REVIEW: TRON

TRON

Year: 1982
Director: Steven Lisberger
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, David Warner, Cindy Morgan, Barnard Hughes
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
MPAA: Rated PG

TRON was released in 1982 and was praised by its amazing computer graphic visuals. The movie that is now almost 27 years old is almost in every ones collection. The film at the time of its release had grossed an estimated $33 million on a $17 million budget. While TRON wasn't necessarily a box office hit was still considered revolutionary in terms of how far technology can go. I had never seen TRON before so this was going to be my first time. After seeing so many spoofs about it in shows like Family Guy and The Simpsons, I just had to see what this movie was really about.

Plot Outline:
A talented computer programmer named Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) wrote a few games, but before he makes his programs public another programmer named Dillenger (David Warner) steals his programs and takes credit. Dillenger, who is now a top boss, inserts a program he wrote called Main Control. Now Flynn is not happy for having his programs stolen by Dillenger and losing his job so he starts doing some hacking of his own. Unfortunately the Main Control program is now very powerful from stealing information from all other programs and won't let Flynn into the system, also Main Control is getting very irritated with Flynn's seemingly non stop hacking. One programmer named Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) makes a program called Tron which is a security to destroy Master Control and another programmer named Lora (Cindy Morgan) makes one called Yori which is designed to turn Matter into data. Master Control had enough of Flynn so uses Yori on him thus turning him into data and sending him inside a computer.

Plot:
The story of TRON is kind of a love it or hate it type of story. The concept of it doesn't seem original in today's world, but at the time of its release, it was pretty cool to go inside a computer. The plot lenders off as the rest of the movie doesn't feel epic or anything. I couldn't really follow what was going on for the first 30 minutes because the plot inst told in a way most people would understand. The story is adventures in a way and is pretty entertaining for the most part. The idea of living people inside computers just doesn't make for a great story, but I guess I should stay in the fantasy realm of the film and go with whats their. Besides the pretty visuals, TRON doesn't offer much. Theirs hardly any tension or suspense that doesn't surprise the audience, but it is cool to be inside a computer so it deserves credit for that. TRON may have been a great film to watch back when it was released, but in today's world, this ain't going to hold up.

Cast:
The cast of TRON is pretty good. Jeff Bridges plays as Kevin Flynn and hes pretty energetic in his role. While I wouldn't say this is his best performance he has ever given, but it is an enjoyable one. Bruce Boxleitner plays as Alan Bradley and hes pretty good in his role. He gives an OK performance, but nothing groundbreaking. We also get David Warner playing as Ed Dillinger and he give a great performance. This is probably his best work I have seen so far of him. Ill be interested to see him in more roles this big. Cindy Morgan plays as Lora and shes pretty good. I liked her character and her performance even though she doesn't get alot of screen time like Bridges's character Flynn.

Picture:
The visual effects for TRON are wonderful. When the film first released, it was widely known that this movie had one of if not the best visuals of its time, but now 26 years later, the visuals don't quite hold up well. TRON features computer graphic visuals that are cool to watch. This movie today looks pretty good with alot of colors really popping out, but it doesn't hold a candle to some of Disney's other films. The movie also doesn't have alot of detail present with alot of flesh tones looking pale. TRON also has some grain here and their that is somewhat problematic, but also something the director probably intended to have. For the most part, TRON looks absolutely stunning with alot of colors and computer generated textures just looking great. This movie would look pretty intense if the folks at Disney remastered it for a Blu Ray High Def release.

Sound:
The music in TRON is pretty good. The soundtrack is composed by Wendy Carlos who also composed the music for the 1980 release of The Shining. The music is pretty dull at first, but gets better as the movie goes by. While I couldn't tell if TRON had its very own score, but it did feature some pretty good techno music that went well with what was going on the screen. Bass is also good with many moments having thunderous rumbles that really give this film some excitement. Dialogue is pretty clear although it isn't crisp enough because their are some scenes that the voices of the characters seem alittle fluffy. Overall, I though the music was pretty good, but nothing too special.

Conclusion:
TRON is an adventurous ride that seems to go anywhere expect reality. The story is decent although it doesn't have any suspenseful moments that could have really given this film some legs to work with. The cast is pretty good with everyone giving pretty good performances. The visual effects at the time of its release was amazing, but it falls short of almost anything that is released in today's world. The soundtrack is enjoyable with alot of scenes getting good bass treatment. I didn't really enjoy TRON much because I thought the story wasn't as cleaver enough. While their are some people out their that might love this film to death, but their are also some that just plain hate it. I'm mostly in the middle because seeing the inside of a computer come to life is pretty cool to watch even though its interesting the first time only.

Grade: C-

REVIEW: THX 1138

THX 1138

Year: 1971
Director: George Lucas
Starring: Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley, Maggie McOmie, Ian Wolfe
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
MPAA: Rated R

George Lucas is mostly known for making Star Wars. While Star Wars is a multi million selling product, its not Lucas's only movie hes made. Before he went off to make Star Wars, Mr. Lucas made THX 1138. His first motion picture film that started out as a school project, but when on to become a theatrical release. As a huge fan of the Star Wars trilogy, I had to see the directors first film he made. In comes THX 1138, a movie that's budget was around $777 thousand and grossed an estimated $2 million. While the movie wasn't a box office smash hit like Star Wars, it did create some fans of the movie. This was George Lucas first real stab at the SCI-FI genre. So I was more than excited to see this film.

Plot Outline:
THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) is a man living in a dark futuristic society where everyone is drugged up, nobody is allowed to have sex and big brother always seems to be watching. Citizens are expected to just take their medicines and conform. Order is kept by a bunch of chrome plated robots dressed as police officers. They speak softly, but carry big sticks to keep people in line. People are constantly being reminded over loud speakers to increase productivity and remain cost efficient. Emotion is not encouraged and the medicines help with that aim.

Plot:
The story of THX 1138 is kind of a mixed bag. The story isn't clear at first on whats actually going on in the film. The pacing is real slow with alot of scenes just dragging on and on. The characters that are in the movie are hardly lovable or heroic in anyway. It also seems the story is unoriginal seeing as how we have seen this stuff before with Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. Here we have a film that trys to be very creative and gets really interesting from the start, but just doesn't have enough story to satisfy the crowd. The ending is also alittle un-fulfilling as I wanted it to keep going to see what would happen. I cant say that I hated the story of THX 1138 because it does have some moments that can keep the audience alittle pleased especially during the first half of the film, but this is far from being an outstanding hit like Star Wars was. I guess I shouldn't be too rough on Lucas considering this was his first film.

Cast:
The cast of THX 1138 is pretty good. Robert Duvall plays as THX and hes actually pretty good in his role. While He doesn't speak as much as I would have liked him to, he still give a pretty good performance. Donald Pleasence plays as SEN and he also does pretty good in his role. Hes probably the only one in the whole film that speaks the most even though Duvall's character has more screen time. We also have Don Pedro Colley playing as SRT the hologram. Hes pretty good for his role and brings some happiness to this dark story. Maggie McOmie plays as LUH and shes pretty good alongside Duvall, although her character doesn't speak as much as I would have liked. Overall, I enjoyed the cast of THX 1138, I thought the cast members were pretty solid and comfortable in their roles.

Picture:
The visual effects for THX 1138 at the time were pretty good. I think they were at the stage in which technology could only go so far and judging by the pictures, they looked pretty good. I'm not sure if this is true, but I heard that director George Lucas made some changes to the visuals like the backgrounds for the new director's edition. I wouldn't be surprised if its true considering he did the same with Star Wars. To me the changes look great since the technology we have today is far superior compared to 37 years ago. The futuristic world in THX 1138 is wonderful to gaze at. The movie has an amazing atmosphere that is dark and filled with people. Detail is also pretty sharp with flesh tones looking solid. If their was one reason to watch this film, the visuals would easily take the lead.

Sound:
The music in THX 1138 is pretty good. Composer Lalo Schifrin who is well known for composing the soundtracks for the Rush Hour trilogy composes a pretty well soundtrack for THX 1138. The movie doesn't feature a powerful score that really puts you in the shoes of THX, but the score that it does have comes off pretty good. Bass is on the low side with some rumblings here and their, but nothing extraordinary. The film is presented in 5.1 surround sound and while it sounds pretty good, you cant help, but wonder it could have sounded better. The movie would benefit alot if the music was properly remastered and remixed for a future special edition release. Overall, I was pleased with the film's soundtrack and thought it fit the tone of the movie.

Conclusion:
THX 1138 is a strange film once you watch it. Being the first film in George Lucas's career, I knew it wasn't going to blow me away, but I didn't think it would be that bad. The story of the movie starts off interesting, but fails to keep that interest high. The cast is pretty good with everyone giving solid performances. The visual effects look good for a movie of its age especially the newly added effects. The soundtrack is pretty solid with good music that fits the films dark atmosphere. I cant really recommend this film to just anyone simply because it isn't as great as Lucas's other films. I would definitely give it a rent at least.

Grade: C-

REVIEW: Futurama: Bender's Big Score

Futurama: Bender's Big Score

Year: 2007
Director: Dwayne Carey-Hill
Starring: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John Di Maggio, Phil LaMarr, Lauren Tom
Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
MPAA: Not Rated

2003 saw the cancellation of the popular animated series, Futurama. The series that was crafted by Simpson's creator Matt Groening was officially considered dead after 72 episodes. Fans all around the world were furious and sad by Fox's decision to bail out on one of the most talented animated series ever. After watching the reruns on adult swim for oh so long, Fox finally announced that Futurama will return. The series was picked up in 2007 as four straight-to-DVD films that will be split into a sixteen episodes that will make the fifth season. These episodes will be aired on Comedy Central as part of an agreement reached by Fox. As a huge fan I am of The Simpsons, it was only natural that I love Futurama too. Futurama to me is the best animated series ever created, I love it more than The Simpsons. So I was extremely saddened by the news of its cancellations, but also very happy for its inevitable return.

Plot Outline:
When the evil naked aliens launch a cyber attack on Planet Express, they make a shocking discovery: the secret of time travel, mysteriously tattooed on Fry's (Billy West) buttocks. Using their devious nudist software to control Bender (John Di Maggio), they repeatedly send the beer fueled robot back in time to loot Earth of its greatest treasures. Bender's rampage through history has shocking repercussions when he encounters Al Gore (guest starring as himself) during the 2000 Presidential recount. Meanwhile, Leela (Katey Sagal) finds true love, a beloved crew member suffers an embarrassing decapitation and Fry learns deep secrets about his destiny and his buttocks.

Plot:
The story of Bender's Big Score is pretty good. While I had my doubts that the movie was actually going to be good, I was quite surprised to see that it was. The story centers on these new aliens who take over the world by using spam. The story often comes close to episode 43 "Time Keeps on Slipping" of the show. They both feature time travel in their story. So the movie doesn't offer anything new we haven't seen before. Since the movie focuses on time travel we get to see the many things about the past, every little piece some how gets branched into another thing. Their are alot of references to the actual show with alot of the previous episodes being remembered in this film. While Bender's Big Score is good for the most part, it still has its problems. As you might have guessed, when a movie's story is about time travel alot of the times their tends to be plot holes and that same loop continues here. Their are parts where the story falls short of being funny into more serious. While I enjoyed the story for the movie, I wouldn't put it near some of the best episodes in Futurama.

Cast:
The cast of Bender's Big Score is great. Everyone from the main TV show returns. While this is an animated film where their isn't any live action acting involved, I will have to base my review on their voice work. So far everyone seemed to sound great. I'm glad that the main cast of the TV show returned because with out them, Futurama wouldn't even exist. Whats even better is that their voices don't sound changed or different. There the same as they were in the TV show.

Picture:
The visual look of Bender's Big Score is good. The movie like the TV show is in 2D animation just like The Simpsons. This is the first time the series is presented in wide screen 16:9. So everything is a big improvement from the TV show. Colors are brighter, image seems more crisper and cleaner. I never knew DVD's could have this much of an impact on animated TV shows like Futurama. This is the best Futurama has ever looked. While I don't know if its as great looking as The Simpsons Movie, its definitely better than the DVD releases.

Sound:
The music in Bender's Big Score is also great. Composer Christopher Tyng who also composed the Futurama TV show also returns to compose this film. The music sounds so much better than it did on TV. The intro music has been remixed in a way and it sounds much cooler to listen to. The movie is also presented in 5.1 surround sound with the soundtrack really benefiting from the bigger space. Bass is also pretty good with some moments receiving a big boost from the bass. Overall, I'm very pleased with the music in the movie. I cant stop listening to the remixed version of the introduction. Its simply that much better than its TV counterpart and its also something the fans will get excited about.

Conclusion:
Futurama: Bender's Big Score is the first Futurama movie to debut on DVD even though its simply the episodes that will be airing on Comedy Central, but made into a movie. The story is pretty good for the most part even though its got some plot holes. The cast is great with everyone from the TV show returning. The visual look of the movie is more cleaner and colorful than it has ever looked. The music sounds great with the intro music definitely getting some props from me. While I enjoyed Bender's Big Score, I wasn't as impressed with it as I was with some of the episodes from the TV show. I would easily recommend this to any Futurama fan out their.

Grade: B-

REVIEW: Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice

Year: 1988
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
MPAA: Rated PG

Before he gave us Batman, he made Beetlejuice. This was probably director Tim Burton's first real shot at the horror/comedy genre and its really his first film that kind of launched his career to stardom. While the movie didn't break any box office records, it did manage to gross an estimated $73 million on a budget of $15 million. The movie has never been kind to critics with some loving it and some hating, but Beetlejuice garnered its fans when it first debut on VHS. This was one of the first VHS films I had so I was more than thrilled to eventually pick this up on DVD. Beetlejuice is one of those old school films that has grown a soft spot for me. Its considered a classic and one of Tim Burton's best film when he was still early in his career.

Plot Outline:
Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis) were in a fatal car accident. Their spirits return home, only to find they're invisible and that their home's been overrun by an unpleasant family. Charles Deetz (Jeffrey Jones), his artist wife Delia (Catherine O'Hara) and funereal daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) move in on Adam and Barbara's house. All the couple's got for guidance is a strange book called "The Handbook for the Recently Deceased". Things turn to the worst when Adam and Barbara get help from the bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) when they repeat his name three times.

Plot:
The story of Beetlejuice is pretty good. This was Tim Burton's first dark movie that's also a mixture between comedy and horror. His creativeness is excellent with everything in the world of Beetlejuice having that gray feeling to it. The plot gets very interesting as we get these entertaining characters that really prove to be quite funny in some ways. I don't know if Beetlejuice has an original story, but its still something that Burton should be proud of because the movie is a blast to watch. While the story is good, its not perfect as these interesting characters don't have alot of dept to them. We don't know as much about them as we should of so the characters really go no where in terms of back story. Still, as an early movie for one of the best creative directors out their, this is still a fun movie to watch, but it shouldn't be taken too seriously.

Cast:
The cast of Beetlejuice is also pretty good. Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis play as Adam and Barbara. Both are mildly entertaining with both of them looking great together. They both have that couples look which makes their chemistry all more too real. Michael Keaton plays as Beetlejuice and hes the real star of the movie. He plays the character of Beetlejuice flawlessly and really puts a show for the audience. Its such a pain to see an underrated actor like Keaton not being appreciated of for his wonderful performance. I say it right now and Ill stand by it, no one can play Beetlejuice except Michael Keaton. We also have Winona Ryder playing as Lydia and she looks very young considering the age of this movie. She seems like shes still developing her acting skills and still not at that level where she can start giving out Oscar performances. However, she still does an OK job in her role, but nothing ground breaking. Catherine O'Hara plays as Delia and shes pretty funny early on in the movie, but then starts to get alittle annoying. I was more than overwhelmed by the cast, I thought they gave a good effort.

Picture:
The visual look that Beetlejuice has is dark. The movie is still half horror so the work shows it. The movie consists of a dark, but grayish feel to it with colors looking washed out. Detail is still pretty good for a film of its age. Burton's visual style that we have now come use to shows alot here with many of the environments and clothing looking dark, but just right. Beetlejuice is a movie that is in need of a remastering. While the DVD looked marginally better than its VHS counter part, It was no way near as good as it could have looked. The movie is now 20 years old and it really shows. Warner Bros. needs to hurry it up and crank out a special edition version with alot of thought put into it because Beetlejuice has many fans out their that would kill for a new copy.

Sound:
The music in Beetlejuice is great all the way. Creative mastermind composer Danny Elfman really delivers a very imaginative score that makes this film have its own legs. The music is engaging, but also very in tact with the feel of the story. Their are other soundtracks that also give Beetlejuice leverage because it goes with whats in the scene. Here is another aspect of the film that Warner Bros. seriously needs to remaster. A great score like this definitely needs to sound its best. Bass is also on the short side, but honestly Beetlejuice isn't the type of movie that would give a run for its money on surround sound. While the dialogue is crisp and clear for the most part, its still alittle fluffy. All in all, Danny Elfman composed of a great score that definitely belongs to this movie, but I just wish Warner Bros. would remaster this movies soundtrack.

Conclusion:
In the end, Beetlejuice is another good film from director Tim Burton. Its as every bit fun as Batman or Edward Scissorhands. The story although lacking some character developments is still quite enjoyable. The cast is also pretty good with Michael Keaton giving a memorable performance as Beetlejuice. The visual look of the movie is dark and pretty grainy. The soundtrack is great with Elfman composing a fantastic score that really plays well with the story and setting of Beetlejuice. I only wish Warner Bros. would release a special edition of Beetlejuice with the picture and sound quality being remastered. I recommend you check this movie out for if you are trying to watch an entertaining film.

Grade: C+

REVIEW: Zoolander

Zoolander

Year: 2001
Director: Ben Stiller
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor, Will Ferrell, Jerry Stiller
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
MPAA: Rated PG-13

Zoolander is one of those movie that you know has a bad story, but its still pretty entertaining in some ways. Just by watching the trailer, you can tell this movie is just another comedy that takes a crack at the fashion industry. The movie grossed an estimated $60 million on a budget of $28 million. So it definitely made back the money spent into making the movie. I guess after the success of Ben Stiller's previous movie directed movie, The Cable Guy. Stiller was bound to come into the directing chair once more. While I have seen Zoolander before on TV many times, I didn't see the movie while it was showing in theaters. I have seen the movie several times now that I can probably act out certain scenes.

Plot Outline:
Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) was once the best of the modeling industry, but after losing the "Best Model of the Year" award to a rising model named Hansel (Owen Wilson), his career is winding down. Noticing Derek's downfall, a huge modeling campaigner Mugatu (Will Ferrell) puts Derek as the face of his new line of clothes. The only problem is that every major assassination of the past two centuries has been initiated by the modeling industry and Derek is brainwashed to be the assassin in the next murder. With the help of Hansel and a reporter named Matilda (Christine Taylor), Derek tries to escape the evil scheme that he is capable of committing.

Plot:
The story of Zoolander isn't really a good one. The whole movie is a spoof about how bad and funny the fashion industry can be. The characters that we see in the movie are pretty entertaining to watch, but don't really go anywhere. The plot is pretty straight forward with no real surprises. The whole movie feels like it was made with less thought put into it. Their are many jokes that center around male models and some are pretty funny. While the story isn't creative, its certainly better than most people would expect it to be. I enjoyed it better than Good Luck Chuck. Zoolander may not have the best story ever, but its still one of those movies that you grow attached too because of how many times you have watched it.

Cast:
The cast of Zoolander is pretty good for the most part. Ben Stiller plays as Derek Zoolander and since hes directing and starring in the film, hes pretty good for the most part. He seems very relaxed and comfortable in his role. I think he gave an enjoyable performance as Derek Zoolander. You wouldn't expect an actor like Ben Stiller to be playing as a male model, but for some reason, he seems pretty right. Owen Wilson plays as Hansel and its nice to see someone on the same level as Stiller playing the Zoolander's rival. He also seems pretty relaxed and comfortable in his role. We also have Christine Taylor playing as Matilda Jeffries and shes also pretty normal for her part. Who would have thought she was going to play someone who eventually ends up sleeping with Zoolander since she is Stiller's real life wife. Will Ferrell plays as the evil Mugatu who is Zoolander's enemy. Hes pretty funny in his role and not as dumb as he is in today's movies.

Picture:
The visual look of Zoolander isn't a knock out punch. The movie features pretty pale colors that don't really show their effort on DVD. Colors don't look vibrant enough to be eye popping. Even though the movie may not look colorful, its surprisingly sharp. Detail looks pretty clean and noticeable. The movie doesn't have any CGI special effects since its about fashion. Zoolander may not be a visual masterpiece like Blade Runner, but the visual look of the movie looks more than suitable for this type of movie. So I'm pretty satisfied for what we get here.

Sound:
The music for Zoolander is sort of a mixed bag for some reasons. The music is composed by David Arnold who composed many other popular hits like Independence Day and The World Is Not Enough. So I was expecting alot from the music department, but I was disappointed to find that its hardly anything amazing. The movie doesn't really have a score that's built for this film. What we do get is a mixture of pop and techno that for some strange reason seems pretty good for this movie. The soundtrack also has some good bass to it with some areas of the movie sounding pretty good. Dialogue is also crisp and clear with many of the lines being said sounding just about right.

Conclusion:
Zoolander is a mildly entertaining movie to some extent. The movie doesn't have a good story that has something going for it, but its still watchable and enjoyable for some parts. The cast seemed pretty fine to me with many of the cast members giving enjoyable, but straight forward performances. The visual look of the movie is lacking sharp colors, but its detailed none the less. The pale look of the movie is more than fine for a story like this. The music although missing a great score has some music that go pretty well with whats going on the screen. Zoolander isn't a great movie, but its also far from being bad. Its got some scenes that are entertaining to some degree and the movie has grown on me. While I wouldn't recommend this film to people who are looking for Oscar type movies, its certainly something you could rent.

Grade: D+

REVIEW: Mulholland Dr.

Mulholland Dr.

Year: 2001
Director: David Lynch
Starring: Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Ann Miller, Dan Hedaya, Justin Theroux
Distributor: Universal Pictures
MPAA: Rated R

Mulholland Dr. isn't the type of movie that would appeal to just anyone. The rumored $11 million for its budget and the $20 million box office gross show this proof. I myself had to read alot about it to understand why I should review it. I mean it wasn't a film I was planning on watching anytime soon since I have never heard of it. It was only when someone on the teamxbox forums mentioned this film so I went to go read up on whats it about. After reading some reviews from other people and staring down the impressive rating it has gotten on Rotten Tomatoes, I decided to give this film a chance. I was hoping this movie to be on par with The Elephant Man which David Lynch also directed.

Plot Outline:
Rita (Laura Harring) is about to be killed by two thugs when their car accidentally smashes into hers. Everyone is killed, except her. She walks off dazed into the night suffering from amnesia and winds up staying in someone else's house. She gets discovered by a hopeful young actress named Betty Elms (Naomi Watts) who's house sitting the place for her aunt. Together they attempt to find out who Rita really is and their journey takes them through the dream like underworld of LA. In the meantime, a desperate film director Adam Kesher (Justin Theroux) is re-casting the female lead of his film, but outside forces beyond his control insist on one specific girl.

Plot:
The story of Mulholland Dr. is one weird roller coaster of a ride. The story is very strange and very intense. We get introduced to these characters that we hardly know about, but at the same time, its interesting to see what they do. Their really isn't any major characters in the film. The film is dark and very mysterious. It has a Hollywood film noir type style of telling the story that works really well. This is NOT an easy film to understand at first. I had to watch this film several times just to understand the plot and meaning of the film, but once you fully understand the movie, you will appreciate it. The movie grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. This is probably one of the most bizarre films I have ever seen. The story is great when you get it and is definitely up their with some of Lynch's best works ever. I really think he should have gotten that Academy Award for Best Director because Mulholland Dr. definitely proves he has alot of talent.

Cast:
The cast of Mulholland Dr. is also great at times. Naomi Watts plays as Betty Elms and she does a great job in her role. Shes very convincing and has alot of talent that really shines in this film. Laura Harring plays Rita and shes also very good. She gives a good performance that I very much enjoyed. We also get Ann Miller playing as Coco, but shes more like the person in the back since she doesn't have a too much of a big role in this film. Dan Hedaya plays as Vincenzo Castigliane and hes very good in his role. He looks and acts just like he should in this movie. I also enjoyed his performance. Overall, I thought the cast was pretty damn solid. I thought everyone gave a good performance that's well above average.

Picture:
The visual style of Mulholland Dr. is really dark. While the movie doesn't feature any CGI type of special effects, it does have many dark interior and exterior shots that make for some creepy experience. The movie consists of a pale look and feel to it. It makes you feel like your in a really bad nightmare and that you just want to wake up. Whats strange is that detail is pretty sharp. Everything looks like the way it should. The cinematography is also very impressive as we get many different angles of whats going on. This makes for some thrilling moments that is very engaging and just dark.

Sound:
The movie also has a silent, but deadly soundtrack. While Mulholland Dr. isn't the type of movie you would use to demo your surround sound, its definitely got a unique feel to it. The music is by Angelo Badalamenti who also worked on other great films such as Lynch's previous films Lost Highway and Blue Velvet. The music is very well made as we get many quite moments in the movie where the music just goes completely silent then goes back up. The soundtrack goes so well with the movies dark look. The music doesn't really feature a whole lot of bass, but it still does immerse you into the movies world. Overall, I'm really pleased with the music because it really worked and got me sucked into the movies interesting plot.

Conclusion:
Mulholland Dr. is a unique film that you go to not watch, but experience. The movie has a great story that is really a strange and mysterious story to follow at first, but once you go to re-watch it, then you will be able to appreciate the films plot. The cast is very solid with many of the members giving convincing performances. The visual style of the movie is dark and creepy which works best with the films plot. The music is impressive and really puts you into the film. I didn't enjoy Mulholland Dr. at first simply because I couldn't tell what was going on, but then I went back and re-watched it a couple times to fully understand this films story. I enjoyed it way more the second time around. I wouldn't recommend this movie to just anyone. I think if you have an open mind and loves dark stylized movies with tough story telling then I would check this movie out. I also want to advise you not to watch this film when your high because I was freaked out the whole time.

Grade: B

REVIEW: Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man 3

Year: 2007
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
MPAA: Rated PG-13

Spider-Man 3 marks the third and final conclusion to this epic trilogy. It was one of the most anticipated films of 2007. I was so curious as to what will happen. I mean this is probably going to be the last in the Spider-Man trilogy so it better be a slam dunk or else people will remember it for being trash. Everything was going so well to its evidential release. The announcement of Venom and Sandman as the main villains, the return of director Sam Raimi, one could argue that everything was going so well. So then what went wrong? simple: the story. While Spider-Man 3 might have been a huge success grossing an estimated $890 million worldwide passing the record set by the first film, it was criticized alot by many of the critics around the world for its lack of story. Being an avid Spider-Man fan like me, knew that Sony and Marvel had set the bar too high even for them to capitalize on it.

Plot Outline:
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is happy with the success and fame of being Spider-Man. His girlfriend Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) is the lead star of a musical show in Broadway and he wants to propose her. After encountering a battle with Harry Osborn (James Franco), Harry is hit on the head and has amnesia. Meanwhile, the small time crook Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who had actually killed Peter's uncle, escapes from prison and is accidentally submitted to an experiment in a sand pit of a laboratory that transforms him into the Sandman. Parker is also threatened at work by an ambitious photographer named Eddie Brock (Topher Grace). His life turns upside down when an alien being becomes attached to him, increasing his aggressiveness and dark side.

Plot:
The story is any Spider-Man fans worst nightmare. After coming hot off the heels of Spider-Man 2, the story of Spider-Man 3 was surely going to disappoint and it did just that. The story becomes more darker from the previous film since this is going to focus on the black suit spider. The plot is lacking alot of character development with way too many characters each trying to get their own parts in the movie while still keeping that movie run time around 2 hours and 19 minutes. Their is also alot of plot holes that just ruin the experience. I mean sure the previous Spider-Man films had minor plot holes here and their, but Spider-Man 3 makes those films look like child's play. Their are so many things just wrong with the story. Many of the settings, characters and etc. are changed alot from the comics. This is going to disappoint any real Spider-Man fan knowing that the story isn't even on tack with the comic books. As the last in the series, I was hoping Spider-Man 3 would go out with a bang and end up being really good, but sadly it isn't. Spider-Man 3 is decent at best.

Cast:
Tobey Maguire once again returns to don the suit as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and hes great. This film marks the third time Tobey Maguire playing the same role and hes definitely gotten better compared to the first film. Kirsten Dunst is back as Mary Jane Watson and shes great also. Even though she does look much skinner than before, she does a pretty good job in her role. James Franco also returns as Harry Osborn and he seems more relaxed this time around. Thomas Haden Church plays as Flint Marko/Sandman and hes a good choice to be playing Flint. Hes tall and well built for the part so nothing wrong here. Topher Grace plays as Eddie Brock, Jr./Venom and he might seem like the weird choice to be playing venom, but its nice to see the studio went with someone that is almost on the same level as Tobey Maguire. He does a pretty good job as both Eddie Brock, Jr. and Venom although it would have been better if Venom had a more deeper vocal voice.

Picture:
The visual effects in Spider-Man 3 are top notch. Having been the latest one in the franchise, Spider-Man 3 benefits from pristine source and clearer image. The CGI is nice and fluid with the animations looking pretty great. Sandman and Venom both look very well produced with their costumes and super powers looking pretty amazing. Their are moments in the film that are breath taking and well considered demo material. If Spider-Man 3 definitely excels in one area, its the special effects. Everything looks just right with the black levels look nice and solid. Sony and the special effects team really did an excellent job here because Spider-Man 3 looks fantastic.

Sound:
The soundtrack in Spider-Man 3 is pretty good for the most parts. Danny Elfman who composed the score for the first Spider-Man films decided not to score this one since he was having creative difference with the crew. So what we do get is a score from Christopher Young who also scored films such as Entrapment and Swordfish. While I was worried that Elfman not returning would make the score for Spider-Man 3 feel not as powerful and creative as the first two films, I was somewhat surprised to see it didn't. The score Young composed of is quite good actually and goes pretty well with whats going on the screen. We get many mellow beats mixed with powerful violin notes and it all just sounds good. The bass is also cranked up higher than the previous films with many of the material sounding loud and clear. While the music in Spider-Man 3 isn't as great as the second film this is still reference material right here.

Conclusion:
Spider-Man 3 is supposedly the final chapter in this Marvel trilogy, yet its the weaker one in the trilogy. The story is lacking alot of character development and its a Spider-Man fans worst nightmare, but its still decent. The cast is good with many of the cast members from the previous installments returning. The visual effects are simply great with many of the scenes just looking marvelous. The soundtrack is although not as wicked and creative as the first and second film, its still pretty good for the most part. Ill admit it that Spider-Man 3 was a real disappointment simply because it had alot going for it, but it just couldn't get everything to work as it did in Spider-Man 2. I think this film is best suited for a rental for some partial enjoyment.

Grade: C-

REVIEW: Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2

Year: 2004
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
MPAA: Rated PG-13

After the huge success of Spider-Man in 2002, it was only a matter of time before Sony and Marvel released a sequel. I mean after all, the cast and crew have signed up for a 3 picture deal with Sony. So when the studio announced they were filming the second one in the trilogy, many fans were trying to figure out if the sequel would be better. Is it going to be bigger and badder? Who's going to be the main villain in this one? So many questions were up in the air, but thankfully the studio didn't let us down. Spider-Man 2 opened big in theaters and grossed an estimated $784 million worldwide. Which was down by $37 million from the first films estimated gross of $821 million worldwide. Which is really weird since the sequel offers more stunts, more story, more explosions and its the best one in the trilogy.

Plot Outline:
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) now lives in New York City and is having all sorts of problems. His schoolwork is suffering, the fact that he is Spider-Man is destroying his relationship with both his high school love Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) & his best friend Harry Osborn (James Franco). Parker decides to leave Spider-Man behind and just live his life. While researching a college project about scientist Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina), Parker is invited to a demonstration of Octavius' new fusion based energy source, but the demonstration goes wrong. The four mechanical arms attached to Octavius designed to help him work malfunction & take control of his mind turning him into a crazed madman intent on finishing his dangerous experiments even if means the destruction of New York, that is unless Spider-Man can stop him.

Plot:
Spider-Man 2 is much better than the first film. The plot gets interesting and is more darker than the first film. The sequel features a more mature feel that suits the film very greatly. The characters are much more balanced and have their own feelings that we get to see in the film. If their is something I have to mention, its that's Mary Jane Watson's hair is more blond than red. Which always distracted me for some reason. I thought Doctor Octopus was a fantastic choice for the main villain in this film. I always knew he was going to be in a Spider-Man film whether that was the second or third film simply because he is a more vicious choice of a villain compared to the Green Goblin from the first film. Other than the mentioned changes from the first film, the sequel pretty much stays on that boat. I was very pleased with Spider-Man 2 because the story is much more better than the first film and its got more heart.

Cast:
Tobey Maguire who suffered some back problems probably from filming Seabiscuit for Universal Pictures was undecided whether he would return for the sequel. Luckily Maguire didn't let us fans down and he returned for the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Maguire is getting really good at playing this role because he looks and acts way more relaxed compared to the first film. He definitely improves on his acting compared to the first film. We get Alfred Molina playing as Dr. Otto Octavius/Doc Ock and hes the ideal choice to be playing this character. He looks and acts great in his role. I very much enjoyed his performance as the main villain of the film. Kirsten Dunst returns as Mary Jane Watson and shes also getting better compared to the first film, I just wish her hair was more red instead of blond. I mean Mary Jane's hair is suppose to be red. James Franco also returns as Harry Osborn and he gets more screen time this time around. His character definitely gets a push.

Picture:

The visual effects for Spider-Man 2 are a step up from the first film. The CGI animations look wonderful and creative. Since we get so many new stunts and explosions in this sequel, the visual effects had to be up for the challenge and they were. I was more than surprised on how well the movie controlled Doc Ock's mechanical arms. I really thought it was going to be clunky and unimaginative, but the animation is all their running very smooth. Spider-Man 2 has many moments that are simply breathtaking to watch. The train scene definitely shows this. Detail is also important with many of the building and outer areas looking very sharp with the contrast being high. The special effects team definitely deserves props for doing an amazing job with everything.

Sound:
The soundtrack in Spider-Man 2 is more lively than the first film. Talented composer Danny Elfman returns to score the sequel. The score the first film had returns in this film too and sounding better than ever. Their was a rumor going around that alot of Elfman's music that he composed for Spider-Man 2 had been cut or not used in the movie since the studio didn't like it or something. I for one would trust Elfman alot since hes composed many great hits in his past so if their is music that Elfman composed for this film that the studio didn't use is a slap in the face for the studio. What we do get besides Elfmans wonderful music is other pop music that apparently goes quite well with the movie. Spider-Man 2 also features better bass and surround use. The bass is cranked up more than the first film and is used very effectively with the film's music. Spider-Man 2 definitely screams reference material.

Conclusion:
Spider-Man 2 may have not beaten the box office record that was set by the first film, but this sequel is much more better and satisfying than the first film. The story is great and more diverse with more story lines continuing this great trilogy. The cast is better than ever with many of the returning cast giving better performances and Alfred Molina playing a great Doc Ock. The visual effects are top notch and definitely and improvement from the first film. The soundtrack is more lively and richer with Danny Elfman returning to compose the score. In the end, Spider-Man 2 is a worthy sequel to the 2002 smash hit, Spider-Man. Its got better stunts, better story and a more compelling villain. I highly recommend this film to people who have seen the first Spider-Man film or is interested in a great movie. This is one of the best superhero movies since Batman and X2: X-Men United.

Grade: B

REVIEW: Spider-Man

Spider-Man

Year: 2002
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
MPAA: Rated PG-13

Spider-Man has been in development for such a long time before heading to the big screen. Their have been casting issues and story changes that have kept our beloved superhero from the big screen treatment. Sony finally got the project up and running after numerous delays. The movie was released in the summer of 2002 with very high expectations and it certainly delivered on its promises. The movie grossed an estimated $821 million worldwide on a mear budget of $139 million. Spider-Man was a huge hit and a box office smash, it was the first superhero movie since Batman to garner alot of money. Being a huge Spider-Man fan and having followed the series from the comic book days, I was more than excited for the films debut.

Plot Outline:
Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) is a science nerd who doesn't fit in at school and whose only friend is Harry Osborne (James Franco), the son Norman Osborne (Willem Dafoe), a scientist who's the head of his own company. Peter also loves the girl next door, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) whom he has known for awhile. On a field trip to a genetics laboratory, Peter is bitten by a radioactive spider. Instead of any negative side effects, Peter finds he now possesses spider-like powers. Meanwhile, Norman Osborne is working on a chemical human performance enhancer. With the threat of his funding being pulled, Norman tests the prototype out himself and gets transformed into the Green Goblin.

Plot:
The story of Spider-Man is a good one. After so many years of waiting, it was important for the studio and franchise to have a good story and I'm happy to say it does. The movie and characters are based on the Marvel comics from writer Stan Lee. The plot is very simple to understand and pretty enjoyable. The movie has a some what soft feel to it We get these popular characters that get introduced in the beginning of the movie that plays a major part later on. If their is something that I have to bring up for Spider-Man fans around the world, its that certain things have changed. That's right, certain things are changed about the film. First and for most, is the web shooter. Its been changed into his hands being able to shoot web instead of the traditional mechanical web shooter. I also didn't agree with the costume of the Green Goblin. I thought he looked way too futuristic and uninteresting. Their are many other small things that have been altered by the studio so be warned Spider-Man fans.

Cast:
The cast of Spider-Man is just spot on good. It was crucial for Sony and Marvel to find someone to play Peter Parker and who was willing to sign a 3 picture deal. So I'm happy that Tobey Maguire got the part because I always thought he looked alot like Peter Parker in real life. He does a good job as Parker because he has that smart look and his voice just seems perfect for the role. Willem Dafoe plays Norman Osborn aka Green Goblin and hes very talented. Dafoe would have been one of my last choices to play Norman and the Goblin, yet strangely he does a good job in his role. Kirsten Dunst plays as Mary Jane Watson and although I would have went with someone else, Dunst doesn't do a bad job either. Than we have James Franco playing as Harry Osborn and although I would have went with someone else on this one too, Franco does a pretty good job as Harry. I felt the cast was pretty solid and I enjoyed their performances.

Picture:
The visual effects for Spider-Man are good in almost every way. The CGI looks good with alot of the animations being very fluid. Detail is also very present with alot of the building and walls looking very sharp. Explosions and web shootings look very good with alot of the movie featuring good stunts. With all this said, the visuals do look like they could be much better. I'm not saying they look bad or anything, but they do look like they could have been better if Sony and Marvel had waited alittle longer, but screw that. I'm just glad they brought Spider-Man to the big screen after so many years of waiting for our web slinging superhero to make his jump to the big screen.

Sound:
As good as the visual effects are, the soundtrack is even better. Spider-Man features a heavily put soundtrack that works in every way. The music is composed by mastermind Danny Elfman who also composed other superhero films like Batman. The movie has its own well made score that is built from the ground up for this movie only and it sounds just wonderful. The beat and melody is just well made. The movie also features good use of bass with dynamics sounding louder than ever. Every action scene was full of strong bass that made the scene actually worth watching. The dialogue is also very crisp and fulfilling. I was very pleased with the music and give high props to Danny Elfman who once again delivers a great soundtrack. Reference material all the way.

Conclusion:
Spider-Man is a film that's very enjoyable to watch if your a fan of super hero's. The story is simple and pretty good. The cast looks very bright and just right for their roles. I thought the movie featured good visual effects even though it probably could have looked better. I felt the soundtrack was a blast to listen to and very well put by Danny Elfman. This movie was delayed numerous times that I soon was about to give up hope, but then the movie came out and it certainly didn't let us fans down. Spider-Man is definitely a movie you should check out if you love the character and read the comics. As for everyone else, you will probably enjoy the movie.

Grade: B-

REVIEW: Pleasantville

Pleasantville

Year: 1998
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H. Macy, Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels
Distributor: New Line Cinema
MPAA: Rated PG-13

Pleasantville is the type of movie that doesn't attract alot of attention simply because of the way the movie looks. It was released in 1998 with positive reviews, but it couldn't reach the amount of people the movie intended too. Grossing only an estimated $49 million worldwide on a budget of $60 million, Pleasantville wasn't a box office hit like other black and white movies were. I don't really know what stopped the movie from being a big hit. Pleasantville is a movie that I have been trying to get around to watching. I thought the concept of the movie was intriguing and I couldn't wait to watch it.

Plot Outline:
David (Tobey Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) are two all American kids growing up in today's world. Jennifer is the cool and popular kid, while David is the thin and nerdy one. While Jennifer is into getting guys, David is into watching TV, especially his favorite TV show, Pleasantville. Tonight David and Jennifer have slightly different plans. During their squabble over the TV remote, it breaks and a mysterious stranger is at the door (Don Knotts). He hands them a new remote that changes their lives forever. Somehow David and Jennifer get zapped into the TV and are now part of Pleasantville.

Plot:
The story of Pleasantville is an interesting one. This movie might has a simple concept, but it branches out to create other ones. The plot of the movie might start out like its nothing new and more of the same stuff, but it than branches out. Their are many memorable moments in Pleasantville because the plot doesn't focus on one thing instead it throws you a curve ball and sends you in another direction. I don't know if this is a smart thing to do because its something the audience might not like, but for the most part, it works. The movie also features an interesting ending because the ending could work for two ways. The characters were very well made and were pleasant to look at. Although the movie tends to drag on alot, the movies story is still enjoyable for the most part.

Cast:
Tobey Maguire plays David the nerdy boy who pretty much knows everything about Pleasantville and he does a pretty good job. I very much enjoyed Tobey Maguire in the movie, I thought it wasn't Oscar material, but it was still pretty good. Then we have Reese Witherspoon playing Jennifer, the more mature one in the family and the one who loves boys. Witherspoon does a pretty good job. Shes pretty much in the same shoes as Maguire with both giving good performances, but nothing great. William H. Macy plays George Parker in the film and hes very creative. His character doesn't really get alot of attention in the beginning of the movie so Its hard to kind of tell, but his lines do get increased later on. We also get Joan Allen playing as Betty Parker and shes good in her own way. I felt the cast was very solid and pretty entertaining for the most part.

Picture:
The movie doesn't feature any CGI type visuals since the movie is mostly around the 50's to 60's era. Pleasantville is presented in color and black and white. The film is mostly in black and white so it was important for the blacks to be spot on and for the most part, it is. Everything looks pretty clear and smooth. Colors also stand out alot when shown. As I said this film is mostly in black and white, but it also has moments where the film is in full color like near the end. The colors look very bright and vivid. Detail was pretty good, but not the best I have seen. Some shots can tend to look alittle soft while others generally look good. I felt very pleased with the visuals in the movie.

Sound:
The movie has a wonderful soundtrack. Its composed by Randy Newman who also scored the Toy Story movies for Disney and Seabiscuit for Universal. The soundtrack is very delicate and well produced. Although the music is definitely well made, it isn't used much in the film. I mean sure we do get music, but its hardly used effectively like it should have been. Still the music sounds very good when its produced. The movie is also kind of dialogue driven so the voices are pretty crisp and very vocal. There isn't much in the bass department so those with surround sound might be disappointed. I was also pleased with the music in Pleasantville.

Conclusion:
Pleasantville is a weird movie that I surprisingly enjoyed. I thought the story was alittle straight forward, but I was wrong because the movie focuses on things of the past. The cast is very good with solid lines from everybody. The visual look of the black and white colors are very solid dark. The music is although hardly used alot is still wonderful. Pleasantville isn't meant for just anybody. If your going in this expecting a funny comedy then you might be disappointed. The movie is pretty engrossing and well developed. I would suggest this to those who want a good movie that they can watch.

Grade: B