Negromancer News Bits and Bites from March 1st to 6th, 2021 - Update #13

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon:

ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE NEWS:

AWARDS - From THR:   Dwayne Johnson delivers an emotional tribute to his late father, pro wrestler Rocky Johnson, during the virtual Hollywood Association Awards.

DISNEY+ - From Deadline:   Actress Emma Meisel joins "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.," the Disney+ reboot of classic ABC sitcom, "Doogie Howser, M.D."

FILM/TV - From Deadline:  Sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning have launched a film and television production company, Lewellen Pictures.

MOVIES - From Variety:  Universal has moved the release date for its latest "Fast & Furious" installment, "F9," again.  It's new release date is June 25, 2021.  The "Minions" sequel, "Minions: The Rise of Gru," has been moved from July 2021 to July 2022.

AWARDS - From Deadline:   AARP The Magazine on Thursday unveiled its winners for the annual Movies for Grownups Awards, handing Hulu’s "The United States vs. Billie Holiday" its top prize, Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups.

EMMYS - From Variety:   The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ Sunday, September 19th, 2021.

MOVIES - From Deadline:   Hugh Grant will reportedly play the villain in Paramount Pictures and eOne's "Dungeons & Dragons" movie.  Actress Sophia Lillis has also joined the cast.

AWARDS - From THR:   Ahead of the start of Oscar nomination voting on Friday, the Producers Guild of America has determined that Stacey Abrams, who is one of the credited producers of the film, "All In: The Fight for Democracy," merits "the PGA mark" for her contributions to the project (as do directors/producers Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés and producer Dan Cogan). That makes Abrams eligible to receive an Oscar nomination.

CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Television icon, Tim Allen, talks about being a young drug dealer and his laughably short federal prison sentence.

GOLDEN GLOBES - From Variety:   Here is a complete list of winners at the 2021 / 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

From Variety:  At the 78th Golden Globe Awards, "Nomadland" wins "Best Motion Picture-Drama"; "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" wins "Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy"; "The Crown" wins "Best Television Series - Drama"; and "Schitt's Creek" wins "Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy."

BOX OFFICE - From Deadline:  The winner of the 2/26 to 2/28/2021 weekend box office is the animated "Tom & Jerry" with an estimated take of 13.7 million.

CELEBRITY - From YahooEntertainment:  Actress and recording artist Bella Thorne talks about breaking away from being a Disney child star ("Shake It Up," 2010-13).

OBITS:

From CNN:   American Civil Rights activist and business executive, Vernon Jordan, has died at the age of 85, Monday, March 1, 2021.  Jordan is best known for his work with the NAACP and for being a close advisor for the former President Bill Clinton.

From YahooSports:   Former NFL player and sports broadcaster, Irv Cross, has died at the age of 81, Sunday, February 28, 2021.  Cross was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1961 as a corner back, where he played from 1961 to 1965.  He played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1966 to 1968, and returned to the Eagles for the 1969 season before retiring in 1970.  In 1971, he joined CBS Sports as an NFL analyst and became an co-anchor on the network's "The NFL Today."  That made Cross the first Black network sports show anchor.  In 2009, Cross became the first African-American to receive the "Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award" from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Review: "Toy Story 4" is Very Good, But Not Great

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 13 (of 2019) by Leroy Douresseaux

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Toy Story 4 (2019)
Running time:  100 minutes (1 hour, 40 minutes)
MPAA – G
DIRECTOR:  Josh Cooley
WRITERS:  Andrew Stanton and Stephany Folsom; from an original story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Josh Cooley, Valerie LaPointe, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Martin Hynes, and Stephany Folsom
PRODUCER:  Mark Nielsen and Jonas Rivera
EDITOR:  Axel Geddes
COMPOSER:  Randy Newman

ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/DRAMA/COMEDY/FAMILY

Starring:  (voices) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele,  Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Jay Hernandez, Lori Alan, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Carl Weathers, and June Squibb

Toy Story 4 is a 2019 computer-animated feature film from Pixar Animation Studios.  It is the fourth film in the Toy Story franchise.  The new film focuses on a new toy and a road trip that will change the life of a beloved toy.

Toy Story 4 opens nine years earlier when Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang were still Andy's toys.  Woods leads the successful rescue of a toy car, R.C.   In the present, Woody and the other toys are happy in their new life as the toys of a little girl named Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw).  Bonnie is about to enter kindergarten and is distressed about going to school.  Woody sneaks into Bonnie's backpack and joins her on her first day of school.  Woody's action even lead to Bonnie using discarded arts and crafts supplies to transform a “spork” (spoon-fork) into a new toy she names “Forky” (Tony Hale).  Although Forky becomes Bonnie's favorite toy, the spork does not believe that he is a toy, and he is always trying to return to a trash can.

Bonnie and her mom (Lori Alan) and dad (Jay Hernandez) go on an RV road trip, and Bonnie takes Forky, Woody and company with her.  Instead of enjoying the trip, Woody spends his time trying to rescue Forky.  This misadventure leads Woody to an antique story, Second Chance Antiques, and also to a fairground/playground, where he is reunited with old friends and makes new friends.  And Woody learns just how big the world can be for a toy with an open mind.

Toy Story 4 is a good movie, not as good as Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3, but quite good.  Keegan-Michael Key as Ducky and Jordan Peele as Bunny are nice additions to the cast.  Keanu Reeves is a surprise and gives a surprising voice performance as Duke Kaboom, the Canadian daredevil toy.  The sycophantic ventriloquist's dummies, “the Bensons,” are a nice, creepy distraction.  Christina Hendricks is appropriately pathetic and menacing as the tragically desperate doll, Gabby Gabby.

But Toy Story 4 is, more than the first three films, a movie about adult issues and regrets that tries to be a family movie, if not an outright kids' movie.  More than anything, Toy Story 4 is Woody's movie.  [In this film, Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear is a supporting character and not a co-lead].  In this movie, Tom Hanks gives one of the best voice performances for an animated film that I have had the pleasure of enjoying.  In Hanks' performance, you can feel it.  Woody is like a father who “lost” one child, Andy (because he grew up and gave away his toys), so he is an obsessive “helicopter parent” about the new child, Molly, who does not need Woody as much as he thinks she does – if at all.

It would be pretentious of me to say that this movie is about becoming a man and putting away the things of boy.  No, I think Toy Story 4 is about the change and the passage of time that is forced upon us, so if we don't change and move on, change and the passage of time is going to happen anyway.

Yes, each Toy Story film has its Mission: Impossible-like operation in which our beloved toys try to save another toy or toys, my favorite being the race to save Woody from an unscrupulous toy dealer and a devious toy in Toy Story 2.  In Toy Story 4, the new “toy,” Forky, needs to be saved, and Woody keeps endangering first, himself, and then, others in increasingly desperate and dangerous bids to save the spork.

Ultimately, however, this movie feels like the franchise has come back one too many times.  The end of Toy Story 3, in which a grown-up Andy gave his beloved Woody and the other toys to Molly, was really meant to be the happily ever after.  Once Toy Story 3 grossed over a billion dollars in worldwide box office, it seemed like common-moneymaking-sense to make a fourth film.  Don't make another Toy Story film, Disney.  Let Toy Story 4 be a very good, but not great coda to the series.

7 out of 10
B+

Tuesday, July 2, 2019


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from May 14th to 20th, 2017 - Update #28

Support Leroy on Patreon.

SPORTS - From YahooSports:  Enes Kanter plays for the NBA's Oklahoma Thunder, and is originally from Turkey.  He has been outspoken and critical about current Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.  Now, Kanter has had his Turkish passport cancelled.

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BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  "Alien: Covenant" looks to be the winner at the weekend box office.

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MOVIES - From ScreenDaily:  Arnold Schwarzenegger talks about "Terminator" and a sequel to "Twins."

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CULTURE - From YahooTV:  A British author celebrates his small penis in his book, "The Small Penis Bible," which is available on iTunes.

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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap:  Tom Hardy will play Eddie Brock/Venom in Sony's film based on the Marvel Comics Spider-Man adversary.

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MUSIC - From YahooMusic:  A judge rules that Prince's six siblings are his heirs.

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TELEVISION - From TVLine:  Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of a prequel TV series to Jim Henson's classic 1982 film, "The Dark Crystal."

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STAR TREK - From YahooTV:  CBS revealed its new series for Fall 2017, including the first new footage from "Star Trek: Discovery."

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STAR TREK - From TheWrap:  CBS has expanded the first season of "Star Trek: Discovery" from 13 episodes to 15.  There will also be an after-show, "Talking Trek."

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OBIT - From YahooNews:  FOX News founder, Roger Ailes, has died at the age of 77, Thursday, May 18, 2017.

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OBIT - From YahooMusic:  Rock musician Chris Cornell has died at the age of 52, Wednesday, May 17, 2017.  Cornell was best known as the co-founder of the influential 1990s rock band, Soundgarden, as well as for his association with Temple of the Dog and Audioslave.

From YahooMusic:  Musicians such as Jimmy Page, Nile Rogers, and Dave Navarro react to Chris Cornell's passing.

From TheWrap:  Apparently, Chris Cornell committed suicide by hanging.

From YahooCelebrity:  Chris Cornell battled depression and drugs.

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COMICS-FILM - From TheWrap:  Robert Zemeckis is in the lead to direct Warner Bros.' "The Flash."

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MOVIES - From TheWrap:  Michael Moore and Harvey Weinstein reunite for a Donald Trump documentary.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  ABC won out over Netflix to land the revival/reboot of the classic 1980s-90s sitcom, "Rosanne."  Several original cast members are returning including Rosanne Barr and John Goodman.

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OBIT - From YahooMovies:  Former Paramount Pictures chief, Brad Grey, has died at the age of 59, Sunday, May 14, 2017.  Grey was also a talent manager and formed the award-winning production company, Plan B, with Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:  George R.R. Martin, who wrote the book series that inspired the Emmy-winning TV series, "Game of Thrones," gives new info about HBO's spinoff plans for the series.

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TELEVISION - From Variety:   Paramount Network (which is what Spike will be rebranded into come January 2018) names its first scripted series, "Yellowstone," starring Kevin Costner.

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POLITICS - From YahooTV:  If you want to believe that ABC cancelled "Last Man Standing" because its star, Tim Allen, is an outspoken conservative, good one on you.  It is not like ABC did not know this about Allen before they even picked up the show in the beginning.

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OBIT - From THR:  The actor Powers Boothe has died at the age of 68, Sunday, May 14, 2017.  Boothe won an Emmy in 1980 for portraying cult leader Jim Jones in the CBS miniseries, "Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones."  In recent years, he was known for appearing in HBO's "Deadwood" and ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."

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CRIME - From YahooNews:  In Baton Rouge, La., high school quarterback Bryant Lee was shot and killed three days before his graduation.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 5/12 to 5/14/2017 Mother's Day weekend box office is "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" with an estimated take of $63 million.

From YahooMovies:  "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" had an even worse box office opening ($14.7 million) than expected ($25 million).

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OBITS - From YahooSports:  Former Major League Baseball umpire Steve Palermo has died at the age of 67, Sunday, May 14, 2017.  Palermo was known as a hero umpire because in 1991 he assisted two waitresses who were being mugged and was shot in the back.  Initially expected not to survive or to walk again if he did live, Palermo survived and was able to walk with a cane.  He worked with umpires, although he never worked again as an on-field official.

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TELEVISION - From YahooTV:  Melissa McCarthy still killin' it as White House Spokesman Sean Spicer on "Saturday Night Live," as she did on Sat., May 13th, 2017.

TRAILERS:

From YouTube:  Final trailer for "War for the Planet of the Apes."

From YouTube:  Official trailer for "The Orville," from Fox. It is Seth MacFarlane's spoof of "Star Trek."

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause - Well, I Like It

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 227 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux


The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006)
Running time: 98 minutes (1 hour, 38 minutes)
MPAA – G
DIRECTOR: Michael Lembeck
WRITERS: Ed Decter and John J. Strauss (based upon characters created by Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick)
PRODUCERS: Robert F. Newmyer, Brian Reilly, Jeffrey Silver, and Tim Allen
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Robbie Greenberg
EDITOR: David Finfer
COMPOSER: George S. Clinton

FANTASY/FAMILY/COMEDY

Starring: Tim Allen, Martin Short, Elizabeth Mitchell, Eric Lloyd, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Spencer Breslin, Liliana Mumy, Ann-Margret, Alan Arkin, Abigail Breslin, Art LeFleur, Aisha Tyler, Kevin Pollack, Jay Thomas, Michael Dorn, Peter Boyle, and Charlie Stewart

Walt Disney Picture’s 1994 holiday smash, The Santa Clause, was a delightful surprise. Eight years later, the 2002 sequel, The Santa Clause 2, was entertaining but didn’t have the same magic or sparkle. Four years later, Walt Disney Pictures drops The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause – a riff on Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. While this new Clause doesn’t quite recapture the magic of the original flick, it certainly looks like a Christmas movie.

Christmas is approaching and Santa Claus (Tim Allen), the former Scott Calvin, not only has to get ready for delivering Christmas presents to children all over the world, but he and Mrs. Claus (Elizabeth Mitchell), the former Carol Newman, are preparing for the arrival of a baby Claus. At the risk of giving away its secret location, Scott invites his in-laws, Sylvia and Bud Newman (Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin) to the North Pole to be near their daughter Carol at this special time. Scott also invites his extended family: son Charlie (Eric Lloyd), ex-wife Laura Miller (Wendy Crewson), her husband Neil (Judge Reinhold), and their daughter Lucy (Liliana Mumy) for the holidays.

Scott, however, doesn’t have much time for them, as he and head elf Curtis (Spencer Breslin) have their hands full with last minute details for Santa’s magical Christmas Eve sleigh ride. Offering his assistance at this busy time is Jack Frost (Martin Short), but Jack is chillingly envious of Santa. While Santa juggles family strife and a workload crunch, Jack is plotting to change time and take over Santa’s holiday. Who amongst his extended family will help Santa save the day?

Early in The Santa Clause 3, Allen appears listless, as well as seeming burdened by the 75-pound Santa suit he wears for the title role, but Allen springs to life when facing Martin Short as Jack Frost. A shameless ham, Short is the classic entertainer, always hungry for attention – happy as a pig in mud to get applause anywhere he can, so he’s been on TV, in movies, and on stage, as well as being an animated television character. Short gives every inch of his body to the physical performance of being a sneaky and lanky villain – twisting and hunching his body and contorting his eyes as he builds the kind of gentle bad guy that would fit perfectly on Saturday morning TV.

There’s no real edge to the rivalry between Allen and Short’s characters, but they make The Escape Clause’s unyielding holiday sentiment work. The concept and subsequent script are shallow, but it’s the stars that convince us of what the story is trying to sell. Allen and Short’s battle decides the fate of the real soul of the Christmas holidays and The Santa Clause 3 – putting up with your family and accepting your place in it.

Director Michael Lembeck, a veteran of TV comedies (and the director of The Santa Clause 2), doesn’t wow us with a virtuoso display of directing, but he knows how to sell sentiment, which TV does so well. Lembeck smartly captures all the visual splendor that Disney money can buy. It’s the technical staff: director of photography, the art director and set decorator, the costume designer, and the special effects wizards and their crew that give TSC3 its visual magic. The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause looks and feels like a Christmas movie, and a glittery, colorful, and pretty Christmas flick, at that. For a little under two hours, this movie fooled me into believing that on a mild day in mid-Autumn, I was really home at the North Pole for Christmas. I can’t ask a Christmas movie for anymore than that.

6 of 10
B

Sunday, November 5, 2006

NOTES:
2007 Razzie Awards: 5 nominations: “Worst Actor” (Tim Allen – also for The Shaggy Dog-2006 and Zoom-2006), “Worst Excuse for Family Entertainment,” “Worst Prequel or Sequel,” “Worst Screen Couple” (Tim Allen and Martin Short), and “Worst Supporting Actor” (Martin Short)

Tim Allen Carries Sappy "The Santa Clause 2"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 228 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux


The Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Running time: 105 minutes (1 hour, 45 minutes)
MPAA – G
DIRECTOR: Michael Lembeck
WRITERS: Don Rhymer, Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, and Ed Decter & John J. Strauss (based upon the characters created by Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick)
PRODUCERS: Robert F. Newmyer, Brian Reilly, and Jeffrey Silver
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Adam Greenberg and Craig Haagensen
EDITORS: David Finfer and Edward A. Warschilka
COMPOSER: George S. Clinton

FANTASY/COMEDY/FAMILY

Starring: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, David Krumholtz, Eric Lloyd, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Spencer Breslin, Liliana Mumy, Danielle Woodman, Art LaFleur, Aisha Tyler, Kevin Pollack, Jay Thomas, and Michael Dorn

The subject of this movie review is The Santa Clause 2, a 2002 romantic comedy, fantasy, and Christmas movie from Walt Disney Pictures. It is a sequel to the 1994 film, The Santa Clause.

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) has been Santa Claus for eight years, and his elves consider him the best ever. But The Big Guy isn’t without problems. When he starts mysteriously losing weight, he learns that there is another Santa clause – Santa must have a wife. Scott has to leave the North Pole to find Mrs. Claus, or he’ll be forced to give up being Santa. Scott leaves a scheming elf named Bernard (David Krumholtz) in charge, and Bernard promptly builds a toy Santa (played by Allen in makeup) to double for the real Santa. After reading the rule book, the toy Santa comes to believe that the real Santa isn’t doing his job right, so the mechanical St. Nick starts making changes that don’t seem right.

Meanwhile, Scott discovers a second area of trouble. His son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd), is in trouble in school and is also on Santa’s “naughty” list. A visit to Charlie’s school leads to a chance meeting with the lovely Principal Carol Newman (Elizabeth Mitchell), and Scott realizes she would make a great Mrs. Claus. Will Scott’s secrets, family strife, and Charlie’s misbehavior cost him a chance with Principal Newman? And can Scott return to the North Pole in time to save Christmas from his toy double?

The Santa Clause 2 is so top-heavy with maudlin sentiment that it’s almost crippled. The treat is, as always, Tim Allen in his 75-pound Santa suit or even dressed as an ordinary man trying to be a good father and just maybe a good husband. It’s Allen’s spin on Christmas comedy that makes this a worthwhile family flick.

5 of 10
B-

Sunday, November 5, 2006

"The Santa Clause" Still a Christmas Treat

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 226 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux


The Santa Clause (1994)
Running time: 97 minutes (1 hour, 37 minutes)
MPAA – PG
DIRECTOR: John Pasquin
WRITERS: Leo Benvenuti & Steve Rudnick
PRODUCERS: Robert Newmyer, Brian Reilly, and Jeffrey Silver
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Walt Lloyd
EDITOR: Larry Bock
COMPOSER: Michael Convertino

COMEDY/FANTASY/FAMILY

Starring: Tim Allen, Wendy Crewson, Judge Reinhold, Eric Lloyd, David Krumholtz, Larry Brandenburg, Mary Gross, Paige Tamada, Peter Boyle, and Judith Scott

The subject of this movie review is The Santa Clause, a 1994 fantasy film, family comedy, and Christmas movie starring Tim Allen. The film follows a divorced father who must become the new Santa Claus.

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) is a divorced father who has found that his young son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd), is reluctant want to spend Christmas with him. He’d rather be with his mom, Laura Calvin Miller (Wendy Crewson), and her new husband, Dr. Neal Miller (Judge Reinhold), a psychiatrist and a very good stepfather to Charlie. While Scott and Charlie are spending a dreary Christmas Eve together, Santa Claus arrives, and Scott accidentally kills him. Panicked and encouraged by Charlie, Scott temporarily dons Santa’s suit so that he can deliver the rest of the gifts. The snow really hits the fan when Scott discovers that there is a Santa Clause about putting on the suit. By killing Santa and donning the suit, Scott has magically recruited himself to replace the deceased St. Nick. Although he was a Scrooge, Scott finds himself growing into the role of Father Christmas, but it may cost him his relationship with Charlie.

The first 70 minutes or so of The Santa Clause are brilliant – in a goofy, affable way that makes it a charming, heart-warming, Christmas film. The screenwriters came up with a novel way to juxtapose Scott’s struggle as a father to reconnect with his son Charlie, who is disappointed in him, with Scott’s struggle to live with something he must to accept, The Santa Clause. Fatherhood and career (even one forced on him) clash and blend with surprisingly funny results. In a way, being Santa is the best thing that ever happened to Scott and Charlie’s relationship, but it could also destroy it.

The movie withers when the narrative tries to modernize Santa or rationalize Santa Claus through science, because Santa is magic – pure and simple. For instance, why would Santa need a fire-proof suit when he comes down a chimney because its magic that protects him from fire, not to mention that it’s magic that allows Santa to do his job. The ending is also too long and phony, filled with forced emotion and saccharine level sentiment.

Still, about 80% of the film is an excellent fantasy comedy, and The Santa Clause would probably make any short list as one of the great Christmas comedies. I know that I want to put it on my annual Christmas list.

7 of 10
B+

Sunday, November 5, 2006

Review: High Quality Ensemble Leads "Galaxy Quest" (Happy B'day, Tim Allen)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 118 (of 2006) by Leroy Douresseaux

Galaxy Quest (1999)
Running time: 102 minutes (1 hour, 42 minutes)
MPAA – PG for some action violence, mild language, and sensuality
DIRECTOR: Dean Parisot
WRITERS: David Howard and Robert Gordon; from a story by David Howard
PRODUCERS: Mark Johnson and Charles Newirth
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Jerzy Zielinski
EDITOR: Don Zimmerman

SCI-FI/COMEDY/ADVENTURE

Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Daryl Mitchell, Enrico Colantino, Robin Sachs, Patrick Breen, Missi Pyle, Jed Rees, and Justin Long

For a period of 4 years from the late 70’s to the early 80’s, on a sci-fi television series called “Galaxy Quest,” the starship, NSEA Protector, and its crew set off on thrilling and dangerous missions in outer space, until the show was cancelled. Twenty years after the series began, the five stars of the classic show: Jason Nesmith as Commander Peter Quincy Taggart (Tim Allen); Gwen DeMarco as Lt. Tawny Madison (Sigourney Weaver); Alexander Dane as Dr. Lazarus (Alan Rickman); Fred Kwan as Tech Sgt. Chen (Tony Shaloub); and Tommy Webber as Lt. Laredo (Daryl Mitchell) are still in costume, making appearances at various Galaxy Quest shows and sci-fi conventions, making speeches and signing autographs for their rabid and die-hard fans.

However, a new group of fans that are a bit too “far out,” appear at one of the conventions, but it turns out they really are aliens – the Thermians from the planet Thermia located in the Klatuu Nebula. The Thermians, who saw Galaxy Quest when the TV transmissions of the show traveled through space and reached their planet, believe that Galaxy Quest was a series of “historical documents,” of the real events. They shockingly believe that Galaxy Quest was about a real commander and his crew. They’ve built an exact replica of the Protector, but it is fully functional and operational. The Thermians whisk the crew off into space on an adventure to help them in their all-too-real war against the vile and deadly General Roth’h’ar Sarris (Robin Sachs). Now, the original crew plus Galaxy Quest TV show extra Guy Fleegman (Sam Rockwell) have to use their wits and their acting talents to save the Thermians and their own lives.

Galaxy Quest is simply an ode to the ultimate cult TV series, the original 1960’s “Star Trek.” This movie plays on the notion of the original Trek cast trying to escape the fame (or infamy) that came with being on the show, although the series’ enduring popularity made them famous and kept earning them money. Galaxy Quest’s hook is to ask the question, “What if the cast of such a show really had to be interstellar space adventurers taking on deadly galactic threats?” Ultimately, the film takes this novel idea and turns it into a superb, comic sci-fi film – one of the best sci-fi comedies ever to hit the screen. Anyone who has ever seen Star Trek will get the jokes and in-jokes because this film is so obviously a riff on everything that has to do with Star Trek, from the series itself to the Trek actors and the rabid Star Trek fan base, known as “Trekkies.”

I don’t know if someone who has never seen Star Trek will get this flick (“Galaxy Quest” was the title of an actual short lived Canadian TV series), but those who know Trek will love the gentle reminder of what made the series good and what makes it fun to be a fan. When Galaxy Quest seems to ask, “What if this were real?” we can feel that and can dream of how much fun it would be, and this winning and charming film captures that sense of fun.

8 of 10
A

Saturday, May 27, 2006

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Review: "Toy Story 3" is Really Good; So What Else is New?

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 3 (of 2011) by Leroy Douresseaux

Toy Story 3 (2010)
Running time: 103 minutes (1 hour, 43 minutes)
MPAA - G
DIRECTOR: Lee Unkrich
WRITERS: Michael Arndt; from a story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, and Lee Unkrich
PRODUCER: Darla K. Anderson
CINEMATOGRAPHERS: Jeremy Lasky (D.o.P.) and Kim White (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Ken Schretzmann
COMPOSER: Randy Newman

ANIMATION/FANTASY/COMEDY/
ADVENTURE/FAMILY

Starring: (voices) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, John Morris, Jodi Benson, Emily Hahn, Laurie Metcalf, Blake Clark, and Whoopi Goldberg

It was an 11-year wait for a sequel to Toy Story 2. The beloved, computer-animated Toy Story film franchise closes with Toy Story 3. The creation of Pixar Animation Studios (Monsters, Inc., Up), Toy Story 3 opened to near universal acclaim and record-setting box office, so I don’t know what more I can say. I was spellbound by the previous films. If I’d had a vote, I would have voted the first two Toy Story movies the best picture Oscar winners for 1995 and 1999, respectively.

Toy Story 3 begins with 17-year-old Andy Davis (John Morris) packing as he prepares to head off to college. Andy has not played with his toys in years, but he decides to take Woody (Tom Hanks) to college with him and store the other toys in the attic. Of course, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and the rest of the toys are disappointed. However, when Andy’s mom, Mrs. Davis (Laurie Metcalf), mistakenly throws them out, they’re furious. They climb into a box of stuff to be donated to Sunnyside Daycare. They also refuse to listen to Woody when he tries to explain that Mrs. Davis’ action was a mistake.

Andy’s toys are enthusiastically welcomed by the numerous toys at Sunnyside. The leader of the Sunnyside toys, Lots O’-Huggin Bear a.k.a. “Lotso” (Ned Beatty), gives the newcomers a tour. Andy’s toys quickly become enamored with their new home, and Woody is forced to leave without them in his attempt to return home to Andy. However, all is not sunny at Sunnyside, and so, a thrilling rescue mission and breathless adventure ensue before they return home, again.

Lots O’-animated movies blend adventure, comedy, and emotion, some more deftly than others, but the difference is that in every Pixar film, the emotions are always honest and genuine. Even with expectations so high for Toy Story 3, Pixar still managed to produce a movie that charmed, captivated, and moved audiences so deeply, even making grown men cry at the end.

Starting with the first film, I was not surprised that a 3D digitally animated film about plastic toys could charm us. I’ve been watching the work of animators and filmmakers of animated movies entertain, impress, and dazzle for decades. The more talented the animators, the more they are able to match the power of live-action film, and sometimes even surpass the work of the best live-action filmmakers. Toy Story 3 is clever and exhilarating, poignant and stirring, and amusing and sometimes just plain funny.

Still, I can say the above about a lot of Pixar productions, but this time there is something a bit darker and perhaps, more special about this movie. The story echoes themes of death and endings, betrayal and bitterness, and change and new beginnings – with children’s playthings as the characters. It is like classic juvenile literature that speaks to all of us. That’s it. Toy Story 3 is great.

10 of 10

Sunday, January 09, 2011

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Review: "Toy Story" Was and Still is the Best Picture of 1995

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 89 (of 2010) by Leroy Douresseaux

Toy Story (1995)
Running time: 80 minutes (1 hour, 20 minutes)
MPAA – G
DIRECTOR: John Lasseter
WRITERS: Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, and Alec Sokolow; from a story by John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Joe Ranft
PRODUCERS: Bonnie Arnold and Ralph Guggenheim
EDITORS: Robert Gordon and Lee Unkrich
COMPOSER: Randy Newman
Academy Award winner

ANIMATION/FANTASY/ADVENTURE/COMEDY/FAMILY

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, and R. Lee Emery

Released in 1995, Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story is remembered as the first feature-length, computer-animated film (or 3D animation). Being the first film made entirely with computer-generated imagery (CGI) may be Toy Story’s main claim to fame, but it is also a superb film. Its sophisticated screenplay is full of wit and rich characterization, and the film challenges the notion that only Oscar-caliber films can deliver mature drama and complex storytelling.

Toy Story is set in a world where toys come to life when their owners are not present. The story focuses on a traditional, pull-string, talking cowboy doll named Woody (Tom Hanks). Woody is the leader of a group of toys belonging to a six-year-old boy named Andy Davis (John Morris). Woody has also long enjoyed a place of honor as the favorite among Andy’s menagerie of toys. Woody is prepping the others toys for the Davis family’s big move to a new home. In the meantime, Andy is having his party a week before his actual birthday, so the toys stage a reconnaissance mission to discover what new presents Andy will receive.

It turns out that Andy’s favorite birthday gift is a new action figure – a space ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). Buzz is an impressive toy that has lots of things on it that light up and make noise, and even has pop-up wings. Disappointed and resentful because he believes Buzz has taken his place, Woody plots to get rid of Buzz. His plan, however, backfires, and both Woody and Buzz end up on an adventure that might cost them their happy home and their very survival.

Toy Story is full of charming and funny characters, and they will be especially appealing to people who remember owning a toy that was their very best friend. The characters are what make this movie. Even though Toy Story marked the dawn of a new era of movie animation, it would be merely a technical achievement without such winning characters.

In fact, one cannot help but marvel at how fully-realized Woody and Buzz are. We watch each character grow and also see what seems like a real friendship blossom. It all feels real because Woody and Buzz’s personalities are revealed through the story’s action. Conflict and dilemma challenge the characters within the film, and how the two react tells the audience more about them.

It seems as if 3D animation has created a strange, almost real world that looks as if it is somewhere between animation and reality. This is what Toy Story introduced to movie audiences, but it would all seem flat without the characters. Toy Story has exceptional characters in a special story, and so it is more than just a landmark technical achievement.

10 of 10

NOTES:
1996 Academy Awards: 1 win: “Special Achievement Award” (John Lasseter – For the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film.); 3 nominations: “Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score” (Randy Newman), “Best Music, Original Song” (Randy Newman for the song "You've Got a Friend"), and “Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen” (Joss Whedon-screenplay, Andrew Stanton-screenplay/story, Joel Cohen-screenplay, Alec Sokolow-screenplay, John Lasseter-story, Pete Docter-story, and Joe Ranft-story)

1996 Golden Globes: 2 nominations: “Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical” and “Best Original Song - Motion Picture” (Randy Newman for the song "You Got a Friend in Me")

1997 BAFTA Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects” (Eben Ostby and William Reeves)

Monday, November 01, 2010

 

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Review: "Toy Story 2" is the Best Film of 1999

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 11 (of 2001) by Leroy Douresseaux

Toy Story 2 (1999) – computer animated
Running time: 92 minutes (1 hour, 32 minutes)
DIRECTORS: John Lasseter with Ash Brannon & Lee Unkrich
WRITERS: Rita Hsaio, Doug Chamberlain, Andrew Stanton, and Chris Webb, from a story by Peter Docter, Ash Brannon, Andrew Stanton, and John Lasseter
PRODUCERS: Karen Robert Jackson, Sarah McArthur, and Helene Plotkin
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Sharon Calahan (director of photography)
EDITOR: Edie Bleiman, David Ian Salter, and Lee Unkrich
COMPOSER: Randy Newman
Academy Award nominee

ANIMATION/ADVENTURE/FAMILY

Starring: (voices) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Estelle Harris, and R. Lee Emery

When Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), a nefarious toy dealer, steals Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks), it’s up to Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (Tim Allen) to rescue him. While in captivity, Woody discovers his Howdy Doody-like previous life and his old compadres: Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer). But time is running out to rescue Woody. Buzz meets an updated version of himself, Buzz Lightyear II ( Tim Allen), who is mistakenly taken in by the other rescuers. Meanwhile Emperor Zurg (Andrew Stanton), Buzz’s enemy pursues him as he races to rejoin his friends.

With the thrill of an old fashioned serial, fine voice acting talent, and the artistry of Pixar, Toy Story 2 is thrilling tale that can be enjoyed by all ages. The scriptwriters designed a story that is a virtual thrill machine that rivals many more hardcore action movies. However, they didn’t forget the children. There’s plenty of comedy, both low and high, and the guest appearances of many toys, both old and new will keep the kids’ interests.

Toy Story 2 also has many good ideas behind it, issues of growth, responsibility, loyalty, and friendship. In the hands of the talented Pixar crew, they take these ideas and weave a thoughtful and entertaining story. With a cast of excellent dramatic actors, comediennes, and character actors, the story becomes one of the best movies in recent memory. John Ratzenberger as Hamm is as funny as he ever was on “Cheers” as “Cliff” Clavin, Jr. Wallace Shawn’s Rex the dinosaur is a good thing, and in his last role, Jim Varney as Slinky Dog leaves us with one more good time. Don Rickles also entertains as Mr. Potato Head.

There’s magic in this movie – something for young and old. Only narrow minds that perceive any animated movie as being for tykes could ignore the charm and quality of this film. Perhaps the finest computer animated movie of ever, it joins the ranks of the great, animated films.

10 of 10

NOTES:
2000 Academy Awards: 1 nomination: “Best Music, Original Song” (Randy Newman for the song "When She Loved Me")

2000 Golden Globes: 1win “Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical;” 1 nomination: “Best Original Song - Motion Picture” (Randy Newman for the song "When She Loved Me")

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Review: "Wild Hogs" is Funny and Charming

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 53 (of 2007) by Leroy Douresseaux

Wild Hogs (2007)
Running time: 99 minutes (1 hour, 39 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and some violence
DIRECTOR: Walt Becker
WRITER: Brad Copeland
PRODUCERS: Brian Robbins & Michael Tollin and Todd Lieberman
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Robbie Greenberg (director of photography)
EDITOR: Christopher Greenbury and Stuart Pappé

COMEDY/ADVENTURE

Starring: Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Ray Liotta, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Durand, M.C. Gainey, Jill Hennessy, Dominic Janes, Tichina Arnold, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jason Sklar and Randy Sklar

In the comedy, Wild Hogs, four middle-aged friends decide to take a cross-country road trip on their motorcycles. It’s the buddy comedy times four, and although it might be mediocre compared to an Oscar wannabe, Wild Hogs delivers laughs every time just like reliable fast food and a cold Coke.

Doug Madsen (Tim Allen), Woody Stevens (John Travolta), Bobby Davis (Martin Lawrence), and Dudley Frank (William H. Macy) are the “Wild Hogs,” weekend motorcycle enthusiasts who enjoy riding their bikes to a local biker bar where they drink beers. This mismatched foursome is beset by stressful jobs and family obligations, so Woody talks them into hitting the open road for adventure. The trip starts off rough, but in spite of some misadventures, they’re having fun.

However, these biker wannabes get more than they bargained for when they encounter the real-life biker gang the Del Fuegos. Their leader, Jack (Ray Liotta), doesn’t like the Wild Hogs, viewing them as posers. The Wild Hogs-Del Fuegos feud escalates into a showdown in the small desert town of Madrid, where the shy Dudley has finally found a girlfriend in Maggie (Marisa Tomei), owner of the local bar and grill.

What’s the point of a long review when talking about a movie like Wild Hogs? This isn’t film art. Still, I liked it… a lot, and it was funny. I’m a big fan of Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence’s movies, and when they have halfway decent material and if they’re on, they’re funny, which they were here. Allen is off his game here and still funny, but Lawrence is more on his game and makes sure Bobby Davis doesn’t come across as a mere token. William H. Macy, the best actor of the quartet, really sells his lovable nerd character, making him blissfully naïve and as thick as a brick wall, but giving him surprising moments of spontaneity and edge. John Travolta is pudgy and slow, but he fits in with the rest in an odd sort of way.

The women in this movie seem dehydrated and tired, except for Tichina Arnold who can turn on the black woman sass in an instant. Ray Liotta is intense as all get out, so much so one would think he thought this was a crime thriller and not PG-13, Hollywood mass audience product. Still, his edgy, hard-ass, bad guy act provides a nice balance to the star quartet’s goofiness.

No, Wild Hogs isn’t great, but a generous helping of coarse humor, sexual innuendo, a couple scenes of bare white ass, poop jokes, physical comedy, stereotypes, and plenty of visual gags make this movie funny on demand. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.

7 of 10
B+

Sunday, March 25, 2007