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.

Ratatouille

Rating: G

Movie Release Date: June 29, 2007

DVD Release Date: November 6, 2007

Plot 411: A rat who dreams of becoming a chef joins forces with a lowly kitchen boy and together they become a sensation.

Review: This is a cute animated film that teaches us to follow our dreams no matter how big they are and how small we may seem. Remy (Patton Oswalt) is a rat who dreams of becoming a famous chef. He has the nose to do it too, but his family and clan don't believe in him. They think that humans and rats can never coexist. Instead of fostering his culinary abilities, they have him sniffing out poisons. When Remy becomes separated from his family, he forges ahead with his dreams and uses Luingini (Lou Romano), a kitchen boy, to fulfill his dreams. What Remy cannot do because of his size, Luingini is able to do for him. Together the two make hit after hit at a restaurant despite the growing suspicion of Skinner (Ian Holm), the restaurant's owner. This is a well-written animated film that was pretty entertaining to watch. It's a bit similar to the 2008 The Tale Of Desperaux, but I liked this movie a lot better. Somehow, despite Desperaux having a hand-drawn quality similar to storybooks we've all grown up enjoying, the film's artistic vision fell a little short. Ratatouille's animation is bold and vibrantly alive. However, the one fault of Ratatouille is that it didn't make my mouth water. You'd think a film about food would have you salivating in your seat. Despite this, it's still a good piece of animation.

Watch It: If you like rooting for the underdog.

Skip It: If you think rats are creepy.