Rating: Empty

 

Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman and Liam Neeson

 

Director: Seth MacFarlane

 

Writers: Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild

 

Producers: Scott Stuber, Seth MacFarlane and Jason Clark

 

Music by: Joel McNeely

 

Song: A Million Ways to Die in the West

Performed by Alan Jackson

 

Oscar Nominations: 0

 

Quote: “People die at the fair.”- Albert Stark

 

Fun Facts: Charlize Theron had to wear a wig for this movie as she had her head buzzed for Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).

 

During his pow-wow with the Indians, Seth says “mila kunis” in Native American speak. The translation below reads “fine”. Mila Kunis plays Meg in Family Guy (1999). She was also in Ted (2012), another Seth MacFarlane film.

 

Christopher Lloyd appeared as “Doc” Emmett L. Brown the who is working on a “weather experiment” in his barn as there are more cameos including Jamie Foxx, Ewan McGregor and Ryan Reynolds.

 

When Albert recites the supposedly Islamic death chant, during his duel with Clinch Leatherwood, he sings “Tarzan boy” by Baltimora.

 

Summary: A sheep farmer is depressed when her girlfriend left him but is able to pick up a new woman in town, not knowing she’s the wife of outlaw, Clinch Leatherwood.

 

The Review: Seth MacFarlane is great in Family Guy and Ted but he missed out on this one. I mean, someone else could have played Albert. The jokes aren’t really that funny, only a few is actually funny. Neil Patrick Harris’ mustache looks fake. The end is the only part that really built me up. One of the Million Ways to Die in the West is watching this mediocre western comedy.

 

 

Rating: Full

 

Cast: Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Stuart Wilson and Matt Letscher

 

Director: Martin Campbell

 

Writers: John Eskow, Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio

 

Producers: Doug Claybourne and David Foster

 

Music by: James Horner

 

Song: “I Want to Spend my Lifetime Loving You” performed by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena

 

Rated: PG-13 for some intense action and violence

 

Oscar nominations: 2 (Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing)

 

Oscar Wins: 0

 

Quote: “You’re doing well. Your brother would have shot himself by now.”- Captain Harrison Love

 

Fun Facts: Antonio Banderas would later provide the voice of Puss N Boots in Shrek 2 (2004) and Puss in Boots (2011). The character of Puss N’Boots is essentially Zorro in cat form.

 

Robert Rodriguez was originally attached to direct, but the studio didn’t agree with his much-more violent and R-rated proposal.

 

The film caught the attention of European Royalty with the film’s foreign premieres. Spain’s King Juan Carlos I, Queen Sophia, and Princess Elena attended the first Royal premiere in Madrid in seven years. On December 10, 1998, a Royal Command Performance for Zorro was toplined by Prince Charles and his sons.

 

Summary: The original Zorro has been imprisoned for 20 years and has escaped to get revenge on the man who imprisoned him, murdered his wife and stole his daughter. But since he is getting old, he has to train a young thief to be a hero that he once was.

 

The Review: Zorro had seemed to hit the mark with this film. It is basically a Monte Crisco style story at the beginning. Speaking of story, it is quite entertaining. With great action sequences, knows where Zorro will arrive next.

 

 

Rating: Half-full

 

Cast: Dustin Hoofman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, and Maggie Smith

 

Director: Steven Spielberg

 

Writers: Jim V. Hart and Malia Scotch Marmo

 

Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Gerald R. Molen

 

Music by: John Williams

 

Song: When You’re Alone performed by Amber Scott

 

Oscar Nominations: 5 (Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Best Original song (When You’re Alone))

 

Oscar Wins: 0

 

Quote: “”What is this? Lord of the Flies preschool?”- Peter Banning/Peter Pan

 

Fun Facts: When the Bannings fly to England, the pilot’s voice is that of Dustin Hoffman (Captain Hook) – “This is your captain speaking…” (get the picture?)

 

Robin Williams became best friends with director Steven Spielberg after making this film. Reportedly, after Williams’s death, Spielberg decided to watch this film out of rememberance, but couldn’t finish it because he couldn’t stop crying for hours

 

Writer James V. Hart credits the inspiration for his take on this continuing Peter Pan story to his young son Jake who one day asked him what would have happened if Peter Pan grew up.

 

Julia Roberts almost put the production into jeopardy when she fled California after her wedding to Kiefer Sutherland was called off. She decided to avoid the press by hiding out in Ireland, and a furious Steven Spielberg reportedly threatened to fire her if she didn’t return immediately.

 

The child playing Peter Pan in the play at the beginning of the movie is actually a girl. This in an allusion to most live action Peter Pan movies and stage plays which have a female in the title role.

 

Joseph Mazzello was considered for the role of ‘Jack’, but turned down, being too young for the role at the time. Steven Spielberg, however, promised him a role in a future film, Jurassic Park (1993), as Dr. Hammond’s grandson, Tim.

 

One of the pirates who attempts to steal Peter’s shoes when he first arrives in Neverland is played by singer Jimmy Buffett.

 

Summary: An all grown up Peter Pan must return to Neverland after Captain Hook kidnapped his children.

 

The Review: Let’s think…what would happen if Peter Pan actually grows up? It may be such a fairy tale of the next generation but the plot actually could use some work. Our dear late friend Robin Williams gives an ok performance as Peter Pan and Dustin Hoofmen did great as Captain Hook but if this is the play it will still be a so-so show but still, it is full of magic and imagination.

Rating: Full

 

Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evens, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson

 

Director: Bill Condon

 

Writers: Stephen Chbosky and Even Spiliotopoulos

 

Producers: David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman

 

Music by: Alan Menken

 

Song: Evermore performed by Josh Groben

 

Quote: “How’d you feel about growing a beard?”- Belle

 

Fun Facts: Sir Ian McKellen originally turned down the voice of Cogsworth in the original Beauty and the Beast (1991).

 

Emma Watson (Belle), Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts), Luke Evans’ (Gaston) and Nathan Mack’ (Chip) all share the same birthday, April 15, which was also the date of the first cast read through.

 

Le Fou (Josh Gad) is Disney’s first canonical gay character in a feature-length film.

 

Out of all of the new Disney remakes: Alice in Wonderland (2010), Maleficent (2014), Cinderella (2015), The Jungle Book (2016), and Pete’s Dragon (2016), this has the longest running time yet at 2hrs 9min. This also makes it the only one so far to reach the 2 hour mark.

 

Summary: A French maiden tries to find her father in the mysterious castle and takes her father place as prisoner. There she befriends the beast and the other enchanted objects who are cursed.

 

The Review: This is another lovely Disney adaption. Like Cinderella, the costumes and production design steals the show. Love the design of Mrs. Potts. The CGI looks a little too animated though. The new songs are great. As all magic as all this time, I call it dazzling.