Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind (2007)

What better way to liven up a stale franchise than to add aliens? Robbie and Donner are on the verge of marriage when he discovers a Nargathron crystal and a message warning him of an extraterrestrial plot that signals the end of the world (or something like that; the plot is kind of incomprehensible). I hate docking animation for lack of vision, but at this point it's diminishing returns.

2 telepathy devices out of 5

Note: Apparently this was an entirely computer-generated special, but it does a good job at mimicking the previous stop-motion designs.

GOD BLESS OZZY OSBOURNE [2011]

God Bless Ozzy Osbourne exposes the life and struggles of the singer like we've never seen it before.

It's a labor of love from son/producer Jack Osbourne to give it more of a deeper insight that at times is awkward and unsettling.  

It goes into the dove/bat incident, Randy Rhoads, being fired from Black Sabbath and the attempted murder of Sharon.  Perhaps what is most shocking, it shows us that the MTV reality show The Osbournes portrayed the family as comedic, while without the silly music and editing, they were really a family on the brink of destruction due to depression, alcohol and drug abuse,   

It's got it's fair share of both laughs and tears and in the end, hope and inspiration.

4 vocal warm-ups out of 5

GNOMEO & JULIET [2011]

Gnomeo & Juliet is Britain's failed attempt to jump on the Pixar & Dreamworks bandwagon.  

Instead of anything original, it's a blatant rip-off of Toy Story & Over The Hedge set to the classic Shakespeare play.  It's filled with bland dialogue, uninspired characters and predictable scene set-ups.  Such a disappointing waste of a near perfect cast.  There's not much here for anybody over 10 years old...and even then, there's so many better films for a 10 year old.

2 purple is the way to go out of 5

Trick or Treat (1986)

A snapshot of a 1980's troubled teen high school heavy metal fan, all lovingly wrapped up in a 1980’s cheesy horror.
I have to admit, re-watching ToT rubbed my nostalgia parts until they got happy. If you have fond memories of Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, W.A.S.P and the girl that you waved awkwardly to in the corridor then you'll maybe experience similar feelings. It’s really good for the first half, but like many horror genre films from that era it gets a little silly near the end. If you can enjoy (or tolerate) the music then seek it out. I need this on blu.

3½ backmaskings out of 5