Happy Feet, the newest in the CGI rendered films, features the voice talents of Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, and Robin Williams. (Seems Williams is in every other animated fare thats released) Billed talent aside, it’s the music that makes Happy Feet a visually stunning/tap your feet spectacle.

Since Penguins communicate through their voices (what’s referred to in the film as a “Heart-Song”), the music in Happy Feet is top notch. Covering tracks from Hip-Hop, to classic rock, to Opera. It’s not just the catchy tunes that make Happy Feet dance, it’s the way they intergrate the heart pounding choreography with mash-up style song numbers.

The films several plots are your same song & dance, however one side plot tends to get a little preachy. (Al Gore would give this film a seal of approval). The one feature that sets Happy Feet apart from other CGI Counterparts (Barnyard/Chicken Little/Over the Hedge) is its mix of Live Action and CGI. It’s almost difficult to tell whats real and what isn’t.

So if your in the mood to chill out at the local cineplex: Happy Feet offers a cool time for all. So MARCH (like the Emperor Penguins) to the theatre and tap those Happy Feet on the back of the chair of the people sitting in front of you. (Trust me it’s fun)

Run time:98 minutes — Rated: PG 13 (for some animated peril, and penguin fornication)

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South Park creators Trey and Matt’s WOW parody is available for download.

I’m a huge fan of the show. This episode proves SP is still funny long after Kenny’s demise. If you’ve never played WOW; not to fear: Every gamer will find this episode amusing. It may take awhile to download, so just press pause, leave your page open, and come back in 20 minutes. Now if only Trey and Matt played HALO!

Wanna play Gears of War before everyone else? If you live in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or San Francisco, you can have your chance. Microsoft is partnering up with New Line Cinema and together they are bring you GOW and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning. On Wednesday, Oct 4 if you are one of the lucky gamers that get to see the pre-release screening of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, right after the movie you will get you chance to play Gears of War. All you need to do is register online today at XBox.com or at TexasChainSawmovie.com for your chance to play the game and see the movie. And for those of you that don’t live in those 4 cities, I’m being told that you should check back at the Texas Chain Saw movie website for future events.

Wow, this is pretty cool, I just wished I lived in one of those cities so I could try this game out.

The first one was pure “SHOCK VIDEO”. So how were they going to top it. Well you have to give them an E for effort. JACKASS 2 is back, as if we would ever forget the 1st one, and the gang is reuinited once again. From the opening scene (a mock Running with the Bulls emulation) you know that this will be a train-wreck that you can’t stop watching. From complete gross-out scenes, to the usuall ball crushing, bruise inducing, body mangling stunts; Jackass 2 never lets up.

Johnny Knoxville and Co always seem to find a way to make me keep watching, even though I find myself cringing. I cant say this movie was “better” than the original. (the 1st installment had taken film to a new level) However, this film compliments your Jackass collection (if you have one) quite nicely with such scenes as: Snakes on a Ball-Pit, The Gas Chamber, a Beer-Enema, Terrorist-Taxi, and more…

In one scene a fellow Jackoff states, “Please no Jackass 3!” My gut instinct says he’s got a point. However if there is another, I would be a JACKASS not to go along for the ride!

-CARPAL

So the summer movie season is coming to a close, most movies came and went, but Hollywood saved the best for last. I know what your thinking; how could this “B” titled film be held in such a high regard? Let me explain it with one word: FUN!

Hollywood spends so much time trying to create the biggest bang for their buck that they seem to forget why we go to the Summer Movies in the first place; to be entertained, not to sit through 2 hours of somebody having a blast with an unlimited budget.

Jackson, who put his “BAD MOTHER FU#&ER” Wallet back in his pocket, is in top form here. He is the perfect antidote for this snake-bite freight-fest. From the moment we leave the tarmac, which takes about ten minutes, till the moment we arrive at our destination, there are thrills to be had. Some moments are over-the-top, and others are added to keep you on your toes. However there is never a sense of over-kill. In the tradition of great Summer Drive-In movies, like The Blob, Tremors, and many 50’s and 60’s features, Snakes on a Plane gets you to your destination on-time.

So check your bags and have a safe flight!

-Carpal Out

Living in Alabama, I felt it was my obligation to see this film. I have never actually attended a Nascar event. However, I can honestly say that I have:Â

1. Eaten at a Waffle House.
2. Known kids like Walker and Texas Ranger.
3. Gone to Applebees for a “Special Occasion”

In the film Talladega Nights; Will ferrell and John C. Reilley take on all three of the above mentioned, and more. I also was laughing all the way through. This is the “Caddyshack” of the new era. There are many scenes in which Ferrell reminds us that he never grew up. He has a one track mind. It is on this track that he rips the laughs out of us at a fast pace. Even the ensemble cast excells the speed limit of most comedies.

I went into this film, not being a big fan of Ferrell. However I think his persona was pitch perfect for this movie. I was expecting another slam-fest at Southern culture. Even though the movie does poke at the NASCAR patrons, and their lifestyle, it never does it out of spite. Instead the movie pays homage to a sport that many consider “A way of life”.

In one scene Bobby asks Tom Cruise for help after a fender-bender. I can only think Tom Cruise wishes Ferrell was around to assist when filming Days of Thunder.

-Carpal out

XBL Radio on: Monster House

The movie was shown in the new Disney 3D format. I can tell you it was beautiful to behold. This year, it seems as if every other film is a CGI movie. What makes Monster House different is the way most of us can relate to being young and curious. Most CGI fanfare has CGI characters like green orgres, talking lions, and clown fish. Monster House is reminiscent of last years Polar Express.(Many of the same team worked on Monster House)

This film was a little intense for small children. However if your kids are like mine, where MI3 and War of the Worlds were fun, then this film should be fine. The only thing about this film that denies it a “Thumb-Up” is the feeling that what happens on-screen is not plausible. Even with such CGI films as Shrek, Madagascar, and Finding Nemo, we are in their world. We accept the reality of what we are shown on-screen. With Monster House, feeling so life-like, the imagination of the CGI kids should have run wild. Instead the script runs out-of-control; and we are along for the ride.

MPAA: Rated PG for scary images and sequences, thematic elements, some crude humor and brief language.

runtime: 91 min

MONSTER HOUSE the game now available on:

PS2, Nintendo Gamecube, GBA and Nintendo DS