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Certificate: 
Director: Robert Luketic
Release Date: 13 May 2005
Tagline: She met the perfect man. Then she met his mother.
Main Cast:
Jennifer Lopez … Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Cantilini
Jane Fonda … Viola Fields
Monster-In-Law is a very undemanding but reasonably entertaing film. It’s all very predictable, but there are enough laughs to raise it above the average Hollywood comedy. Jane Fonda came out of retirement to play Viola Fields, and I don’t think she would have any reason to regret that decision.
Even though the central storyline is of an engaged couple it is no way a RomCom which, in my book, is a good thing!
If you’re looking for a simple uncomplicated comedy, then this is worth a look.
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Director: David Silverman
Release Date: 25 July 2007
Tagline: See our family. And feel better about yours.
Main Cast: (voice)
Dan Castellaneta … Homer
Julie Kavner … Marge
Nancy Cartwright … Bart
Yeardly Smith … Lisa
I’m a big fan of The Simpsons (who isn’t?!) and doubted somewhat whether a film would work. It was obviously going to require some sort of plot to sustain the probable length of approximately 90 minutes (the film is actually 87 minutes), and I was unsure what they were going to come up with. Although I enjoyed the film (there are some very funny moments), I just couldn’t really get fully into it. The regular episodes all have believable plots (give or take a crazy moment or two), but the film strays from this somewhat! It also borrows heavily from overused storylines e.g. Lisa falls for another gentle soul who is just like her (his appearance in Springfield is rather Deus Ex Machina, which, oddly enough, they admit to doing in a different part of the film), and she’s on the environmental campaign trail once again. Ok, so this is The Simpsons, and a complex plot was neither expected or required. I just wish it had been a little more like real life.
So, did it work? Yes and no. It was an interesting experiment, but one that I don’t think needs to be repeated.
One last thing – if you watch through until the end of the credits, Maggie says her first word. Personally, I think this is a mistake. She should always remain the enigma that she is – has she not learned to speak yet, or does she just elect to be a wry observer who thinks that actions speak louder than words?
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Director: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava (co-director)
Release Date: 12 October 2007
Tagline: He’s dying to become a chef.
Main Cast: (voice)
Patton Oswalt … Remy
Ian Holm … Skinner
Lou Romano … Linguini
Brian Dennehy … Django
More genius from Pixar!
Ratatouille is a delight from start to finish. It looks fantastic, the characters are great, the story is very engaging, and it’s very, very funny.
I’m sure I’ve said somewhere else on this site that “there’s something wrong with you if you don’t enjoy this film”, and it applies again here.
Nothing else to say other than keep ‘em coming, Pixar!
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Director: Dominic Polcino
Release Date: 21 January 2008 (original TV air date 23 September 2007)
Main Cast: (Voice)
Seth MacFarlane … Peter Griffin, Brian Griffin, Stewie Griffin, Glen Quagmire, Tom Tucker
Alex Borstein … Lois Griffin
Seth Green … Chris Griffin
Ok, ok, I know. Technically this shouldn’t be here because it’s not a film. But I love Star Wars, so it’s going in!
This is Family Guy‘s take on Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. And a very funny one it is too! It’s ANH at breakneck speed, and the various little parodies work well. The events run very well with the score – it’s all timed to perfection! The attention to detail is exceptional, and it’s as if you are watching the real ANH.
My favourite moment? Easy! Peter (Han) singing along with the music in the TIE Fighter battle after the escape of the Millennium Falcon from the Death Star. We’ve all sat there and done that too!
Sure, one or two of the jokes fall a little flat, but on the whole it’s very enjoyable. Of course, you have to have seen Family Guy to understand much of the humour. So, if you’re a Star Wars fan and have never seen FG, then watch a few episodes first to familiarise yourself with it.
Oh, and if you’re wondering where ‘Blue Harvest’ fits in, it was the fake production name that was used by Lucasfilm when shooting Return of the Jedi.
It’s hard to rate this. It’s not perfect, but looking at it from the objective of a Star Wars devotee, it’s exceptional in many ways. So, I’m going to do a first for this site, and give it two ratings 
Overall Rating:
Attention to detail & animation quality Rating:
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Director: Stephan Elliott
Release Date: 10 August 1994
Tagline: Finally, a comedy that will change the way you think, the way you feel, and most importantly… the way you dress.
Main Cast:
Terence Stamp … Ralph / Bernadette Bassenger
Hugo Weaving … Anthony ‘Tick’ Belrose / Mitzi Del Bra
Guy Pearce … Adam Whitely / Felicia Jollygoodfellow
On the surface, this film may give the impression that it is little more than a feel good comedy with great music and flamboyant costumes. It may also lead you to think that it is a film for the gay community only. Neither is anywhere near the truth.
It is, in fact, utterly hilarious and very poignant.
The performances are really what makes this film unmissable. Terence Stamp is superb as the dignified Bernadette. Hugo Weaving brings warmth to his role as a homosexual father who worries what his son will think about him, and Guy Pearce is perfect as the seemingly tough skinned and outrageous Adam. Together, all three actors are the perfect blend.
Terence Stamp won/was nominated for numerous awards for his portrayal as Bernadette, and Lizzy Gardiner and Tim Chappel won the 1995 Academy Award for best costume design. And rightly so!
There is a lesson for all of us that, underneath it all, we are all the same, no matter how different we may appear to be. I hope that people will watch this film and think twice before judging others and treating those whose lifestyle differs from theirs with courtesy and respect.
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Directors: Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson
Release Date: 29 June 2001
Tagline: The greatest fairy tale never told.
Main Cast: (Voice)
Mike Myers … Shrek
Eddie Murphy … Donkey
Princess Fiona … Cameron Diaz
Where to start? What a film! Absolutely brilliant on every level. Perfectly cast, excellent animation, fantastic story and wonderful characters.
Not only is Shrek all of the above, it is also one of those classics that that is irresistable to adults. There are so many instances of ‘nods’ to films that it’s hard to keep track of them.
Shrek himself is a great character. All he wants is to be left alone in his swamp, but his grumpy exterior is soon broken down when he rescues Princess Fiona, and begins to fall for her. Underneath it all, he’s a gentle sole who tries very hard to be a scary ogre, but never really fools anyone.
And then there’s Donkey. Surely Eddie Murphy’s finest hour! He steals practically every scene he’s in. He’s annoying, loveable, and very, very funny. One of my all time favourite characters, it’s hard to see anyone creating anything better.
Basically, Shrek is as near as you can get to a perfect film. It’s only flaw is that it isn’t long enough!
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Directors: Peter Docter & David Silverman (co-director)
Release Date: 8 February 2002
Main Cast: (Voice)
John Goodman … James P. “Sulley” Sullivan
Billy Crystal … Mike Wazowski
Another masterpiece from Pixar! Excellent story, perfect casting, and fantastic animation. Sulley is a great character; he’s quite possibly the most loveable monster ever (who wouldn’t want their very own Sulley cuddly toy?!) and Mike is the perfect sidekick for him. It’s a classic comedy partnership – the funny guy and the straight man.
As is usual for Pixar films, Monsters Inc can be enjoyed by all ages. I haven’t come across a single person who doesn’t love it, and in my opinion, it’s an absolute must see.
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Directors: Andrew Stanton & Lee Unkrich (co-director)
Release Date: 10 October 2003
Tagline: 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. That’s a lot of space to find one fish.
Main Cast: (Voice)
Albert Brooks … Marlin
Ellen DeGeneres … Dory
Alexander Gould … Nemo
Finding Nemo is another masterpiece from Pixar. The animation is truly stunning, and the script is up to the usual high standard. There are plenty of real laugh out loud jokes that make this film enjoyable for all ages.
The casting is wonderful; Albert Brooks is brilliant as the constantly fretting and over protective parent, and it’s impossible to imagine anyone other than Ellen DeGeneres as Dory.
There’s not much more to be said really, other than watch it!
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Director: Rob Sitch
Release Date: 24 July 1998
Tagline: Ordinary family. Extraordinary story.
Main Cast:
Michael Caton … Darryl Kerrigan
Anne Tenney … Sal Kerrigan
Stephen Curry … Dale Kerrigan
This is Australian humour at its best. In fact, this is any humour at its best! The Castle is a delight from start to finish. It is indeed a tale of an ordinary family with an extraordinary story!
The Castle centres around the Kerrigan family, who happen to live right next to an airport. They are blissfully happy, but their world is rocked when they are served a compulsory acquisition notice by the Government and airport authorities, and they have to face being forced to leave their beloved home.
It’s the simple charm and uncomplicated humour that makes this film such a joy. It can’t really be explained in a review; you just have to watch it for yourself. And I recommend that you do!
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P.S. Keep a look out for all of Sal’s handicraft around the house!
Certificate: 
Director: Brian Henson
Release Date: 18 December 1992
Main Cast:
Michael Caine … Ebenezer Scrooge
And, of course, The Muppeteers!
This is my all time favourite Muppet film, and also my favourite version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. The combination of the mean and bitter Scrooge and the madcap antics of the Muppets works perfectly. Gonzo and Rizzo are a perfect double act and provide some real laugh out loud humour. Michael Caine’s Scrooge is well balanced; a slightly lighter character than in the book but tinged with just enough meanness to make him dislikeable.
The Muppet characters fit Dickens’ characters so well, and it’s almost as if Mr Fezziwig was written with Fozzie Bear in mind; of course, he becomes Mr Fozziwig!
And then there’s the Cratchit family. Kermit plays Bob, and Miss Piggy plays Mrs Cratchit. The children are either pigs (the girls) or frogs (the boys). I love what they’ve done here; I’m not a fan of the sickly sweet Cratchits, but the Muppet Cratchits are perfect!
You can hardly describe A Christmas Carol as humorous, but Brian Henson has created a re-telling of the story that is both true to the book and incredibly funny.
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