Currently browsing the "Family Fare" category.

Cars 2

Cars 2 has plenty of action and adventure. What it doesn’t have enough of is heart. Unlike the first Cars movie where we got to know all of the residents of Radiator Springs, this one is all about Mater. And while the wisecracking tow truck was great as a supporting character, he just doesn’t cut it as a lead car.

Monte Carlo

To steal (and paraphrase) my favorite line from Monte Carlo, it’s like the “Sisterhood of the Traveling de France”. If you don’t get the reference, you’re probably way outside this movie’s target demo.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

I must begin with this statement: I love Werner Herzog!! If I had to choose a favorite filmmaker in the world it would be he. Beginning with Aguirre: The Wrath of God, his unique way of depicting the world has enthralled me. Most of his films would not be considered mainstream by any stretch, and Cave of Forgotten Dreams is not like anything else out there, but I think it should appeal to a wider audience because it is a portrait of a truly fascinating place, a unique opportunity to step into a cave beautifully decorated more than 30,000 years ago and off limits to most of humankind. In this excellent documentary the audience is allowed a private viewing of the world’s oldest known paintings.

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Mr. Popper’s Penguins is a fine family film for Father’s Day. The live action comedy stars Jim Carrey as a divorced dad who’s so wrapped up in his work that he’s lost sight of what’s really important in life – until he inherits six penguins from Antarctica.

Win Win

Win Win is a real winner that deserves (but may have to struggle for) mainstream traction. It’s like an indie, blue-collar version of The Blind Side that finds its heart and humor in everyday characters and actions.

Angry Birds Crash Super Bowl Party to Promote New Flick

Little Fockers

Little Fockers could very well ride the Focker franchise to a modicum of box office success – despite the fact that it pretty much sucks. I was embarrassed for the likes of Robert De Niro, Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman, though Streisand and Hoffman do appear only briefly in this sequel, as the hippie parents of Stiller’s character, Greg Focker.

Tangled

I finally got around to seeing Tangled, and that’s only because my 11-year-old niece was willing to see it a second time around. She is, most definitely, its target demographic – but I really liked it too. Tangled is a fun, sweet fairy tale flick reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. But instead of Beauty’s Belle living in her “small provincial town”, you’ve got Rapunzel holed up in a tower in the middle of the forest somewhere. Both are sort of rescued by guys, but when push comes to shove, both gals can kick some butt (only with much more grace and musicality).

Flipped DVD Giveaway

Never heard of Flipped? That’s probably because it got a bit lost in the sea of summer sensory-overload movies. It’s a nice, sweet, simple film reminiscent of The Wonder Years television show. You can re-read Mainstream Chick’s review from August, and enter our contest to win one of five free DVDs – just in time for the holidays!

Megamind

Megamind is megafun – for both kids and adults. I took my “seven-year-old excuse to go see animated movies” and both he and I laughed out loud at parts. He was so enthusiastic that before we even left the theater he asked when it was coming out on DVD.