I was able to participate in the Genre Grandeur blogging series. The topic was ‘favorite movie based on a graphic novel’ and my answer is April and the Extraordinary World. Would love your thoughts and follow Rob’s blog. It’s amazing.
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R Ratings and Seeking After the Good Films
Some thoughts on my standards and how I decide to see R rated movies
Monster Trucks Review
We live in the era of nostalgic films and most of the time that means lazy retreads of what we know and love. Movies like Jurassic World or Kong Skull Island provide momentary pleasure but none of the lasting enrichment of the films they are attempting to imitate. They leave me feeling empty and the victim of corporate movie-making.
These misfires are why it is frustrating when people really try to do nostalgia right and it still doesn’t quite work. This is the case with the recent box office bomb Monster Trucks. It starts out as a real charmer but then devolves into a tedious exercise that belongs on CW more than a feature film.
The film revolves around a high schooler named Tripp Coley played by Lucas Till. Tripp is the typical angsty teen of these types of movies who works at the local junkyard. One day he meets a octopus like animal he names Creech. He also has a girl who is in love with him played by Jane Levy. All of this actually works in the first act as a nostalgic throwback to movies like The Goonies and even ET. Neither of the leads look like they are in high school and the villains are one note but it was winning me over.
Then the monster gets in the trucks and it all goes downhill from there…
I guess if you like car chases then you might like the last 2 acts of this movie but I grew very bored. Most of it is scene after scene of Tripp and Creech being chased by bad guys and causing all kinds of destruction along the way. There are so many scenes where cars are crashed into and piled upon. In one scene an entire car dealership is plowed through with the entire lot being destroyed.
Another long sequence involves a wall of fire and a giant platform car taking out car after car. There are people in some of these cars but it is all taken at a very slapstick silly level.
It really is a shame because Chris Wedge had some charming ideas here and the special effects on Creech are impressive. You can feel the love that went into making Monster Trucks but I can’t deny I was bored with those car chases and very tempted to fast forward the video.
Danny Glover plays a man in wheelchair who is kind of a mentor of Tripp but he seems wasted. As is Amy Ryan as Tripp’s mother. Also it kind of annoyed me that Jane Levy exists only to fawn over Tripp despite his complete lack of interest in her. She is presented as this strong, smart girl and yet is a complete ninny when it comes to Tripp. Groan (one part of nostalgic films I could do without!).
A part of me wants to tell people to see this movie just to support people that were really trying to make something special but unfortunately I just can’t. Too much racing and chasing for my tastes!
Overall Grade- C-
Best Movie Moments of 2016
Hey guys! I’m still working on seeing a few more movies before I unveil my top 15 movies of 2016. In the meantime I made this video of my top 15 movie moments of 2016. Some of my top 15 won’t make this list because they are more great all around but not for a particular moment. Other movies that I liked but didn’t love or were even disappointed in still had a memorable moment that made the list.
Here is the countdown!
15. Family Montage- Storks-
This ending montage of families of all types getting babies ended the film on just the right note. On my blog review some readers mentioned how much being included, even for just a moment in an animated film meant to them. I also love the Lumineers song to accompany it.
14 Ending- Jungle Book-
I enjoyed this more realistic take on Jungle Book and probably my favorite part is the ending. I like it because I hate the ending of the original animated classic. I don’t like the girl singing about being an indentured servant her whole life and then hypnotizing Mowgli with her beauty to leave his friends. In this new version we have an empowered Mowgli who figures out a way to defeat Shere Khan by himself. That was awesome!
13. La La Land Opening-
The hyperbole on this film has started to grate on me but it is an entertaining movie. The beginning steals the show for me with its energy and innovative ideas. If only traffic was always this fun.
12. Dory finds her Parents Again- Finding Dory-
We’ve been following Dory through 2 films and to see her reunite with her parents was truly touching. The film’s message on disabilities is wonderful highlighted by Dory’s parents reassuring her how proud they were of her.
11. Finding Internet Success- Presenting Princes Shaw
I loved this documentary about a small time youtuber who gets found by a musician who uses one of her songs for his compilations. The two meet and it was heartwarming and lovely. This scene is when she first hears her song on youtube. It’s powerful stuff!
10. The Flood- Queen of Katwe
I don’t really have a great picture or video for this one but Queen of Katwe moved me emotionally and I wish more people had been to see it. One moment I was particularly struck by was when a flood comes and destroys everything. It is devastating and intense.
9. Captain America: Civil War
I love the way Marvel combines action with witty banter, and the airport scene in Civil War is one of the best examples of this. It was so freakin entertaining!
8. Agnostic Eulogy- Things to Come
This wonderful movie starring Isabelle Huppert features the only speech on agnosticism to ever make me tear up. The film is about the world of Huppert’s character falling apart and so this eulogy was so heartfelt for the character.
7. Darth Vader Throw-down- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
I was disappointed in Rogue One for the most part but I did enjoy this awesome thrown down with Vader showing his strength more than we have seen before. It was awesome
6. Standing on the Ground- Fences
Viola Davis could give acting class based on this movie. It is such a compelling performance and made me feel angry right along with her.
5. Brown Shoes- Sing Street
After being picked on by the principal for wearing brown shoes the concert at the end of Sing Street is so engaging. I was cheering and had a smile on my face for days. It also doesn’t hurt that the songs are super good.
4. Acid Scene- 10 Cloverfield Lane
I’ve seen this movie a number of times and my jaw still is on the floor when this scene happens. It is intense and scary and a particular moment completely shocked me.
3. Frozen Chicken Scene- Manchester By the Sea-
There are a number of moments I could have picked from this film but the breakdown the teenager character had I could highly relate too. He is troubled by his father not being able to be buried and seeing the chicken reminds him of that. It was very powerful.
2. How Far I’ll Go- Moana
Everything about this scene is Disney magic. I love the voice actor and the songs and builds momentum very well. I was cheering for Moana!
1 One More- Hacksaw Ridge
Seeing our lead character go back into horrific battle time and again to rescue his fellow soldiers was incredible to watch. The violence makes his action all the more inspiring and significant to our posterity.
Just thinking of these moments makes me happy! Have you seen any of these films and if so what did you think of my picks?
Fences: Stage vs Screen
Over on my personal blog I compare a local stage production of Fences with the recent movie.
Merry Christmas!
Just wanted to share with all of you my 2016 Christmas card and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy time whatever you celebrate. Thanks for following the blog this year and I hope to continue to grow and become better in 2017
Top 10 Disney Villain Sidekicks collab with Lawn Gnome
Just thought I’d share this with you guys. I did a collab with some of my youtube friends of my favorite Disney villain sidekicks. Watch the video to find out reasons for my picks
10. Helga from Atlantis: The Lost Empire
9. Diablo from Sleeping Beauty
8. Joanna from Rescuers Down Under
7. Mirage from Incredibles
6. Pain and Panic from Hercules
5. Lafoux from Beauty and the Beast
4. Hiss from Robin Hood
3. Horace and Jasper from 101 Dalmatians
2. Mr Smee from Peter Pan
1. Kronk from Emperor’s New Groove
Watch “Family Movie Night: Little Prince” on YouTube
I rewatched the Little Prince since it is being released on Netflix this week. I chose it as my Family Movie Night pick even though I admire it more than I like it. I still think it is worth seeing.
In my original review on my blog I said that I never felt emotionally engaged with the beginning hour of the Pilot telling stories. They didnt grasp me and I got kind of bored despite them being very pretty to look at.
Then the story moves to an astroid where the little girl faces off with these businesses that are trying to erase childhood. I see why many dont like this but for me it worked. I’ve always had a soft spot or interest in movies about work. So to see this little girl be confronted with this dystopian version of adult work was great and it makes her realize what her mother is doing to her. Just like the businessmen she’s stealing her childhood. I liked that.
However, I know I’m an outlier on this one. Most people seem to like the movie more than I do and like the first part best. What can I say? Sometimes that happens. It’s a good film in many ways so I can see why they love it but it’s not a favorite of mine.
Still, like I said, worth a watch if you have Netflix.
Overall Grade C+
Please check out my youtube review and like/subscribe. I’m doing lots of fun content there including a weekly series on Thursdays where I am ranking the 67 animated films ive seen from 2013 to 2016. Would love your support
Friday 5: Favorite Live Action Disney Songs
Hola from Spain! I hope you guys are having a nice summer and have been enjoying the art book reviews. Make sure to follow my other blog http://smilingldsgirl.com for updates on the trip. I am having a blast!
I just thought I would share with you guys this weeks Friday 5. The topic is favorite live action Disney songs. I ended up going with 6 and I love all of them. Check it out and what are your favorite live action Disney songs?