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Reviews
The Witches (1990)
Kid Movie, but Still Entertaining
I found this movie to be a kid's Halloween movie if anything.
Still, this being the first time I've watched it, I found it very entertaining. It was very engaging. Once the witch paid Lucas a surprise visit and offered to give him a snake (why?)because little boys liked snakes, you knew Lucas was going to be in bigger trouble. That was when I was hooked. It was funny to see Mr. Bean handle a knife in such a murderous fashion, and the surprise ending seemed to brighten the dark story up.
I also liked the theme of Lucas's Grandma warning him about witches, Lucas taking care of his Grandma diabetes problems, and his Grandma accepting him for being a mouse.
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Tear Jerker
I'm very surprised I just recently seen this movie, considering it was part of the whole fantasy craze that went on when I was in high school. Somehow I managed to miss out on this one.
I thought this movie was very sad. I almost cried when the little boy realized the girl had died. Not only was she his best friend, but she was better than all the other girls at his school: she was pretty, adventurous, and kind hearted, and stood out. In the end, her death taught the little boy to be responsible and be kind and include others. Even his little sister.
What I really liked about this movie was the scenery. It looked like where I grew up in southern Australia (eventhough technically Bridge to Terabitha was filmed in New Zealand). It also reminded me of how my friends and I used to play in the vacant lot.
This movie was more of a tear jerker than a fantasy flick, but it still kindled some warm emotions in me, so it is a good tear jerker.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
Good Fantasy for Grown Ups
The Last Unicorn is a great fantasy for grown ups, and should appeal especially to the Lord of the Ring and anime fans. It is a good midieval epic with very beautiful animation.
Ironically though, there is not really anything that especially clever about the Last Unicorn. But it is like the old Christmas movies Rankin-Bass did: it is very charming. Alan Arkin and Tammy Grimes are very talented in portraying their characters, and both characters are very lovable.
I do not think this is a good movie for children. There are too many scary scenes. My 14-year old sister claims this movie still scares her. For older children and adults who like a epic though, this is definitely a good movie.
The Neverending Story (1984)
Cheasy, but creative!
This movie came out in 1984, and the effects are so typical of this time. Super cheesy! BUT, there is a lot of creativity put into this movie. In fact, it is the most creative movie I have ever seen. Most fantasy movies use only Westernized themes and characters, like goblins and knights and fairies and what not. The NeverEnding Story uses a huge variety of creative characters; a rock biter,a racing snail, Atreyu the Indian brave,the Empress, etc. It also takes ideas from Eastern cultures, like Valcor the dragon is friendly and represents good luck. The visualizations used are very creative and original.
I also like the message behind both Never Ending Story movies: Instead of nothing there should be beauty, instead of emptiness there should be love.
The Neverending Story is a must for adolescents and fantasy fans.
The Neverending Story II: The Next Chapter (1990)
Cheesy, but Very Creative!
This movie came out in the early 90s, and, just like the first Never Ending Story, and is still super cheesy! There was an improvement with with some of the costumes, especially Nimbly. He seemed less stiff and more believable as a real character.
Like the first Never Ending Story, this movie was extremely creative. The rock biter, Atreyu the Indian Brave, and Falkor the Luck Dragon go beyond Westernized themes into something more creative and more unique. The costumes were very unique too, and it was fun to imagine with again. Even though I was too little to remember when this came out, I'm very sure kids were excited to see the characters again in a new movie when it came out.
This sequel was more menacing than the first. Especially the prevalent theme of Bastian loosing his memories, even forgetting his dead mother. Still, if you read the book (like I had to in high school) this happens in the book, so this is very true to the original story. Because of this theme, I do not think this movie is appropriate for little children.
I liked the message behind both Never Ending Story movies. Instead of nothing there should be beauty, instead of emptiness there should be love.
This movie is a must for adolescents and fantasy fans.
The Ides of March (2011)
Excellent!
Some might not enjoy this movie because they do not understand what and how campaigning works. I, on the other, have done campaigning, so I was intrigued.
Steve's character was portrayed very good. He is slick, enterprising, a real con, but was pretty much just in it cause his friend Paul was. This all changes after his co-workers back stab him and Molly dies. Ryan Gosling portrayal of this character and change of character is excellent. So was George Clooney's portrayal of snake-like Morris.
I also really enjoyed the production as well. Many parts were very slick and smooth, almost like an old movie. The scene when Molly gets an abortion was presented very intimately sad, just the piano music made me want to cry.
This is one of the most well done movies I have ever seen! The acting, the wit, the storytelling, the message, was excellent.
Courageous (2011)
Boring...
My Grandparents are extremely churchly, and love this movie....and made us watch it. After 15 minutes of it,I found it extremely boring. I just started pacing around waiting for it to be over; used the bathroom, made 2 cups of coffee, went in the back bedroom and used their old exercise bike...only to have my Grandpa get after me every time.
I will give credit to the beginning scene where the cop goes after the gangster while he's stealing his car. Its very exciting, and drew me in. But the action just died. Its like after that scene, it was more about how the cops went to church and read scripture. It was like the more personal parts in action movies and crime shows...except that was all it was. And the next scene where the cops were chasing the bad guys was weak. I am a good friend of a cop, and I know they carry more than just a taser gun. If this movie had more action, it would be so much more enjoyable.
Like some might see this and it is a very touchy warm hearted story and what not, but I just couldn't sit through it.
Animal Farm (1999)
Good message...but Weird
This movie does have a good message, but I found extremely weird. There is good representations in this movie about society and how a society becomes elitist and tyrannical. I also liked how it showed political stuff people talk about today; like the pigs using the TV to distract the other animals like people talk about how politicians use the media to control who gets the vote. It also had a healthy dose of satire, and a little bit of slapstick to lighten some of the dramatic moments.
On the personal level though....Bolshevik farm animals? Gestapo dogs? Dictator pig? How bizarre! It found it very weird to just see such on screen like its one of those kiddy talking animal movies. So I finish watching this movie and all I can think is "that was a weird movie!" Back to the message, more should watch this, definitely.