October 2009 Movie Releases

Because it is Halloween month, you will see more thriller/horror films on this list of October movies. I am not advocating you watch horror. I am only providing this list as reference and hope that you will choose wisely at the box office.

So here is the list, with the dates for each release…

Dishing About ‘Meatballs’

Liz Lane and I enjoyed discussing the meatier aspects of the fun, animated flick Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on radio station Positive Hit Radio The Current.

Listen to this edited audio clip about the movie.

Audio Commentary:

— Laura J. Bagby

A Meaty Movie Experience

If you prefer the shorter audio version edited from the radio, take a listen.

Audio Review:

Here’s a movie that will give you something to chew on: It’s the new animated film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.

In a coastal Atlantic fishing town called Swallow Falls, where life is dull and Baby Brent sardines are the daily sustenance, one budding scientist named Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live) dreams of bringing life back to his dreary town by inventing something that will bring him fame, fortune, and local approval.

But so far all his crazy gadgets – spray-on shoes, de-balding formula, a walking television, and a monkey thought translator – have made Flint the laughingstock of the neighborhood and caused nothing but trouble for him. Flint’s failed antics have earned him the ire of rule-conscious policeman Earl Devereaux (Mr. T, The A-Team); the disapproval of his technophobic father, Tim (James Caan, Sonny Corleone in The Godfather), who believes Flint should quit dreaming and take a job at the family-owned bait and tackle shop; and the mocking taunts of nemesis ‘Baby’ Brent McHale (Andy Samberg, I Love You, Man and SNL) who is the face on every can of sardines.

Spy Pigs: The ‘Force’ is With You

The FBI has a new pet project. And who better to be the next guinea pigs on a government-funded secret ops mission than… well… real, live guinea pigs?

In this first Digital 3-D movie from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a federally funded crew of animal secret agents known as “G-Force,” trained by Ben (Zack Galifianakis) and his assistant, Marcie (Kelli Garner), has just been tasked with stopping power-hungry businessman Leonard Saber (Bill Nighy) from implementing his mission of world domination. The goal of G-Force is to locate and destroy Saber’s computer program called Saber Sense (also known as Clusterstorm) before Saber gets the chance to activate microchips in his worldwide line of household appliances and turn them into sinister killing machines.

‘Ice Age 3’: Not So Family Friendly

Me at Positive Hit Radio The Current

Sorry, parents. If you are hoping for a really great PG animated film to take the whole family to, Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs isn’t it. It’s scary in some parts for the younger children, particularly the 3-D version where the dinosaurs jump right out from the screen. And it has much more adult innuendo than this kind of film typically includes. I think it is disappointing. The only saving grace is that silly squirrel Scrat and the chase for his deepest desires.

I shared my thoughts last Friday on the air with radio personality Liz Lane from Positive Hit Radio The Current. This audio review is not the on-air version. It has been cut-down for the purposes of this blog. Take a listen…

Radio Review:

— Laura J. Bagby

Male Gender Issues Abound in ‘Ice Age 3’

Recently, I chatted with Positive Hit Radio The Current’s Liz Lane about Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs on the local radio.

I was really hoping to give a good recommendation on this PG animated film, but I found myself more annoyed than entertained.

What really got me was the portrayal of many of the male characters in the film, who often seemed bumbling, cowardly, indecisive, and passive. And one character in particular, a sloth named Sid, the epitome of the nurturing male, made me want to stand up and say, “Dude, be a man!” What a sad look at how our society these days views men: incapable, troubled, and insecure. It surely doesn’t inspire the male gender to be strong and fearless, now does it?

Listen to my conversation with Liz on the radio about these frustrating issues in Ice Age 3…

Audio Commentary:

The above audio clip is not the original on-air version from The Current FM. It has been edited for this blog.

— Laura J. Bagby

Movies for the Fourth of July

Tomorrow is a happy holiday for our nation. Hope you get a chance to get to the beach, the mountains, or at least take the day off and celebrate our freedom. It’s great to be an American!

And while you are enjoying a cookout with your friends and family, shooting off fireworks, or catching lightning bugs in your backyard, when it’s time to go inside after all those outdoor festivities, how about a good flick to remember this great holiday?

If you are thinking about new movies at the box office, consider Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. It just came out Wednesday, July 1. I may be heading to the theatre this weekend to catch this fun animated flick. Plus, it looks like it will be family friendly, so those kids can tag along and no one has to worry about problem content.

Or if you haven’t seen it yet, why not try the new Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian? I just saw this movie last week. I was surprised at how entertaining it was. I didn’t see the original Night at the Museum mostly because I am not a Ben Stiller fan. However, this film is creative, clean, and enjoyable. So consider a matinee if it is still playing in your area.

And, of course, if you are thinking about renting a DVD, I would recommend the thoroughly entertaining Independence Day (1996), the action-adventure starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, and more. Nothing like watching the good guys beat the aliens!

Be safe, get outside, enjoy your family, and celebrate with a great film. 

 

— Laura

Positive Radio Comments About ‘Up’

Me at the mic at Positive Hit Radio The Current

Every Friday I review recent movies on Positive Hit Radio The Current. I couldn’t say enough about the new 3-D Disney/Pixar animated movie Up, so here is more for you! I spent time on the phone line with radio personality Liz Lane at The Current FM. The first is the radio version of my review. The second clip is commentary about the movie. Enjoy!

Pixar Brings ‘Up’-Lifting Experience

Giving the thumbs-up for "Up" in my 3-D glasses.

Almost a month passed between the press conference for Up and the day I finally got to see it on the silver screen. Since there was no sneak peek screening in my local area, I went and saw the new Disney/Pixar animated film on opening weekend as a regular moviegoer.

I was surprised when I learned the price per ticket for the Disney Digital 3-D version was $13. (There is a 2-D version, but why settle for that one? You don’t get the full experience.) Despite the steep price, I paid, got my 3-D glasses and found a seat amongst the many families with children. I expected to see more adults, even couples, but apparently animated movies – unless they are Anime – tend to bring in the kiddies.

When we all donned our glasses – which very much resembled the thick, black version worn by our movie hero, Carl – you could hear the audible gasps as the children saw cartoon characters leaping what felt like mere feet in front of their eyes. The adults were typically more reserved. Me? I was gasping along with the little tikes!