Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)

Our favorite herd of incongruous species are back yet again for another wild adventure; this time the tides are changing and the land is shifting to form into a more modern version of planet Earth. Putting the prehistoric animals in danger, they have to race and outrun their limited time constraint in order to survive, but will their adventure be as fresh and exciting as the previous sequels and leave us wanting more? A wisp of doubt is starting to nibble at my heels about the future of the Ice Age franchise and the studio's lack of ability to produce a screenplay and script that can compete with the bigger and more reliable studios like Pixar and Dreamworks.

After the events of the previous installment, this film is set quite a few years later with Manny (voiced by Ray Romano) and Ellie's (voiced by Queen Latifah) daughter Peaches (voiced by Keke Palmer), who is now a teenager, looking to find a possible boyfriend for herself, but at the same time nervous about what her father will think of their relationship. Furtively sneaking out to hang out with other mammoths her age, she immediately falls for a mammoth named Ethan (voiced by Drake) and is willing to do anything to fit in with the others so he would take notice of her. Once her father finds out about her sneaky plans, he does what any father would do: intervene. Embarrassed about her father barging in on their party like that, Peaches condemns her father and wishes that he wasn't her dad. Obviously hurt by Peaches' remarks, Manny gets a small briefing from Ellie that Peaches is not a little girl anymore and she now has the right to experience things on her own and find out what is right and what is wrong if she is to become as wise and smart as her parents. Ellie also tells Manny that Peaches doesn't actually mean what she said and that it's all impulse and in-the-heat-of-the-moment. Just then, the Earth starts to shift quite drastically, forcing the herd to move fast if they are to get to safety before their land is crushed and covered by the approaching cliffs. During the mass hysteria taking place among the herd, Manny, Diego (voiced by Denis Leary), and Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo) are stranded on a fractured iceberg and have slowly floated out to sea but Manny is determined to get back to his family no matter what they have to do, and starts to scheme together a plan to make that happen. Just then, a band of pirates have caught up with them and taken them prisoner but Manny refuses to join their crew provoking the wicked Captain Gutt (voiced by Peter Dinklage) to take measures into his own hands and go after the ones who mean the most to him. After crippling and ultimately destroying the pirate ship, the trio and Sid's grandma (voiced by Wanda Sykes)  have to move quickly and swiftly if they want to get back in time and save their loved ones from an even greater force which threatens to wipe out the animals and the habitat which they have grown accustomed to.

At first, I really had hoped that this movie would be as energetic and entertaining as I expect this series to be, but after about halfway through the movie, it dawned on me that the plot is so banal and mundane that you realize just how doomed this series has become over the years. The subplot of Scrat the prehistoric squirrel was more exciting to watch than the continuing journey of the unconventional friendship which we have fallen in love with from the first film, and I can see why they had to bring in a few notable singers such as Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj and other new characters to spice things up a little and deliver some surprisingly funny lines as a diversion from the jaded characters who made the series what it is in their previous adventures. There is a tenuous importance about the story and its message but otherwise it was just all over the place and didn't have enough of a punch to be a memorable addition to the series which only redeems itself because of the first film which was so simple in animation and screenplay yet spoke volumes because it was so heartfelt and poignant in the intent and emotional journey of the characters. If they do indeed wish to continue making further development in the realms of this series, I hope they take a look back at how this story began and pull something from it to produce another great and pungent film which will make the people forgive and forget about the past mistakes of their previous sequels. Highly unlikely, I know, but at least we can still hope and voice our opinions about it.

Like in the previous films in the series, it doesn't depart from the formulaic consensus that centers around keeping family and friends as your first priority. Despite the group's goal to help rescue the family that are stranded back home, they do make room for other animals like Shira the Smilodon, not only because Diego takes a liking to her, but because of empathy from the entire group and the ability to accept and welcome outsiders who don't mean any harm and are trying to do the right thing even if they've been loyal to some of the most despicable creatures out there. The makers also manage to half-handedly present a breach in communication and the culminating reconciliation of the father-daughter relationship between Manny and Peaches which seems like it's been under-dramatized to a certain extent and presented in a very benign and simple manner. It was as if Peaches realized her fault in pushing her father away, so quickly, that the film didn't even take us through the journey of her mental transformation and maturity, but rather shifting the focus to her realizing that it isn't necessary to change yourself in order to fit in with your peers, because all those that really matter are the ones that have been there for her throughout her entire life, during the peaks and valleys. A little childish in delivery, I admit, but still rather easy to follow for the children in the audience, and you can't forget that this is in fact aimed at children, for the most.

Definitely not as good as the first film, but which of the sequels are? Implementing the use of more colors and layers in its animation while cunningly diverting our attention from the central focus of the film for a more enjoyable viewing experience, the highlights of the film are in no way associated with the three main characters, and that speaks volumes about the direction of the series and where its heart lies from now on. Drifting further and further from the characters who we've fallen in love with from the very beginning, you are left wondering why the spotlight and the charisma has fallen on the shoulders of the supporting and newly introduced ones.

Brave (2012)

After quite some time, Pixar has finally acknowledged the powerful force of a woman and their desire for freedom and choice in a world ruled by men. A Scottish tale set in ancient times is a promising premise to tell a story of a princess who wants more out of her life than conformity and docility.

Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald) is a Scottish princess who has been trained and guided her whole life by her mother, Queen Elinor (voiced by Emma Thompson), to become the successor to the throne and that undeniably implies getting married. Merida however is particularly opposed to the idea of marriage and wishes to build her own life instead of following tradition and letting it determine the path her life will take. She longs for freedom and the ability to make choices for herself and of course mistakes if need be but her mother doesn't flinch at her request to deviate from tradition and goes on to prep her for the arrival of the leaders of the other tribes and their young sons, who will be tested to see which is worthy of the honor to become the next King -- after the departure of Merida's father, Fergus (voiced by Billy Connolly) -- and suitor to Merida. The big day has come and the three other Scottish tribes have arrived to perform the crucial step in their land's subsequent history. Merida is still defiant of her mother's wishes of conformity to tradition, but is willing to test each suitor in the skill she is positively proficient in - archery. After one of the young men unintentionally shoots the arrow at its designated target, Merida takes matters into her own hands and vies for her own hand and no doubt embarrasses the other tribes by succeeding. Her mother is the only one who seems to see her action as an unacceptable and childish attempt at defiance of their country's long and uniform history so after an altercation with Merida, the princess storms out on her loyal steed to be alone in the only place she can be herself and exercise her free will - the woods. After running into some wisps that she saw earlier in her childhood, she chooses to follow them and see where they lead her as legend foretells. She meets a legitimate witch who offers her a magic spell which would change her mother's mind about the betrothal, but as one thing leads to the other, it turns out to be something which Merida didn't expect and wishes she would have apprehended prior to her purchase of the spell. Everything is turned upside down from then on and Merida is forced to not only come to terms with her mother's transformation and current vulnerability, but also her role in the kingdom and the choices she makes, which in turn affect everyone else around her whether she likes it or not.

The animation style of this feature film is quite superb indeed; from the beautifully crafted scenery of the land and forests to the main heroines audacious hair, Pixar has done a wonderful job of creating a balance between the aesthetic qualities of the film and the characteristics of the characters presented. It could have easily been turned into a circus if only one aspect of a character -- such as Merida -- was over-emphasized and interpreted garishly, but Pixar was able to avoid that fate by sticking to what they do best - a poignant message and powerful characters that bring a human quality to any story they produce. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the film and its basis, I did think that at times the film deviated from its intended path and concentrated a bit too much on its humor and slapstick comedy. This was a bit of a pitfall for me and easily the main let down of the movie, which could have been so much more if only the story was a little more objective in its screenplay. Nonetheless, it does keep younger children interested and lets them have a laugh instead of just stumbling along with the characters' struggles and goals. I commend Pixar's dedication to the plot by involving actors from the Scotland area such as Billy Connolly, Kelly Macdonald and Craig Ferguson. I think it keeps the story genuine and leaves out the cheesiness of involving actors that can perform a Scottish accent; plus it gives those who come from Scotland a chance to showcase their oral talents by incorporating their Scottish spirit into the characters they are hired to portray.

An important message that was drawn from this film is the feistiness, courage, and overall independence of the main heroine, Princess Merida. Disney is widely known for their animated features about young women who need a handsome prince to come and sweep them off their feet or save them from a wicked protagonist which seeks to destroy them, but Merida is to date, the only princess who is in charge of her own destiny and able to fight for her freedom, seeking happiness and satisfaction from her ability to take care of herself without a man making her feel vulnerable and weak. It is definitely a breath of fresh air and strongly aimed at younger girls who need a bit of a boost and an overall change of perspective, that they are strong and able to achieve their dreams and make decisions for themselves without succumbing to the influence of men because of their history in dominating the many areas, whether it be work, sports, or societies ideals about marriage. Life is short and it is ultimately about making yourself happy and being able to say that you have followed your instincts and persevered despite the obstacles that society or family upbringing has thrown at you. Girls need to understand that now more than ever, is the chance for them to shine and excel in the fields which they feel passionate about; and there's nothing wrong with making an early start. Of course there is a difference between exerting yourself and pushing away those who you think hinder your progress at succeeding, so don't get the idea that it's alright to act like a conceited jerk who only cares about their pursuits. Life is more than just a road to fulfill your dreams, it's also the opportunity to enjoy yourself and spend time with those who love you and those who you love in return. Sometimes those relationships and experiences will make you or break you, but it is up to you to make those mistakes and learn from them as best as you can to make sure that your future is bright and hopeful. Family and friends have to be the things that ground you from flying too high above the ground, so please never neglect or forget those who taught you right from wrong and those who lived through those tough moments by your side. Never forget who your true friends are and you'll be alright as long as you have something to reach for in this world.

Groundbreaking and unique in every way, Brave is great fun for the whole family and breathtaking in its presentation of setting and historical background. Determination will prevail in the end, and this film is a great pointer to our young viewers about how we perceive our lives and who is really in charge of our fate and destiny.

Simon's Cat (Web Series)

You've probably heard about the YouTube sensation about the misadventures of a cat and his lenient owner Simon, but even if you haven't, I'm here to break it down for you.

The series consists of the various escapades and capers that a cat gets caught up in, with the aftermath often gone unnoticed by the cat because of his oblivious nature and relentless desire to get fed. His owner however is not amused by the cat's behavior but is quite mild in his response to his naughtiness.

The series was created by British animator Simon Tofield in 2008 and was inspired by his very own cats. The animation is very simple, with absolutely no color, just simple drawings of the cat, Simon, their surroundings, and other supporting characters. Basically, it's a minimalist sketch. Although the approach to the animation and the set-ups for each episode are very simple and commonplace, I could see the appeal of it to many people around the world: it's pure entertainment! It makes you smile and laugh at the cat's curiosity and feral nature that make it cause so much trouble for the owner, while at the same time knowing its motivation behind some of its antics. Some would argue that the series doesn't deserve the recognition it's getting, but it's a perfect link for cat lovers around the world and really brings out the essence of the screenplay because it is so stripped down in style. One of its main artistic accomplishments are the sound effects. From the movement of the objects, to the actual use of robin's chirping, the sound department of the series is top notch and quite extraordinary in its own particular way. I believe it's a very honest, but at times absurd depiction of a cat's day-to-day needs and wants that keep its owner on their toes and provide a life which is full of surprises. Those who own cats themselves, are those who will fully appreciate the production of this series and the various stories that Simon's cat creates for our enjoyment and benefit. It helps every now and then to realize the simple pleasures in life that a cat demands, and then in turn apply it to our own lives (without any damages of course).

The series continues to air on YouTube at this address: https://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat/featured; enjoy it with your family and friends, or on an individual basis. Folks of all ages are welcome to see the groundbreaking web series that keeps everyone happy and unable to fully condemn the pussycat that happens to be its star.

Ted (2012)

Who would've thought that a cuddly teddy bear could unleash so much chaos and filthy commentary? Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy, brings his talents to the big screen with a giant dose of unimaginable fun and blatant irreverence. Whatever he was on when he came up with this concept... I'll take two.

John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) was not the most popular kid in school and never had any friends during his childhood. At 8 years old, John made a wish on Christmas Eve for his teddy bear to come to life. This wish coincided with a falling star and the next morning, Ted (Seth MacFarlane) was born. After a shocking introduction of Ted to John's parents, Ted has a brief stint as a celebrity and went on to receive much attention in the press for his miraculous sentient abilities and charisma. But his flame petered out soon enough after he got caught with possession of drugs and soon enough, he was a sensation that was only a fleeting memory. It is now 2012, and John is in a 4-year relationship with his girlfriend Lori (Mila Kunis). Getting wasted with Ted almost everyday and working at a job he can't stand, John is thinking about proposing to Lori but doesn't have the means to do it and doesn't want to disappoint her. Lori is very understanding of John's situation and still loves him no matter what, but thinks that it's time for Ted to move out if they want to have a smooth transition and a more grown up approach to life for John. Seeing that Ted is holding John back from his true potential and responsibilities, Lori convinces John that it won't be so bad living apart, when they could still see each other and have a good time on a more toned down level. Ted then unwillingly gets a job at a grocery store to support himself and is adapting to his new life quite effortlessly; John on the other hand can't seem to let their bond go away and looks for any given chance to hang out with Ted despite Lori's best efforts to separate their clutches on each other. After a few unfavorable situations that John gets caught up in with Ted, Lori questions her commitment to John and thinks that maybe it wasn't meant to be. Ted on the other hand has a few other problems to take care of such as a deranged stalker with an insidious agenda, and the mending of John and Lori's lives if they choose to stay together. Will you be rooting for the little guy?

In a comedy film, you usually don't expect many high-end special effects but as you may well know, Ted is not a real plush teddy bear but a computer graphic aided by the motion capture technology which was featured in films like Avatar and Happy Feet. When such a grand and rare piece of technology in the film industry happens to be in use, there is always pressure to deliver the most natural and realistic appearance to the characters portrayed on-screen. And let me just say that the on-screen presence of the risqué children's toy in this film is seamless. From the lighting to the movements and the physical and verbal contact he has with the human characters in the film, it could not have been done better. Never once did I catch myself trying to find any flaws or speculating about the effect Ted has on his surroundings. He really does look like a teddy bear that can have a conversation with humans and Seth MacFarlane was in the driver's seat the whole time, getting the exact effect he wanted to achieve that wasn't overpowering in relation to the other characters but at the same time, was a scene-stealer in every way. Another incredible feat achieved by Seth MacFarlane was the interpolation of Ted into a Johnny Carson interview. It is an astounding achievement for a comedy film and was almost as epic as Forrest Gump's montage of meetings with prominent figures of his time, which in turn garners that much more respect and appreciation for MacFarlane and his relentless efforts to make this film look like nothing we have ever seen.

The soundtrack consisted of many upbeat tunes from the Sinatra era and it does bring a nostalgic vibe to the production especially because the character John, seems to still be stuck in the past and has a childlike demeanor. Evident from his fanboy status for Flash the comic book character, his gentle nature towards his girlfriend, and his intolerance at hearing the c-word, John still exudes the same spirit he had when he was eight and Seth did a wonderful job writing this character while balancing and incorporating his own zest and flavor to the personality of the story and its supporting characters.

When it came to the jokes and social commentary, I thought that some were dead-on-the-nose but others were a bit amiss. I praise the satirical angle that MacFarlane was going for and the wry, straightforward manner that Ted delivered his lines. Most of the jokes, whether they were funny or not, were delivered by Ted but I didn't know that Mark Wahlberg could be such a great actor when it came to the comedy genre and I really enjoyed his scene when he lists girls' names only to fail at guessing Ted's new girlfriend's name. Pure comedy gold without any flinching from the actor who was previously known for his specialty in action and dramatic plots.

Surprisingly, there was space for a pertinent message that we could all relate to even though the script was filled to the rim with comedic gags and snide satirical references to stereotypes in our pop culture and issues which the country finds sensitive in content to this day. One of the points that stood out the most was obviously friendship and the disability that many men have when it comes to balance and fair treatment of their guy friends and their girlfriend. John is torn by leaving his one true friend Ted behind because of their tightly knitted bond since childhood but at the same time wants to move on in his life and live together with Lori. He can't stand being detached from Ted for so long and maybe still wonders if Lori will be able to love him for who he is even if he is still in constant contact with Ted. Lori has proved that after four years, she still loves John but wants to improve his liability towards his work and the strengthening of their bond. She knows she can't keep him away from Ted forever and makes compromises that would make everyone happy for their own sake. Although John and Ted are already buddies for life and there's no getting around it, I feel like the film's main focus shifts to Lori's acceptance and development of cordial kinship towards Ted because she is seeking that equilibrium between the three of them in order to coexist peacefully and pleasantly. Without compromise, generosity and compassion, this world would crumble to the ground because none of us would be able to get along so why doesn't everyone incorporate these three things into their daily lifestyle?

As this review comes to an end, I'd just like to say that this is an absolute joy ride which can get anyone with a sense of humor to grin and laugh. Not only is it a worthy contribution to the comedy genre and a must watch for the fans of MacFarlane's other work, but Ted breathes life, soul and exuberance into our otherwise ordinary lives. For that little bit of magic with a touch of adult humor, this would be the film to see. Don't be fooled by his adorable appearance, because underneath the facade is an animal that's out of this world.

Clueless (1995)

From an overnight hit, to a cult classic, to a timeless memento, Clueless is the definition of 90's culture and a nostalgia inducing powerhouse.

Cher (Alicia Silverstone) is a stuck up teenager who lives in a swanky mansion in Beverly Hills. Like any other teenager she goes to school and happens to be the most popular student there, getting by on her good looks and devious tactics of getting better grades. Loathing and ignoring anyone who is beneath her, she takes a chance at including a new girl named Tai (Brittany Murphy) in her posse after her ex-stepbrother Josh (Paul Rudd), talks to her about using her popularity for a good purpose instead of soaking it in and hoarding it for yourself without any trace of goodwill to show for it. Cher and her best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash) do a makeover on Tai and transform her into a proper young lady with manners and good taste in order to find a suitable boyfriend for her. Tai is at first interested in a stoner student named Travis (Breckin Meyer), but Cher strongly disapproves of their relationship and directs Tai toward a more popular and favorable student named Elton. As time goes on and Cher is calling all the shots, she wonders if she will ever be able to find a boyfriend for herself after helping Tai and listening to Dionne and Tai tell them about their romantic encounters and dreamy dates. Searching for the perfect candidate to win her heart, Cher falls head over heels for a boy and tries every step in the book to make him adore her, only to find out the oh-so-obvious truth; because when it comes to relationships, Cher is absolutely... clueless.

One of the greatest parody films about high school culture and the hierarchy system that is rampant in so many high schools, Clueless blows it all out of proportion and exposes the scenarios that plague any high school student whether they're popular or not. From the ridiculous outfits to the childish behavior of the main character, Cher, you have got to love the many adventures and mishaps she gets herself into whether it be her fault or not. Alicia Silverstone does an amazing job transforming herself into a self-centered, shrill and obnoxious high school student who just happens to have it all when it comes to popularity and her substantial wealth. She is completely credible in the way she interprets Cher's character and it has no doubt turned her role into an iconic figure for the kids who grew up in the 90's. But wait till you get a glimpse of the girl who stepped onto the scene of mainstream acting in only her second film role and completely blew us away with her performance as the tomboy who needed a bit of a nudge in the right direction. I am of course talking about the lovely and adorable Brittany Murphy who absolutely stole every scene she was in and defined herself as the actress to watch out for in the coming years. Not only has Cher created a monster out of Tai, but Brittany created so much more. The direction of the picture as a whole was superb and really captured the essence of the youth culture in the 90's from the music to the clothes, the situations, and people who emerge as a result of participating in the social ranks of high school. I commend Amy Heckerling for bringing out the wild and volatile aspects of high school out in the open whether it be peer pressure, popularity or fashion sense. Without a doubt, this film is worth the honor of being inside a 90's time capsule and may it forever be a significant study into the culture of our young and blooming group of individuals.

There is something to be learnt from the story of Cher and her privileged lifestyle of course and the first thing that comes to mind would have to be the change in perspective. Cher's character goes from being a spoiled little rich girl with high standards and a beguiling nature, to a sensible young woman who learns to be considerate of others and appreciate what she has in her life and the people who support her. It all escalates after the arrival of Tai and her subsequent transformation into a lady of class, when Cher loses her grasp on the pulsating sensation that pervades the school grounds and crowns its new queen bee. As a result of her whirlwind year, Cher starts to contemplate her priorities and focus on doing what's right not only for her community, but the people who she thought were contemptible in every way she perceived them to be. You could say that it becomes a coming-of-age story and I'd think it fair to classify it as one to some degree.

Another interesting aspect of the story is social status and how a virtually unknown personality can climb the ladder of social class to reach upper echelons of their society. During the plot we are introduced to every kind of character you can expect in a high school environment and how they might be treated because of who they are. We have a stoner, a homosexual, a tomboy, the popular, and maybe a few hipsters in between. I was however surprised about how the popular kids would treat those who are considered to be outcasts and deviants of the norm. The character of Christian, who is open about his sexual orientation, would somehow be treated better by Cher and her friends (even the guys), but Travis, who smokes weed, is socially unacceptable and deemed as a loser. I think in today's society, the tables would be overturned and Travis would be considered suave and cool by his classmates, while Christian would be looked at as a shame to his species and an overall freak. However, the story is set in Los Angeles, which is racially and sexually diverse and understanding of all those who are considered outsiders. It's funny how even in the mid 90's, film would view someone who is gay as a decent person who is liked by even the popular kids for his character and not who he prefers to sleep with, while the stoner is left in the corner. We should learn from this kind of school atmosphere and be accepting of everyone despite what they prefer to do in their spare time and what they choose to label themselves. Everyone is different, and we need to be respectful but at the same time not give in to peer pressure and do something which we think isn't right for our mind and body. Everyone changes for the better and grows out of the habits and mindsets which they though were in fashion, but we don't need to stir up tension and spit venom at each other because of our personal views and moralities. If we can comprehend and grasp the thoughts of those around us, the friendlier and more compatible our society will be as a whole.

This film is a bit of a chick flick, so don't expect a guy to be interested or remotely curious about it unless they may have seen it before and enjoyed it. Many life lessons can be learned while viewing this film even though the main character is so naive, but it does open the door into the social aspects of high school no matter how absurd and whimsical their clothing may be. The one liners are great and the movie itself is highly addictive to the senses despite its garishness at first sight. Prepare to be inebriated and mesmerized by THE teen flick of the 90's.