FP4 pick of the week

Fantasy and Sci-Fi Freaks, listen up

PICK #9: “Stardust” (2007) Director: Matthew Vaughn

Info & Trailer:
http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/280767

OR
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Stardust/70054920?strkid=1415402589_0_0

ENTRY: Week 9's pick is a good one because it reaches across several audiences and demographics. It may be my top movie for you from all of the blog entries so far. The line up of stars in the movie is reason enough to see it, let alone a very captivating story and incredible cinematography and believable C.G.I. graphics.

SYNOPSIS: With a line up of Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller - you can't go wrong. However, the theme of the movie and plot is another added bonus to make this a worth while purchase or rental. A young boy, growing up in a modest town, finds out what is beyond his city's walls. What he thought was true love, ends up being his path into another city and dimensions unlike he ever imagined. He ventures to what he thinks was a falling star... and let's stop there or I will ruin it for you. Robert De Niro plays a sky pirate which helps the couple on their way (he steps up to his part in the movie and throws in some light comedy). Michelle Pfeiffer steals the show, however, as the nemesis who is out to spoil the lovers plans. Side plots abound in this story which are easy to follow and enhance the movie.

Scope: This is a movie for most ages which is hard to find these days. There are some scary scenes for youngsters (under the age of 10 perhaps). If you enjoy Fantasy or Sci-Fi, even slightly, you will enjoy this movie. If you liked Lady Hawk, Princess Bride or Time Bandits - this movie is for you. I know it is going on my "to buy list" very soon. It is not heavy into Sci-Fi or even Fantasy except for the situational plot. Most everything in the movie feels believable and you don't have to try and crawl into a science fiction state of mind like with Anime'. Enjoy... let me know what you think!

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FP4 pick of the week

Throw another shrimp on the Bar-B! FP4 pick of the week

PICK: “Danny Deckchair” (2003) Director: Jeff Balsmeyer

Info & Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/229094

OR
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/60033353?trkid=73

ENTRY: This week’s FP4 pick is a love story, yes. However, it’s not your J-Lo meets hunk kinda crap. It’s more of a blue collar approach to real world love. I think a lot of my picks so far have lacked a comical and casual feel so I wanted to pick something we all need this time of the year, something with some laughs yet with some believable and practical inspiration. It’s not quite a love flick but not quite a comedy either.

SYNOPSIS: Danny is a work-a-holic truck driver who lives in the modest suburbia setting of Sydney, Australia. Danny loves his job, perhaps too much. His girl friend is a successful business woman. However the relationship has perhaps reached its peak. Danny finally decides to take a vacation from work and plans a get away to rekindle the relationship and reconnect with himself. When plans fall through, Danny finds his vacation plans ruined. During a “shrimp-on-the-B-B-Q” Australian type cookout, Danny sneaks away from his party. He decides to fasten helium balloons onto his lawn chair and strap himself in for an escape from the doldrums. Up and away... The story goes from here and the magic of this movie starts when he lands in a distant village after being carried by a violent thunderstorm. A little far fetched, I know, but somehow, in a strange way, still believable. The characters in the film are effective but the overwhelming comic relief comes from our hero, Danny. He is a cross between Jim Carrey and Roberto Benigni. I hope you enjoy him as much I did.

Scope: Did you like “The Full Monty” or “Liar-Liar”? This story follows somewhat the same themes so you should enjoy “Danny Deckchair.” You may find it refreshing just to view a film that isn’t out of the mechanical and formulaic Hollywood big houses that pump crap to us continually and without variety. The movie is from Australia but the dialog isn’t hard to follow except for seldom, obscure references and comments (which I sometimes get from heavy duty British films). It is a love story so you may want to be strategic about your companions when you watch it. It’s not one to pop in after the big football game with your drinking buddies. Sorry, but I don’t have a cut and dry SCOPE this week except to say, if you ever wanted to shake the “blahs” of life, you’ll connect with this movie’s purpose. If you are a believer in the power of fate of relationships, you’ll enjoy it even more. Oh yeah, if you like to laugh and need a comedy, this is a fairly safe bet. Let me know what you think!

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FP4 pick of the week

Friday, December 7, 2007

FP4 entry 20071207

Award Winning Animation-FP4 pick of the week

PICK: “The Triplets of Belleville” (2003) Director: Sylvain Chomet

Info & Trailer: http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/230981

OR
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Triplets_of_Belleville/60032394?strkid=584196818_1_0

ENTRY: This week's pick is off on another detached tangent. It is an award winning animated feature length film. It won major awards from Boston, Copenhagen, France, Los Angeles, New York and Toronto. If you watch the film, you will quickly understand why the film received so much attention.

SYNOPSIS: The story is about a young boy (and his curious dog) who becomes very passionate about his bicycle riding. His grandmother encourages this behavior as he grows older. His goal is to race in the big one... the Tour de' France. His dreams are sidetracked in a peculiar way (I won't reveal too much so not to ruin the story for you). The plot has twists and turns that only add to the entertainment of the film.

Scope: If you enjoy traditional animation films, give this flick a try. You also might like the film if you are a highly competitive athlete because the story is about intense training towards a physical goal (through a satirical bird's eye view). The animation is entertaining and uncomplicated... it is not a high tech C.G.I. film and shouldn't be placed in the same category as "spirited away." So don't have high expectations in that area... just good old fashion animation. The characters, including the boy's dog, are developed in an effective and comical way. The grandmother, the triplets, the mafia boss and others are entertaining in their own little world of character introduction and development. Is it a comedy? Yes, it will offer some laughs but there is almost a dark comedy feel to the story line. Don't over-analyzed the plot or you may ruin it for yourself by doing so. It's kinda of like watching an episode of Seinfeld, the plot is unpredictable which is part of it's appeal. The film's story line is meant to be taken lightly just as an animated story should be. I would say that the movie is safe for most older children. There is one scene in the beginning with dancing girls that you may want to sensor out for the little tykes. Otherwise, it is fairly clean. It is over eighty minutes which may be longer than most animated features so be prepared for restlessness if young children are viewing it and have a short attention span (or some adults too!)

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