Inside Out.

Review #714: Inside Out.

Cast

Amy Poehler (Joy), Phyllis Smith (Sadness), Bill Hader (Fear), Lewis Black (Anger), Mindy Kaling (Disgust), Kaitlyn Dias (Riley Anderson), Diane Lane (Riley's mom), Kyle MacLachlan (Riley's father), and Richard Kind (Bing Bong) Directed by Pete Docter (#074 - Monsters, Inc and #288 - Up) and Ronnie del Carmen.

Review

This is the 11th film I've reviewed that came right from my local movie theater (#240: Paranorman, #372: 42, #396: Iron Man 3, #425: Pacific Rim, #540: The Lego Movie, #571 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier, #582 - Godzilla, #584 - X-Men: Days of Future Past, #626 - Guardians of the Galaxy, #706 - Avengers: Age of Ultron), and the first involving a Pixar film. Is it good? Having joyful tears by the end is a good indicator. The animation is the first sign, because it just looks so beautiful to watch, from Abstract thought chamber to the way the characters project in terms of appearance, especially Joy and her glow, but also the way the various places in Riley's mind look. Also, Bing Bong is probably one of the best imaginary friends I've ever heard of. But where the movie really shines is how it utilizes its cast in terms of the unique story that manages to be funny and sweet with the amount of charm it has. My favorite emotion in this was Sadness, and maybe its because Smith makes that emotion more than just depression incarnate. Poehler and Black's emotions come a close tie for second, mainly because it's hard to not appreciate both her overbearing joy and his booming voice that is oddly a delight to watch get angry. The rest of the cast is also pretty good, and I especially like seeing the five emotions interact with each other, watching their squabbles along with their successes. It's a charming movie that looks great and is beyond enjoyable to go through. The theme of the movie on emotions is an interesting and well developed one, especially given how it's utilized in the end, which makes it even better. It's a movie that isn't just funny, it's a movie that's emotional (literally) and brilliant. Go see it, if you haven't already.

Note: I am aware that some might compare it to Herman's Head, a show that had a concept similar to this in the 1990s. But hey, everything's relative, so don't worry too much. Or care, but whatever. By the way, Lava was a short film that went before this film, and it's alright. And stay for the credits!

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars. 

Movie Night: Horton Hears a Who!

Review #483: Horton Hears a Who!

Cast
Jim Carrey (Horton), Steve Carell (Mayor Ned McDodd), Carol Burnett (Sour Kangaroo), Will Arnett (Vlad Vladikoff), Seth Rogen (Morton), Amy Poehler (Sally O'Malley), Dan Fogler (The Councilman and Yummo Wickersham), Jesse McCartney (JoJo), and Isla Fisher (Dr. Mary Lou LaRue) Directed by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino.

Review
When my enthusiasm after watching The Day of the Doctor today finally quieted down, I found something to watch, another familiar friend from the past. I've reviewed films based off the works of Dr. Seuss before (#210 - The Cat in the Hat and #301 - How the Grinch Stole Christmas), which ranged from mediocre (but understandably fine at Christmas time for others) to being awful enough to inspire me to make a poem about it. But anyways, making a Seuss story adapt to animated form is a really good idea, given that making effects for things like say, a speck, or an elephant, are more convincing then say...the makeup that made up the Cat in The Cat in the Hat for example. Then there's the film itself, and it's...okay, I suppose. Shockingly (I know, right?), it's probably the best Seuss film adaptation I've seen (excluding The Lorax, which hasn't been reviewed), but that's also kind of sad, when you think about it long enough. Once again, Jim Carrey stars in a Seuss film, and he...I don't know what it is, but his performance bugs me. Maybe it's the script, or possibly the multitudes of times where it seems he loses all subtlety, but he doesn't provide too many laughs. Steve Carrell on the other hand does bring me joy, and he makes me wonder why I haven't ever reviewed anything else he appears him. Carol Burnett does a fine job as...the villain, I suppose. I don't know if you can call her a villain, but she makes the best of it. The film is fine in the acting department and the visuals are excellent, and despite the brooding attempts of the pop culture references to get in the way, this is a fairly decent film that while not exactly a good film, it's probably the only Seuss film that I can recommend. That, or you could stick to the book, but oh well.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Mean Girls.

Review #151: Mean Girls.

Cast
Lindsay Lohan (Cady Heron), Rachel McAdams (Regina George), Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian), Lacey Chabert (Gretchen Wieners), Amanda Seyfried (Karen Smith), Tina Fey (Sharon Norbury), Tim Meadows (Mr. Duvall), Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels), Daniel Franzese (Damien), and Amy Poehler (Mrs. George) Directed by Mark Waters.

Review
We all once went to High School at one time. We all did weird things (mainly stupid things), and we all watched weird things happen. This is a movie that has managed to stay onto our minds even after 10 years. The acting is alright, with Lohan doing a good job being our main character and our narrator. Rachel McAdams does a standout job here as well, as this film isn't as generic as the premise may seem. This film is enjoyable for all, even for someone like me. It can be fun, it can be serious, it can be very catty, but most of all, it can be a good film.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.