Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Director: Wes Anderson
Release Date: November 25, 2009
Genre: Animation / Adventure / Comedy
MPAA: Rated PG
20th Century Fox




The ORB's take: One of the best animated films I have seen in a long time.

Movie Review:
This film is hilarious, entertaining, and a must see. This is a flick that kids will like, but adults will enjoy it a lot more. "George Clooney" provides a perfect voice-over for the main character Mr. Fox. It is based on a children's book that was written in 1970 about a fox that steals chickens, geese, and alcoholic apple cider from three farmers. They get upset and work together and attempt to catch the fox, setting of a chain of events that will make you laugh and want to watch it again and again. The animation is refreshing and well done, as well as the cast of actors and actresses providing the voice-overs. This is a movie that is not only worth seeing in the theater, but a DVD that you will want to own - a movie that you will want a sequel to.

What to Watch For: Mr. Fox, Ash, Kristofferson

You Might If You Like These:
Shrek
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The Royal Tenenbaums

Official Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) Site
IMDB

Book Of Eli (2010)

Director: Albert Hughes
Release Date: January 15, 2010
Genre: Action / Adventure / Thriller
MPAA: Rated R
Warner Bros




The ORB's take: Fresh plot, great fight scenes.

Movie Review:
If you liked Denzel Washington in "Man of Fire" and "Training Day" then you will enjoy this film as well. This is a post-apocalyptic film so it is very "grey" and dull-looking most of the movie. The plot is fresh because Denzel's character "Eli" is carrying the last Bible on earth, and has a mission to place it into the hands of someone that will protect it. After the sun burnt up the Earth, the ones that lived demanded that all of the Bibles be destroyed because of the power that it held. "Eli" is protected when he carries the book, which provides some impressive fight scenes, because there are many people after him trying to steal the book and the power that the holds. This will be a great DVD watch or a worth-while matinee.

What to Watch For: Fight scenes, Cinematography

You Might If You Like These:
Mad Max
The Road

Official Book Of Eli (2010) Site
IMDB

Avatar 3D (2009)

Director: James Cameron
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi
MPAA: Rated PG-13
20th Century Fox




The ORB's take: The visual FX in this movie is amazing and is worth seeing just to experience how 3D should be done.

Movie Review:
This film's plot line follows trends - you have seen this script before over and over again. Now of course the elements are different, but you will get a very similar story line to "Titanic" - which is not a far step considering it is the same director and writer. Most of the film tells a story about a Marine who exists in an Avatar's body and gets invited to partake in the world in which the Avatars live. He learns how to fight, hunt, feel, ect....just like an Avatar - but the only reason he is doing this is to infiltrate their world to gain respect so he can ask them to move off of their "Tree" (which is their home). The Avatars live on the biggest, most valuable mineral found on this world the humans have found and they want it to take back to Earth. The longer the Marine stays and trains as an Avatar the more he falls in love with the daughter of the Avatar leader. With all of that said, it then leads up to a huge battle at the end and I am pretty sure you can fill in the rest of the plot without even seeing the movie. But that is not why you should see the movie, the reason to see this film is because it is very, very detailed, and vibrant shown in 3D. From the space-ship's HUDS to the over-grown forests, you have to see it for yourself in a theater (don't wait for the DVD) to understand and receive what this film's director has intended to give you. ------On a side note-----There is a lot of talk of political / tree hugging over-tones in this film. Is this true? Yes. Is this Hollywood? Yes. So do I go see movies to get political advice? NO. Was it necessary to explain some of the tree-hugging / all-things-are-living theme in this movie? After seeing this and thinking about it, my answer is Yes. It is needed to describe the type of world the Avatars live in, so for it to make sense and to try to get the feel what this director wanted you to feel it was probably necessary - but still is annoying at times throughout the movie. Bottom Line - Go and see it - worth the price of admission and the experience of what is hopefully a new wave of 3D films.

What to Watch For: 3D (the entire movie), Forrest scenes (visuals), Battle scene

You Might If You Like These:
Dances With Wolves
Titanic

Official Avatar (2009) Site
IMDB