9 (2009) Review:

Animated films are no small industry as it once was. After Pixar and Dreamworks hit it big with their films in the late 1990s, several more studios jumped in to try and compete. The thing was though, many were competing for the same demographic. That demographic was more family friendly than anything else. Only recently has the film industry seen an interest in making more adult related animated features for theaters to distribute. A film that would come to mind would be Sausage Party (2016). That though was in the genre of comedy, which needed an R rating. However not all adult films need to be rated R. A perfect example would be this feature film.

Rag doll # 9

The story here is about a rag doll labeled number 9 (Elijah Wood), who wakes up in a strange setting. His surroundings consist of a massive wasteland, only to discover other rag dolls like him with other numbers. Number 8 (Fred Tatasciore), 7 (Jennifer Connelly), 6 (Crispin Glover), 5 (John C. Reilly), 4 & 3 are silent twins and 2 (Martin Landau), all led by 1 (Christopher Plummer). Even Alan Oppenheimer has a small role. The difference is, 9 found a green glowing piece that seems to be important. Unfortunately, none of them know what its purpose is for. To their dismay, this isn't their only problem. The dolls are also being hunted by mechanical predators made from animal parts that are seeking though take their lives.

The script was penned by Pamela Pettler, the same writer from Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005) and Monster House (2006). Seeing that, it is quite obvious where the darker elements to the film came from. For an animated film, the premise to this is far grimmer than some may think. The post-apocalyptic setting is refreshing and horrifying (in a good way) at the same time because how unexpected things are depicted. There is death shown and it's not exactly hidden from the viewers' eyes. Credit needs to be given for Shane Acker who has only directed this film. Since then he has been a previsualization artist for other projects like Total Recall (2012) and 47 Ronin (2013).

What doesn't work in the script's favor is the logic behind it. There's a kind of science that is used in this film that doesn't go into great depth. Sure, this film is a fantasy, but even so the idea behind the plot is bizarre. The time at which this takes place doesn't seem anywhere near the current day. The same could also be said for the purpose of the plot. The dolls have a reason for being there, but once it is revealed, it's questionable as to how it'll help. It's really not clear at all, but the voice actors behind the characters make up for that. All of them have moments that feature them in a way so the audience gets a chance to relate and understand the dolls.

"Noppppe......doesn't look dark enough for me....."

The animation to this film was well done. While it is unclear how cinematography assisted in this project, Kevin R. Adams was the director of photography. Aside from this, he has remained in the art department. The animators behind the film though did a great job. The rag dolls are expressive and the antagonists they come across are also quite intriguing to watch in their movements. The music however was even greater with its sound. Composed by Deborah Lurie, the score has fantastic sounding music that works well with the action, horror and more emotional moments. She has also composed for Dear John (2010) and Footloose (2011). Luckily for her, a score was released to show just how good she is.

While the details in the plot itself and the logic behind it isn't all that believable, that doesn't mean the film doesn't entertain. The voice cast, animation, dark storytelling and the music all help in making this a mature animated film fun to revisit.

Points Earned --> 7:10

Beyond the Gates (2016) Review:

Independent films are the place for all up starting filmmakers. Unless one has a solid connection to a big name movie studio, the likeliness of getting a noticed is slim. However, if one is truly passionate and uses all their connections to their advantage, something may come of it. Not every indie filmmaker has this dream, but it is a large majority. Sometimes the best way to get viewers' attention is by bringing them in with nostalgia. This has to be done correctly though, otherwise audiences will think they are being sucker punched into a joke. Thankfully there are filmmakers out there who care to make a quality feature; like this one.

Brea Grant & Graham Skipper

Take Jackson Stewart as an example. Directing his first feature film and making himself known for it with good publicity. The plot to this feature is about distant brothers Gordon (Graham Skipper) and John (Chase Williamson) coming together after their father's disappearance. Only to learn that their father (Henry LeBlanc) was last around playing a VHS game called "Beyond the Gates". Out of curiosity, Gordon's girlfriend Margot  (Brea Grant) joins. To their dismay, the three learn that after starting the game, they must finish it risking their own lives. Writing the screenplay was also Stewart and Stephen Scarlata. Prior to this, Scarlata wrote for Final Girl (2015).

What Scarlata and Stewart do with their screenplay is take a couple different films and make an interesting hybrid out of them. The closest this movie comes to is Insidious (2010) meets Jumanji (1995). However, instead of the board calling the shots, it's overseen by some lady on a TV (Barbara Crampton). What the filmmakers do get right is the premise. The execution is what could have used more development. There just wasn't enough focus on the board game itself, its history, and lore. There would be so much to discover. Instead, much of it tends to lean more on the usual horror clichés. While not all of the execution can be seen from far away, it is fairly predictable.

That's not to say the actors aren't credible though. The three main leads do share decent chemistry together and that's important. Even the supporting cast is fine with Matt Mercer playing a local cop and Justin Welborn playing a rude friend of John's. Chase Williamson was in Victor Crowly (2017). Brea Grant was in Halloween  II (2009), as was Justin Welborn. Matt Mercer was in Contracted (2013). And of the crew, Barbara Crampton is the veteran having been in movies like Re-Animator (1985) and Chopping Mall (1986). The visuals were also well taken care of. The gore effects were very bloody, but nothing that looked overly fake and ridiculous.

"LIKE MY ONION BREATH?!"

That also goes for Brian Sowell's work as the director of photography for this feature. Having worked as a camera operator for other films like Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015), Annabelle: Creation (2017) and The Disaster Artist (2018), Sowell's skill shines through on this. He keeps the cam steady and has some creepy shots filmed too. Lastly, the film score composed by Wojciech Golczewski was great listening to as well. Creating a theme using a music box type instrument, the tune will get the viewer's attention. Golczewski has also scored for Eraser Children (2009) and Night of the Wolf (2014). Off to a great start.

The movie isn't perfect, with far too little attention put on the premise. The actors on the other hand make up for that. As well as the skilled cinematography, decent practical effects and catchy music.

Points Earned --> 6:10

Chaplin (1992) Review:

Among the movie industry, several Hollywood actors have come and gone. Many are remembered for their roles in various films, but the ones that have been immortalized were the pioneers of the era. Some have come even before the time when films contained sound. Of this category, Charlie Chaplin was one of those innovators. Making a name for himself by making several of his own movies before he even hit 30 years of age, Chaplin made it big far in advance. No surprise that a biopic was made on the thespian too. For what it's worth, it was a very well constructed film. Also it is one the films that put Robert Downey Jr. on the map.

Downey Jr. as Chaplin

Headed by Richard Attenborough, the same director of Gandhi (1982), audiences get to see how Charlie Chaplin came to be. With the help of writers William  Boyd, Bryan Forbes and William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)), this crew was able to put together an engaging drama  that reflects on Chaplin's life experiences, through his eyes. Playing Chaplin in his good likeness is Robert Downey Jr., who at the time was still finding his place. This really could have been the movie that made his career, but that wouldn't be until Marvel's Iron Man  (2008). Starting out though, this was a good first step.

Along with him are numerous other well known faces like Geraldine Chaplin playing Charlie's mother. Paul Rhys plays Chaplin's step brother Sydney. Anthony Hopkins plays the author who talks to Chaplin in his older years. Kevin Kline plays Douglas Fairbanks, a close friend of Chaplin. Moira Kelly plays Oona, Chaplin's final wife. There's also appearances by Dan Aykroyd, Marisa Tomei, Penelope Ann Miller, Maria Pitillo, Milla Jovovich, Kevin Dunn, Diane Lane, Nancy Travis and James Woods. All of which give believable performances in the characters they portray that were apart of Chaplin's life experiences. There is one flaw to the screenplay though.

While the film has plenty of run time to explore certain aspects of Chaplin's life events, there seem to be too many characters for the story to cover. Certain individuals arrive and leave not long after each other, with very little said about them. If this be the case, leave them out entirely. However this doesn't mean the dramatic elements to the story aren't effective. Several points are made throughout Chaplin's lifetime, displaying how much he played with fire. Whether that be making films involving politics, or having personal issues with his estranged wives that left him over the years due to his obsessive work life. He had a lot going on all the time.

"And I,...Anthony Hopkins,....looked old...."

The cinematography handled by Sven Nykvist was well shot. There's lots of practical sets featured within this film. Some are behind the scenes to other films Chaplin made in his career, which is very cool to see. Then there's John Barry who worked as the composer for this movie. The music is one the most beautiful renaissance sounding scores heard and Barry provides a theme for the film too. While the entire album itself is not as long as the feature, it captures all the right cues that are absolutely iconic. The tone that is heard is a romantic, yet melancholy mix. One of Barry's best compositions for any collector.

Numerous characters to keep track of can be a bit much for viewers, but that's the only trouble this film has. RDJ charms as he becomes Chaplin with a deep story, classic camerawork and wonderful sounding music. Not to mention all the actors who take part in it too.

Points Earned --> 8:10

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003) Review:

From the original TV show, to the big screen, Charlie's Angels had an interesting premise. It starred several female leads in action roles and made use of their charm to really bring audiences in to watch. Being that Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz were all in popular films before this, the first installment only cemented their names that they could star in the action genre. The movie adaptation of the show however was practically a mixed bag. While it had the right actors, the storytelling was weak with clichés and obsessive focus on the feminine appeal in all the wrong ways. It wasn't super crass, but it definitely could cause multiple eye rolls among the audience.  But it made enough money to guarantee a sequel, and it's not any better.

The Angels return.....

The film sets off with a new adventure for the leads after rescuing security agent (Robert Patrick) with a special ring that contains important information to the witness protection database. As they begin to dig deeper, they learn more to the plot than there was before. Having the screenplay written by John August, Cormac and Marianne Wibberley didn't do a whole lot. Seeing that August was the only writer from the original and the Wibberley's wrote for The 6th Day (2000) before this, the story is overly drawn out. Even with McG coming back to direct, the pacing seems to go for excessive amounts more than it should.

That's not to say Diaz, Liu or Barrymore don't give their characters charm, they just unfortunately don't have much to work with except have cheesy dialog or dress in highly sexualized attire. Bernie Mac as the latest Bosley has better moments than Bill Murray's performance. That and all the other cameos and returnees that show up. There's appearances from Bruce Willis, Carrie Fischer, John Cleese, Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, Robert Forster, Shia LaBeouf and reappearances from John Forsythe, Luke Wilson and Matt LeBlanc. But they all have limited presence and only help further the plot, exposition wise.

Of those characters, the ones that were more captivating to watch were Crispin Glover as the thin man. Justin Theroux plays an ex of Drew Barrymore's character and Demi Moore plays an ex Angel briefly. These three actors actually have moments in the movie that are more surprising to see. Sadly, they don't receive as much attention as they should. The action sequences in the film certainly have effort put into them. Seeing that McG is very familiar with these kinds of scenes, they are carried out very competently. The only flaw may be that there may be a little too much emphasis on the slow motion. At least it's not shaky cam.

"Remember me?......."

However that doesn't mean the special effects are always top notch either. Even for 2003, CGI did look good in several films before this. But here, there are some shots that don't look as polished, which is unfortunate. The camerawork, again handled by Russell Carpenter who worked on the first film did an okay job but it still doesn't make up for some of the weak visuals. Lastly the score by Edward Shearmur was barely present to begin with. Much of the film contains cues from other well known artists like John Bon Jovi, M.C. Hammer, The Who and Natalie Cole. It's fine, but there's no identity to the characters so oh well.

It's not a terrible film, but it's also pretty bad. The material is too bland and cliché to make anything special out of it. The actors trying their best and the action sequences are really the only aspect that is almost completely flawless.

Points Earned --> 4:10