corey-walker

I have seen the first two movies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and have read the Hobbit when I was in elementary school. I didn't realize the film was done by Peter Jackson, until the end. Nonetheless, I was expecting a good movie and that's what I saw. This was my first time seeing a movie in high definition and it was quite amazing. The acting was powerful, the scenery breathtaking and the sound effects were incredible. I don't remember the book well enough to know how true the movie stays to Tolkien's text, but I do know that the book wasn't as gory or violent as the movie. This is my only complaint about the movie; when you take a children's book and make it into a blockbuster film, parents will think it's safe to bring their kids to it, and it's not. There is already enough violence in Hollywood films, and I was disappointed that the movie intensified the fantasy violence in the book. Other than that, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a great film and if you're over 18, I would encourage you to see it.

I just watched this movie on Turner Classic Movies and I really enjoyed it. I don't know how closely it follows the book, as I haven't read this book, just "Tom Sawyer", but I find the movie to be a great family movie. It was fun watching Huck get out of one scrape just in time to get into another. He was always on the run, along with the Widow Douglas' slave, Jim. It made think back to my boyhood days and honestly, it made my boyhood adventures look dull. The plot hearkens back to a time when life was simple and offered more freedom to boys then today's world does. I'm not sure the movie is entirely realistic, but that's quite all right with me. The acting was well done, the colour quality was great for 1960, and the whole plot flowed quite smoothly. I didn't quite understand the ending, which I won't spoil for you. If you like tales of boyhood adventure from an America the world will never see again, you have to see Huck Finn. And it's got some of the greatest actors of the day in it as well. What more can you ask for.

10/10

This year (2008) I saw this movie for the first time in a few years. Despite being from the 1960's, the animation is great and the sound quality excellent. It's funny watching the Grinch stew and fret about while he decides how to make the Who's in Whoville completely miserable. I still find it amazing that the Grinch can fit so many presents in just a few bags, but I guess his Santa suit gives him the same magic that the real Santa Claus has.

The Grinch is a sly and sneaky creature. He's also very quick with his wits, as evidenced in the scene where he's confronted by a 2 year old Who girl. But what I really like about this movie is how the Grinch eventually comes to learn the true meaning of Christmas. I won't spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that the ending will warm the cockles of your heart, and remind you what Christmas is really all about. Truly this is one of those holiday must sees.

Corey