Film: Beowulf (2007)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"I am Beowulf and I'm here to kill your monster."

Review: This was my first 3D movie where the effect really impressed me and felt like a game-changing experience. The story was simple and effective, but the immersion of the 3D gave the movie a whole new dimension, literally. Beowulf's battle with the dragon near the end was mind-blowing. I hope the dragon, Smaug, in the upcoming Hobbit movie is this good.

"How many monsters must I slay? Grendel's mother, father, Grendel's uncle? Must I hack down a whole family tree of demons?"
"She is the last of them. With her gone, demonkind will slip back into the darkness from whence it came."

"The time of heroes is dead. The christ god has killed it, leaving nothing but weeping martyrs and fear and shame."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Iron Will (1994)

DVD: Enhanced 16x9


"Trust the dogs."

Review: This movie is a bit too formulaic and the dialogue is on-the-nose at times, but that is expected for a Disney movie aimed at children. It is at it's best when it is concentrating on the dogsled race and the harsh conditions they faced. I liked how they were able to make the dogsled a more active object than I expected, jumping and cornering like a skateboard or BMX bike.

"The first few days you sleep five hours. Then four, then three, then two. The last day you don't sleep. You just run. Run till the end."

"You're prepared to risk this young man's life to sell some newspapers?"

3 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Pinocchio (1940)

DVD: OAR Full Frame


"Cricket's the name. Jiminy Cricket!"

Review: This is a classic Disney film with great songs and amazing animation of the wooden puppet, Pinocchio, who tries to become a real boy. The second act on Pleasure Island is well-told and intense, scaring me as a child. The whole ocean sequence with Monstro the whale is a powerful tour de force, a visual and emotional climax for the movie.

"Now, remember, Pinocchio, be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide."

"Father, what are you crying for?"
"Because you're dead, Pinocchio."
"No! No, I'm not."
"Yes. Yes, you are. Lie down."

5 out of 5 Stars

Film: Zathura (2005)

DVD: Anamorphic


"That's your robot?"
"At least I got one."
"Well, what does it do?"
"Anything I want... Get me a juice box, Beeyatch!"

Review: Jon Favreau has shown his talent for Directing once again. He has a great sense on how to tell a story and keep the most fantastical elements grounded in reality. This is a film of two brothers who start playing an old board game they find in the basement, sending their house into outer space. Each turn brings more excitement and danger from robots or aliens as they discover the only way to get home is to finish the game.

"I hate to break it to you, but that's not your call. He spun me, so it's up to him."
"Well, I'm Fleet Admiral, and I'm telling you to hit the road."
"I apologize, sir. I didn't... I didn't realize you were a Fleet Admiral. In fact, I... I'm a Fleet Admiral too! It's just a card, bug nuts."

"Still think I have gorgeous eyes?"

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

Film: Munich (2005)

DVD: Anamorphic


"You'll open two accounts at the Union de Banques Suisse in Geneva on Rue du Commerce. Operational funds in one box, in the other your salary which you don't take till the mission ends when you get what accumulates. Also, for each of your men, you open an account for his salary."
"How many men do I have for this?"
"IN THE operational funds box we will deposit 250,000 American dollars. You take it out, we put more in. I WANT receipts. You are not working for the Baron Rothschild. You're working for Israel, a small country."

Review: After the death of the Israeli hostages during the Olympic Games in Munich, Israel sent a team of assassins to track down and kill the leaders of the terrorist group in Europe. This is an excellent suspense film of the team's efforts led by the excellent Eric Bana and includes the pre-Bond Daniel Craig. The tension builds as the early successes become harder to duplicate and the team itself becomes the target of reprisal attacks.

"I knew guys like you in the army. You do any terrifying thing you're asked to do, but you have to do it running. You think you can outrun your fears, your doubts. The only thing that really scares you guys is stillness."

"Don't fuck with the Jews."

4 1/2 out of 5 Stars

TV: Planet Earth (2006)

Review: A nature documentary that gives an excellent overview of the many ecosystems throughout Planet Earth. Filmed with High Definition cameras, the visuals are spectacular. Some of my favorite episodes are Mountains, Fresh Water and Jungles.

5 out of 5 Stars