Four Fall Films (part 4)

Monster House

Release Date July 21th, 2006

Rated PG for scary images and sequences, thematic elements, some crude humor and brief language.

Gil Kenan (dir.)

Mitcgel Musso as DJ (Voice)

Sam Lerner as Chowder (Voice)

Spencer Locke as Jenny (Voice)

Maggie Gyllenhaal as Zee (Voice)

Jon Heder as Reginal ‘Skull’ Skulinski (Voice)

Steve Buscemi as Nebbercracker (Voice)

Kethleeen Turner as Constance (Voice)

Jason Lee as Bones (Voice)

Catherine O’Hara as Mom (Voice)

Fred Willard as Dad (Voice)

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Monster House Review By John C.

**** (out of four)

Monster House is technically and visually stunning, a feast for the eyes and the imagination. The story is packed with humor and excitement, which makes it a timeless Halloween classic. Even though it is animated I would not recommend it to anyone under at least 10, maybe older. But, what will likely scare young kids, is certainly going to mesmerize older ones. It is filmed using the method of Motion-Capture (Mo-Cap for short), in which they actually recorded the movements of live actors as a base for animation, and to make the characters movements more real and life like. It is by no means cheating in the medium of animation, because they still have to animate the backgrounds, and animate over the wire models that are created from the captured movements of the actors. Everything you see in this world is animated. The voice cast is perfect, including Maggie Gyllenhaal as the baby-sitter, and Jon Heder as an obsessed video game and comic book geek. Jason Lee is also there as the baby-sitter’s drunk boyfriend, and last but not least, Steve Buscemi as the old man named Nebbercracker, who owns the mysterious house across the street. The story is very interesting and compelling, and the three kids are actually believable in their roles. Director Gil Kenan was only 29 when he made this, and his newest feature City of Ember is also spectacular. I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.

Four Fall Films (part 3)

The Wizard of Oz

Release Date August 25th, 1939

Rated G

Victor Fleming (dir.)

Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale

Mararet Hamilton as Wicked Witch of the West

Ray Bolger as The Scarecrow

Bert Lahr as The Cowardly Lion

Jack Haley as The Tin Man

Frank Morgan as The Wizard of Oz

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The Wizard of Oz Review By John C.

**** (out of four)

The Wizard of Oz has stood the test of time. While the special effects were excellent for the time, they now seem a bit outdated. But, it still stands up as one of the best family films of all time, that every kid should see. It has become a classic that gets rapid play on TV stations around this time every year, in honor of Halloween, but you should really get a DVD so you can enjoy it fully restored and without commercials. If you have kids, you should really let them see it if they haven’t already. If you’re worried about it being too scary, What kid doesn't have fond memories about being freaked out by the flying monkeys? Besides, the singing Munchkins should be enough of a redemption.

Four Fall Films (part 2)

Wallace & Gromit The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Release Date October 7th, 2005

Rated G

Nick Park and Steve Box (dir.)

Peter Sallis as Wallace (voice)

Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Tottington (voice)

Ralph Fiennes as Lord Victor Quartermaine (voice)

Nicholas Smith as Rev. Clement Hedges (voice)

Liz Smith as Mrs. Mulch (voice)

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Wallace & Gromit The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Review By John C.

**** (out of four)

Since their small screen debut in 1989, audiences have loved the crazy inventions of Wallace and the sense and sensibility of his dog Gromit. In Curse of the Were-Rabbit, their big screen debut, none of the charm of the original short films is lost. It tells the story of Wallace & Gromit’s newest business venture, Anti-Pesto Humane Pest Control. They capture bunnies out of people's gardens so the pesky rabbits don’t eat their crops of giant vegetables, which they grow every year for a harvest festival in hopes of taking home the top prize of the 24 karat-carrot. But, when something goes wrong, they end up with an even bigger problem on their hands. A giant Were-Rabbit starts to ravage their crops, and this time it’s proving to be too big a job for Anti-Pesto. It is worth multiple viewings, so even if you’ve seen it before, it’s worth seeing again.

Four Fall Films (part 1)

Starting Monday, October 6, every Monday in October we will be profiling one of four fall movies.

October Sky

Release Date February 19th, 1999

Rated PG for language, brief teen sensuality and alcohol use, and for some thematic elements.

Joe Johnston (dir.)

Jake Gyllenhaal as Homer Hickam

Chris Cooper as John Hickam

Laura Dern as Miss Riley

Chris Owen as Quentin

William Lee Scott as Roy Lee

Chad Lindberg as O'Dell

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October Sky Review By John C.

**** (out of four)

October Sky tells the inspiring true story of “The Rocket Boys”, a group of teenagers from Coalwood, West Virginia. It takes place in 1957, around the launch of Sputnik. Homer Hickam would look up at the October sky, and see the satellite fly by. He becomes inspired and starts building model rockets, with the help of his three friends and the encouragement of his teacher (Laura Dern). Great performances by the entire cast, including Jake Gyllenhaal’s breakout performance, make this a classic movie that's worth watching again and again. The mix of drama and comedy is perfect, and the ending is inspiring. Go watch it if you haven't already seen it, and if you have, its worth watching again.