What the Film » Great films

Top 5 Highest Grossing Disney Films

what the film — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:06:04 +0000

Walt Disney is well known for producing some of the top grossing films in animation. Their partnership with Pixar is a very impressive move as they have become not just the leader but a trend setter when it comes to storytelling and modern film making.

The following is a list of the top grossing and award winning films that Disney Studios have created in the recent years:

The Incredibles

Earning more than $600 million in worldwide box office is not an easy task but Disney and Pixar seemed to achieve it effortlessly with the super hero flick. A story about a family of super heroes is more than just a family story but also a fun and delightful animation film that everybody loves.

“Up” earned more than $730 million worldwide and a host of top accolades from critics. It was considered one of the best films of the year and animation has moved beyond simple entertainment.

Finding Nemo

The story about a dad trying to save his son has earned $860 million worldwide. Set underwater, the amusing interaction of the fishes and other animals were more than enough to entice movie goers.

Lion King

Lion King is probably the most profitable film from Disney and it was released before they collaborated with Pixar. With a budget of only $45 million (nearly 1/3 of the budget for Up) the film earned a whopping $950 million worldwide.

Toy Story 3

The fitting end of a beautiful animation trilogy is also the biggest earner for Disney. With the help of new 3D technology, Toy Story 3 earned $1 billion worldwide.

Top 5 Christmas movies for all ages

what the film — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:39:58 +0000

Christmas is more than just a holiday where you give out and receive gifts. It’s also a time to relax with your family with some home entertainment. Since it’s also the Christmas season, it’s fitting to enjoy some movies with a Christmas theme and there are tons of films focusing on the holiday season.

We have listed the top five films perfect for family viewing:

Home Alone 2 : Lost in New York – the film is still fun to watch even if it’s not Christmas. Home Alone 2 is not necessarily heart warming but a fun film to enjoy with the kids because of its slapstick adventures.

Santa Clause – Tim Allen replaces Santa when he fatally injures the jolly guy. His transformation from a simple, unwilling man to a lovable Santa is fun to watch and kids will surely enjoy the message.

· Elf – This may not be the best film of Will Ferrell but it’s certainly one of the most memorable especially for Christmas season. Ferrell plays “Buddy” the Elf that was accidentally brought in by Santa in his carriage. Also featured in the film – the sweet voice of Zooey Deschanel.

· A Charlie Brown Christmas – this simple animation about Christmas shows why Charles Schulz is a genius when it comes to retelling even the most obvious things in Christmas.

Scrooged – this 1988 film is a smart retelling of “A Christmas Carol”. This is one of the films that cemented Bill Murray as a true Hollywood actor and not just another comedian. Of course, the story is still there to provide the moral lesson.

Top 10 Horror Films of all Time

what the film — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:03:37 +0000

Many of the horror movies today are fun to watch only during the holiday season. These movies are a little bit scary but ultimately amusing. They provide some type of entertainment with few bits of horror along the way.

On the other hand, there are horror films that withstood the test of time. These are horror films that can give chills and entertainment any time of the year.

10. SAW – The movie franchise that started “torture porn”. Although the story gets a little bit tired in the later sequels, the gripping scenes are still there.

9. REC – This Spanish movie disguised as news is one of the most chilling films of modern movies. The fact that it was remade for American viewers is a testament of its quality.

8. The Others – The acting chops of Nicole Kidman is in full display of the film. Complement her acting with superb writing and unique twist in the end, you easily get a good horror movie.

7. Alien – Sigourney Weaver’s Alien is a thrilling ride of suspense perfectly blending with Sci-Fi.

6. Scream – It doesn’t have the raw emotions just like in Alien and The Others but the Scream franchise perfectly chronicles the twists and turns they also experience.

5. Psycho – The title alone could send chills to any movie fan. The great thing about Psycho is that it’s so effortless that the thrilling story just unfolds without pushing anything.

4. The Shining – Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is the perfect example on how the plot should unfold. It’s very simple but you slowly see the transformation of Jack Nicholson in a very natural way.

3. Silence of the Lambs – Anthony Hopkins only appeared in the film for a few minutes but he has practically commandeered the movie because of his eerie portrayal of the murderous character.

2. The Exorcist – Horror movies with supernatural element is always a big hit. But only a handful of them could rival the cult classic.

1. Night of the Living Dead – The Zombie film that pushes the envelope. It’s visually stunning and the plot twists gives the film enough excitement and scare.

Do you agree with the top 10? Let us know which films you think should have made the list in the comments below;

Top 3 Movie Prequels

what the film — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:45:42 +0000

Hollywood is scrambling for fresh ideas that would appeal to young movie goers while attracting the older crowd through nostalgia and familiarity. This is the reason why many of the movies today are sequels, prequels and remakes. Some movie fans complain about the lack of idea but adapting a movie for modern times or showing how the characters from past films progress can still be very interesting.

Prequels may be connected to a past hit film, but they do differ from sequels and remakes. You are not required to have watched the previous films because the films are set before the original story. Even though prequels can gain a buzz due to the franchises past success the can also end up as a disaster. Fortunately, there are some prequels that are as good or if not better than the original film;

Casino Royale

The common reaction to Casino Royale is that it’s trying to emulate the “Bourne” series. But Casino Royale is actually a true return to its form because the spy film now focuses on the character instead of the advanced gadgets. Daniel Craig provides a fresh face to the new gritty character of James Bond.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a perfect example on how technology should blend with great acting and storytelling. It’s not a perfect movie but its fun to watch and learn more about the mythos on how apes eventually became earth’s leader.

Batman Begins

We saved the best for last. The gritty interpretation of Christopher Nolan shows the human yet powerful side of the legendary Bruce Wayne played by Christian Bale. It’s a serious prequel but really fun to watch because of the action and storytelling.

Top 3 Nastiest Film Villains

what the film — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:22:12 +0000

Film villains are as important to films as the heroes and heroines. Without the villains, the movie becomes bland because the film will has no conflict and therefore no struggle and emotion.

In some case the villains practically take over the film. The following top movie villains are not only great character but also huge influencers on their films stories. While there are main characters in the film, these villains practically carry the movie from start to finish.

3 Freddie Krueger (Nightmare of Elm Street)

Played by Robert Englund and Jackie Earle Haley, Freddie Krueger is the only character that stayed in the movie franchise. It’s practically a movie about kids being chased in their dreams with real world consequences. The main characters change but Freddie Krueger is still there no matter what and you’ll always cringe whenever he’s in the scene.

2 Darth Vader (Star Wars)

Darth Vader may not have the nastiest plots on how to kill a person but he is a stone cold killer that gets the job done…except maybe for his son. His power to kill through the force is not something you want to deal with.

1 Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs)

HannibalLecter single-handedly carries the film because of the strong performance and the gripping story line on how he cannibalizes his victims. It’s even more interesting that the film doesn’t really require a lot of scene with Hannibal Lecter (played by Anthony Hopkins) for his character to be demonized.

Pan’s Labyrinth

what film — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:00:34 +0000

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is a wonderful movie. Really, wonderful is the word for this fantasy tail that nevertheless has so much reality in it. For those who loved Benigni’s Life is Beautiful, we are sure the same feeling will go for Pan’s. Although these might look to be two very different movies, there is in fact endless food for thought that spurs out of both these two great pieces of work. That is because both have skilfully put the viewer in the fading margin that lies between reality and imagination.

The crude events and desolating life of Spanish post-Civil war clash with the smooth and sparkling fantasy world that only little Ofelia, the main character, is able to see. These two layers never find a final resolution all along the story but nonetheless create the whole essence of the plot.

The story of the film starts with Ofelia and her pregnant mother meeting her new stepfather, fascist Captain Vidal. Leftist opponents to the Franchist regime, in the meantime, are secretly building up the resistance movement. In this setting, the little Ofelia embarks in a mythical and fantasy world where her principal interlocutor, a fascinating and somewhat scary faun, engages her into quests and promises that the little girl will take up to regain her original belonging in a supra-natural world.

There would be a lot to talk about to fully understand the deepness of this film. The figure that we really loved is that of the faun. It fully embodies the dimension of a lost original world with which human beings have lost touch and that, ultimately, can only be regained through the path of imagination, faith, innocence and morality. It is actually amazing how a movie is able to make you think about such topics in, nevertheless, the most light and entertaining way.

Top 5 Christmas movies for all ages

Maid in Manhattan

cinema review — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:47:32 +0000

Natasha Richardson had just died after a skiing accident. Her death came as a shock to all her fans and family. She left us with a handful of great movies to watch and enjoy and one of these movies is Maid in Manhattan of 2002.

Natasha Richardson played Caroline Lane, a socialite who was a guest at a Manhattan hotel who asked Marisa Ventura (Jennifer Lopez) to return an expensive designer clothing for her. Marisa tried the designer clothes after being persuaded by her co-worker, Stephanie. While wearing the expensive outfit, there comes her son Ty with Mr. Christopher Marshall, an aspiring senator behind him. He spots her and felt an attraction. With what she was wearing, he didn’t think for a second she was a maid but a hotel guest and he asked her to join him and that’s where the lie started.

The story is pretty much about a lie that grew and grew. She wore the designer clothes of Caroline Lane, got mistaken to be a socialite, went along with it, fell in love, can’t tell him the truth, he loves her so much and she has to tell the truth.

Eventually TV reporters came in the picture and the two were always invaded by paparazzi. Marisa was spotted wearing that dress by its owner and all hell broke lose. There was a bit of a chaos after her true identity was uncovered but, love conquers all. In the end, he really didn’t care if she’s rich or poor as long as they have each other and so the story ended with the two of them still madly in love with each other, the maid and the aspiring senator.

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Mamma Mia, here we go again!

what the film — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:00:26 +0000

Mamma Mia is a feel-good movie with lots of singing and dancing but although it is a musical, there is still a funny story behind it. All the songs sang in the movie are all from the famous pop group ABBA while there are some additional music there too as composed by Benny Anderson who was also a member of ABBA.

The story rotates around Donna Sheridan portrayed by Meryl Streep, Sophie portrayed by Amanda Seyfried and how Sophie was trying to find her real father. She was about to get married and she was in the quest to find who her real father is and she sent 3 invitations to the 3 men who he suspects could be her father. She read her mom’s diary and learned about them. After sending the invitation, they came but Sophie wanted to keep it a secret to her mother so she could surprise her but of course, eventually Donna found all 3 of them and was shocked and the story just started from there.

It’s funny how in the end it wasn’t Sophie who ended up getting married but Donna did. It reminds me of a similar scene from Princess Diaries 2 when the queen got married during the ceremony that was intended for her daughter.

It’s amazing how they used several ABBA songs throughout the movie and they did not just sing these songs for the heck of it but the songs are actually just perfect for the scenes! It’s brilliant and it will give you a hell of a great time watching it.