They’ve really mined everything they can out of these "Ice Age" movies, haven’t they? That’s not to say they’re not cute and fun and all that stuff. Just that maybe they’ve come to the end of the line on these particular characters and stories. Then again, they’ve added a few new characters in this movie, and let’s face it, they’re just at the dawn of the dinosaurs, which means this franchise could go on into infinity.
The first movie, 2002’s "Ice Age," was definitely the best. The second, 2006’s "Ice Age: The Meltdown," was cute, and this one is …read more

Here’s a fun giveaway for any fan of Pixar and/or “Cars,” a movie loved by both kids and adults, thanks to the retro feel of it.
THE MOVIE: The CG-animated movie takes place in a world inhabited entirely by cars. Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is the slick rookie taking the Piston Cup series by storm when the last race of the season ends in a three-way tie.
On the way to the tie-breaker race in California, Lightning loses his way off Route 66 in the Southwest desert and is taught to stop and smell the roses by the forgotten citizens …read more

Remember “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”? It’s one of those beloved Disney films that you rarely ever see on cable anywhere, so I was delighted when the “Enchanted Musical Edition” was released last year.
If you’re not familiar with the film, it follows a mail-order apprentice witch (Angela Lansbury) who finds herself saddled with three sibling refugees from London during World War II. Of course, everything comes down to this group, including headmaster David Tomlinson, basically saving England from the ravages of war.
The quintet comes up against corrupt booksellers, animated-lion royalty, and, eventually, invading Germans.
It’s hard not to compare …read more

Zachary Levi stopped by the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City for an appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” He was there to promote the new season of “Chuck,” premiering Sunday, Jan. 10, with a two-hour episode beginning at 9/8c.
But for movie lovers, especially Chipmunk movie lovers, he’s also playing Dave’s slacker cousin Toby in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.” I have to say, though, Zachary Levi looks nothing like either of those characters. He’s handsome, not nerdy!

Image: INF

The trailer for “Shrek Forever After” is online, and Dreamworks is calling is the last sequel in this particular franchise. Of course, I don’t believe it. The cynical side of me says if they can keep making money on it, they’ll keep churning out sequels or video games or straight-to-dvd installments. But the characters really are pretty cute, so that’s ok with me.
The plot for “Shrek Forever After” is similar to Frank Capra’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Shrek lands in a Far Far Away world as if he never existed. The ogre Fiona is public enemy number …read more

As soon as I walked out of the theater after seeing “Avatar,” I started thinking this franchise could go anywhere. And they basically set things up to do just that, with most of the humans returning to their ravaged earth and the Pandorans taking back control of their planet.
And based on the impressive box office numbers at this writing – it’s grossed $745 million worldwide — I’m guessing it’ll have no problem recouping at least double its $400 million (or more) budget.
Director James Cameron didn’t waste any time jumping on the sequel bandwagon. In a Q&A hosted …read more

“G-Force” was released on DVD and Blu-ray Dec. 15, 2009, and while kids older than 10 or 11 might be bored with the talking animals, it’s a cute flick for kids in the 5 to 9 age range.
Read my full review here, but to summarize, it’s a CG-animated movie featuring super-smart animal spies who go head to head with an electronics hot-shot planning to take over the world using home appliances. But things don’t go well, and the FBI department is shut down, landing the animals in various places, including homes and a pet shop.
One thing it …read more

Movie: Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel * Official Site
In Theaters: Dec. 23, 2009

Runtime: 88 minutes
Directed by: Betty Thomas

MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor
Gecko Rating:

After an onstage mishap lands Dave (Jason Lee) in the hospital, the Chipmunks end up in the care of his slacker cousin Toby (Zachary Levi). Alvin (Justin Long), Theodore (Jesse McCartney) and Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) attend school and discover girls, bullies, and peer pressure, as Alvin joins the football team and spends less time with his brothers.
More after the jump…

Movie: The Princess and the Frog * Official Site
In Theaters: Dec. 11, 2009

Runtime: 97 minutes
Directed by: Ron Clements

MPAA Rating: G
Gecko Rating:

Just when you think there aren’t any good family movies being made anymore, along comes a gem like “The Princess and the Frog.” It’s got everything going for it, including a cast of colorful characters, a sweet old-fashioned story, snazzy musical numbers, and a cool Deep South setting.
The story, which is a modern-day retelling of the classic story, “The Frog Prince,” begins in New Orleans during the Jazz Age. Young Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) tags along with …read more

The official trailer for “Toy Story 3” is out, and it looks like the movie will carry the same magic as the first two movies. This time, Andy’s heading off for college, and Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toy-box buddies are shuttled off to a daycare center.
Lee Unkrich directs the Disney/Pixar movie, with a June 18, 2010 release date planned. Tom Hanks, Joan Cusack, Michael Keaton, Tim Allen, Bonnie Hunt, Whoopi Goldberg, John Ratzenberger, Laurie Metcalf and a host of other stars lend their voices to the adorable toys.
My kids and I saw the double feature …read more