Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 was probably the most anticipated animated feature of the summer, and even with Pixar’s stunning reputation and track record, it stands out as Pixar’s crowning achievement.
Sequels of successful franchises have often failed to live up to the standard set by the original; with a very weak plot line and a lengthy run time, the third movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy fails to match the quality of the first two films in the series. When I heard that Pixar and Disney would be working together on a third Toy Story movie, I was anxious about how the movie would turn out. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. Instead of a weak addition to the iconic franchise, the third movie was brilliant. Toy Story 3 excels in every aspect of film making from soundtrack to watcher to character connection. This movie touches everyone of every age emotionally and can cause even the toughest guys, such as me, to get chills and even tear up. This movie is an absolute must see, and I guarantee this will be enjoyed by any who see it. It will surely be nominated for the Oscars best picture. I recommend watching the first two amazing Toy Story films in order to fully experience the trilogy. I rate this movie at 97/100 and recommend it to anyone.
Inception
Inception has been on everyone’s lips since its first trailer last summer. Following The Dark Knight as the next work of the renowned Christopher Nolan, expectations were unbelievably high and when expectations get high, movies tend to let down. Let me make this next part very clear, Inception does NOT let down. Christopher Nolan’s screenplay, the culmination of 10 years of work, is fantastic. The idea of dream infiltration and idea planting, known as inception, creates a revolutionary storyline for a movie. The intricate plot keeps the audience on the edges of their seats the entire way through. Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack creates the epic atmosphere the movie needed and gives it more. The perfect blend of music and amazing shots makes this film extremely pleasing to the eye and leaves you wondering how the hell they did it. The cast of Inception is flawless. The movie flaunts Leonardo DiCaprio (Shutter Island and The Departed), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500 Days of Summer), Marion Cotillard (Public Enemies and Nine) Ellen Page (Juno and Whip It), and Michael Cain (Secondhand Lions and The Dark Knight) as its star studded cast. They don’t let the movie down. Inception is a mind bending film whose ending is extremely thought provoking and remarkable. This movie IS the non-animated summer blockbuster everyone had been waiting for and is definitely a contender for a ton of awards, including best picture. I give this movie a 97/100.
Dinner for Schmucks
Dinner for Schmucks starring the hilarious Paul Rudd and Steve Carell, is funny enough to please most audiences. Based on the French film Le diner de cons, the film has excellent source material and the actors American-ize the story to modern humor. The main problem with this movie in my opinion is Steve Carell. Don’t get me wrong here; he is hilarious but he is just a dumber Michael Scott. I kept finding myself wishing that a different choice had been made to portray Barry. The movie is filled with the all too familiar but incredibly awkward and sometimes hard to watch situations that Steve Carell has near perfected through his participation in the hit TV series The Office. Fortunately Zach Galifianakis saves the movie by portraying a character that is unique and equally if not more hilarious than all of his other roles. The movie also incorporates the mirthful ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. I again found myself wishing that his character, a man who is convinced that his puppet is his wife, deserved a more prominent role. Paul Rudd, the movie’s main character, also leaves something to be desired whether it be more quips and smart-*** comments or just more funny lines in general. In contrast, the actors are clearly having fun and this fun is contagious, creating the enjoyable and entertaining aspect of the film. In the end, Dinner for Schmucks creates a lot of laughs and will entertain but leaves something to be desired in almost every area. I give this movie a 61/100.
Valhalla Rising
Every time I do reviews I will pick one lesser known movie each time that isn’t exactly well-known every time I do reviews. Valhalla Rising stars Mad Mikkelsen (Clash of the Titans and Quantum of Solace) as the notorious Viking gladiator and prisoner, known as One-Eye. This movie exemplifies what creative and fantastic cinematography is. It shows some of the most interesting and spectacular shots since Into the Wild. The story is about One Eye’s escape to freedom, his joining of a crusader group, his journey, and his search for redemption. This extremely dark and extremely gory film enters into the controversial but interesting realms of sin, hell, war, redemption, and religion. The soundtrack creates an eerie and sometimes scary feel, enhancing the spectator’s fear and anticipation. The movie is not for the average moviegoer. It demands interpretation and careful attention. The acting in Valhalla Rising is superb and not one actor falters. The story itself begins to drag a bit, due to the style of storytelling it is trying to achieve, during the middle parts of the movie. The style in my opinion revolutionizes and is exceptionally unique. I recommend this movie only to people who love violent films (you’ll get your fill) and veteran moviegoers who love interpretation. I rate this movie at 73/100.
