Sunday, December 27, 2020

Movie Review: Soul

Movie Review: Soul                                                                                                      12-27-20

Soul tells the story of a jazz musician named Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), who dreams of performing alongside the more famous Dorothea Williams (Angela Bassett). After falling into a manhole, Joe gets transported out of his body into a realm between life and death, a place where souls get their personalities and quirks before going to Earth. Now, to get back into his own body, Joe has to help an unborn soul codenamed 22 (Tina Fey), who doesn't want anything to do with Earth.

Like my idol Rachel, I had trouble reviewing this movie. Yes, it does have beautiful animation and paper-thick characters, but the story is definitely more for adults than for kids. Soul deals with self-doubt, existential crisis, and the biggest question of all: What is the meaning of life?

Philosophical questions aside, another thing to enjoy about Soul is the blending of 2D and 3D animation. Remember how a few years ago, DreamWorks abandoned plans for a film about shadows that would've mixed 2D animation and 3D? Well, it seems like Pixar beats DreamWorks once again on a technological level with the legion of Jerrys, who watch over unborn and deceased souls.

In conclusion, Soul is a great film for adults, but kids won't seem to like it that much.

I'm so sorry that this review is so short. I was having a difficult time writing this review, and I recommend reading Rachel's review of this movie.

Pixar 44: SOUL or Is it ok for Pixar to Release a Film for Adults? (rachelsreviews.net)

Because this film has so much going on, I decided not to give it a rating. Also, if any of you have been following me on Facebook, you may have noticed that I do a weekly poll on what should've won the KCA for Favorite Animated Movie. Because of Soul's deep subject matter, I unfortunately won't include it in that poll when the time comes.

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Story Announcement #12

September 2020. Back at the Muppet theater, everyone was wondering what to do after Season 1 of Muppets NOW concluded.

"I just got the news today, everyone!" Said Kermit, holding a letter. "It's a letter from Disney! Maybe they'll renew us for a second season! 'Dear Mr. the Frog, we regret to inform you that because of our busy schedule, we won't pick up Muppets NOW for a second season. However, we will put seasons 1 through 3 of The Muppet Show, Little Muppet Monsters, Bear in the Big Blue House, and a dozen of the old Muppet specials on Disney+ some time in 2021. Enclosed are storyboards for two upcoming animated films, Disney/Pixar's Soul and Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon.'"

"That's horrible!" Said Walter. "The world needs the Muppets!"

"But how are we gonna show them that we can still be fresh and relevant?" Asked Fozzie.

"Kermit." Said Robin. "I have a suggestion. You know how the Muppets used to do specials and movies based on classic stories?"

"Yeah, I remember." Said Kermit. "I appeared in a few of them."

"Perhaps we could do one based on an old Disney movie that would be ripe for the Muppets' brand of humor."
"Frozen?" Guessed Miss Piggy.

"Lady and the Tramp?" Guessed Rowlf.

"Brother Bear?" Guessed Fozzie.

"Chicken Little?" Guess Gonzo, though everyone looked at him weirdly.

"No!" Said Robin. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit!" Joe from Legal, the Muppets' official lawyer, objected to this.

"Rejected!" He said. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit may be rated PG, but would definitely be rated PG-13 if it were released today. There's swearing, alcohol consumption, gunplay, and strong innuendos. Not suitable for the Muppets family-friendly image."

"We could make changes!" Suggested Kermit. "Walter, you and Scooter are gonna write the script for our story. Fozzie, you will play Roger."
"That's a role fit for me!" Said Fozzie. "Wocka wocka!"

"Kermie?" Said Piggy. "Can I play Jessica Rabbit?"
"Sorry, Piggy." Said Kermit. "I think Janice is more suited for the role. However, before you deliver your signature karate chop, I will pick someone for you to play."

"You better." Threatened Piggy.

"Additional casting will be Scooter's responsibility." Claimed Kermit. "Bunsen and Beaker, you will be in charge of visual effects and cinematography. Nigel, you'll do the score. Summer Penguin, if we can find her, will serve as art director. Joe, do you suppose you could help us get the rights to non-Muppet puppet characters? You can't be as cruel as JP Grosse."

"Who?" Asked Joe.

"He was my stingy uncle who owned the Muppet Theater." Said Scooter, handing a book to Joe. "Here's his page from the official Muppets Encyclopedia."

"Hmm." Said Joe. "I'll do it, as long as the puppet characters come from family-friendly properties. I WILL NOT DO MR. MEATY!" That made Kermit shudder.

"Amen to that." Said the frog. "Walter? How long will it take you to adapt the story?"

"Maybe two weeks?" Replied Walter.

"That's terrific!" Said Kermit. "We'll have the movie ready by next year!"

Who Framed Fozzie Bear, a Muppets version of Who Framed Roger Rabbit that will be more family-friendly than the original source material. Coming February 3rd, 2021.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Movie Review: Klaus

 Movie Review: Klaus                                                                                              12-8-20

All mailman Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman) wants is to be respected, but after failing postman training academy, his father sends him to the violent and gloomy town of Smeerensburg. If Jesper delivers 6,000 letters, he can return home. With the help of a woodcarver named Klaus (JK Simmons), they decide to bring joy to the children of Smeerensburg by delivering toys. However, the townsfolk of Smeerensburg believe Jesper and Klaus are brainwashing the kids and local schoolteacher, so they hatch up a plan to get rid of him.

As I said in my Top 10 Best Animated Movies of the 2010s countdown back in July, Klaus is an outstanding holiday movie, even if it wasn’t released in theaters, with groundbreaking animation, a heartfelt story, and likable albeit familiar characters. Jesper, for example, is quite similar to Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove. At least he doesn’t spend most of the movie as an ungulate.

Jesper on his first day in Smeerensberg.
As most of you could tell by this point, Klaus is a Santa origin story, like Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town nearly 50 years earlier. However, unlike ‘Santa Claus’, Klaus doesn’t rely on magical or fantasy elements, but it does have a similar message about kindness and selflessness.

Birds resting in houses that Klaus built.

If I were to complain about one thing, I feel that some of the background music feels too poppy for a 19th Century tale.
In conclusion, while it didn’t win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Klaus is a perfect holiday film the entire family can enjoy.
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5.

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Pokemon Around the World: Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra Edition

Last year, I did a rundown of where Gen 8 Pokémon, like Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble, and Yamper, would live in our world if they existed in real life. Sword and Shield introduced 81 new species and 13 new regional forms, but with the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions, there have been more Pokémon to distribute to the real world. Let's start off with the Galarian Slowpoke line!
No photo description available.
The Slowpoke line returns for both Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra with three different Regional forms. Galarian Slowpoke is pure Psychic, which makes it an easier prey for Incineroar and Scizor. However, when it evolves into either Galarian Slowbro or Galarian Slowking, they become Poison/Psychic. I distributed all three of these Pokémon to India, because I believe that, until an official manatee Pokemon is revealed, Slowpoke (both Kantonian and Galarian) is the closest we have.
Kubfu
Kubfu (not to be confused with Cubchoo) and Urshifu were introduced in the Isle of Armor expansion back in June. Like Cosmog and Meltan before it, Kubfu is a Legendary Pokémon that can evolve into a better Legendary. In this case, Kubfu can evolve into Urshifu, which has two forms: Single Strike (left) and Rapid Strike (right). Single Strike Urshifu is Dark/Fighting like Scrafty and Pangoro, while Rapid Strike Urshifu is Water/Fighting like Poliwrath and Keldeo. Urshifu's form depends on which tower (Tower of Darkness or Tower of Waters) you train Kubfu in. As to where these Pokémon would live, I distributed Kubfu and Urshifu to Chinese mountains, far away from human civilization.
Zarude
Zarude is Grass/Dark, like Shiftry and Cacturne, and is also the co-star of the next Pokémon movie, Koko (not to be confused with Pixar's Coco). Zarude can grow vines on its neck and arms and can slap opponents with them, like Bulbasaur and Tangela. I distributed this Legendary Pokémon to the Congo Jungle, where it shares the same habitat as Rillaboom, Primeape, Donphan, and Liepard.
Calyrex is a Legendary introduced in The Crown Tundra expansion, and is Grass/Psychic like Exeggutor and Celebi. This rabbit-like Pokémon can see into the past, present, and future like a fortune teller. Unfortunately, I banned this Pokémon because while it's smaller than most Legendaries, it still packs a wallop.
Glastrier
Calyrex can also mount itself onto two new Legendary horses: The Ice-Type Glastrier, and the Ghost-Type Spectrier. Glastier, which reminds me a bit of the Nokk from Frozen 2, this Pokémon can freeze opponents with its hooves. I distributed Glastrier to Greenland, where it lives alongside Abomasnow.
Spectrier
Next up is Spectrier, the first-ever Ghost-Type mammal. Spectrier has poor eyesight, but can kick souls out of peoples' and Pokémon's bodies. I distributed this Pokémon to Mongolia, because I believe the closest animal to Spectrier is an extinct hooved mammal called the Andrewsarchus, a wolf-like creature that ate meat rather than vegetation.
Regidrago
There are also two new Legendary Golems to accompany Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. First up is Regidrago, the 12th Legendary Dragon. I unfortunately banned this Pokémon as well because of its supernatural strength and odd appearance.
Regieleki
Regieleki? Why not Regivolt or Regishock? Anyway, Regieleki is a powerful Electric-Type Pokémon that knows Thunder Cage, an attack so powerful that it lasts four to five turns! Because of this, I decided to ban Regieleki, as well.
File:144Articuno-Galar.png
Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres return for Sword and Shield, but can only be caught in the Crown Tundra, and they also have different regional forms. Shown here is Galarian Articuno, which is Psychic/Flying, like Lugia and Xatu. I distributed this Pokémon to the North Pole, where it lives alongside Beartic, Frosmoth, Delibird, and Avalugg. Galarian Articuno has a grudge against humanity for ruining the environment, and will freeze anyone that it sees.
File:145Zapdos-Galar.png
As one would judge by its strong legs, Galarian Zapdos is Fighting/Flying, like Hawlucha. This Pokémon lives in Australia, where it hunts small Normal, Bug, and Water-Type Pokémon.
File:146Moltres-Galar.png
And finally, here's Galarian Motlres, which is Dark/Flying like Honchkrow and Yveltal. Be careful of the flames from this relative of Moltres, or it might consume your soul. I distributed this Pokémon to volcanic areas in Indonesia, since there are many volcanoes in that country.
Once again, if all of this is too tedious for you, here's a simpler list of where the new Pokémon would live.
Galarian Slowpoke line- India.
Kubfu and Urshifu- Chinese mountains.
Zarude- Congo Jungle.
Calyrex- Banned.
Glastrier- Greenland.
Spectrier- Mongolia.
Regidrago- Banned.
Regieleki- Banned.
Galarian Articuno- Arctic.
Galarian Zapdos- Australia.
Galarian Moltres- Indonesia.
Well, that concludes Pokémon Around the World: Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra Edition! On December 8th, as I promised earlier this year, I will review the Oscar-nominated Netflix film Klaus.

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Movie Review: Togo

Movie Review: Togo                                                                                                                     11-30-20

It was winter 1925. Alaska was embracing a harsh snowstorm, and several children in the town of Nome are suffering from a disease called diphtheria. If the medicine isn’t delivered to Nome soon, the infected children will die. It’s up to Norwegian sled dog breeder Leonhard Seppala to use his sled dogs to retrieve the medicine and make it back to Nome during the snowstorm.

I know lots of people already said it, but I’ll say it anyway: How come Disney didn’t release this movie in theaters instead of Call of the Wild?! Togo is the best live-action non-remake Disney has made since Enchanted with life-like backgrounds and sets, perfect performances from both the human and animal actors, a nice score from Mark Isham, and a plot that stays true to the real events without adding fanciful elements or making it too light-hearted.
As you may have already pointed out by now, Togo shares some similarities to the underrated 1995 animated film Balto, as both were about sled dogs racing to save the lives of the kids of Nome from a deadly disease. What makes Togo different from Balto, however, is that this movie switches back and forth between Seppala raising Togo as a puppy to him and the dogs mushing through the snowstorm. Not to mention that Togo looks adorable as a puppy!
If I were to complain about one thing, I felt that Togo was a little too long, and the switching back and forth can get confusing. Nevertheless, Togo is an inspiring film I recommend watching every winter, though it will be too intense for younger kids.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5.