Kung Fu Panda 4

All images: DreamWorks

Can you believe there's going to be another Kung Fu Panda movie? I love this DreamWorks series and Dragon Warrior Po and his friends and family. And, once again, Po is asked to be something unexpected, which should lead to some hilarious moments and a grand adventure. I can't wait!

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

This spring, for the first time in almost a decade, comedy icon Jack Black returns to his role as Po, the world’s most unlikely kung fu master, with a hilarious, butt-kicking new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s beloved action-comedy franchise: Kung Fu Panda 4. 

After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position. 

Even worse, there’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm. 

So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places. 

The film features the voice talent of returning stars Dustin Hoffman as Kung Fu master, Shifu; James Hong as Po’s adoptive father, Mr. Ping; Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father, Li, and Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. Ke Huy Quan joins the ensemble as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves. 

Kung Fu Panda 4 arrives in theaters on March 8th.

The Wild Robot Trailer

DreamWorks

The first trailer for The Wild Robot has arrived and it looks so sweet. The story is based on a series of kid's books by Peter Brown. I can't wait to see what the Wild Robot learns about our world when the movie debuts this fall.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

From DreamWorks Animation comes a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wild Robot. 

The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling.

A powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things, the Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong’o as robot Roz, Pedro Pascal as fox Fink, Catherine O’Hara as opossum Pinktail, Bill Nighy as goose Longneck; Kit Connor as gosling Brightbill, and Stephanie Hsu as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island. The film also features the voice talents of Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames.

The Wild Robot arrives in theaters on September 20th.

Behind the Scenes of The Wild Robot

All images: DreamWorks

DreamWorks The Wild Robot looks absolutely amazing. And the story, based on the Wild Robot trilogy by Peter Brown, explores what it means to be alive and a part of the world around us.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. 

"The Wild Robot" stars Lupita Nyong’o as robot Roz, Pedro Pascal as fox Fink, Catherine O’Hara as opossum Pinktail, Bill Nighy as goose Longneck, Kit Connor as gosling Brightbill, and Stephanie Hsu as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island. The film also features the voice talents of Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames.

The Wild Robot arrives in theaters on September 27th.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Poster

DreamWorks

DreamWorks has released the first poster for the third and final installment in the How To Train Your Dragon series. It looks like Toothless may not be the last of his kind after all.

Here's the official synopsis from Dreamworks:

As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless' discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup's reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World arrives in theaters on March 19, 2019.

The Croods: A New Age Trailer and Poster Are Hilarious

DreamWorks

The Croods are coming back to theaters for another prehistoric adventure. They survived the end of their world in the first movie, now they're on the lookout for a new home. And it turns out, they're not alone.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

The Croods have survived their fair share of dangers and disasters, from fanged prehistoric beasts to surviving the end of the world, but now they will face their biggest challenge of all: another family.

The Croods need a new place to live. So, the first prehistoric family sets off into the world in search of a safer place to call home. When they discover an idyllic walled-in paradise that meets all their needs, they think their problems are solved … except for one thing. Another family already lives there: the Bettermans.

The Bettermans (emphasis on the “better”)—with their elaborate tree house, amazing inventions and irrigated acres of fresh produce—are a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. When they take the Croods in as the world’s first houseguests, it isn’t long before tensions escalate between the cave family and the modern family.

Just when all seems lost, a new threat will propel both families on an epic adventure outside the safety of the wall, one that will force them to embrace their differences, draw strength from each other and forge a future together.

The Croods: A New Age features the voice talent of returning stars Nicolas Cage as Grug Crood, Catherine Keener as Ugga Crood, Emma Stone as their daughter, Eep; Ryan Reynolds as Eep’s boyfriend, Guy; Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine) as Thunk and Cloris Leachman as Gran. They’re joined by new stars Peter Dinklage (HBO’s Game of Thrones) as Phil Betterman, Leslie Mann (Blockers) as Hope Betterman, and Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: Episode VIII-The Last Jedi) as their daughter, Dawn. 

DreamWorks

The Croods: A New Age arrives in theaters on November 25, 2020.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Trailer

DreamWorks

Are you ready for one final journey with Hiccup and Toothless? The first trailer for How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is here and it looks amazing!

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

From DreamWorks Animation comes a surprising tale about growing up, finding the courage to face the unknown…and how nothing can ever train you to let go. What began as an unlikely friendship between an adolescent Viking and a fearsome Night Fury dragon has become an epic adventure spanning their lives. 

Welcome to the most astonishing chapter of one of the most beloved animated franchises in film history: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Now chief and ruler of Berk alongside Astrid, Hiccup has created a gloriously chaotic dragon utopia. When the sudden appearance of female Light Fury coincides with the darkest threat their village has ever faced, Hiccup and Toothless must leave the only home they’ve known and journey to a hidden world thought only to exist in myth. As their true destines are revealed, dragon and rider will fight together—to the very ends of the Earth—to protect everything they’ve grown to treasure.

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World arrives in theaters on March 1, 2019.

The Wild Robot Trailer 2

All images: DreamWorks

The second trailer for DreamWorks' The Wild Robot has arrived and it looks so good! The idea of a robot that fights to change its programming may not be new, but one that learns to talk to animals seems rather unique.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

"The Wild Robot" is a powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things. The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. 

The Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong’o as robot Roz, Pedro Pascal as fox Fink, Catherine O’Hara as opossum Pinktail, Bill Nighy as goose Longneck, Kit Connor as gosling Brightbill, and Stephanie Hsu as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island. The film also features the voice talents of Mark Hamill, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames.

The Wild Robot arrives in theaters on September 27th.

How To Train Your Dragon Posters

All images: DreamWorks

The latest character posters for DreamWorks' How To Train Your Dragon celebrate the dragons, and not necessarily their riders. It makes sense though because the dragons look amazing. Above are Hiccup and Toothless, the Night Fury.

Astrid and Stormfly, the Deadly Nadder

Snotlout and Hookfang, the Monstrous Nightmare

Fishlegs and Meatlug, the Gruesome Gronkle

Ruffnut & Tuffnut with Barf & Belch, the Hideous Zippleback

And finally, the tiniest dragon, the Terrible Terror.

How To Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters on June 13th.

How To Train Your Dragon Official Trailer

All images: DreamWorks

The first full trailer for How To Train Your Dragon has arrived and it looks amazing. The story is already well-known and beloved, and it appears that they have kept this live-action version very close to the original.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society. 

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (Nico Parker) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.

As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader. 

The film also stars Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz and Murray McArthur.

How To Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters on June 13th.

Kung Fu Panda 2

Dreamworks

I took Bean to see Kung Fu Panda 2 today, and I have to say, this may be the rare case where the sequel is even better than the original. As Po would say, "It was AWESOME!!"

I loved the story and that they finally revealed Po's past, and that, shockingly, he's adopted. The Furious Five have truly become a team and work very well together. This time they must save all of China from an evil Peacock, voiced by Gary Oldman. All of the original cast appears to have returned, so the voices sound the same, which is great. The movie was at times hilarious and sad, serious and silly. I won't give any spoilers because it's well worth watching and you'll want to discover every moment for yourself.

All I can say is I really loved it. Bean asked me why we couldn't just take it home and watch it again, which she only does with movies she really likes. And keep an eye out during the opening credits. That's not the normal little boy on the moon that Dreamworks usually uses, it's Master Oogway from the first film, in a swirl of peach blossoms.

Behind the Scenes of Kung Fu Panda 4

DreamWorks

Sixteen years ago, Po, a rather bumbling panda who loved the art of Kung Fu, stumbled his way into becoming the Dragon Warrior. Now, three movies, 3 series, and an awesome holiday special later, it's time for Po to pass on the mantle and become something more. Here's a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Kung Fu Panda 4. It's gonna be epic.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks:

After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unm atched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Jack Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.

That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position. 

Even worse, there’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Viola Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm. 

So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places.

The film features the voice talent of returning stars Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, James Hong as Po’s adoptive father Mr. Ping, Bryan Cranston as Po’s birth father Li, and Ian McShane as Tai Lung, Shifu’s former student and arch-nemesis. Ke Huy Quan joins the ensemble as a new character, Han, the leader of the Den of Thieves. 

 

Kung Fu Panda 4 arrives in theaters on March 8th.

How To Train Your Dragon Trailer

DreamWorks

The live-action remake of one of my favorite animated series, How To Train Your Dragon, is really looking good. I can't wait to see Hiccup and his friends on the big screen again.

Here's the official synopsis from DreamWorks & Universal: 

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society. 

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (Nico Parker) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding. 

As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader.

The film also stars Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz, and Murray McArthur.

How To Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters on June 13th.

Creating Toothless

DreamWorks

DreamWorks' live-action How To Train Your Dragon looks amazing. And Toothless looks absolutely real. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Toothless. (I just knew he was a giant cat with wings!)

How To Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters tomorrow, June 13th.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 Quote

DreamWorks

 

"We are the voice of peace,

and bit by bit,

we will change the world."

- Chief Hiccup,

How To Train Your Dragon 2

Bringing Berk To Life

DreamWorks

This summer's live-action How To Train Your Dragon is looks incredible. From the dragons to the arena, the appearance of the film is stunning. Let's go behind-the-scenes to see how the filmmakers brought the island of Berk to life.

Here's the official synopsis from Universal:

On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames) stands apart. The inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), Hiccup defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Their unlikely bond reveals the true nature of dragons, challenging the very foundations of Viking society. 

With the fierce and ambitious Astrid (Nico Parker) and the village’s quirky blacksmith Gobber (Nick Frost) by his side, Hiccup confronts a world torn by fear and misunderstanding.

As an ancient threat emerges, endangering both Vikings and dragons, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Together, they must navigate the delicate path toward peace, soaring beyond the boundaries of their worlds and redefining what it means to be a hero and a leader. 

The film also stars Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz and Murray McArthur.

How To Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters on June 13th.

Christmas Movies for Kids Part 3

I love many of the kids Christmas movies that have appeared in recent years. I especially enjoy those from DreamWorks Animation. They have created several short Christmas films that feature characters from their popular series.

How to Train Your Dragon: Gift of the Night Fury - This is a wonderful tale about Hiccup and his Viking pals and their dragons. As the Vikings prepare to celebrate Snoggletog, the dragons suddenly leave, dampening everyone's spirits. Even Toothless leaves once Hiccup provides him with a new tail. As Hiccup's pals work together to save Snoggletog, Hiccup tries to discover what has happened to the dragons. In the end, everyone comes together to celebrate the true meaning of the season: the love of family.

Shrek The Halls - With Christmas rapidly approaching, Princess Fiona and the babies are looking forward to spending the holidays as a family. Unfortunately, Shrek knows nothing about Christmas. As he struggles to create the perfect Christmas from the book "Christmas for Village Idiots", his friends manage to destroy everything. With a little help from Fiona, Shrek learns the meaning of family, and finally discovers the perfect Christmas.

Kung Fu Panda Holiday - Po has always celebrated the Winter Feast with his father, but this year, he's expected to host a formal dinner for the Kung Fu Masters. With the help of the Furious Five, Po tries to create the best Winter Feast ever. Along the way, he tries to discover the true meaning of the holidays; time spent with family and those he loves.

Merry Madagascar - When Alex and his zoo pals shoot down Santa, whom they had mistaken for the "red night goblin" the lemurs fear, they worry that they've ruined Christmas. Working quickly, Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, and those wacky penguin come up with a plan to save the day: they'll deliver the presents while Santa recovers from his amnesia. With some madcap hijinks and more than a few mistake, the animals manage to save Christmas, but are forced to return to Madagascar to bring Santa his sleigh. In the end, they discover that giving makes it all worth while, and they are happy to celebrate the holiday.

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special - While Manny and Ellie get ready for their first Christmas with their daughter Peaches, Sid does what he always does, and ruins everything by breaking Manny 's heirloom Christmas rock. Manny informs Sid that he has just made Santa's naughty list, even though he made it up. So, Peaches, Sid, Crash, and Eddie journey to the North Pole to set things right, with hilarious results!

Christmas Movies To Put You In The Holiday Spirit

Jim Henson Company

I love Christmas movies! From animated Disney tales to every possible version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, I can easily find a movie for every day of the month. Here are a few of my favorites.

Eloise at Christmastime

Eloise: Little Miss Christmas

Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas

Prep & Landing

Prep & Landing: Naughty vs Nice

How to Train Your Dragon: Gift of the Night Fury

Shrek the Halls

Kung Fu Panda Holiday

Merry Madagascar

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special

Disney

Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas

Yes, Virginia

The Santa Clause Trilogy

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

Santa and Pete

The Polar Express

Muppet Christmas Carol

Arthur Christmas

Klaus

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

TNT

White Christmas

Miracle on 34th Street

The Man Who Saved Christmas

Silent Night

The Holiday

A Christmas Carol

Scrooge

A Christmas Carol: The Musical

And here are a few more I've discovered recently.

Illumination

The Grinch - This delightful retelling of the Grinch shows him as hating Christmas simply because he's lonely. In this version, he's not terribly mean, even to his dog Max, just a bit ornery when it comes to how the Whos down in Who-ville celebrate Christmas. 

DreamWorks

How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming - Hiccup and Astrid are preparing to celebrate Snoggletog in New Berk when they discover that their kids don't understand dragons. At the same time, Toothless' children are trying to understand their father's obsession with Hiccup. All of the kids will discover something new this holiday.

Bleecker Street

The Man Who Invented Christmas - Have you ever wondered about the man behind A Christmas Carol? Charles Dickens changed our views of Christmas, making it an important and charitable holiday, with the incredible story of Ebenezer Scrooge. This movie tells the story of Scrooge's creation.

Toothless & Hiccup

DreamWorks

The How To Train Your Dragon series is really the story of Toothless and Hiccup and their friendship, and how it grows and changes over the years. This live-action remake of the first movie keeps the focus on that friendship, which looks just as amazing as it did when the animated film was first released 15 years ago. 

How To Train Your Dragon arrives in theaters on June 13th.

Roz Is Quite The Wild Robot

DreamWorks

The final trailer for The Wild Robot has arrived and it looks wonderful. I'm excited to see how Roz becomes a part of the island and befriends all of its creatures.

The Wild Robot arrives in theaters on September 27th.

Lowes Build and Grow Summer of Pixar

Have you ever taken your kids to the Lowes Build and Grow Kids Clinics? We've taken Bean almost every time since she was 3. She loves being able to build, paint, and decorate the various wooden projects. I love that she has learned how to properly hammer a nail, put in a screw, and paint carefully. And best of all, the Kids Clinics are free!

Lowe's often teams up with various movie companies to make their projects more fun. Last year, they worked with Dreamworks to create four summer projects, two from Shrek and two from Madagascar. My favorite was the Onion Carriage from Shrek. It was hilarious! This year, Lowes is working with Disney and has created six fun new Pixar movie inspired clinics.

The first two clinics are part of the Monstrous Summer leading up to the premiere of Monsters University on June 21. On June 5-6 kids will be building Mike and Sulley Scarers. They're so cute! At the second one, on June 22-23, kids will have a chance to build a chest to store their treasures. It comes with stickers inspired by the Fraternity emblems and logos of Monsters University.

The next two clinics feature vehicles from the Toy Story series. At the July 13-14 clinic, kids will build the Pizza Planet Delivery Truck. Once decorated with the stickers, it looks just like the one in the movies! And the second, July 27-28, features the loveable RC.

The final two clinics celebrate the upcoming August 9 release of Planes. At the August 10-11 clinic, kids can build the star of the film, Dusty the cropduster. At the second, August 24-25, they'll build the dashing and daring El Chupacabra, a famous racing plane from Mexico.

Bean is beyond excited to go to these clinics, especially because they feature Disney and Pixar. I hope you'll go, too. Be sure to signup online as the clinics fill up quickly and only have space for around 75 kids. Be sure to print out your waiver and bring it with you. Each child who signs up and attends the clinic will receive a kit to build, an apron, a certificate of completion, and an iron-on patch.