Meet the Robinsons

"None may enter lest they speak the royal password!"
"Carl, what are you talking about? We don't have a password."
"Yes we do, I made one up while you were gone."

Lewis (Fry and Hansen) is an unlucky kid. Left on the front porch of the local orphanage as a baby all he wants is a family, but his genius gets in the way. Lewis is an inventor, but his inventions always end badly (like in explosions). He comes up with his best idea yet for the school science fair, but his design is stole by the Bowler Hat Guy (Anderson) and a boy named Wilbur (Singerman) takes him to the future. After crashing Wilbur's time machine Lewis meets the rest of the crazy Robinson clan. Together they must stop the Bowler Hat Guy and his hat Doris (Sandler) and his assorted minions, including Tiny (Joe Mateo) the dinosaur.

The Robinson family: the henpecked Uncle Fritz and his cranky puppet wife Aunt Petunia. Their children are Laszlo and Tallulah, who wears a skyscraper hat. Uncle Joe works out, and his wife is Aunt Billie. Lefty, the octopus, is the butler. Spike and Dimitri are twins, and they live in the flowerpots outside the front door, but no one knows who they are related to. Carl is a robot. Grandpa Bud likes to wear his clothing backwards and loses his teeth, and his wife is Grandma Lucille. Cornelius is Wilbur's dad, and he looks like Tom Selleck (which is a joke because Cornelius is voiced by Selleck) and his wife is Franny who has a band of singing frogs fronted by Frankie. Franny's has two brothers, Uncle Gaston who has a thing for cannons and Uncle Art who has a mission: to deliver pizza all over the galaxy. Meeting the whole family is a blast.


I enjoy Disney movies. That being said I really enjoyed this film. Based on the children's book "A Day with Wilbur Robinson" by William Joyce, this is a funny story. The Robinsons are a crazy family, unpredictable but still loving. And when push comes to shove, they are there for each other. Most disfunctional family films show that, but at the end when it gets all sentimental. The Robinsons display that from the beginning and in their immediate acceptance of Lewis. The Bowler Hat Guy is the ultimate clueless villain, and his minions are hysterical: "I have a big head and little arms." The trailers for the film looked entertaining, but the film itself is even funnier. There are subtle details inserted within the film, and it is the kind of film that older audiences will enjoy (a Disney computer animated film without a farting joke...oh my!). It isn't what I thought, but I think thats a good thing. Besides that, the animation is good, and the story is uplifting: don't worry about the past, focus on the future. If this is the quality of future Disney films, then bring on the future!!

Dude, it's quotable: there are many laugh-out-loud moments and it is fun to figure out the story as it unfolds
Rent it!: it's fun for the whole family!

Meet the Robinsons (2007) 95 minutes
Director: Stephen J. Anderson
Starring: Jordan Fry / Daniel Hansen as Lewis
Wesley Singerman as Wilbur Robinson
Aurian Redson as Frankie the Frog,
Don Hall as Uncle Gaston
Ethan Sandler as Doris, Uncle Fritz, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Dimitri, Uncle Spike, Cousin Laszlo
Harland Williams as Carl
Kelly Hoover as Aunt Billie
Adam West as Uncle Art
Laurie Metcalf as Lucille Krunklehorn
Matthew Josten as Goob
Nicole Sullivan as Franny Robinson
Steve Anderson as Bowler Hat Guy, Grandpa Bud, Cousin Tallulah

Silent Movie

"Don't you know slapstick is dead?"

With a name like Big Studio, you expect big things, and it doesn't disappoint, with a tagline "If it's a big picture we've made it." However Big Studio is in trouble. The head of the studio, Studio Chief (Caesar) needs a big hit or he risks losing the studio to Engulf and Devour. E&D (Gould and Carey respectively) are a big company that is in the process of overtaking other corporations, but they really really want Big Studio.

Helping Studio Chief avoid a heart attack and able to keep the studio, is has-been director Mel Funn (Brooks). Funn and cohorts Eggs (Feldman) and Bell (DeLuise) want to make a silent film, "Gee boss I don't think the studio will go for a silent movie in this day and age!" It's a tough sell, but Funn manages to convice S.C. that they will get big stars in the film and it will be a smash. So the crazy three begin their quest for stars... Telling anything else just wouldn't be fair.


As the title suggests this is a silent film, full of slapstick (like the quote says). There is one spoken word, by the least likely person to speak. Several stars have cameos in the film, they play caricatures of themselves and seem to be enjoying themselves. I don't think this film could have commercial success now, but it is an entertaining film. There are title pages with dialog, but most of the fun is reading the actors lips, because the cards usually have a toned down version of what the character actually said. The majority of the film is sight gags, since this is a silent film. However not all of the jokes work. The ending battle is amazing, and so is the setup earlier in the film, but there are some running jokes that aren't quite as funny (like driving past the tailor and acupuncture stores). So not the best Brooks film, but it is better than most!

--: very funny. Watch carefully or you'll miss something (like the title card)
Rent it: maybe silent movies aren't your thing, but give it a try...I doubt this will be tried again.


Silent Movie (1976) 87 minutes
Director: Mel Brooks
Starring: Mel Brooks as Mel Funn
Marty Feldman as Marty Eggs
Dom DeLuise as Dom Bell
Sid Caesar as Studio Chief
Harold Gould as Engulf
Ron Carey as Devour

Disturbia

"Do you think he sees us?"
"No, he can't see us. But trust me, he can feel us watching."

I was just talking to my dad about this film. If I may take some time out and stand on my film soapbox... I don 't know how to classifying this film. Is it horror? Is it suspense? Honestly while it may technically be a horror film, I don't think I would describe it that way because "horror films" conjure images of intense violence/gore. What happened to classic horror, like the monster films of the 30's? Now horror is confined to "how much blood and hacking of limbs can you handle and how much can we 'shock' you" films like "Saw" (which I haven't seen...and don't want to see). It's sad that film has become this... So in the long run I would consider this a suspense film....Deep breath....and now to review.

Kale (LaBeouf) is a troubled teen. On the ride home from fishing with dad (Matt Craven) there is a horrible wreck, and dad is killed (yes, you see it, and yes, it's shocking). Jump to a year later, Kale is in trouble. He punches a teacher and is sentenced to 3 months of house arrest. At first things go well...eat junk, play video games, watch tv, etc. But when mom (Moss) pulls the plug, he has to find other ways to keep busy. Like Jimmy Stewart's Jeffries, in "Rear Window," Kale turns to watching his neighbors, especially the hottie next door, Ashley (Roemer). While he and friend Ronnie (Yoo) enjoy watching Ashley in the pool, they also notice similarities between the other neighbor Robert Turner (Morse) and a serial rapist. Are they just bored, or is something going on? Will they exact revenge on the evil neighbor boys who put crap on Kale's porch?


I didn't think this film would be watchable...taking on Hitch, not always a wise idea...however, it was still entertaining. Some scenes had humor and you really want Kale to triumph. My one major issue is, where are the characters? This is supposed to be a modern "Rear Window," but where are the funny neighbors? All "Disturbia" gives us is a few little boys with a fascination with porn...it's just sad. Where are the quirky neighbors, the Miss Lonley Heart, the other random neighbors?? There were some good touches, it wasn't quite Hitch, but maybe that was the point.

Rent it: you really have to watch, I had to rewind a few times to catch the little important details.
--: I don't know how many great quotes there are...but there is a definite entertainment quality

Disturbia (2007) 105 minutes
Rating: PG-13 on appeal for sequences of terror and violence, and some sensuality
Director: D.J. Caruso
Starring: Shia LaBeouf as Kale Brecht
Sarah Roemer as Ashley Carlson
Carrie-Anne Moss as Julie Brecht
David Morse as Robert Turner
Aaron Yoo as Ronnie

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

"If you're going to become true dodgeballers, then you've got to learn the five d's of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge!"

You know the story...a bunch of sad sacks, with questionable self-esteem, lack of personal hygiene, play some kind of sport. The team sucks...and then they get a new coach and totally rock the game....well forget that.

Average Joe's gym is a whole in the ground. None of the questionable members have paid their dues in a few months and neighboring fitness guru White Goodman (Stiller) wants to bulldoze the gym to make a parking lot for his patrons. He hires Kate (Taylor) to go through the Joe's financial situation. Owner Peter LaFleur (Vaughn) knows his gym is in trouble and annouces to his miscreant crew: high school loser Justin (Long), nerdy Gordon (Root), awkward Owen (Moore), Dwight (Williams), and the pirate named Steve (Tudyk), that the gym is closing. Unwilling to let the gym go, they learn about a Dodgeball competition that has a monetary reward. They borrow training videos from the high school where they learn about Dodgeball (see above quote).


After talking Kate into joining the team they enter the National Dodgeball competition, and even manage to get dodgeball legend Patches O'Houlihan (Torn) to coach them. But unfortunately for them, Goodman's Globo Gym enters the competition as well, with more muscle and attitude than the Joe's have in a single pinky. Who will win? Who will find love? Will those girl scouts wipe the floor with the Joes?


The first time I saw this I wasn't impressed: yes, I laughed, but it didn't seem like much. This isn't the typical sports film, as I described at the beginning. It isn't a classic underdog story or even a classic...but you can completely relate. Remember playing dodgeball in school? Overall the characters are relate-able (well except White and cohorts, but this is a Ben Stiller movie...you expect over the top performances) and while it may not be the great triumph of good and evil, it is still an entertaining story.

Dude, it's quotable: now I've only seen it on TV when they cut things out, but there are some fascinating lines. And check out the fascinating cameos.
Rent it: or follow my example and wait till it hits cable next

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004) 92 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for rude and sexual humor, and language.
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring: Vince Vaughn as Peter LaFleur
Christine Taylor as Kate Veatch
Ben Stiller as White Goodman
Rip Torn as Patches O'Houlihan
Justin Long as Justin
Stephen Root as Gordon
Joel Moore as Owen
Chris Williams as Dwight
Alan Tudyk as Steve the Pirate
Missi Pyle as Fran
Jamal Duff as Me'Shell
Gary Cole as Cotton McKnight
Jason Bateman as Pepper Brooks

High Anxiety

"What's your sign?"
"I'm sorry. It's... unlisted."

Dr. Richard Thorndyke (Brooks) is very nervous. He has high anxiety: a crippling fear of heights, which makes the opening plane ride and walk through the airport incredibly intense. This intensity is heightened through the camera work and music. Exiting the airport he remarks, "what a dramatic airport", and this is only the first few minutes. At the airport he is picked up by his driver/self-proclaimed side-kick Brophy (Carey) who has difficulties with easy tasks, such as lifting Dr. Thorndyke's trunk "I got it, I got it, I got it...I don't got it". Dr. Thorndyke is the new head of the Institute for Very, Very Nervous. The last head died under mysterious conditions. At the Institute he is met by the Nazi-esque Nurse Diesel (Leachman) who rules with an iron fist, and iron corset, and Dr. Montague (Korman) the highest ranking doctor in the institute. Things aren't what they appear at the Institute and when another doctor (Van Patten) turns up dead, he is sent away to a convention. At the convention Thorndyke meets icy blonde Victoria (Kahn) who has a tie to the Institute that someone wants to erase. Will they survive? Will Thorndyke survive his high anxiety? Will Nurse Diesel lighten up?


Why? Thats all I have to ask. I like Hitchcock and I like Brooks, so you'd think I would enjoy this film, but it just doesn't work. If you aren't familiar with Hitchcock you probably won't get some of the jokes, or things meant as jokes...but you could probably still find some enjoyment. References to Hitch:
-a psychiatrist with own psyche problems: "Suspicion" (Hitch is better)
-bird chase: "The Birds" (Brooks is funnier)
-shower scene: "Psycho" (both memorable, but for different reasons)
-the direction North by Northwest, and the airport: North by Northwest (Hitch)
-tower scene, Golden Gate Bridge, fear of heights (Hitch)
-according to imdb.com there are more, but I didn't catch any of them

Overall there are funny moments, like Kahn's camouflage outfit (her outfit blends into her car and other objects, but not nature) and the symphony orchestra in the bus (playing dramatic music), but they are few and far between. Apparently Hitch enjoyed it, but it isn't Brooks finest hour.

--: it's alright, but not great. Too many of the jokes are recycled from other Brooks films or used too many times within this film for it to be entirely good
--: I like old Hitch better...but the unwashed masses seem to enjoy his later stuff more, so who knows.

High Anxiety (1977) 94 minutes
Director: Mel Brooks
Starring: Mel Brooks as Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke
Madeline Kahn as Victoria Brisbane
Cloris Leachman as Nurse Diesel
Harvey Korman as Dr. Charles Montague
Ron Carey as Brophy
Howard Morris as Professor Lilloman
Dick Van Patten as Dr. Phillip Wentworth

To Be or Not to Be

"If it wasn't for Jews, fags, and gypsies, there would be no theater."

Poland 1939. Germany is poised and ready to take control of Poland, but the company of actors at the Bronski Theatre in Warsaw are not worried. They are too busy doing a show. Frederick (Brooks) is a well-known actor, "He's world-famous in Poland!", with an ego to match. He even puts his wifes name in smaller print...at the bottom...in parenthesis. He loves to do highlights from Hamlet, however he is not very good. Using that information to her advantage, his wife Anna (Bancroft) uses the time to kindle a romance with an ardent admirer, Lieutenant Andre Sobinski (Matheson). Every evening as Frederick begins his "To Be or Not to Be" speech, Lt. Sobinski gets up an crawls over everyone else (he is sitting in the middle of the row, towards the front), interrupting Fredericks concentration and making him mad...which makes his Hamlet good. Inevitably the Nazis choose to invade Poland immediately after one of these performances. Sobinski goes to England with his squadron and the Bronski company are left in turmoil.

Frederick and Anna are kicked out of their home to make the Gestapo headquarters. The company have restrictions placed on their acting: no gypsies, no mocking Germans, and no Jews/homosexuals (which eliminates many of their troupe). Professor Siletski (Ferrer) the voice of Polish freedom, turns out to be a German spy, who now has information about the Polish underground, which he will be giving to the head of the Gestapo, Col. Erhardt (Durning). Sobinski returns to Poland to help the Bronskis stop Siletski.


The plot is not as straightforward as it seems. There are many twists and turns, and when you think you've figured it out, something else happens to put the actors in deeper than ever. Brooks is always funny in bit parts in his film, but he manages to carry this film without a hitch. And as Bronski he gets to play many characters, most of them are high ranking Nazi officials. The supporting cast are hilarious, and many have appeared in other Brooks films. And it was nice to see Bancroft (Brooks wife) onscreen with Brooks. Its over the top, but hey that works here!

This is a remake of Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be or Not to Be.

Dude, it's quotable: there are lots of little comments that are memorable, but a good portion of the jokes work on a visual field
Rent it once: Brooks didn't write or direct this film, but I think it stands up better than some of his later works which have been seen more, despite not being the commercial success that many of his other films have been.

To Be Or Not to Be (1983) 107 minutes
Director: Alan Johnson
Starring: Mel Brooks as Frederick Bronski
Anne Bancroft as Anna Bronski
Tim Matheson as Lt. Andre Sobinski
Charles Durning as Col. Erhardt
Christopher Lloyd as Capt. Schultz
Jose Ferrer as Professor Siletski
Ronny Graham as Sondheim
Estelle Reiner as Gruba
Zale Kessler as Bieler
Jack Riley as Dobish
Lewis J. Stadlen as Lupinsky
George Gaynes as Ravitch
George Wyner as Ratkowski
James Haake as Sasha

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead

"We're actors! We're the opposite of people!"

Rosencrantz (Oldman) and Guildenstern (Roth) are confused. They cannot remember anything, including which is Rosencrantz and which is Guildenstern. Rosencrantz is fascinated by insignificant things, such as flipping a coin and trying to juggle. He doesn't want to figure out anything, he's having fun. Guildenstern on the other hand is very sensible and wants to think things through. On their way to their unknown destination, they run into a group of traveling thespians: the Tragedians. After being completely confused by their leader, The Player (Dreyfuss), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are transported from the Tragedian stage, to the interior of a castle. In this castle they are known by the King (Donald Sumpter) and Queen (Joanna Miles), who sent for them. They want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to talk to Prince Hamlet (yes, that Hamlet) and find out what is wrong with him.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can't remember anything...they must figure out who they are, how they know Hamlet, what is wrong with him, and how to get home. Their progress is continually interrupted by the Tragedians who have come to castle to entertain the royals.


This is the story of Shakespeare's Hamlet, told through the eyes of two of it's tragic characters (obviously they die, so I'm not ruining anything by saying that...honestly, who doesn't die in a Shakespeare tragedy?). Adapted from the play with the same name, R&G are Dead is a fun look at Hamlet, however to truly appreciate this film (or the play) it is necessary to have a decent understanding/memory of Hamlet. While R&G are present for a good portion of the play, and the Tragedians act out other scenes, R&G do not know the whole story. They eavesdrop on some conversations, they miss the overall gist of the story. Ironically, throughout the film pages from the script of Hamlet fall to the ground, but instead of reading ahead, they ignore the paper or turn it into paper airplanes. The Tragedians attempt to explain the future as well, but R&G are not paying attention, or quick enough to understand the truth.

Roth is convincing as the thinker and does a good job arguing his point, but Oldman is more entertaining to watch in his confusion. Their exchanges are fast paced, so pay attention or you'll fall behind and miss something important. Their games of "Questions" are funny, especially when they don't understand each other. While both men are talented and do an excellent job, Dreyfuss steals the show. He gets to be an actor, playing an actor, playing an actor (think about that one for a bit). It's over the top, but still within your grasp...he is merciless and yet helpful...a great paradox.

--: Shakespeare lovers, rent it...Shakespeare haters, why would you even pick up a film that involves these two characters? (plus it talks about Shakespeare in any description of the film)
Dude, it's quotable: try playing Questions, or just quoting the Questions section.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead (1990) 117 minutes
Director: Tom Stoppard
Starring: Gary Oldman as Rosencrantz
Tim Roth as Guildenstern
Richard Dreyfuss as The Player