Toy Story 3 (2010) G - 4½ Stars

Geeze what a cute movie that seems to end the series while tugging at the strings of your heart. Buz and Woody are back at it in Toy Story 3. This time Andy (John Morris), is all grown up and going away to college. He has to decide what to do with the items in his bedroom before he leaves. Gathering up all his childhood toys, he decides to put them in the attic for safe keeping. But the bags get switched and the toys end up at Sunnyside school where new toys are forced to play with the young children who don't know how to take care of them. Woody leads the gang into a daring escape to find there way back to the safety of the attic. Toy Story is one of those movies where the sequels are as good as the original. I still have some of my very favorite toys from my youth and of course when I look at their tiny smiling faces, I know I could never part with some of them. A great family adventures for the young and old alike. Perfect G rating.

Featuring Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles, Rex (Wallace Shawn), Mrs. Potato Head, (Estelle Harris), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Barbie (Jodi Benson), and new members like Ken (Michael Keaton) and more.

Awards include:
2010 - Austin Film Critics - Best Animated Feature
2010 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Animated Feature
2010 - L.A. Film Critics Association - Best Animated Feature

Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Lee Unkrich
Writers: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, Michael Arndt
Producer: Darla K. Anderson

I viewed 10/11

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls Of Ga'Hoole (2010) PG13 - 3½ Stars

Beautifully created animation of some of my favorite creatures, the owls. The animation in the owls faces and feathers are really great and so real looking. In some cases it looks like the faces match the voices that bring them to life. However, I am not sure this movie is for small children but more for a mature audience. The conversations between owls, is a little too complex for small minds and it actually is pretty violent in the fighting scenes. Not having children it's hard for me to critique what your choice should be, but I think the animation can still allow them to enjoy the movie. Also, I was unable to see it in 3D and it looks like it has some neat special "in your face" effects. All in all, a cute little movie, beautifully done, about good winning out over evil, faith and family rivalries.

Two young brother owls Soren, (Jim Sturgess), and Kludd, (Ryan Kwanten), are just learning to "branch," flapping their wings to practice flying. Mom and Dad tell them of stories about the Guardians of Ga'Hoole to help them fall asleep. Soren always stares in awe over the stories and dreams about becoming just like them. After their parents have gone to find food, Soran and Kludd who should be in bed, keep practicing. But they haven't yet mastered the art of flying and find themselves on the ground below, leaving their young sister Eglantine, (Adrienne DeFaria), alone in the nest. This is one place an inexperienced owl does not want to find himself as many dangers lurk in the dark on the forest floor. From out of the dark flies a pack of the dreaded Pure Ones who snatch Soren and Kludd up taking them far away to St. Aggie's, St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls, where owlets are moon struck, brainwashed and trained to comply. The Pure Ones are trying to eliminate all owls of the forest and use them as Soldiers or Slaves. The Soldiers will be trained to defend the army of the Pure Ones while the Slaves will pick through regurgitated pellets to find sparks to add to the giant energy field that defends them. Soren and Kludd get separated as Kludd decides he wants to join with the enemy and denounces his brother sending Soren to the depths of the pellet pile. Soren and his new friend Gylfie, (Emily Barclay), escape with the help of one old owl Noctus-Grimble, (Hugo Weaving), who's hoping someone can finally get away. They head towards the sea in search of the guardians of Ga'Hoole to warn them what evil Metal Beak, (Joel Edgerton) and Nyra, (Helen Mirren), are doing with young captured owlets. While stopping to rest, Soren and Gylfie meet Digger, (David Wenham), and Twilight, (Anthony LaPaglia), who have just settled down to enjoy a meal of Soren's good friend and snake, Mrs. Plithiver, (Miriam Margolyes). Soren convinces Twilight not to eat Miss Plithiver and instead join them on their quest to find the guardians.

Arriving at the tree of Ga'Hoole they meet Ezylryb, (Geoffrey Rush), the old wise guardian who sees something special in Soren. He trains Soren for a great mission to rescue and save the kidnapped owlets and stop the Pure Ones from their wrong doings. Soren finds the strength to become as great as the guardians he looked up to.

De Line Pictures, Village Roadshow, Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Director: Zack Snyder
Writers: Emil Stern, John Orloff, John Collee
Producer: Zareh Nalbandian

I viewed 12/10

Despicable Me (2010) PG - 4 Stars

Once again, little girls have a way of finding the hearts of even the most villainous types of men. Really wonderful animation, cute story line and the greatest yet strangest bunch of minion workers you've ever seen. Together they form the perfect dysfunctional family. You gotta love Despicable Me! It's the perfect family film.

Gru, (Steve Carell), has been the leading villain of the day until the great Egyptian pyramids are stolen. He's jealous of Vector, (Jason Segel), the up and coming geek whose antics have surpassed Gru, posing a challenge. For his entire life, Gru has dreamt of building a rocket to the moon even though his mother (Julie Andrews), has always been less than in encouraging. To prove her wrong and get back on top, he only needs to get his hands on an amazing shrinking weapon. Once that's done, he can rocket to the moon shrinking it down to size and stealing it, putting him back on top of the number one villainous list. Bank president Mr. Perkins, (Will Arnett), refuses to loan Gru the money needed to construct such a perfect weapon. Gru learns Vector has the incredible shrinking gun. Even with Gru's enormous team of dedicated half wit minions and a mad scientist Dr. Nefario, (Russell Brand ), Gru discovers entrance to Vector's fort needs a softer approach. Gru visits Miss Hattie, (Kristen Wiig), and adopts three little cookie selling orphan girls, Margo, (Miranda Cosgrove), Agnes, (Elsie Fisher), and Edith ,(Dana Gaier), to gain access to Vector's fortress to steal the weapon. After all, who can resist cookies! Now, with shrink gun in tow, Gru pulls off the greatest heist of the century only to find out his mission was really learning the lessons of fatherhood.

Illumination Entertainment, Skywalker Sound, Universal PicturesDirectors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, John Cohen
Writers: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio
Producers: Janet Healy, Christopher Meledandri, John Cohen

I viewed 12/10

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) PG - 2½ Stars

Oh Alvin, You know I love you dearly and have ever since you came out way back in the 60's. I even liked your first animated movie. However, can you tell Dave, to not allow you to make any more like this one. Or maybe I should say I've gotta stop renting anymore of these. I guess the kids might think it's funny as they like things like farting under the covers, and getting into trouble but you're first one needed no sequel much less a squeakquel.

This time Brittany (voice of Christina Applegate), Eleanor (voice of Amy Poehler), and Jeanette (voice of Anna Faris), join Alvin (voice Justin Long), Theodore (voice of Jesse McCartney), and Simon (voice of Matthew Gray Gubler), in a battle of The Chipmunks vs. The Chipettes. There's a cash prize up for grabs for the school as well as bragging rights on who's the better performers. Dave's (Jason Lee), in the hospital so this time the Chipmunks will stay with Toby (Zachary Levi).

Fox 2000, Regency Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Distribution
Director: Betty Thomas
Writers: Glenn Berger, Jonathan Aibel, Jon Vitti
Producers: Janice Karman, Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.

I viewed 4/10

Alice in Wonderland 3D (2010) - 4 Stars

Wow, when I was reading some of the critics reviews, they were pretty hard on poor Alice saying it's been done before. I have to admit, I've never seen any Alice in Wonderland movies even as a little girl. Maybe my parents kept me away from Alice with her strange friends like the tripy blue hash smoking caterpillar. I did know the story and I think Tim Burton did a great job bringing it to 3D life. I absolutely adored the Red Queen, Helena Bonham Carter, and Johny Depp made a great Mad Hatter. Mia Wasikowska made a lovely very believable Alice and I enjoyed the movie very much, especially in 3D.

A 19 year old Alice (Mia Wasikowska), chases TMC Twist the White Rabbit (voice Michael Sheen), through the woods until she falls into a large hole. Ending up in Underland , she knew as Wonderland as a little girl shes visited before. This time as she's being chased by the ferocious Bandersnatch, she can't pinch herself to wake up like she did as a child. Along the way she meets her old friends Tweedledee and Tweedledum (voice Matt Lucas), Mallymkun the Dormouse (voice Barbara Windsor), the blue Caterpillar Absolem (voice Alan Rickman), Chessur the Cheshire Cat (voice Stephen Fry), and of course, has tea with the March Hare (voice Paul Whitehouse), and the Mad Hatter, (Johnny Depp). But this Wonderland is control ed by the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), and her ruthless army run by Ilosovic Stayne, The Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover). Before Alice can leave, she must defeat the Red Queen giving power back to the beautiful White Queen (Anne Hathaway).



Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Distribution
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Linda Woolverton
Producers: Jennifer Todd, Joe Roth, Richard D. Zanuck

I viewed 3/10

Up (2009) PG - 3½ Stars

The best thing about this new animated comedy is the bond between the grumpy old man and the determination of the young boy to befriend him. It also helps teach children to be respectful to their elders and all animal types, the importance of keeping your promises, loyalty, and friendship. It's very sad at the beginning but I hope maybe gives children the perspective of not forgetting the elderly. Your kids probably won't get this powerful message but there 's plenty of laughs and action for the entire family to keep everyone entertained. The 2D animation is so good in depth perception that a few times when they got close to the edge, it gave me the chills.

Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), has always dreamed of being a great explorer of the world living life to it's fullest just like his idol Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer). His wife, the love of his life, had the same ambitions and vowed to somday have their home perched high atop Paradise Falls in South America. When she passes away, Carl, now 78, is faced with Construction Foreman Tom (John Ratzenberger), telling him he has to vacate his home as he is impeding s the progress of growth in his neighborhood.

Appearing as just another irritation to Carl, a young rambunctious 8 year old Junior Wilderness Explorer named Russell (Jordan Nagai), is determined to gain his senior citizen badge by helping Carl with anything he needs. Becoming all too annoying for Carl and with his determination to fulfill his lifelong wish, he invents a way to relocate his home to South America without ever leaving it. But when he finds Russell clutching to his front porch as an uninvited stowaway, he must find the strength to keep the young boy safe.

The house touches down in the land of an abnormalities where the two meet an odd looking bird, Kevin, and mans best friend Dug (Bob Peterson), a talking dog, obsessed with squirrels. Carl and Russell's friendship grows as they meet, and must outwit, a ferocious pack of dogs, led by Alpha (Bob Peterson), and Beta (Delroy Lindo), and Gamma (Jérôme Ranft).

Nominated for 5 Oscar's - Awards Include:

2009 - Detroit Film Critics Society - Best Picture
2009 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Original Score
2010 - Academy Award Winner - Best Animated Film
2010 - Academy Award Winner - Best Original Score

Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Directors: Pete Docter
Writers: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Producer: Jonas Rivera

I viewed 3/10

Avatar (2009) PG13 - 1,000,000 Stars

The only word I can think of to describe this film is In-Fuc*ing-Credible!!! I guess I haven't gotten out much to a movie theater lately to realize how far technology has taken us in 3-D. Awesome, truly awesome as the entire movie clings all around you. Even down to the smallest details of a spark or ash seeming falling into your hands. Visually stunning, I swear they looked inside my head and produced my magical places I go to in my head, and made them even better!! The seed pods look like jelly fish one of my extreme favorites. And the story is amazing too, as it reaches out and touches every sense of your being. I hope everyone walks away with it's powerful message. We can't continue to destroy all the natural beauty on this planet or any other planer or drive any type of life form to extinction for the sake of any mineral or ore.

I had a hard time catching my breathe and cried at the sad ending and I don't think I have ever been as entertained by a movie before. Bravo, James Cameron, Bravo. Everything you can want in a movie and more. Yes it was long, almost too long, but an Academy Award Winner hands down.

On the planet of Pandorra lies an extremely valuable ore that a mega corporation is trying to mine. The problems are, the air on this planet is not breathable to humans, the creatures will hunt you down and eat you and if they don't, the Na'vi, hunters of an indigenous tribe, will. Too disturbing and violent for young children to understand.

Ex war veteran Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), is wheel chair bound and offered the job of replacing his slain twin brother on the planet for a specific mission. The goal is to become an avatar on the planet and gain trust with it's people in order to relocate them from this precious commodity before the colonel goes in and takes it for himself. The tirck is to make avatars with DNA made from the humans so they can breathe the air and infiltrate the "enemy" for the purpose of production.

A story to detailed to spell out in a review as I would never do it justice, it's just that good and a must see for yourself. Excellent casting also starring, Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), Col. Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Trudy Chacon (Michelle Rodriguez), Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore), and so many more. If you see no other movies in your lifetime, you must see this one.

Nominated for 9 Oscar's, Awards include:

2009 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Director
2009 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Drama
2010 - Academy Award Winner - Best Visual Effects
2010 - Academy Award Winner - Best Cinematography
2010 - Academy Award Winner - Best Art Direction



Lightstorm Entertainment, 20th Century Fox
Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron
Producers: Jon Landau, James Cameron

I viewed 2/10

9 (2009) PG13 - 3½ Stars

You always knows when you're watching a Tim Burton production because of the outstanding animation, and 9 is no exception. Burton creates unusual animated characters but then that's one of the ways you know it's his film. Even though the characters Burton creates are a bit abnormal looking to to think they hold the answers of saving the planet, Burton manages to pump enough life into them that has you cheering for these tiny sewn rag dolls to become victorious over the evil machines. I especially like the fact one of the bravest of them all is a girl.

It's the future where machinery has started to take over many tasks of mankind. One scientist inventor has come up with the Great Machine, created with human compassion and reactions. He has literally poured his soul into creating this new wonder, but the machine takes up a mind of it's own, and turns on mankind, decimating the human population before being shut down. But before the inventor could be destroyed himself, he grabs what ever materials he has in his shop and creates and literally pumps life into a group of small creations he hopes can exist in this post-apocalypse world.

One courageous rag doll named 9 (Elijah Wood), refuses to except the fate that he and the others are banished to surviving by hiding as 1(Christopher Plummer), who's been in charge, alleges. Along with the others, 2(Martin Landau), 5(John C. Reilly), 6(Crispin Glover), 7(Jennifer Connelly), 9 will use the powers sewn into him to prove capable of salvaging what still remains of the world. Together with this pack of stitched hopes, he will lay the groundwork for a hopeful future.

Focus Features
Director: Shane Acker
Writer: Pamela Pettler
Producers: Timur Bekmambetov, Tim Burton, Jim Lemley

I viewed 1/10

Bolt (2008) PG - 4 Stars

OMG, what a great animation move from the Walt Disney Animation Studios. The characters really come to life and Rhino the hamster in his ball, is just so cool. Mittens reminds me of my black cat and Bolt, the wonder dog, is absolutely lovable. Really fun movie for the entire family.

Penny (voice - Miley Cyrus), and her super dog Bolt (voice - John Travolta), co-star in an action packed series for the studios in Hollywood. Bolt is the wonder dog who always manages to save Penny from harm, just in the nick of time. He truly believes he's a super hero with super powers and his duty in life is to protect his master. When he accidentally gets packed up and shipped off to New York city, he thinks he can easily use his super powers to get back. Alone and on his own he meets up with a group of pigeons who are being manipulated by an alley cat named Mittens (voice - Susie Essman). Mittens seems to know all about Bolt and where he comes from and against her wishes, she's whisked away to help Bolt find Penny. Along the way they run into a over zealous hamster named Rhino (voice - Mark Walton), and his exercise ball. Rhino is a super duper television fan and has seen all of Bolt's movies. He is well aware of Bolt's heroic deeds and wants to join forces to help battle crime and evil. Together, the three will have the adventure of a life time, as the travel cross country to return to Hollywood.

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Chris Williams, Byron Howard, Chris Sanders
Writers: Chris Williams, Jared Stern, Byron Howard
Producer: Clark Spencer

I viewed 4/09

City of Ember (2008) PG - 3½ Stars

Pretty good movie about a city living deep below the ground, who's generator is falling apart and after 200 years, no one knows how to fix it. I liked the imagination of the writer for exploring underground for a change, rather than always into space or at some futuristic time of the planet.

Over 200 years ago, the City of Ember was built deep in the earth, by engineers trying to protect it's people, the "Emberites," from any possible destruction that could fall to and infect earth. The city is run upon one gi-normous generator which Mayor Cole (Bill Murray) keeps behind locked walls. But the city is falling apart as the generator is failing as the lights continually indicate and two teenagers Lina (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon (Harry Treadaway), think they may have found the answer to fixing the problem. They have found pieces to what looks like an instruction manual, left by the original builders. In order to solve the puzzle, they must try and put back together all of the pieces and unlock the secrets the city has to offer. And in doing so, they find a way out of the darkness, above to sunshine. But Mayor Cole wants to leave the city he rules, exactly the way it is and tries to foil their attempts to to gain access to the generator.

Fox Walden
Director: Gil Kenan
Writer: Caroline Thompson
Producers: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Steven Shareshian

I viewed 2/09

Open Season (2006) PG - 3½ Stars

Another cute animated story line that I' sure does more for the children than it did for me but none the less still cute. A deer gets a huge grizzly in over his head till both have to leave before hunting season. Not knowing where to go and what to do, the two befriend other creatures in the woods, to chase away the hunters when the animals take over.

Raised by the park ranger Beth (Debra Messing) in her garage ever since he was a just a cub, 900-pound grizzly Boog (Martin Lawrence) is getting too big to stay in the city. When Elliot (Ashton Kutcher) a mule deer pulls up strapped to the hood of a jeep, Boog helps free him just a bit so he can get away. The hunters are outraged and order Boog up for fair game in hunting season. Beth takes her dear friend to the top of a hillside along with Elliot so they'll be out of reach this "Open Season." But Boog doesn't know what to do by not having his food brought to him and the forest can be a scary place. The two join forces with all the other forest animals and together, turn the tables on the hunters.

Sony Pictures
Directors: Jill Culton, Roger Allers, Anthony Stacchi
Writers: Anthony Stacchi, Jill Culton, Ron J. Friedman
Producer: Michelle Murdocca

I viewed 11/07

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) PG - 4 Stars

WOW, if you've ever like fairies and goblins, you will like this movie. Great adventure movie for the whole family, unless of course the little ones get scared of the mean old ugly ogre. It's the story of a family going through not having their father with them and mom trying to make ends meet, uproots them to the country side.

Jared (Freddie Highmore) and Simon (Freddie Highmore) are twins and along with their sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and mother Helen (Mary-Louise Parker), they move away from the busy city to a huge old house in the countryside. Mom is taking them to their great great uncle Arthur Spiderwick's (David Strathairn) old home which holds many secrets to the world around them. Jared doesn't want to go and rebels all the way to their destination by not speaking. He wants to be with his father and not live way out nowhere with his siblings who don't understand him and blame him for any wrong doing.

Jared notices many disturbances of the house, like his sister waking one morning with her hair tied to the bed posts. He uncovers a secret passageway in the house direct to his uncles old study. There he finds a book that's been locked away for year and begins to read it to figure out whats going on in the house. He discover the magical history of the property and is now able to see what most people can't. He uses these powers to fight off the evils of the house and restore nature back to it's balance, bringing his family closer together.

Paramount Pictures
Director: Mark S. Waters
Writers: John Sayles, Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum
Producers: Larry Franco, Kathleen Kennedy, Karey Kirkpatrick

I viewed 7/08

Transformers (2007) PG13 - 4 Stars

Great special effects and animation in this one. You'll almost believe they exist. Alien creatures robots come to take over the Earth and gain the power cube hidden away inside of the Hoover Dam.

The Autobots and the Decepticons are two races of robots from the planet Cybertron. These robots are able to transform into a variety of objects like cars, planes, etc.. Hundreds of years ago, the Autobots robots smuggled the Allspark, to a place on earth where it could be out of reach from the Decepticons. The Allspark, a powerful cube that has the capability of great powers, was hidden just beneath the surface where the Hoover Damn was formed. These Decepticons robots have come to earth to find the cube and the Autobots have come to stop them from finding it first.

2007 - Transformers - Las Vegas Film Critics Association - Best Visual Effects

Paramount Pictures
Director: Michael Bay
Writers: John Rogers, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci
Producers: Tom Desanto, Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Thomas DeSanto

I viewed 11/07

Madagascar (2005) PG - 3½ Stars

Cute cartoon entertainment for the entire familt. Animated cartoon animals living in a New York Zoo, escape and find their way to Madagascar. They have to find their way back home so i see a Madagascar 2 someday in the future.

Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock) and his pals Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Alex the lion (Ben Stiller) are happy living a comfortable life at the New York Zoo. Their food is brought to them, and in turn they smile for the public during the day. When the crowds go home, the gang keeps in contact with each other and basically lives a charmed life. But there's always that adventurer in life that dreams of something better, and that adventurer is Marty.

Marty is very curious about what's on the other side of the fence and yearns to see the world outside. He tries to convince the others they should escape and travel beyond the walls to freedom. When Mary sees the penguins make a break for it, he decides to flee and explore the world outside.

His buddies are very worried for his safety and set out to find him and convince him to come back. But all four are caught, deemed restless now, put in crates and shipped back to Africa where they're originally from. An accident at sea sends them crashing to the shores of Madagascar.

The gang has never seen anything like these animals before, food is not brought to them and they don't understand that the lion is suppose to rule the jungle.

DreamWorks
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Writers: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, Billy Frolick
Producer: Mireille Soria

I viewed 5/07

Cars (2006) G - 4 Stars

WOW I think this is the first G rated movie I have gotten to on my list so far. Just "G" good for everyone and the animation in this film is awesome. The cars reflect the backgrounds into and I remember one scene where is driving down the road in a picturesque desert background and you could see it passing in the car too. Nicely done.

Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is trying to get to the Piston Cup Championship by race time. He's packed neatly in the back of a truck headed down Route 66 headed towards California. When he's rig falls asleep and takes the wrong turn. Missing the race, Lightning ends up in the small desert town of Radiator Springs. At first he's not so happy to be where he is, a town with no action, but Lightning soon learns after meeting Sally the 2002 Porsche (Bonnie Hunt), Doc Hudson the 1951 Hudson Hornet (Paul Newman) and Mater the Tow Truck (Larry the Cable Guy), that you can meet new friends in the darnedest places.

Awards include:
2006 - Cars - Austin Film Critics - Best Animated Feature
2006 - Cars - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Animated Feature

Walt Disney Pictures
Directors: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Writers: Dan Fogelman, Phil Lorin, Jorgen Klubien
Producer: Darla K. Anderson

I viewed 11/06

Ratatouille (2007) G - 4 Stars

A very cute fun film for the whole family. And even though I don't have children or grand children, I found the movie quit enjoyable even for an old fart like me.

Remy, (Patton Oswalt) a small city rat, with dreams of making it as a big time French chef. Unlike the rest of his family and friends, Remy prefers dinning on the finer foods that have great taste to them.

He's been reading an Anyone Can Cook Book, and has discovered many secret ingredients that aid in the flavor of food. Remy finds his way into the sewers of Paris, below chef Auguste Gusteau (Brad Garrett) restaurant. As Remy makes his way into the restaurant, a young chef Linguini (Lou Romano) is ordered to take him outside and dispose of him. Linguini can't do it and together they become friends and co-chefs of the restaurant. All of a sudden Linguini can cook and prepares award winning dishes that saves restaurant from closing and returns it it's number one status.

Awards include:
2007 - Ratatouille - American Film Institute - Best Picture.
2007 - Ratatouille - Austin Film Critics - Best Animated Feature.
2007 - Ratatouille - Boston Society of Film Critics - Best Screenplay.
2007 - Ratatouille - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Animated Feature.

Buena Vista Pictures
Directors: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
Writer: Brad Bird
Producer: Brad Lewis

I viewed 11/07

Robots (2005) PG - 3 Stars

Family friendly movie but I didn't feel there was much of a story line. The kids will be sure of loving the characters and there are some funny lines, but overall I didn't feel it was one of those animation movies I want to own in my collection.

Rodney Copperbottom (Ewan McGregor), a young genius robot dreams of making the world a better place for all robots including those less fortunate. He units the community to join forces and come up with whatever spare parts they can find to repair all the robots of the universe back to normal again. But Rodney find that not everyone is willing to work together. Big Weld (Mel Brooks) and his team of Rusties run an evil corporation trying to stop Rodney from his quest.

20th Century Fox Distribution
Directors: Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha
Writers: Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel, David Lindsay-Abaire
Producers: John C. Donkin, Bill Joyce, William Joyce

I viewed 11/06

Monster House (2006) PG - 3½ Stars

Not one of my favorite animation cartoons i have seen, but it's still a cute movie for maturer kids. The house can be pretty scary for some smaller kids and may have them screaming for the lights to be on.

3 children of the neighborhood begin to see some strange things happening at the neighbors house across the street. The house takes on a new monster form for anyone or anything stepping on the property. Halloween night is approaching and the three fear the house will swallow up another victim. Though no adults will hear or believe what the children say, they have to find a way to stop the house from getting more powerful and save their neighborhood.

2006 - Monster House - Las Vegas Film Critics Association - Best Animated Feature

Sony Pictures Releasing
Director: Gil Kenan
Writers: Pamela Pettler, Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab
Producers: Steve Starkey, Jack Rapke, Jason Clark

I viewed 10/06

Over the Hedge (2006) PG - 4 Stars

A cute animated story about forest creatures who awaken from their hibernating state to find they are trapped into tighter quarters by a hedge separating them from the humans. While they forage for food, they find that beyond the hedge where the humans live, lies a bounty of goodies and they'll never go hungry again.

Verne the Turtle (Garry Shandling) is the logical one that doesn't think it's wise to deal with humans. RJ the brave raccoon (Bruce Willis) travels beyond the hedge to find that food is so very plentiful. RJ convinces the gang that they need not worry about stocking up food and should just enjoy rest and play. Stella the Skunk (Wanda Sykes), Hammy the Squirrel (Steve Carrel), Heather the Opossum (Avril Lavigne), and Heather's father, Ozzie (William Shatner), cautiously join RJ in his quest. But once over the fence, there are all sorts of dangers starting with the Verminator (Thomas Haden Church). The gang has to decide if this easy access for food, is worth the risk.

2006 - Over the Hedge - Kansas City Film Critics Association - Best Animated Feature

20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, United International Pictures (UIP)
Directors: Karey Kirkpatrick, Tim Johnson
Writers: Lorne Cameron, Len Blum, Karey Kirkpatrick
Producer: Bonnie Arnold

I viewed 10/06

Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) PG - 4 Stars

Well I must admit I grew up with the chipmunks and some of my favorite memories were their Christmas albums. The movie would have probably been given only 3½ stars from me but I'm given it a 4 based on nostalgia alone. Chipmunks Rock!

When three chipmunks in the woods have their home cut for a Christmas tree lobby display, Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) hitch a ride. Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is pitching one more song to his long time friend Ian Hawk (David Cross), a bigwig at Jett Records. Ian hates it and when Dave leaves the building, the chipmunks jump in the basket of food he's just stolen. Once home, the tiny rodents are loose in the house fine dining in the kitchen. When Dave discovers they can talk and sing, they make a pack to sing Dave's songs for room and board. The trio become quite fond of Dave though the are destroying his personal life.

Uncle Ian gives the boys a place to stay and takes them to the top of the music charts. The boys now preform all over town and are about to go global. But Dave really misses them and vows to get them back.

20th Century Fox Distribution
Director: Tim Hill
Writers: Will McRobb, Chris Viscardi, Jon Vitti
Producers: Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., Janice Karman

I viewed 4/07