Gnome Alone (2018) - Movie Review

 

It seems like every year, I come across a stupid animated kids’ film that, for one reason or another, appeals to me where it didn’t for many others. And I proceed to look like an idiot for trying to convince grown-ass adults that it’s worth watching. 2016 had The Angry Birds Movie, last year it was The Boss Baby (I am never going to live that down, it seems), and this year, it looks like it's gonna be Sherlock Gnomes.

While I reiterate that I’m just as surprised as anyone else that that film had anything worth praising, I would also like to state that a lot of the films I cover on here are looked at through the prism of me compulsively watching anything I can get my hands on. Anything good is worth highlighting, same as anything bad, and in the wilds of cinema, know that things can always get worse. What am I getting at with all this? Well, for those who still think Sherlock Gnomes is worthy of Worst Of The Year status, know that it isn’t even the worst gnome movie from this year. Behold the true contender for that title.

Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (2018) - Movie Review

The plot: While every superhero under the sun has their own movie, Robin (Scott Menville) feels like he's missing out. His teammates try to console him over it, but he remains determined: He will have his own movie. All he needs is an arch-nemesis, and with the arrival of Slade (Will Arnett), it looks like he's about to get his wish... but at what cost?

My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) - Movie Review

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a serious connection to all things associated with Cartoon Network, in particular growing up on the legendary Cartoon Cartoons block. From the pre-pubescent spy antics of Codename: Kids Next Door, to the superpowered comedy of the Powerpuff Girls, to the mad science capering of Dexter’s Laboratory, even the surprisingly emotional and poignant messages of Whatever Happened To Robot Jones?; these shows and others helped shape a lot of how I approach and appreciate media, and likely explains why I still hold a lot of respect for what children-centric entertainment is capable of.

 

Where am I going with all this and what does it have to do with anything? Well, considering my own liking for cartoons, including several that aren’t exactly aiming for my demographic, I have never really understood the disdain for bronies. And this isn’t even with hindsight; even at the height of its backlash, the seeming hatred for these people never made sense to me. Hell, I even joined in out of sheer social necessity, but it was always me playing to the crowd; even as the words “screw you, bronies” came out of my mouth, I still didn’t get the rationale of that statement.

With all that in mind, when today’s film was announced, I knew that I’d have to give my two cents on this whole thing before stepping into the realms that traditional masculinity seems to hate with a passion. Sure, I’m not all that familiar with the My Little Pony franchise myself, but I’ve watched a couple episodes of Friendship Is Magic and it’s honestly pretty good. Let’s get into this thing and see if there is something to it beyond “it’s based on a girly show”.