Alice In Wonderland (1951) (The Disney Collection)

Alice In Wonderland is Disney's take on the Alice in Wonderland book series. It is a actually really dark for Disney in the 50's. Talking about beheading and other dark themes. It tells the story of Alice, who gets transported to this place called wonderland.

Now as a kid I was never the biggest fan of the movie. So now that I am grown up and have gone though it again, I am still not a fan of the film. I think the film works a lot better as a series of shorts. I mean the film (I use film lightly here) really doesn't make much sense. I know that it isn't supposed to, but this one really doesn't. The film just moves from one event to the next without connecting one from the other. None of the songs are great or memorable either. I really don't like a lot of the characters or much of the lack luster story. Even when I compare this to Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland (which actaully makes some sense with a three act story) I still don't like it. Maybe it's the world or the fact that it isn't meant to make sense, but I really can't get into these stories. The only thing that I really found some enjoyment in was the animation. I can tell the animators really had to a lot of fun with this film. They created some very cool looking creatures and just a cool world over all. The one character that I can say that I enjoyed is the Cheshire Cat. I thought he was a very cool character and had an awesome design. He actually got me to laugh. Now I really don't hate this film. I think some kids can really get into this world, because it can let there imagination fly. It has that spark that lets you go crazy with your imagination and go to any place. So I think that is one of the best things about this film. The film really understands children and how their minds go to places. I mean, all kids create worlds in their minds. You did and I did to (I did it a lot). I can relate to the story for that aspect and that aspect alone.

So the question does the film hold up now that I am 22 years old. Not really. I was never into it as a kid and it hasn't changed now that I am older. I can really only recommend this to children. I think they would really like it, but if your an adult there isn't much there. I know that in the books there is more substance so maybe try those.

RATING
1 out of 4 Ticket Stubs

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It is also the 8th Apes film. So we have seen a lot of talking Apes at the movies. We get the return of the star of the last film back. No, not James Franco even thought he wasn't bad in the last film. Andy Serkis returns as the Motion Cap ape leader, Caesar. We also get two new characters in Jason Clarke and Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman). This film takes place about 8 years after the first. The terrible virus has spread all over the world and has left the world in a post apocalyptic state.

To start off we had a change in director to Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In). I love his work I think he is a very good director. That hasn't seen much light from hollywood. He is perfect as the director of this film. The pace of the film is great. It's a two hour film that flies by and is so tease that you are on the edge of your seat the whole time. The tone never feels wrong and has its darker moments when it needs it and has its lighter moments when it needs it. So director did a good job, check. Now to the story. I really liked the story of the film. It has a lot of themes that you can really read into if you want, but still has that summer blockbuster fun that we need at this time of the year. It really is a great blend and writer and Reeves do a great job at blending these two things. It also never does what you expect it to do. It takes little twists and turns to keep you guessing. So the story is good, check. Acting... Andy Serkis deserve a oscar nod or something. I mean I was rooting for him in Rise. He is even better in this. You see Caesar go thought a ton of emotions and you can see the human that is inside the CGI Ape. He is more human and performed better then some of the characters that are just straight up human in other films this year. The CGI is insanely good. Not once did I go that is a CGI Ape. I always thought they were real Apes the whole film. So the acting is good.

So Kyle what didn't you like about this film? A very little actaully. On my drive home I was trying really hard to find a problem and I just couldn't. Every time I thought I found something. I would be able to defend the problem. I think it is a great summer film. That improves on everything that Rise sets up. It is also as deep as a movie with Apes on horses can be. If you are fan of the first one or you are just looking for a really good film. Go see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

RATING
3.75 out of 4 Ticket Stubs

The Little Mermaid (The Disney Collection)

I know I am skipping here, but since this is the return of The Disney Collection. I wanted to write about one that a lot of people know, but kind of don't know a lot of the full story of the film. Now The Little Mermaid is a classic. I mean who hasn't seen this film. Guys, admit that you have seen this film and actually liked it. What I find to be the most interesting thing about this film is the fact. For awhile disney films started to become boring and stale. Not just boring slipping in sales (Oh No Disney slipping in gross). So they decided to change up there style with this film. The made the princess more of a go getter. When watching it again I can totally see that. The last princess film they made was Sleeping Beauty. Which has the lest memorable princess of them all. Does nothing in the film. Just falls asleep.  Princess Ariel actually goes out of her way and makes her own destiny. It's a big breath of fresh air. They also made it more of a musical. Yes, their are songs in all the films well most, but they don't actaully play any part in the film. These songs do. The also started to use computers (CGI) to help and move the camera. Giving us more of a cinematic feel instead of having the camera at a fixed point. Now this started the era that is know as the Disney Renaissance in which they would release hit after hit after hit thought the 90's.

Now the film itself I would say still works to this day. The animation looks great. I watched it on blu ray and I can say some of the images look amazing. The songs all really work. I mean still really work. "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the girl" work the best in my mind. I mean they are good songs. Well wrote and fit the film and are just good songs all around. The pace of the film is actaully slower. When I say slower that is compared to Disney films which move so fast you can blink and miss them. You can actually see that the film is plainly set into a three act film. Which is pretty cool to see. The voice acting is so memorable. I mean the voice of Ariel and Ursula are just so unbelievably good. This film really is a classic and doesn't have many faults. I do have my problems thought. That's in Prince Eric. A lot people thing Ariel is crazy for falling in love within a day and plus she is 16 doesn't know any better. Eric also falls in love within 20 seconds. Ariel saves his life and he wakes up and says I am going to marry that girl. He doesn't remember anything about her, just her voice. So who is the crazier one? I also just don't like him as a character he feels more of plot point then a character. Also you can tell were the CGI came in now I have to give them a pass on this because it was made in 1989.

The Little Mermaid changed a lot up things in Disney and did it show? Yes, it did and do I still enjoy the film. Yes I very much enjoy the film. I just don't love this one. So with that I am going to give it a

RATING
3 out 4 Ticket Stubs

Guardians of the Galaxy 17 Minutes footage

So what I saw was basically a full scene of the film and a clip show. The scene ran about 10 to 15 minutes and the last little bit was a long trailer. I will mostly be talking about the scene without spoilers. So don't worry. I will just refer to the scene as the jail scene. What I can tell you guys about the film is very simple. I can tell that James Gunn absolutely is killing the tone in the film. It has that same fun and comic book feel that The Avengers had. So I think they have found there lighting in a bottle again. The scene I watched was very funny, but also completely action packed. I really have a lot of faith after seeing this. It had that turned up to 11 feel. All things were moving fast and perfect. I think if the tone of the trailer kind of put you off. You don't really have to be to worried. It isn't just a straight comedy. Which so many blindly said it would be. I knew it would have funny moments, but I knew it was going to be action packed. The CGI on Groot and Rocket is amazing. I believe every moment that they were on screen. I can also tell that they really got the outer space feel really down. I feel like if we didn't have another Star Wars film coming out. This could be have been the Star Wars of this Generation. I know thats is saying a lot and this all sounds like a fluff piece, but it truly isn't. Anyone that was worried shouldn't have to worry we are in good hands and I think we could have a classic on our hands.  So when it finally comes out go see it. I know I will be right there with you.