The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

Thursday, November 20, 2008 / Posted by Murky / comments (0)


Why are you looking at me like that? What just because I'm awesome means I can't watch Disney? Well then I don't wanna be awesome.
Okay, I still want to be awesome. I still am, who are we kidding? This is a movie and I'm open to reviewing any movie.
This is technically the third movie in The Little Mermaid franchise. In this tale we find a young Ariel in a Atlantica where music is outlawed. Jodi Benson and Samuel Wright reprise their roles as Ariel and Sebastian. Also Starring Sally Field as the new villain Marina Del Ray.
Animation was right on for a classically animated Disney film. There were elements of 3D rendering that were used in combination to the 2D. Unfortunately I found these a little off putting. They weren't up to the 3D par that Disney had previously set. This was most likely due to funding for this straight to video addition.
Revitalizing characters and setting up elements explored in the first film, this prequel does a good job of staying with the characters we all remember from the 1989 classic.
As far as story goes, we are introduced to an Atlantica where music has been outlawed by King Triton. Ariel in her usual curious way, discovers an underground music club and tries to reinstate music in Atlantica. This plot kept making me think about Footloose, and the Footloose soundtrack is so darn catchy it stays in my head for days... damn you Kenny Loggins!! DAMN YOU!
Speaking of soundtrack, The Little Mermaid original had some of the most memorable Disney songs and won multiple awards. The soundtrack in this update was a little lacking. Only a couple new songs, none which I found particular catchy and multiple uses of Harry Belafonte's Jump in the Line (Shake Senora). Which is also very catchy and always reminds me of Beetlejuice. While I didn't mind listening to Sebastian's rendition, the rest of the soundtrack was not to my interests.
In classic Disney fashion, the in-jokes were abound. Multiple references with one-liners or imagery that played on classic moments from the original film in addition to some other Disney franchises. I kept waiting for Nemo, but I didn't see him. I didn't see a single murloc either.
There were plenty of moments that had me laughing. I enjoyed the movie, it was a tad predictable, but overall I enjoyed the hour and forty-minutes this lasted. Don't necessarily put it top priority, but definitely rent this when you get a chance.

3 Murloc Scales (Out of 5)

Extra notes: I noticed it early on, but used IMDB to double check. The voice of Triton is performed by Jim Cummings, who is more recognized for his portrayal of "Pegleg Pete" or just Pete as he goes by now that his leg is back. For those not in the know about Disney characters, Pete was Mickey's nemesis. He is probably most recognized as Pete, Goofy's neighbor in A Goofy Movie and the TV series Goof Troop. Not anything important, but fun to know.

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The Comedians of Comedy: The Movie

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 / Posted by Murky / comments (0)

So while I stand by my belief that a stand-up comedy DVD is not technically a movie, but a showcase, this is in fact a Documentary. The Comedians of Comedy: The Movie follows Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford, and Zach Galifianakis on a recent comedy tour. It does showcase highlights from their acts, but also follows them offstage and lets you really see the comedians for who they really are.

The camaraderie that these four share so naturally is what really makes this a great film. The meshing of talent from several different styles of comedy all come together to weave a beautiful blanket. I really enjoyed seeing them hang out at diners and coffee shops and just kicking back. While I'm sure it would be different still if I was hanging out at someone's house with no cameras. it was nice to see the work behind the comedy.
The highlights from their acts were nothing short of spectacular as well. Comedy is fresh and unless you saw this tour then the bits will most likely be new to you as well.
This was something I turned on to listen to while working on some other projects and ended up blowing everything else off to devote my attention to this film. Go out and support these comedians, if you aren't aware who they are please google them as I'm sure you will instantly recognize at least half of them.

In conclusion, hooray for comics.  5 Murloc Scales! (Out of 5)

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Where the hell have you been?

Monday, November 17, 2008 / Posted by Murky / comments (0)

As many a parent has screamed at their past curfew child... "Where the hell have you been?"

Was my devoted audience worried sick about me? Probably not.
Did my employers the Donut Boys check up on me? Not Once, the bastards.
Where the hell was I? I was hospitalized on a recent fishing trip.
Murky fishes? No... Perhaps I should clarify about my recent horrific event.
It was not MY fishing trip, but some crazy-ass old men on a "business trip." I was vacationing at my winter retreat while the Donut Boys are taking their sweet time finishing this season up. I had decided to go take a relaxing swim and maybe pick up some lunch. I was swimming along minding my own business when out of no where a freaking harpoon is lunged into my thigh! A freaking harpoon! So the next thing I know Captain Ahab there is reeling me into his boat. I was cussing and screaming at him, but he was apparently deaf, as he just stood there with his buddies in shock. As if these malicious geriatrics had never seen a dieing murloc before! So they come in for the kill and I freaked out, I don't remember much from the blood loss, but i was kicking and biting, and i took one of their hands. I'm not proud of my actions, but I thought these guys were going to off me. It was self defense I swear.
So I spent the next few weeks in a veterinarian hospital. Since I was rejected from the normal hospital, which will be hearing from my lawyer by the way. I've mostly recuperated and my leg is healing normally.
Now that I'm back home, hopefully I can catch up on some movies I've missed over this last month.
I'll post more soon, to all 3 of you devoted readers.

Love,
Murky.

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Mel Brooks' Silent Movie: Dialogue was lacking...

Monday, October 06, 2008 / Posted by Murky / comments (1)

So catching up on the classics from Netflix, I finally sat down to Silent Movie the other day.My thoughts? 

The dialogue was lacking...

But in all honesty this was an awesome homage to the golden age of film. When movies were a luxury and something new and exciting... something that hasn't happened SINCE the golden age of cinema...

This is classic Brooks comedy right here. If you enjoy the kind of movie that pokes fun at Hollywood and itself, then this will be a must. Mel Brooks has always pushed the boundaries of comedy, he gets in your face and honors some of the most famous moments on film all at the same time. His joke might have been dirty, but he usually did it with a touch of subtlety. Unlike the shock comedy of today which is all about "ha ha, you said penis."

Brooks stars in this as a washed up director who tries to save a movie studio. With his henchmen Feldman and DeLuise the 3 provide ample entertainment all on their own for a majority of screen time. Add in the all-star cast with Sid Ceasar, Burt Reynolds, Liza Minelli and even the late great Paul Newman and you have a great mix of star power and raw talent.

This movie had more than one LOL (laugh out loud, for you Internet illiterates.) moment, and stands the test of time as a truly ingenious film.

Final Score: 4 out 5 Murloc Scales.



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Timely Reviews or This Totally is a week old now

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 / Posted by Murky / comments (0)

So yes I realize this it totally from last Thursday, but I was busy and didn't get to watch it until this weekend. And I can't very well tell you about it if I haven't seen it...
If you are not familiar, we are talking about the CW network's scary thriller "Supernatural." Here is a teaser for Season 4 which premiered September 18th. If you wanna watch recent episodes, visit http://www.cwtv.com/shows/supernatural 


Well are you teased at all? I wish they would give a little more insight... but I guess they definitely intrigued me. I'm thinking, "What the hell are they talking about?" And HELL is right. In the series' 4th year they will be continuing the transformation from hunting random mythological things to all out demon-busting.
If you haven't seen this series and intend on it, go out and rent or buy the first 3 seasons... it's worth buying, but it's gonna be a pretty penny to pick up all 3 right now. I'm sure there are less legal ways of procuring such artifacts, but frankly that is below me... besides I make the Donut Boys pay for them. (Research Material... wink wink...) I'm about to spoil this for you so you might want to look away if you don't want this spoiled...

THEN
(cue driving classic rock tune)
Season 3 left us very sad and lonely. Sam has failed to save Dean. Dean is now dead and in hell. Ruby our friendly neighborhood demon is... well... who knows where. And despite not being able to kill Sam, Lilith has escaped into the night. Woe is us.
NOW
That brings us to Season 4. My predictions going into this premiere? Obviously Dean is going to find a way out of hell this season. If he were leaving the show we would've heard about it somehow, and he probably wouldn't be in the teaser for season 4. My second theory is we will see a return of Sam's powers. Now I have no real idea if that was going to happen, to be honest the majority of Season 3 episodes something would happen to Sam and I think, "Here it comes! He's got his powers back!" And then he wouldn't. Also I was hoping they would bring back Ruby. She was helpful even though everyone was fairly distrusting.
What did happen? Well... I don't wanna go into too much detail, but All of my theories were recognized. Actually that was a lot of detail. The first several minutes of the episode are of just Dean wondering around. I expected them to draw Dean in hell out over a few episodes... but no.
I won't reveal how the rest of the details unfold, but by the end of the episode they answer most of the questions you went into season 4 asking yourself. Honestly, this episode was a little dry. Not a lot of action, but a lot of exposition and a lot of, "what's going on?" I think it felt rushed. In the last season we only got little tastes over several episodes and this one just flat out tells us how it is.
I have a new theory about this. I think they are catching us up so we understand a little better and we are gonna see some major kick ass stuff coming up. This show has come a long way since Sam and Dean were just meandering around the country stopping wherever they felt. Now things are a lot more calculated, organized. They generally know what they are up against. It's all about Demons now, and the common creatures are the new minority. So I expect a lot from this upcoming season with the new allies we are introduced to.

Is this season worth the watch or has it jumped the shark? I can't tell yet. It definitely did what any good season premiere should do. It amped it up a notch, and it has definitely reeled me in wanting more.
Supernatural... Thursdays 9/8 CST on TheCW right after Smallville.

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Burn After Reading or 96 Minutes that NEVER Happened.

Friday, September 19, 2008 / Posted by Murky / comments (0)

So I went on down to the theater tonight. I hadn’t been in a couple weeks and decided that I better keep up before the big hallow-thanks-mas season of movies drops on us. So I paid my 5 bucks for a large soda… because you get free refills for a large.

So I went into “Burn” with a blank slate. It seemed like it was going to be one of those weird movies that you either love or hate. I was pretty much right.

“Burn” is quick to introduce a cast of characters that are all very messed up in the head. Everyone has issues, and they tend to not worry mostly about themselves. The premise behind this film is:

“A disc containing the memoirs of a CIA agent ends up in the hands of two unscrupulous gym employees who attempt to sell it.”
This basically sets off all of the unfortunate events that follow. We start off with Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich), a very tightly wound guy with a streak of bad luck to come. Add in the cold-hearted nagging wife, Katie Cox, (Tilda Swinton) and now you see why Osbourne is so angry. Quick to follow are the rest of the players in this incredibly tangled web. The Arrogant Paranoid Jerk, Harry (Clooney). The Brainless Jock Strap with ADD, Chad Feldheimer (Pitt), and the single-minded Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand).

The plot unfolds as we get to know all of the character flaws. The shortcomings of these characters are the motivator for the plot. Another reminder that everything you do has an effect, usually negative, on everything around you. As these insignificant characters become more and more convinced that they are important the story becomes more and more twisted. This movie plays out similar to when you were a kid and tried to go down the slide but your butt stuck to the top and you didn’t move. You kept nudging it harder and harder, and slowly you start to pick up speed. Finally you take off and pick up speed. And then it’s over because it was a 5 foot slide and you took too long to get started….

Basically what I’m trying to say is that the pacing in the first half of the movie is a little dry. There are good gags, great jokes, but it still felt slow. It’s only at the point the story gets weird does the pace pick up. And when it starts to pick up they shut it down. This whole movie revolves each of the characters little subplots, and as the credits roll on, we have no lessons learned; no objectives completed, and except for a few “accidents”, the characters have not evolved. “Burn After Reading” accomplishes nothing…. But it does nothing with a precise and deadly accuracy.

My verdict: If you like the Coen Brothers, if you like anybody in this film, proceed with purchasing a ticket. Your favorite person will not let you down. This is a nice lightweight film that provides ample entertainment without being over-filling.

Murky: So Churok, what did we learn from this? 
Churok: Um... I don't know. 
[pause] 
Murky: I don't f#@%in' know either.
3 Scales.

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Coming Soon... To a Blog Near You

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 / Posted by Murky / comments (0)

What up cyber world? It finally happened. The Donut Boys have made up for their previous mistakes... and there are a lot to make up for. They have given me my own corner of the Internet. And it is good...

Basically I'm here to complain about the giant pile of crap that is Hollywood. I will be watching lots of movies, (All on the Donut Boys wallets too!) and then giving you the low down on what's worth 8 bucks.
I'm also going to probably complain about TV as well, because I like to complain.
And random pop culture bits and pieces as well... because those stuck up "actresses", if you can call them that, wouldn't date me because I smell like fish and am kinda slimy. Well I got some news for you Paris, that's what we had in common!! Here's a picture from the other night, my main bovine Churok in the background there. We grinding on some sweet cutlets. who needs celebrities right?
Anyway, I gotta go to the studio and finish recording Season 3 of the Chalice of Silvermoon.
Check it out, it's pretty cool because I'm in it. Feel free to fast forward through the other bits, I won't mind.

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