stenholmgabriel Reviews

Brother Bear 2 (2006 Video)

An average kids movie with above average voice acting.

[6/10 · 12 February 2019]

This is a sequel to the 2003 Disney movie staring the voices of Joaquin Phoenix and Harold Gould. But neither returns for this movie which picks up some time after the first. This time Kenai ( still a bear) must team up with his old love Nita vicoed in swedish by singer Ana Johnsson to travel to Hokani Falls to break a bound they made as kids. They are joined by the annoying cub Koda. The Only other returning characters are the moose Rutt and Tuke. Neither Kenais brothers nor the old shaman fron the first movie return. Instead we are joined by a host of new characters like a sassy medicine woman., Two female moose and Nita's two aunts all well voiced at least in Swedish which was the language i saw the movie in by the likes Eva Bysing and Babben Larsson. One a famous old time singer and the other a well known comedian. The Medicine woman is particularly amusing.

This movie unlike the first one is a love story. And it's a decent if unremarkable one. Maybe this stems from me not being such a big fan of the original. . So i hade low expectations. So i find this to be about on the same level. If not a little better. The animation is good especially for a Direct to DVD movie

There are no big twists or turns. But it's not a bad plot. As love stories go it's a good one for kids and it's not too stupid for adults. One good scene is between Nita and her father voiced by Nikolas Falk from the swedish tv show Tre kronor. The songs are nice if nothing special. No characters sing just like the first movie instead it's inspirational pop tunes played over the scenes. All sung by Ana Johnsson , who has a great voice !

The moose could have been funnier. But on the bright side they could have also been a lot more annoying.

And speaking of annoying Koda actually becomes likable in the end when he makes a really selfless offer. Of course the offer isn't taken. But it's a nice gesture and it woerks out fin in the end. Although i think you could have included some more characters from the first movie at the end wedding scene.

The end is also a bit silly with the bears as guests stading side by side with humans and the raccoon is really nasty and mean spirited before suddenly at the end celebrating the wedding with the others like they somehow became friends off screen. But those are the big flaws.

Overall it's a good kids movie. But not a spectacular one with above average swedish voice acting and good animation. But not a classic.

Fun fact: Eva Bysing who does a voice in this movie played Velma Kelly in thee Orginal Swedis hproduction of Chicago. A role played on broadway by Hispanic star Chita Rivera who gott a Lifetime Achievement award from the Tonys in 2018 and a Kennedy Center Honors award in December 2002. That's quite big shoes to fill.

5,5 of 10

Open Season (2006)

Not that good. But good Swedish voice acting,

[4/10 · 1 January 2019]

This is the story of a bear( voiced by Martin Lawrence in english and Mikael Persbrandt in Swedish) named Boog and a deer named Elliot( voiced by Ashton Kutcher in English and Musical theater Actor Jakob Stadell in Swedish). Boog live with a ranger named Beth in a little town. But one day his Life Change when he frees Elliot who cast been captured by the hunter Shaw( voiced in english by Gary Sinise and in Swedish by award winning Actor Lennart Jähkel)

This was the first movie by Sony Pictures Animation who would later make the Hotel Transylvania movies. This is not as funny as those movies. There is a lot little kids humor. There is pop jokes and fart jokes.

The plot is typical animated movie fare. A road movie with two people who don't like easther. Which can work i LOVE Shrek and Monsters Inc. But there are few funny jokes in this movie. There is course a third act break up,

There was four jokes that made me laugh and i could predicted one pay off involving bigfoot from the moment it was first set up. This not an original movie. And quite a childish one.

But the Swedish voice acting was good. There is a buck voiced by the guy who the Kronk and Stadell and Persbrandt are very good as the leads even Alexandra Rapaport isgood as Beth. The Villain shaw is also well voiced. The stand out is however Stig Engström who does as great job as the Sheriff.

But the plot is predictable and most of the humor is and Unfunny and some are gross.

The animation is not but of course taking into account that movie is 12 years old.

It's not a very good movie. But it ain't awful and the voice acting( Swedish) is good. If you don't care about voice action and don't live in Sweden or just find the typical animated kids movie formuler tedious. Don't watch this. If you have kids you can let them watch it and if you like good Swedish voice acting and ain't too bothered by clinches you can watch the movie with them. But you don't have to seek this movie out. The story is way to bland

4,5 of 10

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)

Pure Disney, Like a christmas version of Alice in Wonderland !

[9/10 · 31 October 2018]

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a really magical movie. Full of Christmas and Magic. Featuring stunning sets and costumes and a good moral. The plot of this new adaptation of the Ballet and the Classic story that inspired it revolves around Clara a young girl who's mother has recently past away. On Christmas eve she discovers , with a little help from her Godfather Drosselmeyer played by Oscar Winner Morgan Freeman , A Magical World consisting of Four Realms each ruled by different regent. Three of the realms are good and peaceful. But one is dark and evil and ruled by the villainess Mother Ginger played by Oscar winner Helen Mirren.

This is the kind of big budget Fantasy movie i love ! The sets and costumes are colorful and intricate, the cast has big stars playing larger than life roles and it has a good moral about believing in yourself and grief.

The movie has magic and a good midway twist. Mackenzie Foy does a good job playing the lead and among the other actors Keira Knightley is a stand out , giveing her character a unique voice and set of mannerisms. The movie also really gives you a christmas feeling with all its snow , Christmas trees and presents. Richard E Grant and mexican comedy super star Eugenio Derbez also does a good job with their roles though both are slightly underused. Misty Copeland's role is also very small and i didn't even notice Miranda Hart. Actually i'm not even sure she was in the movie. Maybe her role has been cut from the finished film. I know there were reshoots. Speaking of shooting. The Director is a country man noted Swedish Director Lasse Hallström. But all the reshoots were handled by Joe Johnston( Captain America the First Avenger and Jurassic Park III). I don't know which filmed which scenes. Special shoutout must go to Two Time Oscar Nominee Guy Hendrix Dyas from his Production Design and Two Time Oscar Winner Jenny Beavan for her Costumes.

It's a really good movie, I highly recommend it !

The Predator (2018)

Well done action movie with an Autistic lead character !!

[8/10 · 21 September 2018]

I saw The Predator in IMAX with dad. And it was Awesome. Stars a bunch fan favorites and character actors including Thomas Jane from The Expanse and the 2004 Punisher movie, Olivia Munn from X-Man Apocalypse and Jacob Tremblay from the Oscar winning movie room.. The story concerns a soldier whose crew gets killed by a Predator.The soldier takes some armor from the creature and the armor ends up with his Autistic son. So he and a group of somewhat crazy Soldiers including one who makes a lot of jokes( Coyle) and one with tourettes(Baxley) must stop the The creature before it gets to his son. The Action is bloody and enjoyable. A lot of gore. The characters have funny dialogue like you expect in a Shane Black Movie. There is a great meta joke about the Creature's name and you even get to see Predator vs Predator Combat. But one thing that elevates this movie that one of the heros is Autistic like me and his autism isn't treated as a bad thing and we arn't made to feel sorry for his dad for haveing or any such stuff. The kid gets to say cool stuff and be part of the action. There are many twists and turns including the reveal of why there are more than one Predator on Earth. The ultimate reval of what the Predator is after and what the Third act climactic battle is about is so dame Awesome and also pregersive. I won't reval it her but i made me clapp in theaters ! Sterling K. Brown from Black Panther and The People v. O. J. Simpson plays kind one dimensional bad guy who Screws to add conflict and but is not really interesting. Trevante Rhodes from 2017 Best Picture Winner Moonlight is also in it and he does a good job. Australian actress Yvonne Strahovski from the popular tv show Dexter and NBCs Chuck is also in the movie playing the Main character's ex-wife and she plays the part well and even get some nice lines. She also seems like a loving mother who accepts her son autism which i appreciated. Boyd Holbrook( known for being the Villian in Logan) does a nice jobb in the lead( Aloutough it would have fun to see Benicio del Toro play the lead like original planned) His character also seems like loving father who again accepts his son so that's good. Shane Black and Fred Dekker's script is good it has both action and humor. I have not seen any of the other Predator movies but i know what they are about. Despite that i could follow the movie well. Overall a fun bloody, action packad god time and agian it is really really nice to have an Autistic lead character ! Also Comedian and actor Keegan-Michael Key is really good as Coyle. I Recommend it. The movie is a 7 but the Autistic kid bumps it up to a 7,5 and that amazing reval bumps up to 8.

So 8 of 10 !

Thumbelina (1994)

Great voice work and lovely movie

[9/10 · 9 May 2016]

A wonderful film. This movie is full of magic and childlike wounder. Don Bluth is one of the masters of the medium of animation and this certainly shows why. The two best things are the beautiful animation the flawless voice acting.

The Swedish dubbing of this movie is amazing and it is not surprising since it is done by Doreen Denning the queen of Swedish drubbings, Every voice fits perfectly this is one of the best Swedish drubbings ever.

This is an animated fairy tale movie done in the classical style where the characters break out into song and love prevails in the end. It works for the young and the young at heart. It has real magic. The movie is not perfect. It doesn't do anything particularly new, the plot is no masterpiece. But the dubbing and animation more than makes up for it.

I think this really is an underrated animated movie that everyone should show their kids and it has one of the best Swedish drubbings of any movie ever!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

A marvelous movie !

[10/10 · 7 April 2016]

A real masterpiece ? This film has the usual stunning Disney animation A simple jet effective story and good characters. It is as impossible to dislike this movie as it is to dislike Snow White herself. The songs are memorable,the dwarfs unforgettable and the Queen menacing. This was one of the first Disney movies i saw, and it is as good now as it was the first time i saw it ! It's timeless masterpiece about a wonderful person(Snow White)and her quest to find love and you root for her all the way.

This also has a great Swedish dubbing courtesy of Doreen Denning the queen of dubbing animated films to Swedish. Her dubbs always keeps high quality! and this is no exception.

This movie comes highly recommended !

Ice Age (2002)

Fun with real heart

[8/10 · 24 March 2016]

This is a fun and well made family movie for all ages. But it's not only fun it also has heart. The story deals with three prehistoric animals trying to get a baby back to This movie is fun with lots of goods jokes but it also has heart in dealing with the mammoth Manny's tragic past and the group's relationship with the baby. This is fun well made family entertainment of high quality.

The voice acting is great the leads all being played by well-known comedians. Cedric the Entertainer is also in there as is future Disney regular Alan Tudyk.

The story is good, The cast is good, It has heart and humor all around a really good family film for young and old a like !

The Swan Princess (1994)

A middle of the road movie

[7/10 · 20 February 2016]

The plot is as follows once upon time in generic there lived a king who very much wanted a child. One day he got one a daughter and decided to marry her off to the son of the old widow queen Uberta. But when the day comes the princess is cursed by an evil sorcerer and transformed to a swan it's up to the prince to save her.

The Plot. The plot is stolen from Disney movies most notably Sleeping beauty but this movie is way way way worse than that masterpiece. The plot is not bad just bland and uninteresting.

The characters. The ones that aren't stolen from other animated movies are dull. Derk is a nonentity and Odette is nice but dull. The villain's your ordinary power hungry magician . The only one that has some life is The queen who is fun and entertaining The voice work is good from the likes Pontus Gustafson(The Jungle Book) , Lars Edström(Professor Calculus in Tintin) and Torsten Wahlund( the Seacrow Island movies) Nothing great but good. It's well done and i have nothing to complain about .The stand out being Christina Schollin as the queen..

The song . The song are a mixed bag some move the plot along like "No Fear while some grind it to a halt like Far Longer Than Forever. No More Mr. Nice Guy is fun but pointless and the actor(Swedish voice) is not really a singer.

All in all The Swan Princess is not bad. But it's dull ,lifeless, pointless and very cliché.If you have kids there are far far far worse thing to put on ( most made in Sweden). But they are also much better things to show them the film is mediocre.

Lucky Luke: Ballad of the Daltons (1978)

A fun well made movie

[7/10 · 7 February 2016]

This is a great animated film that the whole family can enjoy. The First thing you notice is that the film is quite a bit darker than your usual Disney fair. This movie has talk of death , smoking, drinking and satire on religion. It's all played for laughs course.

A good thing with this movie is that if you show it to your kids they'll learn something from it.Lucky Luke almost always use his head and solves his problems with cunning. It teaches children to be smart. The screenwriter Pierre Tchernia was clearly smart when he wrote the film. This is not a stupid movie.

The voice acting( talking about the Swedish dub only have not seen the french original) is great although I think that ans Lindgren(R.I.P.) plays a few too many roles. But it is better than the dubbing of Lucky Luke: Daisy Town where one person played all roles. Which not only is an insult to the movie but also makes it unwatchable in Swedish. The same thing was done in English.

In the end La Ballade des Dalton is a fun well made movie for the whole family that's well worth a watch.

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

A wonderful and mature film

[10/10 · 1 February 2016]

This is art. A masterpiece of animation. Hayao Miyazaki has made a unique and breathtaking piece of film. The plot is a fantasy romance against a war backdrop and it is astonishing.A story of love and curses, a magical adventure filled with wonderful and unique characters.The animation is fantastic but it is Hayao Miyazaki so what else can you expect. The plot is well written but not simple so it may be difficult to follow at times. But Hayao Miyazaki has real talent that no one can deny. A wonderful piece of cinema !, complex and intricate.

A bonus is that it doesn't matter if you don't see it in Japanese. For the English dubb is great as is the Swedish as well.

To conclude an instant classic well worth seeing !

Oliver & Company (1988)

One more great family movie from the masters

[9/10 · 15 January 2016]

Disney has always been good at providing well-made family entertainment high quality. Oliver & Company is no exception. A fun fast paced adventure which boasts a good voice cast Oliver & Company is the kind of great family entertainment we come to expect from the mouse-house. A modern day retelling of Oliver Twist with an all canine cast this is a fun and exciting movie. Being Disney it works for all ages. The animation is good , the songs are good and the characters are lovable and fun. I highly recommend that any parent show this film to their children. No one does it like Disney ! you will not regret it. It's a movie that the whole family will enjoy. Because when it comes to Disney (especially before 2000)you you can guarantee that a lot of care and skill went into the film. Like the man who started the company Disney always gives (With the exception of those dreadful Disney Channel Original Movies and series and Disney XD original series)a hundred percent !

The Muppets (2011)

A good movie

[6/10 · 10 January 2016]

This movie is well made. A whole lot of effort was put into this. The creators cared clear about The Muppets. But can't say I liked it a lot. It doesn't come close to the awfulness of the horrible Kermit's Swamp Years(the textbook definition of a cash grab). It Isn't even bad like Muppets from Space.It's just Meh. My biggest problem is WHY IS JASON SEGEL'S CHARACTER'S BROTHER A PUPPET ?. Did his mom bang a puppet ? Did his mom have a puppet fetish ?. Was she hit by a voodoo curse while she was pregnant ? Was he cursed by a gypsy when he was a child ? explain movie explain !. Too much of the movie focus on Jason Segel guy and his puppet brother. The film is also a bit too melancholy in spots . I didn't think any of the songs were especially good. Not even the Oscars winning one. The worst being the relentlessly chipper and upbeat "Life's a Happy Song".I would say that Chris Cooper is wasted , But i've seen The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and know what it is to really waste Chris Chopper. . He seems to have a lot of fun playing a cartoonish bad guy. In fact everyone seems to have fun from Jason Segel to Amy Adams to all the celebrities they get to cameo( best part of the movie is all the celebrity cameos. although Adams's presence is slightly troubling since it reminds you of Enchanted a much better Disney movie you could watch instead. In conclusion the Muppets is in no way bad. it's quite good. But i didn't particularly enjoy it and there are better family movies out there. But to end this review on a good note i thought the sequel was very funny. So i've just recommend you to see that instead.

The Flintstones (1994)

A well made family film

[8/10 · 9 January 2016]

This is a well made product. The sets , costumes and props are good. The plot is nothing special but it's not bad. It's is not surprising that Steven Spielberg was involved the making of this film since the man is known for quality.

The Actingis good the four stand outs being John Goodman as Fred who fits perfectly ,Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma who IS the character from the carton , Harvey Korman as the bird who has some really fun lines and Elizabeth Taylor of all people as Wilma's mother She is one of the highlights of movie. she is hilarious in every scene. This was sadly her last theatrically released film. on a side note the role of Fred's mother in law was originated by legendary voice actress Verna Felton she played the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella and had many roles in other Disney films until her death in 1966 her last film was The Jungle Book. The other actors are good but nothing remarkable.

This is a good family film that everyone should show their children.

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)

A fun movie

[8/10 · 8 January 2016]

This is a lively adventure. A great family film that everyone should see. The animation is very good filled with lots of movement and speed. the film has both physical and verbal comedy.

The best thing about the movie is without a doubt the villain played by John Cleese because it,s well John Cleese anything he's in is going to be a ton of fun. He is a fantastic comedian and actor. John Cleese turned down the role as Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast to play this role. John Cleese as Cogsworth would have been amazing. But he is great in this movie, and it would not have been half as good without him. Amy Irving is also in the film playing a saloon singer and and her voice fits perfectly. James Stewart is also on hand in his last role as an old sheriff. But even though he is good in the role, his part is relatively small. I could take or leave the cat Tiger played by Dom DeLuise(Robin Hood: Men in Tights ,The Twelve Chairs )His character never did much for me and the subplot with the Indians felt unnecessary.

The animation is very good as I said before bringing the old west perfectly to life while also having some good slapstick.

All in all a very good family film that both you and your children should see,well made and fun. Also although I have not seen the Swedish dubbing, I'm sure it's very good because it is written and directed by the Queen of animated dubs Doreen Denning who has done many of the best Swedish dubs of animated movies ever. So if you are a Swedish parent, you can feel safe to show the movie to your children. The dubbing is undoubtedly very good

An American Tail (1986)

A charming film

[9/10 · 8 January 2016]

This a very good animated movie.The animation is fantastic and it is full of colorful characters. The film is lively and full of adventure and excitement. The majority of the characters are memorable with distinct personalities. And to bring these characters to life some very good actors have been selected like Hal Smith(the original voice of owl in Winnie-the-Pooh). New York City is beautifully brought to life. The animation is really top class.

This film is most reminiscent of Pinocchio in structure. What with our innocent protagonist wandering around in a strange new world meeting various characters some good,some bad and like that movie An American Tail is an episodic story. But it is well told with class and finesse.

Of course it has bad things about it. And there are some plot conveniences.the character of Tony is relentlessly annoying and you just want him to shut up.Also in the beginning the main character does an incredibly stupid thing involving a hat. but i guess he gets to paid for it big time after.

But overall a great film well worth showing your kids or just watch yourself. Also, I'm not a hundred percent sure but I think the Swedish dubbing is very good so if you are a Swedish parent definitely show this film to your children without missing much. However, I have not seen the dubbing myself but I'm pretty sure it's good. So check that out Swedish parents.

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005 TV Movie)

A fun Muppet movie

[7/10 · 7 January 2016]

This is a fun Muppet take on the classic story. In this movie The Muppets take on The Wizard of Oz in a great parody that is both charming and smart. Ashanti plays Dorothy Gale a farm girl who dreams of becoming a singer. One day she is swept away to the magical land of Oz. Toto is here replaced by prawn played by Pepe the King Prawn. Rizzo the Rat plays the Mayor of Munchkinland and all the Munchkins are played by his rat family. Kermit the Frog plays the Scarecrow and he is great as Always (You can't help but like Kermit the Frog). The Great Gonzo is the Tin Man and Fozzie Bear is Cowardly Lion/Bear.

This movie is closer to the book than the 1939 movie including elements like the wizard telling Dorothy to get the wicked witch of the west's magical eye rather than her broom and and there being four witches instead of three. Miss Piggy plays all the witches and she is one of the best parts of the movie.

This is high-quality family entertainment.But what else can you expect from Disney.The film is full of clever jokes and lovable characters. This is a film that both young and old will like and can be rewatched many times. This movie comes highly recommended ! and look out for a surprise cameo.

Life of Pi (2012)

Spiritual nonsense

[4 December 2015]

A piece of complete bullshit. This movie is bad. It thinks it says something profound. But it doesn't. It's a bunch of crap. The film purports itself to make you believe in God. But it doesn't If anything it turns me away from religion. The main character is annoying ,the plot is boring and the message stupid. The film looks pretty. But there are far more beautiful movies that came out in 2013 like The Great Gatsby and films with better effects like The Lone Ranger and Man Of Steal. If you wanted to see a really well-directed film in 2013, You could just watch Iron Man 3. Oz the Great and Powerful came out the same year and it had a better script. And if you were not in a Blockbuster- mood. You could always see The Wolf of Wall Street which is a much better movie. That year also offered American Hustle. and Woody Allen had a new movie Blue Jasmine. So there was no good reason to see Life of Pi. In the end Life of Pi is a pretty but pointless movie. A complete waste of time.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

A fun family film

[3 December 2015]

An entertaining family film. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a good movie , what is most noticeable is the appearance. the Oscar nominated Production and Costume Design is great. The Oscar-winning makeup looks fantastic. The Cinematography by the late Donald Peterman is clever and inventive. The film is big , colorful and fun. Jim Carrey is in top gives an excellent performance. What is not as good is the script by Who Framed Roger Rabbit writers Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. It has funny jokes. But not a good plot the backstory for the Grinch was unnecessary and not especially original. And i don't like the message. In the book and the original Christmas special "Try to be more like the who'sin your view of Christmas." In the film it is "Don't be like this in your view of Christmas." It is the difference between someone which gives a good advice on how to be and someone saying what shouldn't do. In the end is still a film that the whole family should sit down and watch at Christmas. It may lack in story. But it makes up for it in visuals and in Jim Carry's performance and there are worse children's films to see like Ulvesommer.

Bad Santa (2003)

A great Christmas movie(for those who can stomach it)

[10/10 · 28 November 2015]

Great comedy and if you watch The Dricetor's Cut it works as character study. This movie is brave and bold. It's unlike any other Christmas movie out there. It's not a sweet story of the spirit of Christmas. But a dark twisted comedy about a man who is broken and the despicable things he does. Hollywood rarely makes movies like this. Of course when you have a movie that is so different the studio will be concerned about how the film will do. In Bad Santa's case the producers went back and filmed additional scenes to make the movie more mainstream. As for which cut you should see If you want a good comedy See The theatrical cut.If you want a complex character study see the director's cut. In the lead role, we have Billy Bob Thornton, who does an excellent job, he brings the right level of patheticness to the character. As his sidekick, we have Tony Cox (Spaceballs, "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Beetlejuice) He has good timing and the acting is solid . The kid is played by Brett Kelly who does a great job for a child actor. Marcus(the sidekick)'s wife is played by Futurama 's Lauren Tom, and she does a good job. Lauren Graham plays the love interest and she is good. But she has a pretty small role. Comedian Bernie Mac and veteran actor John Ritter also have supporting roles. This is in fact John Ritter's last live action role Also, keep an eye out for a famous actress of old age and Lois Griffin's voice Alex Borstein. But the real star here is the script written by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa and rewritten by the movie's director Terry Zwigoff and the Coen Brothers. It's smart and does not talk down to the audience. And it is also fresh.It is not something that has never been done before. More something that is not done very often. It is not only a raunchy comedy. It is a movie that have something to say The script has meaning. The film has meat. In the Bad Santa makes for unique holiday viewing. Well worth watching at Christmas.