uruseiranma Reviews

Sector 7 (2011)

You're better off watching 'Alien' than this

[6/10 · 20 October 2012]

Seriously. That's pretty much the film that we have on hand. A crew isolated out in the middle of nowhere (aka an oil rig), are attempting to do a job, when they encounter a strange, brutal creature.

Unlike 'Alien,' there's very few characters to care about. There's a gaggle of idiots (one pretty much the Jar Jar Binks of comedy relief) that you just know are fodder for the creature.

Most of this films feels like it was shot against a green-screen, as we see lots of process-shots, and even some fake motorcycle-riding (yes, motorcycles on an oil rig, they are THAT bored!).

This was also a 3D horror film, so we have lots of images of swooping cameras, characters moving in and out of the frame, and stuff coming' right at ya! Personally, give me 'Alien' or 'The Host' any day, and leave 'Sector 7' to sink into the abyss.

Cheers: Simon Says (1987) Season 5, Episode 21

A very entertaining roller-coaster ride, and John Cleese is screaming along (on the inside)

[9/10 · 12 January 2012]

When Frasier Crane's friend (acclaimed marriage counselor Simon Finch-Royce) stops by Cheers to visit him, Diane requests that Simon analyze her and Sam. However, after a few questions, Simon tells the couple that their chances for a happy marriage are close to nil. What follows are several well-placed comedy scenarios that would just be giving away too much if I said any more.

John Cleese won a Golden Globe award for his guest-spot as Frasier Crane's friend Dr. Simon Finch-Royce, and watching him in "Simon Says," it soon becomes pretty easy to see why. Cleese's portrayal of Simon has him acting a bit snooty, but pretty 'mild' if his acting in Monty Python springs to mind. The humor in his role comes more from asides than all-out sight-gags.

In a way, Shelley Long as Diane Chambers is probably the most 'excitable' role in the entire piece, and she plays Diane's over-analytical nature here so well, that you can't help but look at Sam Malone's face and say, "I understand, man. I understand." A format very similar to this episode's was later reused (a tad) in an episode of "Frasier" entitled, "A Lilith Thanksgiving." I won't say anymore, but if you see both that episode and "Simon Says," you will most likely draw the same conclusion that I did and feel someone possibly looked to this episode for 'inspiration.'

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Party of One (2011) Season 1, Episode 25

A Pinkie Pie episode that stands on four hooves, and delivers!

[9/10 · 18 December 2011]

Up until this point, Pinkie Pie has often been related to the oddball of the ponies. With 'Party of One,' the writers finally give her a story arc (almost) all to herself.

After throwing a great party that her friends compliment her on, she immediately sets out to throw an after-party the next day...only to find her friends making excuses, and doing something they don't want to include her in.

The scenario still leaves plenty of room for Pinkie Pie to be a little 'odd,' but it also feels like one of the first times we've gotten to spend more time with her, and her thought processes.

This leads to a moment near the end of the episode that is really quite memorable (so much so that it sparked a rather dark fan-fiction about Pinkie...but that's all I'll say about that). With the other Pony characters, we've seen how they can be level-headed much of the time, but this episode is rare in its analysis of Pinkie Pie and her fun-loving attitude.

Cheers: A Fine French Whine (1991) Season 10, Episode 10

Helps push Woody and Kelly's character arc along, but the writing can be trying at times

[6 September 2011]

A subplot about Frasier experiencing a headache quickly takes a backseat to the love triangle of Woody Boyd, Kelly Gaines, and French Lothario, Henri. Overall, the episode feels like a race to not only cause tension, but to wrap up this subplot and move Woody and Kelly onto new territory. However, what may really make the episode excruciating is the writing for Kelly's character.

It's pretty obvious from previous episodes that Woody and Kelly are not the sharpest knives in the drawer, but in this episode, it almost feels like they have pushed her naiveté a bit too far, making Kelly's clueless nature about Henri borderline 'annoying.'

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Michael Bay is off the leash, and back in action.

[5/10 · 27 June 2009]

With the first "Transformers" film in 2007, it seemed as if Michael Bay had gone in for therapy, given that his forte for hot cars, hotter girls, and bigger explosions was slightly toned down under the auspices of Executive Producer Steven Spielberg. The film seemed to actually hold some promise that Bay was able to tell a story that could allow the audiences to maybe 'care' moreso for the people who generally came and went with the same rapid-fire emotion of a television commercial.

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" was touted as being bigger and badder than the first film (though almost all sequels try to outdo their predecessor). However, it feels moreso like a Transformer who keeps melding with more and more Transformers, until it's so large, that it can't function properly.

Bay's visuals and storytelling aesthetics that seemed to have grown slightly in the first film have been severely limited as he tries to weave a story involving Sam Witwicky(Shia LaBeouf) trying to grow up, as well as come to terms with his relationship with Mikaela(Megan Fox). This is also further intertwined with a Decepticon-destroying branch of the Army working in conjunction with the Autobots, as well as a plotpoint that tries to bring some deeper information regarding Transformers lore to the big-screen.

With so much going on, even some of the Autobots that many had grown to like in the first film are severely underused, such as Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. Front and center for much of the 'Autobot screen-time' are a couple of jive-talking bumblers named Skids and Mudflap. Bay has claimed that he developed them for humorous purposes, but very little of what passes from their lips is humorous, instead seeming annoying(if there's anything positive about them, it's that they have slightly less voice-time than Jar-Jar Binks in 'Episode 1').

In the end, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" comes off as being summer eye-candy, as your brain rushes to absorb myriad plotpoints, people talking incredibly fast, disorienting camera moves, and humorous word and sight gags that would make any 10-year-old boy burst into laughter, but cause most of those who are older to cock an eyebrow.

Coraline (2009)

Henry Selick's latest film is a delight!

[9/10 · 5 February 2009]

Almost 3 weeks ago, I attended a screening from Ain't It Cool News to see Henry Selick's latest film, 'Coraline.' I was excited because the screening would showcase the film in 3-D technology, and there was the chance to do a Q&A with Director Henry Selick (unfortunately due to bad weather, Mr. Selick did not make it to our screening).

Before going in to see 'Coraline,' I had read the book on which the film was based. While many acclaimed it for it's storyline, I found it rather dull and predictable. I've been surrounded by fans of Neil Gaiman's work, though so far had never picked up a book written by him (though 'American Gods' did pique my interest).

Going into the film, I was not quite sure what to expect. I had had tastes of the film from the trailers, but the general consensus was that Henry Selick had tarnished Gaiman's story, turning it into 'Disney fodder.' The truth is: the film manages to be both charming and creepy.

For those not in the know, "Coraline" tells the tale of Coraline Jones, who moves to a new town and a house with several strange characters. As well, Coraline's parents just seem to have no time for her, and so she takes to exploring her new abode by herself. In her exploration, she uncovers a small door in the house, which seems to lead to nowhere. But upon revisiting the door late at night, it opens onto a parallel world that is much more whimsical and fun than the real world.

The one difference is that in the 'Other World,' almost all the inhabitants have buttons for eyes. But still, the other parents in this world pay attention to Coraline, and the rather blasé atmosphere of the real world is electrified with color and interesting flights of fancy. It seems just so perfect...or is it? Henry Selick manages to take Neil Gaiman's story, and crafts a world that just seems to take great advantage of stop-motion in a world where the obvious choice would be to go for a totally computer-generated world. Seeing minute details such as Coraline's clothing made of actual material makes the world seem even more magical, where invisible giants manipulate the Lilliputians in this miniature world.

Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, and a number of other vocal actors give voice to a number of wonderful characters, with Hatcher really doing double and triple-duty with her vocal talents. Fanning on the other hand, fleshes out a character that seemed rather dull in Gaiman's work. Her voice gives Coraline the life that I didn't think was possible.

One unsung hero (along with the countless animators who will be passed over in the press junkets) is the composer, Bruno Corlais. Mr. Corlais had never crossed my ears until the screening, but his music lends a touch of brilliance to the film, and makes it seem almost like a European production. Growing up in he US in the early 80's, I saw a number of stop-motion productions from Europe that played on the Nickelodeon show 'Pinwheel.' Corlais' music just transported me to that simpler of times when music didn't need to be 'commercial.' His score really helps to establish the world as well, and uses some instruments that may sound foreign to American ears.

And if anyone is questioning if the 3-D is worth it-it is! This isn't the fly-in-your-face #-D that was seen 2-3 decades ago. It's subtler, but gives dimension to the miniature world of 'Coraline.' I think if you showed this film to a child in 3-D, they'd go home dreaming of creating their own little worlds of stop-motion puppets.

For the year 2009, 'Coraline' so far (as of 2/6/09), is my first enjoyable film experience. I'm hoping my other upcoming film hopefuls (Watchmen, Up, Transformers 2) will also make me feel as positive.

Inspector Gadget (1999)

Go-Go-Gadget-Gag-Reflex

[1/10 · 1 July 2006]

During the 1990's in Hollywood, a funny thing happened. Studios began to suddenly think that by re-imagining previous cartoons as live-action films, they could stand to make a tidy little profit. The Walt Disney Studios got off to quite a huge start when their 1996 starring vehicle 'George of the Jungle' (taken from the cartoon of the same name by legendary creator Jay Ward) made upwards of $100 million. Suddenly, a new trend had caught on. But not wanting to stop there, Disney thought they'd try again. Though this time, with a hot cartoon property from the 1980's, dubbed 'Inspector Gadget.'

The previews touted a fun, rollicking film, where Gadget would be a live-action crime-fighting 'tool,' complete with Gadgetcopter, extendo-legs, and much more. But aside from all the cool, techno-gadgetry, the film became the stuff of typical executive schlock. The town where our characters reside is colored so garish that you'd assume color-blind monkeys did the decorating work. What's more, most of the plot devices that made the cartoon series memorable have been jettisoned in favor of a jive-talking Gadgetmobile with trademark-friendly sponsors, pop-up-video-style memory flashbacks, and more.

What made the cartoon series work so well, was we never did learn most of the big questions, like 'how did Gadget get his gadgets?' 'Why does Dr Claw hate Inspector Gadget?' And even the most important one: 'what does Claw look like?'

For this film, those questions are answered for us, and it gets to the point where you just want them not to tell you these things.

'Inspector Gadget' is a throwaway summer film, as well as a mindless babysitter for when you need to do your laundry.

what Disney Studios crafted here was something so brainless that parents most likely got bored while their children were held in place with cheap live-action gags and the usual round of fart and poop jokes.

Amazing Stories: Family Dog (1987) Season 2, Episode 16

Animated tale from the minds of 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'The Incredibles'

[28 April 2006]

The 'Amazing Stories' series was supposed to be the 'Twilight Zone' of the 1980's. No two shows were ever alike, and they always found someway to explore the human psyche. However, unlike 'Twilight Zone,' Amazing Stories' delved into a fully-animated episode, based on a story written by Oscar Winner Brad Bird, and character designs from then up-and-coming director Tim Burton (this was released almost a year before 'Beetlejuice' would be released).

The Bickfords are a typical suburban family: Dad likes to lay about watching the ball game. Mom is stuck as a typical suburban housewife, unable to possibly find fulfillment. Their son is a future homicidal maniac (anything that can be used as a weapon he loves to get his hands on), and daughter is the precocious little girl who can't shut up no matter what.

And then there's-'The Family Dog.' The bane of the Bickfords. He seems to do nothing except whatever he wants. The family is unsure what to do about him, but when it seems that he can't even prevent their house from being burglarized, the little guy is sent away for obedience training. 2 weeks later, the little guy turns into a snarling, doggy terror at the snap of your fingers (snapping them again reverts him back into a tail-wagging little scamp).

The traits of a Burton drawing are all here. The Dog's eyes exude the familiar saucer-eyed traits of man of Burton's characters, such as Vincent and Victor Van Dort.

'Family Dog' could almost be early practice for Brad Bird. Tackling dysfunctional family is one thing, but almost 15 years later to tackle one with superpowers is something completely different. The Bickfords truly act like a typical family of suburbia. no perfect white picket fences and polite conversation-they have their squabbles, chit chats, and whatnot that is so common in the 'real world.'

Of fun note is also the role of Bird as the obedience school trainer, with subtle shades of future fashion maven Edna Mode leaking through her toothy grin.

Donald's Happy Birthday (1949)

Nephew's good intentions thwarted again

[8/10 · 12 April 2006]

It's Donald's birthday, and his nephews are planning to buy him a box of 'fine cigars,' only $2.98. Frantically, they begin to do all sorts of chores and present Donald with a bill of sales, totaling the required amount. Donald agrees to pay them, but their plan is halted when he insists they put that money into a singing bank ('Take my advice, do what I say, save a little money for a rainy day'). The boys then plot and scheme to get the money out, further infuriating Donald as to what they are planning to use it for. When he spots them leaving a nearby cigar store with a box, he becomes angry. cornering them in their clubhouse, he forces them to smoke the entire box, thinking that they're the ones who the box is for. It's only after he's spent all the cigars and the boys are passed out, that he finds a card left in the box- "To Uncle Donald. Happy Birthday! -Huey, Dewey and Louie."

One of several good cartoons depicting Donald and his nephews, though here they are not as much the rapscallions of other cartoons, such as 'Truant Officer Donald.' Their scheme of good intentions going awry is reflected in several other shorts of the time, such as 'Lucky Number.'

Personally, I've always felt that Clarence Nash's voice for Donald gave the duck a very 'sorrowful' sound. When Donald reads the Birthday card and the real reason his nephews wanted to buy the cigars, it almost feels a bit touching to me.

Mickey's 60th Birthday (1988 TV Movie)

Average storyline, though cashes in on the 'Roger Rabbit' craze of it's time.

[7/10 · 14 April 2005]

Mickey's 60th Birthday Party is about to get underway, though Mickey can't quite fathom that people will want to see him as himself. After rummaging in his old prop trunk, he comes across the sorcerer's hat he doffed in 'Fantasia.' However, the wizard of the hat (and this time, it's not Yen Sid from 'Fantasia') warns Mickey that he doesn't need someone else's' magic when he has his own. Mickey tries to get on with the show, however, the newest member to the Disney family, Roger Rabbit, causes a bit of his own madcap destruction, destroying half the stage and blowing up Mickey's cake in the process. All seems lost, until Mickey goes against the magician's wishes, and throws on the sorcerer's hat, cleaning up the mess, and has the crowd chanting for more. All goes well, until suddenly: the mouse vanishes! The wizard is none to pleased, and after leafing through his spell book, hits on a fitting punishment: he'll make Mickey unrecognizable to others, until Mickey can find his 'own magic.' Mickey is then returned to the normal realm, but no one recognizes him anymore. And so begins his journey, as he treks his way through several sitcom locales, such as the 'Family ties' family, and even winds up in the 'Cheers' bar, where he talks up conversation with Sam Malone and the crew.

Meanwhile, the world goes into overdrive at the loss of Mickey, as media services go into all-out panic mode looking all over, doing commentaries on him from friends, and more. And as one reporter chimes, "The stock market continues to go down, Michael Eisner's blood pressure continues to go up."

The 60th Birthday special for Mickey aired in the fall of 1988, after the summer when 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' started the renaissance of animation the world over. It was a big kick for me to see Roger on screen, let alone interacting with his voice actor, Charles Fleischer, as a stagehand for the party.

A glaring thing I have often wondered, was exactly who the wizard who claims the sorcerer's hat is. He's never given a name, and all inquiries into who he is have met with roadblocks. One has to wonder why Yen Sid was not resurrected, as he could definitely stare down Mickey with those accusing eyes of his.

Lucky Luke: Ballad of the Daltons (1978)

Mediocre but somewhat entertaining

[4/10 · 4 April 2005]

7 years after Lucky Luke dealt with the Dalton Brothers in the western frontier near Daisy Town, Luke and the Dalton's paths cross again, in The Ballad of the Dalton Gang.' A banjo player narrates the tail of how this time, Luke takes the Dalton's to prison. Though once inside, the Daltons are met by Augustus Betting, who is representing the estate of their late relative Uncle Henry Dalton. Throughout his exploits, Henry Dalton amassed quite a fortune, and named his nephews as his heirs, but on condition that they eliminate the judge and jury that sentenced him. Thoug, to make sure that they do their job, Henry Dalton wants Lucky Luke to supervise the boys (since Luke was the most honorable and trustworthy man he knew). The Dalton's manage to break out of prison, and run into Luke. Though they threaten to either shoot him, or give him a share of Henry's legacy. Luke seems to be taking this well, and offers to help rubbing out those the boys are after.

Once again, this film falls onto some humor that is probably too different for American audience to embrace. There's a dog named Rin Tin Can who just seems to be a clueless mutt who the law enforcement people keep praising, but doesn't really do much good for the better part of the film. Also, Luke's horse Jolly Jumper is given a speaking voice as well, though he's only understood by the other animals.

Bring Me the Head of Charlie Brown (1986)

Great little student film

[8/10 · 4 April 2005]

Bring me the Head of Charlie Brown was a CalArts student film and thus was not usually known, though it's a hilarious riff and parody, even if it's a bunch of guys doing the voices.

The Great Pumpkin places a bounty on Charlie Brown, and the entire Peannuts gang sets out to collect the reward. Charlie is then set upon by exploding footballs, falling pianos, and whatnot.

By the end, Charlie's had enough, and lays down a suppressive fire, taking out the PEanuts gang, before stating "Happiness is a warm Uzi."

Kind of morbid at times, but it has some great funny moments, and given the humorous way that the student film is to make this like another Charlie Brown holiday special, all the more funny.

Jim Reardon would go onto write for Tiny Toons and direct episodes of The Simpsons, and here, you can see that he was surely fitted for the job.

Daisy Town (1971)

Western zing with French flair

[7/10 · 19 March 2005]

A group of pioneers are on their way out west, when they come across a solitary daisy in the vast desert. The wagon train unloads and sets up 'Daisy Town,' named for the solitary flower. Within very little time, the town has sprung up, and even quicker, crime has come to the little town. All seems bent on recklessness, until one day, Lucky Luke rides into town, on his horse Jolly Jumper. Every bad guy in town tries to take a shot at Luke, but the man seems to always be 2 steps ahead, as one implies, 'This kid can shoot faster than a shadow.' The mayor of Daisy Town then recruits Luke as the new Sheriff. The law seems to once again be upheld, square dances go off without a hitch, until word comes that the fiendish Dalton Brothers are in the area. Led by the diminutive Joe Dalton, the big-talking desperado and his brothers begin to wage a battle against Luke's wits and the townspeople.

The film is based on a French comic-book, so the style is pretty close, though the story's humor at times doesn't quite translate over into English that well. some interesting visual gags abound, such as the building of the town, as building's spring up like flowers, and town signs come with paint and lettering included. Luke also defies logic several times. There is a nicely paced sequence at the end where Luke and the Dalton's have a showdown, and it delves into all the western clichés: growing shadows, closed windows, deserted streets,etc.

A nice little film ,though probably won't be figured out by the mass American audience. After this, the follow-up 'The Ballad of the Dalton Gang' was released, though with a different voice-dub cast.