In Review- "The Croods"

It disappoints me that every critic (ok, almost every critic) completely disregards all animated and children's films as sub par and inadequate to participate in the category of every other genre of film. People do not understand that the "family film" or the "children's film" are worth it. They hold real meaning to any viewer no matter the age. Children's films remind us of the most basic and important lessons that we need to remember. In this crazy fast-paced world, we tend to forget what is really important. We forget those lessons that we learned when we were young. We forget those lessons we learned in our childhood films. Those considered by critic to be on the same level of live-action (non-animated) and "adult" films include Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" (the first animated movie nominated for Best Picture), Disney's "Toy Story", "Babe" (nominated for Best Picture in 1995), Disney/Pixar's "Up" (nominated for Best Picture in 2009), Disney's "Toy Story 3" (nominated in 2010), and "Hugo" (nominated in 2011). I am sure there are many more I don't have listed. 

DreamWorks Studios is known for its animated features- "The Prince of Egypt" (1998), "Shrek" (2001) (now a hit musical on Broadway), "Madagascar" (2005), and "Kung Fu Panda" (2008). In my opinion, Disney is the king of animated movies. Well, Disney is the king of everything. I'm telling you it's Apple vs. Disney to take over the world. Go ahead and try to live without touching anything related to Disney or Apple. Have fun living under a rock.

But DreamWorks has had their share of greats. My favorite is "How to Train Your Dragon" (2010). This movie is funny, heartfelt, imaginative, and visually spectacular. If you haven't seen it you really need to. They now have an animated series to go along with it, which is really not as good, but it helps to keep the spirit of the original film alive.

So the film to beat for DreamWorks is always "How to Train Your Dragon." Does "The Croods", a film about cavemen (the "things" we evolved from, that can't speak in full sentences), come close? To me, it is right up there sharing the spotlight.

The Cast

Including the voice talents of Nicholas Cage (as the father of the fam, Grug), Emma Stone (as the adventure-seeking teenage daughter, Eep), Ryan Reynolds (as the inventive boyfriend, Guy), Catherine Keener (as the loving mother Ugga), Cloris Leachman (as Gran), and Clark Duke (as the frightened son, Thunk). Right away I was able to connect Nicholas Cage to his overprotective father role due to his performance in "The Family Man" (2000). Yes, he usually isn't known for his physical strength or sounding like a caveman at all (believe me I know a lot of people who do sound like cavemen). Stone could easily pull off the annoyed and emotional teenager (see "Easy A"). Reynolds's voice fit the part well. His wisecracking personality went with the innovative mind of his character, but to me it was a little hard to get used to. After all Reynolds is 37 and Stone is 25. The age difference was really freaking me out at first, but I got over it. The pictures were too pretty.

The World

I was looking online for pictures for this blog and I decided I am not giving anything away! You get nothing and you are just going to have to see this movie. The artistic design is absolutely mind blowing. Flying piranhas, crystal caves, a brilliant night sky filled to the brim with glistening stars are just a few of the beautiful images you will see. DreamWorks is able to take the simple image of the caveman and expand his world to creatures and places you can only imagine in your dreams. Not even Oz is this visually exciting.

The Story

You got your teenage-daughter-wants-to-leave-the-nest, you got your father-vs.-boyfriend, and you got your need to explore. These cavemen stay in their cave all their lives, not seeing the world, because they are afraid of dying, as any caveman would. If you stay inside you will survive, which is good. But is it really living? Is surviving living? They are forced to leave and explore the world outside of their cave. And what they find is life. What they find is the importance and the love that a family shares. What they find is new hope. I finished this movie in tears with a new vigor for life, ready to take on the world. If these cavemen had do it, why can't I?

The Message

As adults, fear is a wall we build to stay safe. We are afraid to take risks. We are afraid to live life because what we know is safe. This movie reminds us that to truly do what we have been put on this earth to do, we must leave fear in the cave and live life. We have to face those giant saber tooth tigers. We have to throw ourselves off of cliffs. And yes, we are terrified that we might get crushed or die, never to see another day. But that is the fun of jumping!

As adults, we also forget how important our families are to us. When we are terrified or falling to our deaths (not always literally), who is going to save us? Who is going to form a killing circle to protect us from any harm? Our family. Because even though they drive us crazy and sometimes try too hard to keep us safe, so much so that they may strangle us at times, they love us. And they will always love us.

Overall...

See this movie. I won't judge you if you go with your mom (I DID!) or your siblings, or your friends, or just by yourself. You will laugh, you will cry, and yes, you will roll your eyes at those dumb childish jokes, but it's ok. It will all be worth it in the end. You will wish you were in the caveman days.

3.5 Caveman Clubs out of 4

In Review: "Quartet"

I have been whining and complaining for months about seeing this film. The British make some of the best films ever, with the best actors, the best scripts, and the most original stories. You know it's true. Don't deny it. Most of your favorite actors are British. Your favorite TV shows are British. The party is happenin' across the pond, my friends, and we all know it. Even us silly Americans know the amazing work that they do over there.

This film is no different. Its players are geniuses: Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, and of course, Michael Gambon aka Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (robes, funny hats, and all). Its leader, though it is his first at-bat in this profession is a natural- Dustin Hoffman. (Yep! This was Dustin Hoffman's first time directing! Yay Hoffman!) Its script is brilliantly funny, sweet, and heartfelt, by Ronald Harwood. Harwood wrote the screenplay for The Pianist so what do you expect, but greatness.

Think the old people scenes of Cloud Atlas (I swear they filmed them in the same location), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, plus opera. Yes, opera, classical, and a dash of show tunes. This retirement home is not for those who wish to rest in peace and quiet (no pun intended), but for the great stars of the opera houses, orchestras, symphonies, and theatres. Bach and Beethoven pouring from every inch of this grand building. In comes Maggie Smith, a used-to-be opera star, now a self-conscious and bitter old woman from a life of heartache. She must learn to overcome her fear of failure in song and in love.

The lesson of this film is you don't stop living until you are dead. And that is just what these residents do. They curse, they flirt, they try to get lucky (Connolly especially), they live their lives to the fullest while they still can. In this way, they make us laugh and tear up from their passion for life and love.

The pace is just a little slow and the film leads up to the big concert where we will hear the quartet sing for the first time in many years. And then... they don't sing. These actors are not really operatic singers so why would we expect them to? Because that's the whole premise of the movie! No, I don't want them to lip-synch. That is not the British way. We hear clips of the past performances of the group throughout the whole movie, and that is somewhat satisfying, but not enough for this classic music lover. I knew they were supposed to sound wonderful, but I wanted to have it confirmed with my own ears.

My friend and I were probably the youngest people in the tiny independent film theatre, and that saddens me. This is not a film for those waiting for their lives to close. This is for those who still want to live life to the fullest. Our young people need to learn from their elders- this is the film that can teach them.

Whether your age, your nationality, or your musical preference, I think this film has something for everyone. Here is a little trailer to inspire you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSEnh8Hi62E

3 out of 4 Opera STARS!

ReWatch- "Julie and Julia" (2009)

I was required to watch Julie and Julia for a film class I am in this semester. Required. That’s just a harsh sounding word. I was supposed to watch it. Required sounds like I had to do it and didn’t want to. And believe me I wanted to.

After the screening, my friend turned to me and said, “I forgot how much I loved that movie.” And it’s true. I forgot. Maybe it was because I was too young to really understand the film. A woman in a job she hates her job, living with a wonderful husband who she treats like crap sometimes, trying to do something that matters. No I am not married, nor do I hate my job. I’m not quite old enough to have any job I hate. That comes after I graduate.

But what I missed when I was 16 was the last part. Trying to do something that matters. Julie felt like she was swimming in an endless ocean wondering what the hell she was doing there. Did anyone even read her blog? Was anyone listening? She took a chance every day she tried a new recipe and every day she tried to write another blog. She had a history of failures- an unfinished book that never got published, a lost job that could have “made her life”. At that point in her life, nothing seemed for certain. Julia was the same way. She got to Paris and even though she adored the city and the people, she wasn’t sure what to do with herself. She wanted to do something that mattered. So she started her cookbook. And more then 8 years later she got published and changed the world of cooking forever. She tried something and after so many failures and redrafts and rewrites, she finally got it.

Life is a challenge. Most of the time you have absolutely no idea what you are doing and no idea what will happen. Kind of like cooking. I am no cook. Not even a pupil. I should be banned from all kitchens in this universe for the horrific things I do with food. But when I do attempt to cook, I don’t know what I am doing. How do you whip something? You take a chance, without knowing what will come out of the oven in the end, but you try any way.

That’s where I am in life. I have ideas about how I want my life to look. Married, children, some sort of job in writing. And I have some plans set. Journalism degree. But beyond that I am taking a chance. Swimming in an endless ocean of the unknown. And it kinda sucks sometimes. I want to throw a temper tantrum when something doesn’t work out the way I want it to. I would like to give it all up when I feel down. I ask myself, why am I doing this again? And then I have moments when the duck looks exactly the way it looks in the cookbook. When I can poach an egg on the first try.

Life isn’t a science. And neither is cooking, though Julia Child may disagree with me. This movie teaches us that if you do what you love, the rest will follow. Even if you feel hopelessly lost and confused sometimes. You gotta take those hat classes and deal with evil cooking instructor ladies who don’t like you and think you’re not worth it. Because you will figure it out.

The film is endearing, warm-hearted, and lovable-just like Julia Child. You can’t help but smile and giggle at her sweet and naive nature. The film takes on her persona. Her ability to always see the joy in life. And it makes you want that too.  The acting is exquisite as it should be with Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Amy Adams. I also realized that the guy from my new favorite TV show, The Mindy Project, is in this too- Chris Messina. He plays Amy’s husband who is just adorable. And that’s exactly what this movie is- adorable. I need to buy it on DVD so I can feel like Julia any time I want to. This may require me finding someone to cook those delicious foods for me too.

In Review: "Oz The Great and Powerful"

BEWARE!! FLYING MONKEYS (AKA SPOILERS) AHAEAD!

ENTER OZ AT YOUR OWN RISK

OZ The Great and Powerful

Disney had a challenge ahead of them. They needed to follow the yellow brick road, meet some friends along the way (as well as some enemies), and retrieve the witch's brow to meet the Wizard. Don't offend those Munchkins (Wizard of Oz fans) or those Wicked Witch lovers ("Wicked" the musical lovers). These two groups, the old and the young, have huge amounts of time and energy spent into this one story. So how do you please every witch, scarecrow, tin man, and lion?

Answer: You don't! You ignore them all and start from scratch.

That is the hardest part about watching this movie. Separate all you know from this single medium of Oziness.

The Yellow Brick Road

My favorite part of watching this movie was the world that Disney created for the audience of every age. This world had a little bit of Wonderland (giant flowers that move on their own), Hogwarts (pixie-like water fairies), and some Middle Earth (short men). Dark Forests of eyeballs that had eat you with sharp pointy teeth. Lions that aren't afraid of their own shadow.

This Oz used the original literature as a basis for introducing new characters like China Girl (literally a girl made of china in a land made of china cups and saucers) and a friendly flying monkey in a bellhop suit (we really don't know where he came from or why he is in a bellhop uniform, but he's cure :) ). Our favorites of the original film still patrol the land- the Winkie guards of the Wicked Witch, the Munchkins of Muchkinland, the friendly folk of the Emerald City decked in green, and of course, the scary flying monkeys that will snatch you away.

Which Witch is Which?

Glinda the Good- We can't all come and go by bubble, but Glinda manages to! Glinda properly matches up with Annie Gale (yes, that's Dorothy's mama). Oz falls for both girls, but can only have the OZ one because the Kansas one is getting married to Mr. Gale. It would have been interesting to have them explore that a little. We don't really know if Glinda and Oz get together and have a magic kid- maybe it's Ozma! Michelle Williams plays the bubbly good girl sweetly and with great strength which in my opinion is what the original was missing. She is wise and sees the greatness in everyone. Oz is a jerk. I'm not 100% sure if I even like him in the end. James Franco was perfect for the part though. His sly and slimy character did not look hard for him. In every part I have seen him in, it is the real emotions he struggles with. Crying without over doing it and looking cheesy. The constant trickster is covering up from his real feelings.

But this leading ladies are the ones to carry the show. Mila Kunis makes the seamless transition from the naive Theodora the Good to The Wicked Witch. Her longing to cease her broken heart overcomes her need to be good. Evanora, Theodora's sister, giver her a green apple and the transformation begins! The face is a little too much for me- too animated, too big of a chin, too much arch in the eyebrows- yet not scary enough. I'm not sure what they were going for. You lose her humanity in the cartoony face, and you are not scared away. Now Evanora's witch face- that is scary. Evanora loses her powers and she transforms into the classic old hag witch complete with warts and long, dirty fingernails. Evanora is my favorite witch of them all for sure. Her green Emerald City costume is exquisite classic Hollywood styled. She was devious enough to be wickedly awesome.

If I Only had a Brain

In order to please all ages, you need to play for the kids, and that means... COMEDY! Scrubs' Zach Braff plays Finley the adorable flying monkey (and Oz's real world magician's assistant) you just want to cuddle. Finley's sweet and wise-cracking nature is endearing and lovable. China Girl played by Joey King is a lot tougher then she looks. She also plays a little girl who asks Oz to make her walk out of her wheelchair. She is ready to fight to save Oz. Her gentle heart makes her strong and wise.

We're Off to See the Wizard!

Overall, Oz The Great and Powerful is worth the watch no mater your age or Ozian history. Just remember to leave the ruby slippers at home. This is no place like the Kansas you know. I do recommend seeing it in 3D. The opening credits is a pop-up book theme, and it is way cooler when the pop-up book actually POPS. The negatives include plot holes (Who does Evanora become? Where do the slippers come in? Where are our fav characters?) and Franco's fair performance.

3 Out of 4 Ruby Slippers 

Behind the Name

My family and I are big music people. We play music while we cook, while we clean our house, while we eat our food. My mother used to play the electric organ that we had in our living room every Christmas or on the weekends when she felt like letting off some steam. I took up the flute in grade school, but was born singing and dancing right out of the womb.

We are also big movie people. When I was growing up, our Friday nights were our standard "Family Movie Nights"- pizza from Ledo's (in La Grange) or Rocky's (in Westchester) and a movie that was rented, when that was a thing, or dug out from our own movie vault.

From an early age, I was watching movies my friends had never heard of before. Movies their parents saw when they were my age. Movies that were considered classics that little kids usually wouldn't sit through. But I loved every second of it.

It's natural that I sought out the combinations of my two loves. One of these was a program on WXRT radio called "The Regular Guy." He comes on the radio in this ridiculous, stereotypical Chicago accent and talks about the movies- what he liked, what he didn't like. And as the years went by and I started trying to figure out my place in this world, I kept coming back to The Regular Guy.

He had the coolest job in the world. He got paid to watch movies and talk about them. How totally cool is that?!

So this blog was inspired by him- The Regular Guy. Sure, I don't have a funny Chicago accent (though my Missouri friends think I do), but I love what he loves. The movies.

WXRT's The Regular Guy Website