Archive for February, 2012

Studio Ghibli, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Dentsu,

Bridgit Mendler, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, David Henrie, Moises Arias

The Clock family, Mom, Dad, and Arrietty are tiny people, only 4 inches tall, who live in the walls of a family’s house. These “Borrowers” make expeditions into the house to get only items that are essential, never taking things that will be easily missed, or that they don’t need. But there is a young boy who is very sick has come to live in the house to rest and recover before surgery. When he spots Arrietty, things get dangerous for the little people, as they know that being seen by a human can be very bad for borrowers. This guy though is intrigued with the though of the little poeple and wants to meet and become friends with Arrietty and her family. Meanwhile, the housekeeper Hara (Carol Burnett) is also obsessed with the idea that little people may be living in the house, and set her heart on exterminating them once and for all.

This is a Japanese film, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, and brought to the big screen in America by the Disney folk at Buena Vista, this is a story based on the classic children’s book, “The Borrowers”. I remember not only reading this book myself, but reading it to my boys when there little, so the concept is rather interesting. But this is a real Japanese film, much like “Spirited Away” which Disney brought to the US some years ago. For fans of Japanese animation, this film is sure to please. We hit the theaters on Saturday afternoon with 4 grandchildren in tow. We took up a whole row across the front of the theater, and it was a fantastic experience. I enjoyed the film, and from the looks of the grandchildren, they enjoyed it as much as I did.

It’s colorful, and charming, and the soundtrack is really good. The characters are very well developed, and it’s an engaging story. For a cartoon feature, it’s got everything going for it. There is a separate cast for the US and the UK versions, and of course, an original Japanese cast.

Essentially, this is a really nice film for the whole family. I enjoyed it a lot, and recommend this to share with your kids. It seems to be a time when there are not a lot of kid films out there, and I’m sure this one will be enjoyed by the little ones. If you don’t get a chance to watch this in the theater, at least take a look at it once it comes out on DVD. It’s a well done little animated film.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently 1 Comment »on this post.

Movie Rentals Releasing Tuesday February 28, 2012


Author: EdG

There are currently No Comments »on this post.

Hammer Film Productions, Alliance Films, UK Film Council,

Daniel Radcliffe, CiarĂ¡n Hinds, Janet McTeer, Shaun Dooley, Roger Allam, Sophie Stuckey, Alisa Khazanova, Liz White, David Burke, Daniel Cerqueira

Young lawyer, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is sent far to the north of England to check through the paperwork of a recently deceased widow. He has recently lost his wife, and is raising his young son. He has to leave his son behind and head out to the small town and investigate the house known as Eel Marsh Manor. But when he arrives in town, he’s not very welcomed. No one will speak to him, and everyone closes their doors and locks the children away when he passes. There is a lawer in town who is supposed to help him, but he too only wants him to leave. And when he arrives at the mansion, he discovers why, when he begins to hear things, and see a mysterious woman in black in the shadows, in this classic horrifying ghost story.

THIS IS A HAMMER FILM!!! In my childhood, I went stage where suddenly I came to realize that Hammer was the English studio that made horror films that could scare you half to death! From the 50’s through the 70’s Hammer produced the very best horror films. Then hard times hit, and horror films went from being really scary, to being all about gross out. Splattering guts, blood everywhere, and horrible graphic dismemberment took over. But this year we have the opportunity to go back in time and see a real horror film the way it used to be.

This film is horrific. There are a few loud jump out of your seat moments, but they fit in with the story, and really do help to keep you on edge through the entire story. A remake of a 1987 TV Movie, this film is really scary. The house is a main character in itself. The swamp is unbelievable. The tide comes in and the road is under water, cutting you off from any chance of escape, and you’re in this house with a horrible history. The character of Daily, played by CiarĂ¡n Hinds, is incredible too. This guy is awesome. He plays a resident of the town, along with his wife who seems to have lost her mind when their child died, are the only ones to befriend Arthur to help him through his mission. But he only has 3 days to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.

It certainly makes your skin crawl, and is a stunning classic horror movie set in the time period around the 1900’s and the scenery and sets are perfect. The suspense builds and builds, and there isn’t a moment to let you breathe. I highly recommend this film for anyone who likes classic horror. It’s a real winner. I loved this film!!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently 1 Comment »on this post.

Angel & Bear Productions, Capitol Motion Pictures, 8th Wonder Entertainment,

Kip Pardue, James Brolin, Napakpapha Nakprasitte, Spencer Garrett, Kalorin Supaluck Neemayothin, Laura Sorenson, Akara Amarttayakul, Pakkaramai Potranan

Brian Chandler (Kip Pardue) is an employee of a coffee company. His boss, Calvert Jenkins (James Brolin) sends him to Thailand to look for a great new brand of coffee, but for more than just a supplier, but to investigate the possibility of investing in the company and building a plant there. Brian is engaged, but finds himself attracted to the daughter of the family from the coffee plantation who is an executive in her own right, Ticha (Napakpapha Nakprasitte). But when Brian finds out his boss is not serious, and just playing with him, he has to re-evaluate his whole life.

This is a cute romantic film, about love and business. One of the greatest features of this film, is that it’s like a foreign film, and an American film all in one. All of the actors in Thai are locals, and much of the film is on location in Thailand. Much of the dialog is in the Thai language with English subtitles. So it give so much insight into life and love, and business in Thailand. And the scenery is beautiful. The actors are fresh and convincing, and it’s a really good little film. It’s interesting all the way through, and the relationships between everyone keeps the story moving forward, but the best part is the experience of being in such a strange land and what we learn from the culture there. This is one of those quirky films, way out of the mainstream, that was a pleasure to watch. Available as an instant download on NetFlix, it’s easy to access, and well worth the time enjoying this Bitter/Sweet story. Just watch for the title. The year is 2009 and there is a slash (/) between Bitter and Sweet. There are a lot of other titles that are very similar, so it’s hard to find the right one.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently No Comments »on this post.

Hyde Park Entertainment, Agent Two, Brandt/Haas Productions,

Richard Gere, Topher Grace, Martin Sheen, Tamer Hassan, Stephen Moyer, Odette Yustman, Stana Katic, Yuri Sardarov

Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) is a retired CIA Agent. When a Senator is assassinated, Paul is brought back in as it appears the crime was done by a Russian agent who was long thought to be dead, killed by Paul. Paul is partnered with a young FBI agent , Ben Geary (Topher Grace) who Paul wishes would just let go and stop pursuing the case. But as time goes on the two of them get deeper and deeper into the mystery and more danger minute by minute.

This is an action/spy thriller. Richard Gere is really good here, and plays the cold CIA agent guy to the T. Topher Grace is the Robin to his Batman, and is very devoted. There is lots of action, and lots of twists and turns. Paul is trying his best to keep Ben and his family off the case. We don’t know for sure if he’s got ulterior motives, or if he’s just trying to protect him. Ben is having none of that. He’s in it to win it, and to solve the mystery once and for all.

It’s not the perfect film, but it’s certainly enjoyable. It’s not extremely cerebral. Instead this film depends on the action and adventure part to fill the time. But it’s a good story, and the actors are very good in this film. I enjoyed it. It’s not one of those memorable Hollywood blockbusters, but it’s a really decent action spy thriller that’s well worth a few hours of your time.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rate this movie:
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)

Author: EdG

There are currently No Comments »on this post.