the nut job

Universal Studios is releasing on Blu-ray and DVD The Nut Job on April 15. The animated film is set in the fictional town of Oakton, which, as far as its wild animal inhabitants are concerned, is in the middle of an extreme food shortage as winter fast approaches. Surly the Squirrel (Will Arnett) and his mostly mute rat buddy named Buddy march to a different drummer, and are constantly getting in trouble with the rest of the local animals. ...

Andie and Surly form an uneasy alliance

Surly checks out downtown

... The story is more than a bit frantic, and there are no real break-out characters that make an animated film a classic, but The Nut Job is amiable enough to entertain the kiddos. Whether the adults will be engaged or not depends on how much they like the look of things. And The Nut Job is great to look at - from its retro-inspired style to its bright colors and attention to detail. Especially impressive are the individual hairs on characters and rendered textures like wood and stone. The look of the film, from the styling of the buildings and backgrounds to the whole heist scenario, brings to mind classic Bugs Bunny encounters with the gangsters Rocky and Mugsy. Alas, none of the characters in The Nut Job have quite the personality of Bugs, but then, who does?

You can read my complete review on Cinema Sentries.

movie madness

The kid enjoyed documenting the latest Mummy movie as much as watching it. It was actually fun - one of those movies that you would have probably left the theater disappointed, but seeing it on cable can be a hoot.


You know, a Brendan Fraser flick. I've always had a soft spot for him, but apart from the first Mummy movie, I think his movies play better on the small screen. I've seen most of them - Encino Man, Bedazzled, Journey to the Center of the Earth, the Looney Tune one. I'm pretty sure I saw George of the Jungle but I couldn't tell you anything about it, except I enjoyed the visuals...

What I've always liked about him, besides his good looks, is his absolute willingness to look silly, even ridiculous. It's a major part of his charm (besides the torso.) My daughter adores the Journey to the Center of the Earth movie, mostly for Fraser's nephew in the film, played by Josh Hutcherson. She'll be thrilled to hear that a sequel is being planned. Her favorite part of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - the Yeti, of course...