The ratings have been released for three of the big family films coming-up in Nov. and Dec., and they’re all PG. “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” (scary sequences and images), “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (action and a little smoking), and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel” (some mild humor) all have been given PG ratings. I thought […]

“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” opened this past weekend with a strong $30.1 million. Sony Pictures Animation’s first film – “Open Season” (2006) opened at $23M and “Surf’s Up” made $18M in its first weekend a year later. “Open Season” went on to make a total of $85M, while “Surf’s Up” only earned $58M. […]

It’s official! “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” is the 3rd highest grossing foreign film in history. Not just the 3rd highest animated film, but the 3rd highest film overall, trailing only “Titanic” and “Lord of the Rings:The Return of the King”. This is amazing, especially considering it didn’t do that well in the U.S. […]

I saw a preview of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” Saturday. I can’t publish my full review on the website until Friday morning (studio rules), but I can tell you that the movie is great: funny, sweet and amazing looking in IMAX 3-D. It’s going to be a big hit. Sony Pictures Animation (along […]

Now, let me get this straight – Ellen DeGeneres is the new judge on “American Idol”? I’ve never heard he say anything mean to anyone on her talk show and now she’s going to have to criticize bad singers? Even Paula said some tough things to contestants ever once in awhile. And how is Simon […]

The Summer Family Film season is over. It wasn’t the greatest by any means. Before we dive into Fall ’09 (which begins Wednesday with the release of “9”), here are my award winners for the Summer: Worst Box Office Hit: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”. Made $400M, LOUDLY! Best Box Office Flop: “Bandslam”. Made less […]

Not long ago in this space I mentioned that “Yogi Bear” and “The Smurfs” are scheduled to be released on the same day – Dec. 17, 2010. These, obviously, are two kids/family films that I’ll be seeing and reviewing. Well, things have now gotten even more interesting for that day. “Tron: Legacy”, the update of […]

…And the winner of over 5,000 Marvel characters is…Disney! Yes, Mickey, Minnie and Donald have some new neighbors coming, but not immediately. Disney has purchased Marvel for a whopping $4 BILLION! Now the fun begins. Since many of the famous Marvel characters have been hanging-out at other studio and at other theme parks it’s going […]

I had a great trip to Hollywood. However, here are five things they should fix: #5 – A Johnny Rockets served me a Grilled Cheddar Cheese sandwich, and not American, as oppose to the Denny’s I went to that made it with American. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches should always be made with American cheese. #4 – […]

If you caught Sunday Night’s “Millionaire?”, you probably were on the edge of your seat watching the last contestant go for the million dollars. And yes folks, this was more exciting to watch than “Slumdog Millionaire”. He had one lifeline left, “Ask the Audience”, which according to my good friend Mr. Regis Philbin, has never […]