Rebecca Redshaw
Sofa Cinema
Published on Wed, Dec 23, 2009 by Rebecca RedshawRead More Sofa Cinema
Rebecca Redshaw's "SOFA CINEMA: An Easy Guide to DVDs Volume 1" is available at your local bookstore, at the Sequim Gazette and online at www.rebeccaredshaw.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
2009 is winding down, and it's time to reflect on the movies offered as entertainment for the year. The films highlighted in this column (major releases) and next week's (documentaries and hidden gems) are some of the best. If you missed them when first released on DVD, add them to your gift list.
MAJOR RELEASES
FOR ADULTS
"Gran Torino," rated R
Walt Kowalski makes Archie Bunker sound like Mother Teresa. "Gran Torino" is directed by Clint Eastwood, and he uses his best skinny-eyed stare and racist insults to define his role as Walt, a retired Korean war vet.
A widower who refuses to move out of the old neighborhood, Walt does his best to torment the Asian neighbors who look different than he does and speak a different language (or English with a thick accent).
In Walt's garage is a cherry Gran Torino that the local gang has dared young Thao, Walt's Hmong neighbor, to heist against his will. Thao is unsuccessful in his attempt, and Walt decides to make the teenager work off the damage costs. An unlikely relationship develops.
As a director, Eastwood has perfected the editing process. Supporting roles by Thao's family are fleshed out without the necessity of dialogue, and the parish priest (played by a rosy-cheeked Christopher Carley) struggles establishing a relationship with the irascible senior citizen.
"Gran Torino" should not be confused with Eastwood's Dirty Harry persona. There is violence because Walt lives in a violent neighborhood but far more important are the understanding and friendship that unfold as Walt sips beer on his front porch.
FOR EVERYONE
"Up," rated PG
Once in a while a movie comes along that crosses the line. "Up" crosses any number of lines and all in a good way. Pixar Animation Studios has produced a long list of wonderful features including "Toy Story" (1 & 2), "The Incredibles," "Cars," "WALL-E," and, my personal favorite, "Finding Nemo."
"Finding Nemo" was my favorite, until now. "Up" nudges Nemo down to second. It's a movie for all ages. I had the good fortune of seeing "Up" with a 5-year-old, a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old, and we all loved it.
Mr. Fredricksen (the voice of Ed Asner) is about to be removed from his lifetime home to make way for high-rise apartments. Rather than be relegated to an old persons home, he chooses to fight back by tying 10,000 balloons to the roof of his home and, quite literally, "taking off." Unbeknownst to the elderly man, Russell, an earnest young Scout, is on the front porch at lift-off and their adventure begins.
The script for "Up" is written by Bob Peterson ("Finding Nemo") and Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and is clever and funny. The first 10 minutes or so of the film proves that a picture is worth a thousand words. With very little dialogue and a terrific musical score, we learn the touching and sometimes sad reasons Mr. Fredricksen is determined to follow his dream.
However, once Russell is on board (soon to be joined by the lovable mutt, Dug, and the rare and colorful bird, Kevin), "Up" takes off on an adventure equal to the original Indiana Jones, only with lots of balloons.
If you're not accustomed to going to animated films, "Up" offers the perfect opportunity to cross the line.
FOR KIDS
"Hotel for Dogs," rated PG
It may help if you love man's best friend to enjoy "Hotel for Dogs" but it isn't a necessity.
Siblings Bruce and Andi are in the foster care system, and it's been hard to place them because they're teenagers. Bernie, played by Don Cheadle, is their social worker and sympathizes with the youngsters, given the less-than-wonderful couple they are placed with.
Andi and Bruce find love and adoration in Friday, a cute
mutt that they sneak into their room. Their survival techniques are tested when Friday slips into an abandoned downtown hotel. Before long, the clandestine operation expands to include a few more teenage conspirators and countless number of colorful strays.
The outcome for "Hotel for Dogs" may be predictable but the ingenuity of the kids is not, and adults watching this DVD may have fun wondering what the movie set was like while filming.
Emma Roberts is winnings as Andi and Jake T. Austin
makes his feature film debut as her inventive little brother. Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon are cast as the despicable, yet humorous foster parents.*
"Hotel for Dogs" works well for the little bipeds and quadruped lovers of all ages.
* Given the dedication of most foster parents and the social workers who work in the system, it's regrettable the filmmakers chose to portray this totally inappropriate couple.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@hotmail.com.
The movies selected for review are the choice of the reviewer. Suggestions for DVD titles are welcome. Enjoy the movies.
2009 is winding down, and it's time to reflect on the movies offered as entertainment for the year. The films highlighted in this column (major releases) and next week's (documentaries and hidden gems) are some of the best. If you missed them when first released on DVD, add them to your gift list.
MAJOR RELEASES
FOR ADULTS
"Gran Torino," rated R
Walt Kowalski makes Archie Bunker sound like Mother Teresa. "Gran Torino" is directed by Clint Eastwood, and he uses his best skinny-eyed stare and racist insults to define his role as Walt, a retired Korean war vet.
A widower who refuses to move out of the old neighborhood, Walt does his best to torment the Asian neighbors who look different than he does and speak a different language (or English with a thick accent).
In Walt's garage is a cherry Gran Torino that the local gang has dared young Thao, Walt's Hmong neighbor, to heist against his will. Thao is unsuccessful in his attempt, and Walt decides to make the teenager work off the damage costs. An unlikely relationship develops.
As a director, Eastwood has perfected the editing process. Supporting roles by Thao's family are fleshed out without the necessity of dialogue, and the parish priest (played by a rosy-cheeked Christopher Carley) struggles establishing a relationship with the irascible senior citizen.
"Gran Torino" should not be confused with Eastwood's Dirty Harry persona. There is violence because Walt lives in a violent neighborhood but far more important are the understanding and friendship that unfold as Walt sips beer on his front porch.
FOR EVERYONE
"Up," rated PG
Once in a while a movie comes along that crosses the line. "Up" crosses any number of lines and all in a good way. Pixar Animation Studios has produced a long list of wonderful features including "Toy Story" (1 & 2), "The Incredibles," "Cars," "WALL-E," and, my personal favorite, "Finding Nemo."
"Finding Nemo" was my favorite, until now. "Up" nudges Nemo down to second. It's a movie for all ages. I had the good fortune of seeing "Up" with a 5-year-old, a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old, and we all loved it.
Mr. Fredricksen (the voice of Ed Asner) is about to be removed from his lifetime home to make way for high-rise apartments. Rather than be relegated to an old persons home, he chooses to fight back by tying 10,000 balloons to the roof of his home and, quite literally, "taking off." Unbeknownst to the elderly man, Russell, an earnest young Scout, is on the front porch at lift-off and their adventure begins.
The script for "Up" is written by Bob Peterson ("Finding Nemo") and Pete Docter ("Monsters, Inc.") and is clever and funny. The first 10 minutes or so of the film proves that a picture is worth a thousand words. With very little dialogue and a terrific musical score, we learn the touching and sometimes sad reasons Mr. Fredricksen is determined to follow his dream.
However, once Russell is on board (soon to be joined by the lovable mutt, Dug, and the rare and colorful bird, Kevin), "Up" takes off on an adventure equal to the original Indiana Jones, only with lots of balloons.
If you're not accustomed to going to animated films, "Up" offers the perfect opportunity to cross the line.
FOR KIDS
"Hotel for Dogs," rated PG
It may help if you love man's best friend to enjoy "Hotel for Dogs" but it isn't a necessity.
Siblings Bruce and Andi are in the foster care system, and it's been hard to place them because they're teenagers. Bernie, played by Don Cheadle, is their social worker and sympathizes with the youngsters, given the less-than-wonderful couple they are placed with.
Andi and Bruce find love and adoration in Friday, a cute
mutt that they sneak into their room. Their survival techniques are tested when Friday slips into an abandoned downtown hotel. Before long, the clandestine operation expands to include a few more teenage conspirators and countless number of colorful strays.
The outcome for "Hotel for Dogs" may be predictable but the ingenuity of the kids is not, and adults watching this DVD may have fun wondering what the movie set was like while filming.
Emma Roberts is winnings as Andi and Jake T. Austin
makes his feature film debut as her inventive little brother. Lisa Kudrow and Kevin Dillon are cast as the despicable, yet humorous foster parents.*
"Hotel for Dogs" works well for the little bipeds and quadruped lovers of all ages.
* Given the dedication of most foster parents and the social workers who work in the system, it's regrettable the filmmakers chose to portray this totally inappropriate couple.
Rebecca Redshaw can be reached at r2redshaw@hotmail.com.
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