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Film Reviewer - Classic, Modern, Obscure, Genre... It All Gets Watched

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Film Reviewer - June 2007

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

June 30th 2007 19:27

Staying true to the “summer of sequels”, 20th Century Fox has released the second Fantastic Four movie, this one entitled: Rise of the Silver Surfer directed by Tim Story.

You may remember the characters from the first movie: everyone’s favorite darling, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm A.K.A the Invisible Woman, Ioan Gruffud returns as Reed Richards A.K.A. Mr. Fantastic, Chris Evans is back as Johnny Storm A.K.A. The Human Torch, Michael Chiklis reprises his role as The Thing, and Julian McMahon returns as Dr. Doom. Same characters, different story.

In Rise of the Silver Surfer, Sue and Reed are trying and trying and trying to get married, but it’s always one thing after another, media frenzies, some sort of global crisis, you know the drill when you are a superhero. But strange events begin to happen around the globe, and it’s worth being investigated right?

Johnny Storm meets the Silver Surfer face to face

Enter the discovery of the really fast shiny guy riding a surfboard everywhere. Apparently, the “Silver Surfer” (as he is dubbed; body of Doug Jones, voice of Lawrence Fishburne) is working for a treacherous alien being who sends him out to scout out planets for his boss destroys them. Viewers come to find that the Surfer hates doing his job, but he really doesn’t have a choice, right? Johnny has a special effect frenzied encounter with the Surfer and I found it was intriguing to see the character’s swapping super powers after coming into contact with him.

The government gets hold of the Surfer and in the darkest scene of the movie, tortures him. The scene seemed completely out of place with such a light story, hokey jokes, and corny dialogues. I felt the screen writers didn’t have a handle on the tone they wanted to pursue. And after he is tortured, the Surfer decided to help Earth? What is up with that? Who in their right mind would help a civilization that would hurt them merely because they didn’t’ understand them? Just because Sue reminded him of his lost sweetheart? And after Dr. Doom takes away the surfboard of power to promote his own ill gotten gain? It just didn’t gel.

The effects are great but acting is a tad bit odd. Everyone seemed to lack the flow of character development, but with the script, I am supposing they are doing all they could do. But what was with Jessica Alba’s weird blue eyes? I understand character evolution, but come on! Half the time she was talking I was wondering why they had changed her look so dramatically. I found it to be very distracting. A fun note though, is Stan Lee’s cameo. I look for them in every movie. (He was the postman in the first Fantastic Four movie). This one is by far my favorite, as he appears as himself and a bouncer removes him from the wedding. I giggled out loud on that one.

However, I have been finding that many are comparing Rise of the Silver Surfer to movies like Spidey 3, etc. Let me say, there is no major personality overhaul being done in this movie. There is no major message. It’s just a fun movie with great effects. It’s breezy. It’s a great distraction for a time. Would I recommend it? Sure. Will it make it to my DVD shelf? I would only get it if my kids wanted it (and they do, by the way). But I want to add that if another Fantastic Four movie was made, I would gather up the kiddos and see that one too. It’s a safe action movie I can take the kids too and not wonder about an out of control sex scene or graphic language. And I like that for my little ones
I give this movie 2 ½ stars out of 5. Parents, same for you. There are some violent scenes (obviously), but this is a very entertaining movie and the kids love it.

STARRING
Ioan Gruffudd as REED RICHARDS
Jessica Alba as SUE STORM
Chris Evans as JOHNNY STORM
Michael Chiklis as BEN GRIMM
Julian McMahon as VICTOR VON DOOM
Laurence Fishburne as THE SILVER SURFER (voice)
Doug Jones as the body of THE SILVER SURFER

Rated PG
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Directed by: Tim Story

My daughter loved the Silver Surfer movie

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Apology

June 28th 2007 17:32

Hello fellow bloggers,

Once again, I ask for your apology in being late on producing another review. My little one has fallen ill again. I am working on the review for Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer and should be able to post that tomorrow night.

I appreciate all of the care and support I have received in regards to my children. Hopefully one day, this will all turn out with a happy ending. I thank each of you for your patience.

Sincerely,

Marti Young

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Paddle On Out For Surf’s Up!

June 13th 2007 03:34

Folks, I want to admit that I was not really looking forward to see yet another movie about penguins (Can’t Hollywood pick a new animal to use? How about OTTERS? They’re cute!). But I will say, I was happily surprised by the direction by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck (Toy Story and Tarzan, respectively) in this delightful film.

Cody (voiced by star-to-watch Shia LaBeouf) is a fatherless penguin with the desire to win the upcoming Penguin World Surfing Championship. So, Cody up and leaves his home of Shiverpool, Antarctica with winning on his mind. But after a humbling experience in the preliminary challenge, Cody’s love interest, Lani (a honey of a penguin voiced by Zooey Deschanel) takes him to her uncle’s to recover from his wipeout. Uncle Geek (played by a hilarious Jeff Bridges) decides to help Cody win. It turns out that Uncle Geek is actually Big Z - Cody’s longtime surfing idol. Cody learns that Big Z left the sport after it was tainted by competitiveness. Big Z teaches, Cody learns.

Along the way, Cody has befriended a surfing chicken, Chicken Joe (voice talent John Heder of Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory fame) who may not have the best in the brains department, but he sure can surf! Stoner or not! (We just can’t tell in the film).

And don’t forget the broadcasting penguins from SPEN (the Sports Penguin Entertainment Network) that just make the movie go over the top. There are dynamic performances by nonstop talking James Woods as Reggie, the competition’s promoter without an ounce of shame and Mario Cantone as Mikey, a talent scout wound so tight you are just waiting for him to lay an egg with a watch inside.

Incredible effects in Surf's Up with aquatic scenes

By the end of the movie (and the awesome surfing scenes) Cody learns that making the right choices, the right stands, are more valuable than any prize offered. The point of the entire film? Friendship, sportsmanship, and doing something you love doesn’t always have to be rewarded for you to win at what you do.

What I applaud is the fresh approach to the CGI field: a reality documentary. Boom mikes drop into shots, film is scratchy at times; the characters are staring off screen during interviews, and speak directly to the “camera” at times as well. Footage of the water is gorgeous, complete with froth and foam and flawless texture. This movie keeps your attention.

Also to be noted is that the voice talents got to interact with each other when recording, something that is not usually done in animation. Recordings are traditionally done separately, with editors choosing voice inflictions and timing. Not so, on Surf’s Up, and it shows magically with the interaction between characters.

The small subplots are great as well. My little one fell in love with the adorable little penguin, Arnold, who would purposely throw himself into the water to get a rescue from Lani. TOO CUTE!

In a society where winning is everything from Super Bowl Sunday, to NASCAR, Surf’s Up was a welcomed treat. Who cares about winning if you did your best? That is all that matters! And that is what is most endearing to me about this film. Do what you love because you love it, not because there is trophy to win. If you get it, great! If not, hey, you got to do something you loved for a time. This movie has more purpose than Happy Feet, in my opinion.

I give this movie four and a half out of five stars. Families, I give this a green light for small ones. However, please note that this movie is rated PG for mild language and rude humor. Still, this is one we will have in our DVD library at home as soon as it hits the shelves.

Running time: 81 minutes.
Rated PG

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Celebrity Birthday Tribute - Johnny Depp

June 7th 2007 05:17

I was wondering who my next birthday tribute should be, and then I discovered that June 9th is the birthday to lo and behold, Captain Jack Sparrow himself – Johnny Depp! Now, I ask you, how could I turn that down? Let’s find out a little more about Mr. Depp, shall we?

John Christopher Depp II was born in Kentucky and moved to Florida in his teens. Dropping out of school, he got into alcohol and drug abuse. This didn’t prevent him from forming a rock group known as The Kids. After successful gigs with artists such as Iggy Pop, The Kids sought fame and fortune in Los Angeles and relocated. Johnny married the bands make up artist. After struggling to make it with music, he was persuaded by his wife to begin acting.

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Pirates of The Caribbean: At World End

June 6th 2007 01:53

Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End

Well, since life is a bit more normal at our home and because our boys have gotten to see the movie on opening weekend and have continually dropped hints to torture their sister (and me!), my hubby and I decided to take our daughter to see it as a birthday gift. (I admit, I was as giddy as my daughter was…and I don’t have a crush on Orlando Bloom). I was excited to spend my money on a movie that was worth the green, and I was NOT disappointed.

The movie begins with a harsh reality of what awaits those who defy Lord Beckett and assist piracy. Then you are swept to Singapore with Elizabeth Swann (reprised by beauty Keira Knightly) teamed with Captain Barbossa (played by the incredibly talented Geoffrey Rush). They discover Will (heart throb Orlando Bloom. my daughter swoons) has been captured by Chow Yun Fat (who is nothing short of spectacular in his performance). World class swordplay quickly ensues and the movie is off and running

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