Category Archives: kid movies

Silly Spotlight on the Special “Show Dogs” Trailers

Directed by Raja Gosnell, Show Dogs follows a bunch of talking dogs. The original screenplay comes from Max Botkin.

Gosnell directed other kids’ movies like Scooby-DooBeverly Hills Chihuahua, and The Smurfs. He even worked with Chris Columbus as editor of the movies Home AloneHome Alone 2: Lost in New York, and Mrs. Doubtfire.

The story takes place where humankind and sentient dogs co-exist. A macho but forlorn Rottweiler police dog named Max, voiced by Ludacris, goes undercover as a groomed show dog in an elevated dog show with his human partner Frank, played by Will Arnett. Together, they try to prevent a disaster during the dog show. The movie also stars Natasha Lyonne, Jordin Sparks, Gabriel Iglesias, Shaquille O’Neal, Omar Chaparro, and Stanley Tucci.

The movie is streaming and available on Blu-ray and DVD. The film is perfect for all kinds of dog lovers.

Here is another trailer that looks like tons of fun for the kids.

If you or your kids like watching talking dogs, then see this movie. Watch the trailer and see if you like watching talking dogs.

“Incredibles 2: Rising Son” Trailers, Movie Clips, Poster, and Blu-ray/DVD

It’s about time! Incredibles is one of my favorite Pixar movies. I wonder if the movie will be able to hold its uniqueness because the first movie had a clever twist. Superheroes were against the law. It’s interesting how Pixar will simply insert a similarity to something treacherous that happened in our history as an incredible animated movie that appears innocuous.

The logo being altered by Jack-Jack is clever and is the handwriting on the wall that is telling us Incredibles 2 will be a great and entertaining movie. I am excited.

The poster shows many aspects of the sequel storyline. The one that has my interest is the creature at the top of the poster with the blue-flamed bulging eyes and arms menacingly reaching out.

Titled Rising Son with the same talented voices Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) is left to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life, giving him an opportunity to bond with his younger son, Jack-Jack, whose superpowers are emerging—much to Dad’s surprise.

I can’t believe it, Brad Bird is returning to Pixar and directing this movie. He also directed Iron Giant, Ratatouille, and Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

The third trailer is so funny. True to Brad Bird’s style of constant activity and funny situations. This trailer will have you laughing in no time.  Make sure you watch it until the end because you get to see the bad guy. The movie poster shows him but the trailer shows more of what he looks like and can do. It looks like he is hypnotizing people through television.  Only Bird could pull a parody like that off – subtle hint.

The Blu-ray and DVD are hitting the streets with streaming happening, most likely, before the disc releases.  The questions are: Have you seen the movie yet? Do you want to see the movie again?

Either way, here are some clips as a reminder of what a great movie it is or to entice you to see the movie.

Of course, the trailer has funny bits about adolescence and Common Core Math.  There are some funny lines at the very end, too. “You better be back ASAP!”

Fun movie trailer to watch is the best way I can describe it. Jack-Jack is going to steal the show. The reference to Common Core math is hilarious and so true.

“A Wrinkle in Time” Trailers, Poster, Interview with Director

Directed by Ava DuVernay,  A Wrinkle in Time is based on a wonderful and timeless book by Madeleine L’Engle. My daughter read her book with awe and excitement. The timeless classic came to the screen before in the 1980s. The technology at the time failed to bring the magical story to life.

A Wrinkle in Time Blu-ray/DVD hit the streets. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, nows your chance.

Now, the audience will be able to view the dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.

The movie’s cast is stellar with Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Michael Pena, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Zack Galifianakis, and Chris Pine.

DuVernay is a woman of many firsts in the movie industry as a director and screenwriter. In 2012, she won Best Director for her second feature Middle of Nowhere at Sundance becoming the first African-American woman to win the award. For her work in Selma, she was the first black female director to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award and the first black female director to have her film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. A Wrinkle in Time exceeds a budget of $100 million, making her the first black woman to direct a live-action film with a budget of that size.

The movie’s screenwriter, Jennifer Lee, is best known as the writer and director of the Disney’s Frozen, for which she earned an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

The interview with the director, Ava DuVernay, who tells the storyline and describes each character and how each actor plays the role.  This is a must watch and very informative interview.

The second trailer shows more of the storyline. The CGI is pretty awesome looking. I just hope there are no pan shots of CGI.

“The Star” Trailers, Music, and Vignettes

Directed by Timothy Reckart, The Star follows a small but brave donkey named Bo, voiced by Steven Yeun. He yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, and finally, he goes on his dream adventure.

On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, voiced by Aidy Bryant, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the most incredible story ever told—the first Christmas.

These are fun to watch, but their language is a bit too modern for the time period.

Enjoy the Vignette about the voice actor for Bo, the donkey.

The list of stellar voice actors is astonishing.

Short Animated Movie, “Puppy!” Trailer

The new animated short Puppy! directed by Hotel Transylvania‘s Genndy Tartakovsky, is attached to The Emoji Movie. In the short, the residents of Hotel Transylvania find their world turned upside down when youngster Dennis gets a surprise monster-sized pet.

“Wonderstruck” Trailers, Clips, and Featurettes

Directed by Todd Haynes and based on Brian Selznick’s novel, Wonderstruck follows Ben, played by Oakes Fegley, and Rose, played by Millicent Simmonds. They are children from two eras who secretly wish their lives were different.

Ben longs for the father he has never known, while Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook.

When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his home and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out on quests to find what they are missing that unfold with a mesmerizing balance between them.

The trailer looks excellent, and Selznick wrote the screenplay.

A new clip and poster make me even more excited about this movie. It was such a great book.

Great featurettes! The director and cast shine.

“The Greatest Showman” Poster, Trailers & Blu-ray/DVD

Directed by Michael Gracey, The Greatest Showman stars the talented cast, including Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. The original songs by the Oscar Winning lyricists for the movie La La Land are Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The trailer is so upbeat and promising. I know there will be no letdown at the box office or a disappointment in the movie theaters.

The story follows Jackman’s character Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum. The trailer shows off an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business while telling a magical story of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

The Blu-ray and DVD have hit the streets and is available if you want to see the movie again or you haven’t seen it yet. Now it is your chance. My daughter saw the film for the first time while flying from Atlanta to Sacramento. She said the music was phenomenal, and Zac Efron was outstanding.

I just saw it last night and wish the second act was stronger but loved the music. I have to admit. I became interested in P.T. Barnum’s life. I did a little research and discovered his life is worth telling, and it is a story to be said – fantastic character.

This trailer shows a more modern twist in the music. Interesting way, it might grab the attention of younger audiences like teenagers.

“Black Panther” Trailer, Poster, Movie Clips

Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther follows T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.

But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

The Blu-ray and DVD arrive on the streets. The movie is streaming. The trailer after the movie clips gives all the details, and if you haven’t seen the movie yet, you are in for a treat.

The movie clips are epic and are fun to watch while you wait to see the Blu-ray and DVD.

Enjoy the trailer.

“The Emoji” Movie Trailer

Directed by Tony Leondis, The Emoji Movie seems rather far-fetched and unreal because it is a way out there world that does not truly exist.

Following the story unlocks the never-before-seen secret world inside your smartphone. I never thought of my smartphone having a hidden world within the messaging app is Textopolis, a bustling city where all your favorite emojis live, hoping to be selected by the phone’s user.

This story is definitely for kids because, in this world, each emoji has only one facial expression – except for Gene, voiced by T.J. Miller, an exuberant emoji who was born without a filter and is bursting with multiple expressions. Determined to become “normal” like the other emojis, Gene enlists the help of his handy best friend Hi-5, voiced by James Corden, and the notorious code breaker emoji Jailbreak, voiced by Anna Faris.

The Emoji pals embark on an epic “app-venture” through the apps on the phone, each its own wild and fun world, to find the Code that will fix Gene. But when a greater danger threatens the phone, the fate of all emojis depends on these three unlikely friends who must save their world before it’s deleted forever.

Seems like The Wizard of Oz with a twist in a smartphone.  I ask, “Why can Gene just be himself?”

“Ferdinand” Trailer

Directed by Carlos Saldanha, Ferdinand follows a giant but reluctant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can’t judge a bull by its cover.

Looks like the movie is perfect for kids as a heartwarming animated comedy adventure with a talented cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and much more.

Nick Jonas of the former Jonas Brothers band co-wrote and sings in “Home” an original song for the animated feature.  “I’ve always wanted to write an original song for a film,” says Jonas. “When they showed me the materials of the movie, Ferdinand, a story I was familiar with, I was thrilled.”

Listen to part of “Home” in this trailer.

Jonas says “Home ” encompasses the film’s theme of acceptance. “I wrote this song with good friends of mine Justin Tranter and Nick Monson,” says Jonas. “And we wrote about feeling accepted and feeling loved, wherever that place is for you. For me it’s home, it’s my family, people I have closest to me, and the experiences we’ve shared.”