DVD Collectors Online

Barnyard, a review by Rich

Barnyard



What really happens on the farm when the farmer isn't looking? In director Steve Oedekerk's (KUNG POW: ENTER THE FIST, ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS) computer-generated animation feature, the farm animals can do everything humans do. They talk, walk upright, buy human contraband from a 'grey market' run by the gophers, and even turn the barn into a nightclub. Of course, they do all of this in secret. The biggest party animal is Otis (voiced by Kevin James), a happy-go-lucky cow who's always up for a crazy stunt or practical joke (bizarrely, the movie is full of male cows with udders). But Otis' carefree attitude doesn't sit too well with his father, Ben (Sam Neill), the barnyard patriarch and protector. While he loves his slacker son, Ben thinks that Otis needs to learn some responsibility if he is to continue his legacy. When the dangerous coyote season arrives and Ben is no longer able to serve as barnyard security, mayhem ensues and the farm starts to resemble an amusement park. Alas, Otis is still too immature to take the lead, preferring instead to woo bovine beauty Daisy (Courtney Cox) and party with his friends. But when push comes to shove, will Otis stand up to the coyotes and protect the barnyard, or will he turn the udder cheek? This coming-of-age tale is bolstered by the human antics of the animals and genuine laugh-out-loud moments for all ages. Wanda Sykes voices Bessy, Daisy's cynical cow friend, and Danny Glover voices Miles the Mule, a sage elder on the farm. Songs by Tom Petty and Peter Gabriel, as well as other artists, elevate the soundtrack above typical children's fare.

Certainly not the best animated film of this ilk, but by no means the worst. Many of the characters were very amusing, but the storyline would be banal even for a small child watching this. The number of laugh out loud moments are too few, and there is nothing groundbreaking in the animation or technique.
Just couldn't work out why the male cows had udders - is it a special breed??? Courteney Cox charater is unremarkable and pretty boring, the best was definately Freddy the Ferret (voiced by Cam Clarke).
 

** Courteney Cox mini-marathon


(From Riches Random Reviews on August 3rd, 2009)

Transylvania 6-5000, a review by addicted2dvd

Transylvania 6-5000
Tabloid reporters Jack Harrison (Jeff Goldblum) and Gil Turner (Ed Begley, Jr.) are sent to Transylvania with two choices: find the Frankenstein monster or find new jobs. But before the jumpy journalists can dig up their big story, they must first face the horrors of an extremely clumsy butler (Michael Richards), a nymphomaniac vampire (Geena Davis) and semi-mad doctor (Joseph Bologna), as well as assorted mummies, werewolves and more Transylvanian oddballs. Can these two bumbling heroes unravel this monstrous mystery or are they in for some very scary surprises?

My Thoughts:
This is a movie I have not seen in a very long time. Not since I first bought the DVD (5 years ago). While this movie has a few laughs in it... I have seen better. It was fun seeing Geena Davis in this somewhat early role. And I must admit she looked great in the vampire costume! Unfortunately I just didn't find the most of what they did very funny at all. But as I said... it does have a few good laughs... and some pretty good stars. It is worth a watch every now and then.


Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTE6As6-tm8

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Comedy-Horror on April 4th, 2009)

"Due South" marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

Manhunt

Another really good episode. I liked the story and I especially liked the guest appearance of Leslie Nielson. He did a fine job. As Tom said... it is a more serious role for him... but yet he still maintains some of the wackiness that we all know and love him for.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on June 28th, 2009)