Monsters vs. Aliems 3D

view pic with 3D glasses! Courtesy EW.com

Wisdom of the Sages Reviews
Monsters Vs. Alie-ums 3D
A review by Ernest M. Whiteman III

I hope that with animated features, at least, that 3D does not get the bums rush as it did in the 50’s. "Serious" Film people like calling it a gimmick and that studios should focus on better and more original scripts and plots. While I agree with that, I do not think we should entirely dismiss the technology when it comes to some animated or other features, like concert films.

3D worked great with the concert film U23D. Here, with Dreamwork’s latest, Monsters vs. Aliens, it is an asset when the visuals are imaginative and helps sells the size and scope of the environments. It also helps that the story is funny and exciting. No, it is not the next big philosophical ideology or great American Movie, but animation was never supposed to be that. Animation is supposed to be this fun.

The story is about Susan, who is contaminated by a fallen meteorite on her wedding day, which causes her to grow. She is then recruited into a secret government program that simply houses monsters from years past. When aliens invade the Earth, the monsters are called on to fight them; hilarity ensues.

What I liked best about the story is that Susan comes to like being different and helping people and does not want to be rid of her affliction "to be accepted" as so many of these same characters do in these movie situations. She comes to like and appreciate the other monsters, even coming to a life’s realization after her first mission against the aliens.

The flick is filled with great and funny characters and a story that is a loving nod to the genre of 50’s Sci Fi. Plus, it has a great voice cast which helps. This was such a fun movie that Char and I talked about it the whole way home. And that is a great measure in its favor. It pleased my Boo.

High recommendation

Let Me in the Sound

Let Me in the Sound
A review of U2 No Line on the Horizon
By Ernest M. Whiteman III

There seems to be this belief that U2 is somehow irrelevant because they have been around so long. Since the band has gotten so big since their humble Irish beginnings, many people feel that they have lost touch with their "punk" beginnings and are irrelevant. For me, U2 has continued to work hard in putting out quality albums.

The fact that they remain a top act for 28 years is testament to their longevity and strengths. They have outlasted many lesser acts and still do their best to put out the best music they can. Too many want the shiny and new rather than the tried and true. It breaks my heart that there is no new material coming from older acts, that wouldn’t come off as a gimmick or nostalgia tour deal. (Other than AC/DC, another band still putting out new material and rocking.) I am glad Led Zeppelin has not reunited. I mean, their fans would rather they plated all the old tunes in an effort to relive past glories rather than get a new album of material from them. Pity really.

This new album sounds a bit different than what general fans are used too. But so did "Achtung Baby". I remember hearing "The Fly" after years of "The Joshua Tree" and "Rattle and Hum". It was jarring and unlike the band I had come to love. But I stuck with them and was rewarded with songs like "One", "Mysterious Ways", "Zoo Station", and my favorite off that album, "So Cruel".

Since then, I have taken their subsequent albums in with more than the impression made on the initial hearing. Again, rewarded with such songs as "The First Time", "Lemon", "Gone", "Staring at the Sun", "Do You Feel Loved", "Walk On", "Kite", "Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own", "Original of the Species" and all their b-sides and extra songs.

"No Line on the Horizon" has made the same impression. My favorite song is "White as Snow" which has a Sergio Leone vide with its opening guitar riff and horn section. The title track, "Magnificent", "Breathe", "Unknown Caller", and "Moment of Surrender" have made my list of favorite U2 songs. I cannot wait to hear them live. They seemed to have constructed song around Bono’s aging voice. But the passion is still there. It works.

Honestly, I care little if you like U2 or not. It does not bother me that people dislike U2 because of their contrary nature of being a champion of causes as well as rich rock stars. That they find it hypocritical that while Bono makes a ton of cash off his music he tries to help the poor in other countries. We are all contradictions. I live with that daily. U2 still makes really good music, which is more than most acts coming out these days do. They are still trying to be relevant while others fade out as soon as the sales fall. They are still trying, and that is what makes a band like U2 stick around for a long time.

No Line on the Horizon; I have not stopped listening to it. Highly recommended.