Fantastic Mr. Fox

Starring the voice talents of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Willem Dafoe

Directed by Wes Anderson

Release Date: November 25, 2009

A sight to behold, full of sparkle, wit, and sheer animal craziness.

Two Years ago (12 Fox Years), Mr. Fox (Clooney) and his wife Felicity were stuck in a fox trap. Felicity (Streep) asks Mr. Fox to find the couple to find a better way to live as she surprises her husband with the news that she is pregnant. Soon, Mr. Fox has changed his ways from chicken thief to newspaper columnist while son Ash (Schwatzman) tries to deal with living in his father's shadow and contanstly being shown up by his cousin, Kristofferson (Eric Anderson). But, life as a journalist is not enough for Mr. Fox and is soon making up plans to ransack local famers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. What will this news mean to Mrs. Felicity Fox? Has Mr. Fox put the valley of other animals, including lawyer Badger (Murray), in danger?

Base on the novel by Roald Dahl, Wes Anderson has adapted Fantastic Mr. Fox into stop motion animation. The Animation is wonderfully crafted, which looks gorgeous as the detail is fully realized in such aspects such as the individual hairs in the animals hairs or one of Anderson's traits, fully realized layouts of the animal's homes. I fully support stop motion animation as it is a talent and an art style that is grossly underrated in today's movie going audience. The story is great, utilizing Mr. Fox as an engaging protagonist not above being selfish one moment then coming to the resuce in the third act. However, that is not to say this film is for all ages, as there are numerous references/visual cues to swearing (called 'cuss' in the film) smoking, alcohol, and death.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a joy to watch and will sure to entertain any fan of Wes anderson or Roald Dahl.

Rating: * * * * of 5

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Coraline

Starring the voice talents of Dakota Fanning, Ian McShane, and Teri Hatcher

Directed by Henry Selick

Release Date: February 6, 2009

Director Henry Selick is a stop-motion genius. He first dazzled audiences with A Nightmare Before Christmas then followed up with James and the Giant Peach (the less said about Monkeybone, the better). Now, he adapts Neil Gaiman's novel about a young girl who discovers another world in the wallpaper of her new home. On a personal note, I had to move around several times with my family when i was younger, so I understood Coraline's frustration in finding her new surrounding are boring and why she'd repeatedly return to the other world. As stated previously, Selick is a master at the art of stop-motion animation, so all the characters are lively and detailed, and the environments they set in the story are gorgeous to look at with outrageous and amazingly bright colors that are visual treats for the eyes. Though watch out, as Coraline becomes wary of the dangers of the Other World, so should you as the viewer. Also, Dakota Fanning is just wonderful as Coraline, the energetic and playful protagonist. Teri Hatcher brings alot of range when portraying Coraline's mother Mel and the seemingly wonderful Other Mother. Strange, moody, and a visual treat. Coraline is just a wonderful film.

Rating: * * * * 1/2 of 5

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