Pitch Problem: Review for "Alvin and the Chipmunks"

In Alvin and the Chipmunks, Jason Lee (TV's My Name Is Earl) stars as Dave Seville, a down on his luck singer-songwriter trying to make it big in the music biz. The head of the company, Ian Hawke (David Cross), is a particularly cruel and manipulative guy. A guy who would personify evil (evil as in "Greed is the root of all evil"). He barely gives Dave a chance. That night he hears a few voices of chipmunks talking. They just happen to be some of the most iconic animals in history. Alvin is the rebel, while Simon is the wise one, and little Theodore is the chubby one who indulges in food a little too much. It turns out they have great voices, which makes Dave realise that these animals could sing his songs. When he brings them to Ian, they get stagefright and Dave is ridculed. These little scenes of over dramatic smypathyis what causes me to dislike the film. Ian becomes a manipulative, egotistical agent, whle Dave whines. Though it may be fun for kids, there may be one too many sqeaks for adults.
Grade: C

Return of the "King"?

Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings films, is returning to the next Rings film, only, not as director. The next film, The Hobbit, is the prequel to The Lord of the Rings and was the first of the series that J. R. R. Tolkein. The book will be split into two films, which will be executive produced by Jackson. The films will be directed by Guilmermo del Torro, who has directed by Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy. The film is slated for release in 2011.

The Music Man: Capsule Review for "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" DVD

Walk Hard is a biopic of fictional rock legend, Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly). It takes you through his life, from women and drugs to his early childhood trauma to more drugs. The film plays like your average spoof, though there are nice variations on other biopics, from Walk the Line to I'm Not There. But a lot of the jokes tend to fall flat. Cox goes through many, many women, and takes many, many drugs. However, the best part of the film is when Cox talks witn the Beatles. Jenna Fischer, from TV's The Office, plays Cox's second wife, Darlene Madison, and she does it quite well. Her one and only song, "Let's Duet", was actually performed by another person, Angela Correa. The film was produced by Judd Apatow. However, there are cool cameos by Jewel, Jackson Browne, Lyle Lovet, and the Temptations. The special features include featurettes on the music and the making of the film, a stupid commercial for sausages, full song performances, and song demos.

Film: C+

Special Features: C-

Overall: C

An Inconvinient Truth: Review for "Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who"

Horton Hears a Who, the newest animated Seuss adaptation, stars Horton, a lovable, somewhat affable elephant, voiced by Jim Carry. He thinks he hears a tiny voice, but no one believes him. He protects this little spec, where he heard the voice, on a clover. It turns out that all of Whoville lives on this piece of dust, though not even the Whos realise this. The Mayor, voiced by Steve Carell, is a "boob", according to his council collegues. He has ninety-six daughters and one son, who dresses in dark gray, and channels today's depressed misfit teens. The Mayor, who is part of a long line of "greats", keeps trying to force his son, Jojo, into being the future mayor. But the Mayor realises that his village has very odd happenings every so often. He then realises, with the help of Horton, that if somone doesn't get the spec to somewhere safe, the Whos will be in great danger. Among the villains trying to stop the rescue of the spec is Kangaroo, who is brilliantly played by Carol Burnett. She is the "President of the Jungle of Nool". Her actions make her seem like the annoying woman in suburbia who yells at you for having 2 1/4 inches grass blades, when they are supposed to be 2 inches. The end of the film seems a little sluggish, though enjoyable. The speech that both Kangaroo and Horton make seem like versions of a global warming speech. The narrator supplies the verses from the story, which is marginally acurate. I really enjoyed each line and rhyme, I reccomend this film if you want a good time!
Grade: A-

Cutthroat Competition: Review for "Sweeney Todd" 2-Disc DVD

Sweeney sure does "polish 'em off" inn this new 2-Disc Collector's Edition DVD. The movie is of the utmost imaginative. Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) is a sweet, meaningul barber in love with his wife, Lucy (Laura Michelle Kelley). However, a corrupt judge (Alan Rickman) covets Barker's wife and sends the young barber to jail on flase charges. He comes back, vengeful, only to find that his wife killed herself and his daughter, Johanna, is the ward of Judge Turpin. The film is dark, but funny in some parts. The black comedy that was in the stage musical is still there. Tim Burtin goes a little haywire with the blood, but it shouldn't be a problem for most. This tale is not supposed to be real. It's not supposed to take place in a real London. The London that Todd slashes in is surreal. Not to mention the slashes. It's not the gruesome and graphic slash you might find in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but it is done in a balletic motion, very much choreographed to the song "Johanna". It's not the way Freddy Krueger might do it, but any way you slice it, it's entertaining. During these killings, he is lamenting the death of his wife and the loss of his daughter. It's a great film. The special features include an interesting documentary on the callaboration of Helena Bonham Carter, Johnnyy Depp, and Tim Burtin. My favorite featurette is Sweeney is Alive: The Real Demon Barber, which chronicles the original tale of the barber, from his first appearance in The String of Pearls to his latest venture on the big screen. Other features include a Making Blood featurette, costume design, and more.
Film: A-
Extras: B+
Overall: A-

It's Just Buzz: Review for "Bee Movie"

I'm very sorry to say this, all you Seinfeld fans, but Jerry Seinfelds voice is boring. And it is this which caused me to dislike the filme Bee Movie. Okay, fine, I didn't dislike it, I just thought it could be btter. Barry Benson (Seinfeld) is a happy bee getting to get a job in his enourmous hive. He is shocked to find out that when you take a job, you keep it for the rest of your lie, with no days off. He decides o go out into the world to find new things. He then meets Renee Zellweger's waxy looking character, Venessa, a happy-go-lucky florist and defender of all God's creatures. Barry becomes smitten with her and they embark on tthe most awkward "relationship" ever. When he sees that Ray Liotta has his own honey company, Barry sues the "human race" for stealing their honey. What follows are several puns and guest witnesses (including Sting, being interrrogated by a bee on the use of his stage name). It is an odd premise for a film which seems too self concious, as if it's trying to make as many corny puns as possible while maintaining a script. The hypocritical part, in which Barry wins the case and the bees do nothing, thus making the flowers in the world wilt and die, is rather stupid. It seems the whole film was wasted on the case against the humans, while only in the last few minutes, Barry realises his folly. The film is cute enough, but the constant use of "b" and "bee" is irksome to the max.

Grade: (you guessed it) B

Coen to the Midwest: Review for "Fargo"

The film Fargo is supposedly based on a true story. The events that are featured in the film took place in 1987. But those who have seen the Coen's work of art and believe this were fooled! Joel and Ethan Coen were inspired by true events that did not take place in Minnesota or North Dakota.

Poor Mr. Lundergard (a brilliant William H. Macy) is down on his luck and need money. How much? $750,000 to clear his debts. So he asks a couple of hit men (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife for a ransom of $1 million. He hopes that his wife's father will give the money to them, because he's rich. But what follows are a string of accidental and intentional deaths. Margery Gunderson (a hilarious and Oscar winning Frances McDormand) is on the case, while she is pregnant, and tries to track down these ruthless killers. The film is very dark, but has some light comedy. It's a dark sort of comedy, but funny nevertheless. The violence is brutal (woodchippers, anyone?), the comedy light hearted and the originality unmistakable. Frances McDormand is great, with her sing songy accent and her smile. One of the greatest films of all time. I preferred this one to the Coen's other film No Country for Old Men. Is Fargo a good movie? Yeah, you betcha!

Grade: A