Movie #377 - FernGully: The Last Rainforest

FernGully: The Last Rainforest
1992 - Rated G - 1 hr 16 min
Director: Bill Kroyer
Starring: Samantha Mathis, Christian Slater, Robin Williams, Tim Curry, Grace Zabriskie, Geoffrey Blake, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Tone Loc

Now that we've got kids, we're starting to collect some of the animated films of our youth.  This one was always a favorite in my house growing up, so I had some fond memories going in for a revisit.  It's a little bit more.... how do I say this?... lame, then I remember. But it still has an all-star cast, so it must've been good for its day.

The environmentalist message is still very relevant, even 19 years (I know!) later. Not much else to report here. This is a fun kids movie that I'm sure my daughter will one day enjoy with lots of songs, a great cast, and a nice, positive message to share.

Is it the inspiration for Avatar? Why don't you be the judge....

Movie #314 - Interview with the Vampire

Interview with the Vampire
1994 - Rated R - 2 hr 3 min
Director: Neil Jordan
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, Thandie Newton

How doI love this movie? Let me count the ways...
     1. little Kirsten Dunst.... amazing
     2. vampires with feelings
     3. Hello, Brad Pitt.
     4. best ending possible
     5. a multi-period piece with some nice set and costume work - I can appreciate that

Honestly, this is my favorite vamp movie.  The new ones are all lame. This is the best.  And, to make it even better, it was made before vampires were trendy. So there, Stephenie Meyer.

But really.  This is a whole cast of emo, homo-erotic vampires played by really pretty celebrities who are all vamped out to look not so pretty anymore. Except Kirsten Dunst who is the world's most gorgeous little vampire.  And again, let's revisit how AH-MAZ-ING she is in this movie. Possibly her best role to date.  How unfortunate for her to peak so young, but how fortunate for us to be able to watch this performance over and over again, if we so choose.

It's not the best movie ever, I can admit that, but I think it's a great ensemble, a really creative premise (remember, this came out before "Buffy," ok?) and a unique way to tell the story. Plus, how deliciously evil is Tom Cruise? And I'm not even a big Cruise fan, but I love this performance.