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The Dog Stars – Review
The Dog Stars – Budget of $70 million – 1 hour and 58 minutes
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It’s been years since a mysterious illness wiped out most of human civilization. Hig and Bangley defend their property and food by taking watch duties from a tower. Hig dreams of more, but Bangley wishes Hig could see how much they have. Hig flies over to a Mennonite community with his beloved dog Jasper and offers to fix things. As a former mechanic, Hig has a working knowledge of engines and power supply boxes. Hig fixes their power, and they trade him food for his skills. Hig leaves and settles in with Bangley until a few teens trespass on their property. Bangley kills them, upsetting Hig. Hig takes some alone time on his plane and hears a signal from Grand Junction. It’s faint, but it gives Hig newfound faith. Hig returns to the property while Bangley takes watch. Several thieves attack and approach the perimeter. Hig fights on the ground while Jasper bites them. Hig doesn’t see someone advancing from behind. Bangley, from his tower, shoots the attacker, but it’s too close to Hig for comfort. Hig screams at Bangley, but his anger soon subsides. The trespassers killed Jasper. Hig wants to return to Grand Junction and see if their is a better life there. Bangley warns him that staying put is best, but bids him adieu. Will Hig find peace or will Bangley’s fears become reality?
Don’t let the commercials fool you, this film isn’t a horror movie. It is a survivalist thriller with a subtle message about gratefulness. The film lags a bit as Hig goes on his mission but picks up with a shot. The beautiful landscape cinematography breaks apart the dystopian life the main characters live. Seeing the mountains and trees will be your calm before the storm. The viewer understands that Hig misses his wife and unborn child. However, you don’t understand the depths of his despair until he talks about ending his life. And the conversation between Hig and Cima will make you laugh. They discuss missing traffic, music, and grocery stores. They now find beauty in the mundane. The director let the script be quiet so you can appreciate everything around them. The action didn’t disappoint. It was bloody, gory, and cringy. It was the perfect juxtaposition to the scenery. The ending seems anticlimactic, but it’s perfect. Everyone gets what they need, even if it’s not what they wanted.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
Say Cheese – Darlene
At least give me credit for the pieces – Bangley
I count 31 – Hig
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Coyote vs. Acme – Review
Coyote vs. Acme – Budget of $70 – 72 million – 1 hour and 43 minutes
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Wile E. Coyote spends another day trying to catch the Road Runner and fails. He dwells in his cave as he hears a commercial playing in the background. It’s for Avery, Jones, and Maltese Law Firm. They help clients sue for cartoon injuries. Wile gathers his ACME products and runs to their office. Wile meets Kevin Avery’s niece, intern Paige, who takes down his information for Kevin. Kevin’s game plan is to collect the evidence, file the suit, and settle. Wile shows Kevin a mountain of ACME products along with the defective rocket skates. Kevin puts the skates in the box as he argues with Paige. Paige believes they should do more for Wile. During their conversation, Wile grabs the rest of the products and throws them into the box. Witch Hazel lists all the products in the suit. Soon, the lawsuit makes the news as the biggest lawsuit against the ACME Corporation.
ACME’s head lawyer Buddy Crane sees the lawsuit and laughs. He and Kevin were rivals at Harvard Law School. He knows Kevin will settle. Before the meeting, Buddy’s boss, Foghorn Leghorn, travels to headquarters. Buddy assures Foghorn that he will have the papers signed by lunch. Wile and Kevin meet with Buddy and his team. They offer Wile $500,000. However, they don’t take responsibility for their products, don’t admit to causation, and aren’t liable for any future damages. Kevin is happy to sign the contract, but Wile rips it to shreds. He wants to go to court. Paige is ecstatic, but Sal Maltese and Dottie Jones worry. The lawsuit could bankrupt their practice. So even if they win, they could lose everything. Can Kevin take down ACME and keep his practice?
This live-action comedy combines nostalgia and legal drama. The animators carefully wove the animated world into the human world, similar to Who Framed Roger Rabbit (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Also, humans live among the animations without skipping a beat. We know the characters are real and causing havoc. In the human world, each cartoon has a job that aligns with their television personality. It’s comical to watch Foghorn run a conglomerate and see Senator Porky presiding over a case. While this film has slapstick comedy and hijinks, it has a beautiful message with heart. It’s the message that writers have used Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner to convey for years. But we may have missed it between catapults, anvils, and explosions. The director added the 2-D version of the animation for storytelling, but it will strike a chord with original fans. And the backing track includes the classic ‘Beep Beep.’ Fans joked for years that Wile should sue ACME or stop buying their products. This film will explain why he does it. While the movie may not attract new fans, it’s funny, charming, and thought-provoking.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
I eat pets – Wile E. Coyote
Beep Beep – Road Runner
A tax haven so nice they named it twice – Foghorn Leghorn
Did I piss off a witch – Kevin
You think you taw? – Buddy
I almost majored in tunnels – Paige
I’m daffy. The whole world is daffy – Daffy Duck
What’s up, doc? – Bugs Bunny
I taw. I taw – Tweety Bird
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