Movie Review: Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution

A classic remade for a new generation of fans

Yesterday was Pokemon Day, the day in which Pokemon fans celebrate the anniversary of the release of the original games released in Japan back on February 27th, 1996. Yes, I realize I am a day late, but chances are most of the people reading my blog aren't exactly into Pokemon, and thus don't care too much about the timing of my review. Anyway, Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution is a remake of the 1998 (If we go with Japanese release dates) animated movie Pokemon: The First Movie. Aside from adding in the prologue that was originally a DVD bonus feature, the plot is identical, this is a good thing though. I'd imagine fans wouldn't be too happy if it were all different after all. In case you haven't seen it within the 22 years it's been out though, allow me to explain. The movie follows a group of young Pokemon Trainers, Ash, Misty, and Brock who are invited to a mysterious, isolated island out in the middle of the sea where they encounter The Artificial Pokemon, Mewtwo. I won't say much else right now as that is what the rest of the review is for, so let's jump right into it.

The movie begins with the added prologue I mentioned earlier. A group of scientists come across the ancient ruins of the mythical Pokemon, Mew, who is said to not only be the strongest Pokemon, but also the genetic ancestor to all Pokemon. They manage to find some fossilized fur nearby from Mew, and with it they are able to proceed with their project. Have a little fun fact, in the original movie the jungle they are in is identified as part of the real world country, Co-operative Republic of Guyana. What does this mean? Obviously it means that Mew is probably chilling out in the Amazon; another reason to save the rain forests. In the next scene Mewtwo, the clone of Mew is born, and he is having an existential crisis. Who am I, What am I, Where am I are some of the many questions he asks himself. He also sees Mew in a vision. Upon being told that he is simply a human creation created in the name of science, Mewtwo goes berserk and destroys the entire lab, taking out all the people with it. You heard that right, Mewtwo just committed mass murder! Ya know, for kids! Mewtwo is then approached by Giovanni, the leader the Team Rocket, a criminal organization bent on world domination. We then get Armored Mewtwo, like normal Mewtwo, but with a cool suit of hi-tech armor on him. Together Giovanni, and Mewtwo wreck havoc on the Kanto region. That is until Mewtwo begins to question Giovanni, wondering what he is fighting for. Giovanni responds saying that Pokemon are to obey their masters, and nothing more. Mewtwo argues that he is no Pokemon, but not human either, and destroys the base. Coming to the conclusion that all humans are selfish, and cruel, and for bringing him into the world when he did not ask to be born, he shall strike back against humanity. Wow, that sure was pretty serious, let's go on to something more family friendly. 

A narrator then introduces us to Ash, and his friends, Misty, and Brock. The group decide to have a picnic near the ocean when a random trainer challenges Ash to a Pokemon battle. Ash agrees to, and the sequence is a perfect shot by shot recreation of the iconic opening credits scene of the original. Ash wins without any trouble, and is ready to celebrate with his friends. Meanwhile we cut back to Mewtwo who has noticed Ash, and his friends. He decides to have an invitation sent to them. His human assistant agrees, and sends off a Dragonite to deliver the message. Back at the group the comically evil Team Rocket trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth are spying on them trying to find the right opportunity to catch Ash's Pikachu as they usually try to do in the show. A Dragonite flying at mach speed though disrupts the picnic as it delivers the invitation to the trio. The message has Mewtwo's human assistant appear saying that her master had invited the three of them to a party, celebrating how much of strong trainers they are.The group accept the invitation, and head off to a near by harbor so they can reach New Island, where the party is being held. Although as they arrive at the harbor, Mewtwo has whipped a dangerous hurricane making the ocean too dangerous to cross via boat. The trainers that had been invited though are not willing to give up as they pull out either winged flying-types, or sea-faring water-types to assist them across the dangerous sea. Ash, and friends are left behind as they do not have the right kind of Pokemon to cross the sea. Luckily though Team Rocket is there in disguise, operating a small motorboat. They happen to be heading to the island as well due to the fact that they stole a invitation from the Dragonite. The group hops on, and it's going well until the violent waves force them underwater, ruining Team Rocket's disguise. Before the trio can get close to finish their motto, they are thrown off the boat into the ocean, and soon so are Ash, and friends. Using Misty's Staryu, and Ash's Squirtle they are able to swim the rest of the way to the island where they are greeted by the mysterious woman who sent the invitation. After this part we also find that Team Rocket managed to make it there as well by just dumb luck.

The mysterious woman takes the group into the main room where the other trainers are located. Though turns out that only three people actually made it, geez, it's kinda dark to think about what might've happened to the others... let's just say they returned to the harbor, okay? The trainers then introduce each other, and their partner Pokemon. Meanwhile somewhere in the Amazon, or wherever Mew feels a disturbance in the force, and rushes off to go find what's causing it. After the trainers get to know each other, the woman tells them that they are there to have a opportunity to battle the Strongest Pokemon Trainer ever, Mewtwo. One of the trainers argues though that a Pokemon cannot be a trainer to which Mewtwo responds by attacking the man. The trainer then attempts to use his Gyarados' Hyper Beam attack on Mewtwo, but the powerful Pokemon only reflects it back. Meanwhile in the basement of the palace, Team Rocket come across a lab dedicated to cloning Pokemon as they see when Meowth is accidentally cloned. Back on the upper level of the palace Mewtwo releases his control on the woman he had been brainwashing, and turns out it was Nurse Joy from the harbor's Pokemon Center who disappeared a week, or two prior. Mewtwo also reveals his three cloned Pokemon based on the final evolutions of the Kanto starters; Venusaur, Blastoise, and Charizard. The room then opens up revealing a large stadium where Mewtwo challenges the trainers to go against his powerful cloned Pokemon. One by one, everyone is defeated, and with this Mewtwo then proceeds to send out Pokeballs of his own making to capture every single one of the trainer's Pokemon. Only Misty's Togepi is able to avoid capture as it was able to hide in her backpack, but everyone else, all their Pokemon are taken away, even Pikachu. Ash does not give up so easily though as he goes down the chute where the balls are being sent to the cloning lab.

Down in the lab Ash is able to save Pikachu while also freeing the other Pokemon that had been captured. It is too late though as all the cloned Pokemon have left to join Mewtwo in the stadium. Filled with determination Ash leads the other Pokemon into the stadium, which in the original version is one of the best moments in Pokemon movie history in my opinion. The newer version feels a bit lackluster in comparison. Mew also finally reveals itself to Mewtwo. Mewtwo feeling that he must be superior to Mew begins fighting with it, and along with that the clones, and the original Pokemon all begin fighting each other. Everyone is fighting, except for Meowth who ends up befriending his clone, and Pikachu who does not wish to fight. During this fight scene is some very serious talk about what constitutes a living being, and just because they are the same doesn't mean they can't share peace. The Pokemon continue to fight each other even when they are all out of energy. Although the cloned Pikachu refuses to give in, even though Pikachu is not willing to fight, and instead is willingly receiving it's hits. Realizing that if Mew, and Mewtwo don't stop fighting, then the fighting will never end. When the two legionaries prepare their ultimate attacks, Ash jumps in the middle to try, and stop them, but is only caught in the cross fire. Ash is turned into solid stone. His Pikachu attempts to revive him, but to no avail, and begins sobbing. The other Pokemon seeing Ash's sacrifice, and Pikachu's love for his trainer they all begin crying as well. 2D, or 3D; 5, or 21, this scene will always make me cry like a baby. Luckily for Ash though, the tears of the Pokemon actually end up bringing him back to life. It is here that Mewtwo learns the value of life, and how humans can have kindness in their hearts. The storm subsides as Mewtwo then takes all the cloned Pokemon, and leaves to go find them a new safe home. The trainers, and their Pokemon are sent back to the harbor as well with no memories of the events that had just transpired. The trio of friends look out towards the ocean where Ash catches a glimpse of Mew right before the movie ends. 

This movie is not perfect, but it isn't terrible either. Personally I love what they were trying to do with this. After all, all the original Pokemon fans are now grown up with children of their own. It only makes sense that they recreate a classic movie from our childhood so then it may be a part of the newest generation's childhood. The animation I thought looked really great in some part, and made some of the scenes from the original much more dynamic. Though I am not much a fan of the human character designs, but I can get over it. Mewtwo Strikes Back, whether you're watching the original, or this new version it is a much watch, even if your knowledge of Pokemon is limited to the Pokemon Go mobile game. I highly recommend this emotionally powerful movie. Technically Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution gets a 4 out of 5 Paws up. Although I would give the original one a 5 out of 5 Paws up, and no i'm not going to do a second review just for the original one.

Movie Review: Dora and the Lost City of Gold

It's like a less traumatizing version of Indiana Jones for kids!

If you were born in the late 90s or early 2000s chances are you have probably heard of Dora the Explorer. The cartoon follows the adventures of a young Hispanic girl who teaches Spanish to young viewers. Now, how do you take that concept, and make it a full length live-action movie? Well, Dora and the Lost City of Gold is the answer. I went in with very low expectations (I viewed it with my baby sister as well mind you), surprisingly enough though, it was pretty good. Just as the headline suggests, this movie feels a lot like a Indiana Jones movie for kids. Now I know, Indiana Jones technically is for kids, but a lot of scenes in those movies can be pretty traumatizing to a young child, for example; Melty Nazi face, Kali ma, You have chosen poorly, and just the entirety of Crystal Skull. Dora is much more tame in the fact that no characters die, there is only mild peril, and this movie is just bursting at the seams with jokes. Some jokes don't land well, but when they do, they can get even a laugh out of me.

The movie starts with an almost exact recreation of the classic theme song sequence complete with talking inanimate objects, and small children driving a Jeep. However it is quickly shown that this is imply the imagination of Dora, and her cousin Diego. During this part it is revealed that Diego, and his parents will be moving to the United States, specifically somewhere in California. There is also a funny moment when child Dora talks to the audience while her parents look at each other with concern. The next day, the two friends split a candy bar, and Dora watches as Diego leaves. The movie then skips a decade later. Dora is now a teenager who is still very similar to how she was a decade ago. Personally I love the actress that plays her, I think she did a great job of embracing her character, and really bringing life to the role. Dora, and her monkey companion Boots soon come across a mysterious golden statue. Knowing that it must be connected to the ancient lost Inca city Parapata, the titular Lost City of Gold. Dora however ends up injuring herself trying to get the statue. Her parents worried about her reckless behavior decide to send her to live with Diego in the city while they go, and try to find Parapata. Next scene she arrives in America, and is greeted by a now grown-up Diego along with his family. While Dora stayed the exact same over a decade, Diego has changed a lot, being more mature then her. Upon arriving at their home Dora presents Diego with her half of a candy bar that they had split a decade earlier. As one might guess, the candy bar is a bit... fuzzy. The next day, she joins Diego in going to school for the first time ever. She is stopped by school security though as her many year living in the jungle, she wasn't exactly aware that she couldn't bring any of her survival gear with her onto school grounds. However, she is allowed to bring her yo-yo, which she says is her most deadly weapon. 

Now in school we are introduced to two other characters, Randy, and Sammy who we will learn about more later. Sammy becomes jealous of Dora as before she was the smartest student at the school, and doesn't want Dora stealing her thunder. Randy is seen as a loser by the other kids at the school, but is the first person to become friends with Dora. Now, is it bad that I can relate a little to Dora? I mean her behavior is pretty close to what it was like going to high school while on the Autistic Spectrum. She can't exactly read social ques, and she takes a lot of things literally, and gets made fun of for her mistakes. One example being the annual Winter Dance, the theme was dressing as your favorite star, by which they mean celebrity, but Dora came dressed as the sun instead. Back to the movie though,  Diego calls her out for embarrassing him, and she goes home depressed. Her grandmother comforts her saying that it's okay because everyone is weird in their own way. Confession time folks, I actually saw this movie when it came out in theaters with my baby sister, and I just about cried during this scene because close to that time I was having troubles in school. Pretty cringe to cry during the Dora movie though. Now a few days later, Dora, and her class are going on a field trip to the local museum where they are to split up into groups, and go on a scavenger hunt. Dora, Diego, Sammy, and Randy all end up in a group together. Dora, and her friends are invited down into the basement by a suspicious looking person. Once down there, she, and her friends are forced into a crate, and they throw in a canister of sleeping gas to make them faint. When they wake up, they are being unloaded from a aircraft at some sort of base. Fortunately Dora brought a knife, something I thought I would never have to say. She uses the knife to pry open the top of the crate where they are spotted by someone. That someone though is a man named Alejandro who claims that he is good friends with her parents. With his help the group escape the mercenaries. Turns out while searching for Parapata, Dora's parents have mysteriously vanished, and now they have to find them before the greedy mercenaries do. Also turns out Swiper wasn't a figment of Dora's imagination, and really was real the whole time. Don't look too deep into it.

 While trying to track down her parents, Alejandro tells the group of a ancient army dedicated to protecting Parapata from outside eyes. Soon enough, the group comes across the deserted campsite that belonged to Dora's parents. Though they do not find her parents, Dora is reunited with Boots, the monkey. After some continued walking Sammy tells the group that she needs to use the bathroom. Dora gladly helps her, and sings a helpful song to go with it. They have to cut it short however as they are soon being attacked by those aforementioned Incan warriors. After escaping them, they find themselves stuck in quicksand that makes a noise similar to flatulence. Despite the low brow humor, the first part got a chuckle out of me. With Dora's help the group is able to get out safely, except for Alejandro who did everything, but listen to Dora. Though it probably didn't help when two scorpions climbed onto his head, and began mating. They are able to save him though as below the pit is a hole that Alejandro probably would've fallen through anyway. They save him, and he begins crying saying that he didn't deserve to  be saved, he's such a bad guy. Dora reassures him that no one is a bad guy deep down. Out of all the times for Dora to interpret things literally though, she didn't here. The group then meet an elderly Incan woman who warns them that any who seek Parapata are doomed to die. Though she provides a way to civilization for Randy, and Sammy. The group now splits up with Sammy and Randy going with the strange woman, and the rest continuing on their adventure. Dora, Diego, and Alejandro then get high on shrooms. I wish I was kidding. They have to traverse this field of mysterious plants, only to be affected by the spores. Instead of being poison though, it causes them to hallucinate that they are cartoons. It is after this scene that we see Sammy, and Randy return as the woman had the same symbol as their attackers from before meaning that she could've been leading them to a trap. 

With the group back together, they continue their adventure. They are stopped though when they fall into a strange room. Randy assuming it was a Jungle Puzzle as seen in video games, and movies he begins pulling levers. Turns out though that this is actually part of a aqueduct. The group almost don't make it, but thanks to Randy's strange talent of being able to hold his breath underwater for seven minutes, he is able to drain the room. After this Dora is finally able to reunite with her parents, and Randy, along with Sammy gladly introduce themselves as her friends. Alejandro though reveals that he was working with the mercenaries all along, and has them captured. With Boots help they manage to escape, though Dora's parents are still captured. Dora gets angry at Boots asking why he would do that thinking that if they cooperated they would be released. She then realizes that, that would not be the case. Then the most trippiest part of the movie happens. Like more trippy then the actual scene where they were trippen balls; Boots begins to speak! He gives Dora a motivational speech before returning to making his normal monkey noises by the time the rest of the group catches up with Dora. The kids then come up with the idea to enter Parapata, and get the treasure so then they can trade it in return for her parent's safety. With a mercenary, and Swiper guarding the gate, they use a frog seen earlier in the film to paralyze them both temporally. With those two out of the way, the group is able to get to the gate, and solve the actual Jungle Puzzle that was guarding it. With the gate open, our group of friends head into the city where a giant temple stands in the center. They enter the temple, and are met with their now second puzzle. Both Sammy, and Dora though are able to figure it out, and create a golden ratio with a beam of light, allowing them into the next room. The next room though is trap that almost drops them into a spiked pit, though with quick thinking they are able to get out safely. Now the final puzzle, they need to bring the most valuable item in the room to a small statue. Alejandro arrives, and grabs a gold coin. Very similar to The Last Crusade though, "You, have chosen, poorly". Though instead of disintegrating, Alejandro is dropped into a lava pit, or well almost. He is pulled up by the Incan warriors who have also taken Dora's parents prisoner. The old woman also returns, and reveals herself as the ruler of Parapata.

Thanks to her ability to speak Incan, Dora is able to convince the leader to allow her to try. The stakes are very high, but knowing better she solves the puzzle by pouring water into the statue's hands. The doors then open revealing the treasure of Parapata, the audience doesn't get to exactly see it though. Dora's parents, and friends are free to go as well now, and everything seems all fine, and dandy. The movie would be too short though if it ended there, so in comes Swiper swiping the smaller statue, causing the temple to start collapsing. We do get a small glimpse of the treasure during this part however. Luckily before the entire city is ruined, Dora is able to take back the statue, and return it. With that everyone goes back home. Dora's parents seeing how she is now ask if she would want to go with them on their next adventure. Despite this, Dora decides to return to the city for her friends. Now as the credits start to roll we get a obligatory dance party. 

The movie isn't the best ever, but it's also not terrible. The movie falls on a lot of kid's movie tropes, and because of that is very predicable. However, I would say that the meta humor saves it. If it weren't for the self aware jokes, chances are the movie would be pretty forgettable. Overall, this is a good movie to show to small children instead of probably traumatizing them with Indiana Jones. This family adventure gets a 3 out of 5 Paws up.

Movie Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Four score, and seven years ago, Lincoln was a badass

Today is President's day, so obviously I should review a president related movie, and what better movie to review then Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Based on the book of the same name this historical fiction horror movie takes the real story of America's 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, and how he led a secret double life as a vampire hunter. This movie is pretty cheesy, that's a given, despite that though the movie takes itself very seriously which in a way I much more prefer for this movie strangely enough.

The movie opens in 1818 when Abraham was only a young boy. He saves his friend, a young black boy named William Johnson from a slaver at the expense of his father's job. Later that night the slaver from before sneaks into the house, and does something to his mother causing her to die shortly after the next morning. The movie then skips a decade later, Abraham is now a young adult bent on vengeance. Though first he gets himself drunk at a bar where he meets Henry Sturges who comments saying that men like him only get this drunk if they want to kiss a girl, or kill a man. Henry pats Abraham's back causing his gun to drop to the floor. He picks it up, and runs out of the bar, going to the docks where the man who killed his mother is located. Abraham then stumbles across the drained corpse of a woman. The killer, Jack Barts then attacks him. Abraham then shoots him in the eye with his gun, but it is proved useless as Jack gets up, and beats up Abraham. However before he can kill him, Abraham is rescued by someone else. The next morning we are introduced to Henry Sturges who tells Abraham that he was attacked by a vampire.Abraham demands that Henry teaches him how to kill vampires, but Henry doesn't want to unless he can toss away his lust for vengeance. Abraham lies, and says he agrees. We then get a training montage of Abraham learning how to kill vampires, using a silver coated axe to do so. After the montage, Lincoln moves to Springfield studying to become a lawyer while also killing vampires. His childhood friend Will returns to him as a grown adult asking for his help as a lawyer to prove his free status. Along the way, despite Henry warning Abraham that he can't have any romantic interests, he falls n love with Mary. 

After killing six or so vampires in the town of Springfield Abraham is finally tasked with killing Jack Barts. They have a intense fight, but Abraham comes out victorious, finally avenging his mother. Although, as Barts is dying, he tells Abraham that Henry is actually a vampire himself. This is true as the next scene we see him kill a man, and drink his blood. Henry explains his tragic backstory to Abraham. He was bitten by the head vampire Adam, and was forced to watch his wife be killed. Since he was turned into a vampire by Adam this makes it so then he is incapable of killing his kind. With this Henry has then been looking for humans to train to kill vampires, so they can kill Adam. However feeling betrayed, Abraham tries to then give up his hunting days, and gets married to Mary. Though he thought his hunting days were over, his friend Will had been kidnapped by Adam as part of a trap. Joshua Speed accompanies him on his hunt. At the plantation where Will is being held, Abraham kills a large crowd of vampires before being stopped by Vadoma, one of the main vampires. Speed also runs away, but surprisingly returns, saving Will, and Abraham. When escaping, they are assisted by Harriet Tubman, and I know, your brain is probably fried at this point. That's a good thing though, this is a movie you really need to throw out all historical accuracy. Upon returning to Springfield Abraham begins his campaign to become president so he can end slavery. Henry tries to warn him that he shouldn't do that as the vampires had been using the slaves as their main food source for the past century, and if Abraham messed that up, war would happen. As we know from our history books though, Abraham wins the election, and writes the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery across the country. The Civil War then breaks out, and the Confederates are assisted by the vampires, wiping out almost all Union soldiers on the first day. Abraham, and Mary's son, Will is also killed in the same way that his mother was (In the movie though he is played off as a single child, when in real life, he was their second child out of three. Though he did pass away from unknown causes making this somewhat accurate. Wow, learning!).

Almost giving up hope, he recalls that everyone has silver in some form. Remembering how silver kills vampires he confiscates all the silver in the area, and has it melted down into weapons for the Union. Meanwhile Speed thinks Abraham is making the wrong decision, and is tearing the country apart. Because of this, he betrays Abraham, and in secret tells the vampires about their plan. Knowing that the vampires are going to try, and stop the train Abraham, William, and even Henry decide to fight. During this fight scene it is revealed that they knew about Speed's betrayal, but it was actually part of their plan. The silver was actually being transported via a different railway. What he means is the Underground Railroad, led by Harriet Tubman they get the weapons to Gettysburg. The vampires then attempt to storm the union camp, but it fails as they all have silver weapons. Mary even kills Vadoma, getting vengeance for her son. The movie then skips to nearly two years later, April 14th, 1865. Henry offers to turn Abraham into a vampire,  but he declines, and instead gives his journal to Henry. Abraham then leaves to go attend a Opera with his wife, and the rest is history. Though we do quickly skip to the present at a modern bar. Henry meets a man in the exact same predicament as his old friend Abraham, and the movie ends.

If you're looking for a fun action horror that messes up history a bit, then this movie is for you. I mean what better movie to watch on President's Day then one that makes our 16th President into a vampire hunting badass. If this review gets popular enough i'll review Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies which is a movie based on another book by the same author as Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. This cheesy vampire slaying adventure gets 5 out of 5 Paws up.

Mini Review: Sonic The Hedgehog

The era of good video game movies is upon us

From nightmare fuel, to a charming family action flick full of heart. Just like Detective Pikachu from last year (wait it only came out a year ago? For some reason I could've sworn it was a few years), Sonic proves it is possible to make a good video game adaption movie. Although, I will confess i'm a bit skeptical of the Super Mario movie being produced by Illumination Studios. Back to Sonic though! This movie really doesn't deserve to be as good as it was, especially with the insane backlash from when Paramount released the first trailer almost half a year ago now. To be honest the crazy production history of this movie could be a movie all on it's own.

I really loved how the references, and easter eggs began within the first second of film with the stars on the Paramount logo being replaced with Sonic's iconic golden rings. The Sega logo also gets a Marvel-esque clip. What I mean by that is how the Marvel logo shows bits and pieces from their comics, and other movies, Sega does the same, but with their games. I liked how they even included clips, and screenshots from more obscure games (By the way, Sega if you're reading this please bring back Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg, sincerely, the only Billy Hatcher fan in existence).The origin story they give to this cinematic version of The Blue Blur is actually rather tragic, and you already feel sympathy for him off the bat. Of course Sonic isn't the only character in the movie, he is joined by a cast of human characters that enhance the movie. Jim Carrey though, absolutely stole the scene anytime he appeared. If you enjoyed his Ace Ventura character then you'll love his performance as the mad scientist, Dr. Robotnik, or Eggman depending on which name you prefer. Surprisingly enough, despite Sonic's cartoony looks, he doesn't look out of place at all in this world, which is a achievement in itself. Actually his cartoony style looks more realistic then the original "realistic" design.

Even if you're not a big fan of Sonic, or barely know him at all, this movie is still a blast. Of course it isn't perfect though, it has many flaws, but they're a bit nitpicky, so I won't go into much detail. Well, other then the fact that the product placement in this film broke the immersion a few times... hmm, I have a sudden urge to go to Olive Garden now. Other then that problem, the movie is tons of fun for the whole family, and since today is Valentine's Day, maybe take your SO (Significant Other) on a movie date, if ya know what I mean ;^). I recommend you gotta go fast to check out this fun filled adventure, 4 out of 5 Paws up! Actually before I end this review, I better say real quick that there are two end credit scenes; the first one before the credits actually start, and the second one in the middle. Let me tell you know, this is Marvel levels of hype creating end credits scenes.

Mini Review: Parasite

And the Oscar for Best Picture goes to-

If you have been on the internet for the past few days chances are you have heard of the South Korean movie, Parasite, and how it became the first ever non-English film to earn a Best Picture award at the Oscars ceremony. That wasn't the only reward they earn though, Parasite also earned Best Director, Best International Feature Film, and Best Original Screenplay. What this also means is that Director, Bong Joon-ho is now tied with Walt Disney himself for most awards earned in a single night. Bong Joon-ho's Parasite is a movie about the wealth disparity in South Korea, and how poverty forces the family in this film to do what they did.

Parasite beautifully illustrates the growing social divide between the rich, and poor. It is also written in a way that is understandable for anyone, anywhere, not just those living in Korea. Sure last year I said that Joker was the most thought compelling, and hard to talk about movie on this blog. I, take that back, and in the best way possible I mean. Parasite deserves all it's awards, and praise. I think it will be a long time before we see another movie like this. I really don't want to spoil anything, don't even watch the trailers, just go in completely blind. This Oscar winning masterpiece gets a easy 5 out of 5.

Announcemnt

Friday is coming up, and you all know what that means. Time for our weekly review. However i'll be doing something a little bit different this time. Instead of one full length review, I will instead be giving you two mini reviews this week. Once you see which movie it is you'll probably understand why I wanted to do a mini instead of a full length one. Anyway I hope you are all having a good week, and i'll see you tomorrow for the reviews.

Movie Review: When In Rome

When in Rome, do what the Romans do, such as; not stealing coins from a magical fountain

It's February, and we all know what that means. Well Superbowl already passed so not that, and no not the Oscars, nor President's Day. What i'm talking about is Valentines Day, a charming holiday where we show our appreciation towards are loved ones with mass produced consumer goods.. not that i'm complaining though (Fun-Dip Valentines are the bomb). With this being our first review of the month, I felt that it was only appropriate that I watch a romance movie. Truth be told though, I am not a fan of the romance genre, but knowing I needed to review something, I looked to my past. One movie that stuck out to me was When In Rome, for some reason I used to be obsessed with this film, watching it almost daily when I was a kid with a very early version of Netflix (Remember Netflix on Wii that came with the little disc? Ah yeah, good times). Anyway When in Rome is a 2010 rom-com about a young curator working at a art museum in New York City because of course. While in Rome for her younger sister's wedding she goes to The Fountain of Love and steals five coins from it. What happens then is that those five coins correspond to a man who had wished for love, and now are under a love curse in which they all fall heads over heels for her. How will our protagonist deal with this wacky situation? Is this movie even good, or did little me have shit taste in movie (Then again I probably still have shit taste in movies since I enjoyed Rise of Skywalker)?

The movie starts us off introducing us to our main girl, Beth. Beth is working at a fancy art museum in New York City as one of the curators.Beth is assigned to insure that their next charity gala goes off without a hitch. However she is told by her younger sister that she is getting married in Rome in a couple days. Beth is allowed to go, and the wedding goes smoothly. Except for when she had to break a vase for good luck, the vase just wouldn't break at all. She then meets her sister's husband's friend from college, Nick. Nick, and Beth seem to really get along. However, she later sees him kissing another girl. After getting drunk after a few sips she climbs into the famous Fountain of Love where she proceeds to steal five coins from it. The next day she is back home, and odd things begin to happen around her. Personally I would've ordered a restraining order against all these men if it were me, but we're in rom-com world where being creepy is perfectly acceptable, and there are zero consequences. To be honest though, the men who chase after her are some of the more funny characters in the movie such as; a Italian artist obsessed with her feet (I'm going to try my hardest not to make any Tarantino jokes), an angsty looking street magician, literally Danny DeVito, and a obnoxious model. Oh wait, who is the fifth guy? Well that will be a surprise. When returning back to work she finds out the centerpiece for her event won't be arriving, she also finds out from her sister about the curse. The men wished for love, and she essentially stole their love, seems legit. Luckily one of her problems are solved when Nick offers a photograph of himself that was done by a famous photographer of after he was struck by lighting at a football game. Despite the love spell she goes out with Nick, though at this time she doesn't suspect that he's cursed. 

Beth agrees to go on a date with Nick one night to a dark dining experience in which they eat their food in a pitch black room. As suspected this leads to quite the wacky scenario. All the men suddenly show up there, and have night vision goggles on allowing them to harass Beth, and Nick. Beth escapes from the restaurant, and Nick follows, being a gentleman (tips fedora) he offers her to take her anywhere where she would feel safe. The two then go to the art museum she works at. Beth talks about her life, and other stuff, to be honest I don't really remember, it was pretty forgettable. They then make out in front of a painting. Going back to his apartment she comes across the realization that one of the coins, a poker chip, belongs to Nick meaning that their relationship isn't real. She leaves, and becomes sad because she really does love him. Now the day of the gala, Beth's sister calls her, and tells her that she can break the spell by returning each coin to their rightful owner. However, Beth's friend stole the coins because she wants Beth to be adored, even if their love isn't real. To make matters worse there is a extreme electrical storm going on at the moment that is causing huge traffic delays. The men then show up to her apartment, and she explains the situation to them, and confesses that she loves Nick. Danny DeVito decides that if they really love her, they will help her any way they can. Luckily the Italian painter has a tiny car they can use to get to the gala. Thanks to their help she makes it in time, and the event goes well. She also gets the coins back from her friend, and returns them to the men. First the magician revealing that he had wished for a muse as before he was to shy to preform in public. Next is Danny DeVito who wished for someone that could make him feel the same way that his wife had made him feel. The Italian guy... is actually a shoe retailer from New Jersey, and is a aspiring artist, Beth reassures him that his art is great. Finally the model guy, he confesses that he didn't learn any lesson in all of this. Now to return Nick's chip. 

Unfortunately she drops the chip, and it begins rolling all the way down to the first floor. Beth chases after it only for the chip to land at Nick's feet. Turns out he had ran over there despite the storm because he loves her, even after picking up the chip meaning that his love is real. We then do a time skip to later, they never specify how long, but now Beth, and Nick are engaged, and getting married in Rome in the exact same venue as her sister's wedding. Funny enough all the men who had been under her spell have been invited to the wedding, implying that they all became friends. However, something is off as the magician goes up Beth while she is getting ready, and reveals that he accidentally gave her the wrong chip meaning that Nick might still be under the spell. Not wanting to take advantage of Nick she flees at the altar, and yells at the fountain. Nick shortly catches up, and takes the chip from her tossing it into the fountain, breaking the spell. Although the thing is, Nick is still in love with Beth meaning that their love for each other had always been real. That's sweet, and all, but in that case whose was it? Turns out it was the pastor, kind of obvious though as when he is doing the ceremony he specifically replaces "Lawful" with "Awful", also he went on for a bit when asking if anyone had anything to say. Beth realizes that she should've known as apparently the night before her sister's wedding Nick played poker with the pastor who cleaned him out of all his chips. The two then make out, and during the credits they have a dance party. Well I hoped you learned a lesson from this, don't steal coins from a magical fountain... or well don't steal coins from any fountain. That's kinda a dick move man.

When In Rome is just how I remember it, harmless, cheesy fun. By no means is it a good movie, but maybe this Valentines Day this is something you can play in the background while you, and your significant other cuddle up. Who knows maybe you'll get a chuckle out of it as well, a few parts sure made me laugh. This rom-com earns a very humble scoring of 2 Paws out of 5.