Father and Son Movie Reviews

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Movie review scale:
ROCKS
Kinda rocks
Kinda stinks
STINKS


Kissing information:
Kissing Free - No kissing in the film
Kissing Alert - Some kissing, so be warned
Kissing Alarm - Avoid movie... too much kissing!

About Liam and Kevin Carr
Mon Oct 27
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Episode 5 – The Halloween Special

On this week’s show: Liam and Kevin take a look at scary movies for the Halloween season. The movies include a monster flick from the summer, a CGI monster movie from September and the only family-friendly October release (which isn’t really scary at all). Then they look at some spooky DVDs and the classic Ernest film Ernest Scared Stupid, which almost turned into Liam Scared Stupid.

FILMS REVIEWED

DVDs REVIEWED

CLASSIC FILM REVIEWED

Scroll down to the posts below or click on the links above for Liam and Kevin’s reviews of the films.

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA Chloe, a spoiled chihuahua (Drew Barrymore) from Beverly Hills is kidnapped on a trip to Mexico. After escaping a perilous fate in a dog-fighting ring, Chloe tries to find her way home with the help of an ex-police dog. Meanwhile, the dog-nappers discover that Chloe comes from a wealthy family and start to track her down as well. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A sad movie about a lost dog. What Liam liked: The rat and the iguana, who were the Laurel & Hardy of this Disney dog film. What Liam didn’t like: When Chloe got lost and how upset she was. ***(DOG) KISSING ALERT*** Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: A funny family film with talking dogs. What Kevin liked: It’s a talking dog movie. What’s not cute about that? What Kevin didn’t like: Whenever the humans were on screen, he lost interest. Grade: ROCKS.

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA

Chloe, a spoiled chihuahua (Drew Barrymore) from Beverly Hills is kidnapped on a trip to Mexico. After escaping a perilous fate in a dog-fighting ring, Chloe tries to find her way home with the help of an ex-police dog. Meanwhile, the dog-nappers discover that Chloe comes from a wealthy family and start to track her down as well.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A sad movie about a lost dog.

What Liam liked: The rat and the iguana, who were the Laurel & Hardy of this Disney dog film.

What Liam didn’t like: When Chloe got lost and how upset she was.

***(DOG) KISSING ALERT***

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: A funny family film with talking dogs.

What Kevin liked: It’s a talking dog movie. What’s not cute about that?

What Kevin didn’t like: Whenever the humans were on screen, he lost interest.

Grade: ROCKS.

IGOR John Cusack voices the character of Igor, a mad scientist’s assistant who desperately wants to become a scientist himself. When his mad scientist dies in a laboratory accident, Igor decides to create life for himself and win the evil science fair. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A movie about a guy who fights monsters. What Liam liked: The character of Brian the Brain, who provides much of the comic relief. What Liam didn’t like: The silly Annie plotline. Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: A substandard CGI film. What Kevin liked: The overall scope was neat with the evil scientist approach. The voice actors were good as well. What Kevin didn’t like: There was this goofy subplot about the creature wanting to play the lead in Annie. Like many CGI films of the past like Doogal and Valiant, this doesn’t come close to the gold standard set by Pixar. Grade: Kinda stinks.

IGOR

John Cusack voices the character of Igor, a mad scientist’s assistant who desperately wants to become a scientist himself. When his mad scientist dies in a laboratory accident, Igor decides to create life for himself and win the evil science fair.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A movie about a guy who fights monsters.

What Liam liked: The character of Brian the Brain, who provides much of the comic relief.

What Liam didn’t like: The silly Annie plotline.

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: A substandard CGI film.

What Kevin liked: The overall scope was neat with the evil scientist approach. The voice actors were good as well.

What Kevin didn’t like: There was this goofy subplot about the creature wanting to play the lead in Annie. Like many CGI films of the past like Doogal and Valiant, this doesn’t come close to the gold standard set by Pixar.

Grade: Kinda stinks.

THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR Brendan Fraser returns to fight a new Mummy from Ancient China. The Dragon Emperor (Jet Li) is released from his tomb and tries to bring his army back to life and take over the world. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: An exciting mummy movie. What Liam liked: The action and kung fu moments, especially with the Yetis. He also liked Jet Li as the bad guy. What Liam didn’t like: The kissing. Grade: ROCKS. ***KISSING ALERT*** KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: An okay film but not as good as the first two. What Kevin liked: He enjoyed all the recent Mummy movies, but this wasn’t the best. He enjoyed the new angle with an Asian mummy, and he thought the ninja football Yetis were really funny. What Kevin didn’t like: Maria Bello wasn’t the best replacement for Rachel Weisz, but she was okay. The story was a bit silly and often just an excuse for more action. The ending was also too abrupt. Grade: Kinda rocks.

THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR

Brendan Fraser returns to fight a new Mummy from Ancient China. The Dragon Emperor (Jet Li) is released from his tomb and tries to bring his army back to life and take over the world.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: An exciting mummy movie.

What Liam liked: The action and kung fu moments, especially with the Yetis. He also liked Jet Li as the bad guy.

What Liam didn’t like: The kissing.

Grade: ROCKS.

***KISSING ALERT***

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: An okay film but not as good as the first two.

What Kevin liked: He enjoyed all the recent Mummy movies, but this wasn’t the best. He enjoyed the new angle with an Asian mummy, and he thought the ninja football Yetis were really funny.

What Kevin didn’t like: Maria Bello wasn’t the best replacement for Rachel Weisz, but she was okay. The story was a bit silly and often just an excuse for more action. The ending was also too abrupt.

Grade: Kinda rocks.

DVD REVIEWS FOR EPISODE 5 This week, Liam and Kevin look at one new direct-to-DVD release and two classics released in time for Halloween. Mostly Ghostly: Who Let the Ghosts Out Liam’s thoughts: He loves R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” series, and this film had the same feel. He thought this was a great film and a lot of fun. [Grade: ROCKS.] Kevin’s thoughts: Although he likes the “Goosebumps” series, Kevin found this to be a bit dull and poorly constructed. It wasn’t very scary, and the characters were not very believable. Ultimately, he fell asleep about 2/3-way through the film and has no desire to watch the rest. [Grade: Kinda stinks.] It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Liam’s thoughts: He wasn’t sure what to expect from this old movie. He enjoyed the gags from the comic strip, especially when Charlie Brown kept getting rocks during trick-or-treat. However, there wasn’t enough action. [Grade: Kinda rocks.] Kevin’s thoughts: Kevin grew up with the Peanuts specials on television, and this is one of the best ones, along with the Christmas special. It was great to see this special again with the original comic strip gags, and the new remastered deluxe holiday box set is a great way to own all the end-of-the-year Peanuts specials. [Grade: ROCKS.] Beetlejuice Liam’s thoughts: He wasn’t sure what kind of movie this was going to be. He didn’t think it was very scary, but it was very funny. His favorite part was when the girl spied on the ghosts and her parents, and he loved the scary monster that Alec Baldwin turned into. He also really enjoyed the episodes of the old Beetlejuice cartoons on the 20th Anniversary DVD release. [Grade: Kinda rocks.] Kevin’s thoughts: Kevin remembers this movie when it came out when he was in high school. As a huge fan of Tim Burton, he really enjoyed this as part of Burton’s early work. Michael Keaton gets a bit annoying as Beetlejuice, but ultimately this is a fun film. [Grade: ROCKS.]

DVD REVIEWS FOR EPISODE 5

This week, Liam and Kevin look at one new direct-to-DVD release and two classics released in time for Halloween.

Mostly Ghostly: Who Let the Ghosts Out

Liam’s thoughts: He loves R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” series, and this film had the same feel. He thought this was a great film and a lot of fun. [Grade: ROCKS.]

Kevin’s thoughts: Although he likes the “Goosebumps” series, Kevin found this to be a bit dull and poorly constructed. It wasn’t very scary, and the characters were not very believable. Ultimately, he fell asleep about 2/3-way through the film and has no desire to watch the rest. [Grade: Kinda stinks.]

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Liam’s thoughts: He wasn’t sure what to expect from this old movie. He enjoyed the gags from the comic strip, especially when Charlie Brown kept getting rocks during trick-or-treat. However, there wasn’t enough action. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

Kevin’s thoughts: Kevin grew up with the Peanuts specials on television, and this is one of the best ones, along with the Christmas special. It was great to see this special again with the original comic strip gags, and the new remastered deluxe holiday box set is a great way to own all the end-of-the-year Peanuts specials. [Grade: ROCKS.]

Beetlejuice

Liam’s thoughts: He wasn’t sure what kind of movie this was going to be. He didn’t think it was very scary, but it was very funny. His favorite part was when the girl spied on the ghosts and her parents, and he loved the scary monster that Alec Baldwin turned into. He also really enjoyed the episodes of the old Beetlejuice cartoons on the 20th Anniversary DVD release. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

Kevin’s thoughts: Kevin remembers this movie when it came out when he was in high school. As a huge fan of Tim Burton, he really enjoyed this as part of Burton’s early work. Michael Keaton gets a bit annoying as Beetlejuice, but ultimately this is a fun film. [Grade: ROCKS.]

Classic review: ERNEST SCARED STUPID Ernest P. Worrell accidentally unleashes an evil troll that has been imprisoned beneath a sacred tree. On Halloween, the troll wreaks havoc in town, turning children into wooden statues, which gives it the power to release its troll army. Ernest joins forces with some kids in town to fight the army of trolls with his dim wits and some dairy products. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: He wasn’t sure. What Liam liked: When the trolls get what’s coming to them. What Liam didn’t like: When Ernest’s dog Rimshot gets turned into a wooden statue. Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: One of the funniest Ernest movies made. What Kevin liked: Even though these were made for kids, he discovered them in college and enjoyed watching them. His favorite is Ernest Goes to Jail, but Ernest Scared Stupid is a close second. He liked the fun and entertaining way it told a spooky story that is still appropriate for kids. What Kevin didn’t like: Some of the troll effects were pretty weak, even though the Chiodo Brothers did them. Grade: ROCKS.

Classic review: ERNEST SCARED STUPID

Ernest P. Worrell accidentally unleashes an evil troll that has been imprisoned beneath a sacred tree. On Halloween, the troll wreaks havoc in town, turning children into wooden statues, which gives it the power to release its troll army. Ernest joins forces with some kids in town to fight the army of trolls with his dim wits and some dairy products.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: He wasn’t sure.

What Liam liked: When the trolls get what’s coming to them.

What Liam didn’t like: When Ernest’s dog Rimshot gets turned into a wooden statue.

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: One of the funniest Ernest movies made.

What Kevin liked: Even though these were made for kids, he discovered them in college and enjoyed watching them. His favorite is Ernest Goes to Jail, but Ernest Scared Stupid is a close second. He liked the fun and entertaining way it told a spooky story that is still appropriate for kids.

What Kevin didn’t like: Some of the troll effects were pretty weak, even though the Chiodo Brothers did them.

Grade: ROCKS.

Thu Sep 18
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Episode 4 – Summer Wrap-Up: Part IV

On this week’s show: Liam and Kevin continue the summer wrap-up with a selection of films from July. Then the show goes to the dogs when they review three Dalmatian movies from the Disney vault. Finally, they wrap up with a look at the classic Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal.

FILMS REVIEWED

DVDs REVIEWED

CLASSIC FILM REVIEWED

Scroll down to the posts below or click on the links above for Liam and Kevin’s reviews of the films.

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY Four years ago, Guillermo Del Toro brought the Dark Horse comic book character Hellboy to life on the big screen. Now, after becoming a celebrated director with Pan’s Labyrinth, Del Toro brings the big red guy back to the screen, this time to face an invincible Golden Army. This PG-13 rated film is not for the younger viewers but can be enjoyed by an age-appropriate audience. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A movie like the first film. What Liam liked: When Hellboy fought the Golden Army and the ghost-like character who lived in a diving suit. What Liam didn’t like: The kissing. ***KISSING ALERT*** Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: A film like the original, with more creature effects and visionary set design. What Kevin liked: The whimsical and strange elements blended very well in the film. Ron Perlman was born to play Hellboy, and the rest of the cast supports him well. While not a traditional superhero film, it’s a fun ride. What Kevin didn’t like: Sometimes the over-the-top design of the creatures overshadowed the story. Grade: ROCKS.

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

Four years ago, Guillermo Del Toro brought the Dark Horse comic book character Hellboy to life on the big screen. Now, after becoming a celebrated director with Pan’s Labyrinth, Del Toro brings the big red guy back to the screen, this time to face an invincible Golden Army. This PG-13 rated film is not for the younger viewers but can be enjoyed by an age-appropriate audience.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A movie like the first film.

What Liam liked: When Hellboy fought the Golden Army and the ghost-like character who lived in a diving suit.

What Liam didn’t like: The kissing.

***KISSING ALERT***

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: A film like the original, with more creature effects and visionary set design.

What Kevin liked: The whimsical and strange elements blended very well in the film. Ron Perlman was born to play Hellboy, and the rest of the cast supports him well. While not a traditional superhero film, it’s a fun ride.

What Kevin didn’t like: Sometimes the over-the-top design of the creatures overshadowed the story.

Grade: ROCKS.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH IN 3D Jules Verne’s classic story is brought to life again on the big screen. Told as a re-imagining of the original book and set in modern times, this film follows a scientist (Brendan Fraser) who travels to the center of the earth with his nephew (Josh Hutcherson) to find his lost brother. Released in RealD, this film lived on its 3D effects, which are awesomely beautiful and a lot of fun. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A dinosaur that poops on people. What Liam liked: The 3D effects, the trilobite and the T-rex. What Liam didn’t like: Nothing. Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: A fun 3D movie but a relatively weak plot. What Kevin liked: The 3D effects were awesome, and as a fan of 3D movies, he welcomes the new crystal-clear technology. The movie was relatively short, so it was easy to enjoy with younger children. What Kevin didn’t like: The story was a little thin and probably won’t hold up in 2D. Grade: Kinda rocks.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH IN 3D

Jules Verne’s classic story is brought to life again on the big screen. Told as a re-imagining of the original book and set in modern times, this film follows a scientist (Brendan Fraser) who travels to the center of the earth with his nephew (Josh Hutcherson) to find his lost brother. Released in RealD, this film lived on its 3D effects, which are awesomely beautiful and a lot of fun.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A dinosaur that poops on people.

What Liam liked: The 3D effects, the trilobite and the T-rex.

What Liam didn’t like: Nothing.

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: A fun 3D movie but a relatively weak plot.

What Kevin liked: The 3D effects were awesome, and as a fan of 3D movies, he welcomes the new crystal-clear technology. The movie was relatively short, so it was easy to enjoy with younger children.

What Kevin didn’t like: The story was a little thin and probably won’t hold up in 2D.

Grade: Kinda rocks.

MEET DAVE Eddie Murphy plays a human-sized space ship that carries a tiny invading army to Earth with the objective of stealing our water sources. Murphy also plays the diminutive captain of the ship who learns to appreciate humans and the planet. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A silly film with a lot of funny moments. What Liam liked: The funny scenes, especially when Dave pooped coins and hot dogs. What Liam didn’t like: The kissing. Grade: ROCKS. ***KISSING ALERT*** KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: One of the worst films of the summer. What Kevin liked: The movie was in focus. What Kevin didn’t like: Eddie Murphy has come so far downhill in his career, it’s hard to imagine. The humor was forced, and the story was awful. Even the slapstick scenes were dull and pointless. No amount of toilet humor could save this film. Grade: STINKS.

MEET DAVE

Eddie Murphy plays a human-sized space ship that carries a tiny invading army to Earth with the objective of stealing our water sources. Murphy also plays the diminutive captain of the ship who learns to appreciate humans and the planet.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A silly film with a lot of funny moments.

What Liam liked: The funny scenes, especially when Dave pooped coins and hot dogs.

What Liam didn’t like: The kissing.

Grade: ROCKS.

***KISSING ALERT***

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: One of the worst films of the summer.

What Kevin liked: The movie was in focus.

What Kevin didn’t like: Eddie Murphy has come so far downhill in his career, it’s hard to imagine. The humor was forced, and the story was awful. Even the slapstick scenes were dull and pointless. No amount of toilet humor could save this film.

Grade: STINKS.