Hey folks, Harry here and Yes, I did take a break at the start of this year. I decided to relax and enjoy the period between New Year’s and my wife’s birthday. That said, I’m back on path – and will be knocking out the 3 weeks I owe you good people. Sorry I disappeared for a bit. Sometimes it is necessary. This is the first column of the year and there’s some good stuff on here, but the week was light. Once again the titles and the pics link to Amazon where you can learn more on the title in question and you can purchase it, if you wish, which would give a bit back to this column. For which I thank you for. Here ya go:

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS

The Sony Imagework CG Animated films have traditionally been the wicked stepchildren of Pixar’s wicked step-children, DREAMWORKS and FOX – in the realm of animated fare. But CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS changed that for me. The animation is lush, the style is unique and the story has a cartoonish whimsy that really stands a part from the other houses. That said. I really truly do not find the film appetizing, all that food hitting the ground, causing damage, call me old fashioned, but served on a plate is the way to go. This was a very strong year for Animation!

THE FINAL DESTINATION

If you’re a fan of this series – then this is everything you could expect from THE FINAL DESTINATION in 3D. That said, the characters are written with the express purpose of being killed badly for your edification. That said, it is all pretty forgettable and helps make horror look like a basement genre to be ever so slightly ashamed of.

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

A wonderfully silly romantic comedy set in the High School years – back at the beginnings of both Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles’ careers. Specifically, Heath is pretty damn awesome here, as is the crazy young Joseph Gordon-Levitt. This is one of those films that I’d forgotten about, but when it arrived, my wife Yoko began giddily giggling and demanding that it instantly go into the Blu Ray player. After rewatching it, I agree – this is a fun giddy little movie that is pure happiness.

MIGHTY MOUSE: THE NEW ADVENTURES – The Complete Series

Now, if you don’t know why you should all be getting this… I’ll try to help. First off, this was put together by Ralph Bakshi and unleashed upon children, who too often don’t get what they deserve, but this was a kiddie dream. Bakshi put together a team of animation talent that is quite impressive. He landed John Kricfalusi, long before he created Ren & Stimpy. He captured Andrew Stanton of Pixar fame, Bruce Timm of the animated DC Hero properties and The Simpsons’ Jim Reardon. The result was this amazing series. Do not let this escape your attention!

THE GREEN BERETS (Blu-Ray)

I find it kind of amazing that before APOCALYPSE NOW, PLATOON, DEER HUNTER, CASUALTIES OF WAR… that THE GREEN BERETS would hit BluRay. Only BORN OF THE FOURTH OF JULY is in High Def… But this is the pro-American involvement in Vietnam film. It is actually more brutal than you’d expect. Lots of main characters get wiped out, it’s manipulative rah rah propaganda, but it is fun. John Wayne, Aldo Ray, George Takei, Bruce Cabot… well they rule. And though the sun is rising from the wrong direction… you know what, if anyone could make that happen, it’d be John Wayne.

TRUCKER

Fantastic Film. If I had a vote in the Academy, I’d nominate Michelle Monaghan for Best Actress & then vote her to win the award. She plays an amazing character – a truck driving lady, who doesn’t like being tied down to anything. She had a kid with a guy back in her young, carefree days. He’d agreed to raise the kid and not involve her. But he’s dying of cancer and is now asking for her help – with a kid that hates her. She is brilliant in the role. Also, Nathan Fillion plays a great “Best Friend that wants more” character – that isn’t hammy in the least. Michelle is seriously great here!

Coming up next: THE HURT LOCKER, MOON, 20th Season of SIMPSONS, IN THE LOOP, FAME, HALLOWEEN 2, 8 ½ BluRay, THE BROTHERS BLOOM, CLIFFHANGER BluRay, LAST ACTION HERO BluRay, BIG FAN, THE BURNING PLAIN, HOUSE ON SORORITY ROW, Urban Action Collection, Billy Jack BluRay, and much more!