Movie Review: "Dog Gone"

Rated: PG for some bullying, rude humor, language, mild threat and action
Starring: French Stewart, Luke Benward, and Brittany Curran
Released: 2008

Synopsis
Young Owen (Luke Benward, Cloud 9) is struggling; he recently lost his beloved dog, bullies are always on his case, and he can't muster up the courage to ask his crush to the town's July Fourth celebration.  While out delivering papers, he comes across a sick dog that is seemingly being mistreated by three guys; what Owen doesn't know is that they're crooks, and that they used the poor canine to commit a jewel heist.  Blackie (French Stewart, Inspector Gadget 2) and his inept minions will stop at nothing to get the dog back...but Owen doesn't want to lose his new canine companion.  Will Owen outsmart the thieves?
Also released as Diamond Dog Caper.

The Good
The review quoted on the poster calls this film "a welcome throwback to a simpler, gentler breed of family entertainment." To a degree, it is; it doesn't have the profanity or sexual allusions that seem to plague many "PG" films these days.  Even though the MPAA warned of language, I heard no worse words than "heck" or "butt".  Also, slapstick humor abounds, which is sure to please fans of movies such as Home Alone.  Though Owen gets bullied, he shows his tormentors that he is no victim, which is a positive thing.  He and other characters make sacrifices during the film, which is a positive element.  This film was part of a four-movie DVD multi-pack, but, unlike many flicks packaged in such a manner, it features both closed captions and Spanish subtitles; surprising, but great for those who need them.

The Bad
Though most of the humor is slapstick, some of it is crude, such as scenes relating to the dog's bodily functions.  Even the slapstick humor is a little bit overdone.  The character's fashion sense is a bit immodest, as Owen is seen in his underwear twice, whereas one female character is shown in tiny shorts, and another in a midriff-baring outfit.  The underlying theme--hiding jewels inside a dog--is a bit disturbing, and the song during the closing credits is annoying.

Conclusion
Animal flicks are a dime a dozen these days.  In the past decade, we've seen everything from documentaries (March of the Penguins) to ones featuring fantastical creatures (How to Train Your Dragon) to kiddie comedies such as this one.  Slapstick humor fans will love this one, as will most kids; still, for adults, this is nothing we haven't seen before.  Disney Channel fans will likely enjoy seeing a pre-Good Luck Charlie Luke Benward, but, I can't recommend anything more than a rental.

Score: 3/5

TV Episode Set Review: "Kickin' It": Volume One

Rated: TV-Y7
Starring: Leo Howard, Olivia Holt, Jason Earles, Mateo Arias, Dylan Riley Snyder, and Alex Christian Jones
Released: 2011 (Disney XD premieres)

Synopsis
Rudy (Jason Earles) is Sensei of the Bobby Wasabi dojo, located in a shopping mall.  His students--clueless Jerry (Mateo Arias), geeky Milton (Dylan Riley Snyder), karate master Jack (Leo Howard), sweet-but-uncoordinated Eddie (Alex Christian Jones), and lone female Kim (Olivia Holt, I Didn't Do It)--are the best of friends, and always look out for each other...though that doesn't stop them from getting into various misadventures! In this first volume, Rudy gets an offer to star in a commercial, Kim writes an essay that wins her school a concert from a pop star that isn't all he seems to be, Jack gets stuck in a retro dream, Jerry tries to train the karate kids in the art of dance to defeat his rival Smooth (Roshon Fagan, Shake It Up), Milton plays a live-action version of an RPG, and Eddie gets blackmailed after being caught dancing with a punching dummy...all in the name of laughs and martial arts!
As seen on Disney XD.

The Good
I expected this show to be good...but it ended up being amazing! Not only did I find it insanely hilarious, but the karate theme added a new element--slapstick humor--that you don't see that much in Disney Channel sitcoms, especially the recent ones.  All of the actors did amazingly, especially Olivia Holt, who is now my number one favorite celebrity as a result of watching this.  Even the theme music is an awesome rock tune, and is used very well throughout the show.  There wasn't much to complain about, but...

The Bad
I did have a few quibbles with the set.  My biggest issue was with the episode being out of order; the series premiere is a few episodes into the set, which makes the continuity awkward.  Other--and more minor--problems I had were with the character's slightly immodest fashion sense--did we really need to see Kim's bra straps or Jerry in a 70's-style top that exposes most of his chest?--and a few "PG"-level crude moments.  The "TV-Y7" rating is likely because of the karate violence, which, though never the least bit bloody or gory and always played for laughs, would be far too easy for little kids to imitate.

Conclusion
Despite its flaws, this is my new favorite show! I've already got the second volume on iTunes, and hope to watch it sometime soon! If you haven't seen this show yet...you're missing out! Go and buy the first volume, NOW!

Score: 4.75/5

Movie Review: "Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End"

Rated: Not Rated (Dove approved for ages twelve and up)
Starring: David A. R. White, Jen Lilley, and Andrea Logan White
Released: 2013 (DVD)

Synopsis
Joshua "Josh" McManus (David A. R. White, Jerusalem Countdown) is a traveling salesman in the middle of nowhere, far away from his wife (Jen Lilley, The Book of Esther) and young daughter.  While making a sale, he runs into an evil motorcycle gang, bent on mass murder...but is able to beat them to the punch and uses their own guns against them.  Forced to stay in the area as a result of the crime, he witnesses an alarming sight while at a motel that makes him think twice about where his faith lies.
Produced by Pure Flix, makers of God's Not Dead and The Mark.

Warning! Spoilers below!

The Good
For a Christian film, this is remarkably well-produced.  It has the look and feel of a mainstream theatrical movie, especially when it comes to the action sequences.  You'll probably want to watch this on the biggest screen available.  Also, the portrayal of events that are happening in our country every day were appropriately disturbing, and the villains were either perfectly despicable, or, in one case, shown to actually have a heart.  Even the filming style was different; some of the sequences reminded me of an anime cartoon.  A lack of profanity and drug use, as well as a near-lack of sexual content, only made matters better.

The Bad
Though appropriate for the storyline, the violence here is a bit unsettling.  Right from the get-go, we see a motorcycle gang beat up a police officer and proceed to murder him with a huge hammer; the latter, however, is implied, but the whole scene is a bit bloody.  Guns are fired, and people are shot, sometimes fatally; a guy is even suffocated to death.  The usual Rapture theology is present, which may bother some viewers.  My biggest complaint, however, is with the plot: Instead of starting off with the mass disappearances, they don't take place until about ten minutes before the credits roll.  It wouldn't be a problem if it weren't obvious from the start that they were going to happen.  Viewers expecting a wrap-up ending will have to seek out the next installment, as this first entry merely ends with a "To be continued..."

Conclusion
Though good for what it is, I'd have liked this movie to have reached a conclusion before it ended.  I do have the next installment on hand; however, this feels more like the first half of a movie than the entire movie itself.  If you do decide to pick this up, make sure you buy/rent both entries, as the first one will leave you hanging.  Production-wise, this is better than most "end times" movies; if only the plot matched up.

Score: 3/5

Movie Review: "Ace of Hearts"

Rated: PG for some violence and thematic elements
Starring: Dean Cain, Britt McKillip, and Anne Marie DeLuise
Released: 2008

Synopsis
Officer Dan Harding (Dean Cain, God's Not Dead) and his canine partner Ace are well known in their area for catching criminals...but, there's one thief they just haven't been able to catch.  When Ace spots the elusive robber and chases him down, it appears that the German Shepherd attacked him.  Dan and his daughter Julia (Britt McKillip) know that Ace wouldn't do that...but the evidence is all there, which means that Ace will have to be euthanized.  Will Ace be proven innocent in time? Will the thief get caught?
Based on a true story from Reader's Digest.

The Good
The production values here were all pretty good, including the acting, the sets, the soundtrack, etc.  The makers obviously tried to keep this family-friendly; there was no profanity, save for one use of the d-word towards the end.  Church is apparently a part of this family's life; though they are never seen attending services, Julia talks about "a line in the Sunday school pageant," which is actually from John 20:29.  As for the story itself, though it does have its slow moments, it actually kept me interested.

The Bad
My biggest problem was with the main villain; he was surprisingly scary for what appears to be a kid's flick, especially when you realize that this is based on a true story.  The "violence" mentioned in the MPAA advisory includes two scenes that are a bit bloody, such as one where a dog is stabbed by a piece of glass.  As for the "thematic elements," not only would the thought of euthanizing a dog upset some kids, but Dan and his wife Lily are seen passionately kissing and talking about making up for the fact that they didn't get a honeymoon when they first got married.  Lily also appears to be meant as eye candy, as nearly every outfit she wears is a bit low-cut.

Conclusion
Like The Dust Factory, this was a DVD I found on MovieStop's clearance rack.  Unlike that movie, though, Ace of Hearts was actually at least halfway decent.  It's probably not something I would watch again, but, for what it was, it was a fun, enjoyable animal flick.  Parents may want to screen it before showing it to their kids, though.

Score: 3.5/5

Movie Review: "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

Rated: PG for some frightening images and sequences of fantasy action
Starring: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, and Ben Barnes
Released: December 10, 2010 (US)

Synopsis
Siblings Lucy and Edmund Pevensie were once queen and king of a magical land called Narnia, but, while being stuck at their aunt's house with their annoying cousin Eustace, it's seemingly a mere memory.  When they notice a Narnian-looking ship in their aunt's house, it ends up being a portal to the land where they once reigned, and they immediately meet up with their old friends Prince Caspian and Reepicheep, the latter of which is a sword-wielding rodent.  Eustace is along for the trip, much to his chagrin.  Together, they travel to various islands, meet strange creatures, and reunite with the famed lion Aslan!
Based on the book by C. S. Lewis.

The Good
All of the production values were outstanding.  The special effects were spot-on; the acting was wonderful; the scenery was very realistic; the music was well done; the action sequences were great; in all technical areas, it was superb.  A lack of profanity, sexual content, nudity, and drug use helped matters a bit.  There were also positive elements, such as Lucy learning her own value, and Eustace gaining courage.  It was also nice to see the other two Pevensie children have a brief appearance. Unfortunately...

The Bad
It all got ruined by the dumb story.  Instead of a coherent narrative, this movie simply bounced from one plot to another, almost like the various levels of an old-school video game.  A more minor complaint: Some of the creatures--particularly the sea monsters--were disturbingly ugly.

Conclusion
This third outing didn't live up to its predecessors.  Word online is that there are currently plans for a fourth Narnia movie; I sure hope it's better than this one.  Despite the amazing production values, I found The Voyage of the Dawn Treader hard to finish.  Sure, the special effects were great, but, for me, it takes more than that to make an enjoyable movie.  Here's hoping that any future projects based on C. S. Lewis' allegorical works will be better.

Score: 2.5/5

TV Season Review: "Kenan & Kel": Season One

Rated: TV-Y7
Starring: Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, and Dan Frischman
Released: 1996 - 1997 (Nickelodeon premieres) / 2011 (iTunes)

Synopsis
Kenan and Kel (Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, All That) are best friends who constantly hang out together.  Kenan works at Rigby's grocery store, where he and Kel drive their boss Chris (Dan Frischman) crazy.  While Kenan is a schemer, Kel is dumber than a box of rocks, much the chagrin of Kenan himself and his family.  In this first outing, Kenan and Kel try to replace a deceased pet cockatoo, learn the true meaning of the holiday spirit, get involved in a jewel heist, and more!
As seen on Nickelodeon.

The Good
These two guys are the perfect comedic duo! Hilarity abounds in this premiere season; better yet, these guys (mostly) keep it clean.  Also of note is the character of Chris, who is wonderfully comical as well.  Positive elements find their way into the series as well; usually, Kenan finds out the hard way that he shouldn't take advantage of people.  A lack of profanity, nudity, and drug use--and a near-lack of sexual content--only improves matters.

The Bad
A stray "PG"-level sexual joke pops up here and there, but only rarely.  The episodes are apparently out of order, as a blooper reel at the end of one episode features scenes that were not in prior episodes within the set.  The closed captioning had some issues, as well.  All of those complaints are minor, though.

Conclusion
This series harkens back to when life was simpler; before our world was ruled by terrorist attacks, wars, and scandals.  For younger folks, it would also serve as a portrait of what the 90's were like; a time without multifunction cell phones, Facebook, and iPads.  Like The Cosby Show, Kenan & Kel has an appeal that transcends race; seriously, give this show a shot and see if you don't laugh.  It definitely beats what the major networks are serving us these days.

Score: 4.75/5

TV DVD Review: "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes!": Volume Six: "End of the Cosmos"

Rated: TV-Y7 for fantasy violence
Starring: Eric Loomis, Brian Bloom, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey
Released: 2012 (Disney XD premieres) / 2013 (DVD) 

Synopsis
In this final outing of the Disney XD animated series, the Avengers face their toughest battles yet.  Between aliens bent on conquering or devouring Earth, former heroes turned rogue, and returning old villains, it's going to take everything the Avengers have got to stop the bad guys and save the world...but, as powerful as they all are, even their combined strength may not be enough.  It all ends here.

The Good
The usual accolades I've given this series--great animation, wonderful action sequences, awesome voice work, etc.--still stand true here.  Positive elements also abound, as the Avengers learn to work as a team, and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the planet.  Also, the final episode is appropriately epic, but...

The Bad
It would have been better as a two-parter.  You may have noticed that I didn't talk about the storylines; that's because they weren't quite as good this time around.  Sure, it was entertaining to a degree...just not the same way the first few volumes were.  I think it's great that this is "the finale," as the DVD cover says.

Conclusion
For a while now, I've been a big fan of animated superhero shows, ranging from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Superman: The Animated Series to the Fantastic Four cartoon from the '90's.  I've enjoyed most of them, and I could say that about this one as well; problem was, I didn't quite enjoy it as much.  Fans of the series will likely want to see it through to its completion; if you do, prepare to be a bit underwhelmed.

Score: 3.25/5

Movie Review: "The Book of Esther"

Rated: Not Rated (Dove approved for ages twelve and up)
Starring: Jen Lilley, Joel Smallbone, and Robert Miano
Released: 2012 (DVD)

Synopsis
Orphaned as a little girl, Esther (Jen Lilley) is a lovely young woman...but is unmarried.  When King Xerxes (Joel Smallbone, CCM's For King and Country) annuls his marriage and looks for a new queen, Esther's uncle Mordecai, an adviser to the king, suggests his daughter for the position.  Unfortunately, the evil Lord Haman will stop at nothing to thwart Mordecai's plans and put an end to the Jews once and for all.  Will Esther become queen? Will she and Mordecai emerge victorious over the wicked Haman?
Based on the Biblical account.

The Good
In most cases, Pure Flix's movies are better-produced than most Christian films, and this is no exception.  The actors--especially the leads--did exceptionally well, and I found Esther and Mordecai to be quite likable; Haman was equally despicable.  The sets were rather elaborate, and the music was in the style of an old-school Biblical epic.  There really wasn't much to dislike about the movie, except...

The Bad
This film expounds a bit too much on the Biblical account.  Of course, a bit of extra content is always necessary when doing a movie such as this, but the film still could have stayed truer to God's Word.  Also, some events--especially the finale--weren't as dramatic as they should have been.

Conclusion
This is one of at least three different movies based on the book of Esther at my local library.  One, simply titled Esther, I've already reviewed; the other one, One Night with the King, I have yet to see.  Esther is a unique book; it's the only one in the Bible that never mentions God by name.  Still, thanks to our longtime fascination with royalty and the triumphing of good over evil, the titular queen's tale remains popular.  Though produced well, this movie would have done better to stick to the Biblical account.  If you do decide to watch this, make sure you read the story afterwards, so you can see for yourself what really happened.

Score: 3.5/5

Movie Review: "Caught"

Rated: PG-13 for mature subject matter and drug use
Starring: John Shepherd, Amerjit Deu, and Jill Ireland
Released: 1987

Synopsis
Tim's mother just dropped a bombshell on him; he just found out that his biological father is not who Tim thought he was.  To find him, Tim jets off to Amsterdam with little information to go on.  Unbeknownst to Tim, Billy Graham is also holding a crusade in the same city, which has attracted Christians from all over the planet.  One of them is Raj, a New Delhi native, who finds Tim in a sad state of affairs, and decides to help him out in his search for his father.  What Raj doesn't know is that there are guys hot on Tim's trail, just waiting to bring him down.  Will Raj be able to help Tim find his father?
From World Wide Pictures, the movie production company of evangelist Billy Graham.

The Good
Since this movie was released just before I was born, it serves as a good portrait of what life was like back in those times.  It also has a good overall story, one that kept me interested until the end, even if it was slightly slow.  The two main characters are likable, and Raj proves to be quite the Good Samaritan.

The Bad
With a "PG-13" rating, you'd probably expect this to be harder-edged than usual for a Christian film, and, in a way, it is.  Not only is there the "mature subject matter" and "drug use" the MPAA warned about, but a bit of violence which leaves one character with a nasty gash on his face as well as two profanities and occasional usage of crude terms such as "crap" and "shove it" are all present here.  Guys are seen shirtless and/or in underwear numerous times, and a scene at the end has a guy in tribal gear that shows almost his whole rear end.  Also, the music--especially during the ending credits--is a bit cheesy.

Conclusion
This old-school Christian movie takes a different tack than many of the ones before and after it.  It isn't a retelling of a Bible story, nor is it an interpretation of end times prophecy.  The film itself isn't anything special, but fans of recent Christian movies such as God's Not Dead might be interested in watching this to see how the genre has evolved since then.  I'm glad I found this on the five-dollar rack at LifeWay; unless you can find it really cheap, I'd only suggest renting or borrowing it.  It's good for what it is, but, I doubt I'll ever watch it again.

Score: 3/5

Video Review: "VeggieTales: Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue"

Rated: G (Canadian Home Video Rating)
Starring: Phil Vischer and Mike Nawrocki
Released: July 15, 2008

Synopsis
Tomato Sawyer (Bob the Tomato) and Huckleberry Larry (Larry the Cucumber) are homesteaders only days away from getting to own their plot of land...when escaped criminal Little Jimmie arrives, with the police hot on his trail! Little Jimmie claims to be innocent, and Tom and Huck believe him...but, Jimmie also needs help getting to St. Louis, which means that Tom and Huck won't be able to claim their land! Huck wants to help out Jimmie no matter what, but Tom isn't so sure about it.  Will they be able to reunite Jimmie and his mother? Meanwhile, Larry and Archibald sing about a road trip to find a biscuit with a very long name!

The Good
What Big Idea has excelled at before, they continue (in some ways; more on that later) to do well here.  The animation is spot-on, with detailed character designs and backgrounds, as well as shading effects, all of which look fabulous.  As usual, a moral is included; plus, some of the vegetables are criticized for reading Norm's Notes--an obvious parody of Cliff's Notes--instead of the actual literary work.

The Bad
The story wasn't as good this time around; not only was it uninteresting, but, it bore little resemblance to the Mark Twain work.  Sure, it's fun to have an old-school-style tale, but, if you're going to do a classic novel, do it right.  Also, the Silly Song was nearly unintelligible; most of it felt like I was watching a foreign dubbed version instead.

Conclusion
Though not terrible, this is not Big Idea's best work.  If you're new to the world of VeggieTales, I wouldn't suggest starting with this episode, as there are much better ones out there.  Some fans of the series might like it, but, I have a feeling that most viewers will be a bit underwhelmed.

Score: 2.5/5

Movie Review: "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"

Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth
Released: November 2013

Synopsis
In this sequel to 2012's Hunger Games, last year's champ Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is forced to participate in another Hunger Games, this time against other previous champions.  After seeing what she saw last year, she doesn't want the games to continue, and neither do the other Tributes...but, the masterminds behind the Games are bent on them taking place no matter what.  Katniss and her fellow survivor--and supposed boyfriend--Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) will do whatever it takes to survive...but, with their competitors out to get them and their lives at stake, they may not emerge victorious this time.
Based on the best-selling book by Suzanne Collins.

The Good
What a tour de force this movie was! An excellent portrait of the society we are becoming, with wonderful performances from the entire cast, and amazing special effects and sets, it's hard not to be held captive by this flick! It also makes a good point about entertainment that makes one think twice before watching reality television! A low amount of profanity and minimal sexual content--both of which are great for a PG-13--made things even more enjoyable.

The Bad
Though the movie as a whole is good, the makers felt the need to add some unnecessary content into the mix.  The "suggestive situation" the MPAA warned about involves a young lady changing her clothes in the presence of three other people, two of whom are male.  Though nothing explicit is shown, it seemed like the scene was only meant to tantalize.  Also, I didn't think it was necessary to have two f-words in the dialogue; if they hadn't been bleeped, the rating would likely have been higher.  Without giving too much away, I'll just say this about the plot: Like The Empire Strikes Back, this film doesn't really have an end; you have to wait for the next installment, which has yet to come out.  Those of you who read the book won't be surprised; everyone else may be let down.

Conclusion
Unnecessary moments aside, this second installment of a trilogy--or is it quadrilogy?--is a wonder to behold! It's likely too much for younger children, but, those who are old and mature enough to appreciate something like this should definitely give it a shot; as I said about the first installment, it's as provocative as it is unsettling!

Score: 4.5/5