Movie Review: The Spiderwick Chronicles

Movie Review: The Spiderwick Chronicles                                                                               12-29-21

Based on the books by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, The Spiderwick Chronicles is about three kids: Teenage daughter Mallory Grace (Sarah Bolger) and twin brothers Jared (Freddie Highmore) and Simon (also Freddie Highmore). They move into a house deep in the woods with their divorced mom Helen (Mary-Louise Parker), and Jared discovers a secret room that belonged to a biologist named Dr. Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn). Jared opened a book that belonged to Spiderwick and learns that he catalogued mythical creatures like fairies, ogres, goblins, and brownies (Jekyll/Hyde rodent-like creatures that like honey). The book is also sought after by the evil shapeshifting ogre Mulgarath (Nick Nolte), who wants to steal the book for his nefarious deeds. Now, it’s up to the Grace children along with a slow-witted bird-loving hobgoblin named Hogsqueal (Seth Rogen) and a brownie named Thimbletack (Martin Short) to fight Mulgarath and his army of goblins.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a somewhat underrated fantasy film with top-notch acting (even considering the fact that Highmore is playing two characters), visual effects that have aged very well, a story that’s a nice departure from the typical fantasy film, and a good score from the late James Horner.

The mouse-like Thumbletack goes through a Jekyll/Hyde style transformation whenever he's angry, but he loves honey.

Another thing to appreciate about the movie is that Highmore is playing two characters in the same movie, even if they’re on screen together at the same time.

The three kids (and teen).

However, I do have warnings for those who plan on watching The Spiderwick Chronicles: The film is rather violent, as characters get hurt realistically, characters get killed (but luckily, no humans get killed), and there are monsters that can actually get quite scary.

In conclusion, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a really good fantasy film to watch with the family. If any of you want to watch it, it’s available on Netflix as I’m typing this.

Rating: 3.49 stars out of 5

Sorry if my review's shorter than usual. There's not much to say about this movie. I promise that my next review will be a little longer!

2022 in Animated Features

2021 is over, and 2022 just began! Blue Sky Studios is no longer around, meaning that there are now only five major mainstream animation studios: Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, Sony, and Illumination. WAG (Warner Animation Group) and Paramount Animation might also be tempting, but both studios are still seeds waiting to find their identities. WAG, however, has shown potential in the past few years, but that's for another time. As usual, here's what 2022 has in store for animated movies!

In January comes the fourth and final movie with Drac and the gang, Hotel Transylvania 4: Transformania. In this film, Johnny feels left out, so Abraham Van Helsing, cyborg father of the third film's antagonist Ericka, turns him into a dragon. When Drac and his friends touch the machine, they turn into humans! In order to turn back into a vampire, Drac and the gang have to travel to the Amazon Rainforest while experiencing the downsides of being a human. Rather than being released in theaters like the previous films, Hotel T 4 will instead be released on Amazon Prime.

In February, from Spanish animation studio Skydance comes Luck. In this film, an unlucky girl stumbles upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck. She teams up with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself. Instead of being released in theaters, Luck will be released on the Apple+ streaming service, like Wolfwalkers. This movie will also be John Lasseter's first endeavor outside of Disney since the beginnings of Pixar.

In March, Pixar will release their first film with a female lead since Finding Dory, Turning Red. In their 25th feature film, a Chinese girl named Meilin faces everyday life in Junior High School, but turns into a giant red panda whenever she's stressed or excited. This will be the first Pixar film since Brave to be directed by a woman, and their first to have an Asian lead.

In April, DreamWorks will release their first original film since Abominable, The Bad Guys. Based on the books by Aaron Blabley, this movie will be about a group of animal criminals who decide to give up villainy when Mr. Wolf accidentally helps an old woman. This movie needs to be a success, as DreamWorks' last two films were box-office flops, otherwise the studio might go kaput like Blue Sky.

In May, Warner Animation Group will release their next film, DC League of Super-Pets. While Superman is on vacation, his dog Krypto teams up with other superpowered animals to fight crime. Let's just hope that this movie ends up better than Scoob, as well as the lackluster mid-2000s cartoon Krypto the Super-Dog.

In June, Pixar will release their first-ever spinoff, Lightyear. This movie will serve as an origin story for the world's greatest toy space ranger, and rather than having Tim Allen voice Buzz, Chris Evans will voice him, instead.

In September, after about a decade, the famous Spanish feline from the Shrek films will make his return to the big screen with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. In this film, Puss's passion for adventure cost him eight of his nine lives, so he goes on an adventure to find the mythical Last Wish to recover his extra lives.

In October, Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and maybe the rest of the gang will return for Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse Part One. Joining the cast is Spider-Woman/Jessica Drew, who will be voiced by Issa Rae. I'm both excited and nervous about this film, as the last sequel to a beloved animated superhero movie (Incredibles 2) was somewhat disappointing.

On November 11th, from Shark and Shark Tale director Vicky Jenson comes Spellbound. This movie will tell the story of Elian, a teenager who comes of age using her magical powers to defend her family when the opposing forces of light and darkness threaten to divide her kingdom. Much like Luck, Spellbound will be an Apple+ exclusive.

And finally, on November 23rd, Disney will release their next big animated movie, Strange World. In a similar fashion to another Disney movie, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Strange World will journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land where fantastical creatures await. Don Hall, co-director of Winnie the Pooh, Big Hero 6, and Raya and the Last Dragon, will direct the film, and 'Raya' screenwriter Qui Nguyen will write the project. This intrigues me, as WDAS hasn't done sci-fi since Chicken Little.

Of all the new animated movies coming out this year, I'm looking forward to Turning Red, The Bad Guys, and Across the Spider-Verse. I also have high expectations for Lightyear, since Pixar's last sci-fi film WALL-E was an instant classic among fans.

Once again, there will be more films than the ones listed here, but these were the ones I wanted to cover.

I'm sorry that there are no posters for Luck or Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. As I'm typing this, there are no posters for either films, yet. However, Luck does have two pieces of concept art available, and here they are.

Movie Review: Stuart Little

Movie Review: Stuart Little                                                                                                       12-4-21

Based on the book by EB White, Stuart Little tells the story of an orphan mouse named Stuart (Michael J Fox), who gets adopted by a human family called the Littles. However, the cat Snowbell (Nathan Lane) doesn’t seem to like Stuart, and finds it humiliating that he’s a cat belonging to a mouse. George Little (Jonathan Lipnicki) also feels dissatisfied with Stuart, as he feels he’s too small, but gains respect for him when the mouse helps him win a boat race. Meanwhile, Snowbell schemes a plan to get rid of Stuart without the Littles knowing that he's responsible.

Stuart Little is another underrated film that is worth another look with a story that surpasses the source material, visual effects that have aged surprisingly well, a good score from Alan Silvestri, and backgrounds and scenery that bring you right into New York.

Stuart encountering Snowbell for the first time.

Another thing I appreciate about Stuart Little is that they cut out many unnecessary sub-plots, like Stuart becoming a substitute teacher and falling in love with a pint-size teenage human-like girl named Harriet.

In conclusion, Stuart Little is a delightful film that put Sony Pictures Imageworks on the map. If EB White we’re still alive, he’d be proud of this movie.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

I plan on reviewing Stuart Little 2 in May.

Movie Review: Encanto

Movie Review: Encanto                                                                                                                              11-24-21

Deep in the mountains of Columbia, there lives a house called Casita Madrigal. Every Madrigal family member has magical powers, whether it be super-strength, shape-shifting, or controlling the weather. Mirabel, however, doesn’t have any powers, despite being 15. When the magic is in danger, however, it’s up to Mirabel to save the family and Casita Madrigal.

As for what I thought about the movie, I liked it better than Raya and the Last Dragon, but not as much as The Mitchells vs the Machines. Nether the less, Encanto is a welcome entry into the Disney Animated Canon with beautiful animation, a story with a strong message about family and forgiveness, and likable characters.

Mirabel with her family.

What I appreciate about Mirabel is that she isn’t conventionally attractive; What I mean by that is that she’s not fancy like the Disney Princesses, Anna and Elsa, or Megara, but she’s not ugly like, say, Quasimodo, either. She looks like a normal human being. Instead, she’s quirky and funny.

As for the songs, they’re fun, though not as memorable or catchy as ones in the last Lin-Manuel Miranda animated film, Vivo, though this opinion may change. In fact, when Pinocchio first premiered, fans felt that the score wasn’t as good as it was in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, now it’s considered one of the best scores of all time!

Isabela has the power to make flowers grow.

In conclusion, if you plan on only seeing one new movie in theaters this year, see Encanto. I just don’t want it to be a box-office flop like Raya.

Rating: 3.7 stars out of 5

Pokemon Joe Registered

As promised, here's a list of every Pokémon Joe registered in his Pokedex during the story. Many of these are also Pokémon that I'd personally like to catch and train.

1. Pidgey (caught in Route 2, Kalos)

2. Pidgeotto (evolved from Pidgey)

3. Pidgeot (evolved from Pidgeotto)

4. Scatterbug (caught in Route 2, Kalos)

5. Spewpa (evolved from Scatterbug)

6. Vivillon (evolved from Vivillon)

7. Fletchling (caught in Route 2, Kalos)

8. Fletchinder (evolved from Fletchling)

9. Talonflame (evolved from Fletchinder)

10. Zigzagoon (caught in Route 2, Kalos)

11. Linoone (evolved from Zigzagoon)

12. Bidoof (caught in Route 3, Kalos)

13. Bibarel (evolved from Bidoof)

14. Litleo (caught in Route 22, Kalos)

15. Pyroar (evolved from Litleo)

16. Corphish (caught in Route 22, Kalos)

17. Crawdaunt (evolved from Corphish)

18. Skiddo (caught in Route 5, Kalos)

19. Gogoat (evolved from Skiddo)

20. Croagunk (caught in Route 7, Kalos)

21. Toxicroak (evolved from Croagunk)

22. Meditite (caught in Connecting Cave, Kalos)

23. Medicham (evolved from Meditite)

24. Axew (caught in Connecting Cave, Kalos)

25. Fraxure (evolved from Axew)

26. Haxorus (evolved from Haxorus)

27. Dwebble (caught in Cyllage City, Kalos)

28. Crustle (evolved from Dwebble)

29. Sandile (caught in Route 9, Kalos)

30. Krokorok (evolved from Sandile)

31. Krookodile (evolved from Krokorok)

32. Rhyhorn (caught in Glittering Cave, Kalos)

33. Rhydon (evolved from Rhyhorn)

34. Rhyperior (evolved from Rhydon)

35. Onix (obtained in a trade; apparently caught in Victory Road, Kanto)

36. Steelix (evolved from Onix)

37. Machop (caught in Glittering Cave, Kalos)

38. Machoke (evolved from Machop)

39. Machamp (evolved from Machoke)

40. Slowpoke (obtained in a trade; apparently caught in Slowpoke Well, Johto)

41. Slowking (evolved from Slowpoke)

42. Solrock (caught in Glittering Cave, Kalos)

43. Lunatone (caught in Glittering Cave, Kalos)

44. Kangaskhan (caught in Glittering Cave, Kalos)

45. Electrike (caught in Route 10, Kalos)

46. Manectric (evolved from Electrike)

47. Golett (caught in Route 10, Kalos)

48. Golurk (evolved from Golett)

49. Hawlucha (caught in Route 10, Kalos)

50. Emolga (caught in Route 10, Kalos)

51. Eevee (caught in Route 10, Kalos)

52. Vaporeon (evolved from Eevee)

53. Dedenne (caught in Route 11, Kalos)

54. Stunky (caught in Route 11, Kalos)

55. Skuntank (evolved from Stunky)

56. Aron (caught in Granite Cave, Hoenn)

57. Lairon (evolved from Aron)

58. Aggron (evolved from Lairon)

59. Seedot (caught in Route 102, Hoenn)

60. Nuzleaf (evolved from Seedot)

61. Shiftry (evolved from Nuzleaf)

62. Sableye (caught in Granite Cave, Hoenn)

63. Lapras (caught in Union Cave, Johto)

64. Quagsire (caught in Route 14, Kalos)

65. Ditto (caught in Pokémon Village, Kalos)

66. Kricketot (caught in Route 202, Sinnoh)

67. Kricketune (evolved from Kricketot)

68. Munna (caught in Dreamyard, Unova)

69. Musharna (evolved from Munna)

70. Bronzor (caught in Wayward Cave, Sinnoh)

71. Bronzong (evolved from Bronzor)

72. Arceus (registered as a gift for beating Rainbow Rocket)

73. Skrelp (caught in Cyllage City, Kalos)

74. Dragalge (evolved from Skrelp)

75. Relicanth (caught in Cyllage City, Kalos)

76. Ferroseed (caught in Reflection Cave, Kalos)

77. Ferrothorn (evolved from Ferroseed)

78. Mime Jr. (caught in Reflection Cave, Kalos)

79. Galarian Mr. Mime (evolved from Mime Jr.)

80. Mr. Rime (evolved from Galarian Mr. Mime)

81. Roggenrola (caught in Reflection Cave, Kalos)

82. Boldore (evolved from Roggenrola)

83. Gigalith (evolved from Boldore)

84. Feebas (obtained in a trade; apparently caught in Route 1, Unova)

85. Milotic (evolved from Feebas)

86. Carbink (caught in Reflection Cave, Kalos)

87. Exeggcute (caught in Route 12, Kalos)

88. Exeggutor (evolved from Exeggcute)

89. Chinchou (caught in Azure Bay, Kalos)

90. Lanturn (evolved from Chinchou)

91. Trapinch (caught in Route 111, Hoenn)

92. Vibrava (evolved from Trapinch)

93. Flygon (evolved from Vibrava)

94. Shelmet (obtained in a trade; apparently caught in Route 8, Unova)

95. Accelgor (evolved from Shelmet)

96. Karrablast (caught in Route 14, Kalos)

97. Escavalier (evolved from Karrablast)

98. Poliwag (caught in Route 14, Kalos)

99. Poliwhirl (evolved from Poliwag)

100. Poliwrath (evolved from Poliwhirl)

101. Liepard (caught in Route 15, Kalos)

102. Lombre (caught in Couriway Town, Kalos)

103. Ludicolo (evolved from Lombre)

104. Pumpkaboo (caught in Route 16, Kalos)

105. Gourgeist (evolved from Pumpkaboo)

106. Phantump (obtained in a trade; apparently caught in Memorial Hill, Alola)

107. Trevenant (evolved from Phantump)

108. Delibird (caught in Route 17, Kalos)

109. Jigglypuff (caught in Route 20, Kalos)

110. Wigglytuff (evolved from Jigglypuff)

111. Alolan Rattata (caught in Route 1, Alola)

112. Alolan Raticate (evolved from Alolan Rattata)

113. Grubbin (caught in Route 1, Alola)

114. Charjabug (evolved from Grubbin)

115. Vikavolt (evolved from Charjabug)

116. Wingull (caught in Route 1, Alola)

117. Pelipper (evolved from Wingull)

118. Misdreavus (caught in Hau’oli Cemetary, Alola)

119. Mismagius (evolved from Misdreavus)

120. Oricorio (caught in Melemele Meadow, Alola)

121. Comfey (caught in Lush Jungle, Alola)

122. Archen (revived from a Plume Fossil in Glittering Cave, Kalos)

123. Archeops (evolved from Archen)

124. Togedemaru (caught in Blush Mountain, Alola)

125. Alolan Geodude (caught in Blush Mountain, Alola)

126. Alolan Graveler (evolved from Alolan Geodude)

127. Alolan Golem (evolved from Alolan Graveler)

128. Scyther (obtained in a trade; apparently caught in Safari Zone, Kanto)

129. Scizor (evolved from Scyther)

130. Klefki (caught in Abandoned Site, Alola)

131. Mimikyu (caught in Abandoned Site, Alola)

132. Snorunt (caught in Tapu Village, Alola)

133. Froslass (evolved from Snorunt)

134. Alolan Sandshrew (caught in Tapu Village, Alola)

135. Alolan Sandslash (evolved from Alolan Sandshrew)

136. Murkrow (caught in Vast Poni Canyon, Alola)

137. Honchkrow (evolved from Murkrow)

138. Shroomish (caught in Petalburg Forest, Hoenn)

139. Breloom (evolved from Shroomish)

140. Marill (caught in Route 117, Hoenn)

141. Azumarill (evolved from Marill)

142. Numel (caught in Fiery Path, Hoenn)

143. Camerupt (evolved from Numel)

144. Grimer (caught in Fiery Path, Hoenn)

145. Muk (evolved from Grimer)

146. Swablu (caught in 114, Hoenn)

147. Altaria (evolved from Swablu)

148. Baltoy (caught in Route 111, Hoenn)

149. Claydol (evolved from Baltoy)

150. Lileep (revived from a Root Fossil found in Route 111, Hoenn)

151. Cradily (evolved from Lileep)

152. Tropius (caught in Route 119, Hoenn)

153. Pikachu (caught in Safari Zone, Hoenn)

154. Alolan Raichu (evolved from Pikachu)

155. Natu (caught in Safari Zone, Hoenn)

156. Xatu (evolved from Natu)

157. Heracross (caught in Safari Zone, Hoenn)

158. Phanpy (caught in Safari Zone, Hoenn)

159. Donphan (evolved from Phanpy)

160. Nidoran (caught in Route 3, Kanto)

161. Nidorina (evolved from Nidoran)

162. Nidoqueen (evolved from Nidorina)

163. Galarian Ponyta (caught in Glimwood Tangle, Galar)

164. Galarian Rapidash (evolved from Galarian Ponyta)

165. Applin (caught in Challenge Beach, Galar)

166. Appletun (evolved from Applin)

167. Burmy (caught in Route 3, Kalos)

168. Wormadam (evolved from Burmy)

169. Drilbur (caught in Wellspring Cave, Unova)

170. Excadrill (evolved from Drilbur)

171. Riolu (caught in Floccesy Ranch, Unova)

172. Lucario (evolved from Riolu)

173. Koffing (caught in Giant’s Mirror, Galar)

174. Galarian Weezing (evolved from Koffing)

175. Bulbasaur (obtained in Lumiose City, Kalos)

176. Ivysaur (evolved from Bulbasaur)

177. Venusaur (evolved from Ivysaur)

178. Galarian Meowth (caught in Route 4, Galar)

179. Perrserker (evolved from Galarian Meowth)

180. Galarian Slowbro (evolved from Galarian Slowpoke caught in Fields of Honor, Galar)

181. Glaceon (evolved from Eevee, which hatched from an Egg found in Paniola Ranch, Alola)

182. Sylveon (evolved from Eevee, which hatched from an Egg from Vaporeon and Ditto)

183. Indeedee (caught in Glimwood Tangle, Galar)

184. Rookidee (caught in Route 2, Galar)

185. Corvisquire (evolved from Rookidee)

186. Corviknight (evolved from Corvisquire)

187. Venonat (caught in Route 15, Kanto)

188. Venomoth (evolved from Venonat)

189. Larvesta (caught in Loop Lagoon, Galar)

190. Volcarona (evolved from Larvesta)

191. Amaura (revived from a Sail Fossil in Glittering Cave, Kalos)

192. Aurorus (evolved from Amaura)

193. Scorbunny (obtained in Postwick, Galar)

194. Raboot (evolved from Scorbunny)

195. Cinderace (evolved from Raboot)

196. Toxel (caught in Hammerlocke Hills, Galar)

197. Toxtricity (evolved from Toxel)

198. Pancham (caught in Route 5, Kalos)

199. Pangoro (evolved from Pancham)

200. Stunfisk (caught in Route 14, Kalos)

As for Steelix, Slowking, Miltoic, Accelgor, Trevenant, and their pre-evolved forms, Joe didn't catch them; They all came from different Trainers from around the world. Some Pokémon, like Machoke, Graveler, Pumpkaboo, and Boldore, will only evolve when traded. Whenever two Trainers trade their Pokémon, both their Pokedexes get registered with the Pokémon they received in that trade.

Two players trading Pikipek and Togedemaru.

Well, that concludes Rise of Rainbow Rocket! On November 25th, I will review Disney 60th animated movie, and their first film to have a Hispanic heroine, Encanto!