Happy Feet

“Happy Feet” is an animated tale of the struggles faced by a penguin. The story begins before the little penguin, Mumble, is even born. It shows the hardships that penguins go through in hatching and carrying for their eggs. The movie gives some insight on the roles carried out by the male and female penguin. These clips give some resemblance to those that can be seen in “March of the Penguins”. Right from hatching, everyone knows that Mumble is different. He hatches late and comes out dancing with his feet. Mumble’s breed of penguins is known for their heart song … Continue reading →

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman and some of the best animation to grace the screens in year. Welcome to Kung Fu Panda, DreamWorks’ latest addition to their animation library which features Shrek, The Bee Movie, Madagascar, Shark Tale and so many more. There can be little doubt that DreamWorks Animated SKG will boast a modern animated library to rival Disney. Kung Fu Fighting Panda Po (Black) is a clumsy, oversized panda who spends his time eating and working in his family’s noodle shop. He is an average ‘Po’ who daydreams of being a great Kung Fu Master. Imagine his … Continue reading →

Bee Movie (2007)

“Bee Movie” is a recent cartoon released by Dreamworks and written by Jerry Seinfeld. I watched it with my children last night and we enjoyed it. Barry is a young bee who has just graduated from college. The lifespan of a bee being somewhat short, his entire college career lasted three days, but his graduation is still a big deal. He can now choose which job he wants out of all those offered in the hive. He can stir honey. He can sweep the floors. He can clean the bathrooms. Whatever job he takes, he will do it the rest … Continue reading →

Surf’s Up (2007)

Have you ever wanted to step outside the norm, accomplish something that no one thought you could? That’s Cody Maverick (Shia LeBeouf) for you. A penguin from Antarctica, he spends his time surfing on a board made of ice. His hero is Big Z, the world’s greatest penguin surfer, who died in a freak surfing accident some time before. When talent scouts come looking for new blood to compete in the Big Z Memorial competition, Cody is eager to go. As the competitors travel to Pen Gu Island, where the contest is to take place, he makes friends with Chicken … Continue reading →

Arthur & The Invisibles (2007)

This little film is very forgettable for me, but for my six year old it gets three thumbs up – her words, not mine. What I didn’t know, originally, was that the film was directed by Luc Besson, the mastermind behind The 5th Element. That being said, Arthur & The Invisibles is a rather charming fairy tale that features a truly wonderful young actor named Freddy Highmore. (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory & Finding Neverland) The film mixes live action with CGI. The film opens with Arthur (Highmore) at his grandmother’s (Mia Farrow) farm. The year is 1960. Arthur’s grandfather … Continue reading →

Antz (1998)

Gather every star in Hollywood and put their voices together in one film, and you’ve got “Antz.” Woody Allen stars as Z, a neurotic and insecure ant who’s in therapy, trying to understand his place in the colony. He feels uncomfortable with the lack of individuality he’s been taught his entire life, and wonders if there isn’t more out there. While drinking aphid beer at the bar one night, an old-timer tells him of a wonderful place called “Insectopia,” where the bugs don’t have a boss and there’s food enough for everyone. A dream is planted in Z’s heart. Meanwhile, … Continue reading →

Evan Almighty (2007)

Evan Almighty is a sequel to Bruce Almighty(2003). The first featured Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston in the lead roles, both actors declined to appear in Evan Almighty and that’s all right. Evan Baxter (last seen as the news anchor that Carrey tortured in the first film) has been elected to Congress. He and his family move from Buffalo, New York to the North Virginia suburbs. During Evan’s campaign, he promised to change the world, though he never clarified how. Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”) stars as Joan Baxter, Evan’s wife. She suggests to Evan that he should pray to God, … Continue reading →

James and the Giant Peach (1996)

“James and the Giant Peach” is based on a book by the same name written by Roald Dahl, of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” fame. Knowing how off the wall Dahl’s imagination is, I should have been a little more prepared for this film, and yet I wasn’t. I found myself blinking rapidly several times, trying to make sense of it all. James is eight years old, and an orphan. His parents were eaten by a storm rhinoceros (I bet you’ve never heard of one) and he has been sent to live with his two cruel aunts, Spiker and Sponge. … Continue reading →

Happily N’ever After (2007)

I have looked forward to seeing this movie ever since it was first advertised. I love spoofs on fairy tales. I must say, though, that while this one was moderately cute, it wasn’t as cute as I’d hoped. Fairy Tale Land is the place where all the fairy tale characters live. It is run by The Wizard (George Carlin) whose job it is to keep the balance between good and evil. He is assisted by Munk (Wallace Shawn) and Mambo (Andy Dick) When it’s time for the Wizard to take a golf vacation in Scotland, he leaves the two in … Continue reading →

Flushed Away (2006)

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I picked up “Flushed Away.” I expected it to be mildly entertaining, and I was pretty sure the kids would like it, but I wasn’t expecting it to be hysterical and for me to like it even more than the kids did. We begin our story in a posh house in Kensington. Roddy (Hugh Jackman) is a pet rat, with his own gold cage. His owners are leaving town for several days, and he has the penthouse all to himself. He’s prepared to party it up the whole time they’re gone, but … Continue reading →