Old Dogs

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: November 25, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 9, 2010

Plot 411: Two old friends cope when one discovers he has 7-year-old twins.

Review: Dan (Robin Williams) and Charlie (John Travolta) are two sports marketing execs determined to land a major international deal. However, it's around that time that Dan meets up with a old flame (Kelly Preston) and learns he's the father of two kids - Zach (Connor Rayburn) and Emily (Ella Bleu Travolta). Together, Dan and Charlie must wade through the waters of parenthood and score big with their potential clients. Well, there were definitely a lot of recurring jokes about how old Dan and Charlie are, which got a bit stale after a while. Despite that, this was a good family movie that kids will enjoy. There are some slapstick moments that were funny, but other comedic moments just didn't work. Somehow the best part of the movie was a classic hit-to-the-groin gag. I guess stuff like that never gets . . . old? Hardy har har! Also in this movie are Seth Green (love him), Lori Laughlin, Bernie Mac (RIP), Matt Dillon and Justin Long.

Watch It: For all it's family goodness.

Skip It: And watch Mrs. Doubtfire instead for an even more rolicking good time.

License To Wed

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 3, 2007

DVD Release Date: October 30, 2007

Plot 411: A young couple must complete a pre-marital course led by an eccentric priest.

Review: Sadie (Mandy Moore) and Ben (John Krasinski) take a crash course in marriage so they can hold their ceremony in Sadie's family's church. The course is led by Reverend Frank (Robin Williams) who isn't quite what they expect. He puts them through outrageous exercises and intrudes on their lives to test their love and sanity. Can the couple survive the guerrilla warfare set by the priest? This movie is pretty stupid. What happened to Robin Williams anyway? Where did movies like Patch Adams go? Or Good Morning, Vietnam? Has it really come to this Robin? Really? I'm just flabbergasted. Also connected with this movie (why I do not know) are Eric Christian Olsen, Christine Taylor and Peter Strauss.

Watch It: If you're looking for a sub-par rom com.

Skip It: For any of the movies listed above.

Hook

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: December 11, 1991

DVD Release Date: March 21, 2000

Plot 411: Peter Pan returns to Neverland as an adult who doesn't remember his past as leader of the Lost Boys.

Review: I remember loving this movie as a kid because of all the magic and wonder. It was also fun and action packed, telling a well-known tale with a twist. However, after watching this trailer, the movie feels outdated. The CGI has definitely be surpassed by today's technology. Robin Williams plays Peter Banning, the former Peter Pan who left Never Never Land to live in the real world. Since then, he has become a workaholic who rarely spends time with his family. He has lost all memories of his former self and the joy and freedom he used to possess. When Peter's son and daughter are kidnapped by Hook (Dustin Hoffman), Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) takes him back to Neverland to save them. The movie is a follow up to the original film and addresses issues such as love, work/life balance, adventure and freedom. I think it has a nice overall message and advises people to stop and smell the roses once in a while. This movie also stars Maggie Smith as Wendy and Dante Basco as Rufio.

Watch It: To pause and think about what is truly valuable in your life.

Skip It: In favor of the 1953 animated version.

Happy Feet

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: November 17, 2006

DVD Release Date: March 27, 2007

Plot 411: A penguin goes on a journey of self-discovery when his differences are too much to ignore.

Review: In this animated film, Elijah Wood provides the voice for Mumble, a penguin without a singing voice. His lack of vocal talent makes him an oddity because all penguins must be able to sing in order to find their mate. Instead, Mumble is blessed with two tap dancing feet. When he becomes separated from his classmates, Mumble meets other penguins and for the first time he is accepted for who he is. This revelation encourages him to go home to reunite with his friend Gloria (Brittany Murphy). However, he also learns about aliens (humans) who are causing the fish to disappear and he's determined to remedy the problem for the sake of his family. This was a cute film with tons of singing. The music was definitely one of the highlights, allowing both adults and children to enjoy this film. The characters were also delightful to watch. I wouldn't necessarily say that this was a deep film, however, you could definitely tell that there were underlying themes in it. Still, I don't think the themes were successfully communicated because they were a bit obvious and clunky. I challenge the filmmakers to address their audience with a little more respect for their intellect. Also voice acting in this film are Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Anthony LaPaglia.

Watch It: For the singing and dancing.

Skip It: If you want a more fulfilling animated flick like Up or Wall-E.

August Rush

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: November 21, 2007

DVD Release Date: March 11, 2008

Plot 411: An orphan caught in the system truly believes his parents are out there and knows that all he needs to do is play music to draw them back.

Review: Evan (Freddie Highmore) is a kid growing up in the New York foster care system. He refuses to be adopted because he believes his parents are out there looking for him. The reality of it is that his parents (Keri Russell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers) don't even know he's alive and aren't even together. However, Evan is so sure they're out there that he runs away and becomes a street kid. He is taken in by Wizard (Robin Williams), a guy who cares for many other runaways in exchange for a cut of their street performances. Evan's talent is so great that he soon moves on to bigger and better things in hopes that his parents will one day find him. This is a truly moving and inspirational film. You'll feel the music flowing through you, just as it flows through Evan. Highmore makes you fall in love with Evan because of his sweet disposition. You really root for the kid and hope things work out, even though through our adult eyes you know the situation is pretty dire. Evan's optimism is unmatched and you gotta wonder how someone in that kind of situation can sustain it. Williams plays a scoundrel one minute and a loving father figure the next. It's quite an interesting mix.

Watch It: And let the music grab hold of your soul.

Skip It: If you live firmly in reality. Some of the plot is a stretch of the imagination.

Dead Poets Society

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: June 2, 1989

DVD Release Date: November 10, 1998

Plot 411: A prep school teacher inspires his students to be individuals and fight against conformity.

Review: This is my favorite Robin Williams movie, which may be surprising to some as it is not a comedy. In this dramatic role, Williams plays an all-boys prep school English teacher who uses unorthodox methods to teach his students. Because his ideology and methods do not conform to the school's teachings, he is a rebel among the educators. Through him and his awkward but enlightening lessons, the boys learn to see through the veil of conservative b.s. and form thoughts and ideas for themselves. They learn to question everything in life and determine a moral code for themselves. In this timeless coming-of-age story, the boys learn difficult life lessons, experience hardships due to Puritanical beliefs and are forced to make life-changing decisions. Also starring in this film are Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke.

Watch It: If you're an English major, aspiring educator or anarchist.

Skip It: If you believe in tradition, honor, discipline and excellence at all costs.

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