Wall-E is a Must See!

This weekend was a bit of a family retreat to the hinterlands of upstate New York. But we wouldn't let a little thing like a 40 min drive keep us from the movie theater to see Pixar's latest and greatest, Wall-e.

And so without further ado...the top five reasons you should charge up your solar cell and run (don't walk) to go see Wall-e!

#5. The best robot-character ever.

Ben Burtt, gave sound to the Star Wars saga and a voice to one of the most beloved robotic characters in history, R2-D2. He performs the same service for the one and only Wall-e to much greater effect. I know that says a lot, especially from me an unabashed Star Wars fan. But Wall-e's character is riveting, his emotions complex, and his gestures distinct, sure he has more to work with than little R2-D2, but he also owns the screen alone for about 40 min. Which brings me to...

#4. Kids pay attention

Anyone that read an early review knows that the beginning of the film is unlike anything you've seen in recent film making (with the exception of Cast Away), essentially one character dominates the screen for nearly 40 min without the aid of more than one word. My initial fear, knowing this heading in was people, especially young children in the audience might get bored. Let me tell you it doesn't happen. From minute one, the Pixar team pulls out all of their tricks from every Pixar short playbook to keep these kids riveted. Every beep and boop, every stumble, every gaze at the stars, kids and adults alike are spellbound.

#3. Its an adventure.

I won't reveal the plot to you. But this movie kicks in to gear with action sequences that should make Indy 4 jealous. Zooming along the dusty earth, dodging blaster bolts, zipping through space, crowds hurling. Lets just say, you don't want for action from one.

#2. Its a love story.

Wall-e is a lonely guy. I'm not revealing anything the trailer doesn't reveal to tell you that he falls madly in love with another robot. Their romance and their chemistry on screen is the stuff hollywood stars beg for. We are pushing for them from moment one, and despite their metallic bodies and lack of a functioning english vocabulary, we understand them. Their passion is at the heart of this story, and we feel it with them.

#1. Its social commentary on a grand scale.

Wrapped in a package that little children will find attractive is a deep social commentary on our consumer culture, what it does to the planet and to us as we eat and drink more and more, and buy more and more and do less and less. From minute one we see what comes from the damage we are bringing about to the planet. A huge corporation called Buy N' Large is all around care-taker and as people become more and more vegetized to their floating screens as they zoom around in floating chairs, the need for government becomes less and less, BNL takes care of everything. Its a stunning indictment on our potential future. Pixar took a huge risk to create a movie that actually makes be quiet and think and feel and laugh for two hours, luckily they have the chops to pull it off.

Top 5 Reasons You Must See Indiana Jones

If you've spent the last week scouring the net looking for critics opinions on Indiana Jones, then you might be worried about the mixed reviews the film has been getting. While I did not get in on the midnight show, I did have an opportunity to watch the film Friday night with a packed house. The film ended with audience applause, a rarity in the movie theatre nowadays. I promise not to spoil the ending of the film or reveal major plot developments in this list. And, while some people will give you wishy-washy reviews, the "V" List is going out on a limb by saying that there are five reasons you simply must see this movie.

5. Commies!

Nazism is getting old, so let's bring back a group of people that we haven't hated on since Rocky IV, the Russians. Nothing rekindles old hatreds like a good history lesson on the Cold War. It would be anachronistic to employ the services of our typical bad guys the Arabs for this film, so Spielberg returned to the time tested formula of hating on the Reds. Much like other films, the accents are in and out, but after all that's what makes a good Russian portrayal in film. Even Russian actors make the accent sound contrived, so give Cate Blanchett a pass on her Germanic, Russian vibrato.

4. Big Damn Ants:

I love creative deathtraps involving carnivorous insects. The environmental dangers are so much fun in this film and watching our Communist bad guys get eaten alive and dragged back into giant earthen mounds is simply priceless. The only time that insect deaths were done better was in King Kong when the dude got his head eaten by a giant earthworm-centipede hybrid. Big ups to Spielberg for thinking outside the box on this one.

3. Worst Case Scenario: Atomic Blast

How do you survive Nuclear Holocaust? Spielberg provides the answer with the new Indy flick. I must admit, I was sitting in my seat saying, "Oh man these guys are f-ed now." And yet, our writers provided us with a fun, and strangely plausible escape strategy. Nice mushroom cloud, but the fallout rain will be a bitch.

2. The Fedora is BACK!

I will admit that I got goosebumps the first time Indiana Jones' appeared on the screen with a hint of John Williams magic. I felt like a kid again, and regardless of how the movie panned out, I felt like I had been reunited with a long lost friend.

1. Nostalgia and One liners

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will not disappoint hardcore fans, because it ties us many loose ends from previous films. Almost every question that lingered following Raiders, Temple, and Last Crusade was answered. Character stories (save for Sullah) were tied together neatly and you felt like this story had progressed. My greatest fear was that Harrison Ford would be playing a character too young (given the fact that Last Crusade was made in 89) but about 16 years has elapsed since the last movie. Audience members believe that Indiana is feeling his age, both mentally and physically. This is not another "Rocky Balboa" where clearly the main character is trying to accomplish something that is virtually impossible. While you can never compare this film with its predecessors, I promise that the latest Indiana Jones will leave you feeling good about your moviegoing experience. Crystal Skull compliments the series, and will not leave you feeling like this film was a major Hollywood mistake. You will not be blown away, but it's worth the price of admission, and besides there is another Dark Night trailer. What else could you ask for?