Aladdin

-Directed by: Ron Clements, Jon Musker

Starring:
-Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Robin Williams

Animation is a funny thing. If you're not careful, a movie can seem babyish and just silly. Or, it can be adult and crass. These days, you see a lot of both which is disappointing and frustrating for movie-goers. Thankfully though, we have classics like this one to fall back on. It's a smart, snappy good time with catchy songs, beautifully drawn animation and some guy named Robin Williams. After a long career doing things his family couldn't enjoy, Williams made a concious choice to do something family friendly. Let's just thank our lucky stars he did, shall we?

Aladdin is one of the best in the Disney feature film library because it goes outside the lines. There is a sweet story about a boy who falls for a girl so far outside his world that your heart aches for him. There's also plenty of action along with some fantastic songs that yes, you will sing for at least an hour afterwards. But what makes it really special is Williams. With his irreverant comic timing on full display, you will rarely not laugh at his work as the Genie. What you might not know though is a lot of what wound up in the movie was pure improv. He did so MUCH improv that the recording sessions finally ended with over sixteen hours of material. But that's what makes Aladdin so much fun. You get caught up in the energy of the plot, the music and the comedy and you have an easy time of it while you watch.

Since this is Disney, and it earned a solid G rating, it probably isn't a surprise that there's no profanity or anything even close to a sexual scene. Nice to see that some things can still be both entertaining, and just all around good to enjoy overall.


-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net
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Movie Classic: Casablanca

-Directed by: Michael Curtiz

Starring:
- Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid

There are really good love stories, and then there's this one. Casablanca is the movie that many others have tried, and failed to duplicate and there is a list of reasons why. Let's start with the obvious two. Ingrid Bergman is almost universally known as one of the great ladies of movies due to her knack for picking the right script and her angelic beauty. Casablanca was the only movie she made in 1942, but it proved to be well worth the effort. Opposite her was Bogart, whom reports say made little effort to know her. Even though they might not have spoken off camera, their chemistry is unmistakable. He is considered a rebel in old Hollywood history, but while he might be just that he is also a master at what he does.

Set in Casablanca in the early days of WWII, you meet Bogart as he steps into the role of Rick Blaine. Blaine is the owner of Rick's Cafe Americain, and it's a popular nightspot in the area. And it's in that nightspot that the action and the yearning romance unfold. During this point in the war, France's ruling party was closely tied to the Nazis. Thankfully though, Casablanca had maintained some semblance of freedom and it was there that people seeking to escape would go. As the movie opens, you see how corrupt and perilous the life in Casablanca can be though as local police shoot a man for not having the proper papers, and refugees negotiate with smugglers so they can eventually come to America.

In the midst of all of this is arrival of an escaped Czech resistance leader, Victor Lazlo, who is being sought by the local police and in turn the Nazis. Traveling with him is Ilsa Lund, a woman who has the power to break Rick's rock solid heart with just a glance because they'd known each other before in Paris. Some of the most electric moments are done almost wordlessly when Bergman's character arrives into the mix. Bogart is a master, and his broken heart is evident in his eyes. What will surprise you about Rick though is what you find out about him thanks to Ilsa. He is not how he claims to be. He can, given the right circumstances, go to the wall to help people. He is a gruff and silent hero, but when it comes down to it he does have a moral code. He just won't willingly admit it.

This movie is considered a classic, and even called one of the greats of all time in American movie making. It's done so for a reason. Casablanca is smooth, subtle, smart and etched with a romance you rarely see anymore. While it's set in a bar, and there is a good deal of drinking you'll be surprised by two things. No nudity and absolutely no profanity. At all. Yes, you read that right. What makes this film special is that it doesn't need it. You care about Rick and you see why he loves Ilsa, and let me just say this now...the ending is one of the greatest you will ever see.

(Picture by: Yahoo! Entertainment)

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
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King Kong

-Directed by:Peter Jackson

Starring:
-Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Naomi Watts, Andy Serkis

Let's just say it so it's said. Peter Jackson may be the grand poobah of the action movie. Speaking as one of the faithful Lord of the Rings fans, I was positively giddy when I found out what his next project was going to be after the marathon filming of the Tolkien trilogy of movies. As a devoted movie nerd, I was also curious what the special effects wizards under Jackson's employ would come up with. When I sat myself down in the movie theater, I was not disappointed.

What I will say though is that this movie is better seen on DVD for one simple reason. This is a LONG movie. Clocking it at a whopping 187 minutes, you will appreciate your DVD player simply for the pause button alone. Thanks to the detail of Jackson's vision, you won't want to miss any of the edge of your seat action in this film. As he did in the Rings movies, Jackson shows a keen eye for detail but there is one bit of trivia you might find interesting. This is a movie he wanted to do since he was about eight years old. Growing up, he'd seen the original movie and kept imagining how he'd do it better. Needless to say the time spent in the imagination vault of Jackson has served this movie very, very well. It's well crafted to the point where you keep wondering when one of the creepy crawly things you see is going to crawl right over you.

Since I brought up the creepy crawly critters, I should also say this. The action in this movie is seriously intense. There are guns, spears, zombies, enough dinosaurs to make you think you're watching Jurassic Park and more than a few characters die. However, there's also a taste to it. Like the Rings movies, Jackson knows how to keep the action up and gross level down. Aside from one mention of suicide, he succeeds admirably. As for language, it's fairly brief which is refreshing. Again though, Jackson understands his audience wants to be entertained on the purest level possible. Limit the gore and the swearing, and you get an old fashioned ride at the movies. Just like the original film was back in 1933.


-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

Preview: The Wild

Starring:
Kiefer Sutherland, Eddie Izzard, William Shatner, James Belushi

Opens April 7th

Kiefer Sutherland...in...a family movie? You can imagine my surprise, but Sutherland is a perfect choice for the voice of a lion in a New York zoo who goes looking for his son after they're seperated. Add to it the moderate insanity of English comedian Eddie Izzard and the comedy of James Belushi and I'm betting you'll have a fantastic time with your family.

Watch the Trailer

(Picture and Trailer provided by the nice people at Yahoo!)

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

March of the Penguins

Directed by: Luc Jacquet

Starring:
Morgan Freeman


The last place you expect a great movie to come from is Antarctica. When you take into account the perilous lives of some of the heartiest animals on the planet, you will see why this movie won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature at this year's Academy Awards. I have to tell you though, I didn't want to see this movie. Normally, documentaries have bored me to tears or unconciousness. However, this reviewer is learning what most of America is. The face of the documentary is changing, and it's about time! Long gone are the days of these painfully slow films that document the life and times of some form of bug found only in Northern Egypt or something like that. Now, you get cinema quality films that make you care about the subject matter. Those sneaky filmmakers are going to teach us whether we expect them to or not.

The story brings you to the almost alien landscape of Antartica where penguins must march for miles between the safe place to care for their newborns, and where they find food. It's a harsh life these incredibly brave animals lead, but you're drawn into the love and compassion they have for their families. You're allowed to temporarily forget that these families survive in temperatures that could kill a human being. During their 70 mile march, some penguins do die and I point that out because it might break your heart if you're not careful. Between predators, and the environment and distance involved in survival it's not an easy life these birds lead. If you're watching with younger children, please make sure they can handle that. I'm a grown up and it threw me for a loop.

The movie is beautifully filmed and thoughtfully narrated by Morgan Freeman. He offers a calming explanation of life at the bottom of our world, but does so with the skilled tones of an actor who knows how to keep his audience interested. From beginning to end, this is a fantastic movie with the understanding that nature isn't always a peaceful thing and penguins aren't the clowns we've always thought them to be.

(Photo by: Yahoo! Entertainment)


-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Directed by: Steve Box and Nick Park

Starring:
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes


I've decided that I want to be Nick Park's friend. Because let's face it, it's an interesting person who comes up with the likes of Wallace and his incredibly patient dog Gromit. They're insanely funny, and it's done so with a sharpness rarely found in stop-action animation. From the really obvious jokes to the subtle things that will slide right by you, this movie is an amazingly sharp comedy with two "actors" who make some real life people look a little plastic by comparison.

One of the neatest parts of the movie though is that it's such a simple idea. You make a funny, clever movie with what is beginning to be considered old-fashioned animation and you make the characters as vivid and lively as live action movies. Don't get me wrong though. This is English humor, and some of it is awfully subtle. But if you're paying attention, you get a payoff as you find yourself chuckling throughout this amazingly fun movie. You get the sense that people spent time on it too. This is a movie made by people who love their work, and it shows.

Language wise, it's a rated G movie and it earns it easily save for some crude humor and one bare clay backside. Nothing major, and it's something that I was willing to overlook to enjoy this fun animated romp. Nick Park's world is a happy place. I just hope that if I get a dog he's as smart as Gromit.

(Photo by: Yahoo! Entertainment)

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill

-Directed by: Judy Irving

Starring:
-Mark Bittner

I'm a Midwesterner, so this movie was first and foremost an educational kind of thing. It's a documentary so you see this coming. What I was pleasantly surprised by though is the loving and kind way this movie is presented. It tells the story, obviously, of Telegraph Hill which is in San Francisco. It's a place where all sorts of people and animals live, most importantly a flock of bright green wild parrots and a street musician named Mark Bittner.

I'm not going to white wash it. Bittner is a man with no visible means of support, but at the same time he winds up in an interesting position. He's the support system for these birds. You seem him hauling these massive bags of seed on the bus, and you watch as he figures out how to learn and in turn help this unique flock of birds. Through him, you begin to see the birds as he does. Every good animal lover and researcher has that unique quality though. Through him, you see the birds as individuals and when something happens to them it will tug at your heartstrings.

This movie does have some awfully sad moments, and there is some death among the flock. But it's done in an honest, almost sweet sort of way. I'm normally not a big weeper at movies though, and anything that will make me tear up is something really genuine indeed.


-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

Preview: Ice Age 2: The Meltdown

Starring:
Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Josh Peck

Opens March 31st

I'm going to cross my fingers, legs and everything else I can cross that this movie is not going to be like most sequels. There's this ugly, UGLY habit that they're just...well...BAD. With a large B. However, with all of the original cast returning it's looking good that it will be a fun way to kick off spring. Who knew Denis Leary could be funny without swearing? I'm almost positive Denis didn't.

Watch the Trailer

(Picture and Trailer provided by the nice people at Yahoo!)

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

Six Days, Seven Nights

-Directed by: Ivan Reitman

Starring:
Harrison Ford
Anne Heche
David Schwimmer

Six days, seven nights...that's what a New York ad executive is promised by her boyfriend. What she gets is something she never saw coming. Starring Harrison Ford, Anne Heche and David Schwimmer, this is a movie that works because it doesn't try to be something it doesn't have the ability to be. It doesn't ask the viewer to put in a lot of intellectual time, but instead consistently entertains and reminds you of the classic romantic comedies. Ford has made a career of playing engaging, likeable characters but you don't expect him to be as clever as he is in this movie. If you're used to him playing the gruff hero, you won't be disappointed with him here. What you might not see coming is him being charming and fun and that's what keeps the movie afloat. Schwimmer's performance is as deft as anything he has done on Friends, and in many ways that's part of the problem. He's not trying really hard, so you don't get a really sparkling performance. You get a passable performance when it could be something a lot more interesting. Both men are interesting and talented actors but Schwimmer's comedy timing is wasted. Anne Heche is another weak point for me in this. I've never been a huge fan of her work, and this movie is a complete example as to why. A character that could be clever and cute instead comes off ditzy and a bit shrill.

Set in Hawaii, this movie is still fun overall. What you should know is the language can be a bit coarse on occasion, and there are some more adult situations. Thankfully though, there's no pointless nudity. Ford has made a career of doing grown up movies that don't cross the line into being pointlessly graphic save for a scene involving a snake that wound up at the wrong place. You end up with a movie with some taste, some class, and some humor. It's just a shame it's not a better overall movie. The story does keep up at a nice pace, so you're not left endlessly bored. Between Ford and director Ivan Reitman, you're kept engrossed in the storyline from beginning to end. All in all, this movie is pretty good. Not fantastic, not rotten. Maybe it's a little like the story. It's a vacation. Easy, fun, just not something you should spend a lot of time on.

Six Days, Seven Nights is out on DVD now.

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!

Good Night, and Good Luck.

-Directed by: George Clooney

"We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home."
-David Strathairn as Edward R. Murrow

Truth is a funny, fickle thing. No matter how much people might like to embrace it and call it their own there are points in the history of this country and this planet where truth is as terrifying as any monster in any story. Good Night, and Good Luck is a story about truth, and how telling it is sometimes the bravest thing of all. Set in 1953, it's set in the CBS newsrooms where Murrow, along with five other amazing people took on a monster no one ever saw coming: the American government. Senator Joseph R. McCarthy had taken great pains to suggest that communists were infiltrating our government, and for years people lived in fear of secrets and lies and half truths couched in patriotism. This movie tells the story of Murrow, and those he worked with who took on McCarthy and won.

It's a story that a young George Clooney heard at the feet of his father, journalist Nick Clooney, and stuck with him for years. After the success of more commercial ventures such as Ocean's 11, Clooney and his longtime friend Grant Heslov sat down to write the script. In his second directorial effort, Clooney brings to life a film that has brought accusations of him being unpatriotic or even a traitor. The truth of it is something far more illuminating. This film is something that people should see. Shot in black and white, it suggests that we can stand up to that which frightens us. We can, as individuals and as a nation, defend truth no matter what. Most importantly, this film allows each individual to see that one voice can make all the difference.

Unlike many films that are considered "intellectual", this movie movies along at a pace that keeps the viewer interested and engaged. The Oscar nominated performance by David Strathairn is subtle, and unique because you get the clear sense of Murrow's outrage at the world around him but he never once raises his voice about the strong, commanding tones of a man who has one very important thing on his side: the truth. Under Clooney's direction however, every performance is brought to a human level that you can relate to no matter how old you are. See this movie, and talk about it with people. What Clooney himself has said he wants from this movie is people to talk about it. He doesn't want people to agree with him necessarily, but perhaps that's ok. We are a nation built on discussion and if you see this movie you will see how you as one person can participate in it.

(Photo by Yahoo)

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn at earthlink dot net
Is there a movie you'd like me to review? Let me know!