It is mid-June and the flick output is not to appealing. Generally I would be psyched for a Jack Black comedy, but Nacho Libre doesn’t even appear funny on the previews. And that is where they blow the only funny scenes! Then there is The Omen. I love horror films to the core, but why would I pay to see a classic duplicated with crappier actors and more eye candy effects?

Yes, I am feeling more unmotivated than usuall to attend the movies. However, I do have a couple of recent flicks to tide things over.

First up is Walt Disney/Pixar’s Cars. The Pixar animation studio has struck gold by producing one hit after another. Critics love them and audiences love them. Cars is being touted as one of the weaker films in the Pixar family. However, I tend to disagree. The latest entry about talking motor vehicles is as worthy, if not better, as its predecessors. Owen Wilson voices a racing hot rod named McQueen that is stranded in a small desolate town where he is forced into community service. While resistant to the friendly local yokels, he comes to learn the error of his selfish ways and discovers of joys of life on Route 66.

The consensus prior to the release of Cars is that the trailers were weak. Indeed they were. For someone like me who despises NASCAR, it was hard to get pumped for previews that feature nothing but slick CGI auto racing. Leave it to Pixar to save the goods until the end. Cars is a touching and hilarious ride for both adults and youngsters. Unlike other CGI lightweights, Pixar adds their stamp of quality that relies on strong storytelling, developed characters, and classy humor. If anyone will pull Disney out of the mud, Pixar will be the saviors.

Grade: A

Next up is an entry on the indie circuit. It is a documentary called The Devil and Daniel Johnston. This tells the story of the title character, Daniel Johnston, who has dedicated his life to creating bizarre music and artwork. Millions of people across the world probably do the same thing, but Johnston is supposed to be unique enough to receive accolade in a documentary. You see, Johnston is a crazy person. He has spent most of his life wondering in and out of mental institutions, while writing songs about insanity, love, and Satan. Despite his inability to strike successful record deals, he is known by various renowned artists such as Nirvana and Flaming Lips.

Daniel Johnston is an interesting subject for a documentary. However, the film’s intent and perspectives create flaws. Friends and family members of Johnston are the only subjects interviewed. They claim he is brilliant. In fact, they compare him with Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and go so far to claim he is more talented than Bob Dylan (not that I really think Dylan is that talented in the first place). The film’s overall message: Daniel Johnston is a brilliant madman. Unfortunately I do not buy it. If this film opened itself up to more sources such as mental hospital doctors, perhaps it would hold more merit. However, it is only a flattering tribute to a mentally sick artist that, in my opinion, doesn’t deserve such high recognition. I suppose this goes to show that any nut job on the street can have a documentary made about them. The question is: will anyone give a crap?

Grade: C