Mulan

Directed by: Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook

Written by: Robert D. San Souci (among about thirty others)

Top Billed Actors: Ming-Na, Eddie Murphy, B.D. Wong

Genre: Children’s Adventure

Year Released: 1998

Rating: G

When China is attacked by the Hun army, the Emperor sends orders that one man from every family will be required to enlist in the army. When Mulan, a headstrong, independent young woman hears this news, she is appalled. Her father, the only man in her family, has grown old and is too weak to serve in the army. Her determination to protect her father leads Mulan to disguise herself as a man and join the army in her father’s place.She is accompanied by Mushu, a small dragon sent by her ancestors for her protection, Khan, her faithful horse, and Cri-ki a ‘lucky’ cricket purchased by her grandmother. As her group completes their training and marches into battle, Mulan struggles to keep her identity hidden while keeping up with her fellow soldiers and protecting the country and the emperor.

Sarah’s Thoughts

Though I adored this movie as a child, I hadn’t seen it for years until now. Our nostalgic viewing was prompted by two main factors. First, a close friend received a copy of Mulan along with several other Disney movies for Christmas. Second, in the past few months, Chris has devoted himself to learning all of the words to “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” the song sung by Shang, the male lead and love interest.

Needless to say, these factors mandated our watching Mulan (and likely several other Disney movies to follow in the near future).

Moving on with the actual review, I still find Mulan to be a highly enjoyable film. Despite being primarily aimed at children, there are several references and jokes that I find incredibly entertaining now that flew completely over my head ten years ago.

I find the character chemistry to be incredibly well executed. The voice actors are all brilliant. Particular props to Eddie Murphy, who plays the obligatory animal sidekick and comic relief, Mushu. His jokes are one of the highlights of the movie experience.

Another feature I must highlight is the soundtrack. One thing Disney has always done well is creating fun, easy sing along songs for their musicals. This is certainly true for Mulan which is one of my favorite Disney soundtracks. (And I’ll confess… it’s on my I-pod)

So, despite the fact that we spent a good bit of the movie picking on the historical inaccuracies and the points of minor illogic or ignored laws of physics, we had a wonderful time watching.

I would recommend this movie for family viewing, otherwise tedious babysitting jobs or even a nostalgic evening, particularly if you were a fan as a child.

Chris’s Thoughts

I am a guy. I like guns. I like explosions and blood. I like video games and hot wings. But I'll tell you what. I like, no let me rephrase...I AM ONE HUNDRED PERCENT, COMPLETELY ECSTATICALLY IN LOVE WITH DISNEY MOVIES! And I don't care what you say like "what a girl" or "he's a pansy" because I'll pull some serious kung fu crap and beat you down! And speaking of kung fu, this review is about Mulan (hehe, nice segway eh?). Mulan is that classic Disney movie. Pretty much every animated disney movie (or any genre for that matter) has a formula. The Disney movie formula goes a little like this..ahem...1: Hereo/Heroine 2: Obligatory animal who doesn't talk but is usually sassy and 3: The love interest who doesn't seem like a love interest at first but you still know they are the love interest. Well lets break it down shall we? We have one, of course. That is Mulan. We have 2, Mulan's horse (affectionately called Bessy and other such stereotypical cow names by Mushu) and there is also the cricket who is just effing hilarious. And we have 3, Shang, the lieutenant who trains Mulan. The movie, while highly inaccurate, was still hilarious and a great fun to watch. As Sarah said, there are many jokes that as a youngin I didn't get. There was even a joke about cross-dressers (I'm not even kidding! Go watch it!). But overall the movie was fun, easy to sing with, and Eddie Murphy is in it, so its almost automatically brilliant. I loved this movie and you will too. So....watch it and stuff....yeah...so....*cough* bye.

Rent

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Written by: Stephen Chbosky

Jonathan Larson – Original

Top Billed Actors: Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Rosario Dawson, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Tracie, Thoms, Taye Diggs

Genre: Musical

Year Released: 2005

Rating: PG-13

Based on the hit Broadway show, which was in turn based on the opera La Boheme, Rent follows a group of starving artists through a year in their Bohemian lives in the East Village of New York City. Though they are faced with financial difficulties, loss, drug abuse and HIV, they Bohemians constantly strive to forget regret and live for the moment and to measure life in love.

Sarah's Thoughts

Though I found Rent to be a bit too complex to give a particularly satisfying detailed summary, I hope to make up for it in my review. Though that, too, may prove difficult due to the cat who has decided that my keyboard is the perfect spot for nap. No matter how sweet this is, it makes typing rather difficult. But… I digress.

From the first time I saw Rent about 5 years ago, I have loved it. I consider myself to be a bit of a Broadway junkie and have attended an embarrassing number of shows. Of all of these shows, Rent is one of my favorites and is, without a doubt, the one that has touched my life the most.

From the first note, the music is some of the most brilliant and touching I have ever heard. Rather than the traditional Broadway sound, Rent has a more edgy feel, matching the attitude of the characters.

Speaking of the characters, they are the driving force behind the story. Every character seems truly human with good and bad traits. None are purely good or purely villainous. I find that their realistic Nature is a key factor in the genius of Rent and the audience’s connection with the story. I know that I, at least, cannot get to the end with completely dry eyes no matter how many times I watch.

Overall, this is a fantastic film and I would highly recommend it. I would even more strongly recommend the stage show if you are ever in a position to attend a performance.

“No other road, no other way, no day but today.”

Chris’s thoughts:

If you know me, you probably know that I love to sing. You also probably know that I love to act. So when the two of those combine, it creates a wonderful combination of amazing proportions. I love musicals, they are catchy, different, and all around a great time. So when I watched Rent for the first time, I want you to understand how completely and utterly THRILLED I was. There is no main character in Rent. The plot focuses around the lives of seven very different people who are somewhat similar. Most of these characters are starving artists, Mark the filmmaker, Roger the musician, and Mimi the dancer. This musical is different then others. Instead of just a straight up orchestra, the instruments used in Rent don't focus around the piano, violin or flute, but around the guitar, the drums, etc. This gives the musical a “new” sound. I absolutely love the sound of this musical.

The characters are all so real. They all have their flaws and they seem so human. None of them are perfect and they all know that. What I absolutely love about this movie is the fact that no matter how crappy life gets the characters all try to be cheerful. I mean when you think about a lot of drama's or other musicals the sorrow and mopyness (yes I made up this word) is kinda exaggerated. But in Rent, as it usually is in real life, they try to make the best out of their crappy situations. Its hard to completely describe this movie. It has so many amazing factors that they are hard to list in a short blog. All I can say is to watch the movie. The movie is so sad and yet so happy, so dramatic, but so witty. Rent's conflicting themes are what makes this movie so fantastic. I could go on and on, but our blogs are usually pretty short and my fingers are kinda tired from typing so furiously. So once again, I urge you to watch this movie. It will change you...like it changed me. This is Chris Wharton...signing off.

On another note, the original writer of the play, Jonathan Larson dedicated his life to writing Rent. He worked in a dingy diner in New York City for ten years to support his writing. His firsthand experiences in the city contribute largely to Rent’s realism and emotional impact. When he finally completed the place, he was thrilled to be able to quit work at the Moondance Diner and begin production.

After months and months of work, Rent was finally ready to open for its first preview. That night, Jonathan Larson went home alone, feeling rather ill. The next morning, a friend found his body on the kitchen floor.

On January 25, 1996, at age 35, Jonathan Larson died of an aortic aneurysm. Two weeks later, Rent opened as an almost immediate hit. By April, it was on Broadway. Jonathan never saw the success of his life’s work. He never knew of the Tony Awards or the film adaptation.

For the thousands of us touched by Rent there is one thing we can all say with pure honesty.

Thank you, Jonathan Larson.

The Mummy

The Mummy

Directed by: Stephen Sommers

Written by: Stephen Sommers, Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schayer, Lloys Fonvielle, Kevin Jarre

Top Billed Actors: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr

Genre: Action/Adventure

Year Released: 1999

When Evelyn and Jonathan Carnahan discover a map of the Ancient Egyptian city of Hamunaptra, they each have their own motivation for seeking it. Evy is drawn to the history of the city. Hamunaptra is the supposed resting place of the book of Amun Ra, a valuable and previously undiscovered relic. Jonathan, on the other hand, is seeking the “wealth of Egypt” which is rumored to lie within the city. The two team up with Rick O’Connell who acts as their guide on their journey up the Nile. Along the way, they are surprised to discover that they have competition – a group of Americans seeking Hamunaptra for their own profit.

Though they all scoff at the legend of the “Curse of the Mummy,” danger is stirring beneath the sand. The members of both crews are forced to abandon their hopes for the expedition and rethink their view of curses when they accidentally awaken Imhotep, a high priest of Ancient Egypt. And much to Rick’s discomfort, this time his normal arsenal of firearms won’t be enough.

Sarah’s Thoughts

I must admit that when Chris and I sat down to watch this movie, I was asleep within twenty minutes. I suppose it’s a good thing, then, that I’ve seen it several times over the years. As you can probably gather, I love this movie. A wonderful blend of action, romance and humor, The Mummy is an incredibly fun film to watch. Though perhaps the plot and characters are a bit typical for the genre, I have very few complaints about this movie.

Rick is winning hero and it is only natural to cheer him on. Evy is his natural love interest but manages to use her knowledge of ancient Egypt so as not to be a complete damsel in distress. Though Jonathan does not add any particular skills to the team plot-wise, his character contributes a significant amount of the film’s humor. Beyond this, the obvious chemistry between the three main actors makes the movie as wonderful as it is.

I must also praise the efforts of the special effects team. Imohtep was created entirely within the computer. His movements were matched to Vosloo’s and thus the mummy was born. Now, I could go into what I learned through watching the hour-long documentary included on the DVD, but suffice to say, the process behind the spectacular effects seen in the final film is nothing short of art.

Overall, I would recommend this film for a fun movie night.

Chris’s thoughts

When Sarah first mentioned The Mummy, I was a bit skeptical. Whenever I think of mummies, I think of the Scooby Doo version – toilet paper and such. Then someone accidentally steps on a loose piece of toilet paper and and the mummy is unraveled into some kind of tub or something. But this movie was no Scooby Doo. At least, I think so. I missed bits and pieces because someone fell asleep on my chest and was too cute to ignore. -cough- Sarah -cough-

But The Mummy had an interesting plot, and great special effects and CGI, especially for its time. Like when the Imhotep – the High Priest Dude – rose from the dead! PRICELESS!!! And Rick just had a serious case of kickassitosis and badasseomia. And Jonathan... well, he's useless, but friggin hilarious.

An all-around awesome film.
Chris says that you must watch it!

Scott Pilgrim V.S. The World

Scott Pilgrim VS The World

Directed by: Edgar Wright

Written by: Michael Bacall, Edgar Wright

Based on the Graphic Novels by: Bryan Lee O’Malley

Starring, Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kieran Culkin

Genre: Action/Romance

Year Released: 2010

One year after being dumped by his girlfriend, Scott Pilgrim, 22, still hasn’t recovered. Between a struggling band and dating 17-year-old Knives Chau, it seems that Scott is content to allow his life to remain mediocre. That is, until he meets her. Ramona Flowers is the girl of Scott’s dreams – quite literally. Though he struggles to break up with Knives, Scott soon realizes that Ramona has baggage of her own. In order to date her, Scott must first defeat her seven evil exes. Between this series of video game inspired battles, Scott grows closer to Ramona as he strives to unravel the secrets behind her mysterious behavior.

Sarah’s thoughts:

Scott Pilgrim is a film that walks the fine line between brilliance and terrible cliché. If the concept had been any less well executed, the whole thing would have been a complete fiasco. As it stands, the result is a quirky, enchanting and way offbeat film.

I must admit, when I heard that Michael Cera was starring, I nearly groaned out loud. I thought I knew exactly what to expect; the quiet, awkward and socially inept guy would bumble and blunder his way into the slightly odd heroine’s heart. And in some ways, that is the case. However, I must be impressed by the badass side of Michael Cera that we see in Scott Pilgrim.

As the film progresses through its storyline that blatantly ignores the laws of physics, it becomes clear that it was intended to capture a very specific audience. Many of the jokes and more subtle plot points draw from either the “indie” subculture or the “gamer” subculture. Being relatively well versed in both subjects, I found Scott Pilgrim incredibly fun to watch. However, I feel that viewers who do not have that background knowledge would miss out on a lot of the humor and charm of the film.

Overall, I found Scott Pilgrim VS the World to be an enjoyable film to watch. While perhaps not the most wonderful film ever made, it is still worth watching, particularly for those who would describe themselves as gamers.

Chris’s thoughs:

“Rammoooooonaaa!” After watching Scott Pilgrim, I was singing this beautifully created, one word song for the rest of the day. Scott Pilgrim was a fantastic movie for video game nerds. The movie pulls from great classics such as Tekkin and Mortal Combat, as well as TV shows such as Dragon Ball Z. At one point, they even steal from Guitar Hero and have a “Bass Battle.” The movie was very cliché. And I mean VERY. It’s really bad and normally I would yell “Shame!” but this movie was so cliché it was almost beautiful. They took this movie to the very edge, looked over it and said “eff it” and jumped. Thankfully, they landed on an outcropping and the movie didn’t suck. In fact, it was fantastic. A few issues I have with it are that Michael Cera is the same character all the time. I mean, he does it beautifully but I wanna see something more. Another is that Ramona is kinda lacking in personality. But otherwise, the movie was great and I recommend it to all. Peace out!

An Introduction

Hello and welcome. Somehow, in your Internet wanderings, you’ve found your way to our blog. Now that you’re here, we hope you’ll stay a while.
“Who is ‘we’?” You may be asking yourself. Well, I suppose that’s a fair and relatively simple question. The answer to that question, however, is complex. It would be much easier to give an explanation of what we are not. For instance, we are not robots. We are also not kinkajous or desk lamps. However, I assume that most reasonable individuals have already deduced this.
So I am now left with the task of describing what we are – no small feat. It is nearly impossible to sum up a single person in mere words, let alone two. I am aware, however, that there is only so much information that the average Internet user is interested in.
To begin, we are high school students. Our names are Chris and Sarah. What people call us, well, that varies. We are aspiring filmmakers and, of course, movie junkies. Though we each have our different tastes and opinions, we share the same passion for the industry.
I am sure that you are not here to hear me ramble about our various goals and aspirations. Such a passage would be rather boring, and bored readers move on to other blogs, so we shall try to avoid that.
When Chris is not filming, he tends to be gaming, following me around, or eating ramen, the only meal he can properly prepare. I suppose he does have other hobbies, but its so much fun to mock him. And as I’m the one writing this introduction, there really is not a whole lot he can do about it.
I tend to lead a slightly more diverse existence. Among my interests are fencing, SCUBA diving and travel. I spend far too much of my life cross-stitching in front of countless television shows (House, Doctor Who, Firefly… I could go on and on). My addiction to Broadway is almost unhealthy.
Anyway, enough about me, for now. I’m sure you’ll grow to know both of us through our various ramblings in this blog. And speaking of the blog, I’m sure you’re wondering all about. As the title suggests and as previously mentioned, Chris and I share a love for films. Therefore, movies and movie making will be the blog’s primary focus.
Recently, we came across a book entitled 501 Must See Movies in our local bookstore. After briefly flipping through the book’s suggestions, we decided to buy it. Upon pondering the subject further, the idea for this blog came to me. Chris and I are very vocal about our opinions of any film we watch and have no problem sharing these opinions with anyone who asks and with many who don’t. So why not formalize the process into a blog?
So there you have it. Our primary topic shall be movie reviews, at least for the present. As time goes by, I’m sure we’ll dip into our own film projects and maybe even some of our thoughts on other topics.
Look for our first film review in upcoming days.
Safe travels and happy reading!