Father and Son Movie Reviews

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ROCKS
Kinda rocks
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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
Thu Sep 18
DVD REVIEWS FOR EPISODE 4 This week, Liam and Kevin look at three Dalmatian movies re-released from the Disney vault. 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure Liam’s thoughts: As a big fan of Disney dogs, he thought this was a great film for kids. The Dalmatians were cute, and he loved the hero moments with Thunderbolt. [Grade: ROCKS.] Kevin’s thoughts: While the original 101 Dalmatians is one of his favorite Disney films of all time, this sequel didn’t ruin things. It’s cute enough for kids to enjoy and it manages to do some things a little different than the original. The plot does have some copycat moments, but at least the movie worked to retain the original’s style. [Grade: Kinda rocks.] 101 Dalmatians Liam’s thoughts: He didn’t know what to expect from the film, and while he thought the dogs were cute, he liked the talking ones better from the animated films. His favorite part was when the bad guys were electrocuted in the privates from a security fence and when Cruella De Vil gets dunked in molasses at the end. [Grade: ROCKS.] Kevin’s thoughts: Glenn Close was fabulous as the live-action version of Cruella De Vil. Some of the changes to the story, like making Roger a video game designer rather than a musician, were unnecessary. The dogs were cute, though, and it tried to stay close to the original story. [Grade: Kinda rocks.] 102 Dalmatians Liam’s thoughts: He liked the animals in this film, especially the macaw that thinks it’s a dog. The puppies were cute, and he liked seeing Mr. Fantastic from The Fantastic Four in this film. Again, his favorite part comes at the end when Cruella De Vil gets her comeuppance. [Grade: Kinda rocks.] Kevin’s thoughts: It was clear that this film was made around Glenn Close, who made such a strong impression as Cruella De Vil in the first movie. However, this seemed more of an excuse to be a new film and didn’t have the same heart as the first live-action film, let alone the original animated classic. [Grade: Kinda stinks.]

DVD REVIEWS FOR EPISODE 4

This week, Liam and Kevin look at three Dalmatian movies re-released from the Disney vault.

101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure

Liam’s thoughts: As a big fan of Disney dogs, he thought this was a great film for kids. The Dalmatians were cute, and he loved the hero moments with Thunderbolt. [Grade: ROCKS.]

Kevin’s thoughts: While the original 101 Dalmatians is one of his favorite Disney films of all time, this sequel didn’t ruin things. It’s cute enough for kids to enjoy and it manages to do some things a little different than the original. The plot does have some copycat moments, but at least the movie worked to retain the original’s style. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

101 Dalmatians

Liam’s thoughts: He didn’t know what to expect from the film, and while he thought the dogs were cute, he liked the talking ones better from the animated films. His favorite part was when the bad guys were electrocuted in the privates from a security fence and when Cruella De Vil gets dunked in molasses at the end. [Grade: ROCKS.]

Kevin’s thoughts: Glenn Close was fabulous as the live-action version of Cruella De Vil. Some of the changes to the story, like making Roger a video game designer rather than a musician, were unnecessary. The dogs were cute, though, and it tried to stay close to the original story. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

102 Dalmatians

Liam’s thoughts: He liked the animals in this film, especially the macaw that thinks it’s a dog. The puppies were cute, and he liked seeing Mr. Fantastic from The Fantastic Four in this film. Again, his favorite part comes at the end when Cruella De Vil gets her comeuppance. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

Kevin’s thoughts: It was clear that this film was made around Glenn Close, who made such a strong impression as Cruella De Vil in the first movie. However, this seemed more of an excuse to be a new film and didn’t have the same heart as the first live-action film, let alone the original animated classic. [Grade: Kinda stinks.]

Classic review: THE DARK CRYSTAL In the 1980s, Jim Henson and Frank Oz worked on making full live-action films with an all Muppet cast. His first feature attempt was the 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal. The story follows two races of creatures that were split from a single race when their magical crystal cracked. With the suns of their world coming together, the benevolent Mystics enlist the help of a young Gelfling to help them re-merge with the evil Skeksis. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: Not much. What Liam liked: The big battle at the end of the film. What Liam didn’t like: The Muppet romance. Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: A visionary fantasy work from the 1980s. What Kevin liked: This brought Kevin back to his childhood because the film was released while he was in fifth grade. He loved the intricate Muppet performances and the commitment to make a serious drama. What Kevin didn’t like: Some of the set-up was a bit corny with some cheesy narration. Grade: ROCKS.

Classic review: THE DARK CRYSTAL

In the 1980s, Jim Henson and Frank Oz worked on making full live-action films with an all Muppet cast. His first feature attempt was the 1982 fantasy film The Dark Crystal. The story follows two races of creatures that were split from a single race when their magical crystal cracked. With the suns of their world coming together, the benevolent Mystics enlist the help of a young Gelfling to help them re-merge with the evil Skeksis.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: Not much.

What Liam liked: The big battle at the end of the film.

What Liam didn’t like: The Muppet romance.

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: A visionary fantasy work from the 1980s.

What Kevin liked: This brought Kevin back to his childhood because the film was released while he was in fifth grade. He loved the intricate Muppet performances and the commitment to make a serious drama.

What Kevin didn’t like: Some of the set-up was a bit corny with some cheesy narration.

Grade: ROCKS.

Thu Sep 11
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Episode 3 – Summer Wrap-Up: Part III

On this week’s show: Liam and Kevin push through the summer wrap up and cover the releases in June and the beginning of July. They also talk about two DVDs of new Playhouse Disney television shows, as well as the 1993 visual effects tour-de-force Jurassic Park.

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.

GET SMART Back in the 1960s, Don Adams broke the mold of the character Maxwell Smart in the classic television series “Get Smart.” Now, Steve Carell tries his hand as the bumbling spy from CONTROL. The evil Seigfried (Terrence Stamp) from KAOS has stolen nuclear weapons and distributed them among unstable dictatorships. It’s up to the eager Maxwell Smart (Carell) in his first assignment to work with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) to uncover the master plan. Alan Arkin stars as the Chief and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Agent 23 to fulfill the funny supporting cast. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: Lots of secret agents. What Liam liked: The funny action, silliness and the element of “suprahs!” What Liam didn’t like: The kissing. ***KISSING ALERT*** Grade: Kinda rocks. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: A slapstick, modern update on the classic television series. What Kevin liked: The cast was funny, and Carell has a great chemistry with Hathaway. The movie was a bit of a slow-starter, but things ramp up into hilarity by the end of the movie. What Kevin didn’t like: Parts of the plot were pretty obvious and not very surprising. Grade: Kinda rocks.

GET SMART

Back in the 1960s, Don Adams broke the mold of the character Maxwell Smart in the classic television series “Get Smart.” Now, Steve Carell tries his hand as the bumbling spy from CONTROL. The evil Seigfried (Terrence Stamp) from KAOS has stolen nuclear weapons and distributed them among unstable dictatorships. It’s up to the eager Maxwell Smart (Carell) in his first assignment to work with Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway) to uncover the master plan. Alan Arkin stars as the Chief and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays Agent 23 to fulfill the funny supporting cast.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: Lots of secret agents.

What Liam liked: The funny action, silliness and the element of “suprahs!”

What Liam didn’t like: The kissing.

***KISSING ALERT***

Grade: Kinda rocks.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: A slapstick, modern update on the classic television series.

What Kevin liked: The cast was funny, and Carell has a great chemistry with Hathaway. The movie was a bit of a slow-starter, but things ramp up into hilarity by the end of the movie.

What Kevin didn’t like: Parts of the plot were pretty obvious and not very surprising.

Grade: Kinda rocks.

WALL-E Andrew Stanton directs his second Pixar film for the summer tent-pole release. Inspired by the Star Wars’ classic droid R2-D2, Stanton brings to life a lovable robot who doesn’t talk but steals the audience’s heart. WALL-E is a waste-management robot – the last one left on earth after the human race has taken to the stars. One day, a newer robot named Eve comes to Earth, and the two fall in robot love. When Eve’s spaceship returns to bring her home, WALL-E takes off to save her. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A cute movie about robots. What Liam liked: When WALL-E flies in space with a fire extinguisher. What Liam didn’t like: Nothing. Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: The greatest movie of the summer. What Kevin liked: The first half of this movie was as perfect as a film could be. Even though he never talks, WALL-E is one of the greatest characters ever to be brought to screen. Following in the Pixar tradition, this film raised the bar for animated films. WALL-E will be remembered as one of the most endearing character in the Disney/Pixar universe. What Kevin didn’t like: Nothing. Grade: ROCKS.

WALL-E

Andrew Stanton directs his second Pixar film for the summer tent-pole release. Inspired by the Star Wars’ classic droid R2-D2, Stanton brings to life a lovable robot who doesn’t talk but steals the audience’s heart. WALL-E is a waste-management robot – the last one left on earth after the human race has taken to the stars. One day, a newer robot named Eve comes to Earth, and the two fall in robot love. When Eve’s spaceship returns to bring her home, WALL-E takes off to save her.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A cute movie about robots.

What Liam liked: When WALL-E flies in space with a fire extinguisher.

What Liam didn’t like: Nothing.

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: The greatest movie of the summer.

What Kevin liked: The first half of this movie was as perfect as a film could be. Even though he never talks, WALL-E is one of the greatest characters ever to be brought to screen. Following in the Pixar tradition, this film raised the bar for animated films. WALL-E will be remembered as one of the most endearing character in the Disney/Pixar universe.

What Kevin didn’t like: Nothing.

Grade: ROCKS.

HANCOCK Will Smith plays Hancock, an L.A.-based superhero who sometimes causes more harm than good. While he saves people’s lives and catches bad guys, he’s got a slew of problems. Hancock is a drunk and a bum. He isn’t interested in being a role model, and he doesn’t care who he offends. However, when the city rebels against him, Hancock has a change of heart and tries to turn his life around. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A movie about a really strong guy. What Liam liked: The superhero fight scenes. What Liam didn’t like: When Hancock almost loses his powers. Grade: Kinda stinks. ***KISSING ALERT*** KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: An overly hip, superhero wannabe movie. What Kevin liked: The action sequences were good, which is to be expected from director Peter Berg. What Kevin didn’t like: Will Smith obviously had too much influence over the plot of the film. The movie was conflicted, trying to be a comedy at times and a hard-core action film at other moments. Grade: STINKS.

HANCOCK

Will Smith plays Hancock, an L.A.-based superhero who sometimes causes more harm than good. While he saves people’s lives and catches bad guys, he’s got a slew of problems. Hancock is a drunk and a bum. He isn’t interested in being a role model, and he doesn’t care who he offends. However, when the city rebels against him, Hancock has a change of heart and tries to turn his life around.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A movie about a really strong guy.

What Liam liked: The superhero fight scenes.

What Liam didn’t like: When Hancock almost loses his powers.

Grade: Kinda stinks.

***KISSING ALERT***

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: An overly hip, superhero wannabe movie.

What Kevin liked: The action sequences were good, which is to be expected from director Peter Berg.

What Kevin didn’t like: Will Smith obviously had too much influence over the plot of the film. The movie was conflicted, trying to be a comedy at times and a hard-core action film at other moments.

Grade: STINKS.

DVD REVIEWS FOR EPISODE 3 This week, Liam and Kevin look at two Playhouse Disney television series that have been released on DVD. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Storybook Surprises Liam’s thoughts: He loves the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” television series. He enjoys guessing which tool to use from Toodles, and his favorite parts come when the characters encounter the villain Pete. His favorite part of the DVD is the game, which includes toilets and diapers. [Grade: ROCKS.] Kevin’s thoughts: The Playhouse Disney show is a great interactive activity for kids. The 3-D CGI is a little rudimentary but still good for kids. The DVD has a good number of episodes on it, and the extra MadLib-style game is fun to play as a family. [Grade: Kinda rocks.] ***KISSING ALERT*** My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt Liam’s thoughts: He loves anything with Winnie the Pooh, so this new version is right up his alley. He enjoys sleuthing with the characters, and he wishes he could take a trip to the moon the way Eeyore intended. The game included on the DVD was way too easy for him. [Grade: ROCKS.] Kevin’s thoughts: While Kevin’s favorite installments of the Winnie the Pooh stories are the original theatrical short films, he feels that this new television show is a fine adaptation. It is far better than the 80s television series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” and the animation is better than “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.” The use of Darby and Buster are cute and a step up from Christopher Robin. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

DVD REVIEWS FOR EPISODE 3

This week, Liam and Kevin look at two Playhouse Disney television series that have been released on DVD.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Storybook Surprises

Liam’s thoughts: He loves the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” television series. He enjoys guessing which tool to use from Toodles, and his favorite parts come when the characters encounter the villain Pete. His favorite part of the DVD is the game, which includes toilets and diapers. [Grade: ROCKS.]

Kevin’s thoughts: The Playhouse Disney show is a great interactive activity for kids. The 3-D CGI is a little rudimentary but still good for kids. The DVD has a good number of episodes on it, and the extra MadLib-style game is fun to play as a family. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

***KISSING ALERT***

My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt

Liam’s thoughts: He loves anything with Winnie the Pooh, so this new version is right up his alley. He enjoys sleuthing with the characters, and he wishes he could take a trip to the moon the way Eeyore intended. The game included on the DVD was way too easy for him. [Grade: ROCKS.]

Kevin’s thoughts: While Kevin’s favorite installments of the Winnie the Pooh stories are the original theatrical short films, he feels that this new television show is a fine adaptation. It is far better than the 80s television series “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” and the animation is better than “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.” The use of Darby and Buster are cute and a step up from Christopher Robin. [Grade: Kinda rocks.]

Classic review: JURASSIC PARK In 1993, Steven Spielberg revolutionized visual effects and adventure films by bringing Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel Jurassic Park to the screen. For the first time ever, movie audiences got a chance to see photo-realistic dinosaurs interacting with people on screen. The film made close to a billion dollars at the worldwide box office and spawned two successful sequels. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: Lots of dinosaurs. What Liam liked: The T-rex scenes and watching the brachiosaurus herd. He also loved the opening sequence when the velociraptor attacked the worker. What Liam didn’t like: Anything without dinosaurs. Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: An excellent adventure film with incredible special effects. What Kevin liked: When Kevin saw this movie, he was in college, and it was his favorite of the summer. He thought Spielberg improved on Chrichton’s characters and managed to give us spectacular dinosaur scenes without needing them throughout the film. What Kevin didn’t like: There were some silly things that happen in the plot, and Laura Dern’s acting was a bit too much at times. Grade: ROCKS.

Classic review: JURASSIC PARK

In 1993, Steven Spielberg revolutionized visual effects and adventure films by bringing Michael Crichton’s best-selling novel Jurassic Park to the screen. For the first time ever, movie audiences got a chance to see photo-realistic dinosaurs interacting with people on screen. The film made close to a billion dollars at the worldwide box office and spawned two successful sequels.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: Lots of dinosaurs.

What Liam liked: The T-rex scenes and watching the brachiosaurus herd. He also loved the opening sequence when the velociraptor attacked the worker.

What Liam didn’t like: Anything without dinosaurs.

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: An excellent adventure film with incredible special effects.

What Kevin liked: When Kevin saw this movie, he was in college, and it was his favorite of the summer. He thought Spielberg improved on Chrichton’s characters and managed to give us spectacular dinosaur scenes without needing them throughout the film.

What Kevin didn’t like: There were some silly things that happen in the plot, and Laura Dern’s acting was a bit too much at times.

Grade: ROCKS.

Mon Aug 25
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Episode 2 – Summer Wrap-Up: Part II

On this week’s show: Liam and Kevin continue to talk about the early films of the summer, hitting the last big family release of May and some June releases. They also talk about two summer DVDs from the Disney library, as well as the original Indiana Jones movies from Kevin’s childhood.

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.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL It is 1957. The Nazis are all dead and gone, and the new villains are the Russians. The film opens in Area 51, where a Russian agent named Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchette) has kidnapped Jones and forced him to help her uncover some secret military artifacts. After a daring escape, Jones returns home to find the U.S. Army questioning him and his colleagues about Communist involvement. Jones is then visited by a young punk named Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) who asks for Indy’s help in tracking down an old professor who was searching for the lost city of El Dorado, and a crystal skull that will unlock its secrets. Reluctantly, Indy helps him and starts on an international search for the legendary skull, with the Russians hot on their tail. LIAM’S REVIEW What Liam expected: A huge adventure. What Liam liked: When the bad guys get eaten by red ants. What Liam didn’t like: The kissing. ***KISSING ALERT*** Grade: ROCKS. KEVIN’S REVIEW What Kevin expected: An updated version of the earlier films, giving a nod to Harrison Ford’s age. What Kevin liked: Being only a child when the first films came out, Kevin was completely swept into the experience. He loved the adventure again, even if it felt a bit dated, and the flavor of the series was maintained. What Kevin didn’t like: Admittedly, there were some weird moments, like the infamous Tarzan scene, nuking the ‘fridge and the Area 51 angle. Grade: ROCKS.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL

It is 1957. The Nazis are all dead and gone, and the new villains are the Russians. The film opens in Area 51, where a Russian agent named Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchette) has kidnapped Jones and forced him to help her uncover some secret military artifacts. After a daring escape, Jones returns home to find the U.S. Army questioning him and his colleagues about Communist involvement. Jones is then visited by a young punk named Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) who asks for Indy’s help in tracking down an old professor who was searching for the lost city of El Dorado, and a crystal skull that will unlock its secrets. Reluctantly, Indy helps him and starts on an international search for the legendary skull, with the Russians hot on their tail.

LIAM’S REVIEW

What Liam expected: A huge adventure.

What Liam liked: When the bad guys get eaten by red ants.

What Liam didn’t like: The kissing.

***KISSING ALERT***

Grade: ROCKS.

KEVIN’S REVIEW

What Kevin expected: An updated version of the earlier films, giving a nod to Harrison Ford’s age.

What Kevin liked: Being only a child when the first films came out, Kevin was completely swept into the experience. He loved the adventure again, even if it felt a bit dated, and the flavor of the series was maintained.

What Kevin didn’t like: Admittedly, there were some weird moments, like the infamous Tarzan scene, nuking the ‘fridge and the Area 51 angle.

Grade: ROCKS.