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CollectionsAs a huge fan of animated films, I actually really enjoyed this film, same with the rest of my family, and this is coming from someone who has no knowledge of the book really. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is funny and imaginative with a lot going for it.
The animation itself is absolutely incredible. The colours are superb, the backgrounds are lush and the characters are well-modelled. The best of the visuals is the one with the spaghetti tornado, utterly jaw-dropping in every sense of the word. The score is quirky and fun, with a nice end credits song, while the story is very original and imaginative. The script is another strength, so many funny moments without feeling too much.
The voice acting is wonderful, bringing to life characters that are appealing, charming and quirky. Bill Hader does a great job as the eccentric Flint, while Anna Farris is wonderful as bubbly Sam. James Caan is good also as Flint's father and Bruce Campbell is a great surprise as the mayor who swells as a consequence of eating the falling food. My only complaints are the pacing;some scenes felt rushed so we weren't given as much time as we would've liked to breathe while some towards the end dragged, and the repetition of "I love you son" and such got a tad too mushy. Overall, this film is very good and enjoyable. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Funny and imaginative with incredible visuals
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 20 March 2022 01:11
(A review of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)
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Madagascar review
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 20 March 2022 01:06
(A review of Madagascar)I did find Madagascar fun, entertaining and enjoyable. I do agree, that the script was a tad weak at times. While very funny in places, it was not so funny in others, probably to do with the pop culture references, that children won't understand. I liked the idea of the plot, but it is fair to say, that it isn't exactly what I can call action-packed; it does start off a little slow. But the last half once we are introduced to the jungle creatures picks up the pace. However, there are many redeeming qualities, the animation is lovely with colourful backgrounds and good character animation. The soundtrack is very good too, and so is the voice acting, who made the most of the questionable material they were given. Jada Pinkett Smith is given little to do, but Chris Rock and Ben Stiller seem to be having great fun as Marty and Alex. David Schimmer has his moments as Melmann. Though my favourite characters were the four penguins, they were so cute and funny. And the jungle creatures, voiced by Cedric the Entertainer and Sacha Boren Cohen were a hoot. All in all, above average, could have done with a more tightly structured story and a (little) funnier script, but it is likable and entertaining. 7/10 Bethany Cox
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Bolt review
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 20 March 2022 12:56
(A review of Bolt)I have been a big Disney fan all my life. After quite a solid Renaissance, with only Hercules and Pocahontas lacking that extra Disney magic, the Disney movies of the 00s have been mixed. Emperor's New Groove and Lilo and Stitch were great, on the other hand Home on the Range and Chicken Little were forced, predictable and forgettable.
Bolt did have me interested, but I wasn't as enthused with the initial casting of Miley Cyrus, who I can't stand. Actually in the movie, she does okay and her character is quite cute.
While it is far from amazing and far from a Disney classic like Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, The Lion King, Bambi and Sleeping Beauty, Bolt is one of the better Disney movies of the 00s. It does have its rushed and predictable spots, especially with the ending, and the human characters excepting Penny aren't as appealing and aren't given as much attention to detail as they ought to have done.
But what does compensate are some stunning animation with excellent character design, amazing colours and beautiful background art, a rousing soundtrack, a fast-paced and heart-warming story overall and witty scripting. The voice work is top notch, while John Travolta is suitably eloquent as the title character the real plaudits go to Susie Essman as the best character of the movie Mittens and Malcolm McDowell as Dr.Calico.
In conclusion, a surprisingly enjoyable family movie and one of the better Disney efforts to come out so far in this millennium. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox
Bolt did have me interested, but I wasn't as enthused with the initial casting of Miley Cyrus, who I can't stand. Actually in the movie, she does okay and her character is quite cute.
While it is far from amazing and far from a Disney classic like Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio, The Lion King, Bambi and Sleeping Beauty, Bolt is one of the better Disney movies of the 00s. It does have its rushed and predictable spots, especially with the ending, and the human characters excepting Penny aren't as appealing and aren't given as much attention to detail as they ought to have done.
But what does compensate are some stunning animation with excellent character design, amazing colours and beautiful background art, a rousing soundtrack, a fast-paced and heart-warming story overall and witty scripting. The voice work is top notch, while John Travolta is suitably eloquent as the title character the real plaudits go to Susie Essman as the best character of the movie Mittens and Malcolm McDowell as Dr.Calico.
In conclusion, a surprisingly enjoyable family movie and one of the better Disney efforts to come out so far in this millennium. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox
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Rather bland and irritating
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 20 March 2022 12:46
(A review of Full House)Full House was a show that I loved as a kid and watched without fail whenever it was on. However, re-watching it as a 19 year old, the show now feels bland and irritating. The production values are decent enough and there are some good morals. On the other hand, the music in my opinion is forgettable at best, while the writing and jokes are forced and rather lame and the stories are predictable and so sugary sometimes it makes your teeth hurt with any problems solved all too easily. I don't now care for the characters either, excepting Kimmy and Stephanie perhaps, however Joey, Danny and Becky manage be both bland and annoying, but worst was Michelle. At the start she was cute, as she got older she got brattier and brattier, the Disneyland episode for example epitomises this. The acting suffers from a lack of genuine comic timing. Overall, loved it as a kid, but I just cannot forgive its irritations and blandness now. 1/10 Bethany Cox
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Very funny, with a very talented cast!
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 20 March 2022 12:37
(A review of Will & Grace)I don't think Will and Grace is quite as good as Frasier, but it is a great sitcom nonetheless. The writing is actually funny, though in Frasier, I can't count the number of times I've fallen off my chair laughing. Will and Grace does do that, but not all the time. The characters are memorable and engaging. Eric McCormack is great and perfectly nuanced as Will, who happens to be gay, yet he is best friends with a woman named Grace, played by Debra Messing. Both stars are great, but the most laughs goes to Megan Mullally as Karen, and Sean Hayes has his moments as Jack, who is a very weird character you are never too sure whether you love or hate him. There have also been guest stars like Minnie Driver, Tim Curry, Harry Connick Jnr, Bernadete Peters, Demi Moore, Alec Baldwin,Jack Black, Lesley Ann Warren and my favourite John Cleese as Lyle,who have brought a pleasing shine to the show. And actually the Las Vegas wedding episodes were actually the most memorable highlights of Season 6(of which I have the box set). In conclusion, a great comedy, a little in the shadow of Frasier, but well worth watching for entertainment value. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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Wonderful show, such a shame it was cancelled
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 20 March 2022 12:31
(A review of My Name Is Earl)When My Name is Earl first aired, it very quickly became one of my favourites. For a long time, it was to me one of the better and funnier shows airing on television, and I was really disappointed when it was cancelled. Jason Lee for starters is perfect as Earl, he is very funny and endearing all at once. All the other actors are engaging and have their chance to shine, but Lee was always the one to watch. My Name is Earl also had crisp production values, likable characters, interesting story lines and hilarious jokes and writing.
In conclusion, a wonderful show and for a long time was one of my favourites. That it was cancelled is a pity. 10/10 Bethany Cox
In conclusion, a wonderful show and for a long time was one of my favourites. That it was cancelled is a pity. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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A gem of a sitcom!
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 20 March 2022 12:28
(A review of Frasier)Another American sitcom I really like is Will and Grace. Both shows are really funny, but I like this show more. Kelsey Grammar, voice of Sideshow Bob in Simpsons and Vladmir in Anastasia is just superb as radio psychiatrist Frasier Crane, a man with his failures but has a heart that makes anyone warm to him. And he is surrounded by some truly talented comedy actors, especially David Hyde Pierce(who starred alongside Tim Curry in the fantastic stage musical Spamolot) as his brother Niles. I loved John Mahoney as the father, and Peri Gilpin as Roz. My favourites are Jane Leeves with her character's silly humour, and Moose(one talented animal) as Eddie, who got the most laughs as Martin Crane's staring dog. The script is intelligent, witty and cleverly-structured, and there is enough style and substance to make it memorable. And the song at the end is quite catchy. Although I am sad it ended in 2004, I am glad it got a decent ending. 10/10 for a gem on American television. Bethany Cox
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One of my favourite shows as a kid and still is
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 19 March 2022 06:15
(A review of X-Men: The Animated Series)I love everything about X Men. The animation is very detailed and atmospheric, and the character designs especially with Wolverine are quite sophisticated for the time. The action sequences, which never suspended disbelief and had some wondrous elements for kids and adults alike to savour, have a lot of fluidity in that regard. The music is wonderful as well, the intro is one of the coolest of any animated series of the 90s(and there were a lot) and the background scoring manages to be beautiful and haunting. The writing is intelligent, sometimes affecting and sometimes humorous, though any sense of conflicting emotions are equally convincing, while the story lines are daring and always interesting and the characters right from charismatic Wolverine, sexy Rogue to the appropriately antagonistic villains are very well-written and likable. The voice acting is always expressive and never felt stereotypical, bland or overdone. In conclusion, a superb series. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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A new generation well worth exploring
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 19 March 2022 04:31
(A review of Star Trek: The Next Generation)The original 'Star Trek' series had its flaws but was a ground-breaking and ahead of its time show with many things that made it hugely impressive. Expectations were high for 'The New Generation', with big shoes to fill but also worries as to how it would fare in correlation with the original show.
Good news is that 'The Next Generation' is a very worthy follow up, that will please fans of the original series and also stand very well on its own two feet. There are improvements here as well as a couple of weaknesses. It is agreed that Season 1 is iffy and sees the show struggling to settle, it was Season 3 when the show properly hit its stride. Even for a character meant to be annoying, Wil Wheaton is very annoying.
Production values however are a major improvement in 'The Next Generation' over the original series. The sets give more of a sense of awe and the special effects are slicker and more expansive. It is stylishly and beautifully shot too. The music has a lot of energy and atmosphere.
Writing is every bit as great as that of the original show. It is entertaining, intelligent, thought-provoking and rich in humanity. The stories, when the show hit its stride, are every bit as high in imagination and just as suspenseful, intriguing and fun. Not quite as ground-breaking as the original series but just as influential and with many of that show's strong points, and actually with a lesser amount of contrived and lacking-in-logic episodes.
Character interaction and development, in what is essentially a character-driven show, is one of 'The Next Generation's' best points and where the show particularly excels. Worf and Riker's relationship is particularly interesting, and Picard is just as memorable as Spock. Which is not an easy feat considering Spock's iconic status in the 'Star Trek' universe.
Acting is every bit as fine, with the role of Picard containing some of the best acting Patrick Stewart has ever given and he has always been a highly dependable actor. Likewise with Brent Spiner, and Jonathan Frakes proves to be just as good an actor as he is a director. Michael Dorn is also strong. Only Wheaton is lacking here, but there is no acting here that reaches overacting depths like William Shatner in the original series.
In summary, well worth exploring and just as good as the original series. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Good news is that 'The Next Generation' is a very worthy follow up, that will please fans of the original series and also stand very well on its own two feet. There are improvements here as well as a couple of weaknesses. It is agreed that Season 1 is iffy and sees the show struggling to settle, it was Season 3 when the show properly hit its stride. Even for a character meant to be annoying, Wil Wheaton is very annoying.
Production values however are a major improvement in 'The Next Generation' over the original series. The sets give more of a sense of awe and the special effects are slicker and more expansive. It is stylishly and beautifully shot too. The music has a lot of energy and atmosphere.
Writing is every bit as great as that of the original show. It is entertaining, intelligent, thought-provoking and rich in humanity. The stories, when the show hit its stride, are every bit as high in imagination and just as suspenseful, intriguing and fun. Not quite as ground-breaking as the original series but just as influential and with many of that show's strong points, and actually with a lesser amount of contrived and lacking-in-logic episodes.
Character interaction and development, in what is essentially a character-driven show, is one of 'The Next Generation's' best points and where the show particularly excels. Worf and Riker's relationship is particularly interesting, and Picard is just as memorable as Spock. Which is not an easy feat considering Spock's iconic status in the 'Star Trek' universe.
Acting is every bit as fine, with the role of Picard containing some of the best acting Patrick Stewart has ever given and he has always been a highly dependable actor. Likewise with Brent Spiner, and Jonathan Frakes proves to be just as good an actor as he is a director. Michael Dorn is also strong. Only Wheaton is lacking here, but there is no acting here that reaches overacting depths like William Shatner in the original series.
In summary, well worth exploring and just as good as the original series. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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One of the funniest comedy series ever!
Posted : 2 years, 11 months ago on 19 March 2022 04:09
(A review of Only Fools and Horses)I adore Only Fools and Horses, along with Last of the Summer Wine and Blackadder it is one of my favourite comedy series ever. It is original, it is well written and acted and more importantly it is funny! The scripts are absolutely hilarious, I have lost count of the amount of times I have cried laughing in one episode alone, and how many times I have quoted something from the show. The story lines are great fun and original, maybe the situations have been seen before but how it is handled and acted out is exceedingly clever no matter how extremely silly it gets. But there have been times when it has been suitably serious, Uncle Albert's death and Cassie's miscarriage especially were effectively done.
The performances are astounding. I am a massive David Jason fan, and he is fantastic as DelBoy, a naughty but a nevertheless lovable character. Nicolas Lyndhurst does a great job as Rodney. Then there is Grandad (Leonard Pearce), later replaced by Uncle Albert(Buster Mayfield), the oft-source of DelBoy's pranks; with either character you're bound to have a good time, though if I had a slight preference I have to say Grandad. Pearce's delivery of hilarious lines was priceless, though I'd have to say the same for Albert's war stories. Roger Lloyd Pack proves he is great at comedy as Trigger as well. The theme tune is fun and memorable. Favourite episode? That is such a hard question, I don't think I can answer that, though the one with Del and Rodney dressing up as Batman and Robin was a scream. In conclusion, comedy at its greatest. If you want some top notch comedy, just put Only Fools and Horses on. 10/10 Bethany Cox
The performances are astounding. I am a massive David Jason fan, and he is fantastic as DelBoy, a naughty but a nevertheless lovable character. Nicolas Lyndhurst does a great job as Rodney. Then there is Grandad (Leonard Pearce), later replaced by Uncle Albert(Buster Mayfield), the oft-source of DelBoy's pranks; with either character you're bound to have a good time, though if I had a slight preference I have to say Grandad. Pearce's delivery of hilarious lines was priceless, though I'd have to say the same for Albert's war stories. Roger Lloyd Pack proves he is great at comedy as Trigger as well. The theme tune is fun and memorable. Favourite episode? That is such a hard question, I don't think I can answer that, though the one with Del and Rodney dressing up as Batman and Robin was a scream. In conclusion, comedy at its greatest. If you want some top notch comedy, just put Only Fools and Horses on. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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