Monday, November 30, 2009

IRON MAN 2 POSTER!! IT'S ARRIVED!!



HOLY MOLY!! I'M SO EXCITED!! THE IRON MAN 2 POSTER HAS ARRIVED!! WE GET TO SEE WAR MACHINE!!! AND IT'S IN 3D!!! OMG!! OMG!!! OMG!!!!

Sorry, my nerd glands went off the hook there for a minute. Above is the poster. Enjoy.

May 7, 2010 cannot come soon enough. Oh, and I can't prmoise not getting that excited again.

SYS

Editorial: Top 20 Simpson Episode Titles



On December 17, 2009 The Simpson's turn 20 and here at Doug's Domain we are going to celebrate! Here's the second of 20 Top 20 lists.

20. Mypods and Boomsticks (Season 20)

19. Homerazzi (Season 18)

18. Grandpa Simpson, The Raging Flying Heckfish and His Grumbling Grandson, Bart Simpson (Season 7)

17. Bart Gets a Z (Season 21)

16. Goo Goo Gai Pan (Season 16)

15. Rednecks and Broomsticks (Season 21)

14. Last Exit To Springfield (Season 4)

13. Who Shot Mr. Burns (Season 6 & 7)

12. HOMR (Season 12)

11. Homer and Lisa Exchange Cross Words (Season 20)

10. The Last Temptation of Krust (Season 9)

9. He Loves To Fly (And He D'ohs) (Season 19)

8. Alone Again Natura-Diddily (Season 11)

7. Beyond Blunderdome (Season 11)

6. E. Pluribus Wiggum (Season 19)

5. Bart Gets an Elephant (Season 5)

4. She of Little Faith (Season 13)

3. The Great Louse Detective (Season 14)

2. Homer Vs. The Monorail (Season 4)

1. $pringfield (Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Legalized Gambling)

Be back soon with more lists.

SYS

The Sound of The South



It has become a fable to Disney fans. That fable is The Song of The South. This film is the only Walt Disney movie to not be on home video. The only one. Due to possible racial problems, the film has never seen the light of day.

It bears mentioning that some rumours have popped up, saying in 2010 a 65th Anniversary Edition may be part of the Walt Disney Treasure Line...on Blu-Ray!!

I'll keep watch for this exciting news piece.

SYS

DVD Review: I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown



This may be in the middle road for the 50 Peanuts specials created. It dosen't hit the masterpice status of A Charlie Brown Christmas, but it isn't as abd as Play It Again, Charlie Brown. Overall, it' alright, but defenitly overstays it's welcome.

This time around, Rerun Van Pelt wants a dog more than anything for Christmas. However, Lucy convinces him a dog is nothing but trouble. But when Snoopy's brother, Spike, comes to town, Rerun see's an oppurtunity to good to resist!

I love Rerun, but he dosen't give much flair to this one. Like the special itself, he just isn't that compelling to sustain the entire episode. Perhaps a Charlie Brown sub-plot should have been added. However, there are many good bits, notably Rerun evaluating his siblings.

Again, not the worst Charlie Brown special in the book, but nothing to get all excited about. A decent outing, though a bit too long.

SYS

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Blu-Ray Review: Night at The Museum: Battle of The Smithsonian



Night at the Museum 2 has a nice edge to it. It has a lot of fun bits in it and has a standout character. Overall it feels like something very fun and a nice outing for both kids and grown ups.

This time around Larry Dally (Ben Stiller) has become an entrepreneur & has forgotten about his old guard days. However, when all the exhibts are shipped to Washington, Larry must save them from an evil Pharoah.

That evil Pharoah happens to be the funniest thing in a long time. Played by Hank Azaria, he has comic timing usually reserved for SNL or Robin Williams. Amy Adam also delights as Amelia Earheart, making a good love interest for Larry.

One complaint I must raise is that Larry is away from the museum from the first film for almost the entire film. This leaves characters like Rexy and Teddy Roosevelt. It feels like a wasted oppurtunity.

Still, the film is a nice time and a good present for kids or even teens under the tree this year.

Rating: B+ or 8 out of 10

SYS

Prep and Landing Delayed



PRep and Landing has been delayed due to Obama having a conference that same time and day. It is unknown if it's previous lead-in (A Charlie Brown Christmas) has been postponed.

Prep and Landing will now air December 9, 2009 at 8:30/7:30 central on ABC.

SYS

Box Office: New Moon Falls, Blind Side Hits A Touchdown, Carol Lifts Holiday Spirits, 2012 Stays, Old Dogs Not Quite A Dog, Fox Not So Fantastic



New Moon won, but it was The Blind Side that struck up the news. New Moon made 42.5 million, dropping 70.2% from last weekend, one of the biggest drops of the year. It made 10,515 dollars at each cinema it played at. It has now made 230 million total.

The Blind Side went up 17.6%. This is a rare as the yeti in Hollywood and was the
4th smallest drop at the Box Office ever. It has now made 100.2 million and will soon surpass the Proposal to become Sandra Bullock's biggest film ever.

Old Dogs made 16.6 million. It wasn't quite a flop though thanks to it only costing 35 million to make. The marketing, though, kept it from becoming really big. It has made 24 million right now.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox made 7 million. Like Old Dogs, the film isn' quite a bomb thanks to it's low budget.

2012 stayed at No.3, the same spot it was last weekend. It has now made 138.7 million and is behind The Day After Tomorrow by 14.4 million.

The only other new release was Ninja Assassin. It made 13.1 million and 21 million thus far.

A Christmas Carol made 16 million and made 106 million so far. It's way ahead of The Polar Express and Santa Clause 2 at this point, though behind Elf by 23 million.

The Princess and The Frog made 712,000 at only 2 theatres and had a theatre average of 356,000, the 3rd best ever. It will go wide December 11.

The Road had the best theatre average in the Top 12, with 13,000 pet theatre (The Princess and The Frog was at number 18)

The weekend's total gross was 176 million. This made it the 2nd biggest November weekend ever, behind last week.

We have now ended the biggest november on record. Plus, with this weekend, 2009 became the biggest year ever and by December 2009 will likely make a record: It'll be the first year ever to have sold 10 billion dollars worth of tickets.

SYS

Editorial: Top 20 Simpson Characters.



On December 17, 2009 The Simpson's turn 20 and here at Doug's Domain we are going to celebrate! Here's the first of 20 Top 20 lists.

Obviously, The Simpsons would be fave's, so this is the Secondary Characters

20. Chief Wiggum- Most cops are buff and played by Andy Griffith. This one has SUNG that 'fighting crime is not really my cup of tea'. He is a loyal father, but he still has no interest in his real job: taking down the crime.

19. Dr. Nick Revera: This doctor has become a staple of the show and being one of the best things in The Simpsons Movie. He obviously wants the money and has made many-a screw-ups, notable a patient with legs for arms and arms for legs!

18. Snake Jailbird: Snake is unlikely to be forgotten as he has always been Wiggum's foil. He may be one of Springfield cleverest, but he can still fall in love, as shown by his affection to Gloria. He also had one of the most wise quotes about Springfield: 'Could this town be any stupider?'

17. Capital City Goofball (Below): This character may have been in the show for only a few episodes, but he has a permanent place in our hearts. Also, he's a congressman to boot!



16. Lionel Hutz: One of two characters discontinued, this lawyer used to be a sure-fire person for laughs, including his pitch perfect quote on the biggest scam: 'Mister Simpson this [all you can eat] scam is the biggest mismarketing since the poster for The Neverending Story'

15. Itchy and Scratchy: Think of an ultra-violent Tom and Jerry and you have this great parody of cartoons inside a cartoon (my mind just exploded too, don't worry). Each cartoon is a clever spoof, my favorite being Reservoir Cats with a Quentin Tarantino cameo!

14. Sideshow Mel: Krusty's abused sidekick is actually among the smartest in the town. However, he's repeatedly bruised and abused to no avail. His Wowee sauce scene in I Love Lisa was a terrific one as well.

13. Lenny and Carl: The duo have been friends forever and are always there for Homer...perhaps for a price. The two can be found at Moe's, either sad, happy or just plain asleep. Lenny and Carl also gave one of my favorite lines:

Lenny: Hey Carl, remember when we used to kiss like that...with our girlfriends?

Carl: Yeah, good times.

12. Nelson Muntz (Below): A once one note bully has morphed into one of the most philosophical characters, including his dream of being an event planner. His love life has also been vibrant, including a relationship with Lisa.



11. Seymour Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers: These two runs Springfield Elementary and have quite a friendship. In fact, it's hard to imagine Bart's school without the duo in it's halls.

10. Apu: Apu is the runner of the Kwik-E-Mart and one of the few major Hindu's on TV. HE and his wife have a nice marriage, though they have octuplets that strain everything. He has quite great lines, including the classic song 'Who Needs The Kwik-E-Mart?'

9. Kent Brockman: The newscaster is against Democracy, which of course gets him high ratings. But that's not all you'll remember him for. You'll also remember him for the quote: 'I welcome our new insect overlords', now an internet meme,

8. Sideshow Bob: Kelsey Grammar voices this masterpiece of a bad guy, who is a genius, but can be foiled with singing opera and his large feet. His episodes are always welcome, especially when they involve his brother Cecil, played by David Hyde Pierce.

7. Kang and Kodos: These aliens have great stuff every Halloween when they appear and have the honor of having one of the best lines ever: "Good lord! We wouldn't eat you! Do you know how much trans fat are in a human arm?"

6. Edna Krabapple (below): Bart's teacher is lonesome and always desperate for a man. However, she has good intentions and only wants the best for her students. She and Skinner have had a rocky relationship, elading them to a uproarious school strike.



5. Moe Syslack (below): The bartender of Springfield has no friends or living family, yet always has Homer to remind him he's a loser. Still, he dosen't lose hoep that love is out there. His best quote was: 'Moe has no friends, family, aquatinces, girlfriends or even bats to keep in cages. God help me, I loved those bats.'



4. Waylon Smithers: As loyal as you get, Smithers would rather die than losa his job to Mr. Burns. He also seems to have a good work ethic, as he once went 15 hours without sleep.

3. Krusty (below): This Jewish clown has always been great for attacking pop culture, and has one of the best range of personality on the show. His show shtick is never failed to make me bust a gut.



2. Ralph Wiggum (below): Ralph is the oddball on the show. He rarely says 6 word at a time and is always in his own world. Still, he adorable and always funny and has made himself Lisa's best lover so far.



1. Mr. Burns (below): The greedy monopolistic owner of the Nuclear Power plant is selfish and mean. Yet, he's always wonderfully greedy and you just want to see what he will do next. He's easily the best character on the show, hands down.



We'll be back later on with more lists including best lines ever!

SYS

New Simpsons Tonight! Rednecks and Broomsticks



The Simpsons return tonight. This time Lisa gets the spotlight.

This one is about Lisa meeting some Wiccans. She is about join them, but the police arrest the Wiccans. Lisa soon becomes the star in the trial. Meanwhile, Homer starts hanging out with Cletus (Above). However, he soon learns Cletus has a deep dark secret.

This sounds OK, though I think the Homer story sounds like it's been done enough. I'll have a review up tonight. It's on at 8:00/7:00 central on FOX.

SYS

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Blu-Ray Review: Miracle on 34th Street


Christmas brings out the best in people. Grandmothers cook more treats and people are all around more giving. The Christmas spirit isn't lost on movie directors, though. Dispite the film coming out in May 1947, this fiom is as Christmasy as they come and I enjoyed it very much, though I feel it isn't QUITE as amazing as people think.

An old man named Kris Kringle tells people he is the real deal..he is Santa Clause. He also starts to give away competiiton promotion leading to anger from Macy's, the company that he works for. Although people deem him insane, a lawayer decides to prove he's the real McCoy, despite a man named Sawyer saying Kris

This is a fine film, but I think it deserves notice for a major flaw. It really feels like what Kris has done is never dealt with. He hurts Saeyer, yes, but it's only mentioned in passing. They mainly deal with Kris think he's Santa. It feels like they just missed something good.

A few other things come in question (Is he Santa? Is he not?), but overall it's grand. There wonderful acting and it really feels like a nice Christmas tradition. With such a nice ending, I could probably watch it again without hesitation.

There may be a plto hole, but don't let that stop you from seeing Miracle. It's overall a terrific flick.

Rating: B+ or 8.1 out of 10


SYS

P.S. This is our 25th review!! Awesomenes!

Film Review: Old Dogs



Old Dogs is an odd puppy. By that, I mean it's just plain, flat out strange. I feel like the filmmakers were given a choice: Tone down a new Wild Hog's like film or get out. The makers took the first option and ran with it. What we get is a very jumbled up picture that you sincerely wish had been just better and much funnier.

The film is about Dan (Robin Williams) and Charlie (John Travolta) who learn that Dan's one night wife had kids. So Dan has a big problem, especially when you count that Dan also has a big sports franchise to handle! What will happen next??

I think we all see the end coming 40 miles away. In fact, during the previews you know how this will turn out. But that can be overlooked. After all, we knew how Transformers 2 and Up would turn out. Yet their great films. Why isn't this that great then? BEcause not a soul is really funny here.

Seth Green..Robin Williams..Justing Long...how did this not end up being uproarious. They spoiled everything good in the TV spots, that's why. Unlike, Wild Hogs, surprises are not left unturned. I liked Wild Hogs, but I was bewildered by this obvious cash-in. Too much filthy toilet humour is here, though I did like when John Travolta met the kids and when Seth Green serenades a gorilla.

Stupidity makes money in Hollywood it seems. This isn't the worst film of the year, but it's certainly not very good and one to avoid altogether. See Fox or Christmas Carol or Blind Side instead.

Rating: C- or 5.7 out of 10

SYS

Friday, November 27, 2009

Canadian & PIXAR Join Forces



PIXAR*Canada has been formed. This unit will produce short films and TV shows based on the 10 films that they have created. They'll be produced via their Youtube user which has posted the shorts George and A.J. and UFM (Unidentified Flying Mater).

What's exciting about all of this is a rumour that's flying around is that one of their first projects is a Ratatouille spin-off. I loved that film (heck, I love all of PIXAR's films) I would like to see the world be continued.

SYS

Miracles To Come



We are steadily approaching 25 reviews. Next up are Miracle on 34th Street and Old Dogs. We will have some non-Christmas reviews up soon for films like Everybody's Fine, Julia & Julia and Angels and Demons.

Also, The Blind Side beat Cruddy...I mean New...Moon on Thanksgiving Day. Could The Blind Side win the weekend? We shall see on Sunday. I'll write up on the Box Office, of course.

Finally, expect some big news come Monday. I won't say what it is...but you'll be surprised. Keep on coming back for more updates.

SYS

DVD Reivew: Classic Holidays Collection



This is how you know the holidays have arrived. When you notice that holiday specials have started to pop up. However, say one holiday special you love isn't on TV or you hate commercials (like I do) Then you need to go check out this DVD. It comes loaded with 4 great classics, one decent show and 2 okay specials. Below, I've included the titles of each and a small description and review:

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
: Rudolph is exiled from the North Pole because of his red nose. He joins Hermey, an elf who wants to be a dentist and Cornelious who's looking for silver and gold. However, tragedy befalls the earth in the form of a snow-storm. Could Rudolph perhaps save the day?

I love this special more and more each year. Laughs come a plenty (Love the oddity of Hermey's job choice. Dentist? Wow.) The animation sparkles as well and you just wish they could produce more clay than just 2 every 3 years. With music that's also fun to listen too, I really feel like this is the epidemy of X-mas specials and one that set the standard for more Christmas shows to come.



Frosty The Snowman: Using a magicians hat, children bring a snowman by the name of Frosty to life. On his trip to the North Pole, Frosty encounters an evil magician and learns about love and Christmas.

Frosty never gets old thanks to his optimism and undying joy. It's probably one of the few non-clay Christmas shows, so it really stands out in vivid memory. Unlike many villains today (like in G-Force or Fast & Furious) the villain's motive is clear and understandable. A true classic.

Cricket On The Hearth: An old toymaker and his daughter are visited by an old cricket who brings them peace and happiness. Based on Charles Dickens tale.

Just barely the weakest of the bunch (the second weakest is below), it's still fair. However, when you watch it right after Rudolph and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, you really get the feeling this is a slipshod job on the creators part. A forgettable outing.

Frosty Returns: Frosty comes back (With the voice of John Goodman)! However, this time he is in Beanboro and meets a new friend by the name of Holly. Together, they must save snow from Summer Wheeze, a new gas created by Mr. Twitchell (Brian Doyle Murray)



Here's the second weakest one. I wish they'd make a real sequel to Frosty (they sort of did though with the infinitly superior classic Frosty's Winter Wonderland). This dosen't have a lot of fun in it and has a very cartoonish Tex Avery quality to it. It doesn't work well and overall hurts the program very much.

Santa Clause Is Coming To Town
: Ever wonder how Santa came to be? Wonder no more!! This special covers the who, what and how of Santa in this classic.

Here's another masterpiece, including the famous song Pot One Foot In Front of The Other. It's certainly a wonderful show that makes a lasting impression. A superb special.

The Little Drummer Boy
: A shepard from the East follows a star that leads him to the greatest event in makind history: the birth of Jesus.

This is an ok one. It isn't the worst on the set but it is the middle road certainly. There's not much to be happy about in this one and that's something that is needed in Christmas specials. A decent outing.

Mr. Maggo's Christmas Carol: Mr. Magoo portrays Scrooge in a play in this special retelling of Charle Dickens immortal story.

The first ever animated special has arrived and it's one of the best on the disk. Mr. Magoo certainly does a fine job here and this show has a ton of heart to it. By the end, you understand Scrooge's transformation and feel for him. Yet laughs still come in nice doses. This one is a sure-fire keeper.



A nice showing of specials. However, I wish they had traded Cricket and Frosty Returns for The Year Without A Santa Clause and Frosty's Winter Wonderland. Still, this is a nice showing and a nice buy if you have the cash.

Rating: 8.4 out of 10 or B+

SYS

Beverly Wheels Cops



As a Cars collector, we have many jewels while gathering our cars. One is a race car that has the Apple logo on it. The other is a police car named Richard Clayton Kensington.

Above is him in the box. Here he is outside (apologies to Takefiveaday for both images):



He looks great. We'll have two more police cars next year: Marco Axlebender and Marion "Clutches" McKay. How a car has clutches I'll never know.

SYS

The Y Bomb: Land of The Lost



In this weekly column, we'll look at movies that bombed and why they were a flop

I just reviewed Land of The Lost and felt it was a really funny film. So why did it bomb?

I remember when the film came out. There was a ton of marketing for it. Yet, it seemed to look either too child-friendly or too mature. It's hard to take a film seriously when you first see it's trailer on Disney's Earth and then on Drag Me To Hell. You just don't think the film is worth your time.

Also, Land of The Lost fell into the same problem Bruno and Funny People had: it's unrelatable. Earlier this year we had I Love You, Man. Everyone relates to needing a pal and feeling dated. Who relates to going through time warps? The everyday situation is becoming the norm for comedies. That's probably why Mike Myers flopped with The Love Guru last year.

There may be a market for out-of-this-world comedies, but it's getting smaller by the year. In my opinion, that's why Land of The Lost bombed. Marketing and poor demographic.

SYS

Blu-Ray Review: A Charlie Brown Christmas



There are many great ways to spend 32 minutes this holiday season. One way is to bake cookies. Another is to trim the tree. The best, however, is to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, by far the best 30 minutes ever on television.

Charlie Brown has to help put together a school play in this one. Lucy tells him a tree is just what the new play needs, so Charlie Brown runs off to get one. However, he gets the scrawniest tree of the whole bunch. Dispite all the kids laughter at Charlie, Linus makes sure Charlie Brown knows the true meaning of Christmas.

This special is one that can never get old. I don't know why, it seems to be a fact of life. You just can't tire of the film. Each year, laughs come steady and the lines come flowing through your mouth as though you've heard them for the first time.

These days, stores tend to not even say Christmas in their store sales, yet here we have Linus himself stating a large expert from the Bible. It dosen't feel too mucky though. In fact, it feels like part of why you love the show. I can think of no other show that would dare to push boundaries like so.



Christmas comes once a year, bu don't just watch Charlie Brown Christmas once. Watch it over and over again. Perfection.

Rating: A+ 10 out of 10

SYS

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Editorial: Female Films




For some strange reason, people are always shocked when women go out to the films. Me? I always think, why wonder? Women like good food, books and movies. In fact, they like films better than men. After all, films are a good chance for girls to get together. Here are a list of films that have come out recently that have SHOCKED critics due to their success.

*The Blind Side
*Sex and The City
*The Proposal
*The Ugly Truth
*The Devil Wears Prada
*Mamma Mia!

The tradition is likely to continue with Sex and The City 2 and It's Complicated. So why is it so surprising when you have this list of female films?

My theory, is that while it is a big list, the list for films that are powered by men dwarfs it. When you compare the two, it looks like males are the only ones that see movies, whereas women actually make up a good chunk of the audience of the movie market.

It just makes you wonder why executives just keep using the same old "WOW!! A female film was hit! That's new!" excuse over and over. Really makes you wonder.

SYS

DVD Review: Land of The Lost



Land of The Lost was reviled and loathed upon its release this past June. Now, call me crazy, but this film had me laughing riotously throughout. Maybe I have a low IQ, but I liked this film a lot.

This film is about Rick Marshall, a scientist who believes in time warps. He soon tests out a device that travels through time warps with Dr. Holly and tour guide Will. However, the land they discover is full of dinosaurs and lizard like Sleestacks. There soon is trouble ahead and they have to get home before it's too late...

A fun thing in this film are the dinosaurs. I liked Grumpy, a T-Rex that chases after Rick throughout the movie. Although with all the language in the film his name seems too childish, he still is fun to have around since he's very vicious and scary.
Will Ferrel is fun as Rick, as is Danny McBride as Will and Jorma Tacome as the monkey/person Chaka.

The film is a comedy up front, though, and it shows. There's many a good laughs, including a hilarious one at Matt Lauer's expense, including Rick's title of the book he publishes on Time Warps. Another good one is Chaka has a great singing voice. I kid you not!

There are a few missteps, like a motel sequence that goes on WAAAAAAAAAAY too long. However, overall the film is a delight that shouldn't be missed, especially if you liked Will Ferrel's other films like Blades of Glory or Anchorman.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10 or B+

SYS

What's a 7 letter word(s) for worst reviewed film of the year? O-L-D D-O-G-S



Old Dogs has the not so cool honor of being the worst reviewed film of the year. 6% of the critics liked it. If you ask me, this film will either just be stupid funny (like Land of The Lost) or just plain stupid (like Daddy Day Camp).

I shall see soon enough. I'll be seeing the movie over the weekend.

SYS

Jeremy Renner is Hawkeye?? Maybe...



Jeremy Renner may cameo in Thor as Hawkeye. He also mentions a possibility of being in The Avengers. Who is Jeremy Renner? This guy below.



He might do well. I like him. If you don't know who he is, he was in The Hurt Locker. The Marvel superhero film universe continues to expand.

SYS

Reviews To Come 2.0

I would never have thought I'd update this page so early!! Well, now we have 20 reviews, so keep on reading. I'm very excited to see what's next!!

*Up (Blu-Ray)
*Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen
*New Moon
*This Is It
*A Christmas Carol
*Star Trek (Blu-Ray)
*Gone With The Wind (Blu-Ray)
*Harry Potter 6
*Merry Madagascar
*Cars
*The Blind Side
*Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
*2012

*Planet 51
*Forest Gump: Saphire Collection Edition
*G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra
*The Wizard of Oz
*A Charlie Brown Christmas
*Fantastic Mr. Fox
*X-Men Origins: Wolverine
*Land of the Lost
*Old Dogs
*A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
*Classic Holiday Collection
*Miracle on 34th Street
*Jack Frost
*Night at the Museum 2
*I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown
*Snow Buddies
*Elf
*How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Deluxe Edition
*Coraline Collector's Set

*Galaxy Quest

**The Year Without A Santa Clause
*Shrek The Halls
*Prep and Landing
*Mickey's Christmas Carol
*Muppets: Letters To Santa
*A Muppets Christmas Carol
*The Polar Express 3D

Notice all the Christmas reviews coming. These are to celebrate the festivities.

SYS (See You Soon)

Blu-Ray Review: The Wizard of Oz



The perfection that is The Wizard of Oz comes from the year 1939. That year was full of classic films like Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Gone With The Wind and this one...The Wizard of Oz. The whole film sparkles with wonder and beauty.

This film is about Dorothy, who helps on her parents' farm. She has many troubles and wonders what to do with her life. Soon, a tornado sweeps her up away from her troubles into the Land of Oz. There, she'll discover herself and evil beyond comprehension.

You really couldn't even find a better film anywhere. Every single musical number, set and actor seem to be having the time of their lives in such a picture as this. The song Over The Rainbow is one that I can belt out anytime perfectly. Hey, little bluebirds can do it, why can't I?!?!

The acting here also has some good stuff going for it. Ray Bolger is stunning as the Scarecrow, as is Judy Garland as Dorothy. The Witch may be the greatest villain ever put on the screen. If you think Hannibal Lector is frightning, wait till you see The Witch of The West!!



You'd have to go over the rainbow for a better film. This is surely a testament to the greatness in Hollywood. One of the greatest ever crafted.

Rating: 10.1 out of 10 or A+

SYS

Happy Thanksgiving!



As Adam Sandler said: Thanksgving..Such a special night!! Eat Turkey and watch the parade folks!! Happy Turkey!! Gobbble gobble gobble!!

SYS

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Film Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox



Wes Anderson isn't exactly Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson or even Mike Judge. He has a following, but it isn't as big as Judge's. And he hasn't made any large films in the recent years that garnered $300 million dollars at the box office. He has made The Life Aquatic with Bill Murray, but it didn't make much cash or Oscars overall. Wes seems to have a fondness for animation if we're to go by some of the sequences in The Life Aquatic that were animated. His friend Henry Sellick directed those (and Coraline and the Nightmare Before Christmas), but here he comes forward as some kind of mad scientist in his lab. The result? A brilliant fare and one much better than expected.

In this film, Mr. Fox is having a mid-life crisis. He really wants to live it up soon. So he moves into a condo (or a tree) and decides to go pilfering, much to his wife's dismay. She figures he has enough troubles at home, like their only son who needs attention. However, when 3 angry farmers try to destroy the forest in search of Mr. Fox, all the critters realize Mr. Fox may be their only hope in surviving the onccoming war.

Now, admit it, that's not some ordinary film. This has to be one of the most mature films ever created, even surpassing Up, I freely admit. That is a plus. Also, the cast gigantic with the likes of George Clooney, Merryl Streep, William Dafoe and Jason Shwartzman in there. They all sound like their having fun and I think filming their voices outside in barns and underground helped get some authenticy in their voice work.



The biggest hurdles is the animation, but you get used to it after a while, tough goodness knows why they couldn't have spent a few bucks more and gotten better stuff.

The whole film feels like you are really in this forest because they all have nice qualities to their voices that makes you know them better. Since the actors are very talented, you get a sense of charisma, power or envy in their voices that makes them feel like realy people, something only Aardman and PIXAR seem to have cornered on the animation market before.

There are a few nitpicks though. For insatance, a few plot holes pop up now and then and it's very anooying that characters can't cuss. They just say cuss like "What the cuss?" You feel like Wes Anderson wants to make this a little more racy, yet the studio told him to stay put where he was.



This is, however, something that makes me realize the lgeacy that Wes Anderson has on cinema. He really makes great films that have real situations and now he's even transversed genre's to get into animation. He's broken barriers that we may not have even known were there.

Fantastic Mr. FOx is one of the year's best and really shows what animation has done this year. I take my hat off to Wes Anderson and Co. for coming thiiiiiiiiiss close to topping PIXAR in quality. Highly reccomended.

Rating: 9.2 out of 10 or A

SYS

I...Am...Iron Man...2!!



This is the Iron Man 2 image I was telling you about earlier. It looks awesome and I hope the movie is equally cool. It may be in 3D, which just dazzles my senses.

Hopefully next time will be great, baby.

SYS

Psssst...We Hit 50 posts!!!



ALRIGHT!!! WE JUST HIT 50 POSTS!!!! This is very exciting and I bet we're the fastest to that record. We hit 50 posts in 8 days. I'm very happy. But we're not slowing down at all! In fact, Friday we'll have a new column called The Y Bomb. Come back Friday for full details.

Of course, read our 18 reviews for comprehensive coverage on the latest DVD's, Blu-Ray's, films and TV. Thanks y'all.

SYS

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

SYS

DVD Review: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving



Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a visit from Charlie and the gang. This time Charlie Brown has to cook up a wonderful meal for all of his friends. With SNoopy and Linus by his side, he has a feeling he just might make it.

I love the Peanuts gang (in fact, look for my review of A Charlie Brown Christmas and I Want A Dog For Christmas, Charlie Brown in a few weeks.) I love each special, but this and the Christmas oone are among my favorites. There are plenty of laughs to be had, my favorite being Snoopy cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

No Thanksgiving is complete without the Peanuts gang there. This is one of the finest half-hours ever on television.

Rating: A or 9.5 out of 10

SYS

A Thanksgiving Joke



I swear, this just makes me bust a gut every time I read this. Love it.

Happy Near Thanksgiving folks!

SYS

Preping Up For Prep and Landing



Disney will premiere their very first Christmas special ever Tuesday on ABC! It's called Prep and Landing. It's about the elves that help Santa get ready for the year and make sure the big guy arrives perfectly. The short sounds extremely cute and I am very excited to see what will happen with it. The great Dave Foley stars, so we know laughs are bound to happen.

Plus, when I was at the mall yesterday, I saw at the Disney Store some Prep and Landing dolls modled after some of the elf characters. These look wonderful. Plus, Disney is having a sale on them, so I'd recommend getting them for some X-Mas decorations!



I am very excited for the special. It airs Tuesday at 8:30/7:30 central and after Charlie Brown Christmas. Can't wait for it.

SYS

Ryan Reynolds is Excited About Going Green



Ryan Reynolds (above) is super-excited for The Green Lantern. In that he'll star as Hal Jordans or the Green Lantern in other words!! He'll also be starring in the Deadpool spin-off as the title character. He says he's seen the Green Lantern costume and it was defining moment of 2009.

Personally, he's a great actor that I really feels has vast potential. He was great in Wolverine and I think he'll be exceptional as The Green Lantern. I'm very excited.

The Green Lantern comes out on June 17, 2011 and Deadpool will be out in 2012/2013. Superhero films just keep getting better. In fact, look for a post about the imprevious Iron Man later today!!

SYS