Random Snowflakes: movie week

I watched three movies in the last seven days. I'll tackle 'em one by one.

Flushed Away

It's about a mouse named Roddy who lives the life of a beloved pet in a posh Kensington flat. One day when the holidays came, all was going well for dear Roddy, as he had the house all to himself. That is, until a sewer rat named Sid arrived and attempted to share (take over) Roddy's domain. Roddy tries to be cunning and lures Sid to the "Jacuzzi" (i.e. toilet bowl). The plan backfires, and Roddy ends up getting flushed away. He is dumped into Ratropolis, where he meets Rita, the captain of the Molly Dodger. After an encounter with the mob (coupled with other mishaps) Rita decides to help Roddy go back home, in exchange for a ruby from Roddy's castle. But of course, the road home is not an easy one, and the two encounter crazy rats, vile toads, treacherous waters... oh, and throw in a slug or two, just for fun.

Watched with Sara. I was actually a bit reluctant at first --- I personally wanted to watch Music and Lyrics again, but the screening time wasn't fit to our schedule --- but I'm glad we decided to watch this. I read in reviews that it was actually an underachiever, or, to put it more bluntly, a flop. The movie's production expenses were high, and the money that came in was just a teeny tiny bit over breaking even.

Personally, though, I thought it was hilarious. Nowhere near Shrek or other amazing fall-off-your-chair comedies, but it was funny. The plot was actually light; just right for a feel good movie. The dialogue had its laugh-so-friggin'-loud moments; I was glad everybody else in the theater was laughing with me or else I might be embarrassed. The antagonists were amusingl it was so fun laughing at them. The "romance" (if you can call it that) was treated so lightly, you know it was there, but know that it almost wasn't there... and it'd be perfectly fine.

If I took anything home with me that day, it was a smile, and the new knowledge that slugs could actually be made to look cute.

Dreamgirls
Based on a musicale of the same title, Dreamgirls is about the music, friendship, and the cost of fame. The story revolves around a group of three women who called themselves the Dreamettes. Lorell, a young girl with a wide smile and a supportive voice; Deena, a girl whose beauty and voice is underrated and unnoticed, even by herself; and Effie, a powerhouse of a woman, every inch a diva.

The movie was great, I still can't believe that Eddie Murphy sang so well. Well, ok, maybe I believe it, but I certainly didn't expect it. Jennifer Hudson was amazing, totally deserving of her Oscar. Beyonce was great: she portrayed humble, yielding Deena well. Jamie Foxx was cool as an anti-protagonist, methinks. The rest of the cast was cool, the choreography was awesome, and the song numbers were superb.

I think my only problem with it is that the switch from "movie mode" to "musicale mode" and back was a bit conspicuous. Unlike in Chicago where the transition was so smooth, you won't even notice it until you realize that they were already singing (you thought they were still just talking). For me, the toggle was a bit distracting.

The music was great. The acting was great. I just wish that they made it that the two melded together well.

Nevertheless, I liked the whole movie as a whole.

The Pursuit of Happyness

"This part of my life... This small part right there... It's called happiness."

Oh, gawd I love that movie. Dramatic, inspiring, and amusing, all at the same time. It's heartfelt. It's moving. But, even if you don't like drama, you'll still like this movie, I think.

Will Smith's chemistry with Jaden was amazing, which really isn't surprising. But the great thing about it is that, while watching the movie, I almost forgot that they were Will and Jaden Smith. I thought they were Chris and Christopher Gardner. I'm sorry if I can't explain it well, but that's how it was for me.

Hm. My review for this movie is a bit short... But of all three movies I wrote about today, this is the one I loved most. Watch it, I tells ya. WATCH IT.

Labels: dreamgirls, flushed away, movies, pursuit of happyness, reviews