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.

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.