10s Movie Review - How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World

Director: Dean DeBlois
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Adventure/ Fantasy
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, America Ferrara, F. Murray Abraham, Jonah Hill, Kit Harrington, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig
 
I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 6: THIRD MOVIE IN A TRILOGY

Description: When Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) discovers Toothless isn’t the only Night Fury, he must seek ‘The Hidden World’, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel (F. Murray Abraham) finds it first.
 
Review: Hiccup and his great friend, the dragon Toothless, have a day job freeing captured dragons. A new world is created so that dragons and humans can live together in harmony. When their mode of existence is jeopardized y a new villain named Grimmel, Hiccup brings the all the dragons together to stop Grimmel. 
The “How to Train Your Dragon” series is one of Dreamworks’ more successful series and one of my favorites for sure. The stories of Hiccup with his dragon Toothless capture the imagination of many young viewers. The makers also keep the films light in terms of story and theme. And so does part three, which offers plenty of action and entertainment as well as a light, positive message. In this third part they face a new enemy. 
I love the visuals and the story, the character of Hiccup especially is one that many kids could identify with. And Toothless is of course amazing. I’m a fan of this series and the third installment didn’t disappoint.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - The To Do List

Director: Maggie Carey
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat, Sarah Steele, Johnny Simmons, Rachel Bilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Andy Samberg, Connie Britton, Clark Gregg, Donald Glover, Nolan Gould, Scott Porter

Description: Feeling pressured to become more sexually experienced before she goes to college, Brandy (Aubrey Plaza) makes a list of things to accomplish before hitting campus in the fall.

Review: Brandy Klark is the smartest girl in class. Her room is filled with diplomas and awards and a brilliant career is in the works. She has a bunch of great friends and a wonderful summer job at a local pool. So nothing to complain about right? But there is. While Brandy knows everything about math and history, she knows absolutely nothing about sex. So it’s about time for extra lessons.

In order to brush up on her knowledge, Brandy makes a to-do list of sexual acts and then works through her male circle of acquaintances. Her sister has some tips and her mother brings along a tube of lubricant. All this has to lead to deflowering in the place where half the city lost their virginity, in a parking lor at Beaver Creek (no pun intended).

Those who find that Beaver Creek is funny, will have fun with “The To Do List”. The film is a string of lame jokes, flat jokes, predictable jokes and non-funny jokes. Someone pushes Brandy into the pool, Brandy loses her top, Brandy takes a bite of a fake turd that turns out to be a real turd, Brandy applies mayonnaise instead of sunscreen. The to think that these aren’t even the weakest jokes.
Since the characters barely impress either, all attention to the film quickly disappears. And it’s kind of questionable why all those well-known actors show up for this movie. And I find it kind of offensive that pressuring your friend into having sex before going to college, just to fit in. Or is that just me?
“The To Do List” is a comedy that pairs explicit sex talk with lame jokes and characters that remains as flat as a dime. I liked Bill Hader, but I always like Bill Hader. So, that’s a plus!

Rating: 2/ 5

00s Movie Review - Superbad

Director: Greg Mottola
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 114 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone, Joe Lo Truglio, Dave Franco

Description: Two co-dependent high school seniors (Jonah Hill, Michael Cera) are forced to deal with separation anxiety after their plan to stage a booze-soaked party goes awry.

Review: “Superbad” is a harsh comedy, about teens trying to get laid before school ends. It sounds lame and unoriginal, but “Superbad” is much more original and honest than you would expect.
Jonah Hill plays the foulmouthed teenager Seth. All he wants is for the pretty Jules to be his girlfriend. His plan is to get her drunk at a party. He convinces his friend Evan that this is the way to get the girl he likes, Becca, to fall in love with him too.
The only problem is the booze. They are under 21 and can’t buy it. The solution: their nerdy friend Fogell, who just got a fake ID, that says he is a 25 year old organ donor called McLovin. Their quest to get alcohol begins.
The harsh dialogues and remarks are fired in speed tempo, by both Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. The timing of both actors is perfect and they both do a great job. But it’s Christoph Mintz-Plasse that steals the show, together with the two crazy cops, portrayed by Bill Hader and Seth Rogen.
“Superbad” is filled with original and hilarious moments. The film also has heart and turns cartoonish characters into real people. Not that the movie has any depth, but it’s a great study of the teenage psyche. “Superbad” has realism and honesty, something that a lot of teen comedies don’t have.
“Superbad” is super funny!

Rating: 5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Fright Night

Director: Craig Gillespie
Genre: Horror/ Comedy
Runtime: 120 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Dave Franco

Description: Teenager Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin( suspects that his new neighbor Jerry (Colin Farrell) is a vampire.

Review: The horror movie “Fright Night” from 1985 isn’t one of the most well known movies from the 80’s. On the contrary, it’s a typical, very underrated genre film that got a cult status from a limited group of fans. Building of the tension, the atmosphere and the traditional vampire mythology make the original “Fright Night” an enjoyable film.
So there was a lot of skepticism when they decided to remake this horror classic and give it a modern twist. Thankfully the makers of “Fright Night” don’t make the same mistakes as predecessors that decided to make a modern version of a classic horror flick. The original source material has been handled well. Off course the setting and characters are spiced up a bit and are translated to the 21st century. The neighborhood this movie is set on, is well chosen. A place where many people work nights, a perfect place for a modern vampire. Director Craig Gillespie also succeeds in combining horror and humor together.
The star of the film is Colin Farrell. The flamboyant Irishman easily creates a memorable movie vampire, that can’t be compared to any other vampire. Jerry is a seemingly charming guy, but also a very self-assured killing machine. Fun fact is that Chris Sarandon, who played the role in the original, has a cameo. The British David Tenant also has a remarkable role, as horror magician Peter Vincent. Sometimes mocking, but has enough charm to not overdo it. Only the transformation from cynic to vampire slayer is a bit unbelievable. The movie also loses its tension towards the end.
Aside from some small negatives, “Fright Night” is an above average horror film. It’s not a movie you’re constantly comparing its predecessor, it has enough power to stand on its own. Finally a remake that manages to succeed and has the perfect balance between horror and comedy.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - This is the End

Director: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
Genre: Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 107 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Robinson, Paul Rudd, Mindy Kaling, Aziz Ansari, Kevin Hart, Rihanna, David Krumholtz, Emma Watson

Description: While attending a party at James Franco's house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse.

Review: Relaxing with his friend Seth Rogen, smoke some weed, play video games and eat junk food. That’s the weekend Jay Baruchel had in mind in “This is the End”. Sadly for him, that chill weekend ends up in the apocalypse.
Against his will Jay joins Seth for a house warming party at James Franco’s house. The new mansion is filled with Hollywood’s finest. When Jay and Seth quickly go to a store, they witness a weird happening where people are sucked into the sky. It’s followed by a giant sink hole in front of Franco’s house.
“This is the End” is a comedy that can go two ways: you either love it or you hate it. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have proved themselves before, with the comedy “Superbad”. And again they manage to make us laugh. It’s the end of days, packed with simple, tasteless jokes and pretty enjoyable (sorry to say) death scenes of famous movie stars. By mocking themselves and Hollywood, “This is the End” never has a dull moment.
“This is the End” is a film that is self-aware and not to be taken too seriously. The actors exaggerate their own character, and that’s why it’s a fun movie that I love. A guarantee for laughs.

Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - Kick-Ass 2

Director: Jeff Wadlow
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Jim Carrey, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Iain Glen, Donald Faison, Morris Chestnut, John Leguizamo, Lindy Booth, Yancy Butler, Daniel Kaluuya

Description: Following Kick-Ass' (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) heroics, other citizens are inspired to become masked crusaders. But Red Mist (Christoph Mintz-Plasse) leads his own group of evil supervillains to get revenge, kill Kick-Ass and destroy everything he stands for

Review: The superhero film has made big developments over the past years. In the early days, it was cool enough to put on a flashy costume and impress the viewers with muscles. But nowadays it has to be more realistic, more emotional and deeper. Marvel and DC still crack out films each year, not all just as successful. So when in 2010 Kick-Ass came to theaters, it was a breath of fresh air. Antiheroes, everyday heroes becoming superheroes. It was such a huge success, that a sequel was something you could expect. It never lives up to its original, but it’s still a good film.
Matthew Vaughn directed the first and I think it’s a good thing that he didn’t make a sequel right after the first film. “Kick-Ass 2” is directed by Jeff Wadlow and the characters had time to grow and find their way. Mindy Macready, alias Hit-Girl and the scene steals of the first film, tries to live a normal life after her superhero dad Big Daddy died. Her guardian Marcus thinks she is leaving a normal teenage life, but secretly she is fighting crime with her partner Kick-Ass, for his friends know as Dave Lizewski. Dave also still manages to stay under the radar and no one knows he is Kick-Ass. In the meantime, rich kid Chris D’Amico wants revenge for his father’s death. And he tries a new alter-ego: The Mother Fucker. This way he wants to teach Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl a lesson.
Kick-Ass and The Mother Fucker each get a group of fellow superhero-wanabees together. Kick-Ass’ team is led by Colonel Stars and Stripes (a fun and unrecognizable role by Jim Carrey).
Where “Kick-Ass” scores the most points: Action and verbal. The action is fantastic, with one scene in (and on) a van as the highlight. And the dialogues are great! Like the firs film, Chloë Grace Moretz steals the show as Hit-Girl. I know everyone loves this character more than the actual title character.
There are some poop and vomit jokes that I didn’t really appreciate here, but thank goodness that’s just a few minutes of the film.
“Kick-Ass” is a bit of the same here and there, but it’s very entertaining and Hit-Girl still has it.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 122: Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

Director: Nicholas Stoller
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 91 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Seth Rogetn, Rose Byrne, Zach Efron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dave Franco, Selena Gomez, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Description: When their new next-door neighbors turn out to be a sorority even more debaucherous than the fraternity previously living there, Mac and Kelly (Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne) team with their former enemy, Teddy (Zac Efron), to bring the girls down.

Review: For freshmen students Shelby, Beth and Nora decide to start their own sorority outside campus, so they can have parties. And sadly to say, Mac and Kelly Radner are their neighbors. Because after having a fraternity next door, now they are going to have a sorority. And again they are going head to head.
Comedy sequels don’t have a good reputation, but this doesn’t really go for “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”. It’s not better than “Neighbors”, but it’s again really funny. And when a comedy does what it has to do, make you laugh, it succeeds.
Seth Rogen and Rosey Byrne are again so much fun as the married couple that tries to scare away their new partying neighbors. Their little daughter, that is now not a baby anymore, has the disturbing habit to find her mother’s vibrator and use it as a doll. Zac Efron is also back and surprises again with his humor. Chloë Grace Moritz feels the one out of place in “Neighbors 2: Sororty Rising”. Comedy isn’t yet her genre.
“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” is a fun comedy sequel, with some really good jokes. Better than I expected, just as fun as I hoped.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 80: How to Train Your Dragon 2

Director: Dean DeBlois

Genre: Animation/ Family/ Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy

Runtime: 102 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kristen Wiig, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harington

Description: When Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.

Review: After the surprising success of “How to Train Your Dragon” in 2010, a sequel was not that surprising. That’s what happens with well received animation movies. The world fell for the adventures of Viking son Hiccup and his dragon Toothless. But a sequel doesn’t necessarily mean it’s also going to be a hit. Sometimes they are made pure for the money, but in this case the makers really care for the characters they created. “How to Train You Dragon 2” is a good example of how a sequel should be made. And to be fair, the sequel is even better!

Since the end of the first movie, five years have gone by on the island Berk. Hiccup and his friends are grown and in a great opening scene we see how they are in the middle of a dragon race. Hiccup’s dad, Stoic the Great, is preparing him to become the next leader of Berk, but Hiccup wants to go on adventures with his dragon Toothless. There is so much more to explore. While being on one of his adventures, Hiccup stumbles upon Drago Bludvist, an infamous dragon hunter, who wants to disturb the peace between man and dragon.

Like the first film, the sequel is based on the book series by Cressida Cowell. Dean DeBlois is the man who managed to translate it to the big screen. The visuals are amazing and the story is strong. The movie is intelligent, but also very funny. The characters make brave and confronting decisions. The movie has light moments, but also doesn’t fear to have so more heavy themes in it. The fact that we know this sequel is part of a trilogy, makes it even more exciting. Maybe DeBlois will make an even better third film!

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 18: Movie 43

Director: Elizabeth Banks, Bett Ratner, Bob Odenkirk, Steven Brill, Steve Carr, Rusty Cundieff, James Duffy, Griffin, Dunne, Peter Farrelly, Patrick Forsberg, Will Graham, James Gunn, Jonathan van Tulleken

Genre: Comedy

Runtime: 94 minutes

Year: 2013

Starring: Kate Winslet, Hugh Jackman, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, Richard Gere, Kate Bosworth, Halle Berry, Stephen Merchant, Live Schreiber, Naomi Watts, Terrence Howard, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Duhamel, Kieran Culkin, Emma Stone, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Uma Thurman, Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Bell, Justin Long, Leslie Bibb, Gerard Butler, Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, Jeremy Allen White, J.B. Smoove, Jack McBrayer, Aasif Mandvi, Bobby Cannavale, Patrick Warburton, Jimmy Bennett, Matt Walsh, Adam Cagley, Devin Eash

Description: A series of interconnected short films.

Review: That a cast filled with Hollywood’s finest actors isn’t a guarantee for a good movie, is made painfully clear by “Movie 43”. In the US the movie got criticized and smashed by the audience and after seeing it myself I know why. It’s a comedy that simply isn’t funny, that barely has a script and has the goal to show the audience raunchy and ridiculous sketches. For instance, Kate Winslet going on a blind date with Hugh Jackman who has testicles under his chin, Halle Berry making guacamole with her boob and Elizabeth Banks who gets peed on by an animated cat. One sketch is even worse than the other.

Why all those actors and actresses (some with Academy Award wins and nominations) wanted to be in this movie, is a mystery. The movie is vulgar, obscene, nasty and especially really unfunny. You know how many times I laughed? Not once! The only reason to watch this movie is to see with your own eyes how terrible “Movie 43” is. But please, run away from it as fast as you can!

Rating: 0,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 18: ParaNorman

Director: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Genre: Animation/ Family/ Adventure
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, John Goodman, Leslie Mann, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Casey Affleck, Tucker Albrizzi, Jeff Garlin

Description: In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil (Tucker Albrizzi), believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's estranged eccentric uncle (John Goodman) tells him of an important annual ritual he must take up to protect the town from a curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago.

Review: After “Coraline” in 2009, the same studio brings us “ParaNorman”. The style is the same, the so called stop-motion technique is used here.
The story of “ParaNorman” revolves around the young Norman who has the gift of seeing dead people and communicating with them. It’s actually more of a burden for Norman, because everyone thinks he’s a freak, even his family worries about him. His estranged uncle verifies Norman isn’t crazy, because he tells him about a witches curse. Norman is the one to stop that curse.
“ParaNorman” looks stunning. It’s a dark and raw animation, not suited for all viewers by the way. With the stop-motion technique it is definitely very unique, although the creepy setting reminds you a bit of “Coraline”.
The story lacks a bit of depth, because it’s all just a rescue mission where Norman goes from loser to hero. I love the inside jokes and references to classic horror movies, but I’m doubting if kids understand them. Overall “ParaNorman” is an entertaining and visually stunning animation.

Rating: 3/ 5