Movie Review Sunday

Hugo – 2011 (PG)

Netflix says: When his father dies, 12-year-old orphan Hugo takes up residence behind the walls of a Parisian train station. There, he meets Isabelle, the daughter of filmmaker Georges Méliès, who holds the key to Hugo's destiny.

Matt says: As I mentioned in my Oscar round-up, “Hugo” won all the technical awards at the Oscars… which usually means it’s usually the hidden gem of that year (and the movie you really should see). Now that I’ve seen it, do I agree with that statement? Well, in a way. After seeing it, I feel that I didn’t see it in its intended format. Scorsese intentionally filmed “Hugo” in 3D. Normally that would be a gimmick for a film and a way to raise the ticket price, but for “Hugo” there was no feeling of it being shot for gimmicky 3D effects. In fact, after seeing it, I believe that filming it in 3D was essential to the film’s central message. “Hugo” is Scorsese’s love letter to film. It’s about the lost films of yesteryear, the progress of film making, how effects matured through time, and how easily things can be lost if not preserved. It sounds kind of stiff, but it’s not… it is a kid friendly movie after all. 3D can be the next evolution of film if used maturely and with purpose and Scorsese intended “Hugo” to be an example of that. Therefore, I can’t fully judge the full experience. For a non-3D home viewing experience, I would say “Hugo” is a very fine film. It has all the above messages, but with a child-like wonder of mystery and adventure. It is a very beautiful film with excellent performances and fun, touching story. I did enjoy it, but when it was finished I wished I had seen it in 3D. Children won’t mind the lack of 3D, and the messages aren’t sullied without it, so it will still be a good  experience for the whole family. 4 stars.

The Iron Giant – 1999 (PG)

Netflix says: In rustic 1957 Maine, 9-year-old Hogarth finds a colossal but disoriented robot (of unknown origin), and the two form a strong bond of friendship. Before long, however, a government agent is on their trail -- and he's intent on destroying the automaton. This beautifully rendered parable based on British poet Ted Hughes' feted short story features the voices of Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Harry Connick Jr. and Cloris Leachman.

Matt says: “The Iron Giant” is a charming movie that is beautifully made and has strong moral messages. At its surface, it’s a film about a boy and his unlikely friendship with a giant robot. After a government agent starts snooping around, they meet a beatnik artist, and they witness hunters kill a deer (that the pair only moments before interacted with), the strong anti-violence message makes itself more than obvious. “You can chose to not be a weapon,” the boy reminds the giant as it unleashes a hell of fury on the military… after the boy earlier taught it the meaning of death in the face of the dead deer. They’re powerful messages that will spark conversation with your children, so be prepared before going into this. Much like the Studio Ghibli films of Japan, this is a film that doesn’t speak down to children… it faces them at their level and stimulates their little minds. Also like Ghibli, the animation is fluid and colorful and the voice work is above average (with a surprise performance from Vin Diesel as “The Giant”). I recommend this to parents, but only when the children, and the parents, are ready for a good sit down chat. 4 1/2 stars.

Puss In Boots – 2011 (PG)

Netflix says: Voiced by Antonio Banderas, the dauntless feline of legend goes on an animated adventure to purloin a priceless golden-egg-laying goose. To help him on his mission, Puss brings along his friends Humpty Dumpty and the super-stealthy Kitty Softpaws.

Matt says: The “Shrek” movies went from decent and fun to awful cash cow pretty quickly. When I heard they were spinning off Puss into his own film, I groaned to myself. It wasn’t until a friend saw it and told me that it was worth a watch did I check it out. And, you know what, it was pretty good. “Puss In Boots” takes the Shrek universe back to its roots. Sure, it still recycles some of the things that we found funny about the character in the Shrek movies, but gone is the gross out humor, tired characters, and annoying babies… and the movie couldn’t be better for it. The story is a little generic, but it is a children’s movie. The voice acting is great, the characters are cute, and it is simple enough to not be weighed down by its own reputation. As a bonus, cat owners will pick up on a few more intricacies than someone who has never owned one. “Puss In Boots”, aside from a little sexual innuendo, has nothing parents should be cautious about. So, grab the rug rats and pop the corn, it’s family movie night! 4 stars.

The Adventures of Tin Tin – 2011 (PG)

Netflix says: Blockbuster filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson team up for this 3-D motion capture adaptation of Georges Remi's classic comic strip, centered around the adventures of fearless young journalist Tintin (Jamie Bell) and his trusty dog, Snowy. Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Nick Frost, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook and Cary Elwes also lend their talents to this action-packed family adventure.

Matt says: It’s no secret that both Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson were influenced by the films, serials, and comics of the 30s and 40s. Both have paid their homages in the forms of the Indiana Jones series and the King Kong remake, as well as having their hands in others. Before Saturday morning cartoons saturated the airwaves, kids would have to catch the rare cartoon at the theater or read comic books. “Tin Tin” was one of the more adventurous comics, first starting as strips and later compiled in books. The movie feels a bit dated, even with modern writers (the new “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock” guru Stephen Moffat being a surprising addition) and with expensive looking CGI. Also, the motion capture and ultra realistic character art has yet to come off as not creepy (but, it’s still not as bad as the soul stealing art of “The Polar Express”). Yet, it’s still a fun actioner that harkens back a time where Spielberg was just a big kid with an open wallet. A fun time for the whole family? Sure. Just be prepared to talk to the kids about alcoholism. 3 1/2 stars.

Real Steel – 2011 (PG-13)

Netflix says: In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters, pugilist-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton reconnects with his estranged son, Max, to convert a discarded machine into a World Robot Boxing contender.

Matt says: “Real Steel” is one of those movies that isn’t as bad as it looks. The trailer makes it appear to be a “Rock‘em Sock’em Robot” rip-off that’s just out to sell toys and whatever goods are being peddled by the corporate advertisers. Essentially it is. However, thankfully a decent (though generic) script, excellent special effects, and above average acting helps bind it all together into a fun family sports/Sci-Fi film. You will find yourself following as planned: cheering when they want you to cheer, laughing when they want you to laugh, and getting choked up when they want you to get choked up. It’s a paint-by-numbers experience, but much like an amusement park ride, that’s what it’s engineered to be. Also like that ride, it usually is a fun time. Don’t expect anything deeper than the wading pool, but even in knee high water there’s a lot of splashing to be done. 3 1/2 stars.

Clash of the Titans – 1981 (PG)

Netflix says: This epic mythological adventure stars Harry Hamlin as Perseus, son of Zeus (Laurence Olivier), who embarks on a series of perilous quests in the hopes of rescuing Princess Andromeda (Judi Bowker) and winning the keys to the kingdom of Joppa. With winged horse Pegasus as his steed, Perseus must answer vexing riddles, capture the head of Medusa and slay a ravenous sea monster. Burgess Meredith and Ursula Andress co-star in this classic tale.

Matt says: An “Art of Cult” request by Cynthia Brown.

I have already mentioned a little bit about this in my “Clash of the Titans (2010)” review. But, you know, that was from memory. It had actually been years and years since I watched the original “classic” (the word “classic” will be applied here for several reasons, but keep in mind that it is not a synonym of “excellent”). The 1981 “Clash of the Titans” is a classic in that it a) is over 25 years old b) has several award winning actors c) has an award winning special effects artist attached to it and d) anyone who grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s will have fond memories of it. Loosely based on Greek mythology, “Clash of the Titans” follows Perseus’ journey to save Andromeda from the Cetus (which is called the Kraken in this). His journeys take him to the Graeae for assistance in reaching the Gorgons and ultimately retrieve the head of Medusa. This adaptation makes it a little more child friendly with the inclusion of a clockwork owl and fun, adventurous music. Yet, at its core, it is a better (if not still flawed) adaption than I remember it to be. As an exciting adventure movie for your pre/early teen, I think it still holds up pretty well, even if the Claymation and blue screen effects are obsolete in comparison to today’s green screen and CGI. I enjoyed this much more than the modern remake that had disappointingly sucked the fun right out of my eye sockets. The nightmare inducing Claymation Medusa (at least for me when I was 8 years old) and Hamlin’s “Jim Morrison” hair gets a fond 4 stars.

Back to the Future Part III – 1990 (PG)

Netflix says: The final installment of the Back to the Future trilogy finds Marty (Michael J. Fox) digging the trusty DeLorean out of a mineshaft and looking up Doc (Christopher Lloyd) in the Wild West of 1885. But when their time machine breaks down, the travelers are stranded in a land of spurs. More problems arise when Doc falls for pretty schoolteacher Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen), and Marty tangles with Buford Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson).

Matt says: The weakest film in the trilogy should only be watched for closure on the series. Part II ends on a cliff-hanger and, since this was filmed roughly around the same time, Part III is necessary to wrap things up. Throughout the film Doc keeps mentioning what a huge mistake it was to make the time machine and how, when it’s all said and done, it will be destroyed. (Spoiler Alert) When it finally is, we find that Doc has made another one and is taking his family around changing history wherever he sees fit. I know the first and second movies pretty much gave suspension of disbelief a vacation, but Part III just throws it all out the window. Anyway, it’s mostly a western with Fox playing the fish out of water routine again, but this time everything feels over done. Not the greatest way to wrap up the trilogy, but still a must for fans of the first two. 3 stars.

Back to the Future Part II – 1989 (PG)

Netflix says: Marty (Michael J. Fox) and Doc (Christopher Lloyd) are at it again in this wacky sequel to the 1985 blockbuster as the time-traveling duo head to 2015 to nip some McFly family woes in the bud. But things go awry thanks to bully Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson) and a pesky sports almanac. In a last-ditch attempt to set things straight, Marty finds himself bound for 1955 and face to face with his teenage parents -- again.

Matt says: Even though it’s vision of the future is completely skewed (really, faxes will be the way to communicate in 2015?), and the time travel is as flawed as the first, this is the best film in the trilogy. I love the alternate time-lines, jumping back to the events of the first film to have a parallel second set of events performed, and that it is a little bit more on the dark side than the other films. You really need to have seen the first film to fully appreciate it, but as sequels go, it’s one of the rare ones that surpass the first film. 4 1/2 stars.

Back to the Future – 1985 (PG)

Netflix says: In this classic sci-fi adventure from director Robert Zemeckis, eccentric inventor Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) turns a DeLorean into a time machine that inadvertently sends his young friend, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), 30 years into the past. While stuck in the 1950s, Marty disrupts his parents' destiny and risks throwing the time-space continuum completely out of whack. The only way back to 1985 now is to get mom and dad to pucker up.

Matt says: The original “Back to the Future” is a solid, entertaining, adventurous film. The time travel elements are there, but take a back seat to Fox’s “fish out of water” adventures in the 1950s. It’s really difficult to make any sort of time travel movie without a couple of paradoxes, so “Back to the Future” says “screw it” at the end and forces you to accept that, yeah, that’s what happened and the parents still had the same kids and Fox still has the same relationships as before time is skewed and you whipper-snappers better just shut up and believe it! It gets ridiculously tense at the climax, so much so that it become laughable, but I think that’s all part of the fun. Aside from a few curse words, there’s really not much keeping the whole family from enjoying it. It also holds up surprisingly well for being 27 years old. 4 stars.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules – 2011 (PG)

Netflix says: Greg Heffley returns to overcome ridiculous obstacles in this sequel to the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid adaptation, based on the books by Jeff Kinney. This time around, Greg must cope with the habits of his insufferable brother, Rodrick.

Matt says: More family friendly high-jinx with the same cast from the first film. This time the focus isn’t as much on self discovery as much as it is on interpersonal relationships. There’s still the same mixture of goofy humor, pre-teen angst, and borderline disgusting humor (though the opening chocolate bar/poop joke did illicit a hearty laugh from me at its climax). What can I say? It’s between seasons of my favorite shows and the HBO HD on-demand selection was pretty thin. Still, I didn’t hate the first one, so I gave this a chance too and came out of it just as mildly amused. Again, your pre-teens will love it. 3 stars.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: Middle school isn't all it's cracked up to be for self-described "wimpy kid" Greg Heffley, who discovers a frightening new world teeming with boys who are taller, tougher and hairier than he is -- and decides to document it all in his diary. Directed by Thor Freudenthal, this kid-friendly comedy based on Jeff Kinney's illustrated novel cast its star by asking kids to submit their auditions online.

Matt says: Typical family-fare is mostly harmless and captures all the insecurities of a new middle-schooler pretty well. Of course, it’s not as torturous as the film makes it out to be, but kids can be pretty cruel at that age regardless. And, according to the movie, having an emotionally underdeveloped geek of a friend makes middle school that much more difficult. But really, the central theme of “trying to find yourself and realizing that you just need to be yourself” keeps it’s strength between the moldy cheese and hairy freckle jokes. I wouldn’t say it’s “The Goonies” of the ‘10s, but the kids will dig it. The best part for us adults is that we all know adults like the ones portrayed in the film and (arguably the best part of the film) the throw-back-to-the-‘80s film about friendship the kids watch in their class. 3 stars.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids – 1989 (PG)

Netflix says: Funnyman Rick Moranis stars as ditsy inventory Wayne Szalinski, who spends many days and nights trying to get his wacky miniaturization machine to work. No such luck -- until one day, he unknowingly shrinks his children down to 1/4 inch tall and tosses them outside in the trash. The thimble-size adventure begins, as the kids must make the trek across their backyard jungle, battling giant sprinklers, garden insects and curious canines along the way.

Matt says: Disney’s live action films are not the best part of the company. Usually, they’re pretty mediocre and full of kids yelling at each other. “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids” is like that. What’s impressive, though, is that this was made at the tail end of special effects that didn’t use CGI. All the creatures are giant, animatronic, and look horribly fake. Yet, kids love it. It moves at a brisk pace and has enough yelling and fast action moments to snap your little ADD rug rats’ heads back to the screen. I wasn’t too impressed, but it serves as a good film to show children what we had to deal with before CGI. 2 1/2 stars.

Rio – 2011 (G)

Netflix says: When a cooped-up macaw named Blu leaves the confines of his birdcage behind for the tropical climes of Rio de Janeiro, he's forced to wing it and re-examine everything he knows about life -- and being a bird.

Matt says: Rio is about an anthropomorphic animal that goes on an adventure outside of his comfort zone and finds love and friendship along the way. He takes on an evil entity, has wise cracking companions, and… you know, this is the same shit you’ve seen in every kid oriented CGI film. It’s cute, the kids will like it, and you’ll get and hour and a half of peace… and that’s what these movies are all about in the long run anyway, aren’t they? 3 1/2 stars.

Jumanji – 1995 (PG)

Netflix says: When siblings Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce) discover an enchanted board game that opens the door to a magical world, they unwittingly invite Alan (Robin Williams) -- an adult who's been trapped inside the game for 26 years -- into their living room. Alan's only hope for freedom is to finish the game, which proves risky as all three find themselves running from giant rhinoceroses, evil monkeys and other terrifying creatures.

Matt says: Oh, Robin Williams… how the late 80s/early 90s was your time. Williams seemed to be fading already by the time this was made, but he still brings his “man-child on supercool” self to the table. At the time, this was at the top of the CGI effects films for the year. Now, it is almost like watching a mid-1960s special effects laden movie in the early 1980s… it just doesn’t hold up. “Jurassic Park”, “Terminator 2”, and other CGI films in the 90s hid the poor effects masking with strobe lights and night shots. “Jumanji” had the balls to bring it all out in the open daylight and the poor CGI matting looks like the land speeder in the original cut of “Star Wars” (skip to 2:08) because of it. Effects aside, it’s kind of a fun movie. It does capture the feeling of adventure and excitement that is closer to a “Goonies” than a “Spy Kids”. It has some stuff that will disturb younger children, but if your slightly older kids can look past the shitty effects, they may find a little fantasy escapement there. 3 stars.

Happy Feet – 2006 (PG)

Netflix says: Living with his colony in the Antarctic, young emperor penguin Mumble is aptly named: While his friends use their singing skills to attract mates, his caterwauling sends potential sweethearts waddling in the opposite direction. Yet Mumble is blessed with an unusual gift -- he can tap dance in a way that would make Fred Astaire jealous. Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams and Hugh Jackman lend their voices to this spirited Oscar winner.

Matt says: Something about this rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was the cold, lifeless eyes of the penguins, the bastardization of some decent songs, the plot that never really took hold until half way through the film, or that Robin Williams has at least two roles in it (one of which is a pretty offensive stereotype). Regardless of the cause, I just couldn’t get into Happy Feet. I guess kids and adults will find it charming, but I just don’t get the whole penguin thing. They can be cute, but they also are birds that shit everywhere. So, “Happy Feet” gets 2 1/2 stars. Seriously, though, look at the poster. Look at their eyes. Now imagine an hour and a half of those eyes staring into your soul… boring into your mind. GET OUT OF MY HEAD, PENGUINS!!! I WILL NOT KILL FOR YOU AGAIN!!!

Monster House – 2006 (PG)

Netflix says: Monsters under the bed are scary enough, but what happens when an entire house is out to get you? Three teens aim to find out when they go up against a decrepit neighboring home and unlock its frightening secrets. Produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, this Oscar-nominated animated adventure boasts an all-star voice cast that includes Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Lee, Catherine O'Hara, Kathleen Turner and Fred Willard.

Matt says: Another CGI movie with all the clichés of CGI kids films (something strange happening, parents don’t believe the kids, the kids go out on an adventure). But, this time the adventure is right across the street in the form of an anthropomorphic house that seems to consume all that trespass. When the crotchety old owner of the house has a heart attack, the children go to the abandoned house and realize it has a life of its own. Different McGuffins keep brining the children back to battle the house. The underlying story of the house and its owner is interesting, but the film itself seems like a mediocre chapter from the Goosebumps series. I still was entertained, even if it was nothing special. 3 stars.

Mars Needs Moms! – 2011 (PG)

Netflix says: After tormenting his sister and refusing to eat his veggies, Milo (Seth Green) lands in big trouble and starts viewing his mom (Joan Cusack) as uncaring and unfair. But when Martians suddenly abduct her, Milo rushes to the rescue and discovers why all moms are so special. In this fun-filled animated film, based on Berkeley Breathed's popular book, Martians need loving, hardworking mothers just as much as humans do.

Matt says: Using the same creepy CGI used in “The Polar Express”, “Mars Needs Moms!” is another adaption of a beloved children’s book. The theme is that parents (Moms in particular) aren’t the bad people that can be at times when they make children do things they don’t want to do. It’s all delivered with enough 60s references to make the grandparents happy, enough 80s references to make parents happy, and enough whiney kids to keep the children happy. Too bad the CGI characters look like soulless abominations borne from the deepest depths of Satan bowels. If you’re a jaded parent who wants to reaffirm your importance to your children, rent this. Otherwise, I found it to be a bit condescending and stale. 2 1/2 stars.

Just Go With It – 2011 (PG-13)

Netflix says: When plastic surgeon Danny Maccabee lies to his girlfriend that he is a divorced family man, he recruits his office manager and her children to role-play as his ex-wife and kids -- generating a flood of farcical results and unintended consequences.

Matt says: Typical Sandler fare is predicable and full of the same shit his other movies of late are saturated with: a guy afraid of maturity learns maturity in the place right under his nose that he’s overlooked for so long. Yet… even though it’s the same old Sandler song, it’s not without its charm. It does have some of that classic Sandler potty/penis humor that’s so unnecessary, but with Jennifer Aniston and Nicole Kidman the movie still had a fe… wait, Nicole Kidman? Really??? What the f… ok, well maybe her career isn’t where it should be now, or maybe she was called out on a favor… anyway, it still had a few moments that made me chuckle. Sure, it’s basically one long “Three’s Company” episode, but I used to love the shit out of that show. 2 1/2 stars.

Kung Fu Panda 2 – 2011 (PG)

Netflix says: As the legendary Dragon Warrior, Po (Jack Black), the kung fu panda, dutifully guards the Valley of Peace alongside his allies the Furious Five. When a frightful new enemy emerges, Po and company embark on a perilous journey to save China and the art of kung fu. Directed by Jennifer Yuh, this animated action adventure sequel also features the vocal talents of Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman and Seth Rogen.

Matt says: The first “Kung Fu Panda” was an above average take on the Kung Fu genre done in child friendly CGI. Everyone involved was more than capable in producing a well made homage to the old Jackie Chan and Shaw Brothers films. It’s wasn’t a instant classic like most Pixar films (Dreamworks films usually aren’t), but it was fun enough for a once through. “Kung Fu Panda 2” is just about the same. It starts a little weak, but when the Kung Fu movie themes become present, fans of the genre won’t help but feel a more than familiar vibe. Also, it’s just as kid friendly, with enough off screen deaths to let viewers know what’s going on without scarring your little ones. I enjoyed it as much as I did the first. It didn’t need to be made by any means (and it looks like an even more unnecessary Part 3 might be coming due to it closing with a big plot development), but for killing an hour and a half while waiting for my friend to get off of work, it was worth the $5 matinee ticket price. If you have to pay any more than that to see it, you might just want to just wait for DVD. 3 1/2 stars.

The Red Balloon (aka Le Ballon Rouge) – 1956 (NR)

Netflix says: A young Parisian boy (Pascal Lamorisse) finds a balloon -- or does the balloon find him? Together, boy and balloon wander the streets of Montmartre and the adjacent neighborhoods, encountering adults and gangs of local kids as the balloon becomes the boy's inseparable companion. Directed by Albert Lamorisse (who won a Best Original Screenplay Oscar), the fanciful 34-minute film also won a special BAFTA Award.

Matt says: Continuing my summer of movie suggestions: "The Red Balloon" suggested by Dan Broxon.

A little kid finds a red balloon that seems to be somewhat sentient. Together they play in the streets of a Paris neighborhood. It’s all very family friendly… or is it? Does the balloon even exist? Or is it just a symbol of the boy’s loneliness and insecurities? Or, is it the product of a deranged, Napoleonic psychosis? At the end of the film, the boy gets chased by half the children in Paris… are these delusions of paranoia that he is being chased by shadowy government figures? Does he believe they can read his thoughts? Or is it fear of revolution in response to his eventual rise to power? He also believes he can “communicate” with the balloon and have it do his bidding… much like Chapman believed Holden Caulfield was telling him to kill John Lennon. And, oh yes, AND AT THE END, he becomes a god, rising high above the city nestled in a throne made of the balloons that follow his very thoughts! Whether or not it is just the story of a boy with a creative imagination and his balloon, the story of a seriously troubled child who needs psychological help to overcome his loneliness, a disturbed individual with a god complex, or is a commentary on modern Paris’ bending to the will of a global infrastructure in a post-WWII complacency that favors the Bourgeoisie… it’s still a cute movie that kids and adults can both enjoy. NOW FLOAT AT MY WINDOW UNTIL I SUMMON YOU AGAIN, SPAWN OF SATAN!!! TIME CUBE! 4 stars.

Gulliver's Travels – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: When a trip to the Bermuda Triangle inevitably goes awry, shipwrecked travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (the inimitable Jack Black) finds himself in Lilliput, land of the little people, where he's bound to discover just how much size matters. Jonathan Swift's immortal satire gets a broad comic retelling in this updated adaptation directed by Rob Letterman. Amanda Peet, Emily Blunt and Billy Connolly also star.

Matt says: Ugh… listen, there was a time when Jack Black had the potential to have all the roles Zach Galifianakis is currently dominating. As just “JB” in “Tenacious D” (his comedic band), he was raw, raunchy, and very funny. His roles in “High Fidelity”, “The Cable Guy”, and “Orange County” were the same pure, dry, sarcastic Black as his “JB” character. Then came “School of Rock”… a film Black must’ve thought would just be an easy buck. Even though he did kiddie films before, after “School of Rock” hit would-wide fame (spinning off into children actually going on real concert tours), Black became a family friendly face who’s career plummeted in a way that took Eddie Murphy 25 years to do. “Gulliver’s Travels” could’ve easily replaced a modern Eddie Murphy for Black and been the same fucking movie. It was full of wedgie, pee, and butt-crack jokes, was so bitter sweet it could cause cavities, and just wasn’t funny, or even enjoyable, at all. What’s next for Black, you might ask? Aside from a decent job voicing a CGI panda bear, it looks like a “Weekend at Bernie’s” rip-off called… wait for it… “Bernie” (really? are you fucking kidding me??), a movie about bird watchers, and a Muppet movie. Way to go, Jack. 1 1/2 stars.

Tangled – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: Disney animators take on the classic Grimm Brothers story of Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), a long-locked beauty imprisoned in a secluded tower by evil hag Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy), who needs the rejuvenating powers of Rapunzel's tresses to remain young. When a bandit on the lam (Zachary Levi) helps Rapunzel escape, the old crone plots to recapture her and end her budding romance with the thief in this Golden Globe nominee for Best Animated Feature.

Matt says: Latest installment in Disney’s “princess movies” was much better than I expected it to be. It’s light on anthropomorphic characters, playful in mood, and just a solid, fun movie. Disney took all the best of their traditional animated films and blended them up into “Tangled”. The humor is sharp, the action sequences are thrilling, the romance is sweet, and the doe-eyed cuteness is amped to ridiculously adorable levels. The music is more theater based than the prior few Disney animated films which adds to its charm, though there’s nothing as iconic as “Under the Sea”, “Hakuna Matata” or “Beauty and the Beast”. Everything is put together in a CGI package that modernizes their classical animation while retaining all that was best about it. I must say, I was very impressed and regretted not seeing this in 3D in the theater. For a modern classical Disney film that everybody in the family will enjoy, I’d recommend “Tangled” more than the other CGI films I’ve seen in the past year or so. In fact, I’d have to say that it’s up in my top five animated Disney movies of all time. 4 1/2 stars.

Megamind – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: When a cunning supervillain (voiced by Will Ferrell) accidently kills his crime-fighting nemesis, the rogue suddenly finds life boring and uninspired. So, he creates a new enemy (Jonah Hill) who seeks to destroy the world, forcing Megamind to play the hero role for once in his life. This hilarious 3D animated feature from director Tom McGrath (Madagascar) also features the voices of Brad Pitt and Tina Fey.

Matt says: Dreamworks is no Pixar, but they do get the job done. When “Megamind” started, I thought it would be another one of those generic CGI movies that tries too hard and never delivers (I’m looking at you “Planet 51”). After the first big battle, the real movie started and I ended up impressed at the end. Blah blah great cast blah blah cute and funny blah blah… after seeing enough of these, you know what to expect, so I needn’t go into details. Looking for a decent CGI comedy with a message that’s enjoyable for the whole family? You can do much worse than “Megamind” (no, seriously, fuck you “Planet 51”). 4 stars.

Toy Story 3 – 2010 (G)

Netflix says: In this installment of the Pixar animated franchise, toy cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), his astronaut pal, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and their friends cope with their owner's departure for college -- and their new home in a day-care center. Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, Ned Beatty and Jodi Benson also lend their voices to this delightful sequel that won a Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature.

Matt says: You know, Pixar really knows how to set the bar high with their movies. When I heard this was coming out, I wasn’t jumping to go see it. I mean, how often is a sequel as good as the first film? And a 3rd? Fuggedaboutit! A good friend insisted I see it, but I just never had the chance while it was in the theater. I regret not seeing it there. “Toy Story 3” has all the charm, detail, and excellent production of the first two movies in the trilogy. The story is endearing and the voice work is top-notch. Everything about this is grand scale, which is an impressive feat for a cartoon about talking toys. You don’t need to know the events of the other two movies to enjoy this, but it helps for the nods to the prior films. I can image this was dazzling in 3D. There is just enough action, comedy, cuteness, drama, and social commentary to make it a well rounded film for the whole family. I can’t recommend this enough. Pixar, you did it again. “The claaaaaw!” draws a plush: 4 1/2 stars.

Three Amigos – 1986 (PG)

Netflix says: Suddenly sacked by their Hollywood studio, three silent-movie stars (Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short) head to Mexico in response to a cable from a señorita in distress (Patrice Martinez). The trio erroneously assumes they've been summoned to perform in a show with locally renowned actor El Guapo (Alfonso Arau). Turns out that El Guapo is no thespian, the desperados aren't extras and they aren't shooting blanks. John Landis directs.

Matt says: After a lengthy on-line quote fest, I decide to blow the dust off of “Three Amigos” and watch it for the first time in about 10 years. I’ll tell you, and not just as a fan of the movie, that this is a solid family comedy. Stuffed with Saturday Night Live alumnae, scripted by Martin and Lorne Michaels, and directed by John Landis, this is classic 80s comedy at its best. Not only is it infinitely quotable, but it is generally laugh-out-loud hilarious. Situational comedy was the bees knees in the 80s and this takes full advantage of the trend. On top of the great cast and sharp wit, there’s an underlying commentary on film stardom and how an audience will relate characters’ personalities with the actors who play them (and how those actors are ultimately just naive puppets of the Hollywood machine). It reminds the viewer of how great Martin, Chase, and Short were in their prime. All of them can solicit more laughs from a look than that in an entire Judd Apatow film. I thoroughly enjoyed re-watching this and will in another few years when I dust it off again. 4 stars.

Despicable Me – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: Villainous Gru (Steve Carell) lives up to his reputation as a despicable, deplorable and downright unlikable guy when he hatches a plan to steal the moon from the sky. But he has a tough time staying on task after three orphans land in his care. Julie Andrews voices the role of Gru's malevolent mom, and Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig and Will Arnett round out the ensemble cast in this comic tale that earned a Golden Globe nod for Best Animated Feature.

Matt says: All the voice actors do a great job in this, but it’s second fiddle to the overwhelming amount of “cute”. There’s cute “minions”, cute little girls, and even vicious dogs and sharks come off as cute. Cute cute cute cute cute cute. I’m a sucker for cute things, so the internal teenager in me had a great time (as did the one tied up in my cellar), but it may be too much for people just looking for a solid animated feature. The story is interesting; casting off a hero to have two villains battle it out. Of course, it wouldn’t be an animated family feature without lessons to be learned and cold hearts thawing. There are few laugh out loud moments, but mostly you’ll giggle like a 12 year old girl browsing Cute Overload.com. 3 1/2 stars.

Shrek Forever After – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: The fourth chapter of this fractured fairy-tale series finds the lovable green ogre Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) feeling less like a monster and more like a man in the midst of a midlife crisis. But will striking a deal with Rumpelstiltskin make his life better or worse? Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas return as the voices of Princess Fiona, Donkey and Puss in Boots, respectively.

Matt says: ALL YOUR FAVORITE SHREK CHARACTERS ARE BACK! And you know what? I DON’T GIVE A SHIT! Look, the first Shrek wasn’t perfect, but it was innovative, entertaining, and had a good message. Sure, the pop culture references and music were a little contrived, but they didn’t sully the fun nature and fantasy. The second Shrek was mediocre, but still enjoyable; new characters were introduced and the story felt like an extension of the first. Then the third came along. Characters were recycled and Shrek officially jumped the shark by adding babies. “Shrek Forever After” feels like the last season of a sitcom that should been canceled years ago. It steals the plot of “It’s A Wonderful Life”, the reoccurring characters have become tired and reflections of the original creations they once were, and it’s just bland. There’s still some funny moments, but you need to slog through the bullshit to get to them. I’m glad this is the final entry to the series as I really don’t want to see Shrek win the lottery, adopt a cousin, or literally jump a fucking shark. 2 stars for the few chuckles I got from it.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: While Horvath (Alfred Molina) and Drake (Toby Kebbell) plot to restore Morgana Le Fay (Alice Krige) to power, master sorcerer Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) makes physics student Dave Stutle (Jay Baruchel) his apprentice, teaching him enough magic to save the world from sure ruin. Also featuring Monica Bellucci, Teresa Palmer and Toby Kebbell, this whimsical fantasy is a live-action update of the beloved animated short from the 1940s, "Fantasia."

Matt says: How this is in any way related to the “Fantasia” short aside from the title and a bastardized version of the “magic mop” scene is beyond me. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is an easily forgettable cash in that tries to jump on the “misunderstood kid who’s really a great wizard” gravy train only to fail at producing anything more than a mediocre carbon copy of better films. I’m not a big fan of Jay Baruchel… there’s something about his voice that bugs me. Though it was easily ignored in “How To Train Your Dragon” (do to his character being upstaged by everything else in the movie), in this it’s hard to not tune him out. And Cage. Oh, Cage… you’re such a whore. Every time I see Cage in something with heavy CGI, I know it’s due to the mortgage on his fifth house. Just sell the villa in Tuscany and start making some good movies again, Nicolas! He seems to only be going through the motions in this, and rightly so, because he knows it’s just a paycheck for everybody involved. The biggest disappointment is that there’s just no heart. It’s a generic cookie cutter flick with bland characters and less than adequate CGI. Even at their worst, Disney flicks usually have a little emotion. Nope, this one was a flat out bore. Wizard obsessed youngsters might actually enjoy it somewhat, but I didn’t care for it too much. 2 stars.

How To Train Your Dragon – 2010 (PG)

Netflix says: As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: He must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it. So, he befriends the beast -- which he names Toothless -- much to the chagrin of his warrior father in this Golden Globe-nominated adaptation of Cressida Cowell's children's book.

Matt says: If someone came to me and said, “What are the three things you would put in your prefect movie, Matt?”, my answer would be: dragons, Vikings, and lazar gun toting cowboys riding robotic polar bears. Well, “How To Train Your Dragon” gets two of the three right. This one seemed to slip under my radar. I saw a PSA for turning off your cell phone in the theater that had characters from this, but I honestly didn’t know where they were from at the time. It was only after several movie review sites I hit raved about it that I added it to the Netflix queue. Honestly, it’s a fine movie. Themes include parental acceptance, pubescent romance, finding your place, using your intellect, and friendship with those who are different. There’s enough adult humor to keep parents interested while kids will like the flashing CGI. It’s a fun watch for the family or for animation geeks like me. 4 stars.

Time After Time – 1979 (PG)

Netflix says: Notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper (David Warner) is back to continue his ghastly reign of terror. But this time, he's found his way from Victorian times to the late 1970s, and he's intent on taking care of unfinished business. Using a time machine to pursue Jack into the future, H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) meets Amy (Mary Steenburgen), a bank clerk who teaches Wells about life in the '70s while helping him hunt for Jack.

Matt says: Read the Netflix description, I’ll wait… ok, done? Yeah, it sounds pretty hokey, doesn’t it? A time traveling H.G. Wells hunting down Jack the Ripper in 1970s San Francisco? And if you predicted fish-out-of-water revelations (a moving picture box! horseless carriages! disco!), you’d be right. I have always loved the work of Warner and McDowell and they do a great job with what is essentially a pretty poor concept. It all feels like a mediocre 1960s Star Trek episode without all the Star Trek (after writing this I read up on it and, believe it or not, the writer did write for the original Star Trek series). And yet, somehow this all seems to work. It’s an OK movie, but it’s the performances that keep you engaged. Steenburgen was actually quite a hottie back in the day and plays McDowell’s infatuated, liberated guide well. And, if you’re observant, you’ll catch Corey Feldman in his first film role as “boy at museum”. It’s funny, because knowing his rise to fame in the 80s, you expect him to show up as the annoying kid sidekick. Nope, he’s just “boy at museum”. One line, that’s all he gets. It wouldn’t be until 1985 before he has another live action film role (in “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter”) that wasn’t “made for TV”. And then, such classics as “Dream a Little Dream” and License to Drive” followed. You know, I haven’t seen “License to Drive” in a while. Remember that scene where they drive uncontrollably down the hill just to screech to a halt in front of the diner? Yeah, that was sweet. Oh, and Heather Graham was so cute back then. I had a major crush on her in that movie. Boy, I’d really like to see it again… I wonder if it’s on Netflix streaming. No, it’s not? Too bad. I guess I’ll have to find a torrent or something… Oh yeah, “Time After Time”. Um… enjoyable enough for a Saturday afternoon time waster. 3 stars.

Stay Tuned – 1992 (PG)

Netflix says: Couch potato Roy Knable (John Ritter) has entered a new dimension of TV viewing -- the other side of the screen. When Roy sells his soul for the ultimate satellite system, he and his wife, Helen (Pam Dawber), are sucked into the cable version of hell. If they can survive "Driving Over Miss Daisy," "Northern Overxposure," "Robocat" and the rest of the hellish lineup, Roy and Helen can return home. If not, they'll be canceled permanently.

Marc says: One of the last  80’s styled kid oriented sci-fi / fantasy adventure movies; a genre perfected by the likes of The Goonies, Explorers, Flight of the Navigator, et. al. However, even though the narrator is your standard issue 11 year old whiz kid, the focus is much more on the adults in the story, a couple whose marriage is falling apart thanks to Ritter’s excessive TV watching habits (set in this decade a porn addiction would be more likely). In any event, the movie dutifully follows through on its premise, as husband and wife are sucked into the TV and forced to contend with twisted versions (with a Satanic bent, no less!) of television shows popular in the early 90’s. If you’re old enough to remember the TV shows the movie parodies, you might get a chuckle or two out of it, but in 2010, those programs are ancient history. On the plus side, generally well-acted by everyone (except for the homely chick who plays the older sister, ugh), well-directed, and the parodies are typically creative and humorous in spite of being heavily dated. Rated 3 satanic satellite dishes out of 5.

The Princess and the Frog – 2009 (G)

Netflix says: Down in New Orleans during the fabulous Jazz Age, young Princess Tiana (voice of Anika Noni Rose) searches for true love and comes face-to-face with snooty debutante Charlotte (Jennifer Cody), ancient voodoo priestess Mama Odie (Jennifer Lewis) and the evil Dr. Facilier (Keith David). But with the help of her mother (Oprah Winfrey), a crooning alligator and other friends, Tiana's fairy-tale dreams may come true after all in this Oscar nominee.

Matt says: Cute little Disney flick is everything you’d expect (rags to riches story with a evil supernatural villain, comic relief side-kicks, and catchy songs). Unfortunately, that means it’s nothing new. Everything in this feels done before. I have a feeling this is the nail in the coffin of the “princess” movies. I mean, they’ve done every race now, so there’s no need to continue. They have enough marketable goods to cover every black, white, asian, american indian, middle eastern, and fish person’s little girls’ bedroom furnishings to last a lifetime. I’m not a fan of Randy “Short People” Newman and didn’t enjoy the soundtrack as much as, say, the 80s Disney soundtracks that sounded straight from Broadway… so that bumped it down a little in my book. It’s a throwaway movie, finishing off the gambit. Little girls probably love it. Me? 3 stars.