Flushed Away, 2006

THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!

Kate Winslet--Hugh Jackman

Directors: David Bowers, Sam Fell

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno

Roddy (Jackman) is a rat living in High Society London, where he has everything he could ever want in the home of his owners. One day when his owners are on vacation, and he is on a pleasant stay-cation, settling in for a movie on the big screen, when a dirty sewer rat shows up and throws a wrench into Roddy's plans for relaxing. The rat eventually tricks Roddy, and flushes him down the toilet, sending this townie rat into a very unfamiliar world beneath his feet.

There, Roddy meets Rita (Winslet), captain of the Jammy Dodger, and convinces her to take him home, in exchange for helping her on the boat. Soon they are on the run from some French toads (who are hilarious!) because Rita stole something from them.

It's brilliant! Very, very funny!

The Velveteen Rabbit, 2009

Director: Michael Landon Jr
Stars: Matthew Harbour, Tom Skerrit, Ellen Burstyn, Kevin Jubinville, Una Kay, Jane Seymour,







Toby (Harbour) is a lonely, neglected child. His workaholic father John (Jubinville) sends him to his grandmother Ellen's (Kay) home for the holidays. When Toby discovers his grandmother's attic is full of toys, he is delighted. And then he finds a box with his name on it and inside is gift from his long-dead mother- a stuffed Rabbit. This rabbit immediately becomes Toby's best friend, and then Toby makes a delightful discovery: his toys are real! They come to life when he plays with them!

As Toby enjoys his make-believe world (which is demonstrated in the movie by being animation, which I think is very neat!), his real world gets better as well, when his grandmother begins to truly love him. She tries to make Christmas a wonderful experience for him, but all Toby wants is his father at home with him on Christmas.

This movie makes me cry SO much! It's so beautiful! If you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat. And don't forget the tissues!

Beauty and the Beast, 1991

Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Stars: Page O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Angela Lansbury,




The classic story of a girl who goes to live in an enchanted castle with a Beast, in order to save her father's life. And because it's Disney, it's got a bunch of songs that will get stuck in your head and heart.

(This one mostly takes place in winter so it has always sort of been a Christmas movie to me.)

Apparently, I saw this in theaters with my aunt (I was 4!), and I was so terrified of the Beast that I was on her lap, freaking out, blocking her view of the movie. Well, this January, I will get a second chance to see my favorite Disney film in theaters!! Beauty and the Beast is coming to theaters and it will be in 3D! (I'm so glad they are doing this with Disney movies now! SO cool!!) I don't like 3D, but I can't wait to see this anyway!! I will be taking my own niece and nephew. It should be a lovely time!

Is that enough exclamation points for you?

Cars 2, 2011

Director: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis

Stars: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Eddie Izzard, Bruce Campbell

I loved Cars so much! It was basically the story of Doc Hollywood (starring Michael J. Fox-- there's another movie I need to review) except with cars instead of people- and with an absolutely wonderful soundtrack! That soundtrack was half the charm, I swear.

Cars 2 is about the friendship between Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) and Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson). When they all head to Asia and Europe for the World Grand Prix, Mater accidentally stumbles into an international espionage mission, involving the new fuel all the racers are using, which was created by Sir Miles Axelrod (Eddie Izzard), and a plot to destroy Lightning McQueen!

In this one, I was more interested and amused in recognizing and enjoying the voices of the actors. I had no idea that Michael Caine voiced the main spy car (until I heard him utter one word, of course); and when I heard a few insults coming from one of the good spies while he was basically being tortured, I instantly recognized Bruce Campbell! But the best moment was when I realized that Eddie Izzard was the voice of Sir Axelrod! I just love that.

Don't get me wrong- it was totally entertaining!