Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D (1995 & 1999, 2009)

Quick note before we get started, sorry this blog post is so late... I've been pretty busy, but hopefully these posts for these movies will be up by the end of the week!

Oh, and one more thing, this review will be split into 3 parts: Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and all together. So let's do this!

Toy Story (1995)

, 9 out of 10: Must see!

Director: John Lasseter

Stars: Tom Hanks and Tim Allen

Toy Story, the first Pixar film, is a classic tale of jealousy and innocence as told by the toys in a boy named Andy's room. Woody (Tom Hanks) is a talking cowboy doll that Andy loves dearly. All of a sudden, he is tossed to the side by the new space toy Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and as jealousy takes over Woody, the two must work together to make it back to Andy's house.

Warning: the following contains spoilers for this movie... if you haven't seen it, I suggest you don't read below here

Okay. So, where to begin with Toy Story? Well, first of all, I would like to mention that I saw Toy Story in theaters back in 1995, however I barely remember that experience because, well, I was only 3 or 4 years old. But what's important about this is that I've grown up with this movie... like most kids, this was one of my very first movie-gong experiences and I am proud to say that I still love it... even if it is over 10 years old.

So when I went to see it in 3D with it's sequel, I was ready and willing to watch it again.

What makes this movie so wonderful? First off, most kids have dreamed about their toys coming to life. We've all played games (whether it was Barbies or GI Joes, Legos or dollhouses) and we have put our toys into situations that would have been wonderfully improved if they were alive. So the initial idea that while kids are away, toys come to life, is such a wonderful thought.

On a personal note, I'm a cowboy doll fanatic. I really love that old, vintage-y looking cowboy stuff.... and seeing the main character as an old, vintage-y looking cowboy just made me so happy. I wanted a Woody doll for years (and I got one... it was a barbie doll version of him and Bo Peep. Loved it to death). Buzz Lightyear was always lovable (especially when he really believes that he is a space man), but I could never get over how much I adored Woody.

Looking back now, however, I really realized how mean Woody is. He freaking knocks Buzz out the window! I mean, yeah, they are just toys... easily fixed and all, but shit! I mean seriously! I knew he was kind of an a-hole but not that much!

Anyways, the story is adorable. Woody is Andy's favorite toy until Andy's birthday, where he receives a Buzz Lightyear action figure as a present. Woody is soon lost to the world of unwanted toys as Andy begins to transform from a cowboy to a spaceman. In a fit of jealous rage (a few days before Andy, his single mother, and his sister are supposed to move), Woody knocks Buzz out of the window and they become lost at a pizza fun-house (much like Chuck E. Cheese).... but they are soon captured by the evil next door neighbor Sid... who destroys toys by blowing them up, disfiguring them, and transforming them to look like creepy dolls (one specifically scary one is a dismembered baby doll's head... it has all its hair cut off and is missing an eye... and it is attached to a clamp on the bottom. Scary as shit!). Buzz realizes he's not a real spaceman, but just a toy, and Woody finally has to realize that Buzz is not a threat, just a confused toy. The two work together to escape Sid's vicious house and plans (in one of the most terrifying moments in kids movie history) and finally arrive at the new house where Andy waits to love them.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are both fantastic in this movie. I mean, Tom Hanks' voice continues to play in my head as Woody whenever I hear him speak... even in other movies. And Tim Allen, his signature voice also continues to remind me that he is Buzz Lightyear, not any other character. The fact that these have stuck with me all these years is pretty shocking, but this movie has seriously changed my childhood more than, I think, any other Disney movie.

I was a little bit shocked to hear the amount of adult-type things lodged into the movie. For example, right when we first meet Buzz Lightyear, Woody is starting to get upset with all the other toy's fascination by the new stranger, so he purposely says Buzz's name wrong... he eventually calls him "Buzz Light-beer".... Yeah, okay, that's not as bad as horrible fart and toilet jokes in kids movies, but still... for a movie that I thought was so innocent back in the day, it really shocked me.

The other thing that really surprised me was how I never got scared of the scene where they escape Sid's house... I mean, all these really creepy-ass toys start to wander towards Sid, and Woody begins to say things directed right at Sid. At one point, Woody says "We see eeeeeeeveryyyythinnnng" and his head spins around like the exorcist! I mean wow! That's freaking terrifying. I don't know if it scared other kids, but for me... nothing. Guess that means I was a weird kid (go figure).

Overall this movie is a HUGE step in movie technology. Not only was the idea simple and pure, but it was the start of a huge craze: CGI animation. Of course, Pixar is known for making these heart-felt comedies and things, but it goes further than that. This movie is a pioneer for other movies coming in the future, and it is still wonderful, even after 10 years. I will always want a Woody doll, I will always think of Buzz Lightyear when I hear Tim Allen, and I will always love this movie.

Toy Story 2 (1999)

, 9 out of 10: Must See!

Director: John Lasseter and Ash Brannon

Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and Kelsey Grammer

Toy Story 2, the sequel to the popular Toy Story, continues kind of where the last one left off. Woody and Buzz Lightyear (two toys in a boy named Andy's room) are best of friends after their adventures together in the original one, until one day, w

hen Woody is trying to save a toy from getting sold at a garage sale, he is stolen by a crazy toy store owner. He meets with newcomers Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (Joan Cusack) and Bullseye, as well as the dasterdly Prospector (Kelsey Grammer), and struggles with the idea of becoming an icon or staying a kids toy forever.

Warning: The following also contains spoilers... please do not read if you haven't seen the movie.

I would like to start us off on this one with mentioning that this movie has completely contradicted the popular notion that all sequels (unless part of like a trilogy) are complete wastes of time. Toy Story 2 is probably one of the best kids movies of all time. Period. This movie, almost more than the first movie, has captured the innocence, pride, and happiness that toys bring to children. Plus, the characters they added in this movie completely help that plot reach home...

Let me give you a little more detailed synopsis of the movie.

So basically the movie starts with Woody trying to find his hat before Andy goes to Cowboy Camp with him. We see that Woody and Buzz Lightyear, who were enemies in the first movie, have grown to be best friends, and all the other toys have their friendships and things with each other (now there's Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, who are hilarious!). Andy decides to play with his toys before he leaves, and he accidently rips Woody's arm. All of a sudden, Woody is on the "top shelf," which is the equivalent of rock bottom. When he finds an old friend (Wheezy, the squeeky penguin that lost his squeeker) getting sold at a garage sale, he makes a rescue plan and accidentally gets stolen by this creepy toy store owner. Arriving back at the guy's apartment, Woody meets Jessie, a cowgirl doll that yodels and says things when you pull he sting, Bullseye, a cute little plush horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector, who's never been out of his box. Soon, Woody realizes that he was a toy based off of a popular show (seemingly from the 50s) called "Woody's Roundup" and all of the others were also from the show. They are being sold to a museum in Japan, but wouldn't be there unless Woody came along too. So Woody has to choose to stay and go to the museum or go home to Andy and family. He decides to go home first and then finds out that Jessie used to be a little girl's favorite toy until she was abandoned. Woody then decides to go to the museum so he can be with his new friends and provide them with the love that they need until Buzz Lightyear intervenes with other toys from Andy's room. Woody decides to invite Jessie and Bullseye back to Andy's with them, but trouble ensues as the Prospector goes nuts and forces Woody onto a plane to go to Japan. Of course they escape in the nick of time and Jessie, Bullseye, Woody, and Buzz end up back in Andy's room, loved like always.

This movie, although a little more emotional than the first one, truly speaks to the heart of every man woman and child. Jessie's song in the middle (about her past) has pretty much made me cry everytime I heard it. But I endure this because the movie is just so wonderful. Going back to what I said above about my love for vintage-y looking cowboy things, this movie is fantastic! At one point, Woody is looking at all the "Woody's Roundup" memorabilia, in all of its vintage glory, and just reminds me how much the 50s and 60s rocked for that type of media.

But going back to the first part, this movie has put other sequels to shame. The new characters were lovable (I begged for two years for a jessie doll, and I finally got one. Decided that I would never give her away), the old ones were just as lovable as before, and the topic was heartbreaking and funny. Almost more than the other one, this movie was innocent... there were little to no adult-oriented jokes, and the humor was kid-ish but cute! I think my dad laughed the hardest when Slinky-dog goes up to the Rock em' Sock em' robots and asks them if they've seen Woody.... and both of them think that slinky is talking to exclusively them... so they battle. It's stupid. But it's funny.

Honestly, I cannot tell you which one I love more... I mean, Toy Story was the start of something fantastic! It was heartfelt and cute and original... but this one just tugs on my heartstrings... To be honest, I've seen Toy Story 2 more times than the first one; it makes sense though, I mean, one of the main characters is a girl, for once... and she is just so cute!

With the new Buzz and his obliviousness to his identity, and the barbie tour guide, and ZURG.... this movie just wins.

Overall, I adore this movie. it is sad, it is happ

y, it is sweet, it is stupid. There are so many things to describe this movie, and I can't help but love it... even after 10 years.

THREE DEEEEEEEE Toy Story(s)

Overall Score: 9.5 out of 10: Must See!

Now, let me just say that this group of movies is fantastic all together, and the 3D is really fantastic. There really isn't any "IN YO FACE" type 3D things, but the depth of field is beautiful. Specifically the first one has fantastic visual effects in the 3D field and the second, not so much...

The real winner were the cute little images before and during the intermission. Very vintage-y, these cute little pictures of the toys just made me happy.

The movies themselves are wonderful, and I feel that the 3D didn't hurt at all. So be sure to go while you can, because it is worth every penny.

Hey Everyone!

Hello there, just an update :D

I've been busy here in College, but I'm taking two different film classes. Soon (not today) I will be writing reviews on the assorted films we watch in class and all around. 

here's a quick little preview:

- Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in 3D

- The Freshman (1925)

- Nuovomondo (The Golden Door) (2006)

also coming up:

- Where The Wild Things Are

- Rocco And His Brothers

- Bread And Chocolate

talk to ya soon!

Jennifer's Body (2009)

5 out of 10: Rental

Director: Kayrn Kusama

Stars: Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, and Adam Brody

Jennifer's Body is a cheesy horror flick about a teenage girl (Megan Fox) who gets possessed by the devil in a small little town. Her best friend (Amanda Seyfried) is starting to expect little changes about the popular cheerleader, and the whole town is starting to get a little curious about all the missing people. 

WARNING: The following contains spoilers that could potentially ruin the movie for you. I highly suggest you read this after you see the movie. You've been warned.

EDIT: Sorry this review is so scatter-brained. I'm trying to dig through my memory and also deal with the stress. plus I set a deadline for myself, so I am trying to power through it!

So, Jennifer's Body, eh? Where to start with this one....

First of all, there are two different HUGE demographics for this movie, and I'm not too sure if it's good or bad. The first, obviously, is the male population. Duh. I mean, put Megan Fox into any movie (whether it's a drama, action, adventure, romantic comedy) and BAM. every man will see it whether they like it or not. The other, kind of odd, demographic is the Diablo Cody Fan Club population. Yes, the movie was written by her, so it's got all the smack talk and girl power as her most popular movie "Juno," but it's evil at the same time.

So let's talk a bit about this movie.

Being a part of the second demographic, I went to see it because it seemed interesting and fun. But to be honest, I felt a little bit jipped. First of all, Megan Fox may have the looks, but she is a H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E actress. I'm a little more than disappointed in her  because she is only in it because of her whore-ish looks and even then she is not the most gorgeous person. 

Okay, one huge huge HUGE note here: SHE IS TOO OLD TO BE IN HIGH SCHOOL!!! I mean, okay, Amanda Seyfried: understandable, Johnny Simmons: for sure, but Megan Fox? Jeez! She looked like she could be in her like early twenties! No way is she a freaking high school student! But besides that....

Amanda Seyfried was interesting. Although she is cute as can be with her little phrases and giant glasses, and she is probably my favorite part of the movie. At least this time she actually got to kick some ass, instead of stand in the sidelines or be totally girly. Her relationship with her boyfriend was just adorable and the audience really cares about her... especially knowing that she lives in the end (because you see it in the beginning). 

Alright, let's get into the actual film.

So the whole plot is this: Jennifer and "Needy" are best friends. Jen is a cheerleader, prep, hot girl, slut (basically), while "Needy" is a total nerd. They became friends when they were super young, so the logistics check out there. "Needy" is dating Chip, who is a band geek, but a really super nice guy. Okay. now that that's out of the way, here's the actual actual plot. Jen drags "Needy" (I'm gonna stop with the quotes) to an indie concert at this weird little bar venue in their small little town. Basically, Jen is like looking to hook up with the lead singer so she gets Needy to be like a groupie. Then, like out of the blue, the freaking bar completely burns down. and like everyone dies. Except for the band, Jen, Needy, and a few people here and there. The band like kidnaps Jen and Needy goes home, like freaking out (Which is totally natural *COUGH*PONYO*COUGHCOUGH*). Then, Jen shows up at her house all bloody, throws up a giant puddle of black metallic needly substance, and threatens to kill Needy.

So basically, the rest of the movie involves Jen killing random boys to regain her strength.

Okay, first of all, what I've told pretty much everyone is this: I wish that they could've replaced Megan Fox with someone else. She's pretty and all (and will make this movie lots and lots and lots of money), but she is just so bad. But the problem with this movie is that no one else can play that part but her. I mean, she's "beautiful," glowing, glamorous, and just plain girly. This movie would not be as cheesy and silly without her because she is essentially a cheesy-silly-kind of beautiful. But that's the problem. I have 0 sympathy for her because I hate her. and because of that, this movie has like no effect on me at all. However, when she killed both Colin and Chip? I was gonna like kill her myself. Bitch. Both of them were great.

Anyways, the whole subplot though cracked me up! Basically, the Indie band kidnapped her and took her to "Devil's Hole" or whatever their city is called to sacrifice her to the devil. Yes. an indie band sacrificing what they THINK is a virgin (okay, yeah freaking right). And wanna know why? Because they want to be rich and famous. That was not only like the best scene in the movie, and not only was it the only scene that you feel bad for Megan Fox (which is astonishing), but I laughed out loud at the majority of the lines. Hilarious, gory, and explanatory.

One thing that bothered me a bit was the random phrases that Jen and Needy shared together. "You're just Jello" "Cheese n' Crackers!" those types of things. Like, they were cute and all (and if you know "Juno," very Diablo Cody-esque) but after a while they got a little bit annoying. I think the only reason they're tolerable in Juno was because she was such a likeable character (and at least in my opinion she was a lot easier to connect myself with). Megan Fox is like from another world to us, average girls. Trying to relate to her is like trying to say that peanut butter and jello are amazing together (please don't try it, and if you do, tell me how it is). I just couldn't enjoy it because of where it was coming from.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie as a cheesy gory funfest. I mean, it is definitely B-Movie quality, and very fun, but I definitely would only see it once. Also, if you are a die-hard Megan Fox fan, don't be pissed at me. I just honestly don't like her, but I know a lot of people who do. But if I had to give it a rating, it's definitely a rental and should stay that way.

A Quick Note:

Hey blog readers!

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Not only has Inglourious been like the only movie I've seen for like a month, I just made the move down to my new home (at the University of Oregon. If you go there, hit me up!). Lots of craziness has been going down, so sorry for the delay.

I will be posting a review later today. Probably as soon as possible (while it's still in my head).

and also I wanted to inform you of what exactly is going to go down here with my blog:

Because getting tickets for movies is a little more difficult for me, I have decided to start reviewing pretty much any movie I see (meaning DVDs). Just so you know what's good and what's not good. for sure.

anyways, i guess i'll stop writing (as to not bore your eyes) but just wanted to give you the heads up!

OH and one more thing:

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT TO COMMENT!!! hooray!!!! so feel free to drop me a line. it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. plus, i'd like to see other people's opinions on it!

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

,

9.5 out of 10: Must See!

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Stars: Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, and Eli Roth

Inglourious Bastards is Quentin Tarantino's first crack at a war film. Taking place in an alt-world war 2 "in nazi occupied france," a renegade group of American-Jews nicknamed "The Basterds" reign terror on the Germans by killing them very very violently. Meanwhile, Colonel Landa (aka "The Jew Hunter") is out to get the hiding Jews in France. ALSO meanwhile, a nazi propaganda film is going to premier in an old theater in Paris, which provides an excellent opportunity for many people to get hurt.

WARNING: The following review contains spoilers not only for Inglourious Basterds but also for other Tarantino films. If you are planning on seeing this movie or his other movies, you shouldn't read the review below. Seriously.

Oh, Tarantino movies! How I love you so! First, let's take a look back at some of Tarantino's finest:

Jackie Brown (1997): Never seen it, can't comment

Reservoir Dogs (1992): Truly genius. This movie, from the music to the movie itself, is probably my favorite Tarantino film. I love the idea that you never see the actual heist, and the fact that it only follows the three main characters and not all of them (although my love for steve busciemi, not only is it odd, but it definitely makes me sad that we didn't see his part of the story. Oh and I'm sad that Tarantino *aka mr. brown* died like instantly. i was pissed about that). But probably my favorite part of this movie was the music: "Stuck In The Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel (wonderful scene with Mr. Blue mutilation :D) and "Little Green Bag" by George Baker (Irony) that are both featured in very prominent scenes. Wonderful. And Favorite.

Pulp Fiction (1994): The most iconic of all his movies, Pulp Fiction is one of the best films ever made. It's great because it involves humor, epicness, Sam Jackson, and some of the most famous scenes ever (like Sam Jackson's bible verses in the last scene). Plus Miserlou is such a fantastic song. Not my favorite, but fantastic

Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 (2003 - 2oo4): Very crazy, manic, and out of control, these movies are cool, but definitely not my favorites. Shot almost like a comic book in some scenes and very cheesy in the rest, this movie provides a fun way for an audience to root for a kickin' ass female. However, it's a little too crazy for my taste, and I can't even remember what happens. 

Grindhouse: "Death Proof" (2007): This movie is very very talkative. The most action that happens is the epic car chase scene with the three girls (and when they kick KURT RUSSELL'S ASS!!!) and the scene where the other girls die in the crash (the haunting image of that girl's foot fly off seriously makes me shiver everytime I see someone with their foot out the window). It's a great movie with fantastic writing, but not recommended to people who get easily bored.

Okay. Now. On to the main Movie Inglourious Basterds. There were things that were wrong, and things that were right. But the good, great, fantastic thing is that the right things trumped the wrong.

Let's start with the actors. From Tyler Durden to Mr. Smith; from Chad from "Burn After Reading" to Lt. Aldo Raine, Brad Pitt is on his way in becoming one of the most advanced actors of our generation. In "Inglourious Basterds" (I like to call it IB), he plays the OVERLY-AMERICAN, Materville, TN Lt. Aldo Raine... who is the leaders of the secret service group nicknamed "The Basterds." When we first meet him, he rants about how nazis should die because they hate jews and that they WILL die for their sins. Oh, and he tells his men that they owe him 100 Nazi scalps. Yes. Scalps. Throughout the movie, Brad Pitt just provides so much entertainment with his ridiculous lines and silly accent. Specifically when he "says" he knows Italian (well, wait, eli says they know italian.... NO MATTER) and pronounces the words with the worst possible Italian accent ever. He so funny and remarkable that he makes the movie wonderful. But he is not the best character.

Alongside Brad Pitt is a variety of actors that are not so well known. Eli Roth, otherwise known for directing the "Hostel" series (and actually, he directed "A Nation's Pride," the german film in this movie) plays the bad-ass Sgt. Donny Donowitz, also known as the "Bear Jew," who beats nazi's to death with a baseball bat. B.J. Novak (aka "The Intern" on the Office... you know, the pretty boy that does cocaine and gets fired and everything? You know which one...) plays a member of the Basterds nicknamed "the Little Man." But they are also not the best characters....

So alongside the Basterds in this movie is actually a plot. Basically, Colonel Hans Landa of the SS (played by the INCREDIBLE Christoph Waltz), also known as the "Jew Hunter," is placed into France to run out the remaining Jews. After letting a young jewish woman named Shosanna go, we follow her life as a cinema owner. Her alias is Emmanuel Mimmeux, and unfortunately she is the love interest for a young Frederick Zoller (who is a german soldier). She hates him, basically, but he wants her to not only love him but to premier his war story propaganda film "A Nation's Pride" in her small cinema. 

Well, because she has no choice, she must show this film in her cinema, but she comes up with a plan to burn it down with 35mm film (which, as the narrator explains) burns faster than normal film. This would end the war.

So basically, Christoph Waltz was incredible. So calm, cool, and collect, this man is the most terrifying person in the whole movie because he is just so good. He's scary good at his job, and he is incredible at interrogation. And every scene he was in caused so much tense-ness in the audience that you could cut it with a knife. If he doesn't get nominated, i don't know who will!!!

And Mélanie Laurent, who plays Shosanna, was not only beautiful but just a fantastic addition to the cast. She showed real emotion and reacted the way any woman in this situation would act. Plus in that red dress, I think every guy was hot for her.

The movie itself, although long, was very very well written. I mean, that's what Tarantino specializes in. There were certain scenes in this movie that really made the audience cringe... like take, for example, the first scene. Hans Landa visits a french cow farmer and interrogates him on the only jewish family that is missing in their area. As the scene goes on, the audience is shown that the man is hiding the family below the floorboards, while Landa talks about how German soldiers are like Hawks and Jews are like Rats. Then, it escalates as he drinks a glass of milk to the point that the man gives away the shocking truth: he is hiding the family. Landa brings in his men, and they shoot out the floorboards, killing the family minus Shosanna. Even though the scene is long, it is very powerful.

Another intense scene is where the director breaks the news to Shosanna that they want to have the movie played at her cinema. All of a sudden, Landa appears behind her and forces her to sit with him and eat a struedle. She's obviously scared as hell (because, you know, he killed her family), and he's just questioning her on certain things about the movies. He orders her a glass of milk, which is where the audience stops breathing, and then the conversation moves on slowly, but difficultly. "I did have one more thing to ask you," he says, and she looks like she is gonna die. A really intense shot of his face makes the audience go crazy... WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO??? When.... "But for the life of me, I can't remember. Must not have been important," he says. Pretty much the audience and the girl herself can't even think.

But the best part of the movie itself was its camera work. The climax of the movie is pretty much the end. Shosanna is about to show the Germans her addition to the film (which basically is her saying look in the face of the Jew who killed you), and Sgt. Donny Donowitz and Private Omar are sitting in the audience with dynomite strapped to their legs. They have a plan, and they must carry it through. While Shosanna is killed before she sees the building burn down, the boys bust in to the opera box and very violently kill Hitler and the propaganda film director. Then, the boys turn their guns on the audience. It's horrible, and the image of her laughing as the picture is shown in the smoke just burns in the brains of the audience. I was a little biased because my strange love for Eli Roth made me wanna cry when I knew he was gonna die. But still, the scene sends shivers down my spine.

The music also provided a fantastic getaway. Most of it was Italian-Spaghetti western music.... then there was german music and french music. But randomly, throughout the whole movie, a random song from the 70s or 80s. Specifically, the best song in the whole movie, was "Cat People (Putting Out Fires)" by David Bowie. In this scene, Shosanna is getting ready for her premier.... the build up brings emotions, and she puts on her make up and puts a gun in her purse as Bowie is "Putting out fire with gasoline..." Beautiful. Random. And just plain epic.

Overall, this movie was amazing. So amazing, that in the first week of it's premier, I have seen it 3.25 times. Seriously. So good. Although it's a little gory, it is worth every penny. So go see it while it's on the big screen, because is a gorgeous piece of art.

District 9 (2009)

Before I get into this blog, normally, I must warn whoever is reading this: this movie is DEFINITELY one you do NOT want to have spoiled for you. If you are planning on seeing this movie, DO NOT READ THE REVIEW. you have been warned.

9 out of 10: Must See!

Director: Neil Blomkamp

Stars: Sharlto Copely

District 9 is the creepy alt-universe drama about a world where aliens exist. Stopping their ship over the city of Johannesburg, South Africa over 20 years ago, these aliens (also called prawns) are put straight into the slums of the already messed up city. Living in a world of crime, hate, and prejudice, the aliens are just society's scum. So it is Wikus van de Merwe's job to relocate the aliens to a different section.... but things don't go as smoothly as they should....

AGAIN: More than ever, I suggest you DO NOT read the following if you are planning on seeing this movie. It contains spoilers. PLEASE, please take my word for it!!!

Okay, so I promise no more giant, bold writing. I'm just trying to make a point.

Let's see here.... District 9. Yes. Righto. Cherrio. ANYWAYS. This movie, as creepy and unexpected as it is, the plot was very interesting.

Here's where we get into it in a little more detail. So basically the first, like, 30 minutes of the movie was filmed in mockumentary form (if you don't know what that means: fake documentary). People who are involved in a giant company called MNU and other innocent bystanders are interviewed about alien presence. They discuss how the aliens shouldn't be here, or should be locked away... they call them the discriminatory name "Prawns," inferring that they are bottom feeders, and demand that they leave. Then it switches to full following of Wikus van de Merwe, a simple, weak man who is in charge of moving all "prawns" to their new location. As he goes through District 9, he evicts hundreds of aliens, however it is revealed that the main reason they are moving aliens is to confiscate the weapons for the better of the government. Then, as Wikus goes into a gangster's cabin, he finds a cylinder of strange liquid, unsure what it's use is. Without any guard or anything, he is accidently sprayed with the black liquid, and ingests it through his mouth as he coughs and breaths.

The next 10 or so minutes is spent following Wikus as really horrible things happen to him... he gets his arm broken; as he tries to arrest an alien, he throws up black liquid; when he eats food, his nose starts bleeding black; probably the worst of them, as he's in his office, he bites his nail clean off; finally, he ends up at home (with a surprise party waiting for him), throws up black on the cake, and passes out. Horrible turn of events, right? Well.... here's the deal... they take him to the hospital, and they decide to check out his arm.... low and behold: HE'S AN ALIEN!!! well... at least his arm is!

The rest of the movie follows Wikus as he copes with his new problem.... the military uses him to test alien weapons against his will; he must run away with Christopher, the only alien that can help him, and he ends up fighting his way to save the alien race.... as he becomes one, of course.

There were many things I loved about this movie! First off, the people playing the characters... Sharlto Copely's record of acting is small. Well, so small that this is his first ever acting role. Well, pretty much EVERYONE in this film has never acted in anything else. It's fantastic because it is so non-distracting! I mean, if Matt Damon was the main character, it would kind of take away from the realism.

Also, the way that the movie is filmed is a lot different than most films. It combines regular film, mockumentary style, news footage, and fake-old footage to get across the point of the movie. Oh, that's the other thing. The point of the movie: This movie accurately shows the decline in society, specifically in South Africa. These people are being treated horribly... living in slums full of crime and sanitation-issues. Plus, everyone who ISN'T in the slums consider them lower beings... well, actually, worse than lower beings... basically aliens. In this case, the aliens are treated so horribly that the camp they were moving to was basically a concentration camp. Discrimination has been such a horrible problem in the history of the human race, and this movie accurately portrays the difficulty this provides for not only humans but "aliens."

It was hard seeing the "hero" of the movie be such an asshole to these non-lifeforms. I mean, you'd think that Wikus would understand where these aliens are coming from, specifically because he's turning into one of them... but he doesn't! He calls them Prawns to their faces, almost screws them completely over, and really only cares about himself. He is not better, he's almost the worst one of the bunch!

Overall, this movie was fantastic: I would not be surprised if they nominated it for an oscar, and in fact I hope they do because it would be totally awesome! I mean, aliens, humans, discrimination, slums: basically already won.... wait, what? Slumdog Millionaire had nothing to do with aliens?? Whatever. District 9: one of the best movies of the year for sure.

Ponyo (2009)

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6 out of 10: Worth The Money

also called "Gake no ue no Ponyo" or "Ponyo On The Cliff"

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Stars: (dubbed) Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Tina Fey, and Liam Neeson

Ponyo is the story of a goldfish on a quest to become human. One day, she escapes from her father's grasp and meets a little boy named Sauske (Frankie Jonas) who takes care of her. Once she tastes human blood, she has enough power to become a little girl and returns to the surface to find her true love, Sauske.... Little does she know, however that if she returns to the surface as a human with magic, she will cause nature to become unbalanced and the world would be flooded forever. So Sauske and Ponyo (the goldfish-girl) must save the world before it's too late!

WARNING: the rest of this post contains spoilers. I suggest to not read the rest until you have seen the movie, or do not care about getting the movie spoiled. I'm serious. Spoilers. Below. Right now.

So, Ponyo. What can I say? Ooo! Wait! Let's talk about the other Studio Ghibli films first!

Well, Studio Ghibli has a lot of awesomely good films. Most of them, I have remembered and cherished since I was a child... some were great films, and some not so much. But nonetheless, they were a great way to grow up. "My Neighbor, Totoro" was full of adorable little animals (minus that stupid-ass Mae. Who I wanted to strangle) and even though it was about coping with the slow death of their mother, it was still a wonderful tale of whimsy and woe. Wow. lots of Ws in that sentence. Anyways, the other I loved was "Kiki's Delivery Service." OKAY. So I haven't seen this movie since I was a little girl... and yes, I'm aware that it's really cheesy and kind of stupid, but it was full of wonderful little moments that I remember from my childhood... specifically watching it pretty much everytime I went to my grandmother's house (sorry!!!). "Spirited Away," probably the most well known Ghibli film, was such a grandeous piece of magic that it's hard not to love. The dragons, the animations, the MASSIVE BABY!!! "Howl's Moving Castle," "Princess Monoke," and "Castle In The Sky" are three movies that are still pretty fantastic, but I cannot recall seeing them ('cept Howls, but that was a LONNNNG time ago).

So, to say Ponyo is their best work would be far from the truth, however it was still pretty fantastic.

Okay, so kudos to Studio Ghibli: the people they choose to dub are pretty well-known, but are almost hidden enough to be suitable for the movie. Tina Fey (who played Sauske's mother) and Matt Damon (who played Sauske's dad) were kind of obvious, but not distracting. In fact, I had no idea that Liam Neeson was Ponyo's father until about an hour after the movie ended. So hooray for good casting, otherwise I would've given it less points...

As for the story line? It's a little confusing. We find out that Ponyo's father used to be human, but now he lives underwater... creating animals and creatures with his magic. His wife is the goddess of mercy (apparently), and together they made Ponyo, the cute little goldfish. Much like the little mermaid, she ends up on a cliff where Sauske finds her, and of course love her. Obviously magically, she ends up turning herself into a human... and in order to find Sauske, starts a MASSIVE tsunami that pretty much destroys their town! Great job there!

The one thing that reeeeeallly bothered me more in this movie than ever was the lack of "WHATTHEEFF moments that happened between other characters. What I mean is that, well, THERE IS A TSUNAMI DESTROYING YOUR CITY. And what does Sauske's mother do? Well drive home in this tiny little pink van (driving EXTREMELY recklessly, I might add)... and what does she do when she sees Ponyo practically molest Sauske's 5-year old face, she's like "Oh hey, that's his goldfish. Cool Beans." I'd be like WHAT? if I saw her!

Oh, and then Sauske's mom decides to leave her 5-YEAR-OLD SON home ALONE during a Tsunami to save old people. Hooray for Selflessness.... but, Boo for child protective services?! Then, in the morning once the two children decide to leave to find his mother, they run into like every person in the town. How do the people react to this tsunami? Well, they are just kind of lazing in a boat with a sun-brella and happy faces. If that was me, i'd probably be having a panic attack.

Finally, to restore nature's balance, Sauske must prove he is true and will love Ponyo for who she is. Again, let me remind you that he is 5-YEARS-OLD. So when he proves he's true, basically he's stuck with the same woman for the rest of his life. Don't get me wrong, Ponyo is adorable... more adorable than most of Studio Ghibli's 10-and-under kids... but her personality can be kind of annoying.... especially for the rest of his life!

Overall, I did enjoy this movie. The music was very epic (like the old 1920s movie Metropolis), and the artwork was just absolutely gorgeous! The sea critters looked VERY real, and HOW CUTE WERE THE LITTLE GOLDFISH SISTERS?!!! I just wanted to take one home with me!!! ANYWAYS.... the best scenes were very creative: the entire Tsunami scene was intense, and beautiful! As well as the fisherman scene, where they realize where they are located after the storm. Wonderful.

However, this movie is not really as good as I hoped it would be. I do wish that it had a little more sense knocked into it.... but I do love it. It's not my favorite, but it's definitely not the worst movie ever. And besides, the artwork is worth it!!!

So go... ONE WORD OF WARNING: The song during the credits is unbearable. LEAVE IF YOUU CANNNNNN!!!!