The Parent Trap (1998)

The Parent Trap (1998)

7/10

Starring

Lindsay Lohan

Dennis Quaid

Natasha Richardson

Directed by Nancy Meyers

The Parent Trap is a joyful film and one of my guilty pleasures, thanks to the cuteness of Lindsay Lohan in the movie. Her presence in this film is felt throughout, as she owned every scene she was in. Lindsay Lohan was the soul of the movie, and this performance, along with her role in Freaky Friday (2003), remains her best and most memorable.

Her portrayal of two different characters is something to be celebrated. I recall seeing this movie way back in 1998 and thinking, at the time, that I was watching two different people—all because Lindsay Lohan was just that amazing. That said, she’s no Hayley Mills, who did the same thing in the 1961 version. Mills, in her portrayal of dual roles, set a standard and placed the bar way too high for even Lohan’s incredible performance to reach.

The movie is all fun, with references made in songs and dialogue to the 1961 Disney original. The late Natasha Richardson was fantastic in this movie as the girls’ mother, and I’ll always look back at this film in remembrance of her. This 1998 rom-com was directed by Nancy Meyers, who also produced and wrote one of my favorite comedies, Father of the Bride (1991), and its sequel in 1995.

The movie follows the story of a couple, Nick (Dennis Quaid) and Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson), who decide to divorce after having twin girls. Their arrangement is that each parent will keep one girl as they go their separate ways—Nick to California, USA, and Elizabeth to London, England.

Ironically, and unknown to both parents, they send their daughters to the same all-girls camp, where the girls, Annie and Hallie (both played by Lindsay Lohan), meet. The girls spend enough time together to discover that they’re sisters and decide to switch places, doing everything they can to get their family back together.

Shot in both London and San Francisco with a budget of $15.5 million, the movie was a financial success, earning over $92 million at the box office. The film won Lohan a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film. The movie is a fun and charming, but it’s not without its flaws. The plot is pretty predictable, and sometimes the humor feels a bit forced, leaning more on Lindsay Lohan’s charisma than actual depth. The pacing can drag at times, and the character development feels shallow, especially when compared to the original.

Here’s a fun fact: Joanna Barnes, who plays Meredith Blake’s mother, also played the role of Vicki Robinson—the Meredith of the 1961 original. The movie also makes references to 101 Dalmatians (1961 animation), calling Meredith “Cruella de Vil.”

This is the second Walt Disney adaptation of Erich Kästner’s German novel Lottie and Lisa (Das doppelte Lottchen). The movie is very similar to its predecessor, but the actors found a way to make it their own. This version is more than 80% similar to the original, whose screenplay was written by David Swift.

This is a movie to see and enjoy with your family.

The Fox and The Hound (1981)

The Fox and The Hound (1981)

7/10

Starring the voice of

Mickey Rooney

Kurt Russell

Jack Albertson

Pearl Bailey

Sandy Duncan

Directed by Ted Berman, Richard Rich and Art Stevens

The animation The Fox and the Hound drifts away from the usual "they lived happily ever after" tune we’re used to in Disney movies before it. Not only did the movie stray from the happily-ever-after theme, but it also introduced a more mature story. We get to see how two individuals struggle to remain friends, even though society and their natural instincts work against it.

There was a time when Disney was not hooked on getting everyone to like them, they were more interested in making animations that were different and pushed the mind, this was one of them.

When I first saw this movie, I was expecting the fox and the hound to have a grand reunion at the end. But, like Bambi, who met a girl and left everything else behind, so did the fox. On the other hand, the movie also showed something even we adults can learn from. When a friend-turned-enemy turns their back on your friendship, you don’t have to do the same. The fox’s choice not to repay evil with evil was almost Christ-like in nature.

At the time of its release, this 24th film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series was the most expensive animated film produced to date, costing $12 million. It went on to make over $63 million at the box office.

The Fox and the Hound is based on a novel of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix, published in 1967. The movie tells the story of two unlikely friends: a red fox named Tod (who was found by and lives with an old lady, Widow Tweed) and a hound dog named Copper, who belongs to Widow Tweed’s neighbor.

As pups, Tod and Copper’s friendship was innocent and enjoyable for both. But as they grew, Copper was trained to hunt game, while Tod still hoped their friendship meant more to Copper than his master’s choice to use him as a hunting dog.

Things changed for both when Copper’s mentor, a dog named Chief, got hurt while chasing Tod. Now hell-bent on getting revenge for his mentor’s injury, Copper and his master began plotting to catch and skin Tod.

While The Fox and the Hound takes a mature approach to friendship and loyalty, it has its flaws. The pacing drags at times, and Copper’s shift from friend to enemy feels rushed and underdeveloped. The bold themes are compelling, but they might not resonate as strongly with younger audiences.

With a production time spanning over four years, the movie saw the departure of some of Disney’s animators and the introduction of new ones. The Nine Old Men began the production, which newer, younger animators finished.

The movie had a sequel released 15 years later, which was a direct-to-video production.

Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner (1982)

6/10

Starring

Harrison Ford

Rutger Hauer

Sean Young

Edward James Olmos

Directed by Ridley Scott

Finally, I took the time to see the cult classic Blade Runner, which was set four years from now—2019. The movie is as captivating in its visual adaptation of the future as critics said it would be. The fun I had watching this movie isn’t in the expected action you’d anticipate from a manhunt, but in the complex story and screenplay, which keeps you guessing about the direction the movie will take.

Blade Runner is a dystopian science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. His directing style might come off as slow-paced in this modified adaptation of the 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick. The screenplay adaptation was done by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples.

The movie is set in Los Angeles in November 2019, where genetically engineered replicants—adult humans identical to real humans—are manufactured to be used in places outside Earth. Replicants are banned from visiting Earth, and those who defy this ban are hunted down and "retired," which is a nice way of saying killed. Special police operatives known as "Blade Runners" carry out the hunting and retiring of these replicants.

In the movie, four replicants of the Nexus-6 models have escaped from the Tyrell Corporation and made their way back to Earth. A retired Blade Runner named Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is called back into service to hunt down these four replicants. They are violent, dangerous, and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals.

The fun of the movie lies in its twists and turns, which Scott delivers without losing the audience as the story unfolds. One of the main reasons to watch Blade Runner is the special effects, which were groundbreaking for 1982, a time when today’s digital technology didn’t exist. The movie used matte paintings, models, and innovative camera techniques like multipass exposures to create its stunning visuals.

When it comes to acting, Harrison Ford’s performance is wonderful, as are the performances of the supporting cast. The movie won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, three BAFTA awards (Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design/Art Direction), and an Academy Award for its visual effects.

Upon its initial release, the movie performed poorly at the box office and was initially panned by critics. However, over time, it has become an all-time classic.

If you haven’t seen this movie or are trying to recall the wonderful cinematic experience you had watching it back then, I highly recommend grabbing the DVD.

Batman vs Robin (2015)

Batman vs Robin (2015)

6/10

Starring the voice of

Jason O'Mara

Stuart Allan

Sean Maher

Jeremy Sisto

Directed by Jay Oliva

To be honest, the idea that Batman could have been Owlman if things had turned out differently fascinates me. I watched this movie not expecting much from the Damian and Bruce (father and son) dynamic, but it turned out to be fantastic. The screenplay and animation were on point, and the voice acting as you would expect was impressive.

Batman vs. Robin is a 2015 direct-to-video superhero animated film, based partially on the Batman: The Court of Owls story arc written by Scott Snyder. This movie serves as a sequel to 2014’s Son of Batman, where we were introduced to Damian, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. The comic book story cuts across various issues and was the first major crossover event in The New 52, published across the Batman family titles.

In the movie, the whole story was merged into one, where we see Batman, Nightwing, and Robin (Damian) take on The Court of Owls. For me, the idea that Batman and Nightwing could take Damian in a fight but then couldn’t stand up to the Court of Owls’ top assassin and leader of the Talons was a bit annoying. I felt they downplayed the strengths of Dick and Bruce to make Damian the one to stop the Court of Owls’ top assassin. Plus, I also felt the animation's pacing slowed down in some areas that did not add to the needed fun.

The movie’s story starts with Bruce and Damian not getting along, as Damian wants to be treated as an equal and allowed to make his own decisions. His rebellious attitude leads him down a path where he’s noticed by the Court of Owls’ top assassin, who wants to recruit Damian as his apprentice. The Court of Owls also tries to recruit Bruce Wayne (as Bruce, not Batman), but his rejection of their invitation leads them to decide to take him out. Meanwhile, Batman has been investigating the Court of Owls, and he, Dick Grayson (Nightwing), and Damian Wayne (Robin) decide to take them down.

Spoiler Alert
The movie has its twists too. I enjoyed the surprise of finding out that the woman with the Court of Owls’ top assassin was also the head of the group. Damian’s actions also kept me guessing—I was wondering if he knew what he was doing. At first, I thought he was setting up the Court of Owls’ top assassin and infiltrating the group, only to be surprised when I realized he was actually sold on their ideas and considering joining them.

What a great Batman movie this is—definitely one for the collection. It’s worth watching again when I find the time.

Top Five (2014)

Top Five (2014)

6/10

Starring

Chris Rock

Rosario Dawson

Gabrielle Union

Directed by Chris Rock

A thought-provoking and funny screenplay that anyone (18 and above) can sit through and enjoy. Written, directed by, and starring Chris Rock as Andre Allen, a comedian whose life is plagued by enough issues to shoot a movie—which Rock did. Now, that is not saying this movie is a true-life story of his life, there is nothing I have read that says that. The movie has a great cast, each holding their own and doing so well in their portrayal that it draws you into the movie.

Rock covers in great detail the lifestyle of being a celebrity, the ups and downs, the good times and the bad. We see the issues Andre faces with paparazzi, the struggle to remain relevant, and how hard it is to stay confident when you rely on drugs and booze to perform.

Rock’s well-detailed screenplay might feel slow to some, but you can’t watch this movie and claim you didn’t laugh. There are many moments in the film that will make you think, but the way Rock’s character falls for Rosario Dawson’s character made me laugh—it seems too quick for someone to fall in love like that. I can see issues with the lack of character development for the supporting cast too in this movie, and the movie, I felt, would have been a lot better if it picked up the pace in some areas.

They meet when she comes for an interview, and they fall in love after talking in-depth about his life. I haven’t fallen in love that much, but I know it doesn’t happen like that. If it did… I’d pity Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson) when Andre goes for another interview with a pretty lady.

That aside, you’ll love how Top Five unfolds and appreciate the cameos. We get Jerry Seinfeld, DMX, Adam Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg, and many more.

Andre Allen is a comedian trying to get the world to take him seriously after a string of successes playing Hammy The Bear, where he plays a cop in a bear suit. Andre decides to get clean, quitting drugs and alcohol, which causes him to doubt himself and wonder if he can still be funny without the substances. He then decides to make a new movie, Uprize, in which he portrays Dutty Boukman, a prominent figure during the Haitian Revolution.

Uprize isn’t well-received by the public, and a reporter, Chelsea Brown from the New York Times, is sent to interview Andre as he prepares for his wedding to his reality-TV star fiancée (Gabrielle Union).

The interview reveals much more about the lives of both the interviewer and the interviewee, and sparks start flying between the two.

The movie’s name comes from a scene where Rock asks his family and friends to list their top five rappers. So, here’s a question for you:

What’s your top five?

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014)

5/10

Starring

Ben Stiller

Robin Williams

Owen Wilson

Steve Coogan

Dan Stevens

Ben Kingsley

Directed by Shawn Levy

I wasn’t expecting much from this movie. The first part delivered all the excitement you’d want from a night guard’s adventures at a museum that comes to life when the moon is out. I enjoyed seeing the oldies—Dick Van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, and Bill Cobbs, who played Cecil, Gus, and Reginald, respectively—as the bad guys in the first Night at the Museum. The fun mostly came from the energy and stamina Dick Van Dyke displayed as the ringleader of the antagonists in the first movie.

For me, if you want to enjoy this movie series, just watch the first part. Part three wasn’t it for me—I was bored after 20 minutes. That said, seeing Dick Van Dyke, at 88 years old, move and dance when all three oldies were at the retirement home was an enjoyable sight. The whole cast was called back to reprise their roles, from Owen Wilson to Robin Williams, though both Williams (who died by suicide) and Rooney (who passed naturally) died before the movie was released.

In this installment, the tablet of Ahkmenrah—which brings the museum to life every night—is becoming corrosive and losing its power. This causes the museum characters to misbehave and start turning into wax, even at night. Larry (Ben Stiller) decides to investigate the tablet’s origin and discovers that Cecil was the young boy who found it years ago. He meets up with Cecil and the other two retired guards at the retirement home, and Cecil suggests that Larry visit Ahkmenrah’s parents at the British Museum for answers. A new adventure begins as they try to get the tablet outside under the moonlight to restore its power. The only obstacle in their way is Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens), who believes the tablet is the Holy Grail and steals it, hoping to use it to win the heart of his beloved Guinevere.

Once again, the CGI in this movie was exceptional, but like the second part, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009), Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb felt unnecessary. The idea that every successful movie should automatically become a trilogy needs to be shelved—it’s getting boring.

My take on this movie? Even though I’m a huge fan of Ben Stiller, the late Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke, and Owen Wilson, they weren’t enough to give this movie a reason to own the DVD collection.

Paddington (2014)

Paddington (2014)

7/10

Starring

Hugh Bonneville

Sally Hawkins

Julie Walters

Jim Broadbent

Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington

Directed by Paul King

Regardless of the lackluster performance of the children in the movie, the film was spectacular. The adult actors were on point and delivered the fun needed to make you love this movie from beginning to end. The comedy was warm-hearted and innocent—I couldn’t help but wish I could sit back and ask the controller to roll the movie again.

It is not all the time you get to watch a movie that just sits well with you. It is not the best movie in the world, but it sits well.

When I was younger and reading the picture book, I don’t recall much being said about Paddington’s backstory or origins. The decision by the screenwriters to give Paddington more depth was a great addition. The movie is based on Paddington Bear by Michael Bond. Paddington is a friendly bear from deepest, darkest Peru, who wears an old hat and carries a battered suitcase. He’s polite and well-mannered, but when he’s cross with you, he gives you a hard stare. He was adopted by the Browns, who named him Paddington after the train station where he was found.

The thing about Paddington is that trouble always seems to find him, and this movie is no exception. Paddington goes home with the Browns, only to be hunted by Millicent Clyde, who wants to kill and stuff him for display. Paddington isn’t doing so well with the Browns either, struggling to fit into a lifestyle filled with gadgets, baths, and toothbrushes.

Watching this movie made me reminisce about my younger days with Paddington. I had the book and watched the cartoon series, and I was never tired of the bear who loved marmalade. Because of Paddington, I tried marmalade, but I never grew to love it as much as he did.

The loose ends in Paddington are pretty glaring, though you might miss them if you’re too caught up in the performances and the wonderful CGI:

• Paddington’s aunt left him to fend for himself.
• She went away without saying where she was going, yet Paddington kept sending her letters.

The writers will need to tie up these loose ends if they make a sequel, which I’m sure they’re considering, thanks to the financial success of this movie. Paddington Bear is waiting for you to buy a ticket or DVD and see him stand out as he becomes a beloved member of the Browns family.