The BFG (2016)

From beloved children’s author Roald Dahl and ultra successful filmmaker Steven Spielberg, comes an adaptation of one of Dahl’s most  famous children’s novels, “The BFG”, or if you want to be more technical, “Big Friendly Giant.” Spielberg, who is no stranger in the director’s chair, he has directed films like this before, he also helmed another film involving an unlikely friendship in 1982’s “E.T”. What makes this film different from that popular film is the BGF has more magic at its core.

Reuniting with Spielberg once again for the film’s title role is Mark Rylance previously seen in the Oscar nominated film, also directed by Spielberg, (Bridge of Spies). Rylance makes a whimsical and emotional performance while opposite child star Ruby Barnhill, who is a natural, serious, yet funny and an effective talent in this film. 

Scoring the film is a man who needs no introduction, John Williams, who by the way has teamed up to compose several of Spielberg’s films prior to this one. Williams composition is quite fun and goes great with the film overall. 

If you haven’t read the classic book, whether you’re a kid or adult, you will have a problem understanding what is happening in the film. Especially with the BFG‘s silly rhetoric, which can get a little hard to digest. 

The “BFG” has many comedic successes, while he is drinking a soda, and the bubbles go the opposite direction, he makes a remark about burping and farting which is quite comical. There’s also another funny scene in which it involves the “Queen of England” and several of her “Guards“.  Audiences without a doubt will be laughing during this movie, for sure. 
In contrast, Barnhill and Rylance’s characters portray a similar friendship to that of Drew Barrymore and E.T. The two characters are from very different worlds, and it’s exciting to see each other’s perspective on their worlds. 

If you see this movie knowingly, and observe that there’s a book of the same name, you’re better off reading it before you see the cinematic portrayal.

Based on one of the most successful children’s books of all time, the “Big Friendly Giant” is a magical, funny and heartwarming experience that is better off being witnessed by those who actually have a clue as to what the film is about. 

Starring: Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill
Rated: PG
Rate: B
Director: Steven Spielberg

http://kanelandkrier.com/category/pulse/the-hollywood-hound/

The Revenant (2015)

Based on the real-life events of a man, Hugh Glass.  He is trapped and left for dead in a winter forest after being brutally abused by a bear. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the lost soul and does it so very powerfully. He is challenged by the wonders of nature physically and mentally. Besides being left crippled for days, Hugh then becomes extremely angry at the fact that the people who abandoned him left his son to die out in the cold forest as well!

  

DiCaprio portrays this role so exceptionally. It's gripping. There's a huge sense of a dramatic on screen personality to his character. His role is highly well-worth praising. Also, Tom Hardy deserves some praise for his supporting role as the antagonist of the film. He portrays a sly, cunning, sneaky man who doesn't like DiCaprio's character. 

Director Alejandro G Inarritu who helmed the Oscar-winning Birdman is a visual magician. He knows more about the story the audience might not even know. 

Based on the real-life events of a man, Hugh Glass. The Revenant tells the ultimate testament of survival, mental stability, and physical pain. 

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter

Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu

MPAA Rating: R

Synopsis:

Inspired by true events, THE REVENANT captures one man's epic adventure of survival and the extraordinary power of the human spirit. In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption.

Runtime: 2 Hours and 36 Minutes

Rate: B+ 

Finding Dory (2016)

After 13 years, and the success of Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo”, comes the return of all your favorite characters from the 2003 hit film. The difference between this sequel and the first film is that there’s a bigger emotional tone than in the previous film.

Andrew Stanton, who directed the predecessor to “Finding Dory” makes this new film funny on many levels, but relies more on the emotional aspect. As the previous movie had more of a comedic effort, but had a less emotional tone. 

Ellen DeGeneres returns as the loveable amnesiac blue-tang, with Albert Brooks reprising the cautious, worrisome clownfish father, Marlin. Due to voice changes and several years, the adorably cute “Nemo” Marlin’s son, was recast for this film and is now voiced by newcomer Hayden Rolence.  Also starring in “Finding Dory” are: Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton, Ty Burrell, Idris Elba and Ed O’Neill. All do a terrific job voicing their roles with passion and heart. Superb humor, tear-jerking emotional scenes, and a well crafted screenplay, their voices bring something genuinely special to viewers. 

As from the predecessor the animation, detail and effort put into making this project, is simply stunning. Those who’ve seen previous Pixar films prior to this one know that there’s typically a short film before the feature film actually begins. And this time, Pixar has gone above and beyond with their newest short called “Piper”. This newest film is one of Pixar’s best shorts by far, better than others.

Audiences everywhere have been waiting for the return of Nemo, Marlin, and Dory and the rest of the underwater crew for a good chunk of years now. Suffice to say that with its emotional qualities being higher than the original, the animation improves upon the first film, but sometimes throughout the film it lacks the comedic burst of energy. Therefore, “Finding Dory” is more of an emotional, tear-jerker, than a comedy like the predecessor. But like “Finding Nemo”, “Finding Dory” also has an emotional but truthful moral for those with disabilities like Dory and Nemo’s is that you got to see a way through it, and just keep swimming. 

Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Hayden Rolence, Kate McKinnon, Bill Hader, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Ed O’Neill, Ty Burrell, Sigourney Weaver 

Director: Andrew Stanton

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 Hour and 45 Minutes

Synopsis: Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is a wide-eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds or so. The one thing she can remember is that she somehow became separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find them. Her journey brings her to the Marine Life Institute, a conservatory that houses diverse ocean species. Dory now knows that her family reunion will only happen if she can save mom and dad from captivity.

 Rate:B

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016)

For two decades, E.T and planet Earth have had the chance to prepare for the next armageddon, and that time has arrived once more. The sequel to the 1996 film “Independence Day”, “Independence Day: Resurgence” is nothing more than special effects with a wishy-washy cast, as this sequel lacks with depth, emotional tone, and corny styled dialogue.

Roland Emmerich returns to helm the sequel, and while he has several credits underneath his belt for films being “every man for himself” types of movies, therefore as a result Resurgence counts as this kind of film. While it's enjoyable to watch with an overwhelming amount of CGI and other special effects, Emmerich relies on those aspects more so than the cliche and corny styled screenplay.

For those who are fans of veteran actors from the original film, like Jeff Goldblum & Bill Pullman, their presence on screen is just not enough, or just plain dull and rustic. Same goes for “The Hunger Games” star Liam Hemsworth who is a usually talented performer.

This is not the first extra-terrestrial, doomsday, and armageddon film to ever so grace the “big screen”. Audiences have previously witnessed the film adaptation of the widely popular board game “Battleship”. The difference between this film and the adaptation of “Battleship” is that for many generations, this game has entertained a variety of people. Therefore people are more familiar to it. In contrast, the acting and levels of action in “Battleship” is much better than in Resurgence.

“We had twenty years to prepare. So did they.” The slow-moving, utterly corny sequel "Independence Day: Resurgence" isn't exactly a movie with that full throttle that you'd expect for a sequel in a franchise. What this film does succeed in, is the pazazz and exciting action sequences. Suffice to say that Resurgence excels on a action-packed scaled effort, but other Extra-Terrestrial & Earth take down films like “Battleship” put this unneeded sequel to shame.

Rate: D+

20th Century Fox presents a film directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Emmerich, Nicolas Wright, James A. Woods, Dean Devlin and James Vanderbilt. Running time: 120 minutes. Running time: 120 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi action and destruction, and for some language). Now showing at local theaters.

A bug's life (1998)

As if Pixar couldn’t top it again after their successful Academy Award winning “Toy Story”, with another community of beings living in peace and harmony, this time around it’s world of talking bugs.

The film is similar to Dreamworks Animations "Antz" because it just so happens that these two motion pictures are both about insects.  With a bold and zealous attitude at erecting a fictitious world in which bugs are in contrast to humans.

Directors John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton made something with heart and profound curiosity when approaching this movie, which is certainly fascinating. All throughout “a bug’s life” the animation is utterly spectacular when analyzed carefully. The film’s  sense of wonder and curiosity is what makes the film stand out.

A bug’s life, a tale of wonder, curiosity, and  discover, also has morals to be understood like: Big things come in small packages. This message can relate to all age groups.

Starring: Dave Foley, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Kevin Spacey, Bonnie Hunt

Director(s): John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton

MPAA Rating: G

Runtime: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes

Synopsis:

Flik (Dave Foley) is an inventive ant who’s always messing things up for his colony. His latest mishap was destroying the food stores that were supposed to be used to pay off grasshopper Hopper (Kevin Spacey). Now the strong-arming insect is demanding that the ants gather double the food — or face annihilation. To avert disaster, Flik goes on a journey to recruit fighters to defend the colony. When he meets a band of high-flying circus insects, he thinks he’s found his salvation.

Rate: B-

http://kanelandkrier.com/category/pulse/the-hollywood-hound/

Toy Story (1995)

In a world where a child’s favorite toy such as an Etch-A-Sketch or an R.C. Car comes to life when their “owner” isn’t present, the first computer animated film ever made, “Toy Story” is an instant delight for kids and adults alike. “Toy Story” has become a stepping stone in the animated film genre.
Brilliantly voiced with an all-star cast, and judging from the stubbornness of Tom Hanks’  Woody the Cowboy doll to Tim Allen’s confused and naive space-ranger, Buzz Lightyear, Pixar couldn’t have done any better when casting these characters. When families watch this film, you will see the heart and soul the actors put in during its production.
The animation in the movie is nothing short of beautiful. Director John Lasseter, screenwriters Joss Whedon and Andrew Stanton have all crafted a heartwarming piece of art, from pen to paper and from computer to the theaters, their talents paid off.
“Toy Story” flows so eloquently throughout its entirety. The stories of each individual character are not lost within the film’s overall story.
Randy Newman composes the film’s background music, and he also includes songs of his own which kids will be singing for generations.
The creativity displayed in Pixar’s debut feature film is absolutely genius. So much action packed into an hour and twenty-one minute family movie contributes to the elements of fun in this film.
Toy Story is a rare children’s films that never fails to entertain audiences of all ages.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn

Director: John Lasseter

MPAA Rating: G

Runtime: 1 Hour and 21 Minutes
Synopsis: Woody (Tom Hanks), a good-hearted cowboy doll who belongs to a young boy named Andy (John Morris), sees his position as Andy’s favorite toy jeopardized when his parents buy him a Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) action figure. Even worse, the arrogant Buzz thinks he’s a real spaceman on a mission to return to his home planet. When Andy’s family moves to a new house, Woody and Buzz must escape the clutches of maladjusted neighbor Sid Phillips (Erik von Detten) and reunite with their boy.

Rate: A

Finding Nemo (2003)

A tale of triumph, loss, and friendship: “Finding Nemo” is a heartwarming, one of a kind film. Two disabled fish learning who they are and how to navigate the ocean blue, “Finding Nemo” is a beautiful, riveting story, with lots of clever humor. “Finding Nemo” will inspire and entertain audiences for countless years to come. 
Terrific job well done at the executed animation, which some will find spectacular. Others will enjoy the characters and the humors aspects of the film. Andrew Stanton, director of “Finding Nemo” made something both inspiring and humorous at the same time. 
   The crafted characters seen in the movie are etched with precise precision, it’s as if some of them are real. A talented ensemble consisting of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, and Willem Dafoe, all do a superb job at their craft. 
        “Finding Nemo” is a phenomenal and thrilling achievement in animation, and it'll have a lasting effect on those with disabilities and those of whom don't have to struggle so hard. 

Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Alexander Gould, Vicki Lewis, Willem Dafoe 

Director: Andrew Stanton

MPAA Rating: G

Synopsis: 
Marlin (Albert Brooks), a clown fish, is overly cautious with his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), who has a foreshortened fin. When Nemo swims too close to the surface to prove himself, he is caught by a diver, and horrified Marlin must set out to find him. A blue reef fish named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) -- who has a really short memory -- joins Marlin and complicates the encounters with sharks, jellyfish, and a host of ocean dangers. Meanwhile, Nemo plots his escape from a dentist's fish tank.

Runtime: 1 Hour and 41 Minutes

Rate: A+

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

The follow up to 2014’s “Days of Future Past” and the ninth X-Men feature film, is an action packed, visual spectacle, but lacks going into more depth of telling a story. The performances in the film are great but can be a little too dramatic for the situation at hand: defeating the bad guy.
The cast led by: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner, Jennifer Lawrence and Evan Peters, is a wonderful team effort to destroy Oscar Isaac’s En Sabah Nur otherwise known as Apocalypse, the title character and the world’s first mutant.

Isaac’s turn at being the bad guy is good but also annoying in some circumstances. His voice as the terrifying character has voice enhancers to make it sound really eerie and utterly creepy.

A dry tone screenplay crafted by Simon Kinberg and useless non-action parts in this film do make up for the film to show its glory.

Evan Peters shines as the speed demon mutant and the film’s comic relief Quicksilver.

Other enjoyable moments that make up for Apocalypse’s mediocrity is a surprising cameo from Hugh Jackman’s adamantium clawed character Wolverine.

John Ottman scores the film which makes the it less dry than it already is. The score in the movie has eerie, sinister and haunting qualities.

Being set in the 1980’s, the costumes are dazzling. Perfect depiction of that era. Especially the hairstyles shown in the film.

Apocalypse gives audiences a fresh look at different actors portraying some of the same characters from previous X-Men films, as well as new characters who are introduced. Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner plays the powerful Jean Grey. She does a fantastic job, becoming another breakout role to add to her credits.

Viewers also get to see other coming to fame actors like: Tye Sheridan, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Alexandra Shipp blast through their roles as: Scott Summers/Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Storm. All of these fresh new faces you see on display here excel in the action with traits of being powerful and dramatic.

Apocalypse was helmed at the hands of Bryan Singer, who is no stranger to the X-Men franchise. The problem audience members will have when taking in this mediocre installment is the anticipated action that brews between both sides, good and evil. Also with its factor of excitement being not as great as other of the X-Men films.

Apocalypse just doesn’t seem to have all the energy as its predecessors Days of Future Past & First Class had to keep audiences fully engaged. Although it’s not as merely thrilling and vital of a movie as expected, X-Men: Apocalypse is the exact opposite of thrilling and entertaining for the most part.

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Evan Peters, Sophie Turner, Rose Byrne, Oscar Isaac, Hugh Jackman, Alexandra Shipp, Lucas Till, Tye Sheridan, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Nicholas Hoult, Olivia Munn

Director: Bryan Singer

Synopsis:

Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshiped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.
Runtime: 2 Hours and 27 Minutes



Rate: C-

First appeared on:

www.kanelandkrier.com/category/pulse/the-hollywood-hound/-

The Shallows (2016)

“The Shallows” stars Blake Lively (The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants), in this powerful and dramatic, thrilling film about a medical student (Lively),whotakes a day at the beach to surf some massive waves. After a while, her character is suddenly attacked by a monstrous Great White Shark. Her character must endure tremendous amounts of pain and suffering to survive the deadly encounter and get help. Lively excels most at a dramatic aspect, therefore she delivers a powerful performance. Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra who’s no stranger to directing dramatic films, does a splendid and riveting job at the approach made to execute this movie. Although the film has scenic wonders, the gore and other obscene special effects, which are without a doubt a realistic cause for nausea. “The Shallows” is a suspenseful modern day version of the 1975 summer blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws”.

Rate: C+


Directors: Jaume Collet-Serra and written by Anthony Jaswinski.

Starring: Blake Lively

Running time: 85 minutes.

Rated: PG-13 (for bloody images, intense sequences of peril, and brief strong language)

Alice Through The Looking Glass (2016)

Following the success of Tim Burton’s quirky and unique remake of “Alice In Wonderland”, “Alice Through The Looking Glass” is a colorful feat, but also bleak and sloppy. From the odd mind of Tim Burton, (now producing the film), brings a magical, enchanting film that is a step backwards from the 2010 blockbuster.

The performances in this film are nowhere near as jaw dropping, breathtaking and spectacular because of the film’s godawful screenplay written by Linda Woolverton (Maleficent). With a usually talented ensemble this film is garbage when it comes to seeing stellar and outstanding performances from the talents of: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, and the late-great, Alan Rickman.

“Through The Looking Glass” displays flamboyant and extravagant costumes without a doubt, just like it’s predecessor. That is what makes the film enjoyable as a distraction from a terrible script. The film also has to offer stunning eye-popping visuals as another diversion for audiences.

Returning to score for the “Alice” films is the bubbly and gripping Danny Elfman, (The Nightmare Before Christmas). His composition in this film has some of the same fast-paced, classical, staccato vibes as the predecessor from 2010.

Sacha Baron Cohen (Madagascar), plays the weakling of a villain in this sequel, as Time. With a horrendous accent, differs from his own British dialect, his performance is undoubtedly one of the worst of his career.

James Bobin (The Muppets) takes over Tim Burton’s directing duties this time around, and it’s a failure. His approach with this film had more color and lots of awesome costumes, but was joined with a dreadful script. Overall he made a mess out of this film.

With a critically acclaimed predecessor, this successor is nowhere near as exciting and thoroughly entertaining as other classic Disney remakes.



Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Alan Rickman (last role), Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Matt Lucas, Sacha Baron Cohen

Director: James Bobin

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 Hour & 53 Minutes

Synopsis: After slipping through a mirror, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) finds herself back in Underland with the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Her friends tell her that the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) is in a funk over the loss of his family. Hoping to save her loved ones, Alice steals the Chronosphere from Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) to travel into the past. While there, she encounters the younger Hatter and the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter).

Rate: D+

http://www.kanelandkrier.com/category/pulse/the-hollywood-hound

The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

Based on the flightless bird slinging app of the same name, “Angry Birds” makes its mesmerizing and colorful adaptation onto the silver screen. Angry Birds’ theatrical adaptation is a rare children’s film that has lots of witty humor that even parents will enjoy. What makes this movie such an enjoyable family motion picture is its pizzazz and blazing colors that dazzle through the entirety of the film. The film also does a terrific job at fabricating animation that looks realistic.

Directors Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly shine in their directorial debut. They both excel at the art behind the film’s color, character depiction, and humor. These qualities never fade and stay consistent through the whole film.

Kudos to the film’s casting director because the cast was brilliantly voiced in the movie. With voices only the ensembles voices resonate with their characters.

With having received multiple accolades since its launch in 2009, and over two billion downloads, Angry Birds is a long lasting gem for children for ages to come.

Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Danny McBride, Josh Gad, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage, Kate McKinnon

Director(s): Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 1 Hour & 37 Minutes

Synopsis: Flightless birds lead a mostly happy existence, except for Red (Jason Sudeikis), who just can’t get past the daily annoyances of life. His temperament leads him to anger management class, where he meets fellow misfits Chuck (Josh Gad) and Bomb. Red becomes even more agitated when his feathered brethren welcomes green pigs to their island paradise. As the swine begin to get under his skin, Red joins forces with Chuck and Bomb to investigate the real reason behind their mysterious arrival.

Rate: A-
http://www.kanelandkrier.com/category/pulse/the-hollywood-hound