by Totally RBD Contributor on November 21, 2009
Mr. and Mrs. Fox are living a tranquil life with son Ash and visiting young nephew Kristopherson. Ultimately, the pacified existence proves too much for Mr. Fox. 12 years of that kind of living is about all that Mr. Fox can handle, and he reverts to his wild animal instincts.
Before long, he goes back to being a sneaky chicken thief, raising the ire of the Farmers, and endangering the whole animal community, including his own family. Trapped and in danger of starving, the animals cooperate to fight against Farmers Boggis, Bean and Bunce, who have their minds made up that Mr. Fox is to be captured, and they’re pulling out all the stops.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” is a unique entry into the animated scene, proudly showing up in analog fashion, while nearly every animated feature today tout the latest and greatest in digital technology.
Sure these jittery, furry talking animals look quaint, what with their matted pelts and smooth porcelain eyes, but there is a certain charm in their activity that engages the viewer in a way that a slick digital 3D character simply can’t.
This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s slender anti-fable is blessed with the pedigreed voices with Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and George Clooney in the title role. Director Wes Anderson’s live-action subjects often move like stop-motion figures through landscapes that remind one of a sophisticated diorama more than anything else. In so doing, Anderson shows a stubborn reluctance to let story take precedence over style.
Fantastic Mr. Fox and its retro charms will likely appeal more strongly to grown-ups than to younglings. It is a picture for people who appreciate a classic over contemporary and this film promises to bring some well thought out entertainment value in similar fashion to "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit." Dialogues at times require a measure of maturity to appreciate, as in the exchange between Mr. Fox and his wife when he croons “You’re still as fine-looking as crème brulee.” Older farts, ok you don’t need to be that old, will understand clearly, while the little ones may turn to their parents for clarification.
by Totally RBD Contributor on November 21, 2009
2012 promises to be an epic adventure about global catastrophe that culminates in the destruction of the world. Along the way, there are tales of the heroic struggle of the survivors who aren’t quite ready to give in just yet. Unfortunately, this movie leaves a lot to be desired.
The doomsday scenario in 2012 is based on an interpretation of a Mayan calendar that points to an earthly catastrophe in 2012, more specifically, December 21, 2012 (oddly, my high school locker combination, 12-21-12). The destruction begins with the collapse of Los Angeles into the sea, followed by the destruction of Las Vegas, Yellowstone, Washington DC, the Vatican, India, Tibet and for good measure, a mammoth cruise ship; hey, why not.
As Southern California hopes for the best amid a rise in tremors and damaged streets, government scientist Adrian Helmsley alerts US President Thomas Wilson that increased solar fires are about to lay waste to the earth. As Wilson’s chief of staff, Carl Anheuser preps for the evacuation of the privileged and the president struggles on how to rule over the planet’s final days, Curtis manages to save his kids by jumping through hoops, where one mistake equals death. The action is of course utterly ridiculous, an even as a matter of fiction the events are so agonizingly stupid.
Cusack and Ejiofor convey above average intelligence for characters in this sort of flick, although even they can’t keep up the charade as the film degenerates. The rest of the cast are best forgotten.
Woody Harrelson, who looks like he is actually having fun making this silly movie, is unable to provide any lift for the viewers, despite the frenetic action scenes. The movie’s multiple story lines fail to converge, with each undercutting the other, resulting in one big flat mess.
The American president is monumentally boring, played by the hack Danny Glover whose best days have long since passed. Without Mel Gibson by his side, Glover is nothing but an overgrown ogre with neither the skill nor charisma to pull off an acting assignment.
Sony is shamelessly promoted throughout the movie, with its Vaio equipment smacked into your face at every possible moment. Once or twice, it’s all good. In this movie, it’s unadulterated spam.
Demolition maestro Roland Emmerich is particularly skilled at blowing up the United States (Independence Day, Godzilla, Day After Tomorrow) and vestiges of Catholicism (note the detailed destruction of St. Peter’s and Rio’s Christ). I didn’t see any other religion get whacked the way the Catholics did.
Other than sheer destructive spectacle, this movie is pointless. It offers nothing. Some video games offer more in terms of plot, point of view or something as basic as character development. Not 2012. It’s just a movie replete with destruction after destruction. Expect more and you will be profoundly disappointed.
by Totally RBD Staff on November 20, 2009
In “New Moon” we find Bella, its brooding heroine away from her depressive fanged boyfriend and pushed into the paws of a werewolf hunk. Talk about getting caught between a goth and a jock. This second installment of Meyer’s “Twighlight” series focuses on the emotions of 18 year old Bella, who struggles with her love for the undead.
Following her ill-fated 18th birthday party, Bella’s family abandon the town of Forks, Washington. Distarught, Bella sleepwalks through her senior year of high school and she discovers Edward’s image materializes she puts herself in jeopardy. Help soon comes in the form of Native American dream boy Jake Black. Together, they refurbish an old motorbike to help Bella with her adventures.
Soon, however, Bella learns the secret of the Quileutes and Edward’s true motivation for leaving her. She also faces the prospect of a potentially deadly reunion with her beloved. Bella engages in several desperate acts that leave her torn between Edward’s far-reaching grasp and Jake’s big bad biceps.
Ok, so Jacob is a big bad wolf as well. If this is a surprise for you, then you haven’t been reading the books as all Twighlighters have done. Besides, haven’t you been watching all the trailers? The beast, so to speak is already out of the bag. So, to help those who haven’t been indoctrinated, here goes: “New Moon” is the second installment where Bella, a dazed, confused, moody, (translation: a teen) girl, and Edward, a smoldering teen-throb vampire, swear true and chaste love (what’s up with that?).
Deep inside, Bella is longing to go all the way. But that would mean undeath. So what does Edward do? He abandons her in a supreme act of self-control. Bad move. Leave a girl in such an emotional state and it is only a matter of time when another with a penis comes along to woo her. Then it’s on to dick fencing. See how messy this turns out? The devastated Bella re-bonds with Jacob during a couple of motorcycle rides without helmets. Cheap thrills. While all of that his happening, Edward heads to Italy to conduct Vampire business and runs into a few interesting characters. All grown up now, Dakota Fanning is looking hot as Jane the pain-inflicter.
Of course, Edward soon reappears, and the action is pulled into the royal Italian council (Volturi). But the movie never wavers from the fact that Bella’s experience is the hub for the entire film. It really can’t as many characters are degrees of separation away from each other, and everything goes through Bella. Edward’s presence may have been diminished since the last installment, but fear not, as he appears in a cliffhanger that ultimately sets up the next episode.
Chris Weitz directs from a script by Melissa Rosenberg. Weitz gave the whole thing a look in which the near-constant rain reflects Bella’s internal turmoil. Next up: Eclipse.