Recently, as in, around the end of December & the beginning of January, I saw a couple of movies which started with me taking Bhai to see Rise of the Guardians (in 3DTM).
The movies I saw after that were Brave (with Bhai & Boney), Osmosis Jones (rewatch, also only with Boney because Bhai went back home), The Amazing Spider-Man, Skyfall, In Time & 9 (these last ones, foreveralone.ani).
In any case, I posted some review-ish tweets on my Twitter but I've been wanting to write something down or make an Ani's Stuffs vlog but I'm feeling lazy. So a blogpost it is :P
Warning: As I wrote this post I inadvertently turned it into a rather long wall of text, which was actually more work than if I had made a video so...yeah...
Anyways, just so we're on the same page. These reviews are completely personal & thus heavily biased. Enjoy :)
Let's start.
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The 3D was very well done. Not intrusive like, "WOAH, THAT DUDE JUST FLEW IN MY FAICE!!one!!" but just there for the moment when you do notice it & realize, "Hey, that's pretty good." & that is how 3D should be used.
On reflection, the overall story was pretty standard & expected. Didn't like some of the plot. Liked some of the rest. Ending was...mm not gonna spoil for those who haven't watched. One part in the middle was especially silly.
But still, very imaginative. Ideal movie to show to kids who are just learning of these kiddie legendary figures. A perfect Dreamworks version of The Avengers. Me & Bhai had a great time. Watch it when you just want to feel like a kid again & if you're still a kid, what're you waiting for? :D
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Now I realize that most of you are asking that what is Pixar-good & I agree the term is very...um...stereotypical movie-critic type?
I agree completely & I don't want to be that person. But over the years Pixar has made many INCREDIBLE films (pun was unintended but welcomed) & these good films outnumber their bad (by Pixar-bad I mean, wayy above good for other films, except Cars 2, that one sucked).
In any case, Brave is good. But it's decent good, not, again drawing the term against my better call, Pixar-good; it's Dreamworks-good.
It's a good watch, the twist is well done, characters are interesting, voiceover's fantastic, story decent, but in the end, just feels like a lesser version of HTTYD. [Do realize that HTTYD was a fantastic film so Brave, being lesser, is a good film]
My advice (even though you never asked for it), watch it but while watching ignore that it's made by Pixar.
& yes, I also dread Pixar's next release. Monsters University? Seriously? It feels like Cars 2 all over again.
If you're gonna make sequels, why not Incredibles 2 ???
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The concept is mindblowing, literally; the animation is excellent, even 11 years later; the storyline is as you'd expect from a buddy cop film, (done right, if I might add); the voiceover's awesome; the jokes, punny (not everyone's style I realize but definitely mine ;).
I love it. It's an excellent film. Watch it if you haven't already. & if you don't like it, read my tweet ;)
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But, & here's the real question, what if someone never saw the Spiderman trilogy? How would he/she react to this film? I expected myself to rage against this film but, the weird part is, I didn't. I enjoyed it. I still hold on to my stance that this film is similar to a joke about Tsunamis in 2005 but wouldn't it be funny is it didn't happen?
Surprisingly the answer is yes, it would. The film is good. If the Spiderman trilogy was never made, I'd love this film as much as I do Spiderman 1. But since that exists, this one grades lower but it doesn't fail to deliver. It's a very solid, enjoyable, superhero flick & I enjoyed watching it. It is a good movie.
Since Spiderman exists any reviews of this film will be biased by that, but IMHO this is a good film & if you like Superhero stories, you should watch this. Trust me, this isn't Green Lantern. Not by a longshot.
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However, after watching Craig's version, I don't think I can go back to the other ones. I may be wrong here I know. & if I am, tell me.
Skyfall was very good. In comparison with Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace, I'd say it's ... um ... uhhh... no, sorry I can't compare the 3. CR & QoS was a linked storyline. This is a separate one. But if I have to I'd say it's slightly below CR & slightly above QoS. That's all I'll say.
In fact, forget that paragraph. Go watch Skyfall because if you haven't, why the hell not?
On a side note, if you see 1:28 of this trailer. See the scene.
For some weird reason I totally thought that was Olga Kurylenko XD
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This is one sci-fi element, I have never encountered in any form, anywhere. This concept is a goldmine for blending social analogy & awesome sci-fi. & the film did achieve this goal. But still I wished it would've been more than just that.
I cannot think of one exceptionally bad thing to say about this movie. The story is kinda weak but still holds as a casual watch, the acting is a bit meh at time but overall very good. The movie surprisingly has a nice feel-that-it's-good factor to it which prevents me from saying any outright bad things about it.
Bottom line, it's like Eagle Eye (maybe slightly better). It's a normal sci-fi social analogy film using a VERY unique concept. It could've been so much more but I enjoyed it for what it is.
I do wish that another film/book/whatever will use this sci-fi element & milk it for all it's worth but till then don't be late & miss In Time ;)
& finally,
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Ever since I saw the trailer for this movie I was excited to watch it; & now, I finally have. It's a really nice animation film. Again, definitely not Pixar or Dreamworks but seriously, if you're crazy like me & haven't yet already, do watch it. It's surprisingly nice. I wouldn't say it's excellent but you don't need a film to be excellent to be enjoyed.
I enjoyed 9 greatly & to avoid drawing out this wall of text even longer, I'm just gonna say watch it & leave it at that.
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I honestly don't think anyone will read through all that. But if you did (& not just scrolled down to the end as I would've) Thank you very much. I hope you enjoyed reading & if you'd like to leave some feedback, please, by all means, do so.
Have a nice day/night/whatever the time is over there.
- Ani
The movies I saw after that were Brave (with Bhai & Boney), Osmosis Jones (rewatch, also only with Boney because Bhai went back home), The Amazing Spider-Man, Skyfall, In Time & 9 (these last ones, foreveralone.ani).
In any case, I posted some review-ish tweets on my Twitter but I've been wanting to write something down or make an Ani's Stuffs vlog but I'm feeling lazy. So a blogpost it is :P
Warning: As I wrote this post I inadvertently turned it into a rather long wall of text, which was actually more work than if I had made a video so...yeah...
Anyways, just so we're on the same page. These reviews are completely personal & thus heavily biased. Enjoy :)
Let's start.
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Rise of the Guardians
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Back from Rise of the Guardians. My reaction: Very nice. Bhai's reaction: Awesome. Thanks @dwanimation. Happy Holidays :DI like it. Quite a lot actually. very fun movie to watch with kids & best part, the hall was about a third full & there were no crying babies nor cellphones (well there's always one but that was it). So we had a pretty good movie experience.
— Ani (Spell 'Awe-ni') (@Anistuffs) December 25, 2012
The 3D was very well done. Not intrusive like, "WOAH, THAT DUDE JUST FLEW IN MY FAICE!!one!!" but just there for the moment when you do notice it & realize, "Hey, that's pretty good." & that is how 3D should be used.
On reflection, the overall story was pretty standard & expected. Didn't like some of the plot. Liked some of the rest. Ending was...mm not gonna spoil for those who haven't watched. One part in the middle was especially silly.
But still, very imaginative. Ideal movie to show to kids who are just learning of these kiddie legendary figures. A perfect Dreamworks version of The Avengers. Me & Bhai had a great time. Watch it when you just want to feel like a kid again & if you're still a kid, what're you waiting for? :D
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Brave
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Saw Brave with Bhai. Very nice but doesn't have the Pixar feel. Feels more like a Dreamworks film. Not saying that's a bad thing.Yeah, that tweet pretty much sums it up. It's good, but it didn't feel like it was made by Pixar. It felt more along the veins of How To Train Your Dragon, which I think is an exceptionally good movie in case anybody gets the wrong impression, but Brave isn't. It's not exceptionally good. It's not Pixar-good.
— Ani (Spell 'Awe-ni') (@Anistuffs) January 1, 2013
Now I realize that most of you are asking that what is Pixar-good & I agree the term is very...um...stereotypical movie-critic type?
I agree completely & I don't want to be that person. But over the years Pixar has made many INCREDIBLE films (pun was unintended but welcomed) & these good films outnumber their bad (by Pixar-bad I mean, wayy above good for other films, except Cars 2, that one sucked).
In any case, Brave is good. But it's decent good, not, again drawing the term against my better call, Pixar-good; it's Dreamworks-good.
It's a good watch, the twist is well done, characters are interesting, voiceover's fantastic, story decent, but in the end, just feels like a lesser version of HTTYD. [Do realize that HTTYD was a fantastic film so Brave, being lesser, is a good film]
My advice (even though you never asked for it), watch it but while watching ignore that it's made by Pixar.
& yes, I also dread Pixar's next release. Monsters University? Seriously? It feels like Cars 2 all over again.
If you're gonna make sequels, why not Incredibles 2 ???
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Osmosis Jones
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I don't care what anyone says, Osmosis Jones is an awesome movie.This one's a rewatch. I saw Osmosis Jones when I was a kid & I was blown away by it. The sheer concept of an Antibody Action Flick was mindblowing to Teen Ani & I'm very glad to report that even as an adult (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, oh I crack myself up sometimes), it's an awesome film.
— Ani (Spell 'Awe-ni') (@Anistuffs) January 1, 2013
The concept is mindblowing, literally; the animation is excellent, even 11 years later; the storyline is as you'd expect from a buddy cop film, (done right, if I might add); the voiceover's awesome; the jokes, punny (not everyone's style I realize but definitely mine ;).
I love it. It's an excellent film. Watch it if you haven't already. & if you don't like it, read my tweet ;)
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The Amazing Spider-Man
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& just saw The Amazing Spider-Man. Not bad. Still don't think it was needed but the resulting film isn't bad at all :)I know many people cringed when they saw the trailer to this. I know I did, but only because I, along with everyone else, thought we didn't need a reboot so soon. I mean it's not even a decade since the first one, dude. Jeez, have some concept of time. You don't make Tsunami jokes on 2005 or even 2006!
— Ani (Spell 'Awe-ni') (@Anistuffs) January 1, 2013
But, & here's the real question, what if someone never saw the Spiderman trilogy? How would he/she react to this film? I expected myself to rage against this film but, the weird part is, I didn't. I enjoyed it. I still hold on to my stance that this film is similar to a joke about Tsunamis in 2005 but wouldn't it be funny is it didn't happen?
Surprisingly the answer is yes, it would. The film is good. If the Spiderman trilogy was never made, I'd love this film as much as I do Spiderman 1. But since that exists, this one grades lower but it doesn't fail to deliver. It's a very solid, enjoyable, superhero flick & I enjoyed watching it. It is a good movie.
Since Spiderman exists any reviews of this film will be biased by that, but IMHO this is a good film & if you like Superhero stories, you should watch this. Trust me, this isn't Green Lantern. Not by a longshot.
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Skyfall
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Skyfall = GOODUnlike most people, I didn't watch too many James Bond movies before Daniel Craig. I watched a few parts of I think 2 or 3 which had Pierce Brosnan but none by the others. Which is rather shameful considering I have a whole DVDset of them, collecting dust.
— Ani (Spell 'Awe-ni') (@Anistuffs) January 2, 2013
However, after watching Craig's version, I don't think I can go back to the other ones. I may be wrong here I know. & if I am, tell me.
Skyfall was very good. In comparison with Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace, I'd say it's ... um ... uhhh... no, sorry I can't compare the 3. CR & QoS was a linked storyline. This is a separate one. But if I have to I'd say it's slightly below CR & slightly above QoS. That's all I'll say.
In fact, forget that paragraph. Go watch Skyfall because if you haven't, why the hell not?
On a side note, if you see 1:28 of this trailer. See the scene.
For some weird reason I totally thought that was Olga Kurylenko XD
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In Time
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In Time = Nice movie. Had the potential to be even awesomer but still very nice :DWhen I saw the trailer of In Time, I was blown away by the concept & wished that this movie would be a great thought-provoking sci-fi film. the end result was, for all intents & purposes, a very nice movie. But it could've been SO MUCH more.
— Ani (Spell 'Awe-ni') (@Anistuffs) January 2, 2013
This is one sci-fi element, I have never encountered in any form, anywhere. This concept is a goldmine for blending social analogy & awesome sci-fi. & the film did achieve this goal. But still I wished it would've been more than just that.
I cannot think of one exceptionally bad thing to say about this movie. The story is kinda weak but still holds as a casual watch, the acting is a bit meh at time but overall very good. The movie surprisingly has a nice feel-that-it's-good factor to it which prevents me from saying any outright bad things about it.
Bottom line, it's like Eagle Eye (maybe slightly better). It's a normal sci-fi social analogy film using a VERY unique concept. It could've been so much more but I enjoyed it for what it is.
I do wish that another film/book/whatever will use this sci-fi element & milk it for all it's worth but till then don't be late & miss In Time ;)
& finally,
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9
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Finally, after 3.5 years of gathering dust in a corner of my hdd, I watch 9. & it's quite awesome :D
— Ani (Spell 'Awe-ni') (@Anistuffs) January 4, 2013
Ever since I saw the trailer for this movie I was excited to watch it; & now, I finally have. It's a really nice animation film. Again, definitely not Pixar or Dreamworks but seriously, if you're crazy like me & haven't yet already, do watch it. It's surprisingly nice. I wouldn't say it's excellent but you don't need a film to be excellent to be enjoyed.
I enjoyed 9 greatly & to avoid drawing out this wall of text even longer, I'm just gonna say watch it & leave it at that.
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I honestly don't think anyone will read through all that. But if you did (& not just scrolled down to the end as I would've) Thank you very much. I hope you enjoyed reading & if you'd like to leave some feedback, please, by all means, do so.
Have a nice day/night/whatever the time is over there.
- Ani
Osmosis Jones is the only one of these I've seen. I thought that the animated parts were FANTASTIC but the live-action characters weren't very compelling. To each his own, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I did read the whole thing. You're welcome.
What exactly got you to watch this many movies in a relatively short time frame, anyway?
Fully agree. The live-action could have been made a lot better. But I can't hold it against it because overall the movie was really good.
DeleteYayyy. I knew you would seeing as you have a tendency to wall of texts yourself :P
Bhai. What else? RotG was the first & that led me to watching all the rest :)