Outcast Comments: Aladdin (2019)

So, the other day I took some time to take in Disney’s new live action redux of their classic animated film, Aladdin. It just happened to fit into my schedule, as I had not really planned on seeing it. I thought the trailers looked awful, I was not sold on Will Smith playing the Genie, and I fail to see the point in Disney’s recent fascination with remaking all of their animated properties. So, I was fully expecting to not like it. Well, to my surprise, I actually enjoyed it. It is not perfect, and is little more than trifling entertainment, but I would have no problem recommending it. Now, I am not going to review it, but just wanted to throw out some quick thoughts.

Movie Review: The Lure

There are some movies that as soon as you see the trailer you know you have to see it. It is the feeling I get when I see a trailer for, say, a new Star Wars movie or like when I saw the preview for John Wick: Chapter 2. Well, that feeling welled up inside of me when I saw a trailer for The Lure. Now, I am sure many of you look at that title as if I were typing in a foreign language. That’s all right, sometimes I feel that way as I am typing. The Lure is the English title for Corki Dancingu, a Polish genre mashup that is definitely a unique experience. Granted, I did not love it as much as I thought I would based on the trailer, but I think it may grow on me with more viewings.

Movie Review: Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages is a show I had wanted to see for a long time on Broadway but just never got the opportunity to do it. Whenever I saw commercials for it, I knew I had to see it. It was filled with the songs of my youth. Hair metal, or whatever name you prefer, provided my entrance into music in the late eighties (I know, I was a bit late) and this show is just filled with those great songs of my youth. Well, when I heard it was in line for the big screen treatment, I was certainly looking forward to it. Finally, the opportunity to see it was heading my way.

Eyes on Christmas: He-Man, She-Ra, and Mr. Magoo

I decided to take a little break from my live action Christmas spectacular that has been going on for the past week and a half and squeeze in a couple of animated holiday titles. Well, it is not so much by choice as it was a bit of a time squeeze. You see, there are only so many hours in the day and after a long day of work and other obligations, I had only a small window in which to keep the run going. So, I decided on a pair of short specials that aired on television years ago.

Movie Review: The Muppets (2011)

I grew up with the Muppets. I remember watching the show with the funny antics and celebrity guests, Animal going crazy, Kermit and Piggy, Gonzo and his chickens, and let's not forget the Swedish Chef and Lew always blowing stuff (or himself) up! It was always so much fun, and then there were the movies. You cannot deny that there was something special about Jim Hensen's creations; however, you also cannot deny that they have fallen out of favor over the years. Sure, the Muppet Christmas Carol gets some annual play, but generally speaking, there hasn't been all that much of a place for them for sometime. Well, Jason Segel set out to prove that attitude to be wrong and does just that.

Movie Review: Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap

Whenever I take vacation I always take a look at the movies playing in NYC. specifically the theaters in Times Square because I know how to get to them. I look for movies that aren't playing locally that look interesting. This time around I came across Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap. I have never seen an actual Bollywood production and have been curious. I looked up the trailer and while I had no idea what was being said, i thought it looked pretty entertaining. So, off I went.

Movie Review: Tangled (2010)

Disney looks to the past as it plays with the toys of the present. It is the Mouse House's 50th feature film and while it certainly looks like a modern film, what with the CG animation and 3D processing, its execution is much more reminiscent of the classic era with the Disney Princess subject matter, songs, and anthropomorphic animals. I think it is this "caught between two worlds" feel that holds the movie back from achieving greatness or at least getting into the ballpark with the studio's great films of the past. As it is, the movie is entertaining but never actually takes off. It'll make you smile, but will be soon forgotten.