HOODWINKED (Released to Theaters USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Hoodwinked—Red Riding Hood as it should have been told in the first place—turns into a terrific entertainment choice for both child and adult. It’s a high quality entertainment ride all the way. Terrific voicing, terrific dialogue, terrific animation, an absolute winner. Don’t miss it.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Granny’s (voice of Glenn Close) terrific recipes are at risk and it’s up to Red Puckett (voice of Anne Hathaway) to save the family’s fabulous secret recipes from commercialization.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Cory Edwards for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Maurice Kanbar, David K. Lovegren, Sue Bea Montgomery, and Preston Stutzman for making the film possible. Cast include: James Belushi, Patrick Warburton, David Ogden Stiers, Xzibit, Cory Edwards, and Andy Dick.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a great child/adult share that provides equal entertainment value for both audiences.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

UNDERDOG (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.5|5.0 Starsìì

Underdog becomes a fair to middling family movie with the predictable happy ending. James Belushi seems miscast and does not perform with his usual style in this film; the script needs significant improvement to raise the quality of the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Underdog (Jason Lee), a beagle serving the police department, makes a mistake that results in him being ‘on the streets’. He is picked up and transported to an experimentation laboratory. When he tries to escape, he overturns chemicals which give him super powers of strength, hearing, speed, and smell. A retired policeman finds him and the story begins.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frederik Du Chau for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Todd Arnow, Eric Ellenbogen, and Bob Higgins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Shoeshine (voice of Jason Lee), Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage), Dan Unger (James Belushi), Cad (Patrick Warburton), Jack (Alex Neuberger), Molly (Taylor Momsen), Mayor (John Slattery), Polly (voice of Amy Adams), and Riff Raff (voice of Brad Garrett).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a good, clean children’s flick.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers