Arthur Christmas

 

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Arthur Christmas

Released:   November 2011

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: ««««1/2     

Movie Summary:

Every Christmas night, Santa brings presents to every kid in the entire world.  But the question is: how does he do it?  The answer is in ‘Arthur Christmas’.  Underneath the North Pole, Steve Claus, Santa’s oldest son, runs the new, modernized operation of gift delivering on Christmas Eve.  This is accomplished by a swift, massive spaceship, the use of new technology and the help of elves, who are tasked with making the deliveries to the houses in mere seconds.  But one Christmas, the operation takes a turn for the worse when a lone child is accidentally missed.  Steve and his father could care less, but Arthur, his kind-hearted, but clumsy youngest son, wants to set things right.  Arthur, along with his old but “young at heart” grandfather, Grandsanta, and an intelligent wrapping division elf named Bryony, use the forgotten, but original reindeer-and-sleigh “operation” to set off to deliver gifts to the lone child.  They attempt to save Christmas once and for all! 

Sporting a great cast and an engaging story, “Arthur Christmas” is a family-friendly, funny, lively, and surprisingly touching animated movie.   

                                        

Jingle all the way to the theater to see “Arthur Christmas”!

                                                

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The Movie Critic, Connor

The Muppets

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    The Muppets

Released:   November 2011

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2     

Movie Summary:

In the lively city of Smalltown, young Walter has always looked up to the infamous Muppets, with whom he grew up by watching on TV.  Now, in the modern times, where the show has ended and people have forgotten them, the Muppets have separated and gone their own ways.  When Walter is invited on a vacation to Hollywood with his brother, Gary and Gary’s girlfriend, Mary, Walter is thrilled!  Walter persuades Gary and Mary to take him to visit the old abandoned Muppet Theater in L.A.  While in the theater, Walter learns of the plans of evil oil industrialist Tex Richman, who wants to demolish the theater so that he can drill oil wells in its location.  Together, Walter, Mary and Gary set off to reunite the Muppets and put on a show to save the theater once and for all. 

“The Muppets” is a funny and often touching movie, but it does have some rude humor.

                                                           

Spend your “green” at the theater to see “The Muppets”!

                                                

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Puss in Boots

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Puss in Boots

Released:   October 2011

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2     

Movie Summary:

The famous swashbuckling cat from the Shrek movies gets his own film, which tells the story of how he became a legend.  The movie sets in the quiet Spanish city of San Ricardo, where Puss, now known as an outlaw because of a crime that he didn’t commit, is on the run and fighting to clear his name.  Puss gets a chance when an old friend, an inventive and intelligent egg by the name of Humpty Alexander Dumpty, along with a sly pickpocket named Kitty Softpaws, recruits him to help find the infamous magic beans.   They plot to plant the beans so that they can climb the beanstalk to reach the castle in the sky, where the Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs lives.   But it turns out that they’re not alone in this quest.  Evil outlaws, Jack and Jill, want to use the powers of the beans to destroy the world.  When the city of San Ricardo is in danger, Puss and his compadres must do everything they can to save the town and clear Puss’ name before time runs out. 

“Puss in Boots” is an action-packed and often funny movie, although it does have some rude humor.             

                

Pronto, mi compadres, to the theater, and see this purr-fectly claw-some movie!

                                                

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Hugo

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Hugo

Released:   October 2011

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: ««««     

Movie Summary:

Setting in 1930’s Paris, this movie tells the story of a young orphan boy named Hugo who lives with his father, an inventor and clockmaker.  He and his father are working on an automaton (a robot figure), that can draw and write.  But tragically, his father dies before finishing the project, leaving Hugo alone.  Skip several years later, and Hugo is living as an orphan, fixing the clocks of a busy train station.  He is doing his best to survive on his own and stay out of the grasp of the sinister station inspector.   Hugo believes that his father left him a message that only the automaton can reveal, and so he sets off to unlock the secret.  Hugo soon finds a friend, named Isabelle, who helps him in his quest. Together they set off to solve the mystery, while they unwittingly make influences on everyone around them during their adventures, including Isabelle’s godfather, an aging former director. 

I saw this movie in 3D, and I would highly recommend it.  I think ‘Hugo’ is a very interesting and imaginative movie, though it runs a tad bit long.  Otherwise, ‘Hugo’ is a family-friendly, good movie!       

                                               

Don’t waste your ‘time’ on a bad movie, get to the theater and see “Hugo”!

                                                

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Real Steel

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Real Steel

Released:   October 2011

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: «««1/2     

Movie Summary:

Set in the future, “Real Steel” tells the story of Charlie Kenton, a former boxer who was forced out of his career when big metal robots took over the sport of boxing.  Charlie, who is now an unsuccessful boxing promoter, finds out that his wife has died and that he will now have full custody of his son, Max.  Charlie and Max do not see eye to eye, because in the past, Charlie had never spent much time with him.  Once they realize that they both share a passion of robot boxing, they begin to form a relationship and learn to care about each other.  When Charlie and Max discover the remains of a robot in a steel factory and piece the robot back together (whom they name Atom), they enter him into the sport of boxing.  After many successes with the robot, they find that they have a chance of winning the robot boxing title. 

“Real Steel” has some good morals about forgiveness and persistence.  The boxing scenes are cool, but the movie does contain some language.  “Real Steel” is a good movie.                                          

                   

Gear up and head to the theater to see this “real” cool movie!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Dolphin Tale

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Dolphin Tale

Released:   September 2011

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««1/2     

Movie Summary:

‘Dolphin Tale’ tells the story of Sawyer, a shy, withdrawn, young boy who isn’t doing well in school.  He spends most of his time playing his Nintendo DS and building model airplanes and helicopters in his garage workshop.  One day, Sawyer’s life changes when he helps free an injured dolphin whose tail was caught in a crab trap.  The dolphin is taken to a nearby aquarium facility for care.  On his way to and from school every day, Sawyer sneaks in and checks on the dolphin.  He is soon discovered and befriended by a bubbly, talkative young girl named Hazel, whose dad, Dr. Clay, runs the facility.  Sawyer soon develops a friendship with them and develops an even stronger relationship with Winter, the dolphin he helped save.  Things start to look good for Winter, but her tail becomes infected.  Dr. Clay and the marine staff decide that the only way they can save her is to amputate her tail.  Sawyer knows that without a tail, a dolphin can’t swim and thus, will not likely survive.  He seeks out the help of Dr. Cameron McCarthy, a prosthetics doctor, who soon believes he’s found the answer to the dolphin’s problems: a prosthetic tail for Winter.  Meanwhile, Winter overcomes her struggles and learns to swim with her new tail.  Winter’s story of survival, as well as the persistence of Sawyer and his friends at the aquarium facility, inspires others and those inflicted with paralyzing diseases to never give up! 

“Dolphin Tale” is a good, family-friendly, and inspiring movie that is based on a true story.          

Swim to the theater to see “Dolphin Tale”!
                        

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Released:   August 2011

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««««

Movie Summary:

‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’, a prequel to the first ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie, tells the story of how it all began!  Will Stanton is a kind-hearted research scientist in San Francisco whose strong persistence to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease leads him to experiment on apes.  He finds a chance for a cure in one ape, who’s intelligence increased dramatically after being experimented on.  When she dies, Will raises her son, a tiny chimp named Caesar.  As he grows up, Caesar’s intelligence rates rise and he begins to question whether to stay with Will and his family, or return to his true home in the wild.  Caesar learns of the terrible treatment of apes and chimps in the city.  This causes him to free all the primates and lead them on a revolution against the humans.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is an action-packed, suspenseful, and often emotional movie.  Personally, I found it a lot better and much more interesting than the original “Planet of the Apes” movie.  The motion-capture CG animation of Caesar and the apes is amazing.  The movie strongly explains that we cannot and must not try to play God’s role in ruling the world, but always let Him be in control of the world, for there is nothing that He cannot do.    

Go “Ape” and head to the theater to see “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Captain America: The First Avenger

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Captain America: The First Avenger

Released:   July 2011

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««««1/2     

Movie Summary:

Steve Rogers is a scrawny, but brave man who desperately wants to serve his country (the movie is set in World War II), but the army rejects him.  When an opportunity arises that gives Steve another chance, he enlists in an experimental military program that creates “super soldiers” with the help of a powerful serum.  He becomes a super soldier and joins the U.S. Army.  He sets off on a mission to stop Johann Schmidt, head of weapons research for Hitler, from using a mystical object’s powers to destroy the world. 

“Captain America” is an action-packed and often feel-good movie that teaches the value of courage and fighting for what you believe in.  Everyone can become a hero and make a difference in the world.  This is a true patriotic movie that you won’t want to miss, containing plenty of action, suspense, humor, and thrills to satisfy Marvel fans and movie fans alike!  Also, stay through the credits and get a sneak peek at Marvel Studios’ next superhero film The Avengers, which comes to theaters next summer.                            

                    

Suit up, grab your shield and head to the theater to see this awesome movie!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Released:   July 2011

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: «««««

Movie Summary:

The epic Harry Potter series comes to an end in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”.  The wizarding world has been taken over by Voldemort and his forces of Death Eaters.  Harry, Ron, and Hermione are still hunting down Horcruxes to destroy so that they can be one step closer to defeating Voldemort.  The trio returns to Hogwarts, seeking one of the last of the Horcruxes, but Voldemort and his followers discover their plot and fight to stop them.  Their attack on Hogwarts results in an intense battle between the forces of good and evil, and Harry fights to defeat Voldemort and fulfill his destiny as the Chosen One of the wizarding world. 

I think “Harry Potter 7 Part 2” is the absolute BEST movie in the entire series!  This movie is a very emotional, action-packed and suspenseful movie that packs all the right punches.  Daniel Radcliffe and the HP cast have done an exceptional job in portraying the characters of the series, and a job well done for director David Yates, who helped the Harry Potter series come to an amazing and satisfying end.   

Grab your wands and broomsticks and fly to the theater to see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Cars 2

Connor's Movie Review  

Movie Title:    Cars 2

Released:   June 2011

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: ««« «

Movie Summary:

Famous race car Lightning McQueen, his crazy and clumsy tow truck friend Mater, and the gang from Radiator Springs, return in “Cars 2”.  This time around, Lightning enters a worldwide grand prix race and invites Mater and friends to come along.  While Lightning is busy in the race, Mater gets unexpectedly caught up in international intelligence when he is “accidentally” mistaken for an American spy.  Villainous Professor Zundapp and his agent minions pursue him and attempt to capture him.  Mater is aided by British agent Finn McMissile and rookie spy Holley Shiftwell.  Together they uncover and attempt to stop Zundapp’s plot to destroy the Grand Prix racers and rule the world. 

“Cars 2” wasn’t the best sequel ever, but is a very good animated film, with some cool action sequences and hilarious comedy.   This movie is a little violent for a Pixar movie, but “Cars 2” is still very much worth the ride.    

                    

Race to the theater to see “Cars 2”!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Super 8

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Super 8

Released:   June 2011

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««1/2   

Movie Summary:

“Super 8” takes place in Lillian, Ohio, 1979, where a group of kids film a movie, but while doing so, they witness a deadly train crash.  They soon discover the train was carrying an alien creature from Area 51.  When the town’s citizens and their belongings mysteriously disappear, the kids, as well as the persistent city deputy and the military, try to solve the mystery and discover the secrets of the creature before the town is destroyed. 

“Super 8” is an action-packed movie, with some highly intense moments and many thrills and chills, but I thought this movie had a little too much violence and language.     

                                             

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Kung Fu Panda 2

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Kung Fu Panda 2

Released:   May 2011

Movie Rating:  PG

Star Rating: «««««     

Movie Summary:

“Kung Fu Panda 2” continues the story of Po, the Dragon Warrior, who now is living in the Valley of Peace along with the Furious Five and Master Shifu, defending China from the forces of evil.  When evil peacock Lord Shen threatens the Valley with his new weapons of destruction, and plots to take over China, Po and the Furious Five embark on an epic adventure of mass awesomeness to take down Lord Shen and his cohorts.  They must stop them from destroying China and ending Kung Fu forever. 

“Kung Fu Panda 2” is an action-packed, often emotional, and hilarious movie that’s jam-packed with SUPREME AWESOMENESS!!         

                 

Head to the Movie Theater to see this awesome movie—Chop, Chop!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Released:   May 2011

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««1/2     

Movie Summary:

Captain Jack Sparrow is back in the fourth installment of “Pirates of the Caribbean”!  This time, Jack is forced by the legendary pirate, Blackbeard, and his ruthless daughter Angelica, to go aboard their ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.  They believe Jack knows where the mystical Fountain of Youth is and force him to take them there.  The pirates soon find out they’re not the only ones searching for the Fountain. 

I think “Pirates 4” is a waste of time, too boring and (exactly matching the title) strange!  I wish the old cast would be in this movie, but only Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa return.  This film has fair acting, some good action sequences and amazing scenery, but a weird plot and weird new characters weaken the movie.  “On Stranger Tides” doesn’t quite sail.              

                   

             

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Thor

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Thor

Released:   May 2011

Movie Rating:  PG-13

Star Rating: ««««     

Movie Summary:

Thor, the God of Thunder, is a self-centered warrior who lives in the mystical kingdom of Asgard, located in the far reaches of outer space.  He is about to be crowned King of Asgard by his father, King Odin, when an attack by a race of frost-giants postpones Thor’s crowning.  Furious, Thor, along with his warrior friends, seek to wipe out the frost-giants in revenge of the attack.  As punishment for Thor’s careless actions, King Odin banishes him from Asgard and sends him to Earth where he finds himself a normal human being without the powers he possessed in Asgard.  He meets scientist Jane Foster, her mentor Erik, and assistant Darcy.  They befriend him and teach him some valuable life lessons about humility.  When evil forces sent from Asgard threaten Earth, Thor must gather the courage to fight for his friends and save the world. 

Despite its cheesiness and fair acting performances, I think “Thor” is still a great superhero movie and has some cool special effects and exciting action!  Also, make sure you stay through the credits for an additional scene!  “Thor” is a movie you won’t want to miss!

                  

Thunder to the theater to see “Thor”!

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The Movie Critic, Connor

Rio

Connor's Movie Review

Movie Title:    Rio

Released:   April 2011

Movie Rating:  G

Star Rating: «« «1/2

Movie Summary:

Blu, a flightless blue macaw, is transported to Rio de Janiero, along with his owner Linda, in order to preserve his species with the last blue macaw on the planet, Jewel, who was found in Rio.  But when bird smugglers capture Blu and Jewel and plot to sell them, can Blu and Jewel escape the smugglers and return home?  Meanwhile, Blu ponders whether to pursue life with Jewel in his true home in the rain forests, or return to his normal life with Linda. 

“Rio” is a colorful, fun family film, but I think it could have used some additional excitement and humor. 

‘Fly’ to the theater and see “Rio”!

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The Movie Critic, Connor