Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Up



Honestly, I have been looking forward to this film since I first saw the teaser trailer over a year ago. The folks over at Pixar certainly have an impressive collection of successful films on their belts. And it seems that every Pixar film seems to build upon the one before it. That is certainly the case with Up. It is by far the best Pixar film to date, and one of the best overall films I have seen in a long time.

With music by Michael Giacchino (Lost), this film uses its beautiful CGI animation to tell the story of Carl, an elderly man who is about to be kicked out of his house and sent to a nursing home. So, in order to escape this dreadful life of boredom Carl, who recently lost his wife who has a great love for traveling and adventure, rigs his house with hundreds of balloons so that it will take him to South America. 

When the house launches off, Carl is unaware that young Boy Scout, Russell is on his porch. Since the house is thousands of feet in the air, Carl has no other choice but to let Russell join his quest to find a waterfall that his wife had hoped to visit. What follows is the most touching story Pixar has ever created filled with humor and heart. 

This film is definitely, without a doubt, the must-see film of the summer, and you will regret missing out on this guaranteed classic. Pixar is going to have an incredible challenge when trying to top this with their next film. This one is certainly not to be missed!

Release Date: May 29, 2009
Rating: PG for some peril and action.
Running Time: 1 Hour, 36 Minutes.
Director: Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Repo: The Genetic Opera


For months, I have heard talk about this film, and when it was released in theatres, it was nearly impossible to find. Finally, this film was released on DVD last Tuesday. While I was watching it, I was both in awe and shock. Mixing gore with the incredibly untraditional music of a rock-opera, director Darren Lynn Bousman was able to get phenomenal performances out of nearly every cast member. What I found the most shocking was that he was able to get a performance out of Paris Hilton that is not complete garbage. In fact, I did not her character or her acting, which in my personal opinion is a miracle. This film utilizes great performances from a variety of actors and actresses that you would never think of being in a film like this. 

Alexa Vega, of Spy Kids fame, is the main character Shiloh, the unknowing of the Repo Man. Anthony Head (Giles from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) portrays the Repo Man with such violent intensity the likes of which you have never seen. In a futuristic world, where organs have become rare for transplants. Rising to save the world, Geneco, created organs that save countless lives. The twist is, that if the patients are unable to pay for their new lease on life, the Repo Man is sent out to recollect the organs. When the film begins, the audience learns that the founder of Geneco is dying, and it is unknown who he will leave the incredibly powerful company to.

With the use of incredible visuals and intense music, Repo: The Genetic Opera was able to transcend it's campy horror exterior and provide the viewer with a unique experience that will not be forgotten.

My Grade: A+

Release Date: November 20, 2008
Rating: R for strong bloody violence and gore, language, some drug and sexual content.
Running Time: 1 Hour, 38 Minutes
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman