Nano_Burger Reviews

Hoodwinked! (2005)

CSI Goodietown

[8/10 · 10 January 2008]

This is a pretty clever concept. The Little Red Riding Hood Fairy Tale handled as a crime scene investigated by the bumbling local cops and the brilliant investigator and world class disco dancer--Mr.. Flippers. I picked up this DVD second hand for $9.99 and remembered not being too impressed after the first watching. Thanks to my 4 year old ability to endlessly re-watch the same movie, I have seen it a few times since. I've really began to appreciate what a great small gem of a film this is.

The CGI work is not as polished as from Pixar, but story trumps production values every time. Its a great story with some clever dialog that will satisfy both 4 year old and 41 year old equally well.

I particularly enjoyed the catchy songs presented. A cursed Billy goat singing about being prepared and the schnitzel song are my favorites.

All the usual characters are there; riding hood, grandma, wolf but each has a slightly twisted story line and motivations. Fun to see it all unfold. Some great voice talent put life into these characters and the matching mouth animation looks great.

I'd like to say that if Pixar had made this film, it would have been a blockbuster...but sadly, we would end up with another "Over the Hedge" or "Shrek" clone. The charm of this film is made primarily from the independent nature of the production.

I rate this film high at 8 out of 10. A great family film.

Voyager (1991)

Man of science plauged by his past

[3 June 2001]

The first (and last) images of this film really interested me. At the risk of spoiling, we find Faber sitting alone in a Greek airport trying to figure out what the hell just happened to him. A really depressing scene that draws you in to his web of coincidence that is the rest of the story.

Faber is a man of science that really should have a great life(he is the chief engineer on an important dam project), but his past catches up with him with a series of coincidences that play a terrible joke with his life.

Delpy is very sexy and very French. The aircraft that crashes is just as sexy. A romp around Europe rounds this great film out. Watch with your wife or girlfriend with wine - not with the guys and beer!