Kung Fu Panda 2

Energetic martial arts sequences, ravishing visual effects and amusing new characters mark the latest DreamWorks animated action comedy directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. Adding depth to the story are compelling issues of self identity and self worth.

Guided by his mentor master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), our Dragon Warrior hero Po (Jack Black), delves into a spiritual quest of self-discovery to find inner peace and fight the villain albino peacock, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman),
along with the legendary Furious Five kung fu masters: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Crane (David Cross).

Jack Black captivates as Po, but stealing every scene is James Hong in his heartwarming and funny portrayal of Po’s caring and loving father goose, Mr. Ping. Adding levity and humor is Michelle Yeoh’s rendition of Lord Shen’s goat prophecy foreteller, Soothsayer.

Yuh Nelson keeps the action fluid with superb animation. The battle scenes are a visual feast enhanced by the detailed special effects, Raymond Zibach's production designs, Tang K. Heng's art direction, and Rudolphe Guenoden's clever fight choreography.

With its deeper theme and colorful new characters, Kung Fu Panda 2 charms a wide audience with a joyful cool kick.

Pirates of the Caribbean: on Stranger Tides

This fourth installment of the widely popular hit franchise is back in a new Disney 3D action-packed high seas adventure. Featured are the most beloved pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) along with a few newcomers that include Penélope Cruz, the first female pirate of the franchise, adding flair, humor, and strength to her character Angelica, Ian McShane as the villainous Blackbeard, the radiant beauty Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as mermaid Syrena, and Sam Claflin as missionary Philip Swift.

Following a daring escape in London, Captain Jack is lured by his feisty and vengeful old flame Angelica (Penélope Cruz) to the 'Queen Anne's Revenge,' the ship of the most infamous pirate, and Angelica's father, Blackbeard (Ian McShane). They are in a frantic race to the Fountain of Youth, but so is the peg-legged Captain Barbossa's (Geoffrey Rush) who leads the expedition for King George II (Richard Griffiths), and the rival Spanish fleet.

The shortest of the series at 136 minutes, the feature leaves much to be desired. In his iconic character, Johnny Depp is very enjoyable to watch and delivers much of the humor and fun that mark this franchise. John Myhre's designs give Blackbeard's ship a majestic but evil look made of his victims' leg and arm bones, teeth, and walls out of skulls.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago, Nine), written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio, and based on Tim Powers' novel On Stranger Tides, the new adventure stands alone from the franchise's trilogy. John DeLuca's elaborate and beautifully choreographed sword-fights and action scenes are enhanced by John Frazier's visual effects team, Dariusz Wolski's lens and Hans Zimmer's score.

The fun spirited adventure embarks old and new fans on a journey filled with action and mayhem.

Bridesmaids

In what may be his best work, director Paul Feig, along with producer Judd Apatow, ground this raunchy comedy on women's real life experiences.

After hitting rock bottom, Annie's (Kristin Wiig) life dives into a bottomless pit, losing her apartment to her odd roommates Gil (Matt Lucas) and Brynn (Rebel Wilson) and her job. She alienates the two men in her life, the wealthy Ted (Jon Hamm) and cop Rhodes (Chris O'Dowd), as well as her best friend, bride-to-be, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), who appointed her as Maid of Honor. Shaking her life for good is the escalating series of disasters Annie finds herself in after meeting the bridesmaids: Megan (Melissa McCarthy) who has some of the best lines, Rita (Wendy McLendon-Covey) who constantly complains about her family and sweet Becca (Ellie Kemper).

However, it is the rivalry with the beautiful and poised bridesmaid Helen (Rose Byrne) that steers Annie's emotions the most.

In her career defining role, debuting co-writer and co-star, Kristen Wiig, perfectly complements the comedy with heartfelt sincerity, easily displaying a wide range of emotions and effectively connecting with the viewers.

Aided by the strong comedic ensemble cast, this entertaining movie keeps the laughter fresh and rolling.

THOR

Norse mythology comes to life in Marvel's latest world about sibling rivalry and a superhero who must earn the right to be king.

Chris Hemsworth stars as the strong-minded warrior Thor, the god of thunder, who is about to inherit the throne of his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), the king of gods. Impatient to prove his worth, Thor defies his father's wishes and initiates conflict with the Frost Giants. Odin therefore strips Thor of his powers and banishes him to Earth.

After being discovered in the New Mexico desert, by astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Jane's assistant Darcy Lewis (Kat Denning), and mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard), Thor begins a self-transforming journey necessary to return to his home planet of Asgard. Meanwhile, Thor's duplicitous brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) takes throne and plots to kill him.

The strong cast includes the star-making performance of the charismatic Hemsworth who has the most humorous lines and a developing romance with Jane. There are also the very brief cameo appearances of Stan Lee trying to remove Thor's hammer lodged in a stone and Jeremy Renner, as Hawkeye, aiding the S.H.I.E.L.D specialty government branch with his archery skills.

While ensuring a fast pace flow, director Kenneth Branagh brings out the right balance between the action-adventure, drama and romance.

His direction along with the engaging special effects, Beau Welch's lavish sets and Alexandra Byrne's costumes deliver a final product that will please comic book geeks.

Fast Five

Opening the summer season is Fast Five, the latest of the 'Fast' series which has been reformulated from an illegal car racing theme into a feature with a clever heist involving fast car chases.

With a bigger budget and diverse appeal, the feature's spectacular strong start ignites the fuel to the non stop adrenaline packed action-drama.

The fifth and most thrilling of the franchise is set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the team pulls off one last heist in order to gain their freedom.

Among others, reuniting from previous 'Fast' features are Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), his sister Mia (Jordana Brewster) and former federal agent Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker). They join their team in Rio where they are relentlessly pursued by federal agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and by the corrupt businessman Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida) who framed the team for murder.

The actors display a lot of athleticism, especially the two Herculean looking Diesel and Johnson who let their fists fly.

Screenwriter Chris Morgan returns for the third time adding depth to the characters, jaw dropping action scenes, amazing foot chases, jumps through ramshackle rooftops, and totaling almost 200 cars, all captured through unique angles and aerial shots by Stephen F. Windon's exceptional cinematography and the visual effects team.

While Bryan Tyler's score keeps the frenetic pace momentum, clever direction by Justin Lin and good editing by Christian Wagner, Kelly Matsumoto, and Fred Raskin, leave no dull moment and, with humor and a few surprises, effectively pull the audience into the engaging action. Stay through the credits for the suggestion of a sequel. A refreshing kickoff to the moviegoing season.

PROM

Diverse and distinct characters form the mostly unknown ensemble cast of teenagers as they prepare for the most important event in high school, the big dance they will remember for the rest of their life.

Directed by Joe Nussbaum and written by first-time screenwriter Katie Wech, the feature unravels intersecting stories of relationships, emotions, breakups, and excitement surrounding the memorable event.

The girls' dress selection and the guys date-proposals while posing with the PROM letters spelled out, deliver humor and charm.

At the center is the overachiever senior class president Nova Prescott (Aimee Teegarden), in charge of organizing the Brookside High senior prom 'Starry Night'. The often misunderstood motorcycle rider troublemaker, Jesse (Thomas McDonell), is mandated to work with Nova if he wants to graduate.

The likable and appealing characters lead the predictable but relatable plot that resonates well with its intended audience.

African Cats

Following the heights of Earth and Oceans, Disneynature brings to the big screen a captivating documentary about savanna's majestic cats.

Directors Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill follow these magnificent lions and cheetahs over the course of two and a half years in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Owen Newman, Simon King, and Sophie Darlington's top notch cinematography captures at close range and slow-motion a lion roaring to back away a crocodile, the nurturing bond between mothers and their cubs, the riveting drama, hunting scenes, as well as humorous encounters in the wild. 
The powerful sounds of the Masai Mara and intimate HD images of the cats' courage and survival in the open grassland, make one feel within reach of the action.

Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the story centers around the adventures and challenges encountered by two families of lions separated by the Mara River. Roaming the hills south of the river is the River Pride led by Fang, where six month old cub Mara lives with Layla, her experienced hunter mother. Fang's leadership is challenged by Kali, a menacing rival lion and his four sons who rule north of the river and attempt to take over the River Pride in the south. 


While Sita, a fearless mother cheetah shielding her five newborn cubs from predators is in between these two lion clans.

The exceptional cinematography of these remarkable cats in their natural habitat is engaging and enjoyable for the entire family.