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tortietiger
Reviews
Escape to Chimp Eden (2008)
Interesting series highlights a devastating reality
Escape to Chimp Eden highlights the tragically real events at Chimp Eden Sanctuary which is co-owned and subsequently sanctioned by The Jane Goodall Institute and the legendary conservationist herself. Chimp Eden is the only sanctuary of its kind in South Africa, where chimps are rescued on frequently dangerous missions by the sanctuary's founder Eugene Cussons. At the sanctuary, the chimpanzees are given large semi-wild environments to learn about life in the wild and develop social relationships with other chimps in the hopes that some day they can return to the wild.
The show highlights the sacrifices and terribly difficult decisions that Cussons has to make for the chimpanzees. Cussons is driven by the terrible reality that chimpanzees are being hunted for bush-meat. When a family of wild chimps is killed for their meat, their babies are captured and sold as pets (if they survive at all). A few lucky ones have ended up at Chimp Eden with a chance of returning to the wild.
This show is important because it highlights, sometimes with graphic footage, the desperate need for the conservation of our closest cousins. Escape to Chimp Eden works not just as a television series, but as a plea on behalf of all the chimpanzees struggling to survive and the humans who sacrifice so much to help them.
Housecat Housecall (2008)
Good tips, so-so production values
This might not be the most entertaining show out there but the information that the host gives out is very helpful in dealing with such common behavioral issues as a cat who wakes up his owners in the early AM or a cat who chews on carpet. The veterinarian host, Dr. Katrina (Kat) Warren, will usually give out some behavior modification tips (more modifying the human's behavior than the pets) such as giving the cat a specific area of his/her own. The production values of the show are substandard and sometimes cheesy but the show itself is still enjoyable. If you're interested in riveting drama this show isn't for you, but if you want good, common sense pointers on living with a feline friend I highly recommend it.
WALL·E (2008)
Rediscover the magic of movies!
When I went to see "Wall-E" I already had high expectations; I hold Pixar films to a higher standard than other films because of their astounding track record of making exceptional movies. I was also optimistic because Andrew Stanton, who wrote and directed another one of my favorite films, "Finding Nemo," was behind "Wall-E" as well. I expected a movie that would be an A+ but what I got was a movie that was A+++! The character Wall-E is one of the most endearing in cinematic history; he's a character you simply enjoy watching and want to spend as much time with as possible. The romance between Wall-E and Eve is one of the most beautiful, romantic, and moving love stories that I have ever seen. You know a film is special when even the end credits are brilliant! As opposed to most family-oriented films which aim to the lowest common denominator (poop jokes and all), "Wall-E" expects the audience to rise to its full potential in understanding the material. This is intentional; in an interview Andrew Stanton said that he believes that audiences want to feel intellectually challenged while watching a film- they just don't want to realize that they're actually working.
I've heard a lot of comments saying that this is Pixar's best film, which is probably true (although all of Pixar's work is, excuse the pun, incredible). Some others say that it's one of the best animated films of all times. This is also true but on an even larger scale I think it's one of the best films of all time. It's as magical and captivating as the original Star Wars and as artistic and unconventional as Fantasia. This is a movie that even the hardest cynic and youngest child can love. Through "Wall-E" I have rediscovered how magical films truly can be!