swimmercait

Many are complaining about the hypocritical message that Disney/Pixar is offering by making a movie about the evils of commercialism and capitalism and then marketing it and its products. On that point they've missed the mark because it's not about the evils of commercialism and capitalism, it's about gluttony and what can happen when you stop paying attention. I think the movie itself is a representation of this, don't get distracted by Wall-E's charm, Eve's streamlined features, and the ever mesmerizing animation. Instead pause and remember the film is trying to offer you something besides entertainment. If you just sit there and let the film wash over you, you've only had a pleasurable experience (not unlike a smooth hover chair ride). But if you engage with Wall-E, Eve, the captain and their struggles you can take away more from the theatre, you'll need to get out of your hover chair to do it though and actually take a good look at the stars outside.

Secondly environmentalism, capitalism, commercialism, monopolies, and so forth were not the only topics addressed in this film. I felt undercurrents of both self-discovery and appreciation for others uniqueness. Wall-E apparently already wasn't quite like other robots. He's curious, inventive, and protective. However Wall-E doesn't learn what he's really made of until he takes his journey into space to "save" Eve. There he proves that he's not only loyal and creative but also courageous, tenacious, and friendly. This rounds out his character as a hero and one that changes over the course of the story even though he was designed with a single purpose.

Eve is purposeful, career-oriented, and a little bit dangerous. She does her job well and defines herself by her directives. Through her journey she expands her programming by learning what friends can and will do for one another. She learns other things are sometimes more important than carry out your duties. No more clearly does she learn this lesson then at the end of the film when the Wall-Eness of Wall-E seems to have disappeared. I feel this is also the point in the film that drives home the message of self-discovery and individuality. Without that certain spark, Wall-E is just like all the other Wall-Es around him.

Finally there is the captain. No one knows how he got his position on the ship but however it happened his position merely has the illusion of power. From the trailers I thought the captain was going to be the villain of the story, but he is a good guy and he too goes on a journey of growth and exploration. It seems he is just like the other humans, but instead he proves himself to be capable of bettering himself through self-starting education and changing the way he functions on a daily basis. Though he remains somewhat a bumbling character throughout the film he does the right thing and passes his newfound knowledge and hope onto the other humans.

On that note stick around until the credits start scrolling on black. The story doesn't end when the computer animation does. This story was told mostly without words so when the other sound effects leave the screen don't assume the message ends. At that point the purest form of film is left: story through images. I think the negative reviewers forgot that too.

This episode has such a seamless of parallels to The Wizard of Oz set in a modern comedy form that I didn't even realize the comparison until the commercial break half way through the episode. It just seemed like an interesting story and as soon as I realized what was going on it made it that much better.

I think that the adaptations of TWoO into the Scrubs world are so good because they fit so naturally. It seems at times that some of the running gags on the show were started just so they could tie them into the theme of this episode. For example, Dr. Cox's continual references to J.D. by a girl's name, this allows for J.D. to be called Dorothy for the entire episode without question, or the fact that Ted has a singing group so they can maintain the musical elements of the episode intricately.

Definitely one of the most memorable episodes of Scrubs and perhaps also the best. It is my favorite.

Elf by my usual standards was not what I would call a good movie. Do not

interpret that the wrong way. I enjoyed watching it very much, and I have found myself quoting lines from it for days afterward. It just didn't have the substance that movie needs for me to classify it as good.

Will Ferell was great as Buddy the Elf. While I watched this movie I found myself wishing I could be as carefree and innocent as the character Buddy is in this movie. Granted he didn't know any better, but that's part of the humor. I think everyone wishes they could be more like Buddy to a degree, and that's what

makes this movie so charming.

The length of this movie was rather short, but that's probably a good thing.

Charming and cute though this movie was, any longer than 95 minutes and I

would've made up an excuse to leave.

Overall I think it might become a Christmas classic, but maybe not one to watch every year.

7 out of 10 stars

I love this movie. I love the Muppets. I also love classic literature. It doesn't exactly sound like a match made in heaven, but it works. I'm not really sure how it works, but it does. The Muppets bring another element to an already

entertaining story. Comedy of course. Also a couple of song and dance

numbers, which are catchy but unfortunately also tend to get stuck in one's

head.

*Spoilers begin here* The story is narrated by The Muppet Gonzo (played by

Dave Goelz) and his friend Rizzo the Rat (Steve Whitmire). They follow

Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine) throughout the film. To the past, through the present and into the future. They keep the film moving along when the action

slows down along with other Muppet characters. The other Muppets in this movie play a variety of roles. Kermit the Frog (Steve Whitmire) plays Bob Cratchit. Miss Piggy (Frank Oz) plays Mrs. Cratchit, and

Kermit's nephew Robin (Jerry Nelson) plays Tiny Tim.

Other Muppet cameos include Fozzie (Frank Oz), Waldorf (Dave Goelz) and

Slater (Jerry Nelson), Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (David Goelz) and Beaker(Steve

Whitmire), and many more. Even The Sweedish Chef (David Rudman) makes

an appearance.

I dare anyone to watch this film without chuckling, or singing.

7.5 out of 10 stars.

Okay, so this movie is not an amazing film, nor is it deep. However it is most definitely enjoyable. Normally slapstick is not my favorite type of comedy, but it seems to work really well especially in the severity of the many situations the crew of "The Pilgrim" (the first manned mission to Mars) finds themselves in.

The Pilgrim's crew is not your standard NASA crew to space. Well two members

of the crew are, the third member of the crew computer geek Fred Randall

(Harland Williams) found his way on to the crew by only knowledge of the

computer system, and the only man not to be injured during astronaut training. The fourth member is a chimpanzee named Ulysses (Raven), who starts a chain

of events (beginning with getting into the wrong suspended animation chamber) that gets Fred into to trouble with the jealous and high-strung Commander

Overbeck (William Sadler), and making him look rather stupid in front of his

crush Julie Ford (Jessica Lundy).

Despite Fred's antics, and mishaps the mission and movie ends well, as Fred

says: "It's tale as old as time Ulysses. Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl. Boy and girl return to home planet, get a nice little house with a white picket fence."

Well I probably shouldn't have paid full price to see this movie. Maybe I should have waited to rent it when it came out on video. In fact I really should have done that. But I did see it and sat through over an hour and a half of exactly what the MPAA says this movie is filled with crude and sex-related humor, language and drug references. I found myself wishing I was watching the movie that

Dickie Roberts (David Spade) was trying to audition for.

The high points of the movie were the kids, the real kids, not all the child-stars that had a cameo. It also ended well, but somehow I figured it would. All in all it was entertaining, but I wouldn't see it again unless I have to, and I definitely am not spending my money on it again.

4/10 *'s

This movie was not the greatest movie I've ever seen, but I did enjoyed far more than I thought I would. Most of the story is true the book of the same name by E.B. White. Except of course for the song & dance numbers (which were terribly annoying and for the most part unessecary) and a couple of characters were

also not in the book (the talking squirrels are a few).

The Trumpet Of the Swan would be best enjoyed by children ages 3-10, beyond

that the movie seems hokie.

4 out of 10 stars.

I'm not the biggest fan of action/adventure films. Also the fact that it's based on a ride is rather strange. I went to this movie mostly because my friends wanted to see it, and I was blown away. Not only is the acting great, the fight scenes and special effects amazing, but it's has funny and has a great story line.

Another surprise for me was what an excellent job Johnny Depp did. I am not

usually a Johnny Depp fan, but I think he was absolutely perfect for the part of Captain Jack Sparrow. I don't think anyone could've done better. And since the movie was based on the ride, for those who haven't yet seen the movie but have been on the ride at one of the Disney parks, keep your eyes peeled for the

recreations of the ride in the movie.

8 out of 10 stars

I turned the T.V. on one day and this movie was starting. I had no idea what it was about, but I had nothing better to do so I watched it and within the first five minutes I was drawn in.

The basic plot has been done before (but without the hockey I think) , but I've never seen it done in a setting where the time period is more recent. The film was about a failing devil in training named Griffelkin (Will Friedle) from well, you can guess who has to gather more souls in order to pass his training. He finds a somewhat power-hungry pro hockey player Dave Heinrich (Matthew Lawrence)

who in an effort to secure the Stanley Cup for his team (the Devils of course) sells his soul to Griffelkin. Problems soon arise though as Griffelkin's project is sabotaged by his supervisor Ms. Beezlebub (Rhea Perlman) who causes Dave

to be traded to a less talented hockey team (the Angels). In order for Griffelkin to pass Dave must still win the cup, even with the less then fabulous players from The Angels.

It wasn't a great film, but fun to watch. I thought Will Friedle was hilarious in this movie, and acted well alongside Matthew Lawrence. The plot although

predictable and with a classic happy ending was still enjoyable to watch.

I must say I was quite surprised by this movie. I was not expecting anything of it, but I found it wildly enchanting.

Full of wonderful characters and adventures, and of course fairy tales this is a movie that someone of any age will enjoy.

*Possible Spoiler* Girls between the ages of 6-10 will probably get the most out of this show, and why not? It's every little girl's fantasy (for some reason) to hang out with horses. All the time. Which is what the girls on the show do.

However for boys, and anyone over the age of 10, maybe 11 this show will come off as a thin, boring, waste of 30 minutes.

The first time a saw this show I didn't enjoy it. I found the comedy predictable and slapstick, the plot shallow and predictable types of things I don't usually enjoy in a show or movie.

However I began watching it by glancing over my shoulder while on the

computer then completely turning around at the computer desk and finally sitting on the couch and enjoying the show.

It took me awhile but I realized that in order to enjoy the show I have view for what it is, shallow and predictable. As long as I don't expect the same kind of humor that comes from other shows that I enjoy without having to try to laugh at it I can have fun watching it.

What really made me turn around at the computer desk was the character

Chelsea who is Raven's best friend on the show.

Her comical lines and timing are often shadowed by Raven's obvious humor

that at first when Chelsea said something funny it took me by complete surprise and I practically fell over laughing.

Don't expect great things from this show, and don't search for a deeper meaning for as far as I know there isn't one. If there are no preconceived expectations this show can be enjoyable.

This film surprised me. I was just going to see it to take my minds off of life in general. To just sit there and wait for it to end. Instead I found myself watching it with as much interest and enthusiasm as my favorite movies or television series. The plot was simple and fairly predictable but nevertheless fun to watch.

The only thing I did not enjoy was the run-on joke "the wedgie dance". Once was funny, twice was okay, but working it into every shot that involved Donnie and a dung beetle was excessive.

Overall just a fun movie to watch, and not to think about in great detail.