Yahoo! Movies: New Kids/Family DVD Releases

Cheaper by the Dozen 2

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:08 -0000

The Baker family goes on vacation, which turns into a head-to-head competition with a rival neighborhood family of eight children. (1 hr. 40 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Ever After

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:07 -0000

In a re-telling of one of our most beloved tales, a resourceful young woman must overcome the schemes of her evil stepmother to be with the one she loves -- the Prince of France -- who has fallen for her beauty and intelligence. With the ingenuity of Leonardo Di Vinci and the strength of love, the young woman realizes that the Cinderella stories can come true. (2 hrs. 2 min.) Release date: May 26, 2009

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:06 -0000

In his fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry faces his greatest challenges and dangers yet. When he is selected under mysterious circumstances as a contestant in the Triwizard Tournament, Harry must compete against the best young wizards from schools all over Europe. But as he prepares, signs begin to point to the return of Lord Voldemort. Before long, Harry is playing not just for the Cup, but for his life. (2 hrs. 30 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

The Princess Bride

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:05 -0000

Robin Wright and Cary Elwes star in this fairytale adventure about a beautiful princess and the gallant hero who rescues her from an evil villain. Directed by Rob Reiner, it's an enchanting classic the whole family will love! (1 hr. 40 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Cheaper by the Dozen

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:04 -0000

When Tom Baker (Martin) gets a job offer to coach football at Northwestern University in Chicago, he and his wife, Mary (Hunt), move to the big city, which is a big change for them and their 12 children, who range from preschool-age twins Kyle and Nigel all the way up to 22-year-old Anne (Perabo) who has already left home. With the recent publication of her long-in-the-works book, Mary feels demands outside the home taking away as much time as Tom's new job does, so the two are forced to try to find new ways of parenting their massive tribe, but they find their parenting styles aren't always completely compatible. (1 hr. 38 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Ice Age

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:03 -0000

Twenty thousand years ago, the Earth was being overrun by glaciers, and creatures everywhere were fleeing the onslaught of the new Ice Age. In this time of peril, we meet the weirdest herd of any Age: a fast talking but dim sloth named Sid (voiced by John Leguizamo); a moody woolly mammoth named Manny (voiced by Ray Romano); a devilish saber-toothed tiger named Diego (Denis Leary); and an acorn-crazy saber-toothed squirrel known as Scrat. This quartet of misfits unexpectedly, and reluctantly, comes together in a quest to return a human infant to his father. Braving boiling lava pits, treacherous ice caves, freezing temperatures and a secret, evil plot, these "sub-zeros" become the world's first heroes! (1 hr. 21 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:02 -0000

In the silver-screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling's HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, the fifth chapter in the beloved book series, everyone's favorite wizard-in-training (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself in increasingly perilous situations. Not only is Harry in trouble with the Ministry of Magic for using his abilities outside of school, his trusted mentor, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), has grown distant, and an icy new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), has arrived to bring a frightening level of discipline to Hogwarts. And waiting in the shadows is the demonic Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), an ominous figure whose very existence is questioned by the powerful Ministry, leaving Harry and his friends--most notably Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson)--to form a rebel group, Dumbledore's Army.

Helmed by little-known British director David Yates and written by Michael Goldenberg (the first scribe to fill the boots of Steve Kloves), THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX continues the darker tone of the two preceding POTTER installments and deftly follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they face new foes and impending adulthood. While Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson all continue to imbue their characters with vitality and complexity, Staunton steals the show as the strict, merciless Umbridge, though the story, which lacks some of the special-effects-heavy set pieces of past chapters, happily leaves room for other actors to shine, most notably Alan Rickman (as the ever-enigmatic Severus Snape), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), David Thewlis (Remus Lupin), and Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange). Another fine offering of POTTER movie magic, PHOENIX may not astound quite the way that THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN did, but it easily stands as one of the best films in the series. (2 hr. 18 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:01 -0000

Starting during the summer before Harry's third year at Hogwarts, this is the adventure that happens when he has to go on the run after an incident where he was unable to control his anger... getting on a bus, he hears about Sirius Black, a renegade wizard who was a Prisoner at Azkaban. What Harry doesn't suspect is that Black escaped to look for... him. (2 hrs. 21 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

Night at the Museum

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:23:00 -0000

Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a down-on-his-luck divorced father in this family-friendly tale directed by Shawn Levy (JUST MARRIED, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN). Larry has lots of ideas and dreams, but none of them come to fruition. In an attempt to prove his stability to his ex-wife (Kim Raver) and his son, Nicky (Jake Cherry), Larry accepts a job as a night guard at the Museum of Natural History. But the elderly night guards who hire him (played by entertainment legends Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, and Bill Cobbs) fail to mention one crucial detail: when the museum is closed, everything inside comes to life. From Attila the Hun to miniature Roman soldiers, African mammals to Neanderthal men, and Egyptian mummies to dinosaur skeletons, the museum teems with lively activity. Now it's Larry's job to control the mayhem and show his son that he is, indeed, a great man after all.

There might be a moral to this story, which is based on the book of the same name by Milan Trenc, but the screenplay and action remain light and breezy. Stiller is perfect as Larry, particularly in scenes with a sneaky monkey who repeatedly gets the better of him. Brief appearances by Anne Meara (Stiller's real-life mother) and Paul Rudd add to the fun. Carla Gugino plays a museum docent, Ricky Gervais portrays the incomprehensible museum director, and Robin Williams moonlights as a wax figure of Teddy Roosevelt that comes to life. Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan are particularly amusing as a bickering miniature cowboy and a Roman soldier. (1 hr. 48 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:59 -0000

The follow-up to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone finds young wizard Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) facing new challenges during their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they try to discover a dark force that is terrorizing the school. (2 hrs. 41 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

Happy Feet

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:58 -0000

Set deep in Antarctica, into the land of Emperor Penguins, where each needs a heart song to attract a soul mate, a penguin is born who cannot sing. Our hero Mumble, son of Memphis and Norma Jean, is the worst singer in the world...however, as it happens, he is a brilliant tap dancer! (1 hr. 40 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

The Simpsons Movie

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:57 -0000

After 18 years on the air, Springfield's favorite family finally makes it to the big screen. Homer (Dan Castellaneta), Marge (Julie Kavner), Bart (Nancy Cartwright), Lisa (Yeardley Smith) and Maggie Simpson will be there, along with regulars like Moe the bartender (Hank Azaria) and Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer). (1 hr. 26 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:56 -0000

This live-action/computer-animated update of Ross Bagdasarian's squeaky-voiced cartoon characters finds the chipmunks (in CGI form) transported from their woodland habitat to the city, where they wind up in the home of Dave Seville (Jason Lee). Dave, a down-on-his-luck songwriter, realizes the potential of a singing chipmunk pop act, and becomes an unlikely mentor/father figure to feisty Alvin, brainy Simon, and dopey Theodore. Meanwhile, the threesome causes chaos in his life, leading to plenty of fun, frenetic scenarios. When a devious record executive (David Cross) enters the picture, however, Alvin and the Chipmunks must deal with both the trappings of fame and their loyalty to the amiable, hapless Dave.

Directed by Tim Hill (GARFIELD: A TALE OF TWO KITTIES), ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS simultaneously modernizes and pays tribute to the classic title characters, who first appeared in the late 1950s and became wildly popular in the '60s. While Lee (MY NAME IS EARL) is well cast as the perpetually exasperated Dave, Long (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD) steals the show as the voice of Alvin, who provides the group's lively spirit. Though some older viewers may wince at the prospect of their beloved Chipmunks rapping, the movie is generally respectful of the franchise's long legacy, and will easily win over a younger generation. (1 hr. 31 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Fat Albert

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:55 -0000

Bill Cosby's character, "Fat Albert," comes to the big screen as a live action/animated feature film. The movie is based on Cosby's stand-up comedy monologues about his childhood, centered around a group of urban adolescents growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood. (1 hr. 33 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:54 -0000

Based on the bestselling series of children's fantasy novels of the same name by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES follows the adventures of the Grace family, newly transplanted from New York City to an inherited home in the remote New England woods. Angry with his mother (Mary-Louise Parker) about the move, the sulky Jared (Freddie Highmore) begin to explore the strange old house, and discovers a magical tome written by his great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn). Soon Jared and his twin brother, Simon (also played by Highmore with the aid of seamless special effects), are drawn into a realm of goblins, boggarts, and ogres--a reality that coexists with the human world. By the time the boys' older sister, Mallory (Sarah Bolger), is in on their secret, the siblings are steeped in a conflict with the evil shape-shifting ogre Mulgarath (Nick Nolte), who will stop at nothing to get Spiderwick's book.

Directed by Mark Waters (THE HOUSE OF YES, MEAN GIRLS) and scripted in part by lauded filmmaker John Sayles (THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH), SPIDERWICK succeeds as an engaging kid-oriented movie that also offers up genuine thrills and chills for adults. Highmore and Bolger impressively mask their British and Irish accents, respectively, and display a convincing brother/sister bond, while Martin Short and Seth Rogen provide comic relief as the voices of unlikely CGI allies. Intentionally smaller in scope than other like-minded literary adaptations such as THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and THE GOLDEN COMPASS, SPIDERWICK is rooted in a beautifully earthy, antique aesthetic that provides the perfect setting for its likable protagonists and bizarre-yet-naturalistic creatures. (1 hr. 37 min.) Release date: May 5, 2009

The Pagemaster

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:53 -0000

A paranoid young boy is swept into the animated worlds of fantasy, horror and adventure when he trapped inside a public library. Guided by three books, he battles his way to the exit and conquers his fears along the way. Features the voices of Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy and more. (1 hr. 15 min.) Release date: Jul 7, 2009

Robots

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:52 -0000

Set on a world populated entirely by robots, this is the story of a young genius, Rodney (Ewan McGregor), who wants to make robots capable of making the world a better place, but he finds his dream challenged by a corporate tyrant and a master inventor, Big Weld (Mel Brooks), while also being seduced by a sexy corporate robot, Cappy (Halle Berry). (1 hr. 29 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

The Secret of Nimh

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:51 -0000

Don Bluth's THE SECRET OF NIMH is an exquisitely drawn, colorfully animated feature about Mrs. Brisby, a brave mother field mouse who struggles to save her family's home from a farmer's plow. She soon discovers she needs the help of the strange, intelligent rats who live beneath the nearby rosebush in an intricate city. But when the timid but determined Mrs. Brisby discovers the astounding wonders of NIMH, it could change her life forever. From the Hitchcockian flashback sequence revealing the rats' secret to the moral questions raised about animal testing, this film is a beautiful example of how animation can expertly tell a gripping story while still remaining appropriate and entertaining for children. Widely considered to be Bluth's masterpiece, THE SECRET OF NIMH features a strong cast of vocal talent, including Derek Jacobi, John Carradine, Dom DeLuise, Elizabeth Hartman, Wil Wheaton, and Shannen Doherty. (1 hr. 22 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Big

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:50 -0000

A boy asks a mechanical swami at a fair to grant his wish to be grown up -- oops! Luckily his best friend recognizes him and helps him get a job at a toy factory where his fresh, uncomplicated innocence wins the president's respect, his colleagues' envy -- and a beautiful woman's love. Academy Award Nominations: Best Actor--Tom Hanks, Best (Original) Screenplay. (1 hr. 42 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Flicka

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:49 -0000

Sixteen-year-old Katy McLaughlin dreams of fulfilling her family legacy by working on her father's ranch in modern-day Wyoming. Katy finds a wild mustang, which she names Flicka, and Katy sets out to break through to Flicka and make her a riding horse. But Flicka and Katy are more alike than she could have imagined. Like Katy, Flicka has a disdain for authority and is not about to give up her freedom without a fight. (1 hr. 50 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

The Pebble and the Penguin

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:48 -0000

In an ancient Antarctican penguin ceremony, a lovable but introverted penguin named Hubie (Martin Short) must present a special betrothal pebble to the bird of his dreams before the festival is over--or lose his chance with her forever. He just manages to pluck up the nerve when the evil Drake (Tim Curry) knocks him off the ice, and Hubie is swept away. Picked up and caged by a ship, he meets the streetwise Rocko (James Belushi), whose only wishes are to live in sunny climates and learn to fly. Together they escape, and Hubie convinces Rocko to help him find his way home. In this lighthearted animated fable, good music (composed by crooner Barry Manilow) and expert animation enhance a cast of talented voices. The real adventure of Don Bluth's THE PEBBLE AND THE PENGUIN lies not only in Hubie's journey but in the challenge of defeating his worst enemy, Drake, and helping Rocko face his issues about flying. Children will be entertained and learn a lesson or two about friendship from this lively story. (1 hr. 19 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

In Her Shoes

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:47 -0000

Maggie is fun-loving and irresponsible. Her older sister Rose is a high-powered lawyer who watches Maggie's wild life with distain. When an attempt to live together fails miserably, they go off in different directions to find the missing pieces in their lives. Based on the book by Jennifer Weiner. (2 hrs. 9 min.) Release date: May 26, 2009

We re Back! A Dinosaur s Story

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:46 -0000

The voices of the above stars bring a handful of dinosaurs back to life in the modern day in this Steven Spielberg production. Lavish animation and imagination render this delightful tale of dinosaurs in New York City. (1 hr. 11 min.) Release date: May 26, 2009

Garfield

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:45 -0000

Life couldn't be sweeter for Garfield, everyone's favorite feline. Parked on a comfortable chair in front of the television, feasting on his favorite dish, lasagna, and hurling insults at his beleaguered owner Jon, Garfield is the master of his universe. When Jon takes Garfield to visit beautiful veterinarian Liz Wilson, she gives Jon a pepped-up, tail-wagging, panting creature that represents everything that Garfield loathes. Garfield, meet Odie, a lovable, dim-witted dog. The wise-cracking cat is, for the first time in his nine lives, left speechless. The clueless Odie chases his tail till he's dizzy, crashes into walls, and barks without cause, all to the unbridled delight of Jon who eagerly welcomes Odie into his home. Odie turns Garfield's perfect world upside down. Garfield's solution: OUT, DARN DOG. When the hapless hound disappears into the evil clutches of local celebrity Happy Chapman, you would think Garfield would rejoice. But he feels responsible for t! he fate of another. With uncharacteristic energy, courage and selflessness, Garfield manages to pull himself away from his lazy life and spring into action. He's on the unlikeliest of impossible missions: to save Odie. (1 hr. 25 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Dr. Dolittle

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:44 -0000

Eddie Murphy is the physician who talks to animals in this= unamusing update of the 1967 musical, based on the stories by Hugh= Lofting. (1 hr. 25 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Big Momma s House 2

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:43 -0000

The adventures of master-of-disguise, FBI special agent Malcolm Turner continue. This time he must go undercover as Big Momma to nail his ex-partner's murderer. While undercover in the house of the suspected criminal, Malcom grows attached to the suspect's three childen. (1 hr. 38 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:42 -0000

Garfield follows his owner, Jon, to England, where Garfield is mistaken for a look-alike, regal cat who has inherited a castle. Garfield savors the royal treatment afforded by his loyal "subjects," but his reign is in jeopardy. The nefarious Lord Dargis is determined to do away with Garfield, so he can turn the castle into a resort. (1 hr. 20 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Wonderworks - A Little Princess

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:41 -0000

A cheerful young girl is forced into harsh circumstances when her wealthy father dies penniless. Through her hardship, she learns many valuable lessons about the world and herself. Adapted by the BBC from the classic children's story by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Release date: May 5, 2009

Johnson Family Vacation

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:40 -0000

Even the onboard navigation system has a meltdown on Nate Johnson (Cedric The Entertainer) and his family's cross-country trek to their annual family reunion/grudge match. Reluctantly along for the ride are Nate's wife (Vanessa Williams), who's only in it for the kids; their rapper-wannabe son (Bow Wow); their teenage daughter (Solange Knowles) who's fashioned herself as the next Lolita; and their youngest (Gabby Soleil), whose imaginary dog Nate just can't seem to keep track of. Can the Johnsons survive each other and all the obstacles the road throws at them to make it to Caruthersville, Missouri? Can they find Missouri? (1 hr. 37 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Nim's Island

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:39 -0000

Based on the popular children's novel of the same name by Wendy Orr, NIM'S ISLAND follows the adventures of Nim Rusoe (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE's Abigail Breslin), a spirited young girl who lives on a remote island with her scientist dad, Jack (300's Gerard Butler), and a host of animal companions, including an iguana, a sea lion, and a sea turtle. Nim's idyllic life gets shaken up, however, when her father goes missing while on an ocean outing. Seeking help to find Jack, Nim contacts her favorite literary hero, explorer Alex Rover (also played by Butler), who, in reality, is uptight--and distinctly unadventurous--author Alexa Rover (Jodie Foster). Against her better judgment, Alexa journeys to Nim's faraway home, setting a series of thrilling and funny moments in motion.

Directed and written (in part) by the husband/wife team of Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett, NIM'S ISLAND revels in its fanciful premise, never getting hung up on its unrealistic plot points. (E-mail on an extremely secluded island?) While Breslin and Butler are charming, the real revelation is witnessing the oft-serious Foster ham it up in a role requires plenty of slapstick, fish-out-of-water moments. Although teens might roll their eyes at NIM'S unapologetically sugary scenes, younger children will enjoy the giddy mood present of the ISLAND. (1 hr. 35 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Everyone s Hero

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:38 -0000

A young boy finds himself at an extraordinary crossroads: He has a chance to be a hero - and make a difference against incredible odds - or he can play it safe. With faith in himself instilled by his family, he teams up with a sassy young girl and some off-the-wall sidekicks and embarks on a sometimes perilous, often funny, cross-country quest. In the process, he restores his family's honor, befriends the world's biggest sports superstar, and reveals the hero within. (1 hr. 26 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Ice Age: The Meltdown

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:37 -0000

The Ice Age is coming to an end, and the animals are delighting in the melting paradise that is their new world. Manny, Sid, and Diego quickly learn that the warming climate has one major drawback: a huge glacial dam is about to break, threatening the entire valley. The only chance of survival lies at the other end of the valley. So the three heroes, along with a mammoth named Ellie and her two "brothers" -- possums Crash and Eddie -- embark on a mission across an increasingly dangerous landscape towards their salvation. (90 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Mr. Magorium s Wonder Emporium

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:36 -0000

Set in a magical toy shop which affords adults the opportunity to retain a child's sense of magic and wonder in their lives, a clerk must decide whether she wants to run the store after its current owner Mr. Magorium passes away. (1 hr. 34 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Bean

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:35 -0000

In his big-screen debut, the BBC's beloved, bumbling, barely verbal Mr. Bean lands in the plastic wasteland of Los Angeles, where he has been sent to "guard" Whistler's Mother as it changes hands between the London National Art Gallery and a chichi private gallery. Absurd laughs from the hilarious Atkinson. (1 hr. 30 min.) Release date: May 24, 2009

Possession

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:34 -0000

No description available (1 hr. 25 min.) Release date: May 12, 2009

Space Chimps

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:33 -0000

Circus monkey Ham III (voiced by Andy Samberg) works in a circus where he's regularly shot from a canon but he still lives in the shadow of his father's legacy (Ham I was the first chimp shot into space in 1961). A natural born rebel against authority, Ham the third is initially reluctant to go on a dangerous space mission to rescue a lost space probe, but away he goes, for lots of RIGHT STUFF-style astro-training alongside two highly prepared chimps, Luna and Titan (Cheryl Hines and Patrick Warburton). NASA's by-the-book methods jar with Ham's mischief-making of course, but once the space training ends, the mission begins, with myriad dangers along the way, including: a big-toothed monster and a run amok alien named Zartog (Jeff Daniels) whose harnessed the previous space probe for world-domination purposes, all good opportunities for Ham III to redeem himself. Despite all the fangs, parents shouldn't worry too much; not a hair on any chimp is seriously singed, and along the pratfall strewn way there's time for lessons about responsibility and realization of one's full potential. While the animation here is not quite up to Pixar level, it's still pretty and colorful, with a pleasing Candyland quality to the alien planet surface. Samberg brings a savvy zest to his vocal duties as the Ham, Stanley Tucci is a nefarious senator and--getting big laughs with flawlessly deadpan elan--Patrick Breen as one of the trio of egghead scientists. Kird De Micco directed; based on the computer video game. (1 hr. 21 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Where God Left His Shoes

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:32 -0000

John Leguizamo stars as a father, Frank, whose family is forced from their New York City apartment and into a homeless shelter. But on Christmas Eve, it looks as though the clouds are beginning to part: an apartment is available for them in a housing project if Frank can find a job. So begins a winter odyssey as Frank and his stepson wander the snowy streets in search of work. (1 hr. 36 min.) Release date: May 26, 2009

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:31 -0000

Based on the 1954 children's book by Dr. Seuss, HORTON HEARS A WHO! is a 2008 computer-animated Hollywood update of the beloved illustrated tale. Horton (voiced by Jim Carrey), a thoughtful elephant living in the jungle of Nool, discovers that an entire society, Whoville, rests inside a speck. He gently rests it on a clover flower, and searches for a place where it will be safe from the perils of the larger world. Establishing contact with Whoville's befuddled mayor (Steve Carell), Horton faces disbelief from his animal friends, including his blue mouse pal, Morton (Seth Rogen), and unwittingly incurs the wrath of an uptight kangaroo (Carol Burnett), setting the playful pachyderm on a journey to the most remote parts of Nool, with malicious vultures and monkeys not far behind.

Executive produced by Chris Wedge, the creator of ICE AGE, and directed by Steve Martino and Jimmy Hayward, this CGI take on Seuss (aka Theodore Geisel) is the first 21st-century adaptation to hew closely to the artist's true spirit and visual style. While Carrey, Carell, Burnett, and the rest of the vocal talent (also including Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, and Jonah Hill) contribute lively performances, the animation is the real focus of the film, displaying a stunning array of colorful characters and landscapes that capture Seuss's wonderfully whimsical aesthetic. Though Seuss loyalists might be dismayed by some liberties taken (particularly a Japanese anime-style interlude and a brief musical number set to a REO Speedwagon hit), the movie's heart is in the right place, resulting in a topnotch family feature. (1 hr. 28 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

My Dinner With Andre

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:30 -0000

A conversation between a globe-trotting theater director and a playwright playfully explores ideas about art, theater, and daily life. (1 hr. 51 min.) Release date: Jun 23, 2009

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:29 -0000

IN THEATRES JANUARY 16, 2009: Coming off the finale of television's popular sitcom THE KING OF QUEENS and 2007's I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU CHUCK AND LARRY, funnyman Kevin James takes the role of a single dad in this largely physical comedy, which the actor also co-wrote. Paul Blart (James) is a hard worker, but has never landed his dream job of being New Jersey state trooper due to his excess weight. Determined to support his mother and his daughter, Blart takes the slightly less glamorous post as the security guard at his local shopping mall. He never complains, approaching the job with impressive diligence and pride, but doesn't get much respect for it. It's only when a group of misfits in Santa's Helper disguises take hold of the mall and several hostages that Blart's would-be cop smarts come in handy and he gets a chance to shine. With a deadly situation on hand, Blart may finally be able to show the world (and his romantic interest, who just happens to be one of the hostages) what he's made of. Though the villains have several advantages over him, Blart has a Segway scooter and a big heart on his side.

While many of its jokes come at the expense of James's extra pounds, the film ultimately makes its star out to be a hero. With his everyman appeal, James is well-suited to play Blart, showing that even average Joes can make a difference with the right attitude. PAUL BLART: MALL COP takes the banal out of the shopping mall, infusing a familiar setting with energy, laughs, and high-stakes drama. (1 hr. 31 min.) Release date: May 19, 2009

City of Ember

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:28 -0000

The lights are going out in the City of Ember, a time-limited underground haven created some 200 years ago by the higher-ups of humanity in a world on the brink of disaster. Meanwhile, many of its literally and figuratively in-the-dark citizens don't suspect a thing. The only wise ones are two plucky teenagers (Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway) who are devoted to finding--with or without the help of the cagey Mayor Cole (Bill Murray)--the exit from Ember. Screenwriting credit for CITY OF EMBER, a refreshing fantasy film based on the first novel in author Jeanne DuPrau's sci-fi/adventure series for young adults, belongs to none other than Caroline Thompson. She's a silver screen veteran of family-friendly otherworldliness who's collaborated on many of Tim Burton's most definitive projects, and indeed she's brought to this live-action sophomore effort from enthusiastic movie-geek director Gil Kenan (MONSTER HOUSE) a miniaturist sensibility reminiscent of the condensed and simply plotted eccentricity of CORPSE BRIDE and A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. In stark contrast to some of the more epically turgid fantasy films released in the wake of Harry Potter's first outing, EMBER harks back to the modestly scaled ethos of cinematic spectacle typically embodied by the whimsical adventure movies made for children in the 1980s. When the film's farfetched premise meets its unadorned storytelling to unfold in a neatly contained, nearly real-time episode, it renders the image of ordinary children traversing an architectural phantasmagoria with the kind of paradoxical patina of fluffy-yet-provocative fantasy that can stimulate the imaginations of both kids and adults. The movie's neon-filamented aesthetic, a post-apocalyptic pastiche of industrialization, is sometimes evocative of German expressionism. Still, including cinematographer Xavier Perez Grobiet's kinetic tracking shots, Kenan's film is not without its 21st-century elements. (1 hr. 39 min.) Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Elephant Tales

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:27 -0000

Zef and Tutu are two young elephant brothers without a care in the world. They are only just learning to enjoy the sprawling wild plains of Africa that are at their disposal when their entire family and herd are suddenly snatched out of sight by some kind of strange, malevolent force. Can Zef and Tutu muster the stoutheartedness to rescue their clan? This live-action French-Australian adventure will inspire every member of the family. Release date: Jun 16, 2009

Mum & Dad

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:26 -0000

No description available (1 hr. 25 min.) Release date: May 5, 2009

Fly Me to the Moon 3-D

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:25 -0000

This animated film--the first to be produced solely in 3-D format--answers the question: What if a trio of juvenile insects had stowed away on the 1969 Apollo 11 rocket launch to the moon? The answer is, they would save the day, and learn valuable lessons, and spill space food into viewers' laps (virtually speaking). The trio of go-getter (sort of) young bugs are Nat (voiced by Trevor Gagnon), his brainiac friend I.Q. (Phillip Bolden), and their obsessive and obese ant buddy, Scooter (David Gore). They're motivated by the stories of Nat's eccentric grandfather (Christopher Lloyd), who once flew with Amelia Earhart. He encourages the boys to follow their yen for adventure and soon they're stowing aboard the ship, complete with their own homemade space suits. The moon launch and other space treats are covered with a--pardon the expression--fly-on-the-wall attention to detail (NASA supplied actual blueprints and recordings from the event), which the state-of-the-art 3-D captures with breathtaking clarity. Kids will dig the standard fly pratfalls and detours into bathroom humor while adults can dig the 1960s trappings and the outrageous retro-Russian accents of the Cold War fly spies (Nicollette Sheridan and Tim Curry), who come out of the woodwork to sabotage the mission (and liven up the plot with some fights and chases). Real-life astronaut Buzz Aldrin appears as himself, lending the film authenticity and gravitas, and there's some great period rock music on the soundtrack. (1 hr. 29 min.) Release date: May 5, 2009

Momma's Man

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:24 -0000

Writer-director Azazel Jacobs casts his artist parents--filmmaker Ken and painter Flo Jacobs--in this independent comedy that earned raves at the Sundance Film Fest. In MOMMA'S MAN, Los Angeles resident Mikey (Matt Boren), a distant husband and inattentive new father, takes a trip back to his home town of New York. In short order, his visit to his parents' apartment turns into an extended stay as he rediscovers his childhood and begins to revert to a state of adolescence. Jacobs's MAN transcends its typically indie premise to deliver a captivating film of uncommon insight. Ken and Flo's apartment, segmented into little nooks and filled to the brim with books and bric-a-brac, is oddly stimulating and appropriate as a movie setting, and truly a sight to behold. Fans of focused, stunning independent cinema will find many treasures in MOMMA'S MAN. (1 hr. 34 min.) Release date: May 5, 2009

A Plumm Summer

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 08:22:23 -0000

In this family comedy, it's 1968, and all is well in the tiny town of Peaks View, Montana. That is, until someone kidnaps beloved TV star (and puppet) Froggy Doo. His costar Happy Herb (Henry Winkler) and the rest of Peaks View can't imagine that someone would kidnap their most popular resident, and soon the FBI arrives to investigate. Based on a true story, A PLUMM SUMMER also stars Jeff Daniels, Billy Baldwin, Lisa Guerrero, Brenda Strong, and Peter Scolari. (1 hr. 41 min.) Release date: May 5, 2009