All Roads Lead Home

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: September 25, 2008

DVD Release Date: January 13, 2009

Plot 411: After a tragic car accident, a family struggles to keep going.

Review: Twelve year old Belle (Vivien Cardone) and her dad Cody (Jason London) are having a rough time of it two years after Belle's mother dies in a car accident. Belle's school work is suffering and she doesn't have a lot of friends. But, her dad is working long hours in animal control and just doesn't know what to do about her. He finally decides to ship her off to his father-in-law's place. He hopes that Hock (Peter Coyote) will be able to work that bad attitude right out of her. This movie seemed to be straight off the Lifetime channel. It was full of drama and held steadfastly to certain morals. Overall, it wasn't that bad - a little melodramatic but not bad. Cardone has some really great emotive moments but also stiffly delivers her lines in others. Coyote is great in this role as a gruff old coot. Loved him. Also in this film are Patton Oswalt and Peter Boyle.

Watch It: For a movie about how tough life can be sometimes.

Skip It: Because it's a little preachy at times.

G-Force

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: July 24, 2009

DVD Release Date: December 15, 2009

Plot 411: An experimental team of guinea pigs must save the world from disaster and prove they are skilled FBI agents.

Review: Ben (Zach Galifianakis) is heading an experimental program for the FBI that trains common rodents to be special agents. He has put together a team consisting of three guinea pigs and a mole. Led by Darwin (Sam Rockwell), Blaster (Tracy Morgan), Juarez (Penelope Cruz) and Speckles (Nicholas Cage) go on a mission to take down a suspected international arms dealer (Bill Nighy). Avoiding capture from FBI agents who want to stop their program, the team ends up in a pet store and gets a taste of what life as a pet is like. This movie wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. There was a lot of action that made it a lot of fun. However, the dialogue was a bit forced. They kept referencing famous movies and pulling lines out left and right. I guess that was supposed to be for the adults. Unfortunately, it wasn't really put together well enough to capitalize on that. The animation was pretty good, but I found it hard to connect with it. They just didn't seem real at all.

Watch It: For one of the few action animated flicks out there.

Skip It: Because it's not really one of those memorable movies with a lot of impact.

Imagine That

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: June 12, 2009

DVD Release Date: October 6, 2009

Plot 411: An finance exec uses his daughter's imaginary friends to pick stocks for clients.

Review: Eddie Murphy plays Evan, a bigwig workaholic who faces some competition from Johnny (Thomas Hayden Church), a new guy in his company. Johnny is using his native American roots to pitch financial decisions to clients. He swoops in and begins taking Evan's clients. During this time, Evan is babysitting his daughter Olivia (Yara Shahidi) for the week. She is having trouble adjusting to the divorce of her parents. Her mom is played by Nicole Ari Parker. To cope, she is unusually attached to her blanket, which she uses to escape into make-believe lands. However, when her fairy princesses begin giving extraordinary stock tips, Evan does all that he can to get their advice. Even though this is supposed to be a kid's movie, I think adults would be the best served by watching it. The movie has several funny scenes (I mean, it's Eddie Murphy for goodness sake), but I didn't feel like there was a ton of things to offer kids. The movie focuses on the lack of involvement Evan has in his daughter's life and how he is consumed with success and status at work. We could all heed this movie's advice and probably be better off as a result.

Watch It: But don't expect another The Nutty Professor performance.

Skip It: And set your kid up with How To Train Your Dragon instead.

The Lion King

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: June 15, 1994

DVD Release Date: October 7, 2003

Plot 411: As a young lion, Simba is ousted from his homeland and returns as an adult to claim what is rightfully his.

Review: I can't believe this movie is over 15 years old. However, I still enjoy it now as I did then. There are great life lessons in this movie that children should learn from and the soundtrack is great. As a young lion, Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) is tricked into believing he caused the death of his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones). He is chased out of Pride Rock by a pack of hyenas, who are under orders to kill him. Unknown to Simba or the rest of the pride, Scar (Jeremy Irons), Simba's uncle, has plotted against them in order to take control of the pride. As a grown lion, Simba meets his old friend Nala, who with the help of Mufasa's advisor Rafiki (Robert Guillaume), convinces Simba to return and take his rightful place. This movie is pretty powerful for a kid's show. There are many great themes, like honor, loyalty, greed, betrayal and friendship, that are front-and-center in this show. Despite being complex emotions, these concepts are presented in youth-friendly ways that teach while being able to entertain. The characters are memorable, especially Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), two of Simba's friends. Even though animation techniques have obviously progressed since the making of this movie, I still believe this film holds up. Compared with some of today's computer-generated animation, I prefer the simplicity of this old Disney style.

Watch It: For great family entertainment.

Skip It: Because like most Disney shows there's a lot of singing and dancing going on.

Kung Fu Panda

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: June 5, 2008 (Russia, South Korea, Ukraine) / June 6, 2008 (USA)

DVD Release Date: November 8, 2008

Plot 411: When the Valley of Peace is threatened, a master must select a kung fu master who can protect the special scroll from falling into evil hands.

Review: I had a great time watching this animated action comedy starring Jack Black as Po, a fat, uncoordinated panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. Po, the son of a noodle shop owner (James Hong), and doesn't have training in martial arts. But when a prophecy predicts that Tai Lung (Ian McShane) will come to their village in search of the Dragon Scroll, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) must find someone worthy enough to protect it. Among the talented martial artists are Po's heros, the Furious Five - Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross). The reason I enjoyed this movie is because it engaged the entire audience. Mimicking live action kung fu movies out of China or Hong Kong, this plot is driven by Po's transformation from a nobody to a somebody. His journey is filled with ups and downs, and it isn't till he finds it within himself to be the best that others begin to respect him. Both adults and children can understand the desire to be more than one appears. Rarely do we have the chance to prove ourselves like Po does, and the audience is able to accompany him on his hero's journey.

Watch It: For a fun, action-packed movie for the entire family.

Skip It: And you miss a movie that simply, yet effectively, promotes good moral themes for kids.

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.

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who!

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: March 3, 2008

DVD Release Date: December 9, 2008

Plot 411: An elephant discovers an entire world on a speck of dust and must protect it from the other jungle animals.

Review: Horton (Jim Carrey) is a lovable elephant who hears a small sound emitting from a speck of dust floating in the air. He decides to house the speck on a clover because he thinks there may be creatures living on the speck. Indeed, there is the entire community of Who-ville, including its mayor Ned (Steve Carell), his wife (Amy Poehler), daughters (Selena Gomez) and son JoJo (Jesse McCartney). The animals in Horton's jungle do not believe that there might be life on the speck, and led by Kangaroo (Carol Burnett), they turn into a mob looking to destroy the speck. Can Horton save Who-ville from destruction? I really enjoyed this movie for all its wonderful dialogue and heartfelt message. The lilting gait of the narrator as he reads Dr. Seuss' classic story drives home the power of Seuss' words and emphasizes the impact he has on today's children. I didn't realize I knew so many lines from the book until I was miraculously able to recite them with the film. Today's technology merely enhances a story that is over 50 years old. Also providing voice talent are Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Isla Fisher and Jonah Hill.

Watch It: For inspiration to make a difference in other people's lives and to firmly stand your ground when you are faced with opposition.

Skip It: And read the book first. This is definitely a must.

Coraline

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: February 9, 2009

DVD Release Date: July 21, 2009

Plot 411: A bored little girl discovers a hidden doorway that leads her to an extraordinary life.

Review: Coraline (Dakota Fanning) moves into a new home with her parents (voiced by Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman), but they don't even have time to unpack because they need to finish writing a catalog. Bored out of her mind, Coraline explores her new home and finds a hidden doorway. One night she goes through the door and enters a new and exciting world. Everything appears to be the same but is completely better in every way. The only distractingly different thing is that her new parents have button eyes and want her to stay forever. For a children's film, this movie was extremely scary and unnerving so I don't think it's fit for younger kids. The animation is sort of Tim Burton-esque and just creepy all around. Even the opening credits are disturbing and could have actually been the opening of a horror movie. It instantly reminded me of Tales From The Crypt for some reason. This movie is definitely on the cutting edge of not only animation but imagination. It easily creates a new world into which you are pulled. The contrast in color and texture between the real world and the other world are instantly recognizable, and the moral lesson is a good one. Also providing voice talent are Keith David, Jennifer Saunders and Ian McShane.

Watch It: Because it's one of the first movies in a long time that actually gave me chills. It's just messed up that it's a kid's movie.

Skip It: If you like your cartoons all Winnie the Poohish.

Despicable Me 3D

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: July 9, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: An evil doer must shrink and capture the moon to prove to the world that he belongs in the bad boys club.

Review: Gru (Steve Carell) is an aging evil mastermind who has yet to prove himself as a valuable member of the evil-doers club. In an attempt to establish himself as an incrediblely bad guy, he plots to steal the moon from the world. This heist will put him in the record books. However, first he must steal a shrinking ray from up-and-comer Vector (Jason Segel). Using three orphans, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Fisher), Gru hopes to finally fulfill his dreams of being a rock star evil mastermind. This was a cute movie for the young or young at heart. It took full advantage of several things: 1) the overwhelming cuteness of little girls; 2) the overwhelming funniness of secondary characters; and 3) juvenile humor and jokes. I really enjoyed this movie, but somehow it doesn't live up to other animated family comedies that have come before it. There didn't seem to be as much heart as in other movies. Still, I had a great time and would recommend this to family-oriented viewers. Also providing voice talent are Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Danny McBride.

Watch It: Simply for the minions. Completely hilarious and cute.

Skip It: Because it doesn't develop the plot or characters the way Pixar does.

Toy Story 3

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: June 18, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Andy is off to college and the toys are afraid they'll be tosssed into the trash or be left behind.

Review: I haven't watched the Toy Story series in a really long time, and I'm not even sure if I ever watched the second film. However, I had passes to the premiere of the third installment so I said, "what the heck?" The screening was in 3D, which was a nice surprise. The theater was also rolling out some new technology, having just renovated this particular auditorium with new speakers and a huge screen. The seats were all leatherish (I don't know if it was real leather or some kind of vinyl) and not cloth. In any case, I thought they should've made the seats wider if they were gonna totally redo the auditorium. It'd be like watching a movie at home on your couch if they had. Also, whatever they did to enhance the visual experience was awesome because the new 3D was pretty great. Anyway, the main premise of the film was that Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the rest of the toys were being boxed up as Andy prepared for college. Their worst fear, being dumped in the trash, happens when Andy's mom mistakes his garbage bag for real garbage. The toys manage to sneak away and head off toward a pre-school as donations. Thinking this is a better option than the dumpster, the toys soon want to reconsider that line of thinking. The movie was well-written and dealt with issues like growing up, growing old, love, friendship, the meaning of life and death. Pretty heavy stuff for an animated film for kids. It definitely works though. This is probably one of the best cartoon movies I've seen in a long time. I'd even say it was better than Up.

Watch It: For a wonderfully developed plot and the same characters you've grown to love as your own toys.

Skip It: If you maybe would like to watch the first two before seeing this movie. I think I'll probably go back and try to watch the them and compare.

The Jungle Book

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: December 25, 1994

DVD Release Date: December 19, 2001

Plot 411: After a tiger attacks a camp, a boy is lost and raised by wolves.

Review: Jason Scott Lee stars as Mowgli, an Indian boy accompanying his father into the field where his father serves as a guide for the British military. When a tiger attacks the camp, Mowgli is separated from the men and is never seen again. Mowgli grows up among the animals of the jungle, which include a bear named Baloo, a jaguar named Bagheera and his faithful wolf named Grey Brother. As an adult, he encounters Kitty (Lena Headey), the daughter of the military colonel Mowgli's father was assisting. She doesn't recognize him at all and wishes to civilize him. He returns with her to the city where he learns to speak and read. However, Mowgli's two worlds collide and he must choose where he belongs. The first thing I noticed about this movie is how skinny Cary Elwes was. However, I guess I shouldn't have been since this movie was done only a year after Robin Hood: Men In Tights. Overall, this was a fine adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic book. I think it could become a Disney favorite in many households because there's a good deal of humor, animals and action involved. There are, of course, villians in the movie but they are killed off screen most of the time. Some of the special effects in this movie don't hold up at all (like the scene where Mowgli jumps off a cliff and into the pool at the bottom of a waterfall), but I still found it charming in its own way. Also in this movie are Cary Elwes, Sam Neill and John Cleese.

Watch It: For a live-action version of a classic tale.

Skip It: Because I actually prefer the animated version better.

Race To Witch Mountain

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: March 11, 2009 (Egypt) / March 13, 2009 (USA)

DVD Release Date: August 4, 2009

Plot 411: Two kids recruit a cab driver and a scientist in order to get back home.

Review: Two aliens in the shape of children named Seth (Alexander Ludwig) and Sarah (AnnaSopia Robb) crash their spaceship on Earth. While avoiding the government and an alien set on killing them, they jump into Jack's (Dwayne Johnson) cab and enlist his help. At first he is skeptical and think they're runaways. But he soon discovers their unique attributes and has a run in with the killer alien. In this family-friendly action adventure flick, I could only find a couple tihngs enjoyable and worth watching. The first and best (in my opinion) is the small role played by Garry Marshall. In the short scene or two that he's given, he puts on a master class for the other actors. The second cool thing about this movie is the 3D visual of space, which, of course, is created with obvious CGI. The CGI was really distracting in this movie. You'd think that in a movie about aliens with astounding technology, they'd front the money for better effects. Do they think kids won't notice the difference? As far as the acting goes, I felt Robb did a satisfactory job, especially with her facial expressions. Ludwig just looked constipated the entire film. And Johnson still hasn't shown that he can make in on the big screen. While all his fight scenes may look legit, the rest of his acting desperately needs Marshall's master class. Also in this film are Carla Gugino, Tom Everett Scott and Chris Marquette.

Watch It: Only for the reasons I pointed out above.

Skip It: Instead of wasting 90 minutes of your life.

MirrorMask

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: September 30, 2005

DVD Release Date: February 7, 2006

Plot 411: A girl enters a fantasy world in which she is mistaken for an evil princess.

Review: I don't know who suggested that I watch this (I suspect it was one of the podcasts I listen to), but man, I was kinda bored throughout the entire movie. The film is about a girl named Helena who works in her family's business, which happens to be a traveling circus. Like most teenagers, she doesn't appreciate her unique circumstances or the value of her parents. When her mother falls ill after a verbal bout with her, Helena finds herself in an alternate world. Let's just say this movie is like a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Coraline (which, by the way, is also a film by Neil Gaiman, the co-writer of this movie). Visually, this movie is a bizarre buffet of weird characters that only exist in your wildest of dreams. That's about the only facinating part about this movie. However, after a half hour of these weirdly wonderful creatures, I just got tired of them. The plot is twisted (not in a good way) and convoluted. Despite being on some kind of personal journey, I just don't give a care (haven't heard that saying in a while now have you?) about Helena.

Watch It: If you're into the Tim Burton-esque touch and feel because this is quite similar.

Skip It: If your idea of fantasy is fire-breathing dragons or hobit-like creatures. This is a fantasy, but thoroughly born from Gaiman's imagination.

How To Train Your Dragon

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: Marhc 26, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: A young Viking doesn't fit in with the rest of his people and befriends their long-time enemy.

Review: Jay Baruchel voices Hiccup, the son of a Viking leader named Stoick (Gerard Butler). Everything about Hiccup screams the antithesis of a Viking. He is scrawny and weaker than his peers, which adds to the ridicule he receives from just about everyone in town. He just isn't able to fit into his society depsite all his best efforts. However, this attribute turns out to be his saving grace. I won't say any more because it would ruin the already quite predictable plot for you. Needless to say, this film isn't touting any new moral lessons for us, or our kids, to learn. Still, the action was really enjoyable and there were some definite funny moments. Craig Ferguson is good as Gobber, an old warrior who must teach the next generation to fight dragons. The best part for me was the animation. How do they manage to make clouds, water and fire look so real? It even looks like you can reach out and touch Hiccup's hair as the ocean breeze blows it around. These tiny details make you realize that DreamWorks is definitely the studio leading the pack. Also providing voice support in this film are America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig.

Watch It: Because it's definitely better than the trailers make it out to be.

Skip It: If you usually turn on the subtitles so you can understand all UKish dialects. You might want to wait for the DVD for this one.

Astro Boy

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: October 23, 2009

DVD Release Date: March 16, 2010

Plot 411: When his son dies, a scientist goes to extreme measures to bring him back.

Review: I don't even know how to express how much I disliked this movie. It was such a yawnfest. I've never read the manga so I can't compare the film to it, but this movie was kind of a time waster. Set in a time when technology is advanced enough to create robots who do everything for humans and when humans are disinterested in preserving the planet (kind of similar to Wall-E), a scientist (Nicholas Cage) is strong armed to create a peace-keeping robot. However, during a demonstration of this robot, his son Toby (Freddie Highmore) is killed. In this grief, the scientist creates a robot with his son's memories and physical features, but he soon realizes that this robot cannot replace his son. Banished from his home, the robot boy (later named Astro) finds his way to Surface, which is actually the surface of the earth. Because of the earth's impending destruction, the citizens created Metro City, which floats in the sky above all the waste. I dunno . . . the plot has shades of Wall-E and doesn't even come close to replicating its environmental themes. It doesn't seem to condemn science and technology enough. It doesn't seem to applaud humanity enough. The action sequences weren't all that impressive. It wasn't outstandingly funny. This move just wasn't anything.

Watch It: If maybe you enjoy the manga and want to see it come to life?

Skip It: For a better-quality animated film.

Alice In Wonderland 3D

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: March 5, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Alice returns to the land she visited as a child and thinks she's living a dream.

Review: Tim Burton's version of Alice In Wonderland is just so Tim Burton. The movie aesthetics and visuals do not seem like they could be done by anyone but Burton. The colors and bleakness of the settings and the dark nature of the so-called children's film are obviously Burton's signature. Watching it in 3D was probably not necessary though. It didn't have the same all-encompassing feel that Avatar did. In fact, I think it could've pulled the audience in a lot more than it did, which is a damn shame. Some of the CGI work was pretty bad. It looked like I was watching video game graphics. Despite this, I still enjoyed it a great deal. I'll probably rent it when it comes out on DVD. Somehow, I didn't find Anne Hathaway all that appealing in this movie. She really got on my nerves with all her twirling and fluttering about. I did, however, love, love, love Helena Bonham Carter. She did a perfect job as the Queen of Hearts. What does it say when I relate more with the bad queen than the good one? Of course, Johnny Depp played the Mad Hatter. Really, he was just re-doing his Jack Sparrow routine but with a snazzier-looking outfit and caked on makeup. Also providing voice acting are Stephen Fry as the cheshire cat and Alan Rickman as the caterpillar.

Watch It: For a Burton re-envisioning of all your favorite Wonderland characters.

Skip It: And watch the regular version. No need to pay extra for IMAX 3D or Disney Digital 3D.

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.

An American Tail

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: November 21, 1986

DVD Release Date: January 20, 2004

Plot 411: An animated film about the immigration of the Mousekewitz family to America, a land where there are no cats.

Review: I used to love this film when I was younger. Fievel (Phillip Glasser) is a young mouse who is separated from his family when he gets washed overboard on the ship to America. His family believes him to be dead, but Fievel makes his way to America in a glass bottle. When he arrives, he meets all kinds of people - some honest, some devious. As he continues to look for his family, Fievel becomes wrapped up in a political rally against the cats that he now realizes are also in the new world. Fievel served as a strong protagonist because despite his small stature he had a big heart. He made you fall in love with him through his determination (not to mention his huge ears) to find his family. You cheered for him. You were upset with him. You were frightened for him. However, looking back on the plot now it's easy to see all the larger implications that were overlooked when I was a child. This story could've been a subplot in Gangs Of New York because it deals with the same time period and issues. I find it amazing that socio-political themes of the time could be translated into a children's film with such ease. All the same prejudices, poverty and corruption were there.

Watch It: For the inspirational jouney of one mouse in a land of many and to reminisce about the hand-drawn quality that was so prevalent in the '80s.

Skip It: If you like your animation to be more of the CG variety.

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.

Princess Mononoke / Mononoke hime

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: June 12, 1997 (Japan) / October 29, 1999

DVD Release Date: December 19, 2000

Plot 411: A young prince must convince humans and forest dwellers to find peace in their hearts in order to save the Forest Spirit.

Review: Prince Ashitaka (Billy Crudup) is cursed when he kills a demon that is enroute to destroy his village. Ashitaka must travel to the demon's homeland to find a cure. However, once he arrives he discovers a battle between humans and forest dwelling animals and spirits. The humans, led by Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver), are clearing the land to search for more iron. They are harming nature in the process, which is upsetting the animals and spirits. The Moro clan of wolves is led by a mother wolf (Gillian Anderson) and her cubs, which includes a human girl San (Claire Danes). There is a lot of animosity between the Moro clan and the humans and San does not trust any human, despite being one herself. Ashitaka must find a way in which humans and nature can coexist, not only to save his life but to save everyone's future. You can obviously see that there are tons of themes coursing through this film. On one level, it is far more superior that the recent imitations like Avatar. There's a depth to it that leads to further discussions solely about Hayao Miyazaki's meanings. However, the animation is marvelous as well. It is something at which Miyazaki completely excels and there's no denying his influence on modern day animators. The world he creates is magical, and while the techniques used to portray his visions are different from James Cameron's recent work, it is just as awe inspiring.

Watch It: For a truly whirlwind experience through a magical world.

Skip It: If you're just looking for a fun time. If so, see Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs instead. Despite being a kid's flick, this movie will make you think.