How To Train Your Dragon

I saw this movie last night and was very pleasantly surprised! I loved the animation, and I feel this is DreamWorks studios best release to date. It best competes with it's big animation rival Pixar. I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The story is fun, and heart-felt. I especially liked the fact that they steered away from most pop-culture references, and came out to tell a story. It didn't try to be overly funny with lame jokes, and it didn't dumb down some of its more emotionally poignant moments because of the children in the audience. I especially loved the giant dragon at the end--Cool Stuff! A good, fun, dragon-fighting and flying romp! I recommend this movie to just about anyone! And kids will probably love it.

Grade: A-

In honor of St Patty's Day I submit the following link to a fun video I made on JibJab. Enjoy!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/vCnO2R0dRWqeqNj9

Alice in Wonderland, Avatar, and Holmes

I never reviewed AVATAR, but rest assured that I thought it was spectacular! Left the film in awe. My favorite movie released in 2009. Most everyone has seen this one already so the review on this is not entirely necessary. Still only seen it once, but am dying to see it again.

Avatar Grade: A

I never reviewed SHERLOCK HOLMES, but I can tell you that you should definitely see it when you can--dollar theater or DVD. It has wonderful/beautiful (and Oscar nominated) art direction; plus, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are entertaining throughout. You can't seem to go wrong with Robert Downey Jr. these days--it's hard to take your eyes off of his performances.

Sherlock Holmes Grade: B+

ALICE IN WONDERLAND is what I'm reviewing for now. Simply put, a waste of wonderful source material, and talent. How could a movie with the tremendous talents of Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter be so ensconced mediocrity? Wasn't terrible, but wasn't memorable. Whomever wrote the screenplay drifted from the original story, and made up one of their own. A story in which Alice is older, and is returning to Wonderland only to remember nothing of it turned out to be quite un-magical, and disapointing. It is very kooky, but the charm is not there. Things just sort of happen without any real explanation...which might be good for a film based on this source material, but in this case it's bad. Some of the few upsides include a fun performance from the Cheshire Cat, a moody performance from the Caterpillar (voiced by Alan Rickman of Harry Potter Snape fame), and decent performances from Depp and Bonham Carter as the Red Queen. They got the most out of the script they could...at least that's what it felt like. The art direction was pretty good overall, but not strong enough to carry the film on its shoulders alone.

I would say worth seeing once, and although the 3D was done very well it is not worth your money, if you do see it in theaters, to go the 3D route. I would advise the dollar theater or DVD rental.

Alice in Wonderland Grade: C+