national treasure: book of secrets a.k.a. the da vinci code-lite

was the davinci code to confusing for you? were you frustrated by the complicated plot lines? annoyed with the hype? bored by the end of the 3 hour long film? well try national treasure [book of secrets]! you didn't see the first national treasure? well that's ok. you don't really need to, at least to understand it's sequel.

i'm just poking fun. but definitely speaking the truth. ntbos was similar to the davinci code in that they both have that mystery/pseudo-thriller/thinly veiled conspiracy theory genre-thing going on.

the film is good for what it is. if you go into it expecting award-worthy performances and such, you will be disappointed. but if you go into it expecting to see an entertaining film with some high-budget eye-candy and a plot that will make you feel smart (even though the writers hold your hand through each plot turn), then you will be satisfied. hey,it held my little sister's attention for the better part of 2 hours, so that's gotta count for something, right? yes. yes, it does.

some of the acting was a little crude. some of the one-liners were funny. and some of the obstacles were a little contrived. cage, kruger and voight were somewhat under par. but mirren and bartha (yum!) saved the show. i think that ed harris would have been an asset, if they didn't limit him with such a one dimensional character. he was the bad guy, but had maybe 30 minutes combined of speaking parts.

the plot, as i said before, wasn't too complicated. some parts do make you wonder if some of these things could actually exist. this film, as with the first one (i think? i can't remember.) leaves plenty of room for a sequel. and with the success of both national treasures, i'd put money on there being a third.

the movie certainly appeals to every ones inner child, and every ones secret desire to be some modern day indiana jones.

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national treasure: book of secrets - B-
-t

hey disney... your roots are showing

well m and i went and saw enchanted on monday night. i really enjoyed it. i really enjoy most disney movies, but this one brought me back to the enjoyment i got out of the little mermaid, sleeping beauty and beauty and the beast. i've been disappointed that disney broke away from it's "musical" format and decided to go the way of celebrity voices and cgi's.

i think that disney tried to incorporate some of their earlier works into this movie. (there were certainly some parodies going on) but i think that overall, it was mainly a mashed up updated version of snow white and sleeping beauty. there was a little alice in wonderland thrown in, and even less little mermaid, but they were there. regardless, i really connected with the storyline and thought it delivered a good modern message to young girls. its ok to be helpless and stupid sometimes, but most of the time you need to think critically, be brave and fight some bitches to win at life.

i am glad that they used amy adams for the role of giselle and not some slutty tart. i honestly had no idea who amy was before this role and for that i am glad. the only problem i had with her was that she seemed just a hair too old for the role at times. i think disney princesses are in the age range of say, 18-23, and amy seemed like a 26 year old at times. at times, key words there. 99% of the time she fits right in.

not a huge fan of partick dempsey, but in no way do i dislike him. i thought he played the role extremely well. and after seeing him in this part, i definitely see his appeal. i'm not jumping on the grey's anatomy band wagon here, but i would enjoy seeing him in other movies.

james marsden. ::angels singing:: god is that man good looking or what?! even in that silly prince costume i just wanted to... ahem. sorry. good acting, wish he got a chance to sing just a little bit more. but i'll take what i can get. now all i need for him to do is take more roles where he is shirtless...

loved the costumes and the sets and how it took place in nyc. perfectly juxtaposes the idea of a fairy tale kingdom. the only thing that could have made this movie better was more singing. classic disney had, what?, a good 10-15 original songs per movie. this one had 3 plus the one by carrie underwood and some other guy. come on disney, don't half-ass it, next time!

the only thing i didn't like about the movie was susan sarandon. at first i didn't even know it was her. the costume didn't translate well from cartoon world to real world. she looked like a freak, not an evil queen (although in nyc these are sometimes considered the same thing...) i wish the creators incorporated her just a little more, make her a little more human. they kind of just said "ok here's the evil queen. she's evil. don't like her, k?. why? just because. don't ask questions."

someone also could have come up with a better tagline. "the real world and the animated world collide." areyoufuckingserious? wasn't that like the tagline for space jam??

overall, good job disney! now its up to you to decide whether you go up or down from this point. choose wisely. please.

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Enchanted - B

-t