Weekend Wrap Up: The Holidays Take their Toll

As I said in when I previewed the movies this past weekend, I didn’t really think that the films being released were appropriate for the time of the year.  Well, the box office really showed that, with Four Christmases taking home the top spot again.  In fact, the films that were released did so poorly, only two of them cracked the top 10!  Let’s see how the box office rounded out: Read more

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Joe’s Review: Bolt (in 3-D)

For those of you who haven’t had a chance to check out Bolt yet, I highly recommend you do.  If you have the chance to see it in Disney Digital 3-D, go out there and check it out for sure.  Bolt has to be one of the better movies that I’ve seen this holiday season.  While the numbers have not favored the film at the box office (its sitting at 66.9 M as I write this) those do not do the film justice.  This might have something to do with the bias towards Pixar films when it comes to CG movies, but don’t let that deter you.

Bolt is the story of a dog who actually thinks he is a superhero.  He believes that his goal in life is to defend his person, Penny (Miley Cyrus), and will do anything for her.  To help him believe this, the producers of the show have immersed Bolt in this lifestyle, making him believe he actually has super powers and is a hero.  Penny truly loves Bolt, and wants only the best for him.  However, the show is suffering from falling ratings, and to try to draw people, they add a cliffhanger into their latest episode.  Unfortunately for Bolt, he really believes that Penny is still in danger, and breaks out in order to try to rescue her.

During his search, Bolt ends up in a packing box and is shipped across the country unknowingly.  On his journey  back to rescue Penny, he befriends a few other creatures: Mittens, a declawed and abandoned housecat living in New York, and Rhino, a hamster who wants nothing more than to help his hero, Bolt, on his journey.  Throughout their adventure, Bolt discovers the truth behind who he really is, and faces many obstacles in getting back to his person, Penny.

To find out more, check out the movie!  I’d like to comment on the 3-D part, because I saw it.  It’s pretty traditional in that you need to use glasses in order to see the 3-D, but it was done very well.  There are objects flying out at you, and it really does immerse you in the action quite a bit.  What was even better is that there were trailers in 3-D, which were excellent.  I know that watching a movie in 3-D costs more, but if it’s available, as I said before, you should definitely check it out.  It really gives a new perspective on how you can watch movies, and makes you see what theatres can still offer that you can’t get at home.  The experience is worth the extra cost.

Bolt is a great family movie, and I enjoyed the characters of Bolt and Rhino tremendously.  John Travolta does an excellent job, and Miley wasn’t even that annoying (even though I can’t stand her voice).  Disney did an incredible job on animation, they might actually be catching up to Pixar!  The only thing this movie could have used was a short beforehand, but I’m not going to complain.  I haven’t genuinely laughed this hard during a movie for a while.. and it was one that the girl and I actually enjoyed together!

Rating:

- This is not a film to miss.  See it in 3-D!

If this stirring review doesn’t inspire you… maybe this clip will!

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Movies This Weekend! 11/21/08

Been slacking again as usual.. but when you’ve got so many good movies out (or popular, rather), and you work at a theatre, you end up being busy.  I’ve actually tried to get some stuff out, have quite a few reviews to write, but I am getting old and can’t force myself to stay up late anymore.  This week will definitely be more of the same, but I’m going to write a whole bunch of stuff tonight and time it out so that I’ll have at least a post a day… I hope.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know exactly what movies come out this week.  This post is for those of you who have been living under a rock!

Bolt, Directed by Chris Williams, Rated PG

No day is ever normal for Super dog Bolt… that is until the cameras stop rolling.  When Bolt is accidentally shipped to New York City from his hollywood stage, he must begin an adventure to make his way back home to his co-star and owner, Penny.  Armed with just stories and delusions that his powers are real, Bolt discovers that he doesn’t need superpowers to be a hero.  Two companions join him on his journey, a jaded housecat named Mittens, and the TV-Obsessed hampster, Rhino.

Twilight, Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, Rated PG-13

A modern day love story between a vampire and a teenage girl. Bella Swan has always been a bit different, and has never tried to fit in at her trendy high school.  When her mom remarries, Bella is sent to live with her father in Washington.  At her new school, she meets Edward Cullen, who is unlike anyone she has ever met.  He is a vampire, but his family chooses to drink no human blood.  What Edward sees in Bella is someone he has waited 90 years for: a soul mate.  However, their plans may all change when a new clan of vampires moves into town.

Joe’s Weekend Outlook

Busy Busy Busy!!! As I already wrote over at Film School Rejects, the crowds are already beginning to line up to catch the Twilight this weekend.  I’m guessing that by now, there are probably about 450 shows that are already sold out nationwide.  If you want to check out Twilight or Bolt this weekend, I’d suggest buying tickets in advance, and be prepared to deal with the plenty of teenage girls and kids that are going to be there along with you.  It’s gonna be crazy.  Like.. Harry Potter crazy, except with all 13-14 year old girls.  Maybe Sex and the City crazy, with much younger girls.

By the way, the “A” key on my keyboard keeps getting stuck.  I should plug in my other one.

I’m going to be checking out a movie on Thursday night… what will it be that I see?!?!! Are you planning on braving the crowds this weekend?

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