"Hoodwinked"

PG           80min           2005

“Hoodwinked” is a re-imagining of the ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ tale. It’s the mystery that unfolds as Red is on her way to granny’s house, to protect her secret recipes.

It is imaginative, funny, and funny for all to have. It took a tale we all know and throw against the wall and let the piece fall where they may. Kids will love it for all the action and animation. Parents will love it because of the familiarity with the characters and how they have been re-imagined.

“Little Red Riding Hood” has elements of the original story but its been torn apart and stretched like ‘Play Dough’. It’s a old story told new to a new generation, that the old will find interest and funny too. There are characters added that make the story so funny,

‘Hoodwinked’ has big name star voices that complement their characters and some voices are distinct but you can place the actor. Kids will love the animation because of its bright vibrant colors. The colors are cheery and delight.

This isn’t our ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ this is Red for a new generation. She is a confident young woman who is capable of making to Granny’s house. Granny’s no longer sitting by the fire waiting to die. The re-imaging of all the character is what make this tell funny.

“Hoodwinked” is one of the better-animated movies. This will make most children complacent enough to finish an entire load of laundry. It’s one that you can what it several times and pick up a clue that you didn’t see before.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

Dracula III: Legacy

Jason Scott Lee
Jason London
Rutger Hauer
Roy Scheider
Diane Neal
Alexandra Wescourt

R           85min           2003

“Dracula III: Legacy” is the second sequel to Dracula 2000, film back to back with its predecessor Dracula II: Ascension. Uffizi (Jason Scott Lee) and Luke (Jason London) go to Romania to save Elizabeth (Diane Neal) from Dracula. Along the way in this war torn Romania they face a TV News crew and rebels trying to curb the rising vampire population.

This sequel I could actually believe happening if it were not from its predecessors. This film was executed better and better suited the actors. This film was more of an action adventure with the villain, Dracula, than a horror film. The story stumbled in several places until it lost all footing in the end.

Dracula III: Legacy flowed better and gave you reasoning for the actors’ casting thin the previous film. Lee and London are a Riggs and Murtaugh pairing. They complement each other in this film. But the switch to a new Dracula was a little disconcerting, with flashbacks using the other one.

Where as the previous was boilerplate horror, this one was an action adventure. There is a lot more character development for Uffizi. Jason London acting stood out in this film as compared to everyone else. Although it was better execution it was still a bland action adventure.

Legacy still had some plot point stumbles and illogical moments, just not as many as it predecessor. The major plot I have trouble with is the movie is the ending. It left me with “Is that it?”. I don’t know why these sequels were made and I don’t care. They are a waste of time.

As. I asked myself what was the point of these films; I told myself, “I only paid a dollar to see it I really can’t complain”. If you pay any than that you will be disappointed. There are better horror movies out there.

I give it 1/5 Gs.

Dracula II: Ascenison

Jason Scott Lee
Jason London
Craig Sheffer
Diane Neal
Khary Payton
Brande Roderick
Stephen Billington

R           85min           2003

“Dracula II: Ascension” is the sequel to “Dracula 2000,” with the immortal dark lord, Judas of Iscariot; being used in medical experiments to cure a crippling disease. As always nothing good will come of it.

This and its sequel were filmed at the same time and were definitely a waste of production money. The plot was illogical and the characters were under-developed. It was weak in its execution and boring. There were many miss cast parts in this film. I classify it as an “End of Days.”

At the end of Dracula 2000, if there was going to be a sequel the villain would have been female, as Van Helsings’ daughter was the only one left. I would have thought that Dracula’s body would have incinerated and left nothing but ashes. There was not one character you cared about. You’ll actually root for them to die. Once they figure out whom they’re dealing with instead of finishing him off, they decide that it’s in the best interest of science to study him.

Dracula II: Ascension is your standard boilerplate horror movie. Imbeciles doing stupid things fight a villain that’s way out of their league. Instead of ending with everyone dying, this movie sets up its sequel Dracula III: Legacy. This movie is tiring and gave me a headache, Jason Scott Lee comes in as a mystery vampire hunter, acting like he was transplanted into this film from Timecop: Berlin Decision.

There really isn’t anything redeeming about this film, even the actors were miss cast in parts. They were not believable in their parts and didn’t fit together as a group of medical students. You didn’t believe that Diane Neal and Craig Sheffer are or ever in a relationship. They seem just as they were, two actors meeting and doing a job. Even the death scenes, which were greatly appreciated, were boring.

Dracula II: Ascension is a waste of time. It doesn’t resemble anything of its predecessor. Its boring and poorly executed, you know the death are coming 10mins before they happen. It doesn’t do anything to enhance the legend of Dracula and it actually detracts from it. It makes him seem less.

I give it 1/5 Gs.

16 Blocks

Bruce Willis
Mos Def
David Morse
Jenna Stern



PG13           105min           2006

“16 Blocks” is about an alcoholic cop (Willis) that is assigned the grunt work task of escorting a jittery witness (Def) “16 Blocks” from police custody to the courthouse, when outside forces start to intervene to prevent this from happening.

This is an exceptional well-done drama. Great performances from well established actors. A story that is gritty and well define, it’s a moral tale in disguise. It’s a well-timed jog.

“16 Blocks” is a drama that holds upon inspection. You think it might be a good story and once you watch it you realize it was so much more. Not only was it an action adventure but a drama, mystery, and a good buddy film. IT was makes you fell for this character and even when you know what the outcome will be, you hope for the best. This movie doesn’t disappoint.

It has great performances from great casting. With so many great actors, its Mos Def that standout and outshines everyone else. His subtle nuisance of an OCD witness is perfect. It’s your compassion for this character and his plight than makes this movie work. This is one of his best performances and why he’s a talent on the rise in Hollywood.

This story is well defined and keeps you on your toes. It shows one instant of a man overcoming adversity to be a better man; to give someone the help they need to have a better live. It’s shows the double edge sword of morality, how choices have consequences and being a man takes more.

The DVD is packed full of extras and includes an alternate ending that was far better than the original. It fit better with pacing and story told in the framework of the movie. Maybe one day will better our own movie editors and define the movies the way we see fit.

“!6 Blocks” is a great morality action adventure. It has a standout performance from Mos Def in a great acted ensemble film. It’s a story that was well defined, with good character development and characterization.

I give it 4/5 Gs.

Dave Chapelle's Block Party

Dave Chappelle
Kanye West
Mos Def
Talib Kweli
Common
Dead Prez
Erykah Badu
The Roots
The Fugees
Jill Scott

R           103min           2005

“Dave Chappelle’s Block Party” is documentery of him putting together this block party. It follows Dave Chapelle across the country giving out tickets, meeting the neighborhood, and setting up his all-star free block party in New York.

This film is part sketch comedy, party musical concert, and all brilliance; Dave Chapelle puts together one of the best films of 2005. It’s Dave being Dave and giving back to the community. It has the funny, brilliance, comedy found on his show but in every day life meeting everyday people.

He put together some of the best musicians of the hip-hop community; he even got ‘The Fugees’ to reunite after seven years, to perform some of their hits. Even though, you weren’t there you still fill the vibe and you realize just how powerful it must have been to be there live. It features some of the best music and it makes you wish that you were actually there.

DC’s Block Party is right up there with best comedy concert DVD. I want to say thank you to Dave Chapelle for film this journey. It was a experience that I am glad I had and wished that I could have been there live. I can say nobody throws a block party like Dave Chapelle. The party was truly over there.

I give it 5/5 Gs.