FILM RECOMMENDATIONS: NOSTALGIA (1971-2009)
20th Century Fox |
Age Certificate: PG
IMDb: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90/100
Plot
Edward, a synthetic man with scissor hands, is taken in by Peg, a kindly Avon lady, after the passing of his inventor. Things take a turn for the worse when he is blamed for a crime he did not commit.
Review
Like how you would know you're watching a Christopher Nolan film based on the practical effects that is used on a large scale or watching a Michael Bay film from the number of explosions you see on screen, you would recognise Tim Burton's signature style in film. It is what differentiates his films from others and is called 'Burtonesque' because of the specific aesthetic he has for all his films. The visual aesthetics for this film is filled with bright coloured houses whereas the main character, Edward, has a dark academia look to him. The contrast of the film conveys that the town people are friendly whereas Edward is not. However, that is not the case when you watch the film; the colour palette fools the audience into stereotyping, associating colours to good or bad. There are multiple hidden meanings behind this film, therefore is worth the watch.
My rating: 8.9/10
Lacewood Productions, Boulevard Entertainment, Warner Bros.
Age Certificate: PG
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 14/100
Plot
An adaption of the classic tale of a girl's dreams turned reality when her new toy turns out to be a young man placed under a curse.
Review
I've watched this film a couple of times when I was a child and it reminded me a great deal of 'Coraline'. A horror film disguised as a fun animated fantasy film for children. The aesthetics for the film is however very light-hearted and is still a fun film to watch before sleep (as a child).
My rating: 6.5/10
Lorimar Television, DawnField Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Age Certificate: 15
IMDb: 6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 67/100
Plot
In 1960, seven preteen outcasts fight an evil demon that poses as a child-killing clown. Thirty years later, they reunite to stop the demon once and for all when it returns to their hometown.
Review
I've watched this version of 'It' after watching the latest version in cinema. Both versions are great and have their own style of storytelling but I do have to say, the book has more detail and is a lot more gruesome. The story is filled with psychological horror and thriller but what makes the narrative interesting is how grounded the lives of the main characters are. There is so much depth behind each character that you may empathise with them. Pennywise may not look terrifying in the 90's version but the actions are.
My rating: 7.5/10
20th Century Fox
Age Certificate: 12
IMDb: 6.8/10
Plot
A parody of 'Top Gun' (1986) in which a talented but unstable fighter pilot must overcome the ghosts of his father and save a mission sabotaged by greedy weapons manufacturers.
Review
During a time when the film industry didn't care too much about the logistics behind a film's narrative; this film is a spoof of 'Top Gun' (1986) and really does not take itself seriously. Though I do prefer the sequel to this film, it is still comedic probably because of Charlie Sheen's emotionless facial reaction to all the hilarious things happening in the background.
My rating: 6.8/10
Amblin Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Age Certificate: PG
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 91/100
Plot
John Hammond, an entrepreneur, opens a wildlife park containing cloned dinosaurs. However, a breakdown of the island's security system causes the creatures to escape and bring about chaos.
Review
The film that changed visual effects after 'Star Wars'; there is an episode of 'The Movies That Made Us' on Netflix that goes behind the pre-production and making of this film and I for sure can say I've learnt a lot about the film. Not only does the dinosaurs look real enough to scare you as a child and as an adult, the story (based on the book of the same name) is so complex and the dialogues are so interesting enough to have further conversations about the morality of bringing dinosaurs back to life. The movie begs the question 'Should we have the power to bring back a species of extinct animals?' The film turns into a franchise and we get to see the further complications of human error.
My rating: 9.5/10
20th Century Fox
Age Certificate: 12
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 57/100
Plot
After retiring from the United States Navy, Topper Harley, a war hero, becomes a monk. The CIA sends him on a mission to Iraq to save the last rescue team and the hostages held captive by the Iraqis.
Review
Much like it's first film, the comedy is there and a lot better than the original film. There is a lot more parody and iconic references to other big films which is fun. The last time I've watched this film, I don't remember much of the storyline, because I was too immersed to the comedic scenes, but what I do remember is that there was a lot of war theme going on.
My rating: 7/10
Sheen Productions, TriStar Pictures
Age Certificate: PG
IMDb: 4.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 15/100
Plot
Three brothers, Rocky, Colt and Tum Tum, travel to Japan to help out their grandfather Mori Shintaro after a childhood rival dispatches his henchmen to retrieve a prized dagger from him.
Review
My least favourite out of the '3 Ninjas' series, mainly due to the fact that the main cast had changed apart from Max Elliott Slade. Though Colt was my favourite character out of the brothers, I would have still liked Michael and Chad to have done a trilogy together. That being said, the film may not have been the best out of the series but it still has the classic 90's feel with its comedy and adventure.
My rating: 5/10
Wolper Pictures, Paramount Pictures
Age Certificate: U
IMDb: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 91/100
Plot
A poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory.
Review
Though I prefer the 2005 film version of the book 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' for many reasons (staying true to the book's narrative for one), the original movie is a timeless classic. The film has iconic and wise quotes and is overall a fun family film to show to a new generation of kids.
My rating: 7/10
Amblin Entertainment, DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures
Age Certificate: PG
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 48/100
Plot
When missile technology is used to enhance toy action figures, the toys soon begin to take their battle programming too seriously.
Review
An underrated classic and product of the 90's; 'Small Soldiers' does a great job at creating a fantasy action film for the family. A great way to sell toys may I add. I feel like this movie is overshadowed by the 'Toy Story' franchise because it has a similar concept of toys coming to life, however, this film is a little more 'mean' than Disney therefore both children and adults can appreciate it. The pace of the film is slow but that gave us detailed narrative and characters / action figures to invest in and the CGI looks great considering it is a product of the 90's, a time of VFX development.
My rating: 6.8/10
Laika Pandemonium Films, Focus Features
Age Certificate: PG
IMDb: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90/100
Plot
An adventurous 11-year-old girl finds another world that is a strangely idealised version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets.
Review
A big fan of stop motion animation but also the dark horror fantasy genre that produced films like 'Coraline' and 'Monster House' (2006) which is my other favourite children horror film. The film may be predictable; with familiar tropes of finding a reality where all your dreams come true or in other words 'a better life'. It seems too good to be true that you are waiting for the plot twist. That being said, the film has a lot more layers such as having many deeper meanings and a good moral at the end of the story that is being grateful for what you do have. It has a dark tone which makes the film more fun for both parents and children.
My rating: 8.6/10
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Writing these reviews bring back nostalgia and good memories, they are some of my favourite films that I can't watch for the first time ever again. 💙
Sabina 🦁
