The Boxtrolls movie gets mixed reviews from parents

I wish I had more time to read!  I love curling up with a good book and disappearing into a new world.  Well, at least I can do it for a couple of hours at a time when I watch movies.  I figure that helps me save time, right?  I haven't read the book that this movie was based on, but here's a "Reader's Digest" condensed version from my movie review web site:

Movie Title:  The BoxTrolls

Grade:  B

In a Nutshell:  From the quirky and creepy creators of Coraline and Paranorman , this family flick has a steampunk feel to it and features the voice talents of Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, and Jared Harris. 

Based on the book Here Be Monsters! (The Ratbridge Chronicles) by Alan Snow, this dark and dirty animation feels more like an unnerving mixture between Charles Dickens and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street for kids…if that’s your cup of murky tea.  While the animation is impressive, it’s not entirely appropriate for young children.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Cheese, hats, boxes…they don’t make you.  You make yourself.” – Eggs
• Stand up and fight for yourself and what’s right.

Things I liked:

• Laika does an amazing job with depth-of-field.  There is so much to see in each screen shot.
• The 3D effect is pretty impressive, especially the fog and smoke.
• Artistically speaking, the animation was outstanding.  Stylistically, it wasn’t my favorite.

Things I didn’t like:

• There were more disgusted “ewwww’s” than charmed “ahhhh’s” from the audience.  Lots of ick moments.
• Some of the Cockney accents were hard to understand, especially in the beginning of the movie.
• The BoxTrolls sound like Gollum in Lord of the Rings.
• I don't see merchandising for this movie going very far.  Who wants to play with a creepy, dirty troll in a box?

Funny lines:

• “Do you think the BoxTrolls understand the duality of good and evil?”  - Mr. Trout
• “If you’re going to eat me, just get on with it.  I’m sure I’m delicious.” – Winnie
• “Be prepared to say bye-bye to your brie, cheerio to your cheddar.”  - Archibald Snatcher
• “We’re the exterminators of justice.  We exterminate justice.”  - Mr. Pickles
• “Curds Way? How do I get there?”  - Eggs

“Milk turns into it.”  -  Winnie   (Get it?  Curds and whey…)

• “The Briehemouth!”  - Lord Portley-Rind
• “A woman like that is like raw, bold, maybe a little stinky.”  - Lord Portley-Rind

Tips for parents:  This is a twisted version of Victorian England that includes some violence, but no profanity. You might need to explain to your kids how leeches were actually used as a medical device long ago and that some people are lactose intolerant.  The BoxTrolls gather discarded items, but they also steal.  The villain is an unhinged cross-dresser and truly evil. There is discussion in the movie about what a good father is and does.  I think young children will be both frightened and bored.

If you like this movie, then you'll definitely like these:

Sleeping Beauty gets a new twist with Disney's Maleficent

Maleficent turns 55 years old from when Disney first introduced her to us in 1959.  With such an iconic villain, Angelina Jolie wanted to get it right, but add her unique touch.  Here's my latest movie review!

Movie Title:  Maleficent

PG, 1 hour 37 minutes

Grade:  A-

In a Nutshell:  This magical Disney retelling of Sleeping Beauty (1959) begins “Let us tell an old story anew and we shall see how well you know it.”  The beautiful textures and fantastic artistry of this untold fairy tale creates such wonder that I knew I wanted to watch the movie again within 5 minutes of the opening.

Sure, there are some flaws in the story, but Angelina’s performance as villain and heroine is commanding (although her accent waivers at times).  There is a delightful touch of humor, as well as enough of a twist in the story to keep you interested.  Both Stefan and Maleficent steal “something far more precious than a jewel” because of different motivations, one learning life’s valuable lessons along the way and the other becoming more and more entranced with power.  Which one is which?

 

In a sense, Maleficent is to Sleeping Beauty (1959) what Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz (but without all the singing.)  Angelina Jolie describes Maleficent as "deliciously wicked."

Die-hard Sleeping Beauty fans may feel betrayed, but I always like a good spin on a story I "thought" I knew.

 Uplifting theme: 

• Following on the heels of Frozen’s successful twist of “true love’s kiss”, young girls will be reminded not to wait for a handsome prince to truly live.
• Forgiveness is far greater than revenge.  We’ve all been wounded or felt betrayed by someone in our lives; the challenge is to not let it change us.
• Guys, don’t treat a woman’s heart lightly.  Consider the warning in Congreve’s phrase “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

Things I liked:

• I loved seeing “every manner of great and strange creatures” in the moor at the beginning of the movie.  The phantasmic girls who danced above the water were stunning. There is so much to see in the first 10 minutes.
• Maleficent’s emerald eyes are mesmerizing. And those red lipstick lips...
• Maleficent is able to freeze people in a dream-like state, floating their bodies around in the air to move them to a new location.  It’s a very cool effect and magic power I wish I had.
• The three fairy sisters are adorable, both as fairies and (SPOILER ALERT) humans.  I love the little blue butterflies that circle around Flittle in both of her forms.
• I have a son who designs video games, so I especially notice the small details on weaponry and animated characters now.  I thought the talon-like points on Maleficent’s wings were uber cool.
• I love being able to see Maleficent’s fierce horns on her head before they’re covered by the silky, black headdress.  Notice her elf-shaped ears underneath the fabric.  
• Elle Fanning is lovely and fills the character of Aurora with light.  Her kindness and sweetness is so pure and sweet that it unnerves Maleficent and provides a contrast that draws you in.  In an interview with ScreenSlam, Elle reveals that out of all the Disney princesses, she personally relates the most to Sleeping Beauty and would choose those costumes to wear as a little girl.  When asked to select one word to describe the entire film, Elle said “Whimsical.”  Good choice!
• Angelina Jolie's own daughter, Vivian, is in the movie, playing Maleficent as a toddler.  Jolie admits it was awkward to say to her daughter "I don't like children" while dressed in devil horns.

Things I didn’t like:

*  I didn’t really care for Maleficent’s carved cheekbones.  I’ve never seen Angelina Jolie more beautiful than in The Tourist .  Angelina brings a sexy elegance to the role of Maleficent.

 Interesting lines:

• “You’re classically handsome” said the young Maleficent to Baltizar, an old, gnarled tree creature.  By the way, you’ll get a kick out of his African-sounding clicking language.
• A handsome prince wanders through the forest and says to Maleficent “I’m looking for a girl.”  She sneers “Of course you are.”
• “I was so lost in hatred and revenge.  You stole what was left of my heart.”  - Maleficent
• “There is an evil in this world: hatred and revenge.” – Maleficent
• Princess Aurora says to a hidden Maleficent “Don’t be afraid.”  Maleficent states “I am not afraid.”  Aurora invites “Then come out.”  Warns Maleficent “Then you’ll be afraid.”
• “Oh come on….that was funny.”  - Maleficent
• “Oh look.  The little beastie is about to fall off the cliff.”  - Maleficent
• “I need you to be my wings.”  - Maleficent to Diaval
• “Oh dear.  What an awkward situation.” - Maleficent

Tips for parents:  This family flick provides a villain that isn’t too scary for little ones, but has some violence for its PG rating.  Other things that children will see include a fire-breathing dragon, sword fights, vengeance, anger, sibling fighting, and jealousy.

 

The vocabulary word for the day for your kids is MALEFICENT: doing evil or harm; harmfully malicious; causing or capable of producing evil or mischief

Are comic books literature or big movie magic or both?

Some might argue that comic books aren't true literature, but they sure make for great movies!  I have a cousin who has a business that certifies comic books with a grading system once they have been autographed.  He has worked with Stan Lee many times and has a list of upcoming signing events on his web site. It's big business on paper, as well as on the big screen!

Below is my review from my movie review maven blog from this weekend:

Movie Title:   Captain America: The Winter Soldier [HD]

Grade:   A-

In a Nutshell:   

A great marvel!  This mile-a-minute action flick is the second installment in the Captain America franchise and a terrific stand-alone story that is compelling and complex.  Sequels are notorious for not being as good, but this gritty one is winning high praises from Marvel fans and newbies alike.  It’s a smart political thriller that makes you feel like you just saw a real movie.  It’s brave enough to tackle serious issues such as national security, government surveillance and the price of freedom.

Marvel is really doing it right, pumping out one fun flick after another.  The Amazing Spider-Man , X-Men: Days of Future Past , and Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 1: Cosmic Avengers hit the big screen in just weeks!  It’s a little bit helpful to have seen the first Captain America film, but if not, don’t worry…you’ll catch on quickly.

Uplifting theme:  Wouldn’t it be great if American patriotism were cool again?

Things I liked:

• The Winter Soldier is an interesting villain.
• Three Days of the Condor [HD] star Robert Redford reminds us how cool those 1970s espionage movies were.
• I love clever banter between fun characters.  Scarlett Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff who steals scenes with Rogers (Captain America), played by the impressively buff Chris Evans.  You’ll most likely see a trailer before this movie that features Scarlett Johansson in the upcoming film that looks like it has some good potential: Lucy
• I love Sam Wilson’s evolution into a superhero with the aid of his uber-awesome jet-powered wings.
• The opening scene with Chris Evans in an Under Armour shirt…wow.  My kids gross out whenever I talk about male actors like that, but hey, I’m not dead.
• Scenes where everyone points a gun at everyone else in a stand-off always crack me up.
• I’m glad we get to see the man behind the mask.  The Winter Soldier’s mask gets knocked off fairly early in the film and we learn more about him as the film develops.
• The CGI was great and believable. 
• I thought the slow-motion scene toward the end was great.
• I thought the list of things Captain America made of things he needed to catch up on was pretty cute.  It included Tai food, Disco, Moon landing, and Marvin Gaye.
• I LOVED the finale of How I Met Your Mother: The Complete Series , so I enjoyed seeing Cobie Smulders again.
• I love it when Stan Lee makes his cameo performance.  His big line in this installment of his Marvel character movies is “Oh man!  I am so fired.”  Ha ha
• I loved watching a middle-aged woman in a dress suit kick bad-guy butt.

(PHOTO ON LEFT:  One of our pastry students at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, where I teach, designed a special sugar structure to celebrate Captain America!  Everything in her design is edible!)

Things I didn’t like:

• It didn’t have as much humor as The Avengers or Iron Man movies.
• Some people may criticize the movie for being unrealistic.  Well, duh…it’s a superhero movie.

Funny lines:

• Nick Fury says “We’re gonna neutralize a lot of threats before they even happen.”  Captain America replies “I thought the punishment came after the crime.”
• Natasha asks “Hey fellas, either one of you know where the Smithsonian is?   I’m here to pick up a fossil.”  Captain America says “That’s hilarious” as he gets in her car.
• Falcon yells “How do we know the good guys from the bad guys?”  Captain America yells back as they run towards danger “If they’re shooting at you, they’re bad!”
• Natasha asks “You doing anything fun Saturday night?”  Captain America answers “Well, all the guys in my barbershop quartet are dead…so, no, not really.”
• Captain America says “You don’t have to come with me.”  Falcon replies “I know.  When do we start?”
• Falcon says to the Cap “You know you’re a lot heavier than you look.”  Captain America chirps back “I had a big breakfast.”
• A soldier on a plane that Captain America jumps out of says to another soldier “Was he wearing a parachute?”  “No, no he wasn’t.”
• “Secure the engine room.  Then find me a date.”  - Captain America
• “You’re wrong about me.  I do share.  I’m nice like that.” – Agent Nick Fury
• “I do what he does, just slower.”  - Falcon, referring to Captain America.

Did you know?

• The Avengers was almost a rated R movie.   Some of the violence was a bit too much, so the directors had to tone it down and resubmit it.  There is LOT of violence in Captain America: The Winter Soldier [HD] , but they tried hard to not get an R rating so that kids could watch it.  Parents, be prepared for lots of shooting, explosions, and collateral damage.
• Robert Downey Jr. has already convinced us how cool he is, but he took it up another notch when he invited 20 kids to join him at his house to watch Captain America: The Winter Soldier [HD] .  He posted this note on his Facebook page “What better way to spend my birthday than recognizing the cosmic miracle of Captain America 2 opening the same day.”  Nice.
• Agent Nick Fury trades in his eye patch for a set of cool shades.  You even get to see what’s underneath his patch.
• If you’re currently watching the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show, see this movie first, and then continue watching the TV series.
• Keep watching after the credits roll for a teaser.
• If you liked the Trouble Man song from the movie, check out the entire Marvin Gaye album:

Tips for parents:  Try having a conversation with your kids about which is more important: freedom or security.  I liked the line Captain America said “Soldiers trust each other.  That’s what makes it an Army.”  Have your kids write some letters of encouragement to some soldiers who are willing to give their lives to protect our country and you.