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Reviews
An American Tail (1986)
I loved this movie as a kid.
This was one of my favorite movies as a kid. It is about immigration and a family of mice who have unrealistic dreams about America. When they get to America, their experiences aren't what they had dreamed about.
During their immigration they lose their son, Fievel, who throughout the film tries to find his way back to his family.
Underlying themes include: accepting cultural differences, coping with reality and the unfairness of the world, and the value of family and friends.
I always loved this movie, the characters, and the songs as a kid, but I did not fully understand the underlying themes intill I watched it again in high school for a history class.
There was a sequel made to this movie called: An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, which I didn't find as deep and/or historically important?? as the first. I did own the second movie as a kid and enjoyed watching it (but not as much as the first).
Recommended movie for ages 6-adult or those studying historical perspectives.
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
A memorable film with a wrong rating
I remember watching this film as a child and having night mares about it. Even though it is a cartoon and rated g, the subject matter is intense and often scary.
I feel this film should have been rated PG instead of G.
The movie is about mice and rats, but it is nothing like The Rescuers or Mickey Mouse.
The book that this film is based on is a very good read and I think some schools may have it as part of the curriculum for about 6th grade? That may be a good age for the intense concepts of this movie to be introduced.
Otherwise a recommended Drama.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Not too much action, not too much love, just right.
I went to the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl the second week it opened. The theater was packed, which I found unusual since the last movie we had gone to, The Matrix: Reloaded, was completely empty except us. (I figured out why by the end of each)
I had little interest in watching this movie going into the theater. I figured it would be all action or boring plot.
I'd have to say this movie was just the right mixture of action, comedy, love, and fantasy, to make viewing a very pleasurable activity for all ages. Johnny Depp is great as a pirate, and the character is deep enough to make me wish both leading men "got the girl" at the end of the movie. Too bad there's only one leading woman.
The authenticity of the dialogue, look, and feel of this movie is about 5/6 believable, but that's close enough. The special effects are pretty cool and they aren't overpowering the whole movie which is good. I thought the casting was very well done also.
The slight twist at the climax of the movie was almost unexpected.
I just don't feel the father would have reacted that way at the very end. Not in those days he wouldn't have... public hangings were a family event... But it does give the movie a somewhat happy ending.
I went in thinking I would review this movie about a 2 out of 10, but once I started opening my mind to it, I came out rating this movie 7.5 out of 10.
At least one good movie was made this year!
Jackass: The Movie (2002)
Parents of minors and weak stomachs beware!
Definitely not a film for kids! These guys do some just plain stupid things, and putting those images into kids' minds may get some undesirable results. Guess that's up to the parents anyways...
This movie has its funny parts. I was never a big fan of the Jackass TV show but some of the stunts in the film did make me laugh. The alligator in the house was a funny one and I got a kick out of the meter fairy. The part where they were dressed-up like old men and people are trying to help them was so hilarious I hurt myself laughing.
Jackass: The Movie also has some very, very uncomfortable scenes. I can't help but feel sorry for Steve-O at times, but I figure if he is stupid enough to do this stuff he deserves it. Also the stunts are sometimes homosexual or masochistic in nature which makes it almost hard to watch. I couldn't watch when they were giving each other paper cuts. That is just plain sick and goes over the line into a baffled "why?"... But there are enough funny parts to make the embarrassing stunts worth cringing through.
Overall I would say that this movie is worth watching if you have nothing else to do. It is funny to see them messing with the public like that, as long as you can take some really nasty parts too.
Oh yeah and they actually make their camera crew vomit a few times in this movie...