Movie Review: Elemental

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

Pixar's first rom-com is very good. If it doesn't measure up to the studio's previous films, that is only because Pixar has set the bar so high. 

At its heart this is a love story and as such it works very well. Ember (who is made of fire) and Wade (who is made of water) fall in love despite the fact that such a thing has not been done before (this is obviously a not too subtle look at racism and inter-racial relationships). The two characters have wonderful chemistry with each other, and their romance comes off as more believable than half the romance movies starring humans. This is because the movie does not rush into the romance, but instead lets the characters naturally grow into it after spending time together. The way this plays out feels completely real. You cannot pinpoint the exact moment in which they fall in love with each other, but instead you as an audience member simply grow naturally into accepting it. This quite simply put is how you do a romance in a movie just right and something makers of live action romantic comedies can definitely learn from. This makes it so even with how cliché the story can get, you still have an emotional attachment to it. 

This film also shows very well Pixar doing what it does best. This is building a fantasy world that feels completely believable. Once you stop to think about it little of the world these elements live in doesn't make much sense, but as you are watching the movie, you completely believe that this place is real. This is due partly to all the little details that show how certain things work in this world. These are often shown in tiny moments but these tiny moments make a big difference. This sense of atmosphere is also shown in the great visuals of this film. There was obviously so much work that went into this artwork and it is felt in every single scene. Yet as wonderful as the artwork is it is always in service to the story and the setting. 

It is strange to say that one of the weakest parts about a Pixar movie is the humor, the humor here could have been a lot better. I found myself not really laughing that much watching this film. Most every gag felt like something Pixar had done before and done better in the past. There were some jokes that really made me smile, but shockingly I never once really laughed. Also, while this is Pixar's first rom-com that does not mean this story really does much that we haven't seen before. In fact, the story feels very familiar and from pretty early on we can guess just how this movie is going to end. The story is done well but this can't stop it from feeling familiar. 

While this may not be one of Pixar's best it is a very good movie on its own terms.

This feature film is proceeded by a delightful short film called Carl's Date. This short film is a bit of a sequel to the wonderful Pixar movie, Up (2009). It is even directed by Bob Petersen who directed that feature (he also provided the voice for Dug). As much as I enjoyed Elemental, I may have liked this short even more. This short film is everything that I love about Pixar. It is charming, funny and digs into deep emotions in a way that only Pixar can. This short film was funny, silly and playful for most of the length. However, the final moments really hit me hard emotionally. Honestly this short would be worth the price of admission alone. This short was originally planned to be part of the Disney + streaming series, Dug Days but it was decided instead to release it to movie theaters and it is easy to see why.  

Challenge of the Super Friends: Secret Origins of the Super Friends (1978)

 

One of the best episodes.


In this episode Lex Luthor comes up with a plan for the Legion of Doom to travel back in time to stop Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman from becoming the superheroes they do become. They go back to each of their origin stories to stop them from happening. 

This is simply a wonderful episode. The basic premise is very clever. The idea of villains traveling back in time to stop superheroes from ever coming to be, is one that can still today, be used as the basis for a great story. Though given less than half an hour, this version of the story is obviously very simplistic but that doesn't mean that it isn't effective. This episode is simply a lot of fun and moves at a fast pace that never once loses the attention of the viewer. Also giving us a look into the origin stories of three of the Super Friends gives this episode a very unique feel that sets it apart from your typical Super Friends episode. Also as much as these origin stories are very familiar to all of us DC fans, they are still wonderful origin stories and to see them play out here is simply a lot of fun. It is also nice to have some time to focus solely on these characters one at a time in a show that is often crowded with superheroes. The environments that these origin stories provide are also wonderful and provide us with some great atmosphere and some more of the wonderful background art that populates Hanna-Barbera cartoons of this time period. The way in which things resolve here is also very cleverly done and seems like such a naturally logical conclusion. 

There is so much to enjoy about this episode and it should prove to be a delight to most any DC fan. 

Movie Review: Past Lives

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A+

Director/writer Celine Song's feature film debut proves her to be a force to be reckoned with. 

This film centers around two childhood friends (Greta Lee, Teo Yoo), who had major crushes on each other. One of them moved to the U.S. and one stayed living in Korea. Years later as adults the two end up reconnecting. This storyline sounds like your typical practicable romantic movie. However, it is anything but. This movie never goes in the direction a lesser filmmaker would take it in. Instead, this film becomes something much more intimate, powerful, personal and thought provoking. Nothing here feels false or anything less than completely natural. Because of this, we forget that we are watching a movie and instead feel like we are getting a peak as other people are living their lives. Though there is sentiment here, the film never gets washed down in this sentiment and the sentiment feels like it is naturally flowing from the story and characters. We feel every moment of awkwardness, every moment of happiness, every moment of confusion, every moment of pain and every moment of complete and utter contentment. We are not only watch these characters live their lives, but we are also living it with them. As well as being a very emotionally powerful story, this is also a very thought-provoking piece of cinema. Rather than being a film about a romance, this is a movie that examines what love really is. It looks at if a romantic love, is the same thing as an attraction or a very deep friendship. Most importantly though it looks at how much of a role fate plays in love. This film makes you look at how various circumstances and events affect who these characters are and what their relationships to each other are. It makes you see how drastically different things would be if the circumstances were different. With the conversations in the film about past lives and what the characters' relationships were to each other, in those possible past lives, only accentuates this idea and causes us to look at our lives and wonder if there was some hand of fate in our lives and if we would even be the same person if we had a different life. This self-examination the film causes us to have doesn't even have to be limited to the romantic part of our lives. There are so many beautiful things about this movie and these things do not leave you when you leave the theater, instead they stay with you long after. 

A film like this is something truly special and this is one of those movies you leave knowing that it is destined to go down in history as a classic. 

Cowboy Church #229

Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

 Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the San Joaquin with How Great Thou Art. This classic hymn was originally based on a poem by Swedish Pastor Carl Gustav Boberg. He wrote this poem after walking home one day and a sudden storm came. When the storm stopped, he saw the clear bay in front of him and heard a church bell in the distance. This inspired him to write the poem. He first published it in 1886. When he published it again in Witness of the Truth (a newspaper he edited in 1891, it included both words and music. The English language version we all know was translated by missionary Stuart K. Hine. This version of the song comes from the group's 2017 album, One More Ride.

This is followed by Donna Fargo with You Can't Be a Beacon (If Your Light Don't Shine). There are many people who call themselves Christians but don't in any way live like Christians. If we call ourselves Christians, there should be an overwhelming love inside of us for everyone and we should do our best to live by the word of God. This is the way that our light should shine and if we don't love other people and often break the commandments of God, then we are not beacons for anyone as we do not in any way represent who God is to those around us. 

Next comes Johnny Cash with Would You Recognize Jesus. This song tells us about, how we truly get to know who Jesus is by trying to live the way that he lived. There are many of us who may think we know Jesus, but if we actually saw him, he would be "another one we couldn't place." Yet if we live by his word and make sure to pray every day, then we can truly know just who Jesus really is. This song was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (of the Statler Brothers) and if you listen to the Statler Brothers than this isn't hard to tell at all. 

Next comes the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet with There's Power in the Blood. Hee Haw may be a very silly and corny TV show but it means a lot to me. For those of you unfamiliar with this show, it was a variety show that mixed some of the corniest jokes and comedy skits imaginable with a lot of great country music by some of the top country artists of the time period (1969-1997). The reason why the show means so much to me is because I became a huge country music fan from my grandparents watch reruns of this wonderful show. Much of the music I was introduced to through this show still stays very much with me. 

Now comes Homer Rodeheaver with his 1923 recording of The Church in the Wildwood. 

Then comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. This hymn began with a man named Anthony Showalter. As a fan of gospel music and an elder in a Presbyterian church, he held many "singing schools" at various churches in the south. One day he received two letters from former students who were struggling after their wives had passed. To respond to these letters, Showalter consulted scripture. He came across Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." After reading this verse lyrics for a song chorus went through his head and he wrote down, "“Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” After using this in the letters to his former students he sent this chorus to his friend hymnist, Elisha Hoffman. In the letter he also wrote, “Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27, but I can’t come up with the verses.” Hoffman then wrote the rest of the lyrics to which Showalter put to music. The hymn was published in 1887. 

This is followed by Bob Dylan with When He Returns. This was the final track off of Bob’s 1979 album, Slow Train Coming. This was the first album Bob made after converting to Christianity. Because of this it is an album made up entirely of Christian songs. This period of Bob’s career angered many of Bob’s longtime fans. Many did not like that Bob was now using his music to preach the gospel and many were angry because in concert he would no longer play his earlier music, instead wanting to focus only on Christian music. 

Today’s musical selection ends with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children. 

Now comes one of my favorite modern-day singers, Anne Wilson sharing her Christian testimony. 

Now for the silent short film, Why Broncho Billy Left Bear Country (1913).

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. Proverbs 24:16

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 2 Corinthians 5:17

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrew 7:25

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Nell Shipman: Signing Up Juno

 The following is a 1919 article about silent era actress and filmmaker Nell Shipman. If you have any trouble reading the following pages click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Some Cartoons for Saturday Morning #230

 Hello my friends and happy Saturday morning. Once again it is time for some classic cartoons. 

Today's cartoon selection starts with a delightful silent movie starring Felix the Cat, The Smoke Scream (1928). This film was released the same year as Disney's Steamboat Willie (1928) which would of course help usher in the era of sound cartoons (though it is not the first sound cartoon as many claim). 

Now we join our good friend Farmer Al Falfa in Spring is Here (1932). For a Terry Toon of this time the opening sequence has a surprisingly effective atmospheric feel. Still other parts of this film do still feel primitive once you compare them to what Disney, Warner Brothers and the Fleischer Brothers were doing at this time. However, I cannot deny that there is a certain charm to the Terry Toons of this period that I simply love. 



 

Now for a classic Foghorn Leghorn short, Plop Goes the Weasel (1953). This movie is the first appearance of the Weasel. This character would appear in two more theatrical short films, both Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. These other two cartoons are Weasel Stop (1956) and Weasel While You Work (1958). The character would also have a cameo in the feature film, Space Jam (1996). 

Next is Betty Boop in A Song a Day (1936). This short film was made after the Betty cartoons were becoming much tamer with much less sexual jokes or risqué situations than the earlier films had (much of this change was due to the Production Code). However, there is still a lot of fun to be had here, especially with the character Grampy, who always delighted whenever he appeared in one of these later Betty shorts. Plus, the musical number at the end is so darn much fun. 

Now for a commercial break.

With this being the opening weekend for The Flash (2023), I feel it is appropriate to look at a 1967 TV cartoon staring the titular superhero from the Filmation studio. This is not exactly high art (not even remotely close) but for people like me who enjoy some incredibly corny superhero fun, it is a delight to watch. Holy smokes dig this crazy cartoon. 

Next comes Mickey, Donald and Goofy in Moving Day (1936). Like many of the Mickey, Donald and Goofy shorts, this cartoon has each character working together from the same goal but having separate set pieces for each one. While Donald and Goofy really get to shine in their set pieces, Mickey has little to do in this movie. After his character had been toned down from his earlier more mischievous self (due in part to parents wanting him to be more of a role model for kids), he became less of a comic character and more of a straight man. Because of this his cartoons around this era had most of the comedy coming from characters like Donald, Goofy and Pluto. He was originally going to have a bit more to do in this film as there was a planned set piece in which he would fight with an ironing board. However, this scene was dropped. Mickey's scenes in this picture are heavily animated by Paul Allen and Marvin Woodward. One of the highlights of this film is the entire sequence with Goofy and the piano. This scene was expertly animated by Art Babbitt. Woolie Reitherman (who would go on to direct the Disney animated feature films, The Sword and the Stone (1963), The Jungle Book (1967) and Robin Hood (1973), among others) animated very little of this movie. He animated Pete finding out what was going on and barging in as well as him yelling, "Hey come back." This cartoon also marks the first color appearance of Mickey's nemesis Pete.

Now comes a short film starring the Blue Racer, The Boa Friend (1973). The Blue Racer cartoons were a series of 17 short films created for movie theaters. At a time when cartoons were becoming less and less a major part of the movie going experience, films like this kept the tradition alive. 

Today's cartoon selection ends with one of the all-time classic Merrie Melodies cartoons, A Corny Concerto (1943). This cartoon is very much a parody of Disney's recent animated feature, Fantasia (1940) with the unrefined Elmer Fudd taking over the Deems Taylor role. Earlier the same year this cartoon was released another Merrie Melody parodied Fantasia with an unrefined wolf doing the Deem Taylor role. That cartoon was called Pigs in a Polka (1943). A Corny Concerto was directed by Bob Clampett (who also made some of the vocal sound effects here) and written by Frank Tashlin. It is odd to have Tashlin write a Warners cartoon he didn't direct. Tashlin had in fact just returned to Warners after a stint at Disney, making him a perfect candidate to write this Disney parody. This film features another rarity for a Warners cartoon. That is the fact the Bugs Bunny and Porky Pig share the screen. This is the only time Porky hunts a fully formed Bugs Bunny, though he did hunt a prototype of the character in Porky's Hare Hunt (1938). It has been debated whether or not the Duck that appears in the second part of this cartoon is or isn't Daffy. I like to think of him as Daffy, myself. Despite having Porky, Bugs and probably Daffy, Mel Blanc doesn't do a single voice in this movie. That is because the character he usually voices don't talk for the whole film. The only speaking voice heard is Arthur Q. Bryan as Elmer Fudd. Also notice that Bugs makes Porky and his dog into a couple of boobs. This cartoon appropriately appears in Jerry Beck's book, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes.

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another selection of animated treasures. Until then may all your tunes be looney and your melodies merry. 

Resources Used

The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes by Jerry Beck.

Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse: The Ultimate History by J.B. Kaufman and David Gerstein 

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

Movie Review: The Flash

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A top notch superhero film. 

I admit that I may have a little bias towards this film because I am a DC fan and The Flash is my favorite superhero, but oh my gosh I loved this movie. Inspired by (though not a direct adaption of) the famous comic storyline, Flashpoint, this is a superhero movie that is simply full of heart. This film truly gets to the heart of The Flash character, and it is a very emotional ride. This movie delves into loss and the ways in which we deal with it. Even if some of us have not lost our parents, it is beyond easy to become very emotionally involved in what our main character is going through and what compels him to do what he does. Because of this no matter how much action, fan service or humor this movie may have, it never loses its emotional core. This heart and this emotion are what drives the entire film. There are moments here that are completely heartbreaking and others that will definitely warm your heart. This is not to say that the other elements in this film are lacking in any way. This movie has a lot of humor throughout. Though there are some comedic moments that fall flat, they are few and far between. Most of the humor here is simply wonderful. There were many moments which made me laugh out loud throughout the movie. What also made the comedy work is that no matter how silly it might get it always was based around the characters. This is what allowed this movie to have a silly sense of humor without ever distracting from the emotional core of the story. What made many people excited about this film is Michael Keaton returning as Batman. He was just as wonderful here as he was in the two Tim Burton Batman films. Looking at him and listening to him still make this feel like the character stepping directly out of the comics and onto the screen. There is no doubt about it this is Batman. The fan service with this character is done just right. There are some delightful moments that reference the Tim Burton films and we hear Danny Elfman's wonderful theme from those movies. Yet these scenes never become too much and this version of Batman is never here simply for those references. Supergirl is also very well handled here and even though her story arc does not get enough screentime, the filmmakers perfectly capture what makes her such a great character. Sasha Calle (in what is amazingly her first feature film) is simply perfectly cast as this character. The action scenes (despite some underwhelming CGI) are very well done and often a lot of fun to watch. They are excellently paced and often well staged. Again these action scenes are fully in service to the story and in fact some of the most emotion moments happen during them. 

Despite a few minor faults, this is exactly what I wanted out of a Flash movie.