''Gigi'' and ''The Wizard of Oz''- Movie Reviews

Gigi (1958 movie)

Directed: Vincent Minnelli
Released: 1958
Country: United States

Genre: Musical romantic comedy

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Gigi is an amusing, cheerful, lighthearted musical comedy. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was so entertaining and funny! The plot centers around Gigi, a teenaged girl who lives with her mother and grandmother. Her mother is an opera singer, and we never see her (but we do hear her voice). It is Gigi's grandmother who takes care of her. Besides going to school, Gigi is further educated by her great aunt, Alicia, who gives her lessons on becoming a courtesan, lessons that are difficult and need a lot of patience.

Gaston Lachaille is a young, successful man who finds everything in life boring. He is very close to Gigi and her grandmother. One weekend, Gaston takes Gigi and her grandmother to the seaside, for holidays. Gigi and Gaston's relationship gradually becomes stronger, and realizing this, grandmother and Aunt Alicia start giving more emphasis in Gigi's training to become a lady, hoping that someday Gaston will ask her hand in marriage. However, there is Gaston's fame and notoriety, and Gigi's immaturity and working class background. Despite intensive training from Aunt Alicia, it is obviously not possible for Gigi to completely change her manners and attitude. Will these be a barrier to their relationship?

Gigi was really very funny and fully entertaining! It was so lighthearted and charming! The screenplay, situations, and dialogues were humorous and witty. While the songs were not that much memorable, they were really impressive as well! The performances were really very impressive. Leslie Caron (as Gigi), Louis Jourdan (as Gaston), Maurice Chevalier (as Honore Lachaille), Hermine Gingold (as Gigi's grandmother), and Isabel Jeans (as Aunt Alicia)- all of them gave such excellent performances. The characters were wonderful and funny. Overall, ''Gigi'' was an entertaining and funny musical comedy, witty and charming!

4 out of 5

The Wizard of Oz (1939 movie)

Directed by: Victor Fleming
Released: 1939
Country: United States

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Musical, Drama

Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton, Clara Blandick, Charley Grapewin

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review
 
Oh, how I love The Wizard of Oz! It had been a long, long time since I last watched the film! I read the book in March 2013, and since then, I have been eager to watch the film again.

The first few scenes and the last scene are filmed in sepia, but the time that Dorothy, the protagonist, spends in the land of Oz, are filmed in brilliant color. Dorothy is a girl who lives with her uncle and aunt in a farm. A vicious neighbor, Miss Gulch, threatens to take away her dog, Toto, from her, because the dog regularly disturbs her. Dorothy yearns to get away from the farm, to somewhere magical, wonderful...

Suddenly, a twister carries Dorothy and Toto, along with the house, to the land of Oz. There, she is warmly greeted by the Munchkins, who are grateful to her because her house had fallen on the Wicked Witch of the East, killing her. However, the Wicked Witch of the West, the dead Witch's sister, now wants to capture Dorothy, because she (Dorothy) has the red slippers previously owned by the dead witch... Dorothy wants to return home, to Kansas. She is told to follow a path made of yellow bricks, to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. On her way, she comes across a Tin Man looking for a heart, a Scarecrow looking for a brain, and a Lion looking for courage. They decide to go to the wizard together.

However, the Wicked Witch of the West is looking for Dorothy...

I just LOVED The Wizard of Oz! It was so beautiful, so colorful, so lively! It was filled with charming songs. And oh the sceneries, the production design, the sets- they were just BEAUTIFUL!

Dorothy comes to draw parallels between the people whom she meets in Oz, and the people whom she knows in real life. For example, she imagines the Wicked Witch of the West as Miss Gulch, the vicious neighbor who wants take her dear little dog, Toto, away from her. And she finds similarities between her three companions and three friendly workers of the farm.

The farewell scene was really very emotional and touching... The performances were brilliant. Judy Garland, as Dorothy was amazing. Ray Bolger (as the Scarecrow), Bert Lahr (as the Lion), Jack Haley (as the Tin Man) and Frank Morgan (as the Wizard) were amazing! Margaret Hamilton was brilliant as the Wicked Witch of the West.

The Wizard of Oz is certainly a very delightful, wonderful film!!! It's so magical and charming. The most memorable things about this film are the set decoration, colorful backgrounds and cinematography, dialogues, and some of the songs.

5 out of 5

''ParaNorman'' and ''The 39 Steps''

ParaNorman (2012 movie)

Directed by: Sam Fell, Chris Butler
Released: 2012
Country: United States

Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jodelle Micah Ferland, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jeff Garlin, Elaine Stritch

Genres: Comedy horror, Adventure, Fantasy, Family

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

Norman is a boy with an unusual quality: he can communicate with dead people, including his late grandmother. His parents don't appreciate this quality. He is bullied at school, being called a ''freak''.  He learns in school about a person who was accused of being a witch, three centuries ago. The ''witch'' gave a terrible curse to the seven people who had accused her, causing them to become living deads (zombies).

One day, Norman comes across his elderly and strange uncle Prerderghast, who tells him that since he can communicate with dead people, only he can save the town from the zombies by keeping the curse under control. Norman is puzzled, but after the sudden death of Prenderghast, his (Prenderghast's) ghost visits him, giving him instruction about how to keep the curse under control.

How can Norman control such a terrible curse, all by himself? There follows twists, perils, revelations, and humor.

ParaNorman was a fun watch. I liked the overwhelming humor, the comedic horror elements, the twist, and the truth. The voice actors do a great job. The visuals are also great. The scene I loved most was the final confrontation between the ''witch'' and Norman. It was superbly designed, and the scene following this, the scene at the forest, was also beautiful. Overall, it was a light and refreshing film.

3.5 out of 5

The 39 Steps (1935 movie)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Released: 1935
Country: United Kingdom

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

Main cast: Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle, Peggy Ashcroft, John Laurie, Helen Haye, Wylie Watson

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

Before he moved to Hollywood in 1939, Alfred Hitchcock, one of my favorite directors of all time, made many films in Britain, almost none of which are particularly remembered as his great movies. However, two of his British films, The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes, are often considered among his great films. The 39 Steps is often considered to be one of the first movies where Hitchcock showed his common elements: the excellent suspense mixed with humor, the man struggling to prove his innocence, and one of the very memorable features of his films, the blonde heroine. This is the film where Hitchcock introduced a blonde heroine who is found in many of Hitchcock films.

In the midst of the chaos that suddenly start in a music hall,  a man named Richard Hannay meets a strange and mysterious woman who looks very afraid and requ

ests Hannay to take her to his home. Hannay, though puzzled at the woman's attitude, does so. There, the woman introduces herself  as Annabella Smith demands absolute security and solitude, and tells Hannay that she is working to unravel spies who are going to smuggle a secret very valuable to the country. But because of her work, the spies are wanting to kill her. Hannay doesn't know whether to believe her or not, but nevertheless shelters her. Late at night, when he is sound asleep, Annabella rushes to him, apparently having been stabbed by the spies, and soon dies. Hannay, confused what to do, decides to go to Scotland, where Annabella was supposed to meet somebody important. Meanwhile, word gets around that it was Hannay who killed Annabella. Now Hannay can prove his innocence in only a single way: he has to expose the spies who are planning to smuggle the secret out of the country.

Alfred Hitchcock's excellently directed film really fascinated me. I hadn't watched a Hitchcock movie for a while (the last I'd watched was Notorious, back in April), so it was great to return to his movies! I liked the depth of the situation and the characters. Madeleine Carrol, who played the first ever blonde heroine in Hitchcock films, gives a very remarkable performance. Overall, it is an enjoyable, suspenseful film and one of the earliest marks of the greatness that Hitchcock would be showing in future with such great films as Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds, Strangers on a Train, and Shadow of a Doubt.

4 out of 5

Frankenweenie (2012 movie)- Review

Directed by: Tim Burton
Released: 2012
Country: United States

Genres: Animation, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Drama, Comedy, Horror

Main cast: Charlie Tahan, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Landau, Martin Short, Atticus Shaffer, Winona Ryder, Robert Capron

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

Tim Burton's ''Frankenweenie'' is a remake of Burton's 1984 stop-motion animated short of the same name. In 2012, he had directed another comedy horror film ''Dark Shadows'', which proved to be not as satisfying. ''Frankenweenie'' is a better movie than ''Dark Shadows''. It is a sad, funny, scary film that proves to be cute and touching.

Victor (Charlie Tahan) is a boy whose only friend is his pet dog, Sparky. When Sparky dies in an accident, Victor is heartbroken.

Victor's new science teacher (Martin Landau) shows the class the effect of electricity on a dead frog. Hopeful and excited, Victor attempts to bring his only friend back to life using this method, and his attempt is successful. He has to carefully hide Sparky from the eyes of other people.

There is a science fair to be held soon. Victor's nasty classmate Edgar sees Sparky, and knowing that it is to be a secret, starts blackmailing Victor. Victor finally shows Edgar how to do it, bringing a dead goldfish back to life (but the goldfish becomes invisible). Somehow, several other kids come to know about this, and they also try bringing dead animals back to life, for their science fair. But then everything goes wrong and starts the horrendous and horrific effects...

If the film is meant to be enjoyable and exciting and entertaining, then it is successful. If it is meant to be funny and scary at the same time, then it is successful as well. And it is very well-made as well. The black-and-white cinematography is excellent and a visual beauty (well, that's a common feature of all Tim Burton films), and the music sometimes resembles that of horror films. This is not essentially a horror film. Personally I am also confused about the genre. Is it supposed to be comedy? Sci-fi? Horror? Or is it a mixture of them all? In any way, it is a successful one indeed.

It is not a great movie, nor is it one of the best works of Tim Burton. But yes, I think it is the best work of Tim Burton since ''Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street''. Both ''Alice in Wonderland'' and ''Dark Shadows'' were average entertainers, yet ''Frankenweenie'', though not a great movie, is an above-average entertainer. So, I guess, it's worth a watch.

3.5 out of 5

''Alice in Wonderland'' (2010 movie)- Review

Directed by: Tim Burton
Released: 2010
Country: United Kingdom, United States

Genres: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska,  Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Michael Sheen, Stephen Fry, Christopher Lee

Rating: 3 out of 5

Review

Tim Burton's ''Alice in Wonderful'' is visually fantastic. It has delightful visual effects, and the sets are remarkable. It is quite pleasant, with wonderful and amazing elements that makes us like the film, but overall, it just remains a good movie, not something special.

The film's events take place thirteen years after the events of Lewis Carroll's famous novel ''Alice in Wonderland". Alice is seen as a nineteen-year-old girl who has forgotten her trip to the Wonderland, and often has dreams about the trip, which she describes as "nightmares". As Alice, Mia Wasikowska is simply fascinating.

Alice's mother, Helen, wants her to marry Hamish, but she doesn't know if she wants to marry him. While Hamish proposes to her, she notices a rabbit going to a hole, she follows the rabbit and falls into the hole. Through a tiny door, she enters the Wonderland once again (after reducing her height!). She sees strange creatures, who claim her to be ''The Alice''. She believes it to be simply a dream.

Slowly, she comes to learn that the place is being ruled by a tyrant ruler named Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who seized the throne from her sister the White Queen (played by Anne Hathaway).  Alice is told that she is destined to slay the Red Queen's Jabberworky. The creatures in the Wonderland argue if it is the right Alice. Meanwhile, the evil Red Queen comes to learn that Alice has arrived...

When Alice enters the Wonderland, it seems indeed a beautiful green wonderland. But slowly, it turns out to be desolate and dark. The area around the Red Queen's palace doesn't seem pleasant, indicating her evilness. While, on the other hand, the comparative beauty around the White Queen's palace represents her moral values.

The Red Queen is simply tyrant, and is cruel to both animals and humans. She beheads anyone who displeases her. She is herself an unpleasant character with a big head, and Alice describes her as ''perfectly horrid''. Helena Bonham Carter's performance is fascinating as the antagonist. Anne Hathaway plays the White Queen, whom everybody wants to come back at the Queen. She is beautiful, kind, and good (though a bit weird!).

Johnny Depp plays Hatter, an expert in making hats. He once used to make hats for the White Queen. He's a major character in the film. He is a pleasant fellow, and remains Alice's friend throughout the film. Unlike others, he recognized Alice as the right Alice the moment he saw her. Matt Lucas plays Tweedledee and Tweedledum, jesters in the Red Queen's court (but however, they secretly support the White Queen).

We hear the voices of Alan Rickman (as Absolem, a Caterpillar), Michael Sheen (as the White Rabbit), Timothy Spall (as Bayard, a bloodhound), Stephen Fry (as the Chesire Cat), and many others. All these characters are animated.

In minor roles, there is the presence of Martin Csokas and Lindsay Duncan as Alice's parents, Jemma Powell as Alice's sister Margaret, Leo Bill as Hamish, Tim Piggott-Smith and Geraldine James as Hamish's parents, and Frances de la Tour as the unmarried middle-aged aunt of Alice.

As with other Tim Burton's movies, the cinematography deserves special praise. Music by Danny Elfman is also quite good. 

The story and screenplay are both fine, but the movie doesn't become that much memorable because though it is interesting and engrossing, it is, somewhat, a bit clumsy. But that doesn't mean that it is boring. Not a single moment in the film is boring. It is just that, despite of the wonderful visuals, excellent cast all of whom give good performances, and good screenplay, the film remains just a good experience.

Tim Burton's ''Alice in Wonderland'' is visually wonderful, and is a good movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Though it is not as good as his great films like ''Edward Scissorhands'', ''Big Fish'' or ''Sweeney Todd'', it is still very enjoyable, quite good, and overall, entertaining!

3 out of 5!

Fantastic Mr Fox (2009 movie)- Review

Directed by: Wes Anderson
Released: 2009
Country: United States

Genres: Animation, Adventure, Family, Comedy

Main cast: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Scwhartzman, Eric Chase Anderson, Bill Murray, Michael Gambon, Robin Hurlston, Hugo Guinness, Willem Dafoe, Helen McCrory, Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

''Fantastic Mr. Fox'' is fantastic as a family film. Everybody, children and adults, will like this film. I liked this film, it's a delightful adventure comedy movie. It's nice, yes, but however, it's also nothing that special. It's good, but not excellent.

The movie was based on Roald Dahl's children's novel of the same name. I'm a big fan of Roald Dahl's works, but I haven't read that book yet. ''Fantastic Mr. Fox'' is the first animated film directed by Wes Anderson. Wes Anderson succeeds in making ''Fantastic Mr. Fox'' a charming and good movie.

This stop-motion animated is about a fox, Mr. Fox, and his family, his wife and his son Ash. The family move their house at the base of a tree. That is not a very safe place. Three scary farmers run facilities near the tree. But nevertheless, Mr. Fox doesn't pay importance to this. Instead, he makes plans to steal hens from the facilities of all three farmers, and with clever and intelligent techniques, he succeeds in his plan.

The three farmers get tired of these mischief caused by the fox and decide to kill him. As they make plans and do their works according to their plan, Mr. Fox also makes clever ways to escape, building escape tunnels. Very soon, many of their animal neighbors join them, as their homes have also been destroyed. What happens then? Well, then adventures follow!

There is a sub-plot about Fox's son Ash. He feels ignored as both his parents appreciate the talents of his cousin, who has come to their house as a guest because his father is very sick.

This animated film is delightful to watch. The characters are quite interesting and the movie is often funny. The animation is good, and the adventures that are happening in this movie are mixed with humor. The result? A wonderful comedy adventure film!

Mr. Fox is truly fantastic as the title suggests. He is voiced by George Clooney. Mr. Fox is very intelligent, very brave, and adventurous. At the beginning of the movie he had made a promise to his wife that he would never steal hens and look for a safer job. But however, his adventurous mind makes him ignore the promise and steal hens from the facilities of the mean farmers. However, his clever ideas and intelligence also helps them escape the mean farmers quite a lot of times. I liked this character.

Meryl Streep voices the wife of Mr Fox. She is a calm and cool-minded fox. Their son, Ash, is voiced by Jason Schwartzman. Eric Chase Anderson voice Kristofferson, the nephew of Fox. He is very intelligent and very good in sports, which makes Fox and his wife appreciate him. The three farmers, the antagonists of the film, are voiced by Michael Gambon, Robin Hurlstone, and Hugo Guinness.

The humor, and the adventure are charming to watch. The screenplay is excellent. Like other tales by Roald Dahl, this film is fascinating, enchanting, adventurous, and umm, weird as well.

But however- this film is enjoyable and interesting and charming, but however, it's not that special. It is a delightful entertainment, but not great.

Overall, watch this movie to enjoy the humor and adventure. It's charming and very good. It is not very long (1 hour, 27 minutes), but within that time, it turns out to be impressive and charming. Wes Anderson's ''Fantastic Mr Fox'' may not be very great, but however, it's brilliantly made and great as a family movie.

3.5 out of 5

Hugo (2011 movie)- Review

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Released: 2011
Country: United States, United Kingdom, France

Genres: Adventure, Family, Mystery, Drama

Main cast: Asa Butterfield., Chloe Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Helen McCrory, Sacha Baron Cohen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Frances de la Tour, Richard Griffiths

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

Martin Scorsese, the brilliant film director, directs this so very wonderful, so very enchanting film. ''Hugo'' is such a film which made me so emotional, which made me smile and shed a tear.

''Hugo'' tells the story of the adventures of a young boy and a young girl in order to find out something, and the story slowly turns from a mystery adventure film to a homage to such a person who had such great contributions to cinema, George Méliès .

The movie works excellently. While it is able to excite the audience and make them curious, it also makes them, at most parts of the second half of the film, feel emotional.

The story starts with Hugo Cabret, a young boy, who lives in the clocks of a station. Set in the 1930s. An old man, Papa Georges, has a shop at the station. Hugo goes to steal something from the shop, but is caught by Papa Georges. After scolding him bitterly, he tells him to empty his pockets. Hugo takes out a notebook, containing drawings. The reaction of Papa Georges change immediately after seeing the drawings. Though Hugo pleads to him to return the notebook, but however, Papa Georges doesn't return it to him. Over the following scenes, we see some of the events of Hugo's past. His father worked as a clock maker. One day, he brings an automaton that could supposedly write something. Hugo and his father start repairing the automaton. But soon, his father dies in a fire. Hugo's uncle Claude takes him to the clock and shows him how to maintain it. But soon he disappears. Hugo alone maintains the clocks now. He repaired the automaton, following the instruction in his late father's notebook.

Hugo goes to Papa Georges again, who tells that he will burn the notebook. However, his goddaughter Isabelle promise to help Hugo.

Isabelle is a bookworm. She describes libraries as her ''Neverland and Oz and Treasure Island''. But however, she has never seen a movie. For some reason, Papa Georges doesn't allow her to see movies. Isabelle loves adventures. She decides to help Hugo to find the secrets behind this notebook. And then what happens? What happens after the automaton starts writing? What does it write?

The film is based on the historical fiction novel ''The Inventions of Hugo Cabret'', by Brian Selznick.

The film's beauty lies in it's theme. Back in the 1900s and 1910s, when the film industry was starting to develop, many people made important, great contributions to the cinema. Georges Melies is one of them. He directed over 500 films, many of which were lost or destroyed in course of time. The film informs us this.

The film pays homage and respect to this great man, Georges Melies. What makes this film more heartwarming and emotional is this matter. Also, what contributes more in making the film heartwarming is the wonderful, beautiful background music, and of course, the performances by Helen McCrory and Ben Kingsley.

''Hugo'' is historical fiction. It uses elements from history and fictionalized elements. For example, the past life, works, and tragic end in the film career of Georges Méliès , showed in this movie are mostly true. Even the fact that he ran a toy shop is also true (Méliès , after his filmmaking career came to an end, used to earn his living as a toy and candy salesman at the Montparnasse Station, Paris). But, however, it does have lots of fictionalized elements, of course, in it. 

Ben Kingsley gives an excellent performance as Papa Georges/ Georges Méliès . His performance contributes a lot to this film. Helen McCrory, playing Mama Jeanne, is very good in her role.

But the best performances in this film is by Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz. Both are highly talented young actors. I first saw Asa Butterfield in ''The Boy in the Striped Pajamas'', and then in ''Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang''. In both films, he was wonderful. Similarly in ''Hugo'', he gives such an excellent performance.

Chloe Grace Moretz is very, very good in the role as the intelligent young girl, Isabelle, a girl who loves books and libraries.

Sacha Baron Cohen plays the station inspector. Presented as a comical antagonist, he is always looking for orphans and sending them to the orphanages (Hugo manages to escape him on several occasions). There is also the presence of well known actors like Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour, in minor supporting roles.  An impressive performance is by Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays a person who has seen all of Meilies's films, and who is greatly inspired by his works.

As I mentioned before the background music contributes a lot to make this film wonderful and excellent. Cinematography is praiseworthy. The visual effects are excellent. And also, the set decorations and designs are wonderful.

Therefore, ''Hugo'' is a masterpiece, among the best films made in 2011. Paying homage to Georges Melies, a pioneer in filmmaking, the film is able to make the audience cheerful, excited, emotional and curious. Strongly recommended!

4.5 out of 5!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005 movie)- Review

Directed by: Tim Burton
Released: 2005
Country: United States, United Kingdom, Germany

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Comedy

Main cast: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, David Kelly, Christopher Lee, Deep Roy, Jordan Fry, Julia Winter, AnnaSophia Robb, Philip Wiegratz

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

The novels of the British author Roald Dahl (1917-1990) have been liked by both children and adults. His works have been adapted into film numerous times. Back in 1971, his novel ''Charlie and the Chocolate'' had been made into a film titled ''Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory''. Besides, his novel ''The Witches'' was made into a film in 1990, the film adaptations of ''James and the Giant Peach'' and ''Matilda'' were made in 1996. And in 2005, acclaimed film director Tim Burton made this pleasant version of ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory''.

Most of the parts of the film are quite accurate to the book. There have been several minor changes, but that doesn't affect much. But however, Tim Burton added several extra things to this film. For example, we are shown Willy Wonka's background in this film. This is one of the things which make the film more heartwarming. And also, it's pleasant to see most of the parts of the film being quite faithful to the book.

Freddie Highmore, the amazing actor from ''Finding Neverland'', plays the protagonist in this film. He plays Charlie Bucket, a boy who lives in poverty in a small house with his parents and grandparents.

But let's start with the first things first. I liked the opening credits of this film. The backgrounds seen in the opening credits is likeable (I won't reveal that!).

Then we see a snowy place, and a little house. Charlie Bucket lives there with his family. Charlie's father is not paid well, so they live in poverty. Charlie's family consists of his parents, and four grandparents. The grandparents never get out of bed as they are very old.

Grandpa Joe tells Charlie about Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The most intelligent chocolate maker, Willy Wonka maintains the greatest chocolate factory in the world. Years ago, Grandpa Joe used to work there. The factory was successful and produced amazing chocolates.

But then things started getting bad: other chocolate manufacturers start sending spies to the factory. The spies join as workers, and secretly give the secrets recipes to the other manufacturers, who soon start making the chocolates which would once only be made by Willy Wonka. Disappointed and worried, Willy Wonka closed down the factory and all his employees, including Grandpa Joe, was fired.But then, after many days, the factory was reopened. But the strange thing was, no workers were visible in the factory. No one would come in or out of the factory.

Charlie gets only one chocolate bar in a year, for his birthday. Then something amazing happens: Willy Wonka has hidden five golden tickets in chocolate bars, and these five chocolates could be anywhere on the world! The children who receive the ticket are allowed for a tour through Wonka's factory! Young Charlie is quite excited. But sadly, no ticket is found when he opens the chocolate bar he got as his birthday present. Four children from different places of the world, find the four golden tickets. Then one day, something amazing happens. Charlie finds some money on the street, buys a Wonka bar, and...

You can probably imagine what happens then. Yes, Charlie finds the ticket! He can go through a tour to the factory! Grandpa Joe accompanies him.

Then adventures start.

The four other kids are in some way nasty or other. Augustus Gloop is a fat, very fat boy who eats so many chocolates in a day. Veruca Salt is always spoiled by her father. Violet Beauregarde is always seen chewing gums. Mike Teave knows nothing but playing video games.

But however, at the chocolate factory these nasty kids get their punishments for their deeds- I won't reveal anymore!

Charlie Bucket is an immensely sweet and likeable. In fact, it is Freddie Highmore who gives the best performance in this film. The previous year he had played Peter Llewelyn Davies in the drama film ''Finding Neverland'', co-starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. Just as his performance in Finding Neverland, his performance in this film is excellent as well.

The thing I disliked a bit about this film was the portrayal of Willy Wonka. He is played by Johnny Depp, an actor who can be seen in many of Tim Burton's movies. While Johnny Depp's performance is quite good, in the book we see Willy Wonka as a cheerful, weird, and funny man. While in this film, the cheerfulness, humor, and weirdness does exist in the character, the character is portrayed a bit grimier, nervous, and creepier. The background added to the character is quite interesting, which is revealed through several flashbacks. The costumes and makeup used in this character are likeable.

The supporting cast includes: David Kelly as Grandpa Joe (who accompanies Charlie throughout their tour in the factory), Helena Bonham Carter, in a comparatively small role as Charlie Bucket's mother, Noah Taylor as Charlie Bucket's father, Christopher Lee as Willy Wonka's father, and Jordan Fry, Julia Winter, AnnaSophia Robb, Philip Wiegratz in the role of the four nasty kids. Deep Roy makes appearance as the Oompa-Loompas, the tiny workers in the factory. Deep Roy himself plays all the Oompa-Loompas. I also have to mention Eileen Essell, who plays a minor role as Grandma Josephine. I liked her from her role as the old lady in the dark comedy film ''Duplex''.

The set decoration and production design deserves special praise. The set is highly beautiful and amazing. It's immensely likeable. The chocolate factory scenes are well-made and beautiful.

Cinematography is beautiful. The songs in this film were originally written by Roald Dahl himself in the novel. The costume designs and makeup are quite good.

Overall, this adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is immensely likeable, with most of the things being accurate to the book (there are a few changes and some additions). The film has beautiful set designs, excellent cast, and a good screenplay. Recommended!

3.5 out of 5!

Megamind (2010 movie)

Directed by: Tom McGrath
Released: 2010
Country: United States

Cast: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross

Genres: Action comedy

Rating: 3 out of 5

Review

I hadn't watched an animated film for a while, so I decided to watch Megamind. I don't usually like action films that much, but Megamind is a very different action movie: filled with humorous elements, and has a different story.

It is about supervillain Megamind, always ignored. When he defeats the superhero Metro Man, he falls disappointed as there is nothing to do. Then he creates a superhero, Titan, who then turns out evil. Only Megamind can save the people now from the hands of Titan...

As I mentioned, the story was quite interesting, and I found it rather sweet and felt pity for Megamind from the beginning of the movie. Poor boy, always being ignored by classmates and teachers! When he turned evil, I felt really angry at him, but when he gloriously defeated the evil villain Titan, I felt so happy!

I am not a fan of action movies, or superhero films. But Megamind is actually completely different! There is much use of action, yes, but the actions are not excessive or lengthy. They are presented, often, with humor.In fact, I think that Megamind is more a comedy than an action. Some scenes are extremely funny. Some scenes are deeply moving. 

Overall, though a superhero film, Megamind has a good story and presented in a quite remarkable way with humorous elements. A very good family movie, enjoyable,  and one of the action movies which I've found truly engrossing and enjoyable.

3 out of 5.

Brother Bear (2003 movie)

Directed by: Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker
Released: 2003
Country: United States
 
Plot synopsis

When Kenai kills a bear, he is transformed into a bear. In order to be transformed back into his human body, he is told to go to the Northern Lights, the place where the ''lights touch the earth''. On the way, he meets a talkative younger bear, Koda, who has to find his way home. After knowing that Koda's house is next to the place where the lights touch the earth, Kenai takes Koda with him, and together they travel...

Cast
  Joaquin Phoenix as Kenai (voice)
Jeremy Suarez as Koda (voice)
Jason Raize as Denahi (voice)
D. B. Sweeney as Sitka (voice)
Joan Copeland as Tanana (voice)

Achievements

The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature, among other awards and nominations.

My Opinion

A perfectly wonderful film! Quite a touching movie. It is truly enjoyable, nice, and interesting. Some parts of the story are quite emotional, but others are completely enjoyable! 

4 out of 5
 

Up (2009 movie)

Directed by: Pete Docter, Bob Petersen
Released: 2009
Country: United States
 
Plot synopsis
 
Carl Fredericksen and his wife Ellie's wish had been to see the Paradise Falls. After the death of his wife, Carl, now in his seventies, is alone and feels lonely. When, after some problems, he is ordered to leave his home and is to be taken to a retirement home, he uses over a thousand balloons to turns his house into a makeshift airship, and it lifts the house's foundation. The house starts flying, and Carl, to fulfill his late wife's wish, is traveling towards Paradise Falls, and discovers that a young boy, Russell, becomes an accidental passenger. Russell, aged 8, has been trying to earn an ''Assisting the Elderly badge''. On their way to the Paradise Falls, Carl and Russell encounter a beautiful but rare flightless bird, talking dogs, and an evil old man who was Carl's childhood hero.
 
Cast
 
Edward Asner as Carl Fredricksen (voice)
Jordan Nagai as Russell (voice)
Christopher Plummer as Charles Muntz (voice)
Bob Peterson as Dug/ Alpha (voice)
 
Achievements
 
Up won 2 Oscars, including Best Animated Feature. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It won many other awards and received many nominations, including several Annie Awards, BAFTA, and Golden Globe Awards.
 
My opinion
 
A wonderful animated film! I loved it! It is a quite interesting and enjoyable film, and among my most favorite animated films. 

3.5 out of 5.

Mirror Mirror (2012 movie)

Directed by: Tarsem Singh
Released: 2012
Country: United States
 
Plot synopsis
 
The movie is based on the fairytale Snow White. Snow White's father is the King. One day, he goes to the forest but never comes back. Snow White's evil stepmother has become the Queen. Snow White grows up in the palace, never allowed to go outside. Meanwhile, the Queen's greed has made the people of the kingdom destitute. One day, Snow White secretly leaves the palace. Upon reaching the town which the palace overlooks, Snow White is shocked to see the people's conditions. Meanwhile, to solve her financial problems, the Queen plans to marry Prince Alcott, who has come to visit from a wealthy kingdom. She throws a ball in honor of the Prince. Meanwhile, Snow White secretly comes to the ball to ask help to from the Prince (whom she previously had met in the forest when she went outside the palace) to restore her kingdom. The Queen, however, notices Snow White dancing with the Prince, and orders her guards to capture her. She order Brighton, one of her servants, to leave Snow White in the Forest and feed her to the beast that lives there. Brighton, however, being a kindhearted man, lets Snow White go. She is found by seven rebellious bandits. With the help of her seven new friends, Snow White plans to overthrow the Queen, restore her kingdom, and win back the Prince...

 
Cast

Lily Collins as Snow White
Armie Hammer as Prince Alcott
Julia Roberts as The Queen
Nathan Lane as Brighton
Sean Bean as The King
Lisa Roberts Gillan as The Mirror Queen
Frank Welker as the voice of the Beast
Danny Woodburn as Grimm
Martin Klebba as Butcher
Sebastian Saraceno as Wolf
Jordan Prentice as Napoleon
Mark Povinelli as Half Pint
Joe Gnoffo as Grub
Ronald Lee Clark as Chuckles
 

My opinion
 
''Mirror Mirror'' is a beautiful movie- with very nice acting, music... everything in this film is charming. However, in spite of such brilliant materials, I didn't like this movie very much. However, I didn't dislike this movie... What I disliked was that there are some very much mentionable differences  from the fairytale ''Snow White''. 

Therefore, in conclusion I would like to say that as an adaptation of Snow White, this movie is not very good; however, as a movie, it is okay! It has excellent music, and, an excellent cast who act very well. It's a good family movies, excellent for especially children. Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, and Julia Roberts give very excellent performances. 

But overall, this movie is difficult to comment: in short, it was okay, but was not a very satisfying movie.  

2 out of 5.
 

City of Ember (2008 movie)

Released: 2008
Directed by: Gil Kenan
Country: United States

Plot synopsis

''City of Ember'' is a wonderful film. It's story is: when a nuclear war is taking place, an underground city Ember is built which can give shelter to humans. Instructions to future generation is kept on a box and that very box is placed on the City; the mayors are to hand the box to his or her successor (the box is to be opened after 200 years). 47 years left on the time-lock, the mayor who is looking after the box suddenly dies. Then, when the box reach 200 years... Everything in the wonderful underground city is getting wrong: generators fail, supply of food is reducing, blackouts are becoming common... What will happen now? (This movie is based on the novel by Jeanne DuPrau).

Cast

Saoirse Ronan as Lina
Harry Treadaway as Doon
Bill Murray as Mayor Cole
Toby Jones as Barton Snode
Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Clary
Liz Smith as Granny
Tim Robbins as Loris Harrow
Amy Quinn and Catherine Quinn as Poppy Mayfleet

My opinion

I won't say that this movie is great. However, its a nice film, and is very much interesting to watch. 

3 out of 5.