The Peanuts Movie

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars.

 

 

Good old Charlie Brown.

A boy and his dog. The Peanuts used to grace the screen with a special type of simple charm in two dimensions. Now they are back on a bigger screen in even more dimensions with the same charm. Welcome back Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Woodstock, and the rest of the gain as the creation of Charles Schulz is adapted to the big screen with a slightly modernized look.

For those who have known The Peanuts over the years will notice a lot of familiar elements from the previous specials. All of the classic Peanuts tropes are utilized in this new film, keeping to nostalgia while presenting a fresh take on familiar characters. The story primarily focuses on Charlie Brown's bumbling attempts to talk to the little red-headed girl and Snoopy's imaginary story to fight the Red Baron and rescue a first love. The dual stories of a boy and his dog and their first loves. The story is simple, also part of the charm, and is well executed.

 

The Peanuts have always had a certain style and this modern presentation stays true. Fans of the original Peanuts are sure to love it and this is a great introduction for those who are just being introduced. Everything that is Peanuts and then some more.

 

Weaving the old 2D drawings into the 3D presents an added and unexpected charm that rounds out the film. And Charlie Brown, as always, is a loveable klutz who just can't seem to do anything right. It's difficult not to feel bad for him as he tries to figure out life and run away from everything. But the real charm of the movie is the humanity that has come from the original creation of Charles Schultz. In The Peanuts he always seemed to see the good in people in the end. And despite all of Charlie Brown's flaws, he's a great guy with a good heart, which is not lost by the end of the film. Despite everything bringing him down, Charlie Brown still gets back up and he still does the right thing. Charlie Brown is the silent hero who fights for what's right even if he doesn't have it all quite figured out. 

Guardian of the Galaxy (Short Review)

4 out of 5 Stars

Awesome Mix.

I am Groot.

Pure joyous summer fun.

Worth it!

Parks & Recreation: Seasons 1-6

4 out of 5 Stars

Parks & Recreation, overall, is an absolute delight. I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a comedy on TV this much. This show is not just full of laughs, it's full of heart. Taking on the sitcom format in the vein of shows like The Office, Parks & Recreation finds a footing of it's own, taking the "mocumentary" style in a direction of it's own and taking it's own place in Television history. I bet Leslie Knope is proud.

I'm a late-comer to the show right before it's been announced that it's going into it's last season but it has still been worth it. Season 1 was a rocky start for the show with only 6 episodes and basic setting to how the show would feel. Although still funny, the first few episodes in the series are a bit rough and don't have the same spark but still at least help set up the well-developed characters that will stay with us through most of the series (Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson, April Ludgate, Andy Dwyer, Tom Haverford, Donna, Ann Perkins, and Jerry).

Season 2 is really when the show takes off and hits the charming and funny spark that helps the show sky rocket. The relationships are more firmly forged and greatly used to heighten the comedy. All while continuing to follow Leslie's neverending quest to become the greatest public servant and government employee to live. Really, the show keeps a high streak all the way through season 5. There are a few downs here and there I think (mainly with the Douche) but overall most everything in the show stays entertaining and hilarious. It also never completely loses sight of the end goal. Every season has a through plot that continues to carry the show, among all the various side plots, and manages to stay consistent with the beginning of the show.

In Season 3, two characters are added as leads, Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger, who add a new dynamic and an added fresh take to the nerd scene to round out the show. And really, every cast member fits the character so well it's as if they embody and personify them. Basically, the casting is impeccable.

Though, I feel at Season 6 they hit a slump, which might be part of why they felt it was time to end the show soon. Although still funny and quite enjoyable, this season starts to feel like the writers are having some trouble coming up with ideas. The hilarity that took place in the previous 4 seasons just isn't quite there and feels like it's dropped a step and a half. This by no means it's not still enjoyable and worth it. Perhaps one of the best parts of season 5 is the exploration of some of the more serious sides of many of the characters. It's the coming of age story for Parks & Recreation, which makes for a more mature and sentimental season, but that also means a few less laughs.

Overall, I would say that all of this show is worth watching so far. Definitely one of the best comedy shows of the past decade along with shows like Arrested Development. If you have not checked it out, I highly recommend it. And if you're not hooked at season 1, I suggest sticking it through to Season 2.

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For

2 out of 5 Stars

The sequel to the innovative Sin City film from Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller follows three primary storylines: Nancy Callahan's (Jessica Alba) plot to get revenge for Hartigan,  Johnny's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) plot to beat Senator Roark in gambling, and Dwight's (Josh Brolin) love affair with the deceptive dame (Eva Green). Much like the original film, the style is similar, saturated in a stylistic film noir world with a graphic novel feel and specific colors highlighted against the black and white shading scheme.

Outside of that element and closing the story on a few of the characters from the first film (namely Nancy, Hartigan, and Senator Roark), much of what made the first film unique and enjoyable is missing in the sequel. The interwoven plot structure of the first film that brought characters together is separate sequences is completely missing and traded for a simple through line that feels like it's trying to hold onto what the first film captured but failing. The characters fall flat in the new structure despite solid acting from most of the cast. But despite any of the performances, the characters just aren't as engaging as they were in the first film. Even Marv, who was a character that shined in the first film, only feels mediocre in this Sin City re-hash.

We are taken to many of the familiar locations of the first film, such as Old Town, and many of the characters from before are brought back into the sequel. Really, Eva Lord (Eva Green) and Johnny are the only major knew characters. It's still a fun romp with the enjoyable entertainment style that the first film brought. Yet, this time around the style isn't quite as fun and the simpler color scheme that the first film used is heightened with far more color in the sequel, detracting from some of the enjoyment. Rodriguez and Miller this time around should have stuck with the simplicity that made the first film work so well instead of trading it for heightened color schemes and 3D gimmicks.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

3 1/2 out of 5 Stars



This is the first time I've incredibly enjoyed a Harry Potter film since Prisoner of Azkaban. David Yates takes the first part of the final installment in a wonderful direction not only keeping close to the books but directing a well made film. The acting continues to improve and the overall look of the film is incredible. Although there wasn't a full conclusion as it was half of two parts, I felt a sense of closure at the end of the film. It's what I didn't get at the end of the sixth film and felt like I should have. Even without a complete end the first half of seven still feels like it can stand on its own. It's intriguing and well put together. Should be enjoyable for fans of the books and the movies alike.

Unstoppable

3 1/2 out of 5 Stars



Unstoppable is an intriguing thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat despite the predictable ending. Inspired by a true story this film is pieced together very well. It flows in a way that keeps the viewer wanted to know what happens next. Denzel Washington and Chris Pine deliver great performances as well. It's a decent story but is a pretty good thriller. It's a fun ride and full of action. Definitely worth a look if you're a thriller or action fan or if you like trains.

Skyline

1 out of 5 Stars



Good special effects. Nothing else. Absolutely terrible. Awful. Painful. It tries to be Independence Day but with no plot and characters that no one cares about. When the movie ends still nothing makes sense. There's lots of blue lights and weird alien looking creatures. It's a melting pot of science fiction ideas that have absolutely no logical thread of reasoning and has no talent in it. It's the modern day piece for what should be scrutiny of Mystery Science Theater. It's B-movie material with a large budget.

Morning Glory

3 out of 5 Stars



Overall a pretty fun movie. Not much to the story but the cast is chosen well. Harrison Ford delivers some great scenes that allow for some very fun moments in this comedy. There's really nothing much to expect here but it's still an enjoyable movie with some nice substance beneath the surface. A mix of romantic comedy and general comedy, this workplace movie is working quite a bit on the talents of Rachel McAdams and Harrison Ford. What it lacks in story it makes up for in humor.

Megamind

3 out of 5 Stars



There are some good moments with clever characters in this film and some fun as well but this is not one of Dreamworks best though definitely better than Shrek 4. The story is interesting, though it falls a little short, and the characters are clever. But Will Ferrell and Jonah Hill were not the best choices for voices for two of the main characters. Overall a decent family film but still with some pretty good sized flaws in the works. After How To Train Your Dragon this just doesn't cut it for the animation company.

Due Date

3 out of 5 Stars



Although not hilarious, Due Date still delivers quite a few laughs and while still being funny adds some good substance. It's a fun road trip movie from the guy who directed The Hangover but less disturbing. There are some good times and Robert Downey Jr. makes for a good cast. Nothing amazing, but worth a viewing.