A Tribute to Mel Shaw

Today is Mel Shaw’s birthday, and I am paying tribute to this wonderful artist who passed just last month at the age of 97.

Let's Review a Movie: Noel (1992)

A television Christmas special released in early 90’s, and narrated by Charlton Heston of all people.

Independence Spotlight: The Great Bear/Dan Kaempestore Bjorn (2011)

This is an independently produced film that tells the story of a boy named Jonathan who has to journey into the great forest to rescue his little sister when she is taken by the 1000 year old bear who lives there.  While there Jonathan meets a hunter determined to kill the bear after it destroyed his village, and along the way Jonathan learns about the forest and the creatures in it.  This is also the first feature film for director Esben Toft Jacobsen. 

Wreck It Ralph – Early Thoughts

Let’s take a look at Disney’s newest full length animated feature; spoilers as always.

Let’s Review a Movie: Frank and Ollie (1995)

Today would have been the 100^th birthday of an amazing man, Ollie Johnston.  Like Ward Kimball, who I’ve talked about before, Ollie was of Walt’s Nine Old Men.  He brought great personality animation to many of Disney’s features over his long career, along with writing several books including the wonderful ‘Illusion of Life’.  In honour of all of that I’ve decided to celebrate the occasion by looking at the film that documented his life and career, along with the life of his animation partner and lifelong friend Frank Thomas.

Let’s Review a Movie: Psycho (1960)

Halloween is here again so I’m looking at my favourite ‘thriller’ film.

Let’s Review a Movie: If These Walls Could Talk (1996)

A made for television movie that tells the stories of three different women each living in the same house at different times.  The theme of the film that ties the three stories together is a very realistic look at the topic of abortion.  

Let’s Review a TV Series: The Legend of Korra Season 1

I was going to do this as an episode by episode review, but as I re-watched the season my thoughts on the later episodes kept creeping in on the earlier ones so I’m doing it all in one go; this is season one.  Or as I like to call it: how to wreck a lot of great ideas in twelve episodes or less.

Let’s Review a Movie: Batman Gotham Knight (2008)

So far this summer I’ve reviewed movies where Kevin Conroy voiced Batman and given my first thoughts on the final instalment in Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise.  So let’s look at a film that combines both of these things.

The Dark Knight Rises – Early Thoughts

Well the Nolan Batman trilogy has official wrapped up and I’m very satisfied with the conclusion on first viewing.  This review has spoilers you have been warned.

Let’s Review a Movie: Superman/Batman Apocalypse (2010)

After Bruce Timm and his team worked on several DC Animated TV shows they moved into making animated direct to DVD movies of different DC heroes and stories based on several comic book story arcs.  I’m taking a look at one of the less well received of those releases.

Brave - Early Thoughts

The new movie from Disney and Pixar is out.  It’s the thirteenth movie release for the Pixar company, but with so much good quality from the studio already does it hold up as well as many of its predecessors?  Let’s see.  This review does have full spoilers.

Let's Review a Movie: The Batman Superman Movie (1996)

Okay yes this is just the world’s finest episodes packaged up in movie form.  However, I did buy it in movie form and since I review TV movies here too I’ve decided I’m giving this a full review, so let’s go.

Let’s Review a Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)

It’s time to take another look at the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.  Upon its initial release I thought it was pretty good.  So does it still hold up?  Let’s find out.

Ranting

During my recent trip to the theatre to watch The Avengers I was reminded of something I’ve come to hate with modern movies.  No it’s not the car commercials or those turn off your cell phone ads that no one listens to anyway, it’s modern movie trailers.

The Avengers - Early Thoughts

Well I’ve decided to start going to see some superheroes movies in the run up to the release of The Dark Knight Rises.  So let’s take a look at the latest release with Marvel’s characters.  As always my review will contain full spoilers.

 

 

Let’s Review a Movie: The Lorax (2012)

Well this has been a rather polarizing film and honestly I find myself in a most hated position, right smack in the middle of opinions.

Let’s Review a Movie: The Lorax (1972)

Well with a new remake out let’s take a look back at the first attempt to adapt this Seuss work from book to screen.

Let’s Review a Movie: 101 Dalmatians (1961)

It’s time to look at what was my favourite Disney movie for the early part of my childhood.  It was later usurped by a movie from the Disney Renaissance, but that’s for another time. 

Let’s Review a Movie: The Jungle Book (1967)

In 1967 the last film ever to be produced under the personal hand of Walt Disney was released to theatres.  During The Jungle Book’s production Walt Disney told the people working on it not to read the book it was based on.  Well old Uncle Walt is getting his wish because I haven’t read the original book, and so this review will be looking at this movie entirely as a standalone project.  

Let's Review a Movie: The Rescuers (1977)

Released in 1977 The Rescuers is Disney’s twenty-third full length animated feature.  Telling the story of two mice, Bernard and Bianca, who go to rescue a young girl named Penny from the clutches of the evil Madame Medusa.   This unfortunately is a movie that hasn’t aged well for me.

Fancomic: Star Trek Horizon

Star Trek Fancomic Intro

So what does a fancomic with its roots in a 60's television show have to do with cinema?  The short answer: nothing.

Let's Review a Movie: Rear Window (1954)

Well since I spent last month ranting about a movie that was all style and no substance, I’m going to spend this month talking about a film that is all about style and substance.

The Nitpicker's Guide to Star Trek 2009 Part 2

The reason I brought up the whole idea of this franchise being more than entertainment is that, for me, that is the biggest sticking point in all of this.  Having entertainment is of course important.  You can have a deep concept, but if you don’t present it a way that’s interesting to an audience people won’t care.  Star Trek: The Motion Picture certainly has this issue.  The film has a high concept, and it’s less interesting than watching paint dry.  However, making something entertaining is, in my opinion, the surface layer of a project.  You can make a fun ride of a movie and then you make a fun ride of a movie that means something.  That a viewer can see multiple times and keep finding new things to think about, or different ways to view characters.  This film does not do that, the creators don’t even seem to consider that they should do that, and no where is that more noticeable than in the special features on the DVD of this film. I’m talking specifically about the “A New Vision” featurette. 

The Nitpicker’s Guide to Star Trek 2009 Part 1

Well it has been said that those who criticize Star Trek 2009 are just nitpicking every little detail and should just enjoy the movie for what it is.  In honour of that sentiment I’m going to pick apart the film scene by scene and anything that contradicts canon, isn’t explained, or that I think is just plain stupid is getting called on the carpet.  Now I know people are thinking, this film came out almost three years ago, isn’t this a big waste of time?  Maybe so, but I’m having fun.