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CINEMATRIX - by LuckyWill

Cinematrix is movie goer central bringing everything from the Big Screen to your screen.

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CINEMATRIX - December 2006

Xmas Holiday Movies for Kids 06

December 17th 2006 21:33

Now approaching the holidays where the joy of parlaying the kids off to someone elses responsiblity (school) is closely coming to an end the question begs, how to entertain them before they break something while under your responsiblity? Sure they can entertain themselves infrequently or play at their friends but inevitably there will be times when they or you will need a 2 hour timeout with some decent movies. So, I've compiled a list of good films to see at the cinemas throughout the Christmas break.

Happy Feet

An enjoyable computer-animated romp where emperor penguins sing and dance provided by the voices of Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman and Nicloe Kidman under the directing style of George Miller (an Australian director/producer known for his work on Babe, The Witches of Eastwick and a couple of the Mad Maxs'). The story involves one penguin named Mumble who unlike his counterparts cannot sing and as such suffers hardships in his colony when this is the characterised norm for penguins. (...) However, through his optimism he finds another way to overcome adversity and the positivity he brings is infectious. If you liked the journey of "March of the Penguins", the theatrical elements of Billy Elliot plus the over the top excitement you would expect from a current Hollywood animation, then Happy Feet will accomodate suitably.

Flushed Away

Another animated film that's family friendly but with a decidedly more mature humour than Happy Feet is Flushed Away. Roddy, voiced by Hugh Jackman, is a well-to-do pet mouse whose life gets turned upside down from an upper-class London cage to the toilet bowl and into the world below the earth in cities of rodents in the sewers. Yet still bold and colourful this world presents an array of challenges Roddy has to come to grips with in his new habitat. Along his encounter he meets the straight-talking Rita, voiced by the likeable Kate Winslet. Like any cariacture of undesirable urban sprawl it's led by a ruthless and fearsome leader - The Toad - voiced by Ian McKellan. Funny and in some respects quite like "Chicken Run", or "Stuart Little" in it's humour and a story of a character out of place; it's an engaging romp with more emphasis on fast and comical dialogue than Happy Feet and perhaps better suited for parents/babysitters who want something more from the experience too.

Charlottes Web

This second screen adaptation based on the book by E.B. White provides a more down to earth experience than the above two for reasons of story-telling and charm. Additionally it is not all animated so the characters - being farm animals - are more realistic and lifelike quite obviously. However the voice acting lineup is similarly impressive boasting heavyweights like Julia Roberts playing Charlotte the spider, John Cleese, Robert Redford, Dakota Fanning and Steve Buscemi. If you're unfamiliar with the story (and possibly unAustralian since we all had to read the book at some stage in our youth) it entails Wilbur a young pig who becomes increasingly scared he will end up as his owners dinner to the apathy of the older farm animals who have accepted a similar fate. Daringly, he hatches a plan with his friend Charlotte and the human Fern (Fanning) to not let this happen. There is glaring correlations to the film Babe from having a pig as a lead, but also those same sentimental and teary moments whereby you sympathise with the character emotionally. Be warned, it is a tear-jerker. Despite this it's a warm and endearing film.

Have you seen a kids film that should be included on the list?
Or disliked the options above?

Images used:
abc.net.au/atthemovies
catsuka.com

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"Borat" Film Review

December 6th 2006 22:27

The counter-culture 'mockumentary' of the fictional character Borat and title of the same name (being 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan') is intended for a generation X and Y audience yet tickles the funny-bone of a wider spectrum through a series of skits or comedy sketches. These sketches essentially make up a narrative which in turn loosely configures a plot to be based around. Though, there is enough time to inclusively parody religion, race and gender and anything else considered a culturally sensitive area. That is to say they are extremely politically incorrect and moderately offensive. However, politically both sides will have something to laugh at - either for or against Borat. And in which, this is where the comedy strongly succeeds in being funny for various reasons: one being the laughs at the central character and laughs with the central character making it hilarious.

But how does it set itself apart from other so-called “comedies”, I hear you ask. Well, this film takes you on a ride much like quasi docos of late like “Super Size Me” and “Bowling for Columbine”, but isn’t so hard-pressed to reveal one single agenda but moves across a series of instances without subverting you to a particular stance and rather leaves it up to the viewer to merely watch and not be directed. So mercifully the viewer can make up its own mind. Also the viewer isn’t led along like the aforementioned by a general building argument for a topic, but merely representing a clash of ideas in a non-harmful, almost slapstick way.

How does it do all this while keeping interest then, I hear you interject. The film narrowly presents a fixed stereotypical view of cultures (without being cliché) and reaffirms them for the benefit of comedy and nothing more. Precisely, it’s about the prejudices that cultures have of each other and of themselves done in a style that is reminiscent of watching Jackass or teen gross out films like American Pie. For example it's that feeling of anticipation you know is going to have horrible repercussions that the lead is aimlessly and naively walking into that is as agonising as it is exciting.

Some sketches are staged and others unstaged. The exact percentile is debateable.

However here’s a few to excite your imagination:

An irrational fear of Jews and their covet for money and shape-changing abilities.
A deep resentment of gypsies, even accusing simple garage sellers in America as being gypsies.
Open-mouth kissing a girl he claims is the fourth best prostitute in his country to revealing it's his sister.
Finding consent in relation to sex, feminism and speaking about animal cruelty as absurd and confusing.
Upon arriving in wealthy America and the hotel Borat was staying at, misunderstanding the elevator was not his room.
When inside his actual room confusing the toilet as a wash basin.
Inadvertently meeting some guys at a parade who suggest nude wrestling afterwards at the hotel Borat is staying at.
Later ensuing a very public and awkwardly choreographed nude (and very hairy) male fight

Detractions from the film include the possibility that you’re familiar with Sacha Baron Cohen’s other work post-Ali Gi, as some of the scenarios are very similar in style and content if not replicating them entirely and of course the fallout from Kazakhstan authorities arguing it's not an accurate depiction of their country. However you see it, I'm sure there's still extra laughs to be had and if taken seriously is really just missing the point of seeing a comedy film.

Overall, it’s one of the best laughs I’ve had at the cinema all year. Confronting but only surfacely intrusive, funny if not hilarious, embarrassing if not so damn likeable.

Tis-a Gooooud.
4 starz

Images from:
avidardik.com
popmatters.com

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