Book Review “Farm”

Author, Illustrator: James Brown
Board book: 16 pages
Publisher: Candlewick; Brdbk Rep edition
Release Date: April 9, 2013

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Farm” is a simple book for all kids ranging from babies to toddlers. It draws you in with the cute illustrations and fun patterns. My daughter is only 1 and yet she already knows what various animals are including cows, dogs, ducks, etc. I attribute this to book like this “Farm” grabs kids attention and I highly recommend this! Also if you are looking for more be sure to check out the other books in its set “Ocean” and “Zoo”. 

Official Premise: Introduce babies to the animal residents of a farm in a bright, graphic, nearly wordless board book that will grab their attention as it fosters developing visual skills. Each right-hand page features a simple white shape of a pig, sheep, dog, horse, goose, or cow against a vivid background, while the facing page features the same shape in a charming, folk-art-style pattern.

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Book Review “Where’s Waldo? The Totally Essential Travel Collection”

Author: Martin Handford
Paperback: 172 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: March 12, 2013

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love Waldo? This compact compilation features all seven of his renowned excursions in one nice travel collection. Included are: “Where’s Waldo?”, “Where’s Waldo Now?”, “Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey”, “Where’s Waldo? The Wonder Book”, “Where’s Waldo? In Hollywood”, “Where’s Waldo? The Great Picture Hunt!” and “Where’s Waldo? The Incredible Paper Chase”. This book is a must own for any fan of Waldo. In terms of kids, the font is very small so I wouldn’t say under 5 years old.

I can see this book very handy when taking long road trips with the kids. It is compact and each to pop in your page on the way out.  Martin Handford, who is the man behind these Waldo books and these books have never aged. They are still just as fun and entertaining even for the adults. I would love to see new version of Waldo in the future. Candlewick has been the company to keep this series going.

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Book Review “I Dare You Not to Yawn”

Author: Helene Boudreau
Illustrator: Serge Bloch
Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: March 12, 2013

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

The idea of “I Dare You Not to Yawn” is cute but the final product doesn’t really convey that cute feeling.  When I pick up a kids book, I would like to be entertained just as much as the child does because when it comes down to it we read it more than the kids.  Plus also the age range on the book definitely stands true.  This is not a book for kids younger than 4-5 at the youngest. But older kids might get a few giggles out of following the challenges of the book. I just wasn’t taken in with the story and the illustrations.

Official Premise: A yawn can land you in your pj’s and under the covers before you can blink and say “Baa baa black sheep.” So clamp your mouth shut and look away from your sleepy dog, stay away from your cuddly blanket, and whatever you do, don’t think of baby orangutans stretching their long arms out for a snuggly hug. Otherwise, you might find your mouth opening wide and letting out a great big yawny yaaaaaawn — hey, you were supposed hold it in! A hilarious read-aloud that is so much fun, kids will beg for it again and again, whatever the consequences.

 

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Book Review “Maisy Grows a Garden”, “Maisy Learns to Swim” & “Maisy’s Fairground”

Author: Lucy Cousins
Age Range: 2 – 5 years
Hardcover: 16 / 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: February 12, 2013 / February 26, 2013

Our Scores: 5 out of 5 stars

If you would like to know “What makes Maisy’s garden grow?” Well, “Maisy Grows a Garden” has the answer for you.  Kids can help Maisy by pulling the tabs and helping Maisy plant and grow a tasty vegetable garden. “Maisy Learns to Swim” exploures Maisy as she is learning to swim. I can see this book becoming very popular with my daughter as she gets a little older, even though she is already our little water bug and never wants to leave the water.

When it comes to the Maisy series, my daughter will surely have every possible book released.  I absolutely love this series and it gets better with each new release.  “Maisy’s Fairground” is a Maisy Pop-up-and-Pla​y Book.  This is a little different from the typical Maisy book and it literally feels like you are at the carnival.  Did I mention that this has a spinning pop-up Ferris wheel? Wow, it is completely amazing and had my daughter screaming “Wow”, as well as her daddy.

I absolutely love this “Maisy” series. They is educational yet still very interactive and entertaining.  I love anything where you need to interact with the book.  My daughter absolutely loves grabbing the tabs and playing with this book (and she is only 1).  Also keeps the parents busy As she grows, I am sure she will continue to enjoy these great books.

Official Premise: Maisy loves to try new things, just like her young fans. This interactive science story invites toddlers and preschoolers to help Maisy dig, sow seeds, water the earth, and weed the garden. Little ones will love seeing the carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, and beans spring from the pages as they take the first steps to develop a green thumb with Maisy and Panda.

“Maisy Learns to Swim” Official Premise: Today Maisy is going swimming for the first time, and she is a little nervous. Good thing Eddie and Tallulah are coming, too. Eddie is a natural, but Maisy and Tallulah get into the pool slowly — ooh, it’s freezing! But soon they are kicking and floating and even blowing bubbles with the rest. Whether water-shy or raring to go, young readers will find much to relate to as Maisy experiences another childhood first.

“Maisy’s Fairground” Official Premise: Come one, come all, and take in the bright colors and excitement of a day at the fair with Maisy and her pals. Just pull a tab or spin a wheel to make the bumper cars bump (bash! crash! ), see the friends having fun on the bouncy castle (up! down! ), or set the roller coaster in motion (screeeeaaammm! ). But nothing compares to the giant, interactive 3D Ferris wheel just waiting to spring to life on the final spread!

Lucy Cousins has become one of my favorite children’s author. She is the creator of the “Maisy” series. “Maisy Grows a Garden” is a Maisy First Science Book and “Maisy Learns to Swim” is a Maisy First Experiences Book.  I am very glad that I happened to come across one of these book a year ago and since then we have about 5-10 books from this series. Keep ’em coming Lucy!

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Book Review “Peep and Ducky”

Author: David Martin
Illustrator: David Walker
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: February 12, 2013

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

When it comes to kids book anything that is able to be read-aloud and literally rolls off your tongue is good for me. “Peep and Ducky” is very cute and fun. It backs some very colorful and bright illustrations from David Walker. David Martin tells a perfect story for little kids about friendship and does it well that it is able to be enjoyed even for adults with some clever rhyming. This book was originally put on my daughter desk until she gets older (she’s 1) but every day she pulls it out to look through.

Official Premise: Ready, set, go! Whether you’re playing pretend games (beep, beep) or flying off the slide (ka-thump), flopping into a puddle (splish, splash) or running around a tree (“Can’t catch me!”), an afternoon at the park is so much better when your best buddy is there. Peep and Ducky share giggles and tickles and bumps in this sweet excursion from David Martin and David Walker.

David Martin has written many kids books that we have enjoyed including “The Magic Christmas Tree”. David Walker has also illustrated several children’s books, including “Flip, Flap, Fly!”.  I like both their styles and will be keeping an eye out for their upcoming books.  I could also see them turning “Peep and Ducky” into a franchise…may I suggest “Peep and Ducky Go to the Zoo” etc.

 

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DVD Review “Last Resort: The Complete First Season”

Actors: Andre Braugher, Scott Speedman, Daisy Betts, Camille De Pazzis, Dichen Lachman
Directors: Michael Offer
Number of discs: 3
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
DVD Release Date: July 2, 2013
Run Time: 558 minutes

Series: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

If you watch the pilot to “Last Resort”, this show will have you hooked. It packs a sharp cast lead by Andre Braugher and Scott Speedman with supporting cast including Dichen Lachman, Daisy Betts, Robert Patrick, Jessy Schram and Sahr Ngaujah. This show was unfortunately canned after its first 13 episodes but that actually worked out for the show better. Even though I would like to have seen more, the show really worked best as a 13-episode arc.  It was tight, sharp and delivered a nice ending. I can easily see myself re-watching this series in the near future. I would recommend this for anything that missed it when it aired on TV or definitely for fans of the show to enjoy it again, plus this DVD is jam packed with great extras.

Official Premise: The U.S. ballistic submarine Colorado sits 500 feet below the Indian Ocean when orders come in to fire nuclear missiles at Pakistan. Captain Marcus Chaplin (Braugher) and XO Sam Kendal (Speedman), both question the legitimacy of the order and ask for confirmation, but instead receive missile fire from another U.S. submarine. Left for dead at the bottom of the ocean, the Colorado finds refuge on an exotic island. As troops come toward the island, the members of the crew must work to clear their name and find out who is involved in a conspiracy of nuclear proportions. The 13 episodes includes are: “Captain”, “Blue on Blue”, “Eight Bells”, “Voluntold”, “Skeleton Crew”, “Another Fine Navy Day”, “Nuke It Out”, “Big Chicken Dinner”, “Cinderella Liberty”, “Blue Water”, “Damn the Torpedoes”, “The Pointy End of the Spear” and “Controlled Flight Into Terrain”.

The special features on this series is actually quite awesome with 13 All-New Featurettes. “Making the Pilot” gives an inside look behind-the-scenes on the first episode. “Profiles in Courage” is a chat with– co-creators and executive producers Shawn Ryan and Karl Gajdusek on the USS Colorado crew members. “Conn Artists” talks about the sets with Production Designer Jim Spencer and Set Decorator Brenda Meyers-Ballard. “Anatomy of an Episode” focuses on the episode “Voluntold” with cast/crew. “Grace Under Fire” has Daisy Betts talking about her role. “Ties That Bind” features the cast chatting about the shows crucial relationship between Christine and Sam.

“Subvirtual” features the Fuse FX team talking about the show’s stunning computer-generated visual effects. “The Buzzard’s Nest” talks about filming the explosive riot scenes in “Big Chicken Dinner.” “Turning Point” looks into the Naval SEAL mission in Pakistan that sets off the chain of events in the series. “The Mole” – Jessica Camacho peels away the layers around Cortez’s undercover role aboard the USS Colorado. “Serrat’s Lair” looks into the building of the estate that serves as Serrat’s island compound. “I, Kylie” has Autumn Reeser reflecting about her role. “Epilogue” has the– cast and crew looking back on their characters and roles.

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Film Review “Monsters University”

Starring the voices of: Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi
Directed by: Dan Scanlon
Rated: G
Running time: 1 hr 50 mins
Walt Disney Pictures

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

If you’re a kid over ten you’re certainly familiar with the story of “Monster’s Inc.” Best friends Mike Wazowski (Crystal) and James “Sulley” Sullivan (Goodman) work together to scare human children while they sleep, harvesting their screams to power their home city of Monstropolis. But did you know that, though they are cousins, Mike and Sulley were anything but friends when they were younger. This secret, and others, are revealed when the boys become college men at Monster’s University.

Directed by Dan Scanlon, whose PIXAR association includes stints working on “Cars,” “Brave” and the short film “Mater and the Ghostlights,” “Monster’s University” is a worthy prequel to what is arguably one of PIXAR’s greatest achievements. The story follows Mike and Sulley as they take different paths to what they hope is the same ending. Both want to be “scarers” and Sulley has a leg up because his father was renowned in the field. Big and hairy, Sulley seems to have his future set for him. Smooth and round, not to mention short, Mike knows he has his work cut out for him. While Sulley is recruited by the school’s top fraternities Mike finds himself in the freshmen dorm, rooming with another potential student, one Randy Boggs (Buscemi). After some preliminary scare classes Randy finds himself in a popular fraternity while Mike is left to join the only house that will have him: Oozema Kappa. Here he learns that not every dream has to come true in order to reach your goals.

What made “Monster’s Inc” such a success was the true and genuine bond between Mike and Sulley. As voiced by Crystal and Goodman they were best friends that you know would remain that way forever. Knowing what the future holds for both of them does not distract from the story here. The film lovingly parodies such popular college comedies as “Animal House” and “Revenge of the Nerds.” Crystal and Goodman lead a great vocal cast which includes returning “Monster’s Inc” alum Steve Buscemi. They are joined by Helen Mirren, Sean Hayes, Alfred Molina and Joel Murray. The script, co-written by Scanlon, Daniel Gerson and Robert Baird, is clever without being cute, which is an incredible achievement for a G rated film. And, as always, the visuals are outstanding.

And while I’m speaking of visuals, make sure you get to the theatre early so you can catch an amazing short film called “The Blue Umbrella.”

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Film Review “World War Z”

Starring: Brad Pitt, David Morse and James Badge Dale
Directed by: Marc Forster
Rated: PG 13
Running time: 1 hr 56 mins
Paramount

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Out on a drive with his family, Gerry Lane (Pitt) suddenly finds himself in gridlocked traffic. For an unknown reason, not a car in Philadelphia is moving. As he gets out to investigate he is greeted by a series of explosions. When the smoke clears the screams begin.

Carried by Pitt’s performance, “World War Z” is a sometimes intense story of the rise of the undead. Having recently retired from his job as a “fixer” for the United Nations, Gerry is recruited by his old boss (Fana Mokoena) to accompany a novice scientist on a journey to hopefully find a cure for what seems to be ailing the flesh eating monsters that now roam the earth freely. The only clue Gerry is given is a cryptic Japanese email, sent a few days before, which included the word “zombie.” Reluctant to leave his family, Gerry is assured that they will be looked after as long as he’s away. If he doesn’t help, he and his family will be removed from their safe zone and left to fend for themselves. Not much of a choice, is it?

It seemed an odd choice to have the director of “Monster’s Ball” and “Finding Neverland” direct a film about the zombie apocalypse. But director Forster also has the Bond film “Quantum of Silence” on his resume so he also knows his way around an action piece. There are some nice jolts mixed in with humor. There is also an amazing sequence set aboard a plane that will have you gripping the armrests. Like the zombies of Zack Snyder’s remake of “Dawn of the Dead,” these are not the plodding creatures we are used to. These zombies strike quickly, often in groups. When they’re not happy they let out a screech that sounds like an angry chicken. The premise is fine. It’s the presentation that falters. Shown in a very unnecessary 3D, the film is actually hurt by the process. Action scenes are too dark and many foreground objects are blurred when the focus is pulled to capture the action being featured.

Based on a novel by Max Brooks (Mel’s son…go figure), the story moves across the world as Gerry and his team attempt to find a way to beat the zombies. Pitt is strong and determined, yet vulnerable when it comes to his wife and daughters. Mireille Enos (“The Killing”) is equally strong in the face of her family’s separation. Supporting turns by Morse, Dale and Pierfrancesco Favino, among others, keep the film interesting. Technically, I must give a shout out to the more than 100 makeup artists that helped create the various zombies.

 

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Film Review “Maniac”

Starring: Elijah Wood, America Olivo, Nora Arnezeder
Directed By: Franck Khalfoun
Rated: R
Running Time: 89 minutes

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 stars

This updated Maniac is an improvement on the original in every way. Whether or not this is a recommendation depends heavily upon your opinion of William Lustig’s 1980 cult film. It is definitely not for the squeamish.

Maniac follows Frank (Elijah Wood, more from Sin City than the Shire) a loner who lives in a warehouse with a collection of mannequins he restores for a living. When he’s not at this, he’s prowling an eerie, deserted Los Angeles for female victims to kill and scalp due to some serious mommy issues. Actually, we don’t follow Frank so much as actually get inside his head. The best way to describe Maniac’s dominant visual style is “first person stabber.” It’s an interesting gimmick to take the famed slasher POV in a horror film and just stay in it, however it eventually wears out its welcome as I felt some motion sickness setting in. Thankfully, director Franck Khalfoun does opt to exit Frankvision for some of the key murder scenes in order to underscore his loss of control over his darker side, as well as to showcase some truly remarkable gore from KNB effects. The climatic bloody finale which brings Frank’s victims back to attack is really something to see here.

Frank’s killing spree is disrupted by Anna (Nora Arnezeder) a photographer who finds Frank’s mannequins appealing subjects for her upcoming gallery show. The interactions of Wood and Arnezeder are one of the film’s strengths. Anna here is much sweeter and the considerably younger Wood looks more believable than Joe Spinell’s Frank trying to fit in with his future victims. Just the idea that Anna’s appreciation for Frank’s work is what draws her to his shop makes for a much stronger tension as to whether or not Frank will treat her the same as all the other ill-fated women who have crossed his path. After inhabiting the
disgusting Frank it’s a relief to have a sympathetic character to grasp onto when Anna comes along.

Having better drawn characters than the 1980 movie still doesn’t leave us with much depth though. Besides being a remake, the film also features nods to other genre films such as Silence of the Lambs and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Maniac does not fare well in drawing these comparisons. Despite all the stylish upgrades from the original, Maniac will most likely still appeal to only the most diehard gorehounds.

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Film Review “Rushlights”

Starring: Beau Bridges, Josh Henderson and Aidan Quinn
Directed by: Antoni Stutz
Rated: R
Running time: 1 hr 36 mins
Vertical Entertainment

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

It seems so easy. You learn you bear a strong resemblance to someone who has just inherited a boatload of money. Realizing nobody but the dead person has ever met you, you decide to claim the inheritance yourself. See. Easy.

Such is the premise of the new thriller “Rushlights,” the sophomore directorial effort of Antoni Stutz, who has also added “co-writer” to his resume’. Billy (Henderson) and Sarah (Haley Webb) meet cute. She’s a waitress at a diner he frequents. After constant hours of flirting Billy gets up the nerve to ask Sarah out. Fireworks ensue. Sarah is burdened by a drug addicted roommate who, sadly meets a sad demise. While going through her things Sarah finds a letter from a lawyer in Texas explaining that the roommate’s uncle, who she hadn’t seen in decades, has passed away and left you everything. Commenting that Sarah and her roomie could pass for twins Billy convinces her to head to Texas with the dead girls ID, claim the inheritance for herself and then she and Billy can split town before anyone becomes the wiser. But when you’re not the sharpest (or, for lack of a better word, most scrupulous) knife in the drawer you’re bound to run into problems.

Based on a true story, “Rushlights” could have been a very standard, by the book imitation noir film. Instead, Stutz packs it with genuine surprises and emotion. He is helped out by a strong cast, led by Henderson and Webb. Aidan Quinn shows up as the deceased man’s lawyer while Beau Bridges tries to solve the mysteries as the local sheriff. Bridges character is also brother to Quinn’s lawyer, meaning these two will turn out to be as corrupt as you’ve ever seen a legal representative. But top marks go to Crispian Belfrage, so creepy as a man with ties to both Sarah and her dead friend.

Stutz’s direction is clear and sharp, taking the audience into Billy and Sarah’s lives, showing that everything is not always greener on the richer side of the fence.

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Film Review “The Kings of Summer”

Starring: Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Nick Offerman
Directed By: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Rated: R
Running Time: 93 minutes
CBS Films

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Rarely do I step out of the movie theater with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and calm. Coming of age movies can do that. It takes everyone in the theater back to a simpler time in life and helps them remember their age of innocence, their teenage angst and that rough transition into a growing adult. “The Kings of Summer” is the contemporary boys becoming men comedy that will have audiences reflecting upon their golden youth along with some hearty laughs.

Joe Toy (Nick Robinson) has a strained relationship with his father, Frank (Nick Offerman). Ever since Joe’s mom passed away, they’ve been at odds. Frank only speaks in a condescending tone and tries to keep Joe under his thumb. Joe’s friend, Patrick Keenan (Gabriel Basso), has an equally frustrating home life. His naive parents (Marc Evan Jackson and Megan Mullally) politely question him at every turn. Mr. and Mrs. Keenan are definitely smug up-to-date versions of the Cleaver folks, if not frighteningly more cheery. After they both have some frustrating dinners with their families, the two boys sneak out of their homes and head to a party to celebrate the end of the school year. Joe’s going in the hopes of flirting with the girl of his dreams, Kelly (Erin Moriarty). During the keg supplied, social gathering, they run across Biaggio (Moises Arias). He’s a peculiar boy who is small in stature and is a literal interpretation of the phrase, “out there”.

After an adult spoils the party for these high schoolers, Joe heads back home through the woods. Joining Joe on his way back is the consistently bizarre Biaggio. They stumble across an open space in the woods. It is there in the knee-high grass and weeds under the perfect view of the starry night sky, that’s Joe’s frustrations seem to melt away. That’s where an idea quickly grows and infests his mind. Build a home in the woods and runaway to it. After some convincing, Joe, Patrick and Biaggio are convinced that a home in the woods is where they will become men and live out their lives. The rest of the movie has the trio building the home and roaming in the surrounding woods. What’s refreshing about this movie is that it’s in a contemporary world, but they’re not texting away on a phone. They’re not hypnotized by television. They aren’t zombified by the latest gore drenched video game. It’s almost like a fairy tale that these teenagers would leave the electronic world and hideaway in the woods in a candlelit home. Also most kids running away steal their parents car and credit cards for a trek across the county. Not put together a home out of construction scraps.

The cast is well put together and the characters each offer something different to the story. Even the two police officers dealing with the parents have their moments. The movie has a delightful indie soundtrack that accompanies the serene shots of wildlife and the boys exploring the terrain. The comedy is refreshing because there’s no throw away sex jokes or fart gags. The two best character in this movie are Frank and Biaggio. They have some of the best one-liners and quips. Nick Offerman was definitely born to embody a bitter middle aged man who only speaks in sarcasm. Throughout the movie, Biaggio turns from freakishly quirky to charming by the end of the movie. If you’re looking for a grand deep meaning to this movie, you won’t get it, but what you will get it is an entertaining summer movie with delightful and sympathetic characters.

After the movie, I stepped outside into the mild evening air. I tried to reflect back on the movie, but my only thoughts and feelings I had were of reliving youth. Getting together with some friends, going out to camp for the weekend, sharing some beers around the campfire and remembering the “good ol’ days”. Alas, I have work to do and bills to pay, but as I drove home from the theater, I felt revitalized and peaceful. “The King of Summer” is exactly what I needed, just like diving into a cool pristine lake on a humid summer day.

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Book Review “Doctor Who: Character Encyclopedia”

Author: Annabel Gibson, Moray Laing, Jason Loborik
Age Range: 7 and up
Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: DK CHILDREN
Release Date: April 1, 2013

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

If you are a fan of sci-fi, it is almost impossible not to love Doctor Who. Since the long-running series was revived in 2005, this series is only growing stronger and stronger with each new year. DK Books has been behind some of the best Visual Dictionary and Character Encyclopedia for various series including “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars”.  Doctor Who: Character Encyclopedia” is timed perfectly for the series’ fiftieth anniversary and is one hell of a perfect book.  I huge fan of “Doctor Who” and this is the ultimate companion book for the show covering all 11 doctors to date with more than 200 friends and foes included.

Official Premise: A cult favorite around the world, Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction television show of all time. Perfect for fans of the popular BBC show, the Doctor Who Character Encyclopedia has been created in full collaboration with the producers of Doctor Who, and shares detailed profiles of all eleven incarnations of the Doctor, as well as in-depth looks at his many companions, enemies, and adventures through the years.

Even though this book is released under DK’s Children label that doesn’t mean that this is any less impressive for the series’ adult fans. The book ranges over 200 pages and high quality beautiful images of every character spanning from this series. The book is split into sections including “Alien”, “Companion”, “Cyborg”, “Earth Creature”, “Entity”, “Human”, “Robot” and of course “Time Lord”. They are all intertwined together and makes this a real page turner.  I think I knew everything about this series and even I was impressed with the amount of new information that I discovered. Each character from this show is extremely  detailed and classified, so we get to meet them, find out about them, what doctors they have met and their role in the show.  I am not sure what more you can ask for as a fan of “Doctor Who”.  Keep ’em coming DK!

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Film Review “The Bling Ring”

Starring: Katie Chang, Israel Broussard, Emma Watson
Directed By: Sofia Coppola
Rated: R
Running Time: 90 minutes
A24

Our Score: 2 out of 5 stars

Before I begin, I must say I’m not very well versed in the whole “Bling Ring” incident although I do remember when it happened. I also must point out that if you are well versed, the movie has changed the names of those apart of the the “Bling Ring”. I also have to admit, that as an avid movie fan, I have not seen a Sofia Coppola movie until I watched “The Bling Ring”. So here’s to hoping the rest of her movies are not like this. I guess you could say my expectations were high considering all the great things I’ve heard about the director/writer, especially “Lost in Translation”. During the movie, I could tell she definitely has an eye when it comes to unique shots and sequences that establish so much without the uttering of a single word. It’s just too bad the script dragged it down.

The movie begins by introducing us to the characters, albeit a short simple to the point introduction. Marc (Israel Broussard) is the new kid at school. He’s scoffed as he walks through the school doors, making him the quiet, loner. He then meets Rebecca (Katie Chang), an avid TMZ viewer and pop-culture, rap junkie. Through their odd, mutual fascination of celebrities, drug use and fashion sense, they become like brother and sister as the movie progresses. Through Rebecca, Marc meets the other crime partners to the “Bling Ring”, Nicki (Emma Watson), Sam (Taissa Farmiga) and Chloe (Claire Julien). They also talk like self-absorbed rich kids who’ve watched one too many reality shows. There are others who eventually become ensnared into their web of misdeeds, but when the movie doesn’t focus on developing the main characters, it’s very hard to care about the secondary ones. The one side character I really enjoyed was Laurie (Leslie Mann), who played the oblivious parent to Nick and Sam. She believes them to be inherently good and capable of great and powerful things through her spiritual teachings and connection to the book, “The Secret”(yes you read that right). That did provide some great comical relief.

The first two-thirds of the movie are spent showing the perverse construction of Marc and Rebecca’s friendship through petty thievery. Eventually that leads to the two of them looking up Paris Hilton’s home address and musing “Do you think it’s unlocked?” After the Paris Hilton break-in, the “Bling Ring” grows. Moving up to the break-ins of Megan Fox, Orlando Bloom, Rachel Bilson and others. For good measure the also rob Paris Hilton a couple more times. They steal jewelry, clothes, money and anything they find suitable for the fabulous lifestyle they wish to live. At a certain point I wrote down on my notepad, “Drugs, Stealing, Facebook, Partying.” Are we simply suppose to despise these characters and not see any redeeming qualities about them?

As they browse through lavish clothes and flips through wads of hundreds, you can tell they see themselves in the right. They name drop fashion designs and discuss what house they wish to break into next. They drink and drive, snort cocaine and then dance the night away. I get it, they’re trying to emulate the celebrities they obsess over. There’s no need to repeat the message. At no point are we offered an explanation as to why Marc would crave the acceptance of his new friends. To the point where he’s researching where Orlando Bloom’s home is so they can plunder it. It’s never explained where Rebecca’s gang leader mentality comes from. We’re never shown why the others are blindly following the lead of Rebecca as they stomp through celebrities home celebrating their burglary. We don’t even know why Marc has a conscience, as he nervously walks from room to room saying “We need to go, we’re gonna get caught.”

The saving grace for this movie comes in the last third of the movie when everything begins to crumble. Police are beginning to catch on, celebrities are are noticing their stolen goods and Rebecca’s arrogance barrels her forward to being more audacious with the ransacking of the rich and famous. If you don’t remember this scandal, you might find this villainous look into the “Bling Ring” beginnings and ending, interesting. But if you’re like me, you’ll be slouched in your theater chair watching people you don’t like stealing from celebrities you don’t like.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: bling, film, review, ring

Blu-ray Review “Regular Show: The Complete First & Second Seasons”

Starring: J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Mark Hamill
Created by: J.G. Quintel
Studio: Cartoon Network
Release Date: July 16, 2013
Run Time: 440 minutes

Seasons: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 5 out of 5 stars

I have to thank Mark Hamill for getting me into this show. When I interviewed him last October (read the interview here), he really pitched me on the show and since then I have been a HUGE fan. I think I might actually quote this show every single day from screaming OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! to my wife’s favorite, which is HAMBONING!!!! (which I actually hear might save your life one day).  Fans of this show will finally get a Blu-ray release for not one but two seasons of this amazing show.  That’s right we get all 40 episodes from the series’ first and second seasons. Count me in!

This show has also won the Emmy® Award for animated series last year and is only getting more popular as the series progresses.  It is created by J.G. Quintel (“The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack”, “Camp Lazlo”), who also voices the lead character Mordecai on the show.  This guy is a complete genius.  This show is not only funny, it is also ridiculously clever and sharp. There is not one episode that passes that I am not dying laughing at some point. William Salyers (“Morel Orel”) voices the other lead character, Rigby. (Click here for my interview with him from earlier this year). The two of these guys are a fantastic combo and really play off each other so well.  If you are a fan of other Cartoon Network shows like “Adventure Time”, I highly recommend this series.

Official Synopsis: Sarcastic blue jay Mordecai (voiced by J. G. Quintel) and somewhat responsible raccoon Rigby (William Salyers) are best friends. They even work together at a park owned by Pops (Sam Marin), a big lollipop-headed guy. Which seems normal enough. They’ve got a cranky gumball machine for a boss (Martin) and they work alongside a Zen-like yeti named Skips (Mark Hamill). Yep. Everything is as regular as can be.

The episodes from the first season included are: “The Power”, “Just Set Up the Chairs”, “Caffeinated Concert Tickets, “Death Punchies”, “Free Cake”, “Meat Your Maker”, “Grilled Cheese Deluxe”, “The Unicorns Have Got to Go”, “Prank Callers”, “Don”, “Rigby’s Body” and “Mordecai and the Rigbys”. The episodes from the second season included are: “Ello Gov’nor”, “It’s Time”, “Appreciation Day”, “Peeps”, “Dizzy”, “My Mom”, “High Score”, “Rage Against the TV”, “Party Pete”, “Brain Eraser”, “Benson Be Gone”, “But I Have a Receipt”, “This Is My Jam”, “Muscle Woman”, “Temp Check”, “Jinx”, “See You There”, “Do Me a Solid”, “Grave Sights”, “Really Real Wrestling”, “Over the Top”, “The Night Owl”, “A Bunch of Baby Ducks”, “More Smarter”, “First Day”, “Go Viral”, “Skunked” and “Karaoke Video”

The 1080p transfer for each episode is awesome with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. I have watched this show is various formats from online to satellite TV and this was a real treat. The animation looks crisp and the colors are very vibrant. Although the back of the packaging tells us that there are both a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks, neither of those are actually available. In fact the only track available for the episodes is a Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps) track. It is not terrible but a little bit disappointing when you consider how great this show would have been in TrueHD. HMMM HMMM!

The special features on this release are absolutely amazing (especially compared to “Adventure Times” recent Blu-ray season releases). There are two hours of bonus features along with an audio commentary track for literally every single episode with creator J.G. Quintel and the show’s storyboard artists.  This is literally worth the purchase of the Blu-ray alone! 40 commentary tracks! Hello!? Count me in!  Great way to revisit the show and also learn new things about it as a fan straight from the creators mouth.  Highly recommend these tracks.

There is the unaired pilot episode, which is awesome, as well as an animatic for it also. There is also an animatic for the episode “The Power”, along with a video of J.G. Quintel pitching the episode. There is an interview with J.G. Quintel chatting about this unique and amazing series and also his student short, “The Naïve Man from Lolliland”. Tired yet? Well there is still some more “Original Pencil Tests from Saerom”, “CG Test for Hodgepodge Monster”, “2010 Comic Con Teaser Trailer”, Party Tonight Music Video” and “Original Regular Show Commercials”. Any fan of this show will be left exhausted after all these great extras!

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, complete, regular, review, seasons, show, ...

Book Review “The Art of Turbo”

Author: Robert Abele
Hardcover: 150 pages
Publisher: Insight Editions
Release Date: June 18, 2013

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit, I was not too excited for “Turbo”. I do have a sweet spot for DreamWorks’ animated films though, since they have never let me down. Well, the day I received this book was also the same day I finally saw a trailer for this film. After seeing the trailer, I was excited to get home and cut right into this book. I have to say I was pretty impressed and now I am excited to jump the light and catch this film (Get it? A little racing humor…Hello?) The film itself looks extremely fun and very visually impressive. What else would you expect from the studio that brought us the “Shrek” and “Madagascar” films. So if you are expecting that from the film, “The Art of Turbo” will not let you down as it comes stocked with some amazing artwork from the industry’s top talents and an impressive look behind-the-scenes at this new CG-animated feature.

Here is a quick premise of the film, so you know what to expect “Turbo is a snail with big dreams. Obsessed with speed and all things fast, he is an outsider within his slow snail community and a constant embarrassment to his cautious older brother, Chet. Then one fateful day a freak accident suddenly vests Turbo with the power of incredible speed. So begins his extraordinary journey to achieve the impossible: racing against the best that IndyCar has to offer.” I was impressed to see that this book kicks off with a foreword by the voice of Turbo himself, Ryan Reynolds. Also the director of “Turbo”, David Soren, gives an encouraging Preface to this book as well. The setup for the book itself is split into four sections. The first is “Characters”, with focus on over 15 characters from the film. Second is “Locations”, which covers 10 different places from the film like “San Fernando Valley” and “Indianapolis Motor Speedway”. The last two sections are “Vehicles” and “Building a Sequence”.

I feel that the book is a very easy read and since it is split into a few sections, it is also easy to navigate through the behind-the-scenes process of the film. Since the film is very visual and colorful, the artwork really gives a very diverse collection of character backgrounds, concept art, design inspirations, and tons of great information about the production. I think that if you considering seeing this film, this would be a great way to lock in the deal and great some great anticipation.  On the other side, this would be a great follow-up to check out after actually seeing the film as well.  The author Robert Abele is a film critic for the Los Angeles Times.  His only other companion book to date is “The Twilight Saga: The Complete Film Archive”. So I was a little concerned about this one but he delivered a very entertaining book and I most definitely will keep an eye out for his future releases.

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: art, book, review, turbo
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