Entries Tagged 'Fantasy' ↓

IMDB: Alice

Basic Plot: Czech director Jan Svankmajer’s surreal take on this cult classic. This was a dubbed version, as the subtitled one isn’t available in most places yet.

Outburst: I can sum this movie up best in three words: “what … the … fuck”. Stop motion is always a little creepy, but the stuffed white rabbit in this film would give any child nightmares, possibly forever. Watching it cannibalize it’s own sawdust stuffing nearly turned my stomach, and that was before the animated fishbones or denture-wearing caterpillar-socks were introduced. The special effects look like a bad film school project.

(0 stars) /CULT — Not enough M.C. Escher or Salvador Dali in your life? You might actually enjoy this cult classic. The rest of us would prefer to steer clear of this bad acid trip of a movie. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS FOR KIDS, unless you have the kind of gremlins who think gross and weird is really funny and cool.

Wikipedia Entry: Alice (movie)

I recommend seeing the movie for free first. The very limited audience who enjoys this movie (you know who you are) can then buy it for keeps. BUY IT NOW! Alice (DVD)

IMDB: MaLiCE iN WoNDERLaND

Basic Plot: Modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland, set in England. An American law student is hit by a cab in London, and wakes up with amnesia in a land filled with nefarious characters.

Outburst: There is nothing particularly extraordinary about this version. Take a hit of acid and wander around London and you will achieve roughly the same effect as watching this movie.

/CULT — An interesting time waster. If you are into the ‘cult of Alice’ you will of course want this for your collection.

Wikipedia Entry: Malice in Wonderland

RENT ON DEMAND: Malice in Wonderland

IMDB: The Fountain

Basic Plot: A metaphysical tale intertwining fantasy, folklore, and romance as a man seeks to be united with his true love. The film weaves together three ages in three parallel storylines.

Outburst: This is less a movie than a symphony of feeling that happens to be in film format. It’s a blossoming of the trials of love decorated in mythology.

/DVD — You will appreciate this movie best if you have a strong philosophical background. It’s also one of the movies that grows more meaningful over time and a second viewing.

Official Website: The Fountain

BUY IT NOW! The Fountain (Widescreen)
BUY IT NOW! The Fountain [Blu-ray]

IMDB: Avatar

Basic Plot: Humanity attempts to take over a alien planet. A disabled soldier is torn between the desire to follow orders and the need to protect the world he has come to be a part of.

Outburst: Am I the only person not totally blown away by this movie? Okay, so I didn’t get to see it in IMAX 3-D with the dorky glasses. The special effects are still stellar, but a few times I could tell where objects were placed or moved to enhance the 3D effect, just like in those ridiculous rides at theme parks. Once you get past all the glitz, the plot itself is rather mundane.

/CULT — Folks who want to paint themselves blue notwithstanding, this is just an average-good movie. It’s pure Hollywood entertainment.

Official Avatar Movie Website
Wikipedia Entry: Avatar

BUY IT NOW! Avatar (2Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) [Blu-ray]

IMDB The Secret of Roan Inish
Basic Plot: A mythical Irish tale following the selkie legends.  Based on the novel The Secret of Ron Mor Skerry, by Rosalie K. Fry.

Outburst: I love Irish mythology, folklore about the sea, and stories involving selkies.  So I’m just a little  biased when I see a traditional selkie tale made real through the magic of the screen.  It’s wonderfully done and highly recommended for anyone who finds Ireland or folktales fascinating.  Otherwise, you mind find the story too cutesy.  In some aspects it is perfect for the family (non-violent, non-scary), but some prudish-types might be put off by the little naked boy running around briefly in some scenes.  You’ll have to listen closely to understand everything being said, the accents are authentically Irish.

/DVD (2 of 3 stars) – If you savor retellings of popular folktales, it is worthy of your collection.  For the regular movie-watcher, it’s worth watching once and moving on.