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myopichobbit29
Reviews
Space Cases (1996)
What an amazing and much missed show...
This show started coming on when I was nine years old. I can vividly remember watching the show, loving the characters, and occasionally getting mad when I missed an episode because my family hung around somewhere "too long" and the show was off before I got home. My brother and I even had a secret club that centered around the show. The only other member was one one of our friends. This was an awesome show that deserves a DVD at least, if not a chance to re-air (obviously not new episodes) on a cable channel, maybe Noggin. And to the writers: well done. You created characters that still stick in my memory and environments that sparked my imagination. Here's to hoping we fans get to see it again one day!
The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1992)
Ahhh, those were the days....
The Adventures of Pete and Pete were a massive part of my childhood, one of the shows I grew up on, in the same group with Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Ren and Stimpy.
Pete and Pete was a wonderfully bizarre show, which may explain why I like it so much, being sort of weird myself. It reminded me of all the awesomeness of summertime, the fun with friends, and the Christmas spirit (a favorite episode of mine.) Me and my brother still joke about Endless Mike's ceramic cat and his love of Neopolitan ice creams. (I cannot watch Band of Brothers without my thoughts going to The Adventures of Pete and Pete.) The best episode was probably the one where Little Pete and his friends Wayne, Monica, and Nona travel all night to recharge his lucky penny. Bus driver Stu was hilarious in his insane ways. And Artie, the Strongest Man *pause* in the World! Bottom line: I love this show. I'm really happy to see it coming out on DVD, and I will be making a trip to buy it very soon. Rent it, buy it, check it out if it ever comes on TV again (for shame, Noggin!), but be sure you see this show!
A Wrinkle in Time (2003)
people, chill...
Okay, people, I've read most of the reviews for this film, and so many people have said that it was horrible. I disagree.
It was really good. I read A Wrinkle in Time when I knew that it was coming out on ABC sometime. Of course, I had to wait awhile to see the movie, and read the book several times. I found the character of Meg to be similar to me, so I was especially excited to see how the characters (and especially Meg's best friend Calvin) would be portrayed.
I'll admit, it wasn't perfect. Meg didn't look like the slightly nerdy outcast of the books, but I was willing to forgive. Mrs. Whatsit as a centaur did not resemble my idea, but it was still cool. But, people, you have to remember that this was a MADE FOR TV MOVIE. It wasn't perfect, nor is it ever going to be. It's not ILM, or Weta-Digital, but who cares? I don't want eye-candy; I want a story, with good characters.
The relationship between Meg and Charles Wallace was good. The relationship between Meg and Calvin was represented even better. The Happy Medium was...very different than what I invisioned, but still amusing. The man with the red eyes was entertaining, as well. (And I'm glad SOMEONE finally cleared up how to pronounce Fortinbras; I was having trouble with that one.) Overall, the movie was good. We all have to remember that any adaptation of any book is NOT going to be perfect. Only then can we truly enjoy any adaptation of anything.
The Hobbit (1977)
Not horrible...
Although I have seen WAY WAY better, I have to admit that this wasn't awful. (Unlike The Return of the King, in 1980.) I do have a few things to say about it, however.
SPOILERS
The music, much like in The Return of the King, is not really likable. I didn't like it, anyway, and hate to have it stuck in my head. The Elves of Mirkwood ended up looking like monkeys, Elrond had a beard (see The Return of the King, 1980), and Gollum looked pregnant. Both Bilbo and the Dwarfs were too short and round for my liking. The voice work is not the best, either. Overall, it was pretty faithful to Tolkien's work (although the men of Laketown had hair oddly reminiscent of Sonny of Sonny and Cher.) The only downside of the movie is that I was almost discouraged from reading the book because of the way that the story was presented. (I did read it-3 times in fact.)
When you watch it, bear in mind that it's not a great adaptation of Tolkien's work, just merely okay.
The Return of the King (1980)
This is actually painful to watch...
First of all, I'd like to express how much I love The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien was a genius. Peter Jackson did a great job on the films, I think. But Rankin-Bass, however, did not.
SPOILERS
The thing that bothered me a lot in this movie was the music. It was annoying, and ends up getting stuck in your head. Right now I'm trying to get rid of the one about Frodo's Nine Fingers. The animation is awful. There were also several elements of the story that bothered me, in animation, and in plot. For example, why did Elrond have a beard? Elves don't have beards. They are clean-shaven, always. Why did Merry and Pippin meet on the Pelenor DURING the battle? Where are Legolas and Gimli? What's with Denethor? The orcs looked much too top-heavy to be able to walk. The Nazgul were terrible. (They were on flying horses.) Denethor was bad, as well, as he just looked like a crazy old man with a back problem. He didn't look strong at all, as he was portrayed in the books and the recent film by Peter Jackson. Gollum looked as if he were pregnant, and sounded like a guy clearing his throat. And Sam's frequent exclamations of, "Oh, my God!" and "Lord, help me!" were not true to the books. (Although Tolkien was a Christian and so am I, the phrases should not have been in the movie.) And the battering ram, Grond? The thing looked as if strangely colored drool was coming out of its mouth rather than fire.
This was overall the worst adaptation of anything I have ever seen. It was, truly, painful to watch.
No, really, I was writhing in agony. Good thing the library rents out tapes for free.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
near and dear...
Warning: possible spoilers
This film is absolutely amazing. It is even better than the other two. Several times during the numerous viewings I enjoyed, I looked away from the screen and found myself surprised to be in a room with other people. That's how captivating this film was.
The opening is disgusting in a fun way, sad, and anger inspiring all at the same time. The music is impeccable, thanks to the genius of Howard Shore. I loved the characters, Pippin and Sam being among my favorites. Eowyn, who many girls claim as their favorite because she "kicks butt" is good as well, but Aragorn is simply amazing.
The scene about death being not the end, only another road, is a tearjerker, and Ian McKellan is brilliant as Gandalf. Shelob is delightfully creepy, as are large spiders, and only bearable because you know she is only in the movie, and it is impossible for the characters to enter our world, although many times we are immersed in theirs.
I would say that the only downer about this film is the end. You know when the beginning of the end is, but that does not give it predictability. It's like one last longing look at home before it's time to leave for good. The music at the Grey Havens is eerie, and joyful, and mournful all at the same time. It makes you want to cry and shout for joy. (I cannot rightly describe it; you'll have to listen for yourself). The end made me cry, not because it is all sad (it is sad, though.) The sadness is not full of finality, but a trust that good friends will meet again.
This film is truly something I will remember forever, and something I will want to show posterity one day.