The animation is impressive, not for its realism but for the use of depth perception to give a three-dimensional look. I kept finding myself enjoying the visual details of the film more than the predictable plot.

Teenager DJ is troubled by an ominous old house that stands across the street from his home. In this creaky, dark house lives Nebbercracker, a mean old man with wild eyes and a constant snarl on his face. DJ, his tubby pal Chowder along with their friend Jennifer confront their fear of the evil house that has been eating local residents. The trio eventually unravels the mystery of the cursed abode.

This is not a film for small children. The house and Nebbercracker are both effectively done, meaning they are way too scary for the youngsters. For the older kids this is a reasonable pick, although not a great one. It is an okay movie. For my money, if you’re going to spend time with this you may as well go to the trouble of watching something from Pixar.


Related Reviews:
Other animated movies
Kung-Fu Panda (2008)
Cars (2006)


Other Critic’s Reviews:
Creative Loafing
Film Jerk

Labels: Catherine O'Hara, film, Fred Willard, Jason Lee, Jon Heder, Kathleen Turner, Kevin James, Maggie Gyllenhaal, movie review, Steve Buscemi

Pixar has released a number of vignettes for their new film WALL-E. I've posted most of them below.

I'll be taking my children to the film, but I'm not expecting I will find it as enjoyable as their other releases. It all seems a bit too cute for my tastes. Check out the vignettes below.

Labels: animated, Fred Willard, JohnRatzenberger, movie trailer, Pixar, Sigourney Weaver

Loaded with wit and charm, this mostly improvised story about a small town's trials while putting on a stage play to celebrate their town's 150th anniversary is one of the best comedies of the nineties. Christopher Guest fronts an ensemble cast that includes Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Fred Willard, Parker Posey, and Larry Miller. Guest shines in this film, but that is no easy task as everyone on screen is giving some of the more memorable performances of their careers. Posey's dim minded small town girl Libby Mae Brown is particularly funny (at least to me).

Much like Guest's previous ad-libbed outing, This is Spinal Tap! and his follow-up Best in Show, this movie is a showcase of comedians doing what they are meant to do - work off the tops of their heads. The wit in this piece, like in Spinal Tap has an organic vibe that only fuels the comedy. I highly recommend this film, especially if you've ever been involved in theater or the making of a film. The pathetic drama and public display of insecurity is perfectly mocked here.

If you've suffered through Guest and company's other, less successful outings For Your Consideration and A Mighty Wind, don't let those missteps deter you from this fantastic work.


Related Reviews:
Comedies
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Idiocracy (2006)


Other Critic's Reviews:
MetaCritic
Cinema de Merde

Labels: Catherine O'Hara, Christopher Guest, comedy, Eugene Levy, film, Fred Willard, movie review, Parker Posey

Pixar and Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) are back with this animated feature about a robot named WALL·E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) who travels across the universe following a female robot named EVE. Doesn't sound like much? Well, its a better set up than a cooking rat and look how good that flick ended up. Any new work is great news for all of us who love Pixar's work.

Labels: animated, Fred Willard, Pixar