I'm starting this one a little off topic, but something is [heavy] on my mind and must be mentioned. A friend of mine knew I needed a good laugh, so he sent me a funny article the other day [very thoughtful of him]. The article was written by an unconventional writer who goes by the name of Colin Nissan. I am not sure if this is a pseudonym or if it is really his name, but, whichever is the case, Colin cracked me up. His writing also reminded me that I need to stop holding back. Perhaps, one day soon, I will share this article with you, but for now ... I just want you to know that I promise I will put as much effort as possible toward trying not to filter myself so much that some of the things I write become forced and unnatural. I'm not sure whether or not that has been a [noticeable] problem, but I do know I try to walk a line that is [sometimes] very hard for me to maintain balance on. With all that said ....
My youngest son recently hopped on board to cheer me on for all of my movie review writing glory. He has started stepping out of his comfort zone and is leaving the house to go places with me! Woah! If you are around my age [46] and have kids you might instantly relate to what I am implying here. My son was just like my other three boys for the first 11 years of his life. Meaning, he went to school, just like them. He went places with us, just like them. He even played outside [sometimes] just like them. But once we made the shift to move back to the town where we bought our first house [never sold it - still own it], it was only shortly thereafter that the pandemic hit, and everyone was trapped inside their homes. When we made the move from a slightly larger town to [current] small town life, I had already enrolled my youngest son in a homeschool program. So, the pandemic didn't really have much impact in that respect, since we were already schooling him from home anyway. After our society began to open back up, I chose to continue homeschooling my son. The town I live in doesn't have the best school system, so it was an easy decision for me. The only issue ... my son really never wanted to go anywhere anymore. But [eventually] I managed to get him to come with me to the store and then another time I talked him into going out to eat with us [at an actual restaurant; not fast food] and I finally talked him into going to the theater with us. Guess what? I now have a movie watching buddy and he is super excited about this website, too. He requested a review on one of his favorite animated movies - Monster House. Without hesitation ... I told him I would ABSOLUTELY write a review about this movie.
So, here I am and now that I am here ... I am not sure where to start and that is how everything you have just read came into existence. We all have to step outside of our comfort zone to grow and I always tell other people that, but it is time for me to practice what I preach! The only difference with this review and the others I have written so far, is that I have decided to have my son help me out a bit. I am going to include a little Q & A at the end and include some of his perspective because I believe it will be far more informative and way more interesting than anything I can write. :)
I was first introduced to this movie by my son, Jackson. So, this is dedicated to my little movie buddy!
Horror, Comedy (PG) 1h 31m
Release Date: July 21, 2006
Cast: Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Ryan Whitney, Steve Buscemi, Catherine O'Hara, Fred Willard, Woody Schultz, Iam McConnel, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Kevin James, Nick Cannon, Jon Heder, Kathleen Turner,
Director: Gil Kenan
Writing Credits: Dale Harmon, Rob Schrab, Pamela Pettler
Cinematography: Xavier Grobet
Monster House is an animated horror/comedy about two kids who are convinced that there is something deeply amiss with Mr. Nebbercracker [their neighbor] and his house. Relatable? Come on, you know it is. We all have at least one neighbor [at some point in our lifetime] who makes us scratch our head or one who creeps us out. Mr. Nebbercracker is that neighbor {the 'creeps you out' kind] for DJ and Chowder.
When DJ's parents hire a babysitter to stay with him while they go away overnight, he [along with his best friend] decide to further investigate the situation over at Mr. Nebbercracker's house. DJ's sitter, Zee, is more preoccupied with herself and her boyfriend, Bones, than she is with DJ or his friend, which makes it slightly easier for them to snoop around Mr. Nebbercracker's place.
The kids in Monster House remind me a little of the kids in the 1987 movie The Monster Squad. Am I the only one? I would love to hear your thoughts.
My son, Jackson, told me he thinks this movie is best suited for teenagers. I definitely agree with him, but given the nature and content of the story, I do believe it offers a great deal of opportunity for entertaining adults, too. I have watched it multiple times with Jackson and each time we watch it together, I still enjoy it and almost always discover something new. Jackson has almost every single line memorized [at this point], so he could basically present a live action version of the movie. :)
I recently read a Monster House review on another site and the writer was very negative toward all aspects of the film. It is hard for me to imagine why anyone would have such a negative opinion of this movie, unless they are not fans of horror and/or dark humor. It baffles me.
This particular writer mentioned that the "horror element" of this film was "a bit much for kids." As stated above, my son says this is best suited for teenagers - so depending what this writer considers as a "kid" I can't agree with that opinion, at all.
I will say this much, Buscemi, nails the role of Mr. Nebbercracker. His VoiceOver work is so well done and gives this character so much personality and believability as a "seemingly" bad dude. There is far more depth to that story, though. By the end of the movie you realize that Mr. Nebbercracker is not [at all] what he outwardly seems to be. You will likely find yourself very sad and empathetic toward him.
As the movie progresses, and once Mr. Nebbercracker is no longer at his house, the three friends find themselves in a little deeper than they had anticipated. The two officers that show up [played by Kevin James and Nick Cannon] to "help" actually offer very little in the form of help toward DJ, Chowder, and Jenny. But they certainly add a very comical element upon their entry into the story. I am sure these two characters add another relatable element for so many of us. There will always be a "rookie" on your local police force and there will also always be the officer who should have retired years ago. Well, meet these two types of officers and enjoy the fact that they just-so-happen to be partners. Ha!
The story introduces many other characters and the most mentionable side character [for me - at the moment, at least] is the little girl at the very beginning who is riding her tricycle. This is a DIRECT nod and pays great homage to Stephen Kings opening scene in the original made-for-tv-miniseries IT. I actually had forgotten about that opening scene until I recently went back and watched the miniseries when I was preparing to write my review for the 2017 IT movie. This makes me want to go back and watch Monster House again and pay even closer attention to all the little Easter eggs I have missed during all of my prior viewings. Believe me, there are many viewings under my belt. I think I have watched this movie in excess of 7 or 8 times and still haven't noticed everything. I don't know if that says something about my age/memory or if it is more indicative that I am paying attention to only very specific components with each viewing. To me, that's another sign that this movie is well made. There is so much detail and the story is solid; it actually has depth.
Mr. Nebbercracker is not very friendly to this little girl, but he has a reputation to uphold, after all.
This is a great scene that pays homage to the opening scene in Stephen Kings original made-for-tv-miniseries IT. It took me about six viewings to even notice this, but it gave me great joy when it finally clicked and I realized the nod!
The subject matter of the movie appears to be of a mean old man who harasses the neighborhood kids. Deep down, that is not the case at all. Once you find out why he behaves in the manner in which he does, this is when empathy kicks into high gear. I think that aspect makes the movie worth at least one additional viewing after your initial watch. When the story taps into what some of us go through or have gone through in the name of love, it very rightfully triggers emotions. Sometimes the abusive person in the relationship is not the one you'd expect it to be. Aside from the serious nature of Mr. Nebbercrackers past, the movie is very lighthearted and fun. And for a group of young adolescents to experience these things would be [admittedly] spooky or downright scary! The three main characters were certainly brave souls and that's the reason I compare them to the kids in the movie The Monster Squad. They faced their fears - fearlessly! Ha!
The look and style of the characters is a bit different than a lot of the animated/CGI movies currently on the market. These characters are styled in a manner that reminds you - it is supposed to look cartoony. I believe the creators wanted to make these characters relatable and very boy/girl next door'ish and I believe they pulled it off. It works well for this movie and I think the overall aesthetic is outstanding. Monster House has a grungy feel while also displaying a unique beauty. I give the story, the artwork, the voice acting, the editing, the sound effects and the score an A++.
To wrap this review up ... I am going to present you with a little Q&A with my son, Jackson. We hope you enjoy!!
Monster House Q&A with Jackson
TINA: Thank you for joining me, Jackson.
JACKSON: Glad to be here. Even though, technically, I am always here! [laughs]
TINA: Ha! True! But thank you for taking time out of your busy day to talk with me. Because today we are going to discuss one of your favorite animated movies. Can you guess which one I am referring to?
JACKSON: Monster House!
TINA: But, of course! I have just finished writing a mini-review on Monster House and thought a Q&A would be a nice *added* touch. My first question to you is ... Did you like this movie? [duh]
JACKSON: A lot! It was one of the best animated movies I have seen. It is a real animated classic [to me].
TINA: Nice! So, what makes this movie one of your favorites?
JACKSON:: Because, it is just so iconic. You have DJ (the main character) and Chowder (the side-main character) who is just a goofball), and the other main character called Jenny. Jenny is a little older and she is like the president of a club at school and she eventually comes across Nebbercracker's house. She almost gets eaten, until DJ and Chowder save her. She is basically the smart one out of the three characters. Another thing that makes it great is that some of the other supporting characters make the movie funny. For example, the guy named Skull, who plays the arcade games, cracks me up. Skull is the guy that DJ and Chowder go to for advice on how to destroy the Monster House.
TINA: Okay, cool. So who is your favorite character?
JACKSON: It is a really tough decision, because there are several great characters. But I would have to go with Chowder because he is the funniest one. DJ is great, too. All-in-all they are both really dorky, but very funny. Dj and Chowder make a really good duo.
TINA: I agree! So, what do you think of the "style" of the movie?
JACKSON: That being the way the movie looks?
Tina: Yes.
JACKSON: I'd say it looks good and looks perfect [for the time it was made]. It fits in for an older movie and "old times" and it still works very well for modern times.
TINA: Do you think this movie is for little kids?
JACKSON: There is probably like two moments that make the movie "not for little kids". One involves Nebbercracker's wife when she falls down into the hole. I wouldn't say that part is "kid friendly." And later when the wife's body is uncovered from the cement shell and you see her skeleton.
TINA: Okay ... what is the other moment?
JACKSON: The next part that is closest to being inappropriate for little kids has to be the jokes involving Jenny and girls in general. There is one scene where Chowder questions Jenny when she mentions the house having a uvula. Because of Jenny's uvula comment, Chowder thinks the Monster House is a "girl house."
TINA: Yes, I can see how those would either be "too much" for little kids or go completely over their head.
JACKSON: The uvula part is not actually bad, but it would definitely go over their heads.
TINA: Would you like to see a sequel to this movie?
JACKSON: Well, for starters a sequel would be cool, but they might ruin it because there isn't a formula to go off of that could really make it work.
TINA: I agree. I think a sequel would possibly be a rehash of the original or it could take a dark plunge into an unnecessary storyline that ultimately disappoints. Okay, next question. What is your favorite line in the movie.
JACKSON: I feel like my favorite line would be when Chowder is on the phone and he is talking to his dad and eventually DJ and Jenny enter the room ... Chowder had already gotten off the phone with his dad, but to sound like a "tough guy" he picks the phone back up and says, "Well, dad, why don't you kiss my hairy butt!? Hey DJ, you got the beer?"
TINA: HA! That is pretty funny. A real tough guy. Is there anything else you would like to add and tell our readers?
JACKSON: Well, I think I already said this, but all their personalities are "so good" and they nailed everything about them that makes them so likable. Elizabeth, or should I say, ZEE, she is the babysitter and she eventually drives off to go find her boyfriend, Bones. She's pretty good! Or like the two cops that enter the movie; they are quite funny. They act like cops that don't really want to do much other than "chill" and do random things.
TINA: Funny you should mention that because I wrote something very similar about them earlier in my review. HA!
JACKSON: Really?!? [laughs]
TINA: Yep! {laughs] Well ... I would like to thank you for your help and contribution. This has been a lot of fun, and if it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't have thought outside the box and picked this movie to review. So, thank you very much, Jackson!
JACKSON: You're welcome! Glad to review the movie with you. I will say ... I was the main part of you reviewing this movie, but I am positive you would have still reviewed this movie and did just as good of a job!
TINA: Awww ... How sweet. Well, thank you, Jackson!! Love ya!!!!
Jackson and I give Monster House two severed bloody thumbs up!!! Check it out if you haven't already! Please leave comments below and help support our love of the movie!
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