"Hoot"

Luke Wilson
Logan Lerman
Brie Larson
Cody Linely
Tim Blake Nelson
Neil Flynn
Robert Wagner
Clark Gregg
Kiersten Warren
Jessica Cauffiel


PG           90min           2006


A young man (Lerman) moves from Montana to Florida with his family, where he’s compelled to engage in a fight to protect a population of endangered owls.

"Hoot" is a film geared to a younger audience. The whole family can appreciate this film. It gives an entertaining tale while trying display an important message.

It is one of those films that’s truly geared to younger audiences. It has kids standing up to the grownups, who do not listen to the kids even though they are right. It displays cute wildlife that will tug at your heart the moment they are on the screen.

Even with it geared to younger audiences the whole family can appreciate "Hoot". It has enough action that parents will find this film bearable. Its parents a message that they want to impart to their child. Teenager will find it entertaining because of the rebellious nature of the kids in this film.

Hoot has a responsible story about living harmoniously with nature. Showing that its important to standup for your believes even if you are in the minority. It shows that we as humans must find a balance between progress and protecting nature.

I give it 3/5 Gs.

"Cars (2006)"

G           116min           2006

“Cars” is an animated movie where the cars talk and have distinct personalities. When a up an coming arrogant racecar gets lost in Midwest American, he finds something that has been missing in his life.

Voiced by some of Hollywood’s top talent, a new marketing ploy from film companies, it an interesting story that I didn’t find interesting. The best draw for me was Mader voiced by Larry ”The Cable Guy”, and he was under used. The subject matter was a little to head for them and was done better by several live action films. This movie was totally geared to children with its bright and colorful cars.

Half the funny of these animation movies is not looking at any publicity, so that when I watching it I can figure out the voice behind the characters. Even with the voicing talents of Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, and Larry “The Cable Guy” could keep me interested. I felt that the performances were hollow, that they weren’t the cars by just voicing them. I didn’t feel the emotion in the voice that should have accompanied the action on the screen. But Larry ”The Cable Guy” did shine as the dim-witted “Mader”

This movie’s subject matter was a little thin for adults and the cars distracted the children from a boring movie. “Days of Thunder” is a much better live action version of “Cars. It just didn’t work for me and it can’t be blamed on me not being the demographic because I absolutely loved “Monster House” and “Over the Hedge”.

“Cars” was geared to kids using bright and colorful cars; as the title implies they were the movie. Made specifically to market something to children. This was made to make children want everything “Cars, toy cars, birthday cakes, and merchandise galore. This was made to be a money making machine.

Cars should have been a live action film. It has a thin plot gear to children not for the purpose of entertainment but for the “envy” of all. It had a weak plot and the voice acting was hollow. Other animation this year out shined this film.

I give it a 2/5 Gs.

"Dr. Dolittle 3"

Kyla Pratt
Kristen Wilson
Walker Howard
John Amos
Luciana Carro
Tommy Snider
Calum Worthy

PG           95min           2006

“Dr. Dolittle 3” is about Maya Dolittle being sent to the ‘Durango’ Dude Ranch, by her mother, to find herself. While there, she uses her talent to talk to the animals in order to save Durango from being taken over by a neighboring Ranch

It’s the first adventure without Eddie Murphy and is headlined by Kyla Pratt. It doesn’t have any cursing, sex, or violent. It’s a nice film that the whole family can enjoy. It’s a strong showing from a young actress with an extensive résumé.

‘Dr. Dolittle 3’ is a cute film that will greatly amuse children. Norm MacDonald, his voicing of Lucky is a little crude but still funny. The voicing of the animals steals the show. It you like trying to figure out voice over this movie is one that will keep you puzzled until the credits.

If you are looking for something to placate the tweens and below this is one for you. If you’re looking for something that will entertain you and your family this is one for you. There isn’t anything really objectionable in this film. It has the drunken monkey from the other films; a little crude humor and I think two kisses. It still holds the traditions and values started in 'Dr. Dolittle' and 'Dr. Dolitle 2'.

I give it 2/5 Gs.

"Dreamer (2005)"

Kurt Russell
Dakota Fanning
Kris Kristofferson
Elisabeth Shue
David Morse
Freddy Rodriguez
Luis Guzman
Oded Fehr

PG           106min           2005


“Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)” is a young girl’s ambition turns into a family dream to see a race horse that had a career ending leg break race again.

Dreamer is a nice gleaming beautiful film in a time wear Hollywood it about gritty, raw and too real drama. It’s a heart-warming tale about overcoming adversity and finding your dreaming. It’s a family drama that is beautifully acted. It’s a story for the entire family.

The root for this family too succeed, it’s something you want as much as they do. No one character is more important than any other and it truly tugs at your heart. Its not cynical or contrite as some of these family dramas can be. It portrays a real family struggling between success and family, living in reality or chasing after a dream.

Some of the best work from a child that is wise beyond her year, Dakota Fanning. It’s her star that shines in this film and she is the drawing attraction. She outshine her other costar. I think this movie was made with her in mind and it shows. As the movie is about the horse but its only compelling when is she on the screen.

Dreamer is film for the whole family. You cheer in the happy moments and cry in the sad. For some it gives them a good cry. As a family you can enjoy for the acting or for the majestic animals horses are. It made me appreciate how hard it is to raise horses. I found a new appreciation for the Triple Crown and just how hard is to win.

I give it a 3/5 Gs.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

William Moseley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anna Popplewell
Skandar Keynes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Georgie Henley
Tilda Swinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James McAvoy
Jim Broadbent

PG 135min 2005

The Chronicles of NArnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is one of the best special effect laden movies I have seen in a while. It captured the imagination and wonder of when I was a kid. It took me back to my childhood fighting imaginary creature exploring new worlds and meeting new people, if only in your mind.

Although this movie is geared to children, it is not a children movie. There are serious acts of violent in this movie. People are frozen which to a little kid could be consider killed. There is a battles scene on the scale of “Braveheart” and it only got a PG rating. I personally don’t like the rating system but parents should watch this first and see if their children are old enough to watch it. On the fun fact commentary C.S. Lewis, wrote books that he would like to read.

The DVD is packed with several added features for your enjoyment. The director and Children’s commentary is especially funny; Georgie Henley will crack you up on that commentary. Over 10 hours of interesting bonus features about the movie, the world of Narnia, and what’s to come.

Reading the Internet I have found that there is a debate on which way to read the books. I just started reading them but for the most part reading them in the order of which they were written and published is the best. Reading them in chronological order seems to take the mystery and wonder from the stories.

5/5 Gs

Elf

Will Ferrell
James Caan
Bob Newhart
Ed Asner
Mary Steenburgen
Zooey Deschanel
Daniel Tay
Faizon Love

PG           93min           2003

'Elf' is a great holiday movie for a depressed spirit. It starts a little slow but once it picks up it is hilarious. Ferrell's perform makes you remember what is like to be a kid again. Jon Favreau did a spectacular job with this movie. If you can't love this movie then... you've will be visited by three ghost.

I give it 5/5 Gs.

If today you found out you were adopted what would you do?>