The Tale of Despereaux

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   The Tale of Despereaux

Released:   December 2008

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: «««1/2      

Movie Summary:

In the kingdom of Dor, on National Soup Day, a chef prepares his extraordinary soup for a giant feast.  When rat, Roscuro, accidentally falls into the Queen of Dor's soup, she becomes so scared of the rat that she soon dies.  After the Queen dies, the King of Dor commands that soup and all rats in the kingdom shall be banished.....forever.  Roscuro, sad that he accidentally killed the Queen, escapes to the dungeons of Dor, to an eerie land where evil rats live.  Meet Despereaux, a young and small mouse with an ENORMOUS appetite for adventure.  He lives in a small mouse hole in the castle, in the town of Mouseworld.  One day, while going to the castle library with his brother to eat papers out of books, he decides to read them instead.  Despereaux reads a book about a brave knight who sets off on an amazing quest to rescue a damsel in distress from the forces of evil.  Despereaux journeys past Mouseworld and into the castle to meet the princess of Dor, Princess Pea, disobeying the number one “rule” for mice.  After many adventures, Despereaux bravely embarks on a dangerous quest when Princess Pea is kidnapped by an army of evil rats, led by Roscuro. 

“Despereaux” is a good family film, with valuable lessons about forgiveness and courage.

Scurry to the theater to see this royally awesome movie!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Bolt

 

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:  Bolt

Released:  November 2008

Movie Rating: PG

Star Rating: «««1/2     

Movie Summary:

As the star of the television show "Bolt", a small dog is gifted with extraordinary superpowers and teams up with his owner Penny.  Together, they battle against an evil scientist known as Dr. Calico, who has kidnapped Penny's scientist father.  Bolt must protect Penny from Dr. Calico and his army of evil helpers and rescue her father.  In real life, Bolt doesn't know that his "superpowers" are just special effects.  After he accidentally gets taken to New York City, he bravely embarks on a mission to get back to Hollywood, to "rescue" his real owner Penny from the forces of evil.  Bolt joins forces with Mittens, a selfish stray cat, and Rhino, a hyperactive hamster who has always been Bolt’s number one fan.  Together, the trio embarks on a series of misadventures as they quest to L.A to “save” Penny. 

“Bolt” is a great family adventure that is heartwarming, funny, and exciting. 

"Bolt" to the movie theater to see this "fully awesome" film!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Released:   November 2008

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: ««««     

Movie Summary:

After spending 3 years stranded on the island of Madagascar, zoo animals Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria have joined forces with the lemur inhabitants of the island and the daring penguins of the Central Park Zoo to rebuild a crashed plane.  Together, they attempt to fly back home to the Zoo.  The penguins pilot the plane and successfully launch it, but not for long.  The plane crash lands in the middle of Africa!  The zoo gang embarks on a wild series of misadventures through this strange land, gaining friends, as well as enemies, as they attempt to find a way back home. 

"Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" is a hilarious family film.  It does contain some rude humor.         

Get stranded at the theater...and go see this "Wild"-ly fun movie!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Released:   August 2008

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««     

Movie Summary:

Star Wars is back!  Now, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with young Padawan Ahsoka Tano, set off on a galactic adventure to save the kidnapped (or should I say, Hutt-napped) son of Jabba the Hutt.   They must face sinister droids, the wicked Count Dooku, and the evil Asajj Ventress on their quest to reunite Jabba the Hutt with his beloved son.   

The movie has fair animation and some good action sequences, but “Clone Wars” doesn’t compare to the epic awesomeness and spectacle of the live-action Star Wars saga.  Sadly, C-3PO and R2-D2, the hilarious robot sidekicks, are rarely seen in the film. 

May the awesomeness be with you!

Enjoy the Movie!  Save Some Popcorn For Me!

The Movie Critic, Connor

Wall-E

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Wall-E

Released:   June 2008

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: «««      

Movie Summary:

Wall-E, a curious and spunky robot, is on a deserted Earth with no life, except for himself and his pet cockroach, Hal.  Wall-E's job is to clean the planet of waste.  One day, a beautiful robot named Eve comes to the planet to search for life.  She finds Wall-E and he falls in love with her.  When she leaves Earth, Wall-E follows her as he climbs aboard the spaceship that dropped her off.  Soon the real adventure begins!  Wall-E is propelled into outer space and he discovers that all the humans that have deserted Earth have turned into large couch potatoes that live in a gigantic spaceship.  Wall-E and Eve find themselves on an incredible adventure to save the last life form on Earth from being destroyed.

This movie has great animation and a great theme and lesson that everyone should learn: Recycle and take care of our Earth!  I found the movie to be rather slow and it didn’t hold my attention. 

Get your exercise and walk to the theater to see this movie! 

Enjoy the Movie!  Save Some Popcorn For Me!

The Movie Critic, Connor

Nim's Island

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Nim's Island

Released:   April 2008

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2     

Movie Summary:

Based on the book by Wendy Orr, "Nim's Island" is about a young girl named Nim who lives on a small island with her scientist dad, along with her animal friends.  When her dad gets lost at sea and summer tourists take over the island as a getaway spot, Nim must use her wits and bravely defend her home.  Soon, she communicates with her favorite literary character, Alex Rover, and asks him for help.  The female author of the books, Alexandra Rover, wants to help Nim, but she has an enormous fear of the outdoors.  Both Alexandra and Nim must face their fears in order to reunite and save the island, and her long lost father.    

“Nim’s Island” is a great family movie that teaches awesome morals of courage and friendship.  Finally, a movie free of bad language and rude humor!  

Your adventure is to go to the theater to see this movie!

 Enjoy the Movie!  Save Some Popcorn For Me!

The Movie Critic, Connor

Horton Hears a Who!

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Horton Hears A Who!

Released:   March 2008

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: «««1/2      

Movie Summary:

An elephant named Horton discovers that the tiny townspeople of Whoville live on a speck of dust.  But when Kangaroo, an evil marsupial, threatens the world of Whoville, Horton must protect the very small town from her.  Soon, the Mayor of Whoville must make the people of the town to believe that their world is in danger and that Horton is protecting their town from being destroyed.  Horton and the Mayor do everything they can to convince Kangaroo that there really is a world on a speck of dust. 

This movie is funny and has some valuable lessons, including not judging people by their smallness.  “A person is a person, no matter how small".  

"Who" thinks this is a great family film...I do!!!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Released:   January 2008

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: «««1/2

Movie Summary:

A princess far away in the ocean needs heroes to save her brother, who has been kidnapped by an evil pirate and his crew.  She sends a magical ball to find help.  Three vegetable cabin boys find the ball and it transports them into the open sea.  The cabin boys, Sedgwick, George, and Elliot, find the princess on a boat.  They soon embark on an exciting quest to save the princess' brother, Prince Alexander and defeat Robert the evil pirate and his crew. 

The movie teaches a lesson that heroes come in all different sizes, that forgiveness is awesome, and to always do what's right.   This movie is a family-friendly movie that parents and kids of all ages will enjoy.     

I rate this movie...TWO SWORDS UP!  I'm sure you will too!

Enjoy the Movie!  Save Some Popcorn For Me!

The Movie Critic, Connor

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Released:   November 2007

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: ««««      

Movie Summary:

Molly Mahoney, a 23-year-old music composer, is the manager of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, the greatest magical toy store on Earth.  Mr. Magorium is the owner of the store.  But when he tells Mahoney that he will leave soon and that he wants to offer her his job, the toy store throws an enormous fit.  Mahoney discovers that the toy store owner isn't leaving on a trip, but he is going to go to heaven.  (...by the way, Mr. Magorium is 243 years old!).  Mahoney refuses the offer, but a 9-year-old employee of the toy store and an accountant want to keep the store and try to convince Mahoney that she has the power to run the store. 

"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" is a great family film and doesn't contain any rude humor or bad language.  The movie teaches a lesson to believe in yourself...no matter what.  

       

It's no "WONDER" that I give this movie «««« stars!

Enjoy the Movie!  Save Some Popcorn For Me!

The Movie Critic, Connor

Bee Movie

 

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Bee Movie

Released:   October 2007

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: ««« 1/2

Movie Summary:

Barry B. Benson is a jobless bee who's always eager for adventure.  One day as he ventures out of the beehive and into the real world with a group of pollen collectors, he finds himself lost in the big city.  When Barry is about to be crushed by a human, he is saved by a kind florist named Vanessa.  Soon Barry discovers that the humans are stealing bees' honey.  He and Vanessa team up and go to court to protest against the human race that they should stop stealing honey from the bees.  Barry and Vanessa win the case and the humans stop stealing honey.  Sadly, flowers all across New York City begin to die.  Barry and Vanessa attempt to find a way to spread pollen to the flowers to give them life once more.   

This awesome movie contains a small amount of rude humor, but is filled with great laughs and adventure for the whole family.    

"Bee" smart...go see this "Bee"-friendly and family-friendly movie!!!

Enjoy the Movie!  Save Some Popcorn For Me!

The Movie Critic, Connor

Ratatouille

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Ratatouille

Released:   June 2007

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: ««««1/2   

Movie Summary:

Remy is a young rat who dreams of good food.  His father, who is the leader of a rat clan,  his brother and the rat clan, are all content with the food that they steal, no matter if it’s good or bad food.  When Remy is separated from his family and clan by being stranded in the sewers, he follows his guts and ventures up the sewers and emerges into the colorful, magnificent city of Paris.  Remy senses good food, so he sneaks into a restaurant owned by Jacques Gusteau, a famous and legendary cook known for his amazing food.  When Remy sees that a garbage boy is cooking and messing up a soup, he sets out to fix the soup so that he can save the garbage boy’s career from ruin.  He does, and the soup is praised.  Later the garbage boy, Linguini, befriends him and together they cook the soup again, with Remy under Linguini’s chef toque, controlling his actions.   Linguini is praised by everyone to a great cook, but the head chef begins to suspect why Linguini has turned from clumsy to cool.  He soon discovers the secret that Remy is the “real” cook.  Meanwhile, feared food critic Anton Ego challenges Linguini to impress him with his food.  With the secret between them starting to fade, can Remy and Linguini work together to become the greatest chefs in Paris?

“Ratatouille”is an impressive and hilarious film, one of my Pixar favorites.     

          

Scurry to the theater to see “Ratatouille”!

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The Movie Critic, Connor 

Shrek the Third

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title: Shrek the Third 

Released:   May 2007

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: ««««

Movie Summary:

When the King of Far, Far Away dies, ogre Shrek and his wife Fiona become King and Queen of the Kingdom.  One problem...Shrek doesn't want to be King, so he and his pals, Donkey and Puss in Boots, embark on a medieval adventure to find a suitable King for Far Far Away...Fiona's cousin Artie.  When evil Prince Charming teams up with an army of sinister fairy-tale villains and plot to take over the throne, Fiona and a group of princesses try to protect the kingdom at all cost.  Shrek, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and Artie must get back to the kingdom of Far, Far Away to stop Prince Charming's evil plot, with the help of a strange wizard named Merlin. 

"Shrek the Third" contains rude humor, but this movie is mostly full of adventure, action, and hysterical comedy.    

The theater isn't that far, far away...get on your crown and go see this movie!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Night at the Museum

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Night at the Museum

Released:   December 2006

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2

Movie Summary:

Meet Larry Daley.  He has no job, and he's been searching for one for a long time...until now.  He gets a job as a security guard at the Museum of Natural History.  Larry watches over the museum from midnight until morning.  Soon he discovers that an ancient Egyptian tablet brings all the museum figures to life, including Teddy Roosevelt, Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark, Attila the Hun, and many other famous people in history, along with many wild animals, including a mischievous Capuchin monkey named Dexter.  After becoming a professional at the job, Larry and his son Nick must protect the museum from three old, retired museum security guards, as they plot to steal the magical tablet that brings life to the museum that could restore life to them.  Larry teams up with the figures of the museum to fight against the retired security guards, get the tablet back, and restore peace to the museum before time runs out. 

This movie contains rude humor, but otherwise, the movie was very good.     
  

Go spend a "Night at the Theater" to see "Night at the Museum"!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:  Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Released:  July 2006

Movie Rating: PG-13

Star Rating: ««««     

Movie Summary:

Captain Jack Sparrow returns for another adventure across the seas in this sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl!  This time, Jack learns of a hidden treasure chest that contains the beating heart of legendary pirate Davy Jones!  So Captain Jack joins forces with his crew and former comrades, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, to venture across the sea and across dangerous islands to find the treasure chest of Davy Jones so that they can have control of the sea.  Little did they know that the evil Davy Jones and his ship's crew are in pursuit and will stop at nothing to make sure that Jack doesn't find the chest.  Dead Man's Chest is a good movie, with great special effects and lots of swashbuckling action that Pirates fans will certainly enjoy.     

Get your crew and sail to the theater to see "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"!

Enjoy the Movie!  Save Some Popcorn For Me!

The Movie Critic, Connor