Frozen

This movie is proof that just because John Lasseter made it, it doesn't mean it's good. The songs give you a headache and the plot is paint- by-numbers. Every cliche in an animated Disney movie is here. It's a terrible film that should not have been made at all. Ignore Rotten Tomatoes, because this proves they are a poor source for determining good movies.  Disney, no more princess movies ok? They have run their course. Make original films with no cringe-worthy songs. In other words make Wreck-It Ralph 2. Grade: C- 4/10 2/5 stars 

Doctor Who: The Day of the Doctor 3D

(AN: This was a one night only event at select theaters. But you can get the DVD/Blu-Ray on December 10.)

I am a huge Doctor Who fan. I love the Daleks, and David Tennant is the best Doctor.  The pre-show was hilarious as well. The Sontarans have some very funny lines such as "We enjoy your practice of heating up kernals of innocent corn until they pop, and then eating them." People were also cheering at David Tennant. While the beginning is a little like the beginning of the first J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie (Gallilfrey burning=Kirk's planet burning) it has amazing 3D. I felt the Daleks were actually going to exterminate me. As always David Tennant and Matt Smuth have some very funny dialogue, and there's a surprise twist at the end that changes the entire history of Doctor Who forever. It's definetly very well done. Steven Moffat, sir, you are the perfect writer for Doctor Who, and I hope you're still around for the 100th anniversary special of Doctor Who. Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

(Author's note: I won't be doing a book to film comparison like I did with Ender's Game. I read the book, but that was a while ago and I don't feel like going through 300 pages just to point out a few minor changes.) Review: It's much darker than the first film, and the games are more exciting. Some people said the beginning was boring, but that's how the first one was too. I'd rather they have good plot development rather then just rushing to get to the action. It's the character development and dialogue that fuels plot. They chose an actor for Finnick who looked just like his description in the book.  And yes, people  in the Capitol like to dress crazy in this as well. Even though there was little to no humor in the book, the film managed to have some very funny lines. (Mostly from Effie Trinkit and Haymitch) Grade: B   8/10 4.5/5 stars

Top 10 Christmas Movies

10. A Christmas Story: Ralphie wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas but everyone tells him "You'll shoot your eye out." Grade A+ (+++++) (joke to those who have seen it) 10/10 5/5 stars
9. Iron Man 3: ("WHAT?!" you must be thinking. yes this is a christmas movie. it takes place on Christmas.) Review and summary already posted.
8. Elf: An elf finds out he's actually a human. Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars
7. The Nightmare Before Christmas: Review and summary already posted in top 10 halloween films post.
6. A Christmas Carol 2009: Scrooge is visited by 3 ghosts who show him the joy of christmas. Grade B- 7/10 3/5 stars
5. Gremlins: A cute creature called a mogwai makes little mogwais who turn into monsters. Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars
4. The Santa Clause: After Santa dies a man is called to take his place. A+ 10/10 5/5stars
3. Alvin and the Chipmunks: 3 Chipmunks become singers. Grade: B- 7/10 3/5 stars
2. The Polar Express: A boy who doesn't believe in Santa goes on a journey to the North Pole. Grade C- (The characters look really creepy.) 6/10 2.5/5 stars
1. The Nativity Story: The story of the first Christmas. Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars

Next post will hopefully be review of The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire

Thor: The Dark World

While it's not the best of the Marvel movies, it's still pretty fun. Loki has a bigger part and 90% of the movie takes place on Asgard. The sets are just amazing. While the opening sequence and most of the movie feels like Lord of the Rings in both cinematography and plot, that's not necessarily a bad thing.It definitely helps with the mythology elements of the film. There's no slowness in plot, so you won't be bored when watching this movie. And, as always with Marvel films, stay through the credits. There is a scene halfway through, and at the very end. Grade: B    7/10            

3.5/5 stars

Free Birds

I may find myself saying this on this blog a lot, but ignore the trolls on IMDB who say its propaganda or anti-family or against American standards or whatever. What happened to when movies could be movies and not have to worry about being stupidly criticized? Ok, rant over here's the actual review. To everyone who expects this to be like Chicken Run, just forget that film exists before you see this. Erase it from your mind. This is a completely different film. After a turkey named Reggie is kicked out of his farm for warning the turkeys about how dumb they are for accepting corn from the farmer, because he knows what's going to happen on Thanksgiving, he's pardoned by the President of the U.S. (it's not Obama, he actually looks and sounds more like Bill Clinton) he spends his time watching Spanish telenovelas and ordering pizza. But when another turkey, Jake, convinces him to go back in time to the first Thanksgiving to prevent turkeys from becoming the main course, things get turned upside down. See? Completely different from Chicken Run. It's no surprise that Pixar had some involvement in this, although its not technically a Pixar film. By the way, it's not historically accurate (obviously) but the film felt it needed to make that point known at the beginning of the film with a disclaimer that reads: "The events in this film are fictitious. Except for talking turkeys, those are totally real." Along with Doctor Who references, it also manages to poke fun of other time travel films, like Back to the Future. This movie is just absolutely hilarious, but since the people who run the Academy now clearly don't appreciate great films (i.e. Brave winning instead of Wreck-It Ralph for Best Animated Film) this probably won't be nominated for that category. And even if it is, it most likely will not win. They just are biased towards Pixar. Oh, well. Grade: A+ 10/10 5/5 stars

Book to film comparison of Enders Game

(WARNING: MAJOR spoilers ahead. DO NOT READ unless you've read the book AND seen the movie. You've been warned!) Things the same: Ender's inner conflict and reaction when he realizes he unknowingly committed genocide. 

Differences: Peter is not as murderous and psychopathic as in the book. An unnecessary scene with Ender and Valentine, that just slows things down and isn't important to the story at all. Ender does not accidentally kill other kids out of anger, just kind of paralyzed them. No mention of Peter and Valentine writing articles that negatively criticize the government. 

Ender's Game

This is one of the best sci-fi movies you'll see this year! Ignore all the trolls on IMDB who are "boycotting" this film because of Orson Scott Card's political views, as the film (and the book it's based on, which I highly recommend) have literally nothing to do with them. If you live near an IMAX you should definitely see it in that format. (It's worth the price despite not being in 3D) The scenes in the Battle Room, the space battles, and every scene on the ship cannot be seen in their entirety without IMAX. (Meaning you don't see the whole set in a regular format. IMAX has wider view.) The battles among the kids are just amazing, the inner conflict with Ender is well written, and the ending has a great message that will unfortunately leave you hanging and waiting for the sequel. Asa Butterfield personally would not have been my choice for Ender, but he did pretty well. And if you think Harisson Ford and Ben Kingsley are too old to act, think again! Now I would compare this with the book but I like to keep these reviews spoiler-free, so if you've read the book read my next post, if you haven't and you read the next post anyway, I warned you. Overall, Ender's Game is just absolutely brilliant filmmaking. Grade: A- 9/10 4/5 stars