Special New Year's Eve Mini-Review by Tim: Ocean's 11 (1960)

This Rat Pack classic turned 50 this year, and much of the action takes place on New Year's Eve, so I thought it might be nice to take a glance at it today.

Here's the story: a group of army veterans led by Danny Ocean (Frank Sinatra) plan to knock over five Las Vegas casinos in one night. They plan the heist-- and get the dough. But after a somewhat less-than-clean getaway, they have to find a way to smuggle the money out of Las Vegas. When the crew finally manages to rob the casinos on New Year's Eve, you think they're in the clear. Then when they hit a snag, their bad luck only seems to get worse.

First, let me just say--this movie is very slow. There isn't a whole lot revealed regarding the heist plot until about the halfway mark. Then, once they knock over Vegas, the film presents a pretty unsettling twist ending. In fact, the first time I saw this movie, I didn't like it. I managed to get into the story, I enjoyed the acting, I was excited by the heist itself, but the payoff--like the end of Rocky--left me in the cold. However, just like Rocky, the more I see it, the more I appreciate it for what it is. And here's what Ocean's 11 really is: fun.

I once heard someone call this movie "two hours of watching Frank Sinatra and friends have fun." That is a very accurate assessment of this movie. Being a Rat Pack movie (and arguably the best one), it's made up of witty moments, wonderful songs, and you can clearly tell that Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Lawford, Bishop and company are all having the time of their lives. These guys are cool and they know it.

Angie Dickinson plays Danny's somewhat-estranged wife who know's Danny better than himself. Her performance is remarkably emotional and her chemistry with Sinatra is palpable. You only see she and Sinatra's Danny at the end of their marriage and somehow, they manage to make you genuinely wish their relationship had worked out. Richard Conte and Caesar Romero also add tremendously to the exceptional acting in the film.

If you haven't seen it-- or if you've only seen the 2001 remake with George Clooney-- give this one a rental. It's a fun heist movie that'll keep you guessing-- AND make you wish you could hang out with the Rat Pack.

I give it 10 casinos out of 11.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Coming to Spoiler Alert in 2011:
Comics and a NEGATIVE review! (oh snap!)

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader Review by Matt

        I have always been late on taking trips to Narnia. I didn’t read The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe until just two months before the release of the film my Sophomore Year of college in 2004. I didn’t even get a chance to see Prince Caspian in theaters four years later! So I just had to embark on The Voyage of the Dawn Treader before 2010 ended! I am so glad that I did!

               C.S. Lewis once said that he did not like the idea of any production of Narnia that required humans to dress up in the animal roles. I would like to take it a step further, all productions of Narnia should be in 3D. Now, I’m not a huge proponent to this tech-craze, but all I kept thinking about while watching Voyage in 3D was how we the audience we’re really being taken on this magical journey with the characters, whether being swept out to sea or flying on the back of a dragon. We were finally granted the opportunity to follow our heroes into Narnia as if we were standing right next to them.

      The movie opens while World War II rages on. Edmund and Lucy are trapped at their annoying cousin’s house while their parents and older siblings have escaped to America. While the two of them have grown up in the past few years, they still hold on to a few childish characteristics. Edmund still yearns for respect and responsibility of manhood, especially outside of the shadow of his older
brother. Lucy yearns to be as beautiful as her older sister.  Their cousin, Eustace, is just a know-it-all
pain in the butt. They are transported back to Narnia and reunite with King Caspian of Narnia who is on a voyage to locate the seven missing Lords of Narnia.

                This movie diverts from the source material more than the first two in the series. The changes are noticeable to Narnia fans, but do help those non-Narnia fans with the story. One of the major changes is that there is a villain in the film, which drives the adventure of the characters. They seem to have a purpose as soon as they step foot on the first island. What was in the book, which was more like a mixture between Homer’s Odyssey and the missionary travels of St. Paul
of the Bible, has become a quest to banish evil in Narnia.

               Much has been written about the Christology of Narnia. Like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Dawn Treader does not hide it’s Christian roots. In one of the most memorable scenes in the movie and the book, Aslan reveals to Edmund and Lucy that he is known by another name in our world and that they should find him there. There are also the themes of redemption, forgiveness, temptation, and faith that run throughout the entire film.

                I thoroughly enjoyed the film. As soon as Edmund and Lucy stepped aboard The Dawn Treader my heart swelled up and the excitement of a new Narnia adventure encompassed me. That thrill did not let go until the last ten minutes. In those last ten minutes, I had the realization that this could possibly be the last time I would get to travel to Narnia. Ticket sales of the last two films have been below expectations, so much so that Disney, the company of “Faith, trust and pixie dust,” did not want to co-produce this film. It is a shame. The children (and adults) of this world need Narnia as much as the Pevensie children did in these first three films. It is an escape from the craziness of our world into one where faith is all you need. Faith in yourself. Faith in others. Faith in Aslan. Faith in Narnia.

                I rate this movie 3.5 voyages out of 5.

Yogi Bear Review by Tim

I once substitute taught a 5^th grade art class. I made a passing reference to the Flintstones. All the kids looked at me in confusion. None of them had any idea who the Flintstones were.  No one had even heard of them as vitamins. I was shocked and more than a little upset. When I was a kid, Cartoon Network was still showing Hanna Barbera cartoons. Now it’s mostly original programming with specialty networks like Boomerang being reserved for the classics. But the sad truth is, the older these classic cartoons get, the less relevant they’re perceived and they’re soon bumped from the network in favor of newer “classics.”

This is the state of mind in which I went to see Yogi Bear. When I went in to the theatre, I had no desire to see this movie. None of the trailers I had seen seemed remotely appealing. I had set the bar so low, I had convinced myself that I was going out of some blind sense of loyalty to the nowadays virtually non-existent world of Hanna Barbera. But then-- I saw the movie.

This film is going to generate a lot of largely undeserved criticism. Here’s the thing: when Hollywood does adaptations of books, TV shows, or remakes of other successful movies, they’re trying to strike a careful balance. They’re trying to cash in on the audience’s nostalgia without drawing inevitable comparisons to the   sometimes better, but often more fondly-remembered, original.

I’m not going to lie, as a student of animation and a self-proclaimed fan of Hanna Barbera, it’s hard to remain unbiased for this review.  However, as such, I feel very comfortable making the following statement: Anyone who says, “Yogi Bear is nothing like the cartoon,” has no idea what they’re talking about.

The Yogi Bear cartoon was built on a very simple premise. A perpetually hungry, talking bear who lives in a national park always has a hair-brained scheme to steal picnic baskets from visitors.

TV’s Yogi Bear, like many cartoons people “grew up on,” is remembered as being much more satisfying than it actually is. The animation is limited and much of the charm comes from the stellar voice acting and the humor.

The problem with making an adaptation like this is several-fold. If you don’t change the characters, they feel stale. At the same time, if you update the characters to make them appeal to a younger, more hip generation (*cough*CHIPMUNKS*cough*), you run the risk of alienating the fans who grew up with these characters.  The people who made Yogi Bear did a great job of allowing the movie to feel modern, all the while never straying from who the characters are known to be. 

SPOILER ALERT: This is the plot.

Ranger Smith (Tom Cavanagh) is the head ranger of Jellystone Park and he wants nothing more than for Yogi Bear to stop bothering visitors.  Yogi, naturally, with his stalwart companion Boo Boo (Justin Timberlake) by his side, wants nothing more than to swipe picnic baskets. It’s then revealed that the park is in trouble. The villainous mayor thinks state parks are no longer valid as tourist attractions and if it can’t raise money to make back it’s budget in a week, it will be closed forever and sold off to loggers and developers. Enter: Rachel, Smith’s love interest, played by Anna Faris. Rachel, a documentarian (or as Yogi and Boo Boo refer to her, “The Movie-Maker Lady”) shows up with an interest in filming Jellystone, placing a hidden camera in Boo Boo’s bowtie in an effort to get a candid look at the park. Rachel, a nature-phile of Ranger Smith’s caliber seems to quickly forget about filming when she learns of Jellystone’s financial woes. The two fall in love, but fail to raise the money for the park when Yogi accidentally ruins their fundraiser by trying to add a little “razzle-dazzle.” But when the candid footage from Boo Boo’s tie reveals an endangered species living in the park (the elusive “Frog-Mouthed Turtle”), it’s up to Yogi, Boo Boo, Ranger Smith, and Rachel to stop the mayor and save Jellystone Park.

Aykroyd does an admirable job as Yogi Bear. Everyone knows how Yogi is supposed to sound, thanks to the oft-imitated cartoon voice of Daws Butler in the style of Art Carney’s Ed Norton. I was anxious at first, but the more Yogi talks, the easier it goes down.

Timberlake’s Boo Boo is amazing. That’s all I can say.

Cavanagh and Faris are good in this movie as well. Especially considering they’re often acting against characters who aren’t really there. 

You know who steals every scene he’s in? Andrew Daly as the self-interested Mayor Brown. Every scene he’s in had me laughing out loud. Every scene.

The movie is very self-aware, referring to Yogi as a “talking bear,” apparently a rarity. Perhaps given the source material, it’s not surprising, but by acknowledging the absurd, you’re left with no choice but to suspend your disbelief. Yogi’s a talking bear. Why you ask? Because he’s a bear that talks. Duh.

I really only have one gripe about the plot. If talking bears are rare and despite being the home of not one, but TWO talking bears, Jellystone is still having trouble drawing people in? Really?

Now, I didn't see this movie in 3D. I was so sure it would be such a terrible experience, that I didn't want to drop the extra three bucks to see it in 3D. Garbage in 3D is, after all, still garbage. That said, there were a handful of moments that stuck out as tailor-made for the 3D experience, but they didn't make me enjoy the movie any less.

But that’s it. That’s my only gripe. Yeah. I know. I thought I’d have more than that. But that’s another pitfall of critiquing an adaptation, it’s a known commodity. The story of Yogi Bear is remarkably forgettable. But if you go into Yogi Bear expecting some sort of deep mind-blowing psychological thriller, you will not be entertained. The Yogi Bear movie is what it is: A movie based on the cartoon Yogi Bear. If you like the cartoon—I mean really like it—you’ll probably enjoy yourself. 

Is Yogi Bear going to challenge your perspective or blow your mind? Absolutely not. But why should it? This is a movie about a mischievous talking bear whose antics always attempt to draw a smile. And that is exactly what Yogi Bear has always been about.

4 PIC-A-NIC BASKETS out of 5!

Chris has reminded me that I have neglected to mention the Road Runner short that appears at the beginning of the film. Much like Yogi Bear itself, it's nice to see beloved characters like Wile E Coyote and the Road Runner kept alive and treated with such respect. While the short makes the leap to computer generated animaiton, that's really about the only thing that separates it from an original Wile E Coyote/ Road Runner cartoon. The physical gags, the music, even the animation is reminiscent of the original cartoons. Again, it's one of those instances where if the original cartoons weren't your cup of tea, then this short probably won't hold much interest for you. But if you're a fan of the original, you'll most likely enjoy it.

Tron Legacy Review by Chris

Twenty-Eight years after the original movie Tron was released, Disney is finally bringing it into the modern age. Disney is doing this with the sequel Tron Legacy, a visually astounding and thrilling experience. Unfortunately, after 28 years the major challenge in creating a sequel is the reliance on your viewers’ knowledge of the first movie. The first movie hasn't stood the test of time for all viewers, but it did have an effect on many. So can Tron Legacy stand alone or does it too heavily require past knowledge?

The story of Tron Legacy is one of exploration of the world inside our computers, but at its heart, it is about the affects of a father on his children. The most obvious example of this is the affect of Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges, on his son Sam. Sam, played by Garret Hedlund, grew up happily with his father, but after events no one ever understood Kevin disappeared and left Sam in the care of his grandparents and Kevin's old partner Alan Bradley, played by Bruce Boxleitner. Sam and Kevin eventually reunite in the digital world but the effects of such a long separation cause them to no longer understand each other and to spend the remainder of the movie trying to rekindle what was lost in a 20-year gap.

Furthering the fatherly affect story is Kevin's interaction with the characters Clu, also played by Jeff Bridges, and Quorra, played by Olivia Wilde. Kevin created Clu to be his representation in the digital world when he himself was too busy handling his work at Encom and raising his son. Clu, out of god complex and lack of understanding, trapped his creator in the Grid, the very digital world Kevin had left Clu to manage. Kevin gets away but remains trapped in the computer, leaving Clu hunting him and longing to understand why the "real world" was so important. Kevin then begins to mentor Quorra, a quirky and unique program. Kevin teaches Quorra about the real world, giving her the life lessons he could never give Sam.

As a result of these three relationships the story at the heart of the movie is greatly explored, but the remaining stories begin to suffer. Throughout the early parts of the movie you learn that during the 20-year gap the program Tron, the hero of the first film, was murdered by Clu during the beginning of his attacks to "bring order" to the system. You also learn of his mass genocide of a group of programs known as ISO's, or isometric algorithms. These pieces of the story feel like great framing for the true failures of Clu and make him the character we all want to hate, but are never explored in true depth. Those fans who have read the comics and played the video game will know much more about the events in-between the two movies. For those who haven't seen the first movie, I could see how it would be hard to understand why Tron himself is important and why his part in the story is so sad.

The visuals are where Tron shines at shines brightest. At no moment does the movie truly allow its atmosphere to be lifted until the very end. Even the real world beginning has similar lighting to its digital counterpart. What's created is a dark world where every light, whether projected from someone's glowing suite or shooting out the back of their light cycle, feels planed and well crafted. Even when the characters are simply sitting around trying to understand the events in their world the tension stays strong, keeping you wondering what is around the corner. One of the most impressive effects of this movie is Clu, a digitally created young Jeff Bridges when in the digital world. In the grid he is truly real. Unfortunately this effect doesn't hold as strong during the opening scene when the same effect is used to show young Kevin talking to Sam. He just doesn't fit right, but it does show where the technology could go.

It should be said that I am not a fan of stereoscopic 3D. Besides Avatar, rarely have I seen it used in a way that makes me excited to put on a pair of uncomfortable glasses and avoid ever tilting my head. Tron Legacy is an example of where 3D could be going. During all the "real world" parts of the movie, everything remains 2D. But immediately as you enter the digital world, everything starts coming at you. The more active the scene is, the more effective the 3D. Some parts, like when Kevin and Sam are just talking across a digital dinner table don't feel very 3D at all. On the other hand, a light cycle battle or dogfight really gets an extra pop from the 3D effect. The division between real world and digital world is a artistic idea that could be pushed further and has me wondering what Hollywood will do next.

The musical sound track by Daft Punk is another amazing aspect from the movie. Though I'm not sure how well it would stand alone on CD for all listeners, in the context of the movie it is perfect. It captures every moment, every emotion and keeps your heart pounding. The sound effects are equally amazing, combining enhanced versions of the first movies sounds and new digital effects.

A movie is nothing without its actors, and this one has an all-star cast. First you have the award winning Jeff Bridges, who not only play's modern Kevin Flynn, a man who has lost himself to the digital world, but also his younger self from the original films and a cold calculating digital version of himself. Each role feels unique and each entertains in its own way. Garrett Hedlund feels like the modern version of the original movie’s Kevin. His portrayal of an arrogant young genius is well done, and is further increased as he slowly grows and learns what he should be doing. Olivia Wilde adds new energy to the serious nature of most the other actors. Her naively curious nature towards our world comes off as cute and is balanced out by strong and quirky ways of dealing with her own world.

These actors are enhanced by the performances of the minor characters, such as Bruce Boxleitner who plays Alan Bradley. His character comes off as serious but still light hearted and helps the viewers really understand who Sam is at the beginning of the film. James Frain as Jarvis, one of the right hand men of Clu, actually shows a bit of character growth as he watches the Users, real life people who come to the digital world. Michael Sheen as Castor adds some much needed comedy and energy after many heavy scenes between Sam and Kevin. Last but not least Anis Cheurfa, who plays the physical parts of the rarely speaking Rinzler, portrays a deadly assassin with a secret revealed only through his actions

It's hard to rate this movie overall. As a fan who has experienced every bit and piece of the Tron universe, I was able to understand the many references to the different mediums of Tron. From the fan stand point this movie is next to perfect. From the perspective of the average moviegoer this film will still be lots of fun. It's filled with outstanding action, over the top fights and a heartwarming father son story. It would help all viewers to have seen the original 1982 Tron, but isn't mandatory if your just looking to have fun with some visual eye candy. A must see for fans of digital effects in films and stereoscopic 3D lovers.

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to "SPOILER ALERT"-- our movie review blog!
Here, we're going to be reviewing any and every movie we can get our hands on. If the mood strikes, we may throw in the occasional webcomic review when we can't say it in words.

Feel free to offer movie suggestions!

I'm pleased to announce our first official review is coming soon! Chris is going to let you know whether or not you should see TRON Legacy.
After that, I'll let you know how I really feel about the new Yogi Bear movie!

For now, you stand in line and get the popcorn-- we'll save you a seat!