3 Razors

The Tale of Despereaux

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Tale of Despereaux
  • IMDB: link

If Dumbo were a mouse he might look like Despereaux.  Adapted from the Newberry Award winning children’s book by Kate DiCamillo our little hero, the bravest mouse in the world, takes a bit of a light-hearted and bloodless (don’t expect to see in mouse tails cut off here) jump to the big screen.  The result is a so-so movie which hints and teases at more than the animated action-adventure we receive, but never delivers.

“Reader, you must know that an interesting fate awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.”

There is a skill to adapting a book into a movie.  The rise and fall of action in a series of chapters often doesn’t translate directly to screen and the necessary beats of a feature film.

The Tale of Despereaux isn’t a bad film.  It’s got an all-star cast, sharp animation, and a lovable protagonist.  It also has too many characters, a convoluted plot, and a less than satisfying ending.

It’s 20+ minutes into the film before we even meet young Despereaux (Matthew Broderick), a small mouse with a big heart who takes instantly the notion of chivalry.  Despereaux doesn’t fit into a society that wants mice to cower and run; he dreams of adventure, and even doodles drawings of cats.

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Cadillac Records (Official Soundtrack)

/ / Music News & Reviews
  • Title: Cadillac Records (Official Soundtrack)

The new film Cadillac Records is based on real events of the music scene in the 1950’s and 60’s involving the influential Chicago label Chess Records.  Hitting stores just days before the film, the soundtrack is available in both as single-disc and a deluxe two-disc version.

Included on both are Beyonce singing “At Last,” “Once in a Lifetime,” and “I’d Rather Go Blind” (the first of which is by far the best of the three recordings).  Jeffrey Wright belts out “I’m a Man” and “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man,” and Mos Def sings “Nadine” and let’s us know there’s “No Particular Place to Go.”  Rounding out the collection are “6 O’Clock Blues” sung by Solange, Columbus Short singing “My Babe,” and “The Sound” by Mary Mary.

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Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
  • IMDB: link

“Hurry up before we all come to our senses.”

More.  That’s the simple explanation to what you get with the new sequel to Madagascar – more lions, more zebras, more giraffes, and more hippos.  More of those crazy penguins and more zany adventures.

An attempt to fly back to New York in a plane rebuilt by the penguins (Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Conrad Vernon) gets the gang off the island of Madagascar, but soon crashes them into the nearby continent of Africa.

There’s much happening here including Alex (Ben Stiller) reuniting with his long lost mother (Sherri Shepherd) and father (Bernie Mac), the mechanations of a lion (Alec Baldwin) who wants to be King of the jungle, Marty (Chris Rock) finally living out his dream as part of a herd, the penguins attempt to rebuild the plane with the help of some local grease monkeys, the return of that mean old granny (Elisa Gabrielli), and Melman (David Schwimmer) dealing with feelings for Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith).

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Kevin Smith Makes a Porno

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Zack and Miri Make a Porno
  • IMDB: link

“Sometimes you need someone else to show you the things you can’t see.”

The latest from writer/director Kevin Smith focuses on two lifelong friends and roommates who find themselves under a mountain of debt with no money to pay off rising expenses.

Out of other, more conventional, options Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) decide to make a porno together in hopes of raising enough money to get their water and heat turned back on.

Those familiar with Smith’s films will feel right at home here with the vulgar humor tinged with some sweetness.  There’s also some Star Wars references thrown in, and I would like to know what George Lucas thought of Zack and Miri’s first porno idea.

You’ll also notice some staples of the View Askew universe in small roles including Jason Mewes, Jennifer Schwalbach, and Jeff Anderson as those who chip in to help on the film.

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Changeling

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Changeling
  • IMDB: link

“Miss Collins, if that’s your son I’ll eat my yardstick.”

Based on a true story the film, set in Los Angeles of the 1920’s, tells the tale of Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) and her missing son.

When the police reunite her with who they believe to be her son Collins quickly finds plenty of evidence to support her own feelings that this boy is not Walter.  Attempts to get the police to acknowledge their mistakes fall on deaf ears and eventually Collins is thrown into an asylum for her “irrational” behavior.  Cue the inevitable electro-shock scene.

Director Clint Eastwood gives us a terrific looking picture filled with crazy and bizarre events.  However the film’s mood is never quite right and many of the disturbing events, such as the inane explanations in the change of Walter by the officer in charge (Jeffrey Donovan) and a doctor (Peter Gerety), come off silly rather than menacing.

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