Movie Review: "Seasons of Gray"

Rated: PG-13 for a scene of violence and some thematic elements
Starring: Andrew Cheney, Meg Wilson, and Akron Watson
Released: 2013

Synopsis
Brady Gray (Andrew Cheney) was his father's beloved son...but the scourge of his brothers.  When the boys' father brings home a new truck for Brady and promises to leave him the family ranch, his brothers gang up on him, beat him up, and sell him to a cattle rancher.  In his new town, he makes friends with Chris (Akron Watson), a Good Samaritan who allows Brady to stay with him.  Brady soon finds himself in a high position at a major company...only to be thrown in prison for a crime he didn't commit.  Just when he feels like he has hit rock bottom, Brady and the family he left behind will all be in for a big surprise.
Based on the Biblical story of Joseph.

The Good
Joseph is a longtime favorite Biblical individual of mine, so, when I heard about this, I was really interested.  It definitely delivers; the performances and production values make this obviously indie production a cut above many other budget Christian movies.  The story takes a different tack at times than I would have expected, but, it still works very well.  There really wasn't all that much to complain about, except...

The Bad
Though mostly well-done, there were some spots that could have used more polish.  One scene in particular had some rather jerky camera work.  Also--and, this is a spoiler, so, be warned--I would have liked to see Brady marry his love interest by the time the credits rolled; after all, the Biblical account of Joseph mentions his marriage and his father Jacob blessing his two sons.  A note for parents: Your kid may like the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors, but, this film is "PG-13" for a reason.  Unless you want to explain to your 7-year-old what rape is, I would suggest sticking with VeggieTales' The Ballad of Little Joe instead of this.

Conclusion
I may be a bit of a geek for it, but...I often find that I enjoy Christian cinema.  It certainly isn't always the case; C Me Dance and Hollow fall into that genre, yet, they're among the worst movies I've ever seen.  Despite that, right many "inspirational" films are ones that I would say are worth watching...including this one.  Though the budget was obviously modest, the movie's heart shines brighter than that of most other films I've seen.  It's definitely not for little kids--hence the "PG-13" rating--but older audiences could definitely enjoy this.

Score: 4/5

Movie Review: "Girl Vs. Monster"

Rated: TV-PG
Starring: Olivia Holt, Luke Benward, Kerris Dorsey, Brendan Meyer, Tracy Dawson, and Katherine McNamara
Released: October 12, 2012 (Disney Channel premiere)

Synopsis
Skylar "Sky" Lewis (Olivia Holt, Kickin' It) is a girl who knows no fear; nothing at all scares her.  It's Halloween, and she is determined to go to a costume party, but her parents won't let her, going as far as turning on the security system to make sure she doesn't leave.  Thinking they're simply being overprotective, Skylar turns off the power in order to escape...and inadvertently lets out a monster (Tracy Dawson) that terrorizes the neighborhood! What Skylar doesn't know is that her parents aren't just mere exterminators; they're monster hunters, and, on Halloween, she would just be a mere target.  Skylar's destiny is to continue that legacy...but, fear is coming upon her all of a sudden, and her friends (Brendan Meyer and Kerris Dorsey) are as scared stiff as she is! Will Sky be able to stop the monster and save the neighborhood, her friends, her parents, and her crush (Luke Benward, Cloud 9)?
As seen on the Disney Channel.

The Good
Even though the plot may sound dumb on paper, the cast and crew makes it work quite well here.  The actors all do very well, and the soundtrack features some great performances by Olivia Holt and Luke Benward; one of those renditions is the best musical scene I've seen in a movie since the cast of Ella Enchanted did Elton John's "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart".  Olivia Holt herself is as lovely as ever, and positive moral elements--mainly courage in the face of fear--abound.

The Bad
Though the plot works, it may run too close to occultism for some discerning viewers.  The main monster not only floats around like a ghost, but also possesses people, much like a demon.  Even if that doesn't bother you, the dark scenes and creepy moments may be too much for young children.  If you have a kid who is easily frightened, you may want to skip this; it's rated "TV-PG" for a reason.

Conclusion
Though I'm not much for Halloween, this is the second movie based around the ghoulish holiday that I've watched this year; the first was Halloweentown, another DCOM (that is, Disney Channel Original Movie).  I actually liked this one a lot better...but, it's still no favorite of mine.  Still, for those who enjoy movies like this, you could do a lot worse.

Score: 3.5/5

TV Set Review: "Wizards of Waverly Place": Volume One

Rated: TV-G
Starring: Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, David DeLuise, Maria Canals-Barrera, and Jennifer Stone
Released: 2007 - 2008 (Disney Channel premieres)

Synopsis
The Russo kids--brainiac Justin (David Henrie), savvy Alex (Selena Gomez), and young Max (Jake T. Austin)--may seem like normal kids on the surface, but, they have a very big secret: they're wizards in training! Their father (David DeLuise) is teaching them the art of spells and magic in hopes that one of them will be the family wizard! They're not supposed to use magic outside of their lessons, but that doesn't stop them from doing so anyway...and getting themselves and their friends--including Alex's BFF, Harper (Jennifer Stone)--into all sorts of predicaments! In this first volume, Max's magical powers come in with insane results, Alex finds herself actually in a slasher movie, and Justin's pimple accidentally comes to life! In this wizarding family, love and laughter always ensue!
As seen on the Disney Channel.  Features guest appearances by Tiffany Thornton (Sonny with a Chance), Malese Jow (Unfabulous), and Lucy Hale.

The Good
This came on when I was spending some time away from Disney Channel, so, I didn't see much of it when it originally aired.  I now realize I missed out, because this show is really cute and funny.  It may have been a star-making show for Selena Gomez, but, the other characters prove that this show isn't all about her.  Better yet, the lack of profanity, sexual content, drug use, and violence puts this a step above pretty much any primetime program on the major networks.  The use of magic is much closer to that of Bewitched than Charmed.  There were also many positive moral elements.

The Bad
As good as this is, I do have a few complaints.  First and foremost, as a big Jennifer Stone fan, I was dismayed to see her absent--outside of the opening credits, that is--in five or so episodes in this set.  Also, there was a bit of immodesty; Theresa, the kids' mother, often wears low-cut shirts, and the final episode has hula dancers in strapless, swimsuit-style tops.  That's about it, though.

Conclusion
Sure, I've seen a scant few of these episodes previously thanks to the DVDs and the off chance I watched it when it was originally on, but, this time, I really enjoyed them.  I'm glad I have the next two volumes already; I know what I'll be spending my next iTunes card on.

Score: 4.5/5

Movie Review: "Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire"

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

Synopsis
After the mass disappearances in the first film, towns everywhere have lost power, and the world is in a state of mass confusion.  Josh (David A. R. White) is still on the run from the motorcycle gang whose murderous plans he thwarted.  With Beth (Eliza Roberts), his departed friends' granddaughter, as his sidekick, his combat abilities are all that he can rely to defeat the thugs...but even that may not be enough.
Produced by Pure Flix, the makers of God's Not Dead, Jerusalem Countdown, and The Encounter.

The Good
The title makes this movie seem like a sequel, and it is one...but it also serves as a prequel, as many of the scenes depict what happened six or seven years prior to the first film's events.  That storytelling device can be annoying at times, but it works very well here.  As with the first film, the production values are amazing, especially when it comes to the action sequences; when a character was shot dead by a villain, it broke my heart.  Positive elements also abound; one character learns that violence doesn't really solve problems, whereas others seek out Jesus and realize the errors of their ways.  Also, the closed captioning was relatively well-done and didn't lag behind; too many films from this studio have had big issues with their SDHs, so, for this one not to is good news, especially for those who rely on them.

The Bad
The ending is a bit anticlimactic; maybe that's because a third installment, which just released recently, was already on the way.  Also, some people may be bothered by scenes where living people see Jesus in person; that may seem like something out of a parable or allegory than a more realistic film such as this one.  Of course, Rapture theology is present; it was in the first one, as well.

Conclusion
This second installment of this "end times" trilogy definitely ramps things up, in more ways than one.  Though this may be a sequel, the opening explains enough of the first film's plot for new viewers to follow along.  It's definitely an improvement to the original; if you liked the original, you'll love the sequel.

Score: 4/5

TV DVD: "Dragons: Riders of Berk": Part One

Rated: TV-PG for violence
Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, and T.J. Miller
Released: 2012 (Cartoon Network premieres)

Synopsis
After he learned how to tame the dragons that were roaming the island, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) is assigned the task of training the beasts and preventing them from wreaking havoc on the island of Berk.  To do that, he will need help from his friends, including the brilliant Astrid (America Ferrera, Gotta Kick It Up!), geeky Fishlegs, brash Snoutlout, and the opposite gender-twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut.  In this first volume, Hiccup and friends fight to clear the dragons' names after they are accused of vandalism, find Hiccup's dad a dragon of his own, and meet a mysterious girl (Mae Whitman) who is not what she seems to be...or is she?
Based on the book series by Cressida Cowell.

The Good
You may think that television animation is inferior to what you see on the big screen, but one episode of this DVD would prove you wrong.  The graphics within this series are fantastic, with amazingly detailed characters and environments.  The two leads from the film series reprise their roles here, and do very well; Ms. Ferrera doesn't even sound like herself in this series.  The stories were all captivating, especially the two-parter that ends the volume.  As for the content, it was all clean, with the violence being cartoonish, there being no profanity, the sexual content being limited to kissing, and no nudity or drug use; pretty much in the spirit of the original DreamWorks movie.  Not really anything to complain about, except...

The Bad
The rating, which is assigned by the network themselves, is inappropriate; it should have been "TV-Y7-FV" instead.  "TV-PG" is for more adult fare, which means that some kids might be missing out on this show, especially if they have the "V-Chip" set up on their TVs.

Conclusion
Cartoon Network used to be a place for classic animated fare, such as Looney Tunes or Scooby-Doo.  In recent years, however, they've shifted to some live-action fare, such as Incredible Crew, and pretty much abandoned their roots, which has made many fans upset.  While I can understand their feelings, Dragons is a great fit for the channel, as it's a wonderfully produced cartoon with movie-quality visuals.  Here's hoping that they'll continue to do more computer-animated fare, instead of betraying their own name.

Score: 5/5

Movie Review: "The Amazing Spider-Man 2"

Rated: PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action/violence
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, and Dane DeHaan
Released: 2014

Synopsis
Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) is the best loved denizen of New York City.  Few people know his true identity--Peter Parker, teenage science geek--but he constantly saves innocent lives and thwarts would-be thugs day in and day out.  Just when it seems like all is well, the new supervillain Electro (Jamie Foxx) is wreaking havoc all over the city, and even the wall-crawler's powers seem to be no match.  Add Spidey's relationship issues with his girlfriend (Emma Stone), and the ongoing mystery of Peter's father, and this is the greatest battle the human arachnid has faced yet.  Will he be able to save New York City before the evil Electro takes over?
Based on stories from Marvel Comics.

Warning! Spoilers below!

The Good
I was a bit wary about this movie; I found the first Amazing Spider-Man to be rather disappointing.  However, the makers really stepped it up in this sequel, and I found it to be much more entertaining and gripping than the original.  Though Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone did well in their main roles, I have to give major kudos to Paul Giamatti in his small part; you know an actor is good when you've seen him several times before, only to be shocked to discover he was in a movie you just watched! The profanity was minimal, the violence wasn't graphic, and Peter and Gwen's romance is kept innocent; all great traits for a "PG-13" film.  Here's where the spoilers start: Though the ending was a bit bleak--Gwen dies, and Harry starts assembling the Sinister Six--I actually thought it was better that way; too often, we have movies where things work out too easily by the film's end, which is unrealistic.  Plus, as someone who read Adam-Troy Castro's Sinister Six books more than once, I'm looking forward to seeing them on the big screen.

The Bad
Not too much to complain about: the song during the closing credits is annoying, a frightening sequence here and there, etc.  Probably the biggest issue I had was: As good of a villain as Electro was, why couldn't they have made him look like he did in the comics?

Conclusion
Between years of comics, two different film series, and several Saturday morning cartoons, Stan Lee's infamous wall-crawler has sold books, DVDs, toys, movie tickets, and other memorabilia by the millions.  This latest outing is definitely worth watching for comic book fans; it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! Now, I'm really curious to see what will happen in the next installment.

Score: 4.25/5

Movie Review: "Divergent"

Rated: PG-13 for intense violence and action, thematic elements and some sensuality
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Zoë Kravitz
Released: 2014

Synopsis
Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley, The Secret Life of the American Teenager) lives in a war-torn remnant of America, that is divided into five different factions.  She was born into Abnegation, the giving faction, but, at the age of sixteen, she has the choice to join any other faction she wishes.  After taking an aptitude test that involves various situations, she is told that she does not fit within a certain class, but is Divergent, which means that she has various special abilities.  Unfortunately, that comes at a price, as Divergents are considered a threat, and are therefore hunted by the government.  At the choosing ceremony, she decides to join the Dauntless faction, which involves rigorous physical training.  Though it may seem that all is well on the outside, Tris and a fellow Dauntless, known only as Four (Theo James), uncover a conspiracy that puts innocent people at risk...and only they can stop it.
Based on the book by Veronica Roth.

The Good
What an amazing flick this was! Even more chilling than The Hunger Games, with a likable heroine who is strong and capable but definitely not a Mary Sue, this film paints an all-too-real picture of a likely future of our planet.   The production values--the sets, the acting, the action sequences, etc.--were all outstanding, save for the soundtrack, which had a couple of annoying songs on it.  Even some of the "violence" was toned down, as camera angles were used to spare viewers from seeing things in grisly detail.  The ending definitely left me waiting for the next installment; thankfully, I have a copy of the second book on hand at the moment.  Not much to complain about, except...

The Bad
As with the book, some unnecessary content was thrown into the mix.  Though the violence was restrained, a few scenes were slightly bloody; probably the worst of it was when a knife goes through a woman's hand.  A few profanities were also on hand, and some of the girls' outfits--sports bras, off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops--seemed to make them serve as eye candy.  Where the "sensuality" comes from is two scenes where the heroine kisses a guy passionately, but she puts a stop to things before they get too serious.  This is one case where you should take the "PG-13" seriously.

Conclusion
Shailene Woodley seems to be the "it" girl for young adult entertainment these days.  Not only was she the main star of ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager, but there were previews for two movies--The Fault in Our Stars and The Spectacular Now, both of which are based on popular YA novels--that had Ms. Woodley in them.  While I wouldn't watch those other productions for obvious reasons, her talent shines in this film, the crackling start to a dystopian series.  If you're a fan of movies such as The Hunger Games, you should definitely check out Divergent.  Negative parts aside, it's as upsetting as it is enthralling!

Score: 4.5/5