DVD review: Castle In The Sky

After reviewing three masterpieces in a row from Studio Ghibli, Castle In The Sky feels a little..puny. Not bad mind you. But it may just be the weak link at Studio Ghibli.

Sheeta, a young woman, is attacked by air pirates while being escorted by a a shady general. She soon learns (along with a man named Pazu) about Laputa, the last remaining floating city in the world.

Visually, the film is a treat like all Ghibli films. But the film feels like 10 minutes could easily be snipped, mainly chase scenes. The film just also dosen't have the basic emotions perfect, like Totoro or even Ponyo. Still, it's nearly impossible for Hayoa Myizaki to make a dud and this fillm still delivers thrills and excitmeent. It's just a little too plodding.

Rating: 8.4 out of 10 or A-

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Film Review: Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland

Tim Burton is the filmmaker emodiement of mood swings. First he's making Ed Wood, then he goes off and makes the abominable 2001 remake of Planet of The Apes film. Alice is a return to the things that made him great in his early filmmaking years.

Alice in this version is not some daffy 9 year old. Oh no. She's a maturing 19 year old, about to be married off to some rich clot. owever, she gets distracted by a white rabbit that leads her down a hole into Underland (she misheard it last time) There she must confront her fears and life itself.

The most notable thing about the film are the visuals. Almost at an Avtar level of realism and human-to-CGI interactivity, some of the creatures are very beautiful I can say without a doubt the Cheschie Cat is among the greatest creations in CGI film to date. Alice also seems to really live with the characters and you feel like your there! It's quite an experience, especially in IMAX 3D.

Johnny Depp once again shows why he's the modern day king of acting.In one of his best performances to date, he give depth and realism to this crazy hatter. He's defenitly one heck of a performance and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see an Oscar nom. come in 2011.



This film has visuals and great acting through the teeth. It's one of the best fantasies ever. I can wholeheartedly say it's a fun romp, a great example of perfect 3D and one of Tim Burton's best.

Rating: 8.9 out of 10 or A-

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Blu-Ray Review: Forrest Gump

Robert Zemeckis has nearly hit a career high recently with his Christmas Carol. Emphasis on nearly. This film and Back to The Future prove his peak. To be quite frank, I may like this film better than Back to The Future, but maybe maybe I should watch Future again to settle the opinion. Anyway, this film is as great as they come and definitely deserves the praise it's gotten.

This film is about Forrest Gump, a man who at a bus stop, tells many people about his life, ranging from Vietnam to a girl that he loves named Jenny. During his tales he gains fame, fortune and love.

Tom Hanks is wonderful in one of his best films he's ever done. It's quite amazing that they had the technology at the time to incorporate Tom Hanks into such old archive footage. It still remains a high point for visual effects to this day.



This entire film is among the most wonderful ever created and is one of the best films of the whole 90's decade. I could even argue it's in the Top 25 best films ever. Forrest Gump is one film that is impossible not to love and cherish. A cinematic masterpiece that one shall never forget.

Rating: A+ or 9.7 out of 10

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Blu-Ray Review: Star Trek

J.J. ABrams has made many-a classic things this decade. Lost, Alias and Mission Impossible 3 (the former is probably at the bottom fo the classics though). You would think though, J.J. would be horrid to create the film. He didn't even know what Tribbles were!! HE...DIDN'T...KNOW....WHAT.....TRIBBLES....WERE!!! However, he's the best thing that's happened to this franchise sincE Khan was shouted.

In this reboot, Kirk finds himself joining Starfleet Academy with Bones, Spock Uhuara and Sulu and soons learns of aa time-traveling Romulan who plans to use an Elder Spock for his own datardly deeds...

This film has some great visuals, but it's the comedy, heart and action that just blow you away. Spock is truly heartfelt here and comedy comes in spades, mainly thnaks to Scotty played by Simon Pegg. (surprisingly, Tyler Perry is in here, but dosen't crack a smile!!) The opening, like Up, is worth any price alone to see. It's wonderful and very real. You feel like your in the midst of the great Star Trek battle.

This is easily the best Star Trek film ever and, honestly, I'm excited to see what a sequel might bring to the table. Warp speed to your nearest store to pick up this grand item.

Rating: A- or 8.8 out of 10

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DVD Review: Cars

Cars is one of PIXAR's most unloved films, solely because it's probably only enjoyed by people living it rural, like me. The film is about a race car named Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) who comes into the town of Radiater Springs and learns about the good life while falling in love with Sally (Bonnie Hunt).


This is one touching and funny film. True, it's no Up or Ratatouille, but it's still one of their most funny films ever, thanks to Larry th Cable Guy as Mater. The world here is quite open for a sequel, which they will give the film in 2011 (the title is Cars: World Gran Prix).

The animation is stunning, even by today's standards. This is one of the best animated films ever and another notable film from PIXAR's catalouge (all of their film's are notable actually).

Rating: A- or 8.8 out of 10

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Review: Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen had tons of anticipation. Did it live up to all of that hype? Almost. Almost, but better than anything else that has come along with such hype.

The plot is about Sam Whitwicky, a boy from California, who wants to go to college, but finds that the Transformers have a new robot to fight: The Fallen. He soon becomes more than they ever could have dreamed thanks to the Matrix, a powerful object that destroys suns. It's up to Sam, Optimus Prime and Mikela (Megan Fox) to stop The Fallen and Megatron once and for all.

Let me get something to Michael Bay (the director) right now: this didn't need to be 154 minutes long. More like 130 minutes. A lot like The Twin robots and some love bits easily could have been deleted. However, this film has tons of action, enough to keep someone like me in such a good mood that people will think he's gone mad. Optimus Prime is a technical marvel, as is Devastator, a 120 foot robot made up of 7 robots!!

The film may have needed osme cuts, but it isn't like it is the first one to need usch things. It isn't better than the first Transformers, but it's sure good nonetheless.

Rating: B+ or 8.1 out of 10

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