Gary Wolcott's "Mr. Movie" column has appeared in the Tri-City Herald since 1992. The Tri-City native now lives in Portland, Ore., and watches about 250 movies each year. This member of Portland's association of movie critics, Far From Hollywood, believes movies are made to be seen on theater screens and should be seen there and not on television screens. Have a question for Mr. Movie? Click on "Add Comment" below. Mr. Movie has joined Twitter. Follow him here.
This is not to say the animation isnt terrific. It is. Were all spoiled now by a series of great 3D flicks and two dimensions just doesnt cut it anymore.
Heres the set-up. American astronaut Capt. Charles T. Baker lands on what he thinks is an uninhabited planet. He plants a U.S. flag in the middle of the yard where the planets inhabitants are enjoying a barbecue. On a societal evolutionary scale they are in an era similar to our 1950s. Most think all aliens will eat their brains or turn them into zombies.
Fun idea. So is the whole 1950s sci-fi spoof.
It works for about 20 minutes.
And only if you grew up in the 1950s to juke boxes filled with rock and roll including Sheb Wooleys The Purple People Eater, remember the early fears of the space race and that our country dug the heck out of great sci-fi flicks such as War of the Worlds, It Came from Outer Space, Invaders from Mars, Invasion of the Bodysnatchers or The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Once the novelty wears off, Planet 51 turns into a common animated feature with common animated feature plot lines, characters and dialogue. The former bobby socks and blue jeans crowd will be as bored as the children of 2009.
Mr. Movie rating: 3 stars
Rated PG for mature themes. It opens Friday, Nov. 20 at Regals Columbia Mall 8 and at the Fairchild Cinemas 12.
5 stars to 4 1/2 stars: Must see on the big screen
4 stars to 3 1/2 stars: Good film, see it if it's your type of movie.
3 stars to 2 1/2 stars: Wait until it comes out on video.
2 stars to 1 star: Don't bother.
0 stars: Speaks for itself.
There will be a public star-gazing event from 8 to 11 p.m. Oct. 1 at the LIGO Hanford Observatory in Richland.
The Tri-City Astronomy Club will provide telescopes to visitors who can look at planets, stars, star clusters, nebulae and neighboring galaxies. There is no cost.
Patricia Lyon takes care of people's little furry friends all year, as a veterinarian at the VCA Vineyard Animal Hospital in Kennewick.
But once a year, Lyon follows a higher calling and helps some of the poorest people in the world take care of the animals who sustain them.
Lyon just returned from her 15th volunteer trip for Christian Veterinary Mission, a Seattle organization that sends veterinarians to some of the most desperate regions on the planet. The animal doctors not only treat livestock at their destinations -- they train communities to help themselves, making the aid self-sustaining.
The Lorax, perhaps the most famous anti-industrial crusader from children's literature, is getting support from companies that are willing to go green.
Star of Bethlehem will be focus of CBC event Tuesday
PASCO -- An engineer from Hanford will give a explanation of the Star of Bethlehem on Tuesday at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
Murray Thorson, an engineer with Washington River Protection Solutions, will explore the occurrence that led "the three wise men" to Bethlehem.
Thorson also will explain the difference between stars, comets, novae and super novae. His free presentation begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday on the HUB main stage.
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