Category Archives: family movies

“Mia and the White Lion,” Heartfelt Story

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Directed by Gilles de Maistre, Mia and the White Lion follows ten-year-old Mia, played by Daniah De Villiers. Her life is turned upside down when her family decides to leave London to manage a lion farm in Africa. The movie is filmed in South Africa with gorgeous landscapes and expansive views.

When a beautiful white lion, Charlie, is born, Mia finds happiness again and develops a special bond with the growing cub. During this time the movie was shot throughout three years. The young stars De Villiers and Ryan Mac Lennan, who plays Mia’s brother, could bond and develop genuine relationships with the lions and other animals in the film.

When Charlie reaches three, Mia’s life is rocked once again as she uncovers an upsetting secret hidden by her father, played by Langley Kirkwood. Distraught that Charlie could be in danger, Mia decides to rescue him. The two friends set out on an incredible journey across the South African savanna, searching for a sanctuary where Charlie can live out his life in freedom.

The movie also stars Mélanie Laurent as Mia’s mother.

Prune de Maistre and William Davies co-write the screenplay. Davies is known for writing How To Train Your Dragon and Puss in Boots. The movie is based on Maistre’s original idea, and this is her first produced screenplay.

This is a heartfelt movie, and the trailer embarrassingly brought tears to my eyes. I am a pushover for sentimental films about animals.

Amazing and Remarkable Magic “Frozen II” Trailers and Posters

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Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, Frozen II’s first movie trailer is an epic animated feature. Keep scrolling down until you have seen all the trailers. The “Let It Go” theme plays in undertones throughout the trailer. It promotes hardship, adversary, and uniting as a powerful threesome against the enemy.

Disney tells us about Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf’s journey far in the forest to discover the known truth about an ancient mystery of their kingdom. The movie is now streaming, and the Blu-ray and DVD are available.

The former cast is returning, with Evan Rachel Wood and Sterling K. Brown added to the cast list.

The second trailer is not all that different from the first. It’s incredible to watch Elsa handle the ocean with her frozen powers. That technique reminds me of Frozone in the Incredibles movies. Since both films were produced by Disney Studios, an educated guess is that the same animated team that made Frozone’s ice made Elsa’s.

The trailer shows the two sisters going on a journey to discover the truth by going to the past. The Stonehenge tells us it is a mystical journey—perhaps they go back in time like the popular book and TV series Outlander. We see Elsa’s powers are too strong.

The third trailer tells us the story. It is intriguing with all the mystical aspects of Elsa’s powers. It’s a serious story with humor by the quirky characters from the first movie that we found endearing.

“A Dog’s Journey” Trailer and Poster

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Sappy, sappy, and tears, I am a sucker for a movie about dog souls returning to their masters or mistresses. What a great story about how friendships transcend lifetimes. The movie trailer tells the whole story, but heck, I am sold. I want to see this movie.

Directed by Gail Mancuso, who won an Emmy for TV’s Modern Family, it creates a movie about how some friendships transcend lifetimes. A Dog’s Journey is the sequel to the popular film A Dog’s Purpose. Bailey finds his new destiny and forms an unbreakable bond, leading him through unconditional love and companionship.

Bailey, voiced by Josh Gad, is living the good life on the Michigan farm of his “boy,” Ethan, played by Dennis Quaid, and Ethan’s wife, Hannah, played by Marg Helgenberger. His new playmate is Ethan and Hannah’s baby granddaughter, CJ.

The movie is available on Blu-ray and DVD and streaming online.

The problem is that CJ’s mom, Gloria, played by Betty Gilpin, decides to take CJ away. As Bailey’s soul prepares to leave this life for a new one, he makes a promise to Ethan to find CJ and protect her at any cost. 

Thus begins Bailey’s adventure through multiple lives filled with love, friendship and devotion as he, CJ, played by Kathryn Prescott, and CJ’s best friend Trent, played by Henry Lau, experience joy and heartbreak, music, and laughter.

“Run The Race” Trailer and Movie Clip

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Directed by Chris Dowling, Run The Race follows two brothers, Zach and David Truett, played by Tanner Stine and Evan Hofer. Their lives are up and down with cheering crowds muted by a lonesome home. The faith-based story focuses on how the brothers are desperate and willing to sacrifice today for a better tomorrow.

Reeling from his mother’s death and his father’s abandonment, Zach is an All-State athlete and finds glory on the football field. He is working toward a college scholarship and the brother’s ticket out of town. Zach, an All-State athlete, finds glory on the football field, working to earn a college scholarship and the brothers’ ticket out of town.

A devastating injury puts Zach—and his dreams—on the sidelines. David laces up his track, cleats to salvage their future, and sends their lives toward hope.

Zach’s knee injury brought him closer to the hospital nurse named Ginger, played by
Kelsey Reinhardt. Things get serious, and Zach has uncertainties about God threatening to tear them apart. He turns to what comes naturally to him: running.

The movie clip establishes how Michael is contemptuous towards his father for neglecting his two sons after their mother died. The acting is real and heartfelt as we also find out why Michael drives to be a football star and breaks records.

“MIB: International” Trailers and Posters

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Directed by F. Gary Gray, Men In Black: International follows an upstart known as Agent M, played by Tessa Thompson. She joins the group and partners with Agent H, played by Chris Hemsworth. MIB has always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe.  

However, in this new adventure, they tackle their biggest global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.

The movie also stars two stellar actors, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson. Hemsworth looks yummy.

The third trailer tells us the whole story and what the CGI includes, with Thompson’s character stating at the beginning of the trailer, “We are a rumor.” It looks like a no-brainer and popcorn entertainment.

“The Lion King” Trailers, TV Spot, Clips, Featurette & Cast Poster

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Directed by Jon Favreau,  The Lion King is the same as the original Disney The Lion King. But this time, the production is taking the CGI and re-imagining the 1994 Disney classic. Both are from Disney, and Favreau directed The Jungle Book, which did great at the box office, and reviews were positive.

The movie is available on Blu-ray, DVD, or streaming. Make your choice, and see it again. 

Some of you may be happy to know the voices are also being redone with James Earl Jones, Seth Rogen, Donald Glover, Keegan-Michael Key, Alfre Woodard, and Beyonce.

The movie hasn’t even been released yet. The movie’s soundtrack is nominated for a Grammy as well.

Look at the movie trailer and see that the story is no different from the original. The only difference is it’s not a cartoon. It looks totally real.

The second trailer shows what to expect from the movie—a real-life version of the animated The Lion King. The technology in filmmaking and animation arrives at a whole new level with Disney productions. I wish for original stories and new adventures in all this fantastical technology. There are classics untouched, like The Count of Monte Crisco or Treasure Island. Even Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea is a great story to animate. I hope Disney will broaden their scope of future movies.

Still, I am impressed with the CGI; the movie will delight children of all ages. The box office will prove fruitful.

The TV spot is incredible because it shows us that the movie is like the original, but the computer-generated characters are more realistic.

The following three publicity clips show us the CGI and characters we know. The “Circle of Life” looks real, with all the African animals celebrating the birth of the Lion King. That clip is blocked, and you can only see the image from the video.

The two featurettes show the cast and director working together to make a new, different movie but the same movie.

“Toy Story 4” Trailers, Clips, Interviews & Poster

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Pixar never tells us the movie’s story in their trailers. They keep us wondering about the movie’s story, which I find refreshing. The trailer for the Pixar movie Coco never told us how the young boy had to figure out how to get back to living. The movie’s trailers showed us a magical world of candy skulls and music.

Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming are available. You don’t want to miss the chance to own this movie. All Toy Story movies are classics, and this one is extra special because Bonnie is now the new owner of Woody and his gang. 

Story by John Lasseter and directed by Josh Cooley, Toy Story 4 looks like a road trip movie. IMDB posts the summary: “When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.” The site hosts four videos and some fantastic images. Forky is an arts and crafts toy with pipe cleaners as arms and hands and a plastic spoon for a body, which is clever. I get it; it’s so funny.

Watching the teaser trailer, you get the idea that Forky is a little high-strung.

The second trailer is a cute little skit of two stuffed animal toys talking about the fourth installment of Toy Story. Jordan Peele is one of the voices. If you don’t recognize him, it is because he is the director of the Horror movies Get Out and Us. Thinking about it, it is hard to believe this franchise changed the film industry. We take these movies for granted, and the entertaining story of Woody and his friends.

The third trailer tells us about the fourth movie. It starts as a road trip and ends in a toy playground. The craft fork is funny and cute. I noticed Keanu Reeves is added to the credits as “voice,” but nothing more.

I laughed so hard a couple of times while watching the movie trailer. Until I saw this trailer, my hopes for this movie were low. Pixar has done it again.

Tim Allen’s interview is funny, provocative, and informative. It is one of the best interviews out of the bunch.

Tom Hanks’s interview is interesting because he talks about the plight of being a toy and Woody’s relationship with Bo Peep.

The four movie clips introduce us to new toys. Each unique toy has a goal and a flaw, but we don’t see many of their dreams or flaws except Forky. He thinks he is trash and not much of a toy, but he is so cute. Keneau Reeves voices Duke Caboom. Gabby Gabby is the villainess in the story, with the ventriloquist dummies as her henchman. Each clip offers a chance to see the interview with the voice actor of that character — just clip on the video when it comes up toward the end of the clip.

“UglyDolls” Trailers, Clips, Featurettes & Posters

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Directed by Kelly Ashbury,  UglyDolls is a movie based on toys you can purchase for your kids or yourself, for that matter. We are all unique; even if you are imperfect, you are still a doll.

The playful UglyDolls confront what it means to be different. We are all different – no two people are alike. It is an excellent message for all kids, young or old. We need to appreciate each other for who we are, not what we are not.

I suspect it is easier said than done in the movie, which the UglyDolls learn by overcoming some conflict of sorts.

Ashbury credits are impressive, from Shrek 2 to Gnomeo. & Juliet  The cast includes Emma Roberts, Janelle Monáe, and Nick Jonas.

Enjoy the movie trailers!

The second trailer explains how they became ugly dolls and were set aside or ostracized from society. I can’t help but recall in history the Eugenics – the theory that humans could be selectively bred to weed out undesirable traits and strengthen desirable traits Eugenics was formulated by psychologist Francis Galton a British half-cousin to Charles Darwin Galton was a racist who hated Jews, Irish, and Blacks.

The third trailer offers more of the story and promotes the original songs from pop artists. The blond boy doll is the bad guy but not much of one. The movie is just a bunch of fun with great music.

The following three clips show how this movie is ridiculous. The studio blocked A clip with Jonas’s brother singing as a doll, but it was one of the best. The other clips show a robot dog, and we learn from another clip that even perfect dolls have issues.

https://youtu.be/eBOTfZZpqkw

The five featurettes explain the development of UglyDolls and how each character contributes to the movie. The inventor of the UglyDolls tells the story of how he came up with the idea in college.

Innovative “Missing Link” Trailers, Interviews, Clips, Featurettes and Poster

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Written and directed by Chris Butler, Missing Link follows Mr. Link, voiced by Zach Galifianakis, eight feet tall, 630 lbs, and covered in fur. The appearance means nothing with his character because he is funny, sweet, and cuddly literal.

They consider him the world’s most lovable legend, the link to the globe-trotting family adventure. He’s bored with living a solitary life in the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Link recruits fearless explorer Sir Lionel Frost, voiced by Hugh Jackman, to guide him on a journey to find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La.

Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight, played by Zoe Saldana, the fearless trio of explorers encounter more than their fair share of peril as they travel to the far reaches of the world to help their new friend. Through it all, the three learn that sometimes you can find a family in the places you least expect.

Butler worked on several animated features wearing different hats. He worked his way up to being a talented director of animation movies.

The movie’s other voice actors include Zoe Saldana, Timothy Olyphant, David Walliams, Emma Thompson, Matt Lucas, Ching Valdes-Aran, Stephen Fry, and Amrita Acharia.

 

The second trailer tells us so much about the story, with lots of jokes and funny situations. Missing Link is a kid’s movie, but parents or adults will find it just as entertaining.

The Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming are available. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, you need to see it now. It is a fantastic piece of stop-motion animation, artfully and beautifully made.

I picked three interviews to share with my Movie Roar readers. They are from several that I have available on my YouTube Channel. The first is my favorite with Zoe Saldana. She’s my favorite interview because she explains the story so well.

The second interview is with Hugh Jackman because he is so enthusiastic about the movie and the LAIKA that I wanted to share it with you.

The next interview is with Zach Galifianakis because he looks great in this clip. He explains Mr. Link as a special person.

The two movie clips show the relationship between Mr. Link and Sir Lionel Frost. The kids will see all slapstick humor, and the parents will understand the play on words. The stop-motion animation is mind-boggling. It is an art form that requires a tremendous about of detail and time.

The red carpet interview with Travis Knight, who is the CEO of LAIKA, talks about his studio’s location and the movies they create in stop-motion. Knight also directed BumbleBee, and it not a stop-motion movie though there is more CGI. 

“The Secret Life of Pets 2” Trailers, Soundbites & Poster

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Directed by Chris Renaud, The Secret Life of Pets 2  is the sequel to the movie about our pets’ lives after we leave for work or school each day. Not much is being shared right now about the sequel.

Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming are available for kids, young and old, to watch the movie as often as they like. 

The sequel brings screenwriter Brian Lynch together with Renaud, and the cast is stellar, including Lake Bell, Hannibal Buress, Dana Carvey, Harrison Ford, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Pete Holmes, Garth Jennings, Ellie Kemper, Nick Kroll, Bobby Moynihan, Patton Oswald, Jenny Slate, and Eric Stonestreet.

Introducing Chloe Furball featurette is one of many that introduces the different pets in the sequel.

Here is the trailer. I wouldn’t say I like the psycho mumbo-jumbo because there is a better way to show how humans don’t understand their pets. I highly recommend you visit CCHR and find out that disorders are bunk.

It appears The Secret Life of Pets 2 releases trailers that promote certain characters or pets in the movie. The following trailer is called “Daisy and Snowball” and shows Daisy’s personality, voiced by Tiffany Haddish. Kevin Hart is the voice for Snowball. Both Haddish and Hart starred in the comedy Night School.

The movie trailer for “Cat Lessons” is hilarious. I belly laughed and thought of all the people I knew who loved cats. They’d watch this trailer repeatedly.

The Rooter Trailer is about Rooster, the dog, voiced by Harrison Ford, who runs the farm. Two dogs from the city visit the farm, and Rooster has quite an influence on them.

The Busy Bee Trailer is cute, but the dog would turn the table over and get the toy. He’d be more aggressive and stupid.

The final poster shows an entirely different movie, and the trailer backs up that image. In the trailer, we see the lead dog going from a passive pet to an aggressive dog with hilarious scenes like the granny driving the car packed with pets.

Harrison Ford soundbites describe his character Rooster. Ford’s dry wit is funny, and he is pretty sharp.