Happy Feet

An animated film about a "messed" up penguin who instead of singing, dances passionately. Mumble, and his friend Gloria have known each other since they were baby penguins. However, the elders of their penguin-colt-thing do not approve of this habbit at all. They blame Mumble for the loss of their fish, and they exile him. mumble journeys to exotic lands, meetes new penguins, and get abducted by "aliens", which are actually humans. While in what seems like a zoo, the humans discover Mumble's capabilty of dance, and send him back to his land.

This film truely has hidden meaning. After the word is released about the penguins and their fish, a heartbreaking montage is shown of a process in government debating the matter of the penguin's food supply. However, since this is a children's movie, it ends happily. Thumbs up.

Rated PG

-Megan

Alice in Wonderland

A retelling of the fantastic and classic story by Lewis Carroll, this Alice in Wonderland is a live action sequel to the original animated movie. It begins with 19 year old Alice (Mia Wasikowska), who has forgotten about her childhood adventures in everything but her dreams. When she falls back into the rabbit hole, Alice sees that "Underland" is completely different from her dreams, as the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) is ruling the land. Only Alice can return the rule back to the White Queen (Anne Hathaway).

Alice in Wonderland proves to be yet another Tim Burton masterpiece, and, of course, has a fabulous performance from Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter. The Hatter proves to be absolutely mad, yet wise. Mia Wasikowska is, as Hatter says, "absolutely Alice." The whole cast was great. It also included the voice of Alan Rickman.

The visual effects are great in this, but not overpowering like they were in Avatar. And, for Tim Burton, this wasn't creepy at all. However, this movie was rather serious for a Disney movie, with not many laughs and the underlying theme of a war. It was good, though, and I'm not just saying that because I go to see anything Tim Burton or Johnny Depp do.

Rated PG

4 stars out of 5

-Maddy

Kate and Leopold

When a 19th century man, Leopold (Hugh Jackman), goes forward in time, and meets a 21st century business woman (Meg Ryan). She thinks he is an actor, and he can't comprehend women in pants. However, they learn to love each other and the times they were each born in.

Although the plot was a clever idea and has a great male lead, this movie falls flat. I was bored watching it and was constantly annoyed by Kate (Ryan). I don't particularly enjoy Meg Ryan's performances to begin with, and Kate was whiney and stereotypical. Hugh Jackman was a disappointment, although I think he couldn't do anything else with the script, as he was wide eyed and clueless for most of the movie.

This is the movie equivalent of a beach book; not very good, but it doesn't take any effort to watch it.

Rated PG-13

2 stars out of 5

-Maddy

The Wizard of Oz

A classic novel turned into a classic movie. Judy Garland has an amazing role in this film as Dorthy, a young woman from Kansas that is swept into a world of color by a huge twister. Unfortunately for Dorothy, her house that also gets swept away by the tornado land on the wicked witch of the East. Her sister, the wicked witch of the West, then seeks revenge on Dorothy and her new ruby slippers, taken off the feet of the dead witch.

Along with this magical scenery and story line, the true meaning of friendship is revealed as a group of people (or part animal in this case) go searching for the "wonderful wizard of Oz". A scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion are all in need of something human-like. Dorothy only wants to go home to Kansas. Witches and spells also crowd this world of munchkins and poppies. Good witches, bad witches, magic slippers, flying monkeys, this story is truly original.

This film is fun for the whole family. Drama, witchcraft, wild animals, and friendship are packed within this fantastic story. One of my all time favorites. My only problem with this movie has to be Toto, Dorothy's dog. I have nothing against the dog, just the role that the dog seems to have within the film. Why should Dorothy revolve her whole life around her dog? Risking her life to go back into the house when a twister is in view. Besides this, I love this movie.

Thumbs way way up.

-Megan

Miracle on 34th Street

As you may possibly guess, I have a thing for black and white Christmas movies. Miracle on 34Th street is one of my favorites. Santa Claus is loved by children across the world, who believe in him deeply. However, do the kids keep their belief when they grow up? Well, the adults in this movie certainly do not.

So when Kris Kringle comes to town, he gets a job at Macy's working as the in-store Santa. Of course the adults have no idea that this guy is for real. But one little girl proves the truth. The little girl just so happens to be the daughter of an important worker at the Macy's store, who has no belief what so ever in Santa Claus.

The young girl develops her belief of Kris Kringle while sticking around who she believes to be the real one, who actually is the real one. Okay, I just confused myself. I'm not exactly good at explaining this part of the film, so I'll move on.

This movie is not entirely about children and Xmas. The young girl's mother, falls in love with their neighbor who happens to be a lawyer. This lawyer ends up defending good old Kris, when the people at macy's start to believe that he has lost it. That's when the famous scene occurs with the letters from kids across the world, get adressed to Santa and sent to the corthouse. This film is truley spectacular and great for all ages.

Huge thumbs up.

-Megan

Up

This movie is Disney Pixar, which means that it is amazing. Anything Pixar touches turns to gold.

The story of an old man who wants to finally go to South America, following his and his wife's dreams, and the Wilderness Explorer (or Boy Scout), Russell, who gets caught up in the adventure of a floating house. They get some new friends, including a talking dog and a prehistoric bird.

This film is such a fun experience, and has a ridiculous amount of amazing features. Primarily, the story. The story is one of the deepest Pixar has pumped out, as it deals with aging, loss, family issues, remorse, redemption, friendship.... Need I go on? There are many quotable lines, especially from Dug, the talking dog. Let's shift gears here. The animals were brilliant! The talking dogs said exactly what you would expect a dog to say. I have a lab-retriever mix, and Dug is a golden retriever, and he was spot on! I was constantly reminded of my puppy. My veterinarian dad mentioned that Kevin, the giant bird, really moved and acted how scientists imagine prehistoric birds to move and act.

As I type this, I'm actually watching the director's commentary on the Up DVD (which has great features- I highly recommend it). The makers of this movie put so much thought and detail into the making of it; it's amazing.

I recommend this movie to anyone, from the youngest child to the high school jock to the prune juice drinking old man.

5 stars out of 5

Rated PG

-Maddy

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life. A movie about an angel sent to help a man who had done good deeds his whole life. They magically start this 1946 film with the man's life story. George Bailey (James Stewart) saved his brother's life when he himself was only a young boy, sacrificing his hearing in one of his ears. He also saved a man from jail, and another death by spotting poison in the shop that he worked in. these are only two of the deeds he did in his life.

The story continues with how George gives up his college career for his loved ones. He gets married and has kids. He also proceeds to take over his father's business, a local bank. However his bank, as well as many other local businesses, are in danger of being forced to sell out to the richest man in town.

George heroically gives up his honeymoon with his new wife, (Donna Reed), to give money to the people of his bank during the Great Depression. However all of these issues put stress on poor George Bailey. George goes out to end his misery, but that's where the angel comes in. The angel continues to show George how the world would be without him; and it's not pretty.

This is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies, and it is appropriate for all ages, however younger children may get bored with it.

I love this movie, but do not get the color version, it will loose its black and white charm. It's a wonderful life? Yes it is.

Thumbs up.

-Megan

Hitch

Love is a complicated thing, and some men just don't get it. That's where Hitch (Will Smith) comes in. He is a love coach, the "date doctor." Hitch understands women, but he is up against the two greatest challenges of his career. An overweight and slightly dorky accountant (Kevin James) has hired Hitch to hook him up with a famous heiress. However, Hitch may be living too much of his own advice and be falling in love with a beautiful, yet realistic, gossip columnist (Eva Mendes). In the end, he might not know as much about women as he thought he did.

Honestly, this is one of my favorite chick flicks. All of the characters seem real, and of course Will Smith puts forward a great performance. Even my dad enjoyed it! It has a great message: stay true to yourself, and you might just find happiness. This is the type of movie you can watch over and over again; trust me, I have it on my iPod. This movie will make you laugh, as well. A fun movie overall for most occasions, I recommend it!

4 stars out of 5

Rated PG-13

-Maddy

Made of Honor

Made of Honor is your typical chick-flick movie. Guy and girl are best friends. Girl likes guy, guy does not return the feeling. Girl gives up, and finds someone else. THEN the guy likes her. Then the movie continues on with the guy trying to get the girl. That basically sums up this entire movie.

However, how they get to the ending is highly entertaining, with twists in the plot. For example, the main character, (played by Patrick Dempsey), happens to be a "player", having sexual relations with multiple women in a week. His best friend, the girl who is getting married, (played by Michelle Monaghan), has met him in an interesting manner, that cannot be described easily. You will have to view this movie to find out.

But, based on originality and entertainment, I give this movie a thumbs down, for it is not as enjoyable as it was advertised.

I do not reccomend this movie for smaller children for its high use of sexual content.

Rated PG-13

-Megan

Finding Neverland

Finding Neverland is the story of Sir James Barrie (Johnny Depp), the genuis who wrote the original Peter Pan, and how he was inspired to write the play. However, the story isn't all Peter Pan all the time. It is a heart-warming and truly touching tale about a widow (Kate Winslet), her four children (including Freddie Highmore in his first mainstream role), and how a man who is a child inside can help a fatherless family. Full of imagination and enchantment, this is not just a movie; it is based off a true story (key word "based": there are historical inaccuracies). It recieved six Academy Award nominations and won for best original score.


This is my all-time favorite movie, hands down. It is a charming story with great writing, gorgeous cinematography, and fabulous acting. Johnny Depp should have the Oscar (he was nominated), and Kate Winslet should have been nominated. There is great chemistry between the cast, and their performances may even make you cry. It is a movie for the whole family, unless someone is like my mom and can't stand movies with sad parts. Kids will love the ridiculous tales Barrie dreams up, starring his dog, and adults will love the real world difficulties and uplifting theme. However, it may be emotionally difficult for young children. I truly could go on and on about all the great aspects of this movie, but I will spare you.

5 stars out of 5
Rated PG
-Maddy