Life's More Complicated Than a Slogan on a Bumper Sticker

Movie: Zootopia
Actor from Previous Movie: Idris Elba (Janek, Chief Bogo)
Where to Watch: your local movie theater

This weekend I ventured out to see the new Disney movie Zootopia and I absolutely loved it! Initially I didn't have much interest in seeing it; it looked like a pretty standard kids movie that I could wait to see until it showed up on Netflix. But then I heard such good things about it I had to see for myself.

Zootopia was an extremely cute kid-friendly buddy cop style mystery. Ginnifer Goodwin as the delightfully positive Judy Hopps was a perfect lead character. I'm always a fan of kids movies that have great casts and this was no exception. It's funny because I didn't recognize JK Simmons as the mayor until he started yelling, and flashbacks of his verbally abusive character in Whiplash came to me instantly.

It was really neat for a kids movie to tackle the subject of racism in such a direct yet inventive way. The issues were very realistic, like when Nick felt he was allowed to touch Ms. Bellwether's hair or when Judy informed someone that calling her cute was inappropriate. It showed that racism isn't always violent or hostile, sometimes it's uncomfortable and simply disrespectful. This level of subtly isn't usually seen in kids movies, and I was very impressed. I think that just because a movie is for kids doesn't mean it should dumb itself down and treat its audience as stupid.

The movie was alot of fun for anyone regardless of age. It's bright and colorful and filled with super cute animals for kids as young as 2 (like my cousin, who can barely speak but loved the movie), while having a strong message and some funny jokes to entertain an older crowd. It also begs the question: when a kids movie spoofs a scene from the Godfather, do kids actually get the joke?

Bechdel Assessment: Pass! Judy Hopps helps and is helped by many women throughout the movie! It was nice to see.

Sometimes to Create, One Must First Destroy

Movie: Prometheus
Actor From Previous Movie: Charlize Theron (Imperator Furiosa, Vickers)
Where to Watch: DVD

9 times out of 10 if you ask someone about Prometheus they will say it's terrible. At least in my experience. Prequels are generally considered even worse than sequels, which are already viewed so poorly. Being the prequel to Alien, it had alot to live up to and most people feel it failed. I, however, would defend Prometheus with my life. That's extreme, but I have a really unexpected affection for the movie and I would consider it one of my favorite science-fiction movies.

I'll admit the movie has flaws. And I can totally understand why people wouldn't like it. It's very long. It feels very long. It's boring. The plot doesn't really carry the movie like it should. The writing isn't particularly funny or clever. The largely European cast could be a turn-off for many. Altogether it's set up like a blockbuster without any of the actual enjoyable qualities of a blockbuster.

So why do I love it so much? One thing I appreciate is how the movie looks. Alot of time went into making this other world believable. Or more accurately, making Iceland look like another world. But science fiction comes with the possibility of taking the audience somewhere they've never been. Between the high tech gadgetry of the ship and the foreign landscapes of the planet, watching Prometheus is like going on an adventure. It's more understated than, say, Star Wars or Star Trek. This isn't necessarily better for that reason, it's just different and I personally love it. The music in the movie helps set the mood for creepy space exploration. The acting is really good, which you don't usually see in science fiction. Vickers and Shaw both stand out, but in my opinion, the robot David is one of the most interesting characters in the whole movie. He's weird, ominous, and obsessed with Lawrence of Arabia. Sign me up. And spoiler alert: it's always great to see a Fassbender character get decapitated.

If anything, Prometheus is probably a "guilty pleasure." I don't think it's award worthy. I don't even think it's objectively great, and I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone. But I love it and I cannot wait for the sequel coming out next year!!!

Bechdel Assessment: Pass. Vickers and Shaw discuss the mission.

Die Historic on the Fury Road

Movie: Mad Max Fury Road

Actor From Previous Movie: Tom Hardy (Kray Twins, Max Rockatansky)

Where to Watch: HBO Go

Mad Max, the Little Action Movie That Could. Not to say that Mad Max is particularly small film, with it's budget of 150 million. But I consider it small in the world of Critically Acclaimed movies. Being an action movie, it had many obstacles to overcome in the eyes of critics. And it succeeded! In fact, it succeeded so well that it took home the most Academy Awards of any movie this year!

Does Mad Max live up to the hype? I think so. Where Mad Max elevates itself from good to great is in the details. The production design is phenomenal. From the various cars designed for specific characters, to the weapons, to the costumes, to the set design, the filmmakers have created a complete world. Post-apocalyptic carries with it an excuse for mediocrity; most movies might do minimalism and grime. Mad Max instead goes for bright, beautiful landscapes and exciting diesel-punk machines. I have a soft spot for movies that are visually appealing, and Mad Max is one of the best looking movies I have ever seen.

Mad Max: Center Framed from Vashi Nedomansky on Vimeo.

Many people criticize the movie for not having a plot, but I would argue it has a stronger plot than most action movies, mostly because it doesn't try to over-complicate anything. It may be a 2 hour car chase, but it's a 2 hour car chase with a story and a message. And of course, I'm impressed by such a female-centric story that, at its core, is about a group of women fighting for their freedom. A great article for further explanation of this idea, and how this idea was found throughout cinema this year, can be found here.

It’s no secret that I love Mad Max. It holds the record for most times I’ve seen a movie in theaters (5), and I even dressed as one of the wives for Comic Con. I think it was easily one of the best movies of 2015. Unlike most “good” movies, it’s action-packed and fun! Every time I saw the movie, I left the theater wide-eyed and totally enthralled. Whether you like drama, action, or even a little romance, there’s something in it for you. I strongly recommend it!

Bechdel Assessment: Pass! Furiosa, the wives, and the elder women talk about many things throughout the movie including the history of their world, The Green Place, their captivity, and their vehicles.