Ed's Review Dot Com

Walt Disney Animation Studios,

John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Ken Jeong, Sarah Silverman, Brandon T. Jackson, Stefanie Scott, Scott Menville, Jamie Elman, Jack Angel

Wreck-it Ralph is a video game in the arcade. Wreck-it Ralph (John C Reilly) is a bad guy who smashes up the building, breaking windows and punching holes in the walls. Fix-it Felix (Jack McBrayer) is a repairman who can fix all of Ralph’s damage. If he fixes it all in time, the occupants of the building hold a party in the penthouse where they toss Ralph off the roof. Ralph lives in a dump and is always the bad guy. He dreams of one day being invited to the party and to be able to live somewhere besides the dump. So he gets the idea that if he could win a medal, then he would be a hero and the others would accept him. He heads out to visit other games looking for his chance to be a hero. Along the journey, he meets some special people and has to learn to look inside himself for the answer.

This is a charming new movie from the Disney Animation team, and is old fashioned 2D animation of the finest. Disney still knows the secret to a successful film is the story. This is exciting enough and certainly colorful enough to keep they youngsters interested, but there is a bunch of classic video games that make cameo appearances in this charming film, that is very nostalgic to the older folks who remember the original games. A lot of the characters we loved make their appearance in this movie. But most of all, it’s a fascinating story with a lot of heart, but also a lot of excitement and suspense as well. This will be a very success film because of the quality of the story line. It’s very interesting and will keep the attention of everyone from toddlers to great grandparents. Disney has hit the mark with this movie, and I recommend you don’t delay, but get out there and see it right away!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Skyscraper Films,

Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, Brit Marling, Avery Pohl, Davenia McFadden, Kandice Stroh, Richard Wharton, Matthew Carey

Peter (Christopher Denham), a jounalist, and his girlfriend Lorna (Nicole Vicius) set out to film a secret documentary. They infiltrate a cult headed by Maggie (Brit Marling) who claims to be from the future. But as Peter begins to forget about the documentary and seems under the power of Maggie, Lorna tries to get him to either quit, or to bring him back into focus in what he’s doing.

In this Sundance film festival film, we get twists and turns and a somewhat surprising, if not confusing ending. The problem with this film is that it’s typical film school, Sundance style, experimental film type stuff. There’s little action, too much dreary dialog, and nothing much going on, at least for the first 45 minutes of the film. Then just when you’ve gotten fed up and are ready to turn off this drivel, they head off to the La Brea Tar Pits on a field trip that gets pretty suspenseful. Suddenly I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. Just when I though I didn’t care, it got pretty interesting. There was a twist that really caught my attention. But the film is only 84 minutes long, and as I realized there was no time left to resolve this, I was right. The ending makes you say, “Hmmm” but doesn’t give you anything to go on. Now there are some films that make you talk about what it all means for weeks after you watch it. This isn’t that kind of film. This one feels like a cheap shot to the stomach that makes you more mad than curious. I am afraid, despite the second half that looked like it was going to be good, it left me really wanting some kind, any kind, of resolution. But you’re not going to get it. I was expecting to hate this film, but then found myself kind of liking it, only to be sadly disappointed at the end.

Skip it.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Participant Media, Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ, Blueprint Pictures,

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Tom Wilkinson, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Dev Patel, Tena Desae, Sid Makkar

A variety of elder British subjects are finding it hard to survive. They all have different problems, different issues, but they all are trying to get by on a meager budget. An brochure shows up of an Indian palace for only elderly people where for a small amount you can stay and enjoy paradise. As they arrive, the harsh reality of how it really is. But the young manager, trying to make the best of his investment, despite the contemptuous way his high class mother treats him. This is the adventure of a bunch of folks trying to get by and making the best of their situation.

This was a charming film. It’s an ensemble piece, and there are many stories going on at the same time. Most of them are very interesting, and the pace is slow and relaxing, and the character development is meticulously done. There are a lot of stars here, but none of them steal the show. It’s the entire cast together that makes it very interesting. The relationship of the hotel manager and his fiance who his mother despises goes through a lot and plays a major part of the story, but it is well done. Each of the stories gets it’s fair share, and all in all, when the fairly long film ends (it’s over 2 hours) it’s very fulfilling. There are hilarious moments, but mature humor, not the high school potty humor of most films today. This is probably not a film that younger folks are going to enjoy. But those of us in the sunset of our lives will identify with the problems these folks have. It’s very British, but here in the U.S. if things go like they are going, we’re headed for many of the same issues, where older folks will not be able to afford to live, and, like one of the characters who needs hip surgery, places like India will make up for the months and months of waiting for a chance to have a procedure like that done under socialized medicine. There is a monologue Sonny (Dev Patel) makes about the idea of outsourcing old people (we’ll take what these countries don’t want) to India, and it sounds reasonable. This may be the next stop for India, taking our social security checks in return for a life of curry and rice. Hey, anything can happen.

All in all, I was pleased with this film. The cinematography was brilliantly done, giving us the feel of India like as if we’ve actually been there. The story is very good, slow developing, but rich in character and charm, and the acting is superb. If you feel up for a brilliantly done dramatic film, this is a good choice. I really enjoyed it.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

New in theaters this weekend Friday November 2, 2012

• Wreck-It Ralph
• The Man with the Iron Fists
• Flight
• This Must Be the Place
• A Late Quartet
• The Details
• Jack and Diane
• Vamps
• High Ground

Last Weeks top Box Office:

1 – Argo
2 – Cloud Atlas
3 – Hotel Transylvania
4 – Paranormal Activity 4
5 – Silent Hill: Revelation

Cinet, Pomor Film, Love Streams Productions,

Per Christian Ellefsen, Peeter Jakobi, Tommi Korpela, Jorma Tommila, Jonathan Hutchings, Onni Tommila

A group of archeologists are digging in a mountain in Finland to see what’s under the ice and snow. The mountain is surrounded by reindeer herders who try to survive in the harsh climate. The mountain contains an evil Santa Claus who kills children who are naughty on Christmas Eve. He’s escaped with his evil elves, and led by a young boy, the ranchers have to destroy the evil Santa before Christmas comes.

This is a really interesting Finnish film with English subtitles. It’s a very dark fairy tale, and not you cheery Christmas story by any means. But it is very unique, and a pretty decent bit of film making. This will remind you a lot of the earlier kids Saturday afternoon matinee films such as “Santa Claus vs. the Martians” but it’s much, much darker and definitely not a kids film. Even though the star is a very cute little boy, there are scenes of gore and destruction, and a long shot of a lot of old man elves stark naked that I wouldn’t want my kid to watch, just to avoid all the questions. But all in all, it was very unique, a little bit suspenseful, pretty decent action, and a fun story. So I rate this down the middle. If subtitles turn you off, or if an evil Santa is not your thing, stay away, but if you want a unique foreign film, in Finnish with subtitles, this one is quite different. I’m torn, but I think I did enjoy it more than I expected.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog