Sky High

I didn't think Disney made obscure movies. But based on how many of my friends haven't heard of 2005's Sky High I may have to revise this axiom.

This is a delightful and clever comedy about a boy, Will Stronghold, finding his way through his first year of high school. Will is the son of 2 superheroes (Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston), and thus goes to Sky High, a school devoted to teaching teens with super powers.

The cast is amazing - especially the school's staff; including Lynda Carter, Bruce Campbell (!!), and Kids In The Hall stars Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald.

Even its soundtrack is good: 80's songs covered by various artists (and done well), like Devo's hit Through Being Cool performed by They Might Be Giants.

As you may have guessed already, this Disney movie is not for little kids. But I'd suggest this for anyone older than a high school freshman. Adults will really like this too. In fact, I'd put this in my favorite high school movies!

Not the Messiah - He's a Very Naughty Boy

This week's suggestion is mainly for you Monty Python fans - 2010's Not The Messiah.

Filmed at a one-time only showing at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Eric Idle and John Du Prez, the creators of Spamalot, give Python's Life of Brian the same treatment as they did Holy Grail (Spamalot).

This is not a play, as Spamalot is. Rather it's an oratorio - meaning it's just singers, Eric Idle and some memorable cameos standing on-stage in front of a symphony orchestra. There isn't much acting unfortunately, mainly singing.

The other slight drawback for me was that it made me want to watch Life of Brian again (oh nooooooo!)

The singers, orchestra and choir are all excellent and it's a really good show. So if you enjoy Monty Python I'd recommend renting this.

Zombieland

Time to change things up - in more ways than one.

2009's Zombieland is a lot more mainstream than I usually review but...

Every once in a while you watch a movie that captures your sense of humor so perfectly that it becomes an instant classic - like Tremors, Clerks, Supertroopers and now Zombieland.

It's about...it's a zombie flick, do you really need a plot summary??

And like the other movies I just mentioned, this is NOT to be taken too seriously. (Zombie flick!) Sure it's predictable in spots, but it more than makes up for that with it's humor.

This has instantly become my favorite zombie movie, by far. Sorry, George A. Romero, I love the idea of the zombie allegory, but Zombieland is such a pleasure to watch, it's got you beat.

It's not nearly as scary as most zombie movies and not as gory. Although there is some gore. (Zombie flick!)

Rent Zombieland!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I'd consider this week's suggestion a Must See! It's the 2008 World War II drama The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

It's about an 8-year old boy and his family who move from the big city, Berlin, to the country. Bruno, the boy, finds it boring and lonely in his new surroundings so he explores the woods behind his house and makes an unusual friend, to say the least, in another boy his age.

This is a BBC film and everyone, including the American actress playing the mother, has a thick British accent that is hard to understand at points. There - that's the bad stuff. (Some have complained about the pacing, especially early, but it's a DRAMA. Shut up, sit still and watch!)

I was skeptical of the premise going in, but the plot is handled with care and precision. All the characters are very 3-dimensional. but most of all, they did wonderful job with the script capturing the innocence of childhood!

This is what sets this movie apart from other great WWII movies - It really is seen though the eyes of a child.

Perhaps, best of all, this movie is hard hitting - how can it not be - but it does not beat you over the head with a sledgehammer like many war movies do.

Better Than a Movie

I'm taking a brief holiday, as the Brits would say, from blogging.

There is something a lot more exciting to watch. Especially this year!!

I hope it's a long, good series and I wish I could watch every single minute of it. (silly eastern time zones!)

Beer Wars

Here's an interesting, informative and entertaining documentary, 2009's Beer Wars.

Written and directed by Anat Baron, a former executive for Mike's Hard Lemonade, this movie describes the fight micro-breweries have to endure to try to compete with the "Big Three" (Anheuser-Busch, Coors, and Miller).

I've been interested in this subject ever since Coors bought the rights to Caffrie's Cream Ale and then refused to sell it in the U.S.A.

Do not be put off if you're not a beer snob/aficionado/casual fan. This documentary doubles nicely as a Big-corporations-are-too-greedy essay.

Information is abundant in the movie. I learned Stella Artois, Kirin, Bass and other "good" imported beers' rights are owned by Anheuser-Busch, if not owned outright, for example.

There are a few problems with Beer Wars. The female subject isn't nearly as sympathetic as she should be, and Anat spends almost all her time on the east coast. Stone Brewery and Mike's are mentioned in passing, but those are the only mentions of anything west coast - Odd, I thought, as the micro-brews are doing so well here.

But over-all I liked this movie and would recommend renting (or streaming) it!