Brave

This is one of my favorite Pixar offerings that is not a sequel in some time. I like it better than Up, Wall-E, Cars, Ratatouille just to begin with. Then I would have to really think about the films I like the most and make an in depth voting system to help me accurately determine where Brave would stand overall. Initially I am thinking 4th behind the Toy Story franchise (Lumped together), Monster's INC, and Finding Nemo. I liked it that much. I liked that I didn't know what the sub plot was going to be. All we know from the marketing campaign is that the heroin wants to change her fate. What is her fate? Well, she is a King's daughter and she is now old enough to be betrothed to someone she has never met. This is where the old adage "Be careful what you wish for" is instituted to the fullest. I thought it was going to be similar to "It's a Wonderful Life", but it couldn't be further from that. I am not going to get into what actually changes in her life, but it turns into a tale of fixing what you have already done, and not taking for granted the people most special in your life. Brave is the most vibrant film since Nemo in my opinion. The ocean has so much to offer as far as color and scenery, and Brave used beautiful landscaped from Scotland along with using very understandable accents and set in the 10th century make this comedy so much fun to enjoy visually alone. The story is fantastic as well, and lots of people were telling me it was dark and my 3 year olds may be frightened. I think I disagree with this. It has one or two scary moments involving a big snarling bear, but when I heard it was dark, I immediately thought of black magic and faces melting ala Raiders of the Lost Ark. That was not the case and my kids were not frightened. I loved it and cannot wait till I can buy it on DVD and wear the disc out from overuse. To me, it was a refreshing rebirth of what Pixar is capable of.


NBM rates Brave - Phenomenal

Tangled

Once again, here is a film that played over and over in my house for weeks before I actually payed attention to it. Then like lightning, that one line caught my attention, and I had to watch it. I don't specifically remember the line or scene, but it was worth it. This film is not only a princess story for young girls, but it is also an action adventure that boys will enjoy. Case in point, my daughter likes it, but my son loves it. It is a good control for any parents out there wondering if The Jester knows what he is talking about, as my kids are the same age. It feels less like a fairy tale, and more like Indiana Jones must save the girl. It is really fun to watch and is down right hysterical at times. I still think Disney should cut or at least minimize the song and dance that are the main aspect of their films. Yes after 40 views, the songs are catchy and memorable, but do we really need 4-8 song sequences? I think not. Good storytelling is enough. Kids don't need that much stimulation, like they used to. They are more interested in the story these days, than the snappy little tunes. I find myself rushing into the living room to catch certain scenes or one lines that I find brilliant each and every time I see it. Flynn Rider (Voiced by Chuck's Zachary Levi) is a thief. He is always wanted by the castle guards for crimes he has committed. His wanted posters make up a hilarious running gag throughout the film. Rapunzel is voiced by the lovely Mandy Moore. When Rapunzel is a baby, she is stolen from the castle and her King and Queen parents by the evil lady Gothel. Gothel uses Rapunzel's magic hair to stay young, and she raises her to be afraid of the outside world, so to keep her all to herself and not risk losing her own personal fountain of youth. When her and Rider's paths cross, he needs her as much as she needs him. She basically wants to go into town, as she has never been out of her tower. He wants the crown back that he recently stole, that she hid from him. What starts as little effort on Rider's part turns into so much more. Soon they are being pursued by everyone, but Rapunzel will not fail to see "The Floating Lights". It is action packed with great jokes and really good animation. I know anyone who appreciates a good cartoon will definitely appreciate Tangled.

NBM rates Tangled - Phenomenal

Gnomeo & Juliet

Ok, so I have been saying, "Disney is dead" all year long and though I still stand behind that, Tangled is pretty awesome. However, Gnomeo & Juliet is just solid story telling and originality... to a degree. It is also a Touchstone Pictures film. Maybe I give Disney to much flack. Considering that every film company now does animated movies, perhaps they are just outgunned. I will give a Tangled review this week as well, but today it's all about the Gnomes. Gnomes are funny, and to see them as thinking people just makes it funnier. It kind of reminded me of the first time I saw Toy Story back in 1995. The story of Gnomeo and Juliet, which we all know is actually Romeo and Juliet is just hilarious. What I didn't know about this film was the characters were all based on the classic Shakespeare tragedy. The Gnomes call each other The Reds or The Blues. They tend to their masters gardens all day, and they are only separated from each other by a single privacy fence. They go about their day when the masters leave for the day. The Masters are aptly names Montague and Capulet, and though brief, their exchanges are absolutely perfect. Pay attention, because they are never the focus and we never see their faces, but the dialogue is perfect. Also, you all know I love movies that reference movies, and this one does just that. It is usually cartoons that do tend to do it and Gnomeo & Juliet does it well. Braveheart, that's all I'm saying. I enjoyed this film as I watched it with my wife and then again the next day with my kids. I liked it more than they did, but they are only 2, and don't know what is good and what is food. I do recommend this film for kids and adults. It has those adult humor jokes that makes these films more enjoyable for us, yet kids are none the wiser of what has been said. It is a new take on a very old play, and Shakespeare himself shows up....HILARIOUS...but you'll have to watch it to get any more info than that.

NBM rates Gnomeo & Juliet - Awesome

Rango

This is a brilliant "adult" PG rated cartoon. It is essentially an animated western, that will make you happy you are watching it while you watch it. This movie could have had a completely different life at the box office had we known what we were getting into. It was a cartoon rated PG, but in my opinion, kids probably hate and or do not understand it. It is very adult. Rango (Depp) is a very odd lizard. We see him early on as a pet with a vivid imagination and a penchant for theater. When he is thrust into the wild, he must survive, which is quite difficult, yet hilarious. The film turns from funny [Fear and Loathing reference] to sort of dark and serious. Our hero is a bright green lizard in a bright Hawaiian shirt, but the town he ends up in is very old west. Lots of drab, dirty, bleak colors and attitudes. The town of Dirt is set up like the old west, and it is awesome. He is immediately targeted by the town folks as being different, but when approached and intimidated, his flair for acting kicks in. He makes up an identity on the spot with back story and all. He becomes the intimidator, and it is funny. Quickly Rango is who the town looks for, for help. They are running dry of water in the middle of the desert. Water is their currency, and without it, everyone will die. He is appointed sheriff and through all his BS, he promises to get water to the town, but ends up screwing up things worse. Unfortunately, he is so wrapped up in his lies, he begins to believe it. The last half of the movie is filled with outstanding action, gunfights, and humor. I especially loved the Clint Eastwood tribute. You will see it as plain as day. The voice even sounds very similar to that of Eastwood, but is actually voiced by the brilliant Timothy Olyphant. Throughout, it does get a bit trippy, due to the over abundance of the desert sun and no water, but mostly it is just a clever written movie that was not given the proper promotion. I will say, I do not have 6, 7, or 8 year olds, but when I do, I don't think they will be ready for it. It says "Hell" at least 7 times, it is very dark, and a little mature for children, plus it does not have the quality of storytelling that keeps today's kids interested. It is a lot of plot, and though the visuals are fun for adults, kids would be bored. I do think I understand why it was fussed over by parents when released. As an adult, I fully understood all the references and didn't mind the language. It was the first animated "Western" I have ever seen, and I loved it. Depp is perfect as the quirky, insecure lizard, and with supporting roles from Bill Nighy (Rattlesnake Jake), Stephen Root (Doc), and Ned Beatty (Mayor) it really felt right. Certain scenes don't even feel animated, and that's why it is great. I do recommend this film for anyone over 10, but for the adults out there, you will really enjoy it.

NBM rates Rango - Awesome

9

You may not know this about me, but I absolutely love cartoons. From children's cartoons to cartoons more geared towards adults. I just love the aspect and the possibilities animation brings to the screen. Plus when it's an animated film, we don't have to have the conversations and arguments about the CG. This film won the Oscar for Best short film the year before it got turned into a full length feature. People who didn't know this, made statements like, "it should've been over in ten minutes", to which I say, "it originally was".  I saw it in the theater and it was one of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen. The sound, the color and the action is unmatched when it comes to other animated films I've seen. It could've been wrapped up quickly, but it was extended to a short 1 hour 19 minutes. It features 9  "sock puppets" who are created by a scientist to exist in a post apocalyptic world much like the Terminator series. Machines have taken over the planet and destroyed all life, human and animal. The sock puppets are even considered "life" to these machines, so without even knowing why they exist, they know, they must survive. It's a classic story of survival, and the entire time we root for the little fellas. Voiced by an all star cast, these 9 little guys have a community, where leadership has been established. #1, as he is called, is the oldest and he is pretty much the ruler over the other 8. Each puppet possesses different traits, and when they work together, things can be accomplished. The "heart" these guys show really comes across, and with every second they are in peril, I was on the edge of my seat. Produced by the always brilliant Tim Burton, this film is definitely worth owning. I don't own it, because I do not have a Blu Ray player. I think this would be best film ever put on Blu Ray, and it will be my first movie purchased once I get my B R player. I back this film up 100% and if you like movies that are a little different, compared to the norm, you will enjoy this film. It' short and quick and can easily be watched more than once.

NBM rates 9- Awesome

Buy Your Copy Today