Movie Night: The Muppets Take Manhattan.

Review #521: The Muppets Take Manhattan.

Cast
Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, The Swedish Chef, The Muppet Newsman, Waldorf, Baby Kermit, Baby Rowlf, Ernie), Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam the Eagle, Baby Piggy, Baby Fozzie, Bert, Cookie Monster), Jerry Nelson (Floyd Pepper, Crazy Harry, Camilla the Chicken, Pops, Lew Zealand, Bear), Richard Hunt (Scooter, Janice, Statler, Baby Scooter), Dave Goelz (Gonzo the Great, Chester the Rat, Bill the Frog, Zoot, Penguin, Jim the Dog, Baby Gonzo), Steve Whitmire (Rizzo the Rat, Gill the Frog), Louis Zorich (Pete), Juliana Donald (Jenny), Lonny Price (Ronnie Crawford), and Art Carney (Bernard Crawford) Directed by Frank Oz.

Review

While The Muppets Take Manhattan may not be as magical as The Muppet Movie, it certainly has enough gas to chug to the finish line and it does have its moments of shine. The Muppets, as usual, are entertaining. They sing well and they mesh well with each other and the human cast. It has its standard fare of cameos (Such Art Carney, Liza Minnelli, John Landis), but I suppose at this point it makes perfect sense. The movie's plot is not exactly original (A group (or a person, take your pick) trying to make it big on Broadway), but the Muppets manage to make the most of it, the songs are nicely done and there is never a dull moment in the film. It's not great, but this film does have enough Muppet power (whatever that means) to drudge along just fine.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Muppet Movie.

Review #520: The Muppet Movie.

Cast
Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, Waldorf, and the Swedish Chef), Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam the Eagle, and Marvin Suggs), Jerry Nelson (Sgt. Floyd Pepper, Crazy Harry, Robin the Frog, Lew Zealand, Camilla the Chicken and Blue Frackle), Richard Hunt (Scooter, Statler, Janice, Sweetums and Beaker), Dave Goelz (Gonzo the Great, Zoot, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Nigel the Conductor, and Doglion), Charles Durning (Doc Hopper), Austin Pendleton (Max), and Scott Walker (Snake Walker) Directed by James Frawley.

Review
Ah yes, the movie that started the Muppet film franchise, which has had 7 films released in a 35 years span, with an 8th coming this year. Usually I'd ask if this a good flick to watch, but I think we both know the answer: Yes, of course. The Muppets are entertaining, especially when they sing. The puppetry is good and all, but the real show stoppers are the many voices and characters the Muppets bring to the table. But that's not all the movie has, it also seems to have endless cameos (Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen, Mel Brooks, Dom Deluise and last but not least, Orson Welles), good songs (such as Rainbow Connection) and a good deal of imagination with fun, there is never a dull moment to get in the way of the pace and it always keeps itself fresh and well. It's no wonder why there were more Muppet movies after this, and I'm going to continue that with another Muppet film soon.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird.

Review #284: Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird.

Cast
Caroll Spinney (Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Bruno the Trashman), Frank Oz (Bert, Grover, and Cookie Monster), Sally Kellerman (Miss Finch), Jim Henson (Ernie, Kermit the Frog), Jerry Nelson (Count von Count, Herry Monster), Richard Hunt (Gladys the Cow, Feathered Friends Owl), Martin P. Robinson (Mr. Snuffleupagus, Telly Monster, Grouch Diner Patron), Bob McGrath (Bob), Roscoe Orman (Gordon), Linda Bove (Linda), Sonia Manzano (Maria), Emilio Delgado (Luis), Loretta Long (Susan), Alaina Reed (Olivia), Kermit Love (Willy), Joe Flaherty (Sid Sleaze), Dave Thomas (Sam Sleaze), and Waylon Jennings. Directed by Ken Kwapis.

Review
This was the first of two feature length Sesame Street films. (The other being The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland) As most of you should already know, Sesame Street is a television show created 43 years ago on November 10, 1969 that has teached children to this day. The film uses one of its biggest (pun intended) characters of the show, Big Bird to be the main focus. Does it work? I think you know the answer: Yes. It's imaginative and so heart warming with a multitude of characters that if I listed them all, I would probably be here all day. This film might actually make a smile or about 20 of them happen, like it did with me. In the end, this film has aged as well as the show has, still doing a good, if not great job of entertaining, yet teaching as well. Happy 43 years, Sesame Street.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.