Despicable Me

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Despicable Me

Released:   July 2010

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2    

Movie Summary:

Gru is a super-villain who wants to conquer the world.  He lives in a dark old house in the middle of a lively neighborhood, where he plots evilness along with the help of his assistant Dr. Nefario, and a team of pint-size minions.  His latest plot involves stealing the moon by shrinking it with a shrink ray.  His plot is intercepted when a new super-villain, Vector, steals Gru’s shrink ray and plans to steal the moon himself.  Gru and Vector end up battling against each other, as they each plot to steal the moon and become the most famous and greatest super-villain on the planet.  Vector soon wins and gains control of the shrink ray, hiding it in his villainous lair.  Gru, through many failed attempts to get in Vector’s lair, thinks up an evil plan.  He adopts three orphan girls who he plans to use to gain access to Vector’s lair, steal back the shrink ray and the moon, and become the “top villain”.  Through the course of time, the orphan girls begin to turn Gru’s life upside down and he begins to rethink his life.

 “Despicable Me” is a good movie, but the rude humor in the film stops it short from becoming a “better” movie that I would have enjoyed.            

It would be “Despicable” of you not to see this movie!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Inception

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Inception

Released:   July 2010

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««««1/2

 Movie Summary:

“Inception” tells the story of master thief Dom Cobb, who makes his living stealing the ideas of rich corporate figures by traveling inside their dreams.  However, he soon finds himself struggling to piece together whether he’s in a dream or reality.  Soon, Dom is hired to carry out inception by implanting an idea inside the subconscious mind of Robert Fischer.   Fischer is the son of a wealthy and powerful business entrepreneur and is heir to his father’s company.  Dom assembles a team of comrades and heads into Fischer’s mind.  When they are pursued by unexpected enemies, Dom and his allies must fight to carry out inception and escape the dream before they are trapped forever.

“Inception” is a smart and exciting sci-fi thriller, with breathtaking visual effects, solid performances, and some of the best action sequences I’ve ever seen on film.  Despite its thick plot and occasionally slow pacing, “Inception” proves to be quite an epic dream indeed.                              

 

Dream on and check out this awesome sci-fi flick!   

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Toy Story 3

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Toy Story 3

Released:   June 2010

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: «««1/2    

Movie Summary:

Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the toy gang return for a huge adventure!  Eleven years have passed and Andy is now a grown teenager preparing to set off for college.   Not only are all the toys gathering dust in Andy's room, but their hearts are saddened as they face the hard fact that Andy has outgrown them.  Andy's mom decides to donate all the toys to a local daycare center, known as Sunnyside, so that they can be played with by the daycare children.  They meet a new assembly of toys, including a purple octopus named Stretch, a scented teddy bear named Lotso and the original Ken doll.  The toys begin to miss Andy, so they hatch a daring plan to escape the daycare center and return to Andy’s house.  However, an evil gang of toys stop at nothing to make sure that Woody and the gang don’t escape the daycare center.       

"Toy Story 3" is a funny and touching movie, but surprisingly darker than most of the Pixar films.                       

"To Infinite And Beyond" to the theater to see "Toy Story 3"!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

The Karate Kid (2009)

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:  The Karate Kid (2010)    

Released:   June 2010

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: ««««1/2    

Movie Summary:

Dre Parker is a young boy who enjoys living in Detroit, Michigan.  But one day, Dre’s mom has a job transfer and they have to move to China, much to Dre’s dislike.  He goes to a new school with different people.  One day a gang of school bullies start to pick on him and bully him.  Dre feels helpless and weak.  When the bullies attack him again, he tries to fight back but can’t.  He ends up being rescued by Mr. Han, a local handyman, who knows Kung Fu very well.  Dre asks Mr. Han if he could teach him Kung Fu, and soon Mr. Han agrees.  After a lot of strenuous drills and daily practice, Dre learns Kung Fu.  Later, Mr. Han feels that Dre is prepared, so he enters him in a Kung Fu Tournament against a rival Kung Fu Team, which happens to have the same bullies that picked on Dre.  Can Dre become a Kung Fu hero and stand up to his enemies?  Can he win the Kung Fu Tournament? 

“The Karate Kid” is a good movie and teaches respect and how to stand up for what you believe in.  It also teaches a lesson to always get back up, even when life pushes you down.   

Get to the Theatre to see this movie…..Chop!  Chop!

      

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    The Prince of Persia:  The Sands of Time

Released:   May 2010

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««««1/2    

Movie Summary:

Based on a video game, "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is set in the mystical land of, well, Persia.  And the main character, Dastan, is (take a guess) a prince of Persia.  When he is accused of a fatal crime that he didn't commit, he sets off on a journey to clear his name.  Dastan discovers about an ancient dagger that can allow its possessor to control time.  He joins forces with a princess to return it to its resting place before time itself runs out.  But dark forces arise, led by Dastan's uncle Nizam, who plots to steal the dagger and use it to destroy the world.  Can Dastan and Princess Tamina save the world with the help of the dagger? 

"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" contains lots of action and adventure, which I really enjoyed.  I thought this was a great movie.

   

"Time" flies, so hurry and see "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time", in theaters now!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Shrek Forever After

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Shrek Forever After

Released:   May 2010

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2   

Movie Summary:

Shrek returns for the last time in this fourth installment of the “Shrek” saga.  In this latest version, Shrek is a father of 3 ogre babies.  Because of his demanding and nurturing role as a dad, he reminisces about the good old days when he had more freedom and his monstrous personality caused people to fear him.  He decides to make a deal with scheming Rumplestilskin, which results in Shrek being transported to a strange version of Far Far Away.  In this unusual world, Rumplestilskin is King, and Donkey, Fiona, and Puss in Boots never knew him.  With the help of a doubting Donkey, a retired Puss in Boots, and a resistance of ogre warriors led by Fiona, Shrek embarks on a mission to take down Rumplestilskin and his helpers and save the land of Far Far Away.  Can Shrek save the kingdom and find his True Love in one day in order to return to his life as a family man? 

“Shrek Forever After” is a good movie but it isn’t as funny as the previous “Shrek” films. 

        

Shrek it Up and go see this “OGRE”-whelming movie!!!!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Iron Man 2

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Iron Man 2

Released:   May 2010

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: «««1/2   

Movie Summary:

In Iron Man, inventor billionaire Tony Stark reveals his identity as the armor-clad superhero known as, well, you know, Iron Man.  In Iron Man 2, Robert Downey Jr. returns as Stark.  This time around, the government thinks that the Iron Man suit is a dangerous weapon--too dangerous for a “common” citizen to use.  They feel it would be in better hands with the government, possibly for military use.  At that time, a Russian man named Ivan Vanko plots to take revenge on Tony because his dad, Howard Stark, accused him of a crime he didn’t commit.  Vanko joins with Justin Hammer, a bitter rival of Tony’s, and together they plot to destroy Stark’s electronic empire and his legacy.  Stark teams up with his best friend Rhodey and Nick Fury, leader of the shady government agency S.H.I.E.L.D, to end their deadly game of revenge and destruction. 

I thought “Iron Man 2” was a good movie, with some great action sequences, but I found the movie to be rather slow at times.  I still liked the original “Iron Man” better.    

Get Suited Up for Iron Man 2, blasting in theaters now!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

How to Train Your Dragon

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:  How to Train Your Dragon

Released:  March 2010

Movie Rating: PG

Star Rating: «««««   

Movie Summary:

Hiccup is a smart and clumsy teenager, who lives on the island, Berk.  Berk is inhabited by a tribe of tough Vikings, led by Chief Stoick, who happens to be Hiccup’s father!  Hiccup is a blacksmith for the tribe, but deep inside his heart, he dreams of becoming a true Viking.  Chief Stoick is reluctant about Hiccup living up to the true Viking standards because of his small stature, his weak abilities and constant clumsiness. 

The Vikings of Berk are familiar with nightly dragon attacks on a daily basis.   In order to become a true Viking, a warrior must capture a dragon and kill it.  So, on one dragon attack, Hiccup attempts to capture a dragon, and does!  But, before killing the dragon, which happens to be a rare Night Fury species, Hiccup feels sorry for him and sets him free.   The dragon soon befriends Hiccup as a way of saying thank you for saving his life.  After many adventures, Hiccup and the dragon, which he names Toothless, become best friends.  Hiccup keeps his friendship with Toothless a secret from his father and all the Vikings in Berk.  However, when the secret breaks loose, controversy stirs among the tribe, and after time, war rises against the dragon race.  Hiccup and Toothless set off on a desperate mission to save all dragons.  Can Hiccup prove himself a hero and save the entire species of dragons from their fate?   

“How to Train Your Dragon” is a funny, action-packed and thrilling movie!  I give this fun-filled movie “TWO FLAMES UP”!!! 

Get "fired up" and go see this awesome film!!!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Avatar

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Avatar

Released:   December 2009

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««««     

Movie Summary:

Awesome in 3D, this epic sci-fi adventure takes place on planet Pandora, where a tribe of alien, natives known as the Na’vi, live.  An organization called the RDA travels from Earth to the planet in search of a glorious mineral hidden under its surface.  Jake Sully, a paralyzed former Marine, is an officer of the RDA.  When he learns about an extraordinary scientific discovery in which a human stays inside a machine that transports its mind to the body of a Na’vi body, Jake becomes one of them.  As he enters a tall, long-haired, blue-skinned Na’vi alien, Jake escapes out of the RDA headquarters and explores the jungles of Pandora, free of his wheelchair and paralyzed legs.  But soon he finds himself lost, and is unexpectedly attacked by vicious alien creatures and rescued by a Na’vi girl named Neytiri.  She takes him to the Na’vi tribes’ home, an ancient, ancestral, and large tree.  As Jake is taught the way of the Na’vi, he becomes emotionally attached to them, but the RDA plans to destroy the Na’vi’s home, take over the land, and steal the magnificent minerals under the surface of the tribe’s home.  Soon Jake Sully must decide who to fight for:  the RDA or the Na’vi.  The 3D graphics are amazing in this movie!

“Avatar” contains a little too much language, but it fits in with every Star Wars and Star Trek movie made and is packed with tons of sci-fi action and adventure!  I would recommend seeing this in 3D because the special effects are spectacular!!!                     

Get your own Avatar and soar to the theater to see this movie!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:  Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

Released:  September 2009

Movie Rating: PG

Star Rating: «««««     

Movie Summary: 

Ever since he was a kid, Flint Lockwood dreamt about the day he would invent something great.  But sadly, his father, along with the people of his hometown, Swallow Falls, didn’t believe in him.  His only true follower was his mother, but she died when he was young.  When Swallow Falls lands in hard times, and all they can eat is sardines (as Flint explains: “Sardines are super gross”), this clumsy inventor creates the greatest machine the world will ever know:  a machine that can change water into food.   After his machine finally works, the people of Swallow Falls “get served”!  Unfortunately, though, the machine begins to develop a mind of its own, focusing on one goal: serving the world on a platter.  Flint risks everything to stop the machine and save the world.

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” has some rude humor, but most of the movie is all laughs and fun for the whole family!  This movie teaches a valuable and inspiring lesson to always believe in yourself no matter what, and to not judge people by their looks....it's what's inside that counts!                   

This movie will make your mouth water for more fun!!!! J

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Released:   July 2009

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2     

Movie Summary:

After surviving the meltdown, Manny, Sid, Diego, Ellie, Crash, and Eddie's lives are starting to change.  Manny, the mammoth, is going to become a father, as his new wife Ellie is pregnant.  Crash and Eddie are going to become possum uncles of the new mammoth baby.  Diego, the saber-toothed tiger, is tired of being treated like a common cat, and Sid, the sloth, wants to be responsible for taking care of a baby.  So, Sid steals three mysterious eggs, but soon he realizes that he has to take care of three dinosaur babies!  After the real mother of the dinosaur babies comes to find them, she kidnaps Sid! Manny, Ellie, Diego, Crash, and Eddie must rescue Sid from the extinct carnivore.  When following the dinosaur, they end up lost in an underground universe where hundreds and thousands of extinct dinosaurs live.  The mammal friends soon meet Buck, a dinosaur hunter, who has lived in the underground world of dinosaurs for a long time.  He agrees to help them find Sid and they set off on a quest throughout the land, avoiding dinosaurs, lava, carnivorous plants, and many more dangers, as they fight to save the sloth-napped Sid and get back to their true home.  And meanwhile, the trouble-making, acorn-loving saber-toothed squirrel Scrat falls in love with a beautiful flying squirrel named Scratte....who wants Scrat's acorn for herself. 

“Dawn of the Dinosaurs” contains some rude humor.  Although it isn’t as hilarious as its predecessors, it is a funny animated movie worth watching.                         

The "Dawn of the Totally Awesome Films" is coming.  Are you ready?

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Up

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:  Up

Released:  May 2009

Movie Rating: PG

Star Rating: ««««1/2     

Movie Summary:

After marrying his lifelong friend, Carl Fredericksen promised his adventuresome wife that they would travel to the Island of Paradise Falls and live there in their house.  Years later and after his wife dies, a very mourning Carl decides to make good on his promise to his sweetheart.  He ties tons and tons of balloons to his house and takes to the skies to embark on an adventure to Paradise Falls.  Soon, he discovers that Russell, a young Boy Scout who had been pestering him for volunteer work, is aboard his floating house.  Carl and Russell find themselves lost in the Jungle Rainforest of Paradise Falls, embarking on an amazing adventure through the strange land.  Carl soon learns some valuable lessons about life, friendship, and marriage during his adventure.

“Up” is a fantastic family film, with great animation and lots of excitement and heart.  This is a great Pixar film, a rare animated treat for the entire family!      

Up, up, and away to the theater to see Up!!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Earth

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Earth

Released:   April 2009

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: ««««     

Movie Summary:

Disney Nature teams up with Discovery Channel to bring you "Earth", a documentary that's fun for the whole "herd".  Narrated by James Earl Jones, "Earth" is set on our planet and follows three different animal families: polar bears, elephants, and humpback whales, along with many animals across the world who struggle to survive in times of change.  "Earth" has no rude humor or any inappropriate material for kids.  This movie is from the same company that brought you the television documentary series "Planet Earth" and is very similar to the show. 

“Earth” is a good movie, with some very impressive animal footage and great scenery.  If you liked "March of the Penguins" and the TV series "Planet Earth", then you'll love this film.                    

Don't worry...this movie is "Earth"-friendly!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Monsters vs. Aliens

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:   Monsters vs. Aliens

Released:   March 2009

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2   

Movie Summary:

On her wedding day, young Susan Murphy is hit by a meteor from outer space and suddenly grows to 49 feet tall.  She is taken from the military to a top-secret facility where monsters are kept safe from the outside world.  There Susan meets the Jello-like blob B.O.B, Dr. Cockroach, an inventive mad scientist with a cockroach's head, The Missing Link, a half-fish, half-ape, and Insectosaurus, a gigantic bug.  Unexpectedly, an enormous and powerful robot crash lands on Earth, controlled by an evil alien named Gallaxhar who seeks world domination (as usual).   The President of the United States turns to General W.R Monger for a plan to save the planet.  As the robot wrecks havoc in the big city, General W.R Monger comes up with a plan to release the team of monsters to go face-to-face against the robot in the ultimate battle for peace.  Susan, B.O.B, The Missing Link, Dr. Cockroach, and Insectosaurus team together in a desperate struggle against Gallaxhar and his giant robot to save the planet Earth from ultimate destruction. 

Despite its cheesiness, “Monsters vs. Aliens” is still a good movie, with some funny scenes, great visuals and some impressive action sequences.  

Run for your life!...to the theater, that is...to see "Monsters vs. Aliens"!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

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