Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation

7.5/10

In this Disney Channel/Disney+ movie, the Greens, a family of farmers living in the big city, end up going to space in order to farm space crops for rich scientist Gwendolyn Zapp (voiced by SNL's Cheri Oteri).

The first half or so, admittedly, does feel a little like a stretched out version of the show. Usually, an episode has a traditional someone-learns-a-lesson-after-letting-things-go-a-little-nuts structure which takes up fifteen minutes. Here, we have the same blueprints trying to be applied across a full hour and twenty-two minutes. However, things really pick up in the second half when the conflict kicks into motion. The outer space and sci-fi technology setting really make for a good physical threat for the Greens, plus it is something that elevates this as a movie and something a little different from the show. 

The movie includes the show's trademark humor: the sometimes silly and sometimes clever kind that works for adults and kids. (This show doesn't get enough credit for being arguably the best written children's comedy currently on.) There are even a few delightfully dark bits.     

This is yet another episode where Green son Cricket (voiced by show co-creator Chris Houghton), ends up causing chaos when he purses something he's told not too. Usually, the formula works because his scampishness doesn't usually cross the line too much. Here however, he goes too far and feels a little too selfish. This is used to make a point in order to create a more emotional storyline than usual, but I don't feel the movie properly condemn him for his behavior. 

Houghton does still excel at Cricket's high energy and confidence, and Marieve Herington still excels with her unique salt-of-the-Earth accent as empathetic but odd Green daughter Tilly. We get a newcomer in Hamilton/Girls5eva's Renee Elise Godlsberry, who is clearly having fun with a commanding voice as stickler-for-the-rules space captain Colleen Voyd (one wishes she had more time in this).

If you've been watching the show and have been disappointed that Zapp hasn't been in any recent episodes, you'll be pleased with her presence here. (Though some may be disappointed that the movie doesn't include the show's main baddie Chip Whistler, but I give the creators credit for going with what chaacters fit the story.) Zapp is a nutty lady whose priorities are much different than others. I feel a little bad that Oteri's career after SNL kinda plummeted, because between her delightfully wacky vocal inflections matched with the character's goofiness and unpredictableness, Zapp makes for the most entertaining person in the film. 

The movie focuses on the main characters, which is a good call when you're trying to write a tight script and don't want to focus on too many of them. However, that means popular recurring faces don't appear or are given very little to do. 

I wouldn't say the songs in this are the greatest ever, but there are some solid ones. I've relistened to them several times.

The animation is like that of the show but a little better. The color seems to be a little brighter and there appears to be a greater frame rate to the characters' movements. The action scenes are pretty fluid for a made-for-television budget.

Recommended. I wouldn't say the movie is as good as some of the show's best episodes, but it definitely is a fun time and your kids will probably like it.

South Park: The End of Obesity

7/10

In the most recent South Park special, Cartman (voiced by show co-creator Trey Parker) wants to lose weight with Ozempic, but has to struggle with the American healthcare system when his insurance won't cover it.

The highlight of this are the really pointed jabs at the health insurance industry. The creators savagely rip apart how broken it is. (There is one bit addressing how healthcare works that is the highlight of EoO).

When it comes to the other topics: Ozempic, and the show's satire of how rich people are using it to lose weight while it's originally intended for diabetes, the sugar industry, and the topic of body image, the messaging is a little more mixed. This is one of those South Park entries where Parker and other showrunner Matt Stone try to address concept issues by being a little complex, and it's harder to understand their exact meaning. Not to say that this subject matter doesn't mine some decent jokes.

Lightly recommended. Can't say this is South Park's best, but it's a fine time. Plus, it's worth it for that one bit I mentioned.

In a Violent Nature

7/10

In a Violent Nature, undead Jason Vorhees-esque killer Johnny (played by Ry Barrett) goes on a killing spree in the woods as he purses a golden locket that was taken from his resting place. This is a twist on the slasher genre in which instead of focusing on the final girl and future victims the movie follows the silent killer for 90% of the film. 

This is definitely an interesting idea. People crack jokes about what the killers in these films are up to between kills and how they transport from place to place. Well, here we get it, and it's an interesting concept. I've heard complaints online (and from one random stranger at the movie theater) that the movie is too much of Johnny walking around the woods. Personally, I didn't find this to be a deal breaker (and I honestly didn't think there was THAT much walking), because the cinematography and sound are excellent. The movie is short like a nature documentary kinda in that a lot is silent observation of a being in the woods. I don't think I've seen a forest-set horror movie that truly one hundred percent felt like it was filmed in a natural park. There are so many excellent captures of foliage and the natural landscape. Except for a couple moments at night, the lighting feels natural. There's no soundtrack in this. My congrats to the sound guy or guys because they make the environment feel so natural like you're actually outdoors. 

The movie should be particularly congratulated for using pieces of dialogue overhead by Johnny as he stalks and the general conventions of slasher flicks that we are easily able to piece together what's happening on the victims' side of the story without spending much time on them. 

Also, there are some great uses of angles and reveals. Given that Johnny is the main subject, there is an interesting use of focus where often he'll be in the foreground and his victims a little out of focus when he's observing or pursuing others. 

Going back to the "movie is a lot of walking" criticism, when we get to the actual kills, they are worth the wait. This is up with Thanksgiving as one of the most violent slashers of recent years. IaVN has two of the most memorable, over-the-top kills I've seen in quite a while. Also, the movie doesn't waste time with the pursuit of the victims. It's all about the violence.

Whereas the pacing didn't feel like that big a problem, there are a weak spots. Admittedly, Johnny is a little too derivative of Jason Vorhees. The killer's mask, which is an old time firefighter's hood is a unique idea, but it looks a little too much like a mosquito and doesn't feel like it quite lands. 

The dialogue for the regular people is mostly bad. The script goes with the regular tropes of horror movies, but with less effort. I know a lot of the victims in these movies die because of being jerks or being too carefree, but these guys just a rub you the wrong way a little too much.

Remember that line about the movie being 90% Johnny? Those who like the concept may not love that the movie doesn't go that extra 10% to commit to the concept. Lastly, people are going to have mixed feelings about the ending. I'm honestly unsure how I feel about it.

Kinda recommended. The pacing and offbeat nature may not be for everyone (also, if you don't like gruesome violence, you won't like this), but others amongst you will find this interesting. Worth giving a chance. Even if you're not a fan, this isn't painfully bad.

Ninja Kamui

7.5/10

In this new anime show available on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim and Max, Joe Higan seeks revenge on his former ninja clan for killing his family. 

Can't say that this story is a ninja action anime story that breaks the mold. The basic plot feels derivative of previous works, but to the show's credit, it is a competently told story. Although, I feel that some of the backstory could've been introduced a bit earlier and a few more elements of what spurred the ninja clan to change its methods been added, overall Ninja Kamui is very well paced. None of the thirteen episodes feel wasted at all. It feels like there is just the right amount of characters and story in this that the show is neither too fast or too slow. 

The characters also, aren't the most unique or best written, but they mostly work. Higan makes for a capable and determined protagonist. Probably the best character is the FBI agent Mike Morris, he's the honest everyman who might be getting too old for this but won't back down, which is stuff we've seen before, but he does make for the most relatable character. (Also, props should be given to his voice actor Shawn Hamilton, who is hands down the best one in the dub.) Another strong point is that the head of the ninja clan makes for a solid antagonist. He is one who you don't agree with their methods, but you understand their point of view and how they are trying to do this for the greater good. He's also one of those smart antagonists, who don't fail by making mistakes. 

Be forewarned that one of the villains is the "really filthy-mouthed, raunchy one". He's just too much without any subtlety, but he doesn't dominate the entire show.

The animation in this is quite nice. I'm always impressed with when animators can go with more realistic-looking characters and make them move smoothly rather than when animators go with more simplistic designs because it's easier to animate. If you're looking for anime ninja action, this is fits the bill. I think this is one of those anime that was commissioned by Adult Swim, and fells specifically aimed towards American action lovers. The ninja's cyber suits, which are a combination of 2D and 3D, are neat.

Recommended. Ninja Kamui makes for a simple but well told story.  

May the 12th be with you

5/10

This is yet another Simpsons Disney-synergy special. In it, Marge Simpson (voiced by Julie Kravner) takes several Disney characters to the world of Star Wars in order to celebrate Mother's Day.

Yeah, this might be the weakest Simpsons Disney special yet. It's just a bunch of forced-in Disney cameos without much plot and only three jokes that work. To the show's credit, this does conclude better than some of the specials.

Not recommended. You'r not missing anything.

Unfrosted

7/10

Jerry Seinfeld is an interesting guy, after having one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, he's been limited in his output. The only major projects he's spearheaded afterwards are Comedians in Cars with Coffee and the animated children's film Bee Movie. And now he's co-written and directed a really fictional Netflix comedy account of Kellog's creation of the Pop-Tart and its competition with Post.

This is a throwback to films like Naked Gun or Airplane, movies that are just completely silly, wacky, and gag/schtick heavy. (The co-writers were the same guys who worked on Bee Movie, which may give a hint at the tone of this.) The film is the writers throwing a bunch of stuff at you. Not every bit or line is a winner (Seinfeld's got an interesting style of rapid-fire dialogue that may not work for everyone), but something that works will quickly come along afterward. If you're a fan of 60's nostalgia, Unfrosted is filled to the brim with humorous depictions of famous figures.

The movie is  a who's who of well known or at least experienced actors, usually comedic. Unfrosted is one of those works where you might want to tune in just to see who'll pop up next. Seinfeld and Melissa McCarthy, as the one's overseeing the creation of the Pop-Tart, and Jim Gaffigan as company owner Edsel Kellog III make for a solid trio that work well alongside each other. Unfortunately, there are way too many good performances to list in this. I think we have time to mention Hugh Grant, who's been doing more and more comical performances, but this is appears to be his first pure comedy that isn't also a hybrid film. Here he plays a thespian actor who also plays the Tony the Tiger mascot (seeing Grant in the costume alone is a delight).  Though admittedly he already played a full-of-himself actor in Paddington 2, I found this performance to be just different enough. He plays himself more faux serious and less pomp here. Grant is doing the most ridiculous stuff he's ever done in his career, and the famous actor is completely game for anything. 

A lot of credit should be given to the look of the film. It's very colorful, again evoking 60's nostalgia.

Recommended. I'm not saying this is the funniest movie of all time, but if you want something light that you want to turn your brain off for, then this may be for you.

Spy X Family Code: White

 

7/10

(Full disclosure: I did fall asleep for a small part of the film. I wasn't bored, I'd up my guanfacine dosage for my ADHD and was very tired.)

In this the first film for the anime Spy X Family, spy Loid Forger and his family head up to the northern country of Frigis in order to help adopted daughter Yor find the recipe for a dessert she intends to enter into a baking contest. On the way there, Yor accidentally gets herself involved in a secret military plot. 

This isn't one of those anime movies spun from a show, like the action ones, where you can coast and not worry too much about not seeing the original. Don't get me wrong, the movie does give newcomers a refresher on the basic plot, but the whole world and additional characters felt like a little too much for me (not enough detail). I think the biggest issue is that this is an imaginary, Cold War-esque world with its own helping heap of political backstory and international policy. (I do appreciate the world-building.)

But if you're already a fan of the show, I feel like this may be up your alley. I'm surmising that a main draw of this is the humorous situation the characters get into and the core characters themselves (this really feels a like a character piece for the family). That having been said, I as a newcomer did feel like a lot of the scenes of the family just hanging out went on too long.

There is action, but it mostly isn't till the end. Still, when it happens, the fight scenes are well handled enough. Also, the villain in this isn't too shabby. Since a lack of filler stories for ongoing anime stories can feel basic or lackluster, this guy at least had a bit of a personality to him. His design ain't too shabby, either.

This is one of those show-to-movie adaptations where basically it's television animation that looks a little better. This isn't a huge budget, but I'm not knocking it. The animators were clearly putting in the effort, and I particularly liked the amount of detail in the backgrounds.

Kinda recommended. I think the fans will be pleased, but this would probably be more of a 6/10 for newbies in a story that feels just okay without context.