"Is it safe?" One of the scariest questions put to film.

These old trailers are something. Hard to imagine watching this trailer loaded with random plot points and terrible sound effects and come away wanting to see it.






Screenwriter: William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)
Director: John Schlesinger (Madame Sousatzka)
Actors: Laurence Olivier (Sleuth), Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate), Roy Scheider (Jaws) and William Devane (Space Cowboys)

Labels: Dustin Hoffman, film, Laurence Olivier, movie trailer, William Goldman

As a rule I loathe films with Jack Black. I know the man has his fans, I ain’t one of em’. If I want to see an out of shape, unwashed guy act kooky I’ll ask my brother-in-law about politics. I don't think there is a film with Jack Black that I have enjoyed, until now.

Along with my rule about films with Jack Black, I have another regarding non-Pixar animated movies – in short, they stink. Pixar revolutionized big budget animated movies and have established the measure for the genre. Animated movies now fit into two categories, 1) Pixar movies forgettable animated crap. This is the first animated film (except Wallace & Gromit) made in the last twenty that has made it into the first group from the second. The story centers around a bumbling Chinese panda named Po. Po dreams of fighting alongside his heroes Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. Predictably enough, he gets his chance when he is accidentally chosen to join their ranks and do battle with the villainous snow leopard Tai Lung. The plot isn’t brilliant; actually it is rather paint-by-the-numbers. The film works because of the clever dialog and animation. The script by former King of the Hill writers Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger is lighthearted yet smart. The cast, which includes Black along with Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane and Seth Rogen is given plenty of space to perform and they each deliver. I have to admit that even Jack Black gives an impressive performance as Po. As much as I hate to admit it, he was the best choice for the role.

A majority of animated films, despite that they are made to be viewed by small children, are loaded down with sexual innuendos, political agendas and scatological jokes. This film avoids those traps and delivers a solid, family friendly film worthy of your consideration.




Related Reviews:
Animated movies
Robots (2005)
The Incredibles (2004)


Other Critic’s Reviews:
Film Freak Central Review
FilmGeekz

Labels: Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, film, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, movie review, Seth Rogen

What do ya' know, a trailer for a kids movie without a fart or belch joke. I didn't think we still made those. No veiled references to sex, no double-meanings...the studio knows this got out to the general public right?

Looks good.



Director: Sam Fell (Flushed Away) and Robert Stevenhagen
Actors: Emma Watson (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Dustin Hoffman (Marathon Man), Christopher Lloyd (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?), Sigourney Weaver (Alien), Matthew Broderick (Godzilla), Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda), Robbie Coltraine (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), William H. Macy (Magnolia), Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada), Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) and Tracey Ullman (Corpse Bride)

Labels: animated, Christopher Lloyd, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Watson, film, movie trailer, Sigourney Weaver

A nice, comfortable, timid movie about a screw-up who finds love...or something like that. Not my cup of tea but maybe you'll find something worthwhile. It has Emma Thompson, so there's at least one upside.



Screenwriter: Joel Hopkins
Director: Joel Hopkins
Actors: Dustin Hoffman (The Graduate), Emma Thompson (Wit), Kathy Baker (All the King's Men) and James Brolin (The Amityville Horror)

Labels: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, film, movie trailer

I've always felt Dreamworks Animation has the sense of trying too hard. I consider them to be a poor man's Pixar. Where Pixar focuses on sharp stories and clever writing (The Incredibles, Finding Nemo), Dreamworks tries to match up by pulling out extensive cast lists and petty pop-cultural references (Over the Hedge, Shark Tale). Of course, you can have as many brand name actors as you want, but if your writing stinks so will your movie.

Hopefully, this outing will be different than what we've seen before...I see they've already pulled out the extensive cast list...

Labels: Angelina Jolie, animated, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen