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The Garfield Movie (2024)
Garfield: "My movie was okay"
"The Garfield Movie" is the latest animated endeavor lead by Chris Pratt, an actor known for playing live-action films. Pratt's most recent escapade into the cartoon realm and his first time playing an obese cat released through limited showings on Thursday, May 23, and formally launched in theaters the next day. "The Garfield Movie" is exactly what it says on the tin. It is a movie about Cartoonist Jim Davis' newspaper comic icon, Garfield the orange tabby cat.
My knowledge of the Monday-hating feline is limited; however, from what I have gathered from aficionados of the beloved comic, Garfield's biological father is rarely, if ever, shown. Usually, Garfield's mother is depicted as his absent parent. Instead, the writing team behind "The Garfield Movie" and Director Mark Dindal decided to have Vic, Garfield's father voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, be the truant paternal figure. Admittedly, it is a timely decision, given that the film released in theaters about a month prior to Father's Day.
My initial, out-of-theater thought of "The Garfield Movie" was that it is a Five Below version of "Toy Story 3." The movie isn't necessarily bad: it just exists. Dindal's film doesn't feel cheaply made, but it definitely is not polished, either.
I made the comparison to "Toy Story 3" because "The Garfield Movie" implements similar perilous situations and uses music found in the 2010 Pixar film. Do you remember the highly emotional incinerator scene from the third "Toy Story" installment? Well, "The Garfield Movie" also has one, barring the intense stakes and build-up. It does have a giant slice of cheese, though.
There were some moments in the film that pulled me out for a second. Some decisions specific characters made in the film felt foolish in one scene but were quickly rectified a few minutes later. The climax of the movie felt a bit shoe-horned, as a result.
"The Garfield Movie" was actually fairly comedic. Most of the humor wasn't even bottom-of-the-barrel content, rather somewhat thought-out and clever. I noticed that, when Jon was reading "The Great Gatsby," the eyes on the cover were adapted to fit the film's animation style. "Catflix," a feline version of the iconic streaming service, also got a laugh out of me.
The animation is good, but not great. I don't like how close together the characters' eyes are, especially on the felines. The animators made an attempt to make the design look decent by having a recessed line between every character's eye, but it works to varying levels of success. The art design of the flashback scenes was especially eye-catching, particularly during the sequence where Ving Rhames' "Otto" was explaining the plan to break into Lactose Farms.
"The Garfield Movie" failed the Bechdel Test. Not necessarily a positive nor a negative, but it is important to point out that there were very few female characters in the movie. Beyond the security guard and Jinx, what other notable female characters were there? I'm fairly certain Dindal's film failed all three points used to satisfy the Bechdel Test. Oh, well.
Chris Pratt wasn't nearly as distracting in this film as in "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." It is a funny coincidence that both animated movies that star Pratt have the word "movie" conclude the film's title. I digress, I prefer Pratt's performance in "The Garfield Movie" than in the 2023 blockbuster smash because Mario's voice in the video games is extremely recognizable. It felt as if Pratt didn't even try to replicate Mario's iconic cadence. In "The Garfield Movie," it sounded as though Pratt tried to sound more Italian. It's interesting how the "Guardians of the Galaxy" star sounded so energetic whilst portraying a very mellow character.
Apparently Snoop Dogg played a character named "Snoop Cat" in this film? He probably had a lot of catnip prior to voicing his feline role.
Overall, while "The Garfield Movie" didn't blow me away, I did find it quirky and at least somewhat lively. It has its issues, but nothing too major. I give this movie a 6.5/10 rating.
Inside (2023)
I've never felt more bored at the movies
This film is literally just Willem Dafoe pacing around in a swanky penthouse, admiring the pretty janitorial staff lady who is definitely less than half his age, and attempting to uninstall a light in the ceiling. If you've ever wondered how many Willem Dafoes it takes to unscrew a light bulb, the answer is one highly boozed, socially isolated Willem Dafoe. This film does not receive a 1/10 purely because of Dafoe's incredible acting, but seriously he is one of few enjoyable aspects. Some of the camera shots are clever, but have been done before; one shot I liked especially was when Dafoe was moving a table and the camera bobbed along with his movements. Again, I would not suggest seeing this film purely for these factors, because the rest of "Inside" made me wish I was outside touching grass. You know a movie is disappointing when the only other two people who did not walk out of the theater (yes, there was one couple who left halfway through and never returned) turned around and say, "this is the worst movie I have ever watched."
This movie is, regretfully, not Zander Doring approved.
Minority Report (2002)
Minority Report-science fiction complexity thrives
"Minority Report" is a film that I have always recognized from its title, yet never had the urge to watch it. After seeing it, I can easily say that I regret stalling my watching experience for "Minority Report" for so long. An indulgent treat from start to finish, renown directory Steven Spielberg managed to concoct a memorable science fiction work that also achieved so many aspects of film that are typically difficult to master with ease. With an incredibly talented cast that is a pervasive positive mainly by the outstanding chemistry between Tom Cruise and Collin Farrel, to the vast and interesting lineup of locations that all have their own, unique significances to the story, to Spielberg's astonishing proficiency to subvert expectations, "Minority Report" truly does craft a prosperous adventure for any audience member effortlessly. For these reasons, "Minority Report" is deserving of a 10/10 score and an overall A+ grade.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Does it Hold Up to my Past Opinions?
Back in the second grade nearly a decade ago, I held 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' to a high regard; in fact, it was formerly my favorite movie. Having watched it on Netflix recently, I've came to the conclusion that, unfortunately, it does not still hold up for me. Yes it is still an incredible movie full of intense fight sequences (and endearing in today's standards of big blockbuster brawls), great characters, and fun world-building. However, the tone of the story is very jagged and wonky. I feel as though that it struggles on if it wants to be a kid's movie, or be appealed to a more mature demographic. However, that flaw does not detract the film severely, and I will ultimately give this classic a B- rating.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
A High School Movie That is Truly Infinite
This film recently was added to Netflix and, out of sheer curiosity and wonder about the movie and its source material in general, I decided to dive completely into Charlie's evolution from a timid, introverted freshman to a fictional character who is truly infinite. Prior to watching the film adaptation of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", I read the book first and was genuinely impressed by the mature themes and constantly-developing characters. Mental illness, suicide, sexual abuse, drugs, and alcohol- these are aspects of a story that can easily be warped for a sentimental theme with minimalistic and sincere regard to these societal concerns, yet they are implemented into the story to display that, while one may be climbing the summit of their high school career, there are always going to be boundaries and challenges that he/she would have to endure. In the story in particular, these aspects are used to show how, despite Charlie becoming more involved with society and finally overcoming the grief of his best friend's suicide the previous summer, there are still these obstacles for him to conquer. The pinnacle of this battle that he is fighting in occurs in the book's conclusion, where he attempts to slit his wrists and kill himself so that he can visit his best friend and Aunt, who he believed that he unintentionally killed when she promised to get her nephew a second Christmas gift and died on the road when she collided with another vehicle. These themes are dark and grotesque, and contribute to the story with no imperfection by making the audience care about these evolving characters like Charlie, Sam , and Patrick. The movie does an even more excellent job by replicating the source material and making it a visual spectacle of these character studies. The story is never unrealistic; just real, and moving, and touching. I'd recommend this movie (and book) to anyone, and would give it a 9/10 overall.