrick Dempsey also stars
-Is it just me, or does Patrick Dempsey's girlfriend scare you too?
-Ironically, although this is your typical fairy tale, it kind of isn't . . .
This movie was surprisingly hilarious. I’m buying it the minute it goes to DVD. I recommend this to anyone who isn't a masochist. You have to see it for yourself to believe how good it is.
High School Musical 2
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
2.5 GOOMBAS
I liked High School Musical. What was I thinking? Was it really good? I can’t remember anymore - my memory of it is tainted by High School Musical 2.
Disney’s newest teen idols Zach Efron and Vanessa Hudgens are back for round two in this tween, cash cow, High School Musical 2. It’s the end of the school year and Troy and Gabrielle are hoping for the summer of their lives. Rivals, Sharpay and her flamboyant brother, Ryan, head to their parent owned, golf resort, home, and in an attempt to steal Troy for herself, Sharpay secretly offers him a job at the resort. Troy accepts the position with the original cast of high schoolers in tow.
Overall, this movie was cute and tolerable. The kids in this film are too good-looking for their own good, and many of the songs are good in that pop-y kind of way. Plus, we all have to keep in mind that this is a made-for-TV movie, so that automatically changes the scoring card. I'd love for my kids to turn on the TV and obsess about this movie instead of trying to keep up with the Britneys and Lindseys of the world. It's just good clean fun. It's also worth mentioning that the production of this movie far exceeds the expectations of any typical made-for-TV film. The wardrobe alone probably cost more than any Lifetime movie cost to make. However, compared to its earlier counterpart, High School Musical 2 doesn't have its 'head in the game.'
High School Musical 2 didn't have any unique creativity. It took the same formula and regurgitated it all over again, but with a less diverse song selection. The whole movie was Pop, with Zach Efron at center stage, his fists pounding the air and his face forming ridiculous, "passionate" contortions. Poor Miss Hudgens, who I think is adorable despite the naked picture scandal, takes a definite backseat; even Ashley Tisdale surpasses her. It just isn't anything special.
The verdict: every teenyboppers dream come true, but if you've already been through high school once, why do it again?