The LXD: The Uprising Begins, 2010, Dance/ Action?
Plot: 2 arch enemies have a dancing showdown.
Thoughts: This movie was little more than an excuse for LXD to show off their dance moves on the Silver Screen. The dancing and cinematography were great, but I watch movies for story…which this had little of. If you’re a dancer or just like seeing very talented people, check this one out.
1.6/5
Ingredients, 2009, Documentary
Plot: A look at the organic food industry in the US.
Thoughts: I love film and I love food (organic especially), but this documentary was pretty poorly done. It was a boring look at a very interesting subject, as we’re in the heat of a revolution within the food industry. It is difficult to hate a movie with no stance but this one comes pretty close. Above-average subject, below-average movie.
1.7/5
College Inc., 2010, Documentary
Plot: A look at how for-profit colleges are scamming their students out of thousands of dollars.
Thoughts: This was a decent documentary that really covered exactly what all of these schools are doing to many of their own students. It is said that education has to come at such a high price and that these schools are capitalizing on these individuals. I have experienced the harassment of these schools and can say that it is really annoying. Watch this documentary for an upfront look at this business.
3.7/5
Tangled, 2010, Comedy
Plot: A re-imagining of the classic Rapunzel story.
Thoughts: This was like the movie that Disney forgot. It seemed like it was made by combining every other Disney Animated movie. The animation was beautiful and the hair was rendered flawlessly. The story was alright but the songs were half done and the voice acting was mediocre atbest. Decentmovie but a wannabe Disney movie.
2.8/5
Rise of the Planet of the Apes, 2011, Sci-Fi
Plot: After being treated with a virus that gives them super-intelligence, the great apes revolt against their abusers and are led by a chimpanzee named Caesar.
Thoughts: Prequels are often very difficult to make and be successful (just ask George Lucas), but this one was done fairly right. Going into the film I thought I could predict how things would go down, but the director took the film in ways that I didn’t expect. The film was slower than I thought that it needed to be but it once the action started it really picked up the pace.
The animation was gorgeous and not too flashy. Andy Serkis did a great job of imitating chimp movements. Some of the attributes of the apes were a bit off, but forgivable. James Franco and the rest of the actors performed solidly but nothing too spectacular since most of the movie was nonverbal and dealt with the apes directly. This movie was really creepy and (even though it was science fiction) still maintained a level of reality.
3.7/5
Freakonomics, 2010, Documentary
Plot: Based on a book written by a journalist and an economist, this film is comprised of several short documentaries and excerpts that cover each of the books chapters.
Thoughts: The material was presented in a very unique way and was still thought-provoking and interesting. They delve into the world of sumo wrestling and how they affect their society and also how incentives can help young people succeed. One of the most interesting parts was the topic about naming baby and race relations. It was hard to watch but it is something that needed to be talked about. This is good to watch if you want to watch something quick and in spurts.
4.1/5
American Serengeti, 2010, Documentary
Plot: A look at America’s wild animals that have been close to coming extinct.
Thoughts: A documentary full of stunning imagery and interesting factoids. I am one who doubts the coolness of American wildlife (we don’t have gorillas, lions, tigers, etc.) but this gave me more pride about our homegrown animals. It was also cool to find out that we have an animal tied with the cheetah for fastest land animal (Springhorn).
2.8/5
How Does the Brain Work?, 2011, Documentary
Plot: A look at how the brain works, basically.
Thoughts: This documentary explored the way the brain functions by looking at how magic confuses it to how memory erasing. There isn’t too much to say since it was self explanatory, but the fact about the scientist who found a way to erase memory is downright scary. There is so much left to be discovered in the world of brain knowledge.
3.6/5
Where Do We Come From?, 2011, Documentary
Plot: A look at the scientific perspective of how humans (as well as the universe) came into existence.
Thoughts: Not PBS’s best effort but it was still intriguing to see how all of these factors play into the formation of various species of humans. I liked it but felt that the topics discussed should have been more substantial. A good doc to view when nothing special is going on.
3.5/5
Rango, 2011, Western/Family
Plot: A per lizard is stranded in the middle of a desert. He uses this opportunity to make a name for himself as he becomes sheriff of a small town and seeks to end their drought problems.
Thoughts: This movie did an excellent job of making its viewers desirous of the liquid refreshment we call water. The animation was RIDICULOUSLY done well. The various textures were rendered better than our friends at Pixar have done yet. The voice acting was good and whoever was the cinematography consultant really did a great job with the lighting patterns and schemes.
The only problem I had with the movie was a lack of overall chemistry. The plot was great, the acting was great, the animation was great, but the story really struggled to make them all gel together. There were plot holes and unnecessary scenes that really didn’t do much. The whole bit about the bank robbers was really a scene that could have been done without. Overall a decent movie, just missing that “it” factor.
3.2/5
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