rtivey913 Reviews

Peter Rabbit (2018)

I love it!

[9/10 · 20 June 2021]

I've been sort of a sucker for Peter Rabbit and the world of Beatrix Potter even before I saw this movie, so I suppose you could say I'm a little biased in my review. But I must insist that this was a very entertaining movie!

Peter's personality is sort of a change from the books or the TV show, if you've seen either of them, but I feel like his characterization here works very well. The movie also did a great job working Benjamin and his sisters into it as well. In the original books, his sisters weren't really anything more than background characters, but here they're as competent as Peter is, even if he doesn't care about having them join in. Benjamin is also the voice of reason and quite wise, and is one of the more important characters.

The only issues I really saw in this movie were a few cliches and the use of a whole lot of pop songs. I feel like they could've gone with a lot less of them, and maybe make it have a more orchestral or traditional soundtrack to match the homeliness of the original books.

Ultimately I gotta give this movie an 8.5 out of 10, but I'm rounding it up to a 9. I like this movie a lot, and I would definitely watch it again.

Jurassic Park (1993)

An intense, fascinating, and wonderful watch

[9/10 · 12 June 2017]

Jurassic Park is one of those movies that is difficult to explain, so I will explain it a bit.

A team of archaeologists are invited to an island where scientists use DNA of dinosaur blood to bring dinosaurs back to life. Along the way, they find themselves in somewhat of a pickle as they discover that humans and dinosaurs most certainly don't mix together.

The visuals are amazing. The dinosaurs are animated so well that at times, it's rather difficult to make out what is supposed to be computer generated and what is supposed to be an animatronic. The scenery is gorgeous. Looking at all of the diverse plant life and animal life is such a fascinating experience, I have to give tons of credit to the people who put the scenery together. One day, I'd love to visit the island and meet all the dinosaurs. Oh wait, this is fictional. I almost forgot because of how well the movie is put together!

The story is intense and exciting. There are many fast paced scenes that have been terrifically put together. There's lots of running from the dinosaurs, and there's lots of falling and hiding too. There are also many scenes where people are thought to be dead, particularly Tim. But fortunately for all of us, the protagonists manage to survive. What also makes this movie great is the proper use of light moments. They have jokes, puns, punchlines all put in during the more quiet moments and even during the intense scenes to keep our attention and keep us exhilarated for what would happen next.

Steven Spielberg, you do an amazing job. This movie isn't the greatest movie I've ever seen, but it's definitely up there. I can see without a doubt, why this movie is a classic and beloved by millions. I am going to rate it a 9.

Bee Movie (2007)

Cute, but unremarkable

[7/10 · 31 May 2017]

What's there to bee said about the Bee Movie? I can't deny that it was pretty decent, but I can't say that it was great. It's a highly forgettable romp into the life of a single bee that changes the world. Who would be curious about the life of a bee? Maybe scientists, or interested specialists, but not the average person. But here we are.

I really enjoyed the visuals. The inside of the hive and Manhattan on the sunny days were very impressive. It was bright and colorful. And I like bright and colorful. The voice acting was also very convincing. The actors did a very nice job at their roles, and they sounded pretty good. But with all these positives, there is a negative to go with it. To begin, the logic is very flawed. Bees aren't the only animals that can pollinate flowers. And although plant production would definitely be given a very large dent, surely all the flowers wouldn't die instantaneously over a couple of days. And there are billions upon billions upon BILLIONS of different bees out there, and you're only using, oh, I dunno... Only the bees that are in the state of New York, in contrast to claiming that you're using "Every bee there is". I may be nitpicking, but stating things like this, and correcting them, is very important. The ending didn't make me feel satisfied. It felt really rushed, honestly. So many plot elements were just rushing by and I couldn't keep on track for a good chunk of the film. All in all, the Bee Movie is not a bad movie at all! But it is incredibly flawed in several aspects, and I wouldn't call it great. However, I'd still recommend it and give it a 7/10.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water (2015)

It's good but it doesn't feel like a theatrical movie

[7/10 · 21 May 2017]

SpongeBob SquarePants is one of my favorite television shows of all time. Most of the episodes are absolutely wonderful, and several of the jokes hit their marks. The first movie, for a long time, was the greatest movie I've ever seen, until Titanic trumped it a few years later. I never go to theaters so I didn't exactly see this movie on the big screen, and a few years after its release I watched it on the TV upstairs, and now I am able to give my honest opinion about it.

This movie is not bad. It's not even mediocre. It's surprisingly really good. But the biggest problem about it is that it doesn't feel like it should be a theatrical film. It feels like an hour and a half long TV special rather than a movie. many people may disagree with me about this, but this barely even feels like a SpongeBob movie. I don't exactly know how to explain it. But that doesn't mean it's bad. Far from it. It's a good movie. The CGI seagulls were hilarious and the pirate also put on a great performance. And also how the main characters all got together to take down the big bad, even the main villain helped our heroes. The jokes mostly hit their mark and several of the scenes where chaos ensues are definitely very funny. But it just doesn't feel like a proper SpongeBob movie to me. Personally, SpongeBob should belong on TV instead of the movie theater. The biggest issue I have is actually the rap battle in the end. I personally think it should be CGI just like how the animals usually are. But otherwise, it's a good movie, with some noticeable flaws.

Threads (1984 TV Movie)

Haunting

[9/10 · 17 April 2017]

I don't know where to begin with this movie. It's really good, but it's also really frightening. I assume their goal wasn't to scare, but to actually depict a realistic nuclear scenario, and by golly they've done it. I watched the entire movie and the events depicted in it burnt into my memory like no other movie has.

Where to begin? Well Ruth and Jimmy are apparently going to get married due to an unexpected pregnancy, but there are rising conflicts between America and Russia, and they are really beginning to get into a nuclear skirmish. Where the UK, where this movie is set in, fits in I have no idea. But much of the public is aware of this, and they start having peace protests and vendors start selling food for more money.

The explosion itself occurs about halfway into the movie, and after that is a bunch of people trying to survive after it. As much of us know, being in a nuclear explosion zone certainly isn't a walk in the park. You have to deal with fire, radiation, all that stuff. But it appears society there is beginning to gradually recover over the next few years, with some subsistence farming and a few new children being born. But times may not be too well. Kids only learn English through an old, deteriorated television program, and when Ruth's daughter has a child, well... Maybe civilization may not fully recover.

All in all, I highly recommend this movie for anyone interested in nuclear weapons, or citizens of Sheffield. It's very realistic and very frightening, and it's so good I give it a 9.

Wrongfully Accused (1998)

Better than expected, actually

[6/10 · 14 June 2016]

MOVIE 4 OF 4 OF MY LESLIE NIELSEN QUADRILOGY

Leslie Nielsen and his silver hair star as violinist Ryan Harrison. Ryan was wrongfully accused of murder, and he tries to get away while seeking evidence of being innocent by a one-eyed, one-legged, one- armed man.

Yes, the movie is just as bizarre as it sounds. In all honesty, I expected too little humor. But it turns out the movie had TOO MUCH humor. It was joke after joke after joke, non stop. And I loved it. Most jokes, however, were miss. There were a few hit jokes that I laughed or almost laughed at. For one, where the lady gives Ryan a giant drink with a giant umbrella, and when Ryan was impersonating a doctor, once poking a fat man's tummy and saying "He's pregnant".

Much of the humor in this film is so absurd that it just can't be forgotten. And I have not forgotten this flick. The biggest problem, however, is that the movie was so wrapped up in its comedy that it hardly developed any of its characters. I didn't even know the romantic interest's name until I saw the credits.

I have little to say about this one. It was decent, jokes weren't all that great but they worked. All in all I give a 6.

The Fox and the Hound 2 (2006 Video)

One fatal flaw made this shoot down to a 5

[5/10 · 13 June 2016]

In this movie Tod and Copper, as children, go to a county fair, and Copper's amazing singing abilities grants him a part in a show, where, soon enough, he disregards Tod and becomes a little spoiled. Tod joins this female dog who has recently been fired, for Copper, to dethrone him and for her to take back what was rightfully hers, and so Tod and Copper can be buddies again.

In hindsight, this seems like a nice film. And in general, it is. It's cute and charming, with silly antics by both the fox and the hound. However, there is one giant flaw that makes this movie not as good as it can be. Anyone who's seen the first movie already knows this. Both Tod and Copper get separated later on, and as they grow up they lose their bond and stop being friends. And that's how it'll remain for the rest of their lives. Seeing this, and watching the two remain buddies at the end, it just gives me a bitter feeling in my belly. I already know what their future will be like, so seeing all this ended up being completely unnecessary.

So in the end, this movie is cute and will probably entertain you and your child if you haven't seen the first movie yet, but for fans on the first one, this movie just... isn't right. It's nice and sweet and full of fun characters, but it just isn't right. So unfortunately I'm only able to rate this movie a 5 out of 10.

P.S., thank the Heavens Tod can't sing. If I saw a baby fox singing country music I would've stopped the film right then and there.

Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)

Insultingly funny!

[8/10 · 13 June 2016]

MOVIE 3 OF 4 OF MY LESLIE NIELSEN QUADRILOGY

The final of the three Naked Gun movies and I can tell they ended on a high note! Leslie and his silver hair once again star as the bumbling cop Lt. Frank Drebin. He has to handle a breakup while trying to defuse a bomb at the Academy Awards at the same time.

If you think that's the setup for a hilarious movie, it is. This movie has plenty of laugh out loud moments. Fresh from the other two Naked Gun films, Weird Al Yankovic makes an appearance, along with his 'partner', Vanna White. The president also makes a cameo.

Poor Frank can't catch a break, can he? He lost his wife for a while, was forced to go to prison, had to disguise time and time again, ended up in a lousy home with a threatening criminal and his crazy mother, and then he had to defuse a bomb at the Academy, and he realizes that a beautiful woman he kissed is a... well, herm.

I really liked the part where the guys in the prison were chanting "We are men! We are men!" And everyone got into a massive fight with hilarious results. I also loved the bit where Jane was at the court, and everybody, and I mean everybody but her was carrying a baby. And also the bit where Frank was flying around and knocked the enemy off the ledge, and when the entire audience facepalmed at the result from Drebin's stupidity. All in all, although still not quite as funny as the first, I gotta give it an 8/10.

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Not quite as funny as the first, but still gave me some strong belly laughs.

[8/10 · 13 June 2016]

MOVIE 2 OUT OF 4 ON MY LESLIE NIELSEN QUADRILOGY! In this flick Lt Frank Drebin, after saving the Queen, discovers that there's somebody who wants to impersonate the world-renowned scientist Dr. Meinheimer so he can do his evil schemes. I was... Well, significantly impressed by this film. I didn't expect it to be nearly as good as the first one, but hey, it was pretty darn close. The beginning of the movie didn't give me all that many laughs, but by the second part, I was laughing at every other scene. Good ol' Leslie Nielsen and his silver hair return as Frank Drebin of the infamous Police Squad! He is, of course, his usual bumbling unaware deadpan comedic cop. Also in this movie is Dr. Meinheimer, played by the silly ol' Richard Griffiths. A wheelchair bound doctor who was kidnapped by the impostor, also played by Richard Griffiths. Priscilla Presley returns as Jane Spencer too, in scenes that were even funnier than the first movie. I really loved the part where Drebin was trying to break free from his ropes and items kept on falling on Meinheimer's head, eventually knocking him out. I also enjoyed the bit where Drebin, assuming the fake Meinheimer was still on stage, took off his pants (and underwear) and tried to wash off what he thought was a fake birthmark. And finally the scene where Drebin inflates a hit-man intending to kill Jane with a water hose. All of those were wonderful scenes. In the end, I rate this an 8 out of 10.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)

A hilarious fun-fest that likely left many leaving the theater howling with laughter!

[9/10 · 11 June 2016]

What is there to say about this film? Fresh from the days of Police Squad!, Leslie Nielsen stars in this film about a cop named Frank Drebin getting clues about something with the Queen... in a humorous way! However all of this leads up to some antics at a baseball game. His poor friend Nordberg got into an accident, causing him to be injured throughout the film. Leslie Nielsen, outside of Airplane!, is at his gold here. He handles each and every scene oh so well. There was hardly a moment when he made a joke that I didn't laugh at it. And him being a white haired gentlemen that was getting elderly made it even more hilarious. Unfortunately the Queen doesn't play the Queen here. Instead it's Jeannette Charles, who does do a rather good act of her. I loved how she was so stuffy throughout the entire movie, politely waving and being highly disgusted by mild things. Perhaps one of the funniest moments in the entire flick was when Frank ended up taking the role of Enrico Pallazzo and started singing the National Anthem in a grating tone and incorrect lyrics. That scene was absolutely hilarious! But not nearly as hilarious as when the woman was trying to make a speech, and after Frank drank some cups of water he left his microphone on making his peeing audible during the entire thing. All in all, I must say that this was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves comedy movies such as this!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Can't say it was as good as the 1971 version, but it's not bad

[7/10 · 13 July 2015]

Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the second adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The first one being David Wolper's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This adaptation, unlike the 1971 version, is much darker and more true to the book.

Like any Burton production, the visuals are stunning, weird, and just straight-up pleasant. In fact, this is probably Burton's sanest piece of work. It features a... moderately realistic scenario.

Only one guy plays the several hundred Oompa Loompas: Deep Roy. He does a very good job on being the Oompa Loompas. The songs they sing are catchy, memorable, and certainly pleasant on the ear. Some changes from the book were made in this movie too: Mike Teavee is addicted to video games now. That's all I can tell.

There are many flaws in this movie, I must say. I think the story and pictures are a little bit too dark for me. The characters aren't as likable as the 1971 version, and I think it was kinda dumb that Willy Wonka's back story is shown much more than Charlie's antics. Speaking of which, Charlie just isn't good in this movie. I'm sure Freddie Highmore does great acting skills, but this one he was just kind of flawed. Same has to the be said for Johnny Depp, who plays Willy Wonka. The Wonka character isn't as sweet or sarcastic as the 1971 version. Again, I'm sure he was like he is in this movie in the book, but I've never read the book. I can't say I found this movie to be bad, but it's just not as good as the 1971 classic. I'd still recommend it though. This was the first Wonka movie I saw. 7/10

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

This chocolateer ain't coming' anywhere near me!

[8/10 · 20 June 2015]

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is based on Roald Dahl's 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's a classic, timeless tale that is also very entertaining.

The movie is about this kid named Charlie who really wants to see the factory of this famous chocolateer named Willy Wonka. Luckily for him, Wonka is handing out five special golden tickets in five different chocolate bars that can give an opportunity for people to go into his famous candy factory. Somehow, Charlie gets the fifth and final golden ticket and is allowed inside Wonka's factory. He, alongside four other kids and their parents, get to see how strange this guy's factory really is, including a shrinking room, lickable walls, a weird Wonkamobile, and a crazy boat ride. Due to four of the kids having flaws, it gives them unnecessary consequences (Being stuck in a tube, inflating into a blueberry, falling down a garbage chute and being shrunk down). However, Charlie maintains his grip and manages to come out on top after getting the reward of not only a bunch of chocolate, but the entire factory as well.

Friends, this movie was spectacular. It has a great plot, great relatable characters, and a funny yet charming plot. Although it's very different from Dahl's book, (A remake which is more true to the story came out in 2005) it certainly takes those changes and uses them correctly.

Little Red Riding Hood (II) (1922)

Not bad, but incredibly confusing

[6/10 · 16 June 2015]

This cartoon is best known to be one of Walt Disney's first animated cartoons. It's very very old and sound hasn't come to use yet. I suppose back then, people didn't care all that much for plot and wanted to show the magic of how "animated characters can do what we can't do" so there's lots of magical things going on in this one, such as shrinking down a car and putting it in your pocket, and a cat shooting holes in bread.

There's no Big Bad Wolf in this story, instead there's a Big Bad Rich Man. I couldn't quite comprehend what was going on, but as far as I could tell, Little Red Riding Hood was delivering treats to grannie's house, and not knowing that grandma has gone away, goes in and finds the rich man she met earlier in the story, they get into a fight, then this young man goes in a plane with a dog that was with Red, and moves the house away, and chases after the rich man in his car, and probably kills him.

Now, I may have gotten this plot completely wrong, but that doesn't even matter. This movie was alright, but I can't say it would top the charts for anything. At best it's a revolutionary strange-fest that helped Walt Disney set the tracks for the future, and at worst it's a mediocre confusion that can baffle even the smartest viewers. That's not to say I didn't like this, but it's gonna be lower than most movies I've seen.

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Charming Robin Williams comedy

[8/10 · 15 June 2015]

Robin Williams is really a hit and miss guy. Sometimes he's in excellent movies, (Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Aladdin, Good Morning Vietnam) and sometimes he's in mediocre and bad movies. (Flubber, Patch Adams, Jack, Bicentennial Man) This is one of his excellent movies.

Robin plays a man named Daniel whose life falls apart after getting a divorce with his wife named Miranda and quitting his job as a cartoon voice actor. Having wanting to see his kids, he disguises as the family's new housemaid, and hilarity ensues when he reveals himself to the kids and tries to work with discussing a business meeting and his former wife's birthday at the same place and same time.

This movie was quite the crack-upper. It was funny, sweet, and charming. How could I forget the dramatic moments? Daniel and Miranda never get back together, but Daniel gets to visit the kids whenever he wants because of a negotiation with a court judge. Meanwhile as his Mrs. Doubtfire persona, she hosts a television show that's basically the female version of Mr. Rogers, and answers a letter from a kid that's going through the same emotional problems as Daniel's kids. It was a really good movie, and I highly recommend it.

Passage de Venus (1874)

Pretty freakin' groundbreaking

[9/10 · 14 June 2015]

To most this may look simply like a home movie. But it's labeled the first movie ever actually made on IMDb. That's no small accomplishment. This 1-2 second movement of Venus across the sun is not only mentally exciting, but also incredibly groundbreaking. I myself cannot confirm if it's actually Venus going across the sun, but if it is, it also showcases an excellent appearance of space movement, which was still in its relative infancy in photography.

I doubt this was actually filmed frame by frame. They could've most likely just took a few photographs on a standstill camera and wrapped them all together to create the illusion of movement. But hey. Isn't that what stop motion is about? So not only is it the first movie ever, the first movie to show the sun looking good, it's also the first stop motion movie ever made. Isn't that incredible?

I probably would've given this a lower rating if it was newer, but since it's the first of it's kind, I think it's well deserving of a 9.

A Hard Day's Night (1964)

Overall decent piece of Beatles advertising

[7/10 · 11 June 2015]

For those of you (like me) who weren't alive in 1964, let me tell you this: back then, in Britain and America (and elsewhere), The Beatles were absolutely HUGE. Fans would swoon at their presence. So, naturally, it was decided a movie should be made of them. What came to be was: A Hard Day's Night.

This movie isn't entirely plot less -- It's general plot is The Beatles, playing The Beatles, make their way to a concert, showing what they do behind the scenes, as Paul's wacky grandfather, played by Wilfrid Brambell, tags along and gets in some crazy antics. It almost seems to be a sketch comedy. But since it definitely has its humorous scenes, I can't blame anyone for anything. All in all, I recommend this one. It's worth watching, but if you want you can skip it. It's nothing spectacular.

A Plumbing We Will Go (1940)

1 Leak + 3 Stooges = 1 Big Mess!

[9/10 · 10 June 2015]

Is this it? Is this really the best Three Stooges short ever made? Well, that's a very broad statement. I agree, it's an extremely funny short, and it would make it into the top 20, but I wouldn't say it's #1, because they're all equally great. This short has be in stitches. I loved the part where the chef was trying to make some food, but the clock was going crazy and it fell in his mixture, and later when he was trying to cook, the stove started spraying with water! I also loved the part where the woman demonstrated the television set that featured Niagara Falls, but then the television broke and a huge gush of water came out! And I also loved the end where a magician was trying to perform his magic trick again (Alluding to earlier in the short) but instead of a woman, out came three stooges, and a bunch of cops, two of which were on motorcycles! This was all thanks to the Three Stooges, who get hired as plumbers in this short. I loved this short, and I would watch it over and over again, and it would never fail to get a good laugh out of me.

Titanic (1997)

This was one of the few movies that actually brought me to tears.

[10/10 · 5 December 2014]

Good Lord. This movie right here, it's a masterpiece. I am not exaggerating when I say this. Tonight was the first time I watched this. I watched some parts of it earlier, but I thought it would probably be boring, and that I had better things to do. Tonight I watched the whole thing with my grandmother. I was completely wrong on that. This was the best movie that I've ever seen, and probably ever will see in my entire life. Me and my grandmother were both in tears by the end of it. There were two scenes which made me cry: the part where the orchestra played "Nearer, My God, to Thee" and the end when all those perished on the Titanic applaud at the kiss of Rose and Jack. This movie was absolutely amazing and I would watch it over and over again.

A Car's Life: Sparky's Big Adventure (2006 Video)

Caaaaalm dooooown!!!

[3/10 · 3 November 2014]

That, pretty much, is what one of the main characters of this atrocity sounds like, in text form. I can't say this movie is the absolute worst thing I've ever seen. I even laughed a few times from its sheer stupidity, making it range into the "So bad it's good" category, but it still sucks, which is why I'm giving it a 3 out of 10 instead of, I dunno, a 7. It has all these characters, who are all cars. Now, where in the world did I hear that idea before? It also takes place in the desert. Oh my God! Where could that have been spawned from? It also features a car who learns his lesson at the end. Jesus Christ! I know this came from somewhere! That's right, it's a shameless ripoff of "Cars", which is one of my favorite movies of all time. This is upon a series of crappy animated flicks that are complete ripoffs of other, more superior flicks, and don't even try to hide it. It features the same general character idea, the same settings, the same plot idea. I will eventually review Ratatoing, Kis Vuk, and others of the kind, if I can get a copy of it.

The One-Man Band (1900)

How do these things work?! WHARRGARBL!!!

[8/10 · 21 July 2014]

George Melies does it again! In this film, he is presenting an orchestra - - of himself! He sits in a chair and a clone of him with an instrument is there. He repeats this trick a few more times, and they all play a song. After they do that, they all merge back together. Melies takes a bow. This film shows they can take it beyond the limits in very early cinematography. This early flick shows the possibilities that cinema can hold, and if I was watching the premiere of this picture, I would've been astonished. If this movie was newer, I probably would rate it lower, but since it's from 1900, I'll be happy to give this movie an eight out of ten.

Holiday from Rules? (1958)

Poor flick with a dumb plot and bad acting.

[4/10 · 13 July 2014]

This movie shows that kids and their lives would be in complete disorder if they don't follow the rules. In it, four kids and a narrator are bored with the rules, so they imagine they're on a deserted island surrounded by sharks. Which leads into the kids going through life without rules, and they eventually hate not having rules. Unfortunately, this movie lacks in many places. The children's acting is painfully obvious, and what's with the badly drawn island? It's weird. Although I guess the idea is creative, but it was not intended to be used this way. So, all in all, this film is a rather poor way of taking an idea, and smashing it into pieces. I will give this 4/10.

Stop Look and Listen (1967)

Interesting and funny safety flick

[8/10 · 28 June 2014]

This is a very humorous short film that I recommend to anyone. It features this man who decides to go for a drive, and he gets into his car, and in this world, every vehicle is invisible! Enter this cigar smoking guy who doesn't follow road rules. For some reason, he is after the guy who does follow road rules. Cue a montage of the man failing attempts to get thee other man, such as slipping on a banana peel, driving over his glasses, and a hilarious chase scene you have to see. Which results in him being towed. In the end of the flick, the other man meets a young woman, who smokes a cigar. I recommend this film to anyone who is ready to drive, and wants to be entertained at the same time. 8/10.