Bob in "Monsters vs. Aliens"
courtesy of Paramount Home Entertainment
“A Monster Hit”

There is hope for the 3-D process after all, both in the movies and on DVD. In “Monsters vs Aliens” the 3-D effects steal the show. DreamWorks Animation has created a film that showcases these visual effects and the fun of the movie is enhanced greatly. Add to that some super vocal work by a group of talented actors and you have a hit and a half. The only negatives are a too long running time and a lack of really big laughs.

In the film Susan (Reese Witherspoon) is standing near a spot where a meteorite crashes. The resulting effect is she grows to be enormous. This causes the government to swoop down and take her to a secret laboratory where she is introduced to a group of monsters who are under government control.

There is Dr. Cockroach (Hugh Laurie), Bob (Seth Rogen), and the Missing Link (Will Arnett). Bob is a blob of goo; Dr. Cockroach is a scientist who changed himself into a cockroach, by mistake; and the Missing Link is some kind of radiated sea creature. There is also a huge bug of some type that doesn’t talk.

In charge of this lab is General W. R. Monger (Keifer Sutherland) who at first looks to be a bad guy but in actuality is a good guy. When aliens come looking for their missing meteor it is he who assembles the “monsters” to fight the aliens. This is after the President’s (Stephen Colbert) efforts at diplomacy fail. The chief alien with which he is dealing is Gallaxar (RainnWilson).

The main comic in the movie is Bob. He has the best lines and is the most likely to make a fun toy from the film. He is a blob with one eye who doesn’t have a brain, but that doesn’t slow his personality down one bit.

Witherspoon is a perfect fit as Susan. At first all she wants to do is shrink back down to normal size but as her adventures increase she begins to adapt to her action hero image. Witherspoon has an identifiable voice and the familiarity helps the audience bond with her character.

Kids will love the characters and thrill to the 3-D effects. Things actually do seem to just fly off the screen. This has happened in the past but it seemed to slow those movies down, in this one it just makes what is going on onscreen that much better.

“Monsters vs Aliens” is a movie that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike. It isn’t a Disney movie but it feels like one and that’s a good thing.

If you are into horror movies then you are going to want to place “The Hills Run Red” at the top of your list. This new DVD has all the thrills, chills, scare tactics and gore you could ever want.

It is all about a deranged killer who wears a babydoll mask. Some think he is just an actor playing a role and acting out the part innocently, but they are wrong – dead wrong! He is the real thing and meeting him will cost you your life. At least that is what he plans.

Sophie Monk and William Sadler are two of the stars of the movie, but this is one you see for the content, not for the stars. It is not for everyone but those who like this kind of demented movie will love this one.

Jeffery Dean Morgan and Stephen Baldwin star as two people trying to get out of a high security prison. The odds of their success are pretty slim. Efforts in the past have been futile but there is always hope. The name of the film is “Six: The Mark Unleashed” and there is more going on in the plot than is at first evident.

Eric Roberts also stars in this strong drama that has a message that is more than just pure escapism. The escape attempt has an impact on other situations. See it and find out why.

Here’s some great news for the kids in your family. There is a new live action “Scooby-Doo” movie that goes back to the origins of the “Mystery, Inc.” gang. Yes, you can see how Velma, Fred, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo all came together.

The “Scooby-Doo” animated series and the live action features are hugely popular and this new film will be a sought after DVD. There is the movie itself and then all kids of extras on the DVD for your total enjoyment. So for you and your family's enjoyment get the new DVD “Scooby-Doo: The Mystery Begins.” It takes you back in time to the time when it all began.

Finally, there is a new movie on DVD titled “Uncross the Stars.” It is a comedy/drama that stars the exquisite Barbara Hershey. Ms. Hershey is not seen on film enough these days and this is a chance to see her warmth and radiance.

Daniel Gillies stars as a young man who loses his wife and finds a group of older people who help him cope. This is where the laughter and tears come in and they come in abundance. Ron Perlman also stars in the film.

This is a movie about love, grief and new beginnings. It is totally enjoyable. Watch it!
 

 

 

 

 

©2009 Jackie K. Cooper

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