Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3

English

2010, 103 minutes

5 Stars

Rainy Day needs to state up front, if it's from Pixar, she's biased – her brother works there. Rainy Day loved Toy Story, and Toy Story 2, and saw no reason why she wouldn't love 3 as much – or more, if possible. And she did. Pixar has done a wonderful job in keeping the story alive, and fresh through all 3 films. This is a laugh-out-loud kind of film, with a spot where tears are appropriate. At one point, it did bring to mind a certain Wookie and trash masher sequence;-) Marvelous voice acting by a terrific cast, and fantastic cartoons. If it comes from Pixar or Studio Ghibli, you know you're in for a great movie!

Trailer

Kung-Fu Master

Kung-Fu Master

Chinese, English subtitles

2010, 95 minutes

4 stars

Rated R

First off, Rainy Day has NO idea why the R rating, unless it's for violence but kids get more of that in their daily dose of gaming or television. If you are looking for history, or intellectually stimulating dialog, this ain't it, Babe, this ain't it. If, however, you're looking for some fun kung-fu, then pop the disc in and enjoy. I'm sure there was a story line to it that Rainy Day knew (or thought she knew) at one time, but basically it's just one long fight with many antagonists to our one protagonist. Watch it with your kidlets, or grandkidlets, or even the neighbor kidlets, and enjoy the gaffes. 

For the trailer, click here   

For a short piece on the real Shaolin Kung-Fu, with some interesting comments, go here

The Matrix: Revolution

The Matrix Revolutions

English

2003, 129 Minutes

4 Stars

Rainy Day gives this one a step down in the ratings. She almost gave it a 3, but the other two brought it up. The final battle of Zion v. Machines is almost an hour too long. Neo learns a Truth from the Oracle – that Agent Smith is his dark double. His Ying to Neo's Yang. They are conjoined twins. So, the final fight, between the two is a known outcome. Still, it's fun (much more fun than the Armageddon in Zion). The Wachowski Brother (Writers/Directors) did an amazing job with this series. The FX, the music, the costumes - especially Neo's Soutane, the story, everything is wonderful, and worth the watch, probably more than once.

For a trailer, click here.  

The Matrix: Reloaded

The Matrix: Reloaded

English

2003, 138 Minutes

5 Stars

Zion, the last stand for humans, has been discovered by the machines and Armageddon approaches. Oh, if you haven't figured it out by now, when they're in the long black coats, they're in the Matrix. Anyhow, lots of fun fights, though some get a wee bit old. Still, Rainy Day watched them all. When the fighting got to be too much, she concentrated on the how of the fights, and the choreography, and where did the wires attach;-) Rainy Day wants to know how these movies are made. And, isn't Agent Smith, as a computer virus great?

For a trailer, click here.  

Once Upon a Time in China, Part 3

Once Upon a Time in China, III

Cantonese, English Subtitles

1993, 111 Minutes

5 Stars

Once again Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan, and Max Mok crossed Rainy Day's screen. Ms. Kwan provides the romance element, and does so with style; Mr. Mok is the ever faithful sidekick, Foon, and Rainy Day can't help but wonder if Foon was a name deliberately chosen as a shortened form of 'Bufoon' – he provides the comic relief. And, of course, Jet Li is superb as Wong Fei-Hung. If you've ever seen a Lion Dance during Lunar New Year in your local China Town, you must see this movie. It is filled not just with kung fu fighting, but with beautiful lions dancing. Some reviewers state the kung fu isn't up to par, but Rainy Day still found it beautiful to watch. The theme music is still captivating, oh, and it stars Jet Li.

For a trailer, click here.