Change Your Image
laxcat
Reviews
Korgoth of Barbaria (2006)
So pitch perfect it was hard to believe
Have you ever been to an animation film festival? Imagine one of the funniest of the violent independent animations you've seen, fill it full of gag humor like you might see on Futurama, apply a mini-epic plot, add copious amounts of heavy metal, and you've got Korgoth of Barbaria.
Made by Aaron Springer of SpongeBob SquarePants fame, the brilliant pilot suggests someone who has been under the constrains of a animation for children for a little too long. While the drawing style is like few other things on TV (it really does have that independent feel), the animation direction of Genndy Tartakovsky is very apparent in the quick, jerky action oriented style, very similar to his Samurai Jack.
This show shows promise like few others I've seen and is part of a lineup that will probably go down as a golden age in original programming for adultswim.
Willard (2003)
Disturbingly fantastic
This movie has two things going for it. First is Crispin Glover's outstanding performance in what seems to be a role that was made for him. If you're not already aware of who he is and why he is significant this film will give a perfect snapshot.
The second thing of note is this film's outstanding story. Any film that can successful create such a believable love/hate/jealousy triangle between a person and two rats is truly noteworthy. The main two rats are more convincing characters and deliver better performances than many Hollywood actors.
8 / 10
The Italian Job (2003)
Unforgivably contrived
From its shallow plot to its "Scooby-doo" ending, this film was a major disappointment. (And I wasn't expecting much to begin with.) I found the chase scene which promoters claimed to be one of the most exciting ever to be about as thrilling as Sunday drive to church. At least the forced, awkward dialog felt right coming out of the mouths of the underdeveloped, unbelievable characters. Edward Norton and Seth Green can't help but let their talent show, but the rest of the cast's performances were forgettable at best.
This film remained in my local theater for the nearly 4 months, which proves I live in a rather tasteless community. Over all, the film is mildly entertaining but lacks the tension and excitement films of this genre require to be memorable.
4 / 10.
28 Days Later... (2002)
Finest zombies one could ever hope for!
I love scary movies, but don't see them very often because of the high importance I place on production quality. Most scary movies are contrived, full of stereotypes and are poorly made.
It's refreshing to see one that breaks the mold.
While 28 Days Later contains a good portion of the stereotypes almost necessary for any chiller, (a main character stupidly venturing off alone into that dark building (attic, basement, alley-way) where he's sure to find nothing but trouble) we are fortunately free (for the most part) of the more painful clichés.
28 Days' high points are its intriguing story, creative directing, and above all, the coolest, most scary zombies ever to be seen. The characters are relatively well developed, the plot features several twists and turns to keep it interesting, and. did I mention the zombies?
Top rate spookfest for fans of the macabre and normals alike.
[By the way, if you are planning on seeing this movie again for the alternate ending, it was highly disappointing and not even edited into the end of the film. It's just tacked onto the end of the credits. The original ending, while disappointingly up-beat for some, was also much better and more natural. Go see it again because it's a good movie but not for the new ending. Wait for the DVD for that.]
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
I can't believe people liked this movie!
Maybe I'm just getting too old for these childish popcorn munchers, but I found this movie to be tedious and contrived. It was SO predictable, in fact, that I was quoting lines before they even happened.
Do movie audiences still NEED to see a man leaping from a second story balcony to avoid an explosion? This movie was so packed with stereotypes and shallow eye-rolling dialogue that there is little to no room for any creative originality.
If it were not for the always delightful Johnny Depp, there would be little need for this movie at all. Splice together ten of your favorite Hollywood Frontal Lobotomies in to one big safe happy crapfest, and you'll achieve the same result.
In short, the movie was entertaining, but not deserving of any special attention.
Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
Smiles of all kinds
I smiled the whole movie through. Some smiles were from laughter, some were from enchantment. Many were accompanied with a cocked eyebrow marveling at the bizarreness of it all, but most of my smiles were those of the child inside, for I can't remember the last movie that has been so simply wonderful.
This movie's shining praise lies in its ability to stir up enchantment inside even the crankiest cynic. You'll leave the theater feeling eight years old.
Yet giggling at mystical creatures' cuteness doesn't begin to fully define this movie's depth. Those who prefer to keep their inner child under lock and key will still appreciate this movie's gorgeous animation, and simply unbelievable strangeness.
Like all timeless fairy tales, Spirited Away casts a spell on eyes and ears of all ages.