War Horse

War Horse

DreamWorks etc.

December 25, 2011

War Drama

DVD
B-

I liked this more than I expected, especially the scenes set in Devon, although I don't think every thread works, and of course I was more interested in the horse than the war.  This is based on the Michael Morpugo novel and directed by Steven Spielberg.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Aardman Animations/ DreamWorks

2 October 2005

Children's, Animation, Fantasy, Comedy

DVD
C

While there are things I like about this world, like the set designs and inventions, I just have never been able to get invested in the characters.  Steve Box and Nick Park co-directed, and co-wrote with others.

The Turning

The Turning

DreamWorks etc.

January 24, 2020

Horror

DVD
D+

For horror, this wasn't terrible (the first quarter hour anyway), but it is based on Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, which I've never read.  Floria Sigismondi directed.

Turbo

Turbo

DreamWorks etc.

July 17, 2013

Animation, Fantasy, Children's, Sports Comedy

DVD
D

CGI snail wants to be a racecar driver, as his friends catcall a tomato.  David Soren directed and co-wrote, four year before Captain Underpants.

The Terminal (2004)

The Terminal (2004)

DreamWorks etc.

June 18, 2004

Dramedy?

DVD

C-

The concept is intriguing but the execution is sappy and unrealistic.  Also, if even Stanley Tucci can't make me laugh, it's not much of a comedy.  Spielberg directed.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

DreamWorks etc.

21 December 2007

Musical, Historical Drama, Horror

DVD
D

I of course didn't like this, but, also of course, Helena Bonham Carter was better than Johnny Depp.  Tim Burton of course directed.

The Soloist

The Soloist

DreamWorks etc.

April 24, 2009
Drama

DVD

D+

A mildly interesting story burdened with too much medical crap.  This is based on the real Steve Lopez's book and directed by Joe Wright a few years after Atonement and his Pride & Prejudice.

Shrek

Shrek

DreamWorks

May 18, 2001

Animation, Children's, Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
C-

I enjoyed this at the time, although not a lot, but it didn't really grab me now, maybe because this approach is no longer as fresh as it was then.  This is very loosely based on the William Steig picture book, and co-directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson.

She's the Man

She's the Man

DreamWorks etc.

March 17, 2006

Romcom, Sports Comedy

DVD
B-

I enjoyed this at the time and it remains entertaining, plausibility aside.  The Aughts soundtrack is good and the cast is game, pun intended.  Yes, I didn't even mind the soccer.  And it has one of the best cat-fights of its genre.  There's a lot less of Shakespeare left here than there was of Jane Austen in Clueless, and I do wish that Viola's two female friends had been given more to do, but it works, enough.  Andy Fickman directed.

The Ring (2002)

The Ring (2002)

DreamWorks etc.

October 18, 2002

Horror

DVD
D+

The first quarter hour alone felt full of plotholes, although I could picture someone enjoying this movie in a MST3K kind of way.  This is based on the Japanese version, which in turn is based on the novel by Kôji Suzuki.  Gore Verbinski directed, before Rango and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt

DreamWorks

December 16, 1998

Animation, Historical Drama, Musical

DVD
D+

Besides not being a subject I'm interested in, the tonal shifts are odd, like the joke about Rameses's kilt.  Still, the animation isn't bad.  Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells co-directed.

Old School

Old School

DreamWorks

February 21, 2003

Comedy (allegedly)

DVD
D

Unfunny and misogynistic (not that the men are any great shakes, but it is from their perspective), although bumped up a notch for the wedding singer, and he's no Adam Sandler.  Todd Phillips directed and co-wrote.

Monsters vs. Aliens

Monsters vs. Aliens

DreamWorks

March 27, 2009

Animation, Sci-Fi, Children's?

DVD
D+

This is shelved as a children's movie, but, although there was no "questionable content" in the first quarter hour, starting this off with a mismatched couple's wedding is odd.  And I wasn't crazy about the character design.  Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon co-directed, as well as co-writing with a bunch of people.

Megamind

Megamind

DreamWorks

November 5, 2010

Children's, Animation, Sci-Fi, Comedy
DVD
C-

When this started, I thought it had potential, but I'm tired of backstories where the "villains" are the victims.  Tom McGrath directed.

Lincoln

Lincoln

DreamWorks etc.

November 16, 2012

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

A bit flat.  This is loosely based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.  Steven Spielberg directed.

The Light Between Oceans

The Light Between Oceans

DreamWorks etc.

2 September 2016

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I didn't care about the story but the scenery was of course lovely.  Director Derek Cianfrance adapted the novel by M. L. Stedman.

The Last Castle

The Last Castle

DreamWorks Pictures

October 19, 2001

Crime Drama

DVD
D+

Prison, although you might expect a fantasy or historical drama with that title.  Rob Lurie directed.

Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven

DreamWorks

September 16, 2005

Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
C-

A workaholic doctor becomes a nagging ghost roommate.  This is based on Marc Levy's novel with the (better) title If Only It Were True.  Mark Waters directed.

Flags of Our Fathers

Flags of Our Fathers

DreamWorks

October 20, 2006

War Drama

DVD
D

Yet another World War II drama about how they weren't really heroes but of course were.  Based on the book by James Bradley and Ron Powers, and directed by Eastwood.

Dreamgirls

Dreamgirls
DreamWorks and Paramount
December 25, 2006
Musical, Historical Drama
DVD
C+

Bill Condon wrote and directed this award-winning adaptation of the Broadway hit.  I feel like, despite the acclaim, there's a dazzling movie trapped in a not bad one.  I'm not really sure what the issue(s) I have are about it, but I think it's that the operatic and soap-operatic elements don't really jell with the more realistic, human moments.  Like the clash within the movie between "soul" and "glitz."  Note that while I could see dashes of James Brown and Little Richard in then-45-year-old Murphy's performance, it also reminded me some of the cocky twentysomething Eddie of the 1980s.