Movies Worth Watching This Weekend

Movies worth watching this weekend- As the weekend is on its way and will begin in few hours, so many people will have many plans to enjoy it. But for the movie lovers, here is the list of movies worth watching this weekend.

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Celebrity Star Trek Stars: Where Are They Now?

Star Trek Stars: Where are they now: Star Trek The show first aired on Sept. 8, 1966, Star Trek's 45th anniversary, of Star Trek, Generation Pop art gallery in Manchester city centre is hosting an exhibition of the official Star Trek fine art collection.
Fans from all over the country will be attending the invitation-only launch event on Friday in costume with a number of Star Trek artists also in attendance. The exhibition will be open to the public from the 9 September.
It is 45 years this week since the first episode featuring Kirk, Spock and the rest of the crew hit the TV screens back in 1966.
Artwork being flown over Los Angeles and New York will include illustrative pieces from Ryan Church, Ryan created the concept artwork for the latest Star Trek film as well as Geoffrey Mandel who worked on almost all the Star Trek films and TV series, Geoffrey has created a map of the Star Trek Universe, limited to just 45 worldwide especially for the anniversary.

Nurse Chapel

Actress:Majel Barrett-Roddenberry (born Majel Leigh Hudec; February 23, 1932 December 18, 2008)
In "Star Trek's" original pilot episode, "Star Trek The Cage" she was second in command to Captain Pike Star Trek. After NBC requested changes, she played Nurse Chapel, under the command of Captain Kirk Character  on the USS Enterprise Star Trek.
Majel barrett's ashes sent into space
Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry August 19, 1921 October 24, 1991 was an American screenwriter and producer. He is best known as the creator of Star Trek, an American sci-fi series. He was sometimes called the "Great Bird of the Galaxy" because he helped start Star Trek. He was one of the first people to have his ashes "buried" in space.
Gene Roddenberry was born in El Paso, Texas in 1921. His parents were Eugene Edward Roddenberry and Caroline Glen. He grew up in Los Angeles, California, where his father worked in the police. He became interested in engineering and got a pilot's license. In 1941, he joined the United States Air Force. He flew many combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.

After he left the military, he became a commercial pilot (which means he flew passenger aircraft) with Pan American World Airways. He then stopped flying in 1949 so he could write television shows. While writing he also worked in the police so he could provide for (look after) his family. In 1956, he quit his job as a policeman to write full time.

Roddenberry was married twice and had three children. He married Eileen Rexroat first, and they were married for 27 years. They had two daughters, Darlene (1947-1995) and Dawn (1953-). In the 1960s, he also started romantically seeing Nichelle Nichols and Majel Barrett (1932-2008). He divorced Rexroat and married Barrett in Japan in a traditional Shinto ceremony on August 6, 1969. They had a son, Eugene Wesley, Jr. Roddenberry's marriage to Barrett lasted until his death in 1991.

He died in 1991 of heart failure. He was 70 years old. In 1992, some of his ashes were sent into space on board the Space Shuttle Columbia. In 2012, some more of his ashes will be sent into space with his wife Majel's ashes.

Pavel Chekov

Walter Marvin Koenig, Date of birth: September 14, 1936
Koenig's resemblance to a famous Monkee brought a youthful appeal to the show, while his character, Chekov, suggested the possibility of a "warmer" future relationship between his native Russia and America.
Pavel Chekov Character
Pavel Andreievich Chekov is a Russian Starfleet officer in the Star Trek fictional universe. Walter Koenig portrayed Chekov in the original Star Trek series and first seven Star Trek films; Anton Yelchin portrayed the character in the 2009 film Star Trek.

Walter Koenig suggests Babylon 5 return

Walter Koenig has suggested that Babylon 5 could return in some form. The actor told fans at a recent Las Vegas Star Trek convention that series creator J Michael Straczynski is in talks to revive the show. "He told me that he is in negotiations to re-acquire the rights to Babylon 5 and it looks pretty good," said Koenig, who played Bester on the sci-fi drama. Koenig added that it is currently unclear what form the new Babylon 5 will take. "It could be a new series or it could be a feature film, but [Straczynski] was quite animated about it," he said. "He seemed very excited. "Warner Brothers is dealing with him in good faith. So you might see another Babylon 5 in the not too distant future." Babylon 5 originally aired on now-defunct network PTEN from 1994 to 1997 and on TNT for a final fifth season in 1998. The series also spawned six television films and short-lived spinoff series Crusade.

Gene Rodenberry

Gene Roddenberry(Aug. 19, 1921 – Oct. 24, 1991)

 The decorated war veteran, Gene Roddenberry flew a B-17 Flying Fortress in World War 2, turned police officer ,for city Los Angeles, California, found a career writing for a number of cop shows before creating the sci-fi hit that made him famous.
Ashes gene roddenberry space
Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry (August 19, 1921 – October 24, 1991) was an American television screenwriter, producer and futurist, best known for creating the American science fiction series Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, California where his father worked as a police officer. Roddenberry flew 89 combat missions in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, and worked as a commercial pilot after the war. He later followed in his father's footsteps, joining the Los Angeles Police Department to provide for his family, but began focusing on writing scripts for television.

Dr. Elizabeth Dehner

Sally Claire Kellerman, Date of birth: June 2, 1937
In the episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before Star Trek " Kellerman plays Dr. Elizabeth Dehner Star Trek, a psychiatrist who develops extra-human abilities while passing beyond the Galactic Barrier. Captain Kirk Character  attempts to quarantine her and his friend, Lt. Commander Gary Mitchell, but things go wrong, star trek where no man has gone before.
Sally Kellerman 90210
Sally Clare Kellerman born June 2, 1937 is an American actress and singer known for her role as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the film MASH (1970), for which she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in MASH 1970

Eleen

Julie Newmar Eleen Real name: Julia Chalene Newmeyer, Date of birth: August 16, 1933
Best known as the feline nemesis; catwoman julie newmar, of a '60s TV hero, Adam West Batman, Newmar guest-starred as Eleen character star trek a pregnant alien princess on the episode "Friday's Child Star Trek," and has been seen at many "Star Trek" conventions, Julie Newmar Star Trek Conventions since.
Julie newmar jim belushi feud, julie newmar estate developer
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Edith Keeler

Collins guest-starred in the Hugo Award winning episode "The City on the Edge of Forever.", The city on the edge of forever star trek. A time-traveling Dr. McCoy, Leonard 'Bones' McCoy star trek, saves Keeler's, Edith Keeler Character Star Trek, life, which leads to the Nazis winning World War II (change history with time travel).

Joan collins' fix a broken britain

Captain Kirk

He played Captain James T. Kirk, the intense leader of the Starship Enterprise (middle name james tiberius kirk). His charismatic machismo helped define "Star Trek's" formidable leader.

Roberta Lincoln

Garr played the youthful secretary Roberta Lincoln star trek character in the spy-themed episode "Assignment: Earth star trek ," in which she was recruited by a futuristic Gary Seven star trek and his mysterious black cat star trek character Isis, Assignment: Earth a Pilot for spin off series.

Last movie Expired, Speedbumps: Flooring It through Hollywood

Losira

In the episode star trek "That Which Survives," she played Losira Character Star Trek, the seductive guardian of an abandoned space outpost.

Lee meriwether star trek convention

Yeoman Janice Rand

 She had a recurring role as Yeoman Janice Rand, assistant to Captain Kirk Character, with whom she shared an underlying chemistry that made itself known throughout the series. She would go on to appear in a number of "Star Trek's" many films and series over the years, +Grace Lee Whitney star trek filmography

Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II Grace Lee Whitney

Mr. Spock

 He played Mr. Spock Character, who was the only crew member to have green blood (Why does spock have green blood?) and what "Leonard 'Bones' McCoy star trek" called "perfect brain waves." He went on to star in and direct a number of the "Star Trek" films. Leonard Nimoy star trek filmography.

Leonard Nimoy Retires

Mr. Sulu

Takei played Hikaru Sulu Character, whose Japanese lineage, Hikaru Sulu Born in San Francisco, was a vital part of "Star Trek's" multiracial casting during the era of America's civil rights movement.

Latest TV role George Takei Supah Ninjas

Sulu Commands USS Excelsior

Uhura

The former jazz singer portrayed Uhura and broke a cultural barrier with a famous onscreen kiss (uhura and kirk kiss) with Captain Kirk. She went on to star in a number of the "Star Trek" movies, nichelle nichols scooby-doo senator.

Most recent role Nichelle nichols scooby-doo senator

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The Best Mockumentaries Movies

The best mockumentaries movies- Mockumentaries movies that adopt the style of a documentary to tell the story over the years, including "Apollo 18," released this week. Some, like the "Paranormal Activity" films use fake "found footage." Others, like "This is Spinal Tap," are parodies. Here's a look back at some of the most memorable examples of this unique movie style.

'Zelig'

Release date: July 15, 1983

Stars: Mia Farrow, Woody Allen

Synopsis: Leonard Zelig can transform himself into anyone he's around. The incredible skill earns him worldwide fame, but Zelig also known by his nickname, The Human Chameleon, Leonard Zelig , must eventually face the downside of his unique talent. 

'Waiting for Guffman'

Release date: Jan. 31, 1997

Stars: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Bob Balaban, Parker Posey, Fred Willard

Synopsis: A local community theater in the "stool capital of the world", the town of Blaine, Missouri, United States, prepares the performance of a lifetime after rumor circulates that big-time Broadway producer Mort Guffman will be in attendance.

'This is Spinal Tap'

Release date: March 2, 1984

Stars: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, Harry Shearer

Synopsis: This film follows the comeback tour of heavy metal band Spinal Tap. Between band member arguments and stage prop proportion problems, the tour proves more difficult than the aging rockers expected.

'Take the Money and Run'

Release date: Aug. 18, 1969

Stars: Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Janet Margolin, Lonny Chapman, Marcel Hillaire

Synopsis: This Woody Allen classic is a mockumentary about the life of Virgil Starkwell, a floundering, amateur bank robber whose failed music career led him to a life of petty crime.

'The Rutles: All You Need is Cash'

Release date: March 22, 1978

 

Stars: Eric Idle, Ricky Fataar, John Halsey, Neil Innes, Michael Palin, Bianca Jagger, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd

'Paranormal Activity'

Release dates:

"Paranormal Activity," October 14, 2007

"Paranormal Activity 2," October 22, 2010

"Paranormal Activity 3," October 21, 2011

Stars: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs,

Synopsis: Filmed using this technique, found footage, these horror films tell the story of a young couple that is haunted by the supernatural. After the success of the first film, 'Paranormal' Now the Most Profitable Film Ever , the producers drew large audiences for the prequel film "Paranormal Activity 2" and will release another prequel, "Paranormal Activity 3," next month. 

'Man Bites Dog'

Release date: Oct., 1992

Stars: Benoît Poelvoorde

Synopsis: A chilling dark comedy from this country Belgium reveals what happens when members of a small film crew following the life of a serial killer get increasingly caught up in the madman's heinous crimes, even becoming accomplices in his murders.

'Lake Mungo'

Release date: 2008

Stars: Talia Zucker, Rosie Traynor, David Pledger

Synopsis: Unlike most mockumentaries, there's nothing funny about this psychological horror film set at the real Lake Mungo in this country Australia. The film explores the mystery behind a 16-year-old girl’s drowning and uncovers her secret double life.

'Incident at Loch Ness'

Release date: Sept. 17, 2004

Stars: Werner Herzog, Zak Penn, Michael Karnow,  Kitana Baker

Synopsis: A documentary within a documentary, cameras roll as artistic differences cause tensions on set of a Loch Ness Monster monster's name Nessie, exposé. The story takes another turn when the film crew starts to see things in the deep loch, Scotland, Loch Ness is United Kingdom.

'I'm Still Here'

Release date: Sept. 10, 2010

Stars: Joaquin Phoenix, Antony Langdon

Synopsis: The product of this young director Casey Affleck, his actor brother Ben Affleck, this mockumentary follows Joaquin Phoenix's supposed retirement from acting and his attempt to make it as a rapper.

'The Grand'

Release date: March 21, 2008

Stars: Woody Harrelson, Chris Parnell, Cheryl Hines, David Cross, Werner Herzog, Richard Kind, Dennis Farina, Ray Romano

Synopsis: A cast of eccentric characters is filmed as they take on The Grand poker tournament, The Grand poker series, hosted in this city Las Vegas, Nevada, hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Much of the film is improvised, but all the poker matches are real.

'FUBAR'

Release date: May 24, 2002

Stars: David Lawrence, Paul Spence, Gordon Skilling

Synopsis: A cult classic out of this North American country Canada, "FUBAR" follows two mullet-sporting friends ,the haircut is also known as this Hockey Hair, Terry and Dean as they cope with Dean's recent diagnosis.

'Forgotten Silver'

Release date: Oct. 28, 1995

Stars: Peter Jackson, Costa Botes, Harvey Weinstein, Sam Neill, Thomas Robins

Synopsis: The man Peter Jackson who brought us "The Lord of The Rings" shines in this earlier work. The mockumentary (from this Oceanic country New Zealand) uncovers the life and works of a genius filmmaker that had been lost to history.

'Farce of the Penguins'

Release date: Jan. 30, 2007

Stars: Bob Saget, Jamie Kennedy, Whoopi Goldberg, Christina Applegate, David Koechner, Harvey Fierstein, Lewis Black, Mo'Nique, Samuel L. Jackson

Synopsis: A spoof of a nature documentary March of the Penguins, "Farce of the Penguins" features the love lives of penguins and reveals what the birds really think about their mating rituals.

'Exit Through the Gift Shop'

Release date: April 16, 2010

Stars: Banksy, Thierry Guetta, Shepard Fairey

Synopsis: This "documentary" work of the notorious street artist Banksy unveils how a bit of money and buzz can turn an absolute nobody into a highly successful artist. Banksy plays it off like the film's events are genuine, but many speculate, Exit through the gift shop hoax , that the whole film is just another elaborate Banksy prank.

'Drop Dead Gorgeous'

Release date: July 23, 1999

Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley, Ellen Barkin, Brittany Murphy, Amy Adams, Mindy Sterling, Sam McMurray

Synopsis: A documentary team descends upon the town of Mount Rose (in this Midwestern state) to get a look inside the world of teen beauty pageants. The cameras catch it all as the competition gets heated and the pageant contestants start dropping like flies.

'CB4'

Release date: March 12, 1993

Stars: Chris Rock, Allen Payne, Charlie Murphy, Chris Elliott, Deezer D, Phil Hartman

Synopsis: This film chronicles the rise of rap group CB4 and reveals that the hard-core rappers may not be as "street" as they claim.

'Borat'

Release date: Nov. 3, 2006

Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Pamela Anderson, Luenell

Synopsis: A TV reporter from a Central Asian country Kazakhstan, Borat his full name Borat Sagdiyev goes on a mission to the U.S. to learn more about the red, white and blue -- and to get a former "Baywatch" babe Pamela Anderson to marry him.

'Bob Roberts'

Release date: Sept. 4, 1998

Stars: Tim Robbins, Alan Rickman, Giancarlo Esposito, John Cusack, Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, James Spader

Synopsis: Based on the short sketch featured on this TV show Saturday Night Live, the full-length "Bob Roberts" film chronicles the senate campaign of a far-right, folk-singing politician and the liberal journalist trying to expose his corrupt dealings.

'The Blair Witch Project'

Release date: July 30, 1999

Stars: Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, Michael C. Williams

Synopsis: A creepier kind of mockumentary, this film follows a group of film students who take to the woods in this East Coast state Maryland, United States, to investigate the urban legend of "The Blair Witch." 

'Best in Show'

Release date: Sept. 29, 2000

 

Stars: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Jane Lynch, Michael McKean, Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Hitchcock, John Michael Higgins

Synopsis: Another great work by mockumentary specialist Christopher Guest, this film offers an inside look at the barking-mad world of dog shows and the pooches’ quirky owners.

'A Mighty Wind'

Release date: April 16, 2003

Stars: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Fred Willard, Jane Lynch, Harry Shearer, Michael McKeanz

Synopsis: After the death of a legendary folk music concert promoter Irving Steinbloom , the cream of '60s folk artists reunites for a tribute show in his honor.

'Apollo 18'

Release date: Sept. 2, 2011

Stars: Lloyd Owen, Warren Christie

Synopsis: Why did we never go back to the moon? That decades-old question, Moon walk July 20, 1969 ,  is about to be answered with the release of "lost footage" from the failed Apollo 18 mission.

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Celebrity Pilots

Celebrity Pilots- National Aviation Day is on Friday, August 19, 2011.In honor of National Aviation Day, we take a look at actors, singers and other celebrities who are licensed pilots. You probably already know about John Travolta, who has parking for his jets outside his house. See which other stars have found a place in the skies.

Tom Cruise , pilot tom cruise 1941 Boeing Stearman

Cruise may have gotten his taste for flying when he starred in this successful aviator flick. He's been piloting planes since the mid-1990s and now flies his family all over the world. Pilot tom cruise 1941 Boeing Stearman , Second World War Mustang P-51, 1943 Mustang, Pitts Special S-2B stunt plane, Gulfstream IV jet , Connor Cruise flying lessons , +Tom Cruise groceries jet

James Franco , Jame Franco pilots license research "Flyboys"

Is there anything this guy can't do?  Franco is getting his Ph.D. at an Ivy League school, starring in critically acclaimed films and teaching a class at New York University. He has also hosted the Academy Awards. After all that, his pilot's license sounds like a no-brainer.Jame Franco pilots license research "Flyboys" , james franco stunt pilot two-seater plane

Angelina Jolie , angelina jolie pilot son birthday

If she keeps adding to her brood , Jolie may need to get a bigger plane. Meanwhile, she's busy working on this upcoming film and continuing her humanitarian work.Angelina jolie goodwill ambassador , Angelina jolie pilot son birthday

Kung Fu Panda 2 , Cleopatra 2013

Harrison Ford , Harrison Ford pilot fascinated aviation young age

Ford , Harrison Ford , started training in the 1960s, but didn't get his license , +Harrison Ford pilot license 1996 , until the 1990s. He once headed an organization for young airplane enthusiasts, harrison ford young eagles , is involved with an aviation organization with a humanitarian focus , Wings of Hope , and appears in a much-anticipated summer flick , Cowboys & Aliens. Harrison Ford pilot fascinated aviation young age

Clint Eastwood , Clint Eastwood flew helicopter avoid traffic

Early in the acting career of this Oscar-winning director, CLint Eastwood, he played a squadron pilot in a 1955 horror flick, Tarantula (1955). His next project: a biopic of a controversial figure, "J. Edgar" Clint Eastwood 2012.Leonardo DiCaprio J. Edgar, The Aviator, Clint Eastwood flew helicopter avoid traffic

Morgan Freeman , +Morgan Freeman dreamed of becoming fighter pilot

He narrated a movie about birds that can't get off the ground, March of the Penguins , but Freeman himself loves to fly. He didn't earn his license, Morgan Freeman pilot license , until age 65 and now owns three private planes. Earlier this year, he scored a role in this highly anticipated film , The Dark Knight Rises. +Morgan Freeman dreamed of becoming fighter pilot

Jimmy Buffett , +Jimmy Buffett love of flying college

Jimmy Buffett has been flying for more than 20 years, with hit songs like these, jimmy buffett pilot license , supporting his hobby. Watch him perform. +Jimmy Buffett love of flying college

Kurt Russell , Kurt Russell "Flying has taught me more about who I really am than anything I’ve ever done. I take very calculated risks."

The longtime partner of this actress, goldie hawn , Russell, kurt russell , is a licensed pilot, Kurt Russell licensed pilot , and an honorary board member of this aviation organization, Wings of Hope. Kurt Russell "Flying has taught me more about who I really am than anything I’ve ever done. I take very calculated risks."

Arnold Palmer , +arnold palmer pilot fly himself to tournaments

One of the world's most famous golfers arnold palmer stats, arnold palmer has been flying since 1956. Find out when he took his final flight, arnold palmer final flight , and why, +Arnold Palmer pilots medical license expired. +arnold palmer pilot fly himself to tournaments

Dr. Phil , Dr. Phil oprah fear of flying

Dr. Phil pilots license, since 1976, Dr. Phil McGraw was flying long before he became a household name, dr. phil oprah appearances. His TV show, Dr. Phil TV Show , took a hit after he tried to help a troubled pop star; dr. phil britney spears , his books, Dr. Phil McGraw , and advice remain hot commodities. Dr. Phil oprah fear of flying , Dr. Phil naked man lawsuit

George W. Bush , George W. Bush Air National Guard

A licensed pilot, George W. Bush pilots license , since 1969, the former president famously co-piloted a fighter jet, George W. Bush co-pilot fighter jet USS Lincoln , onto an aircraft carrier in 2003 to make a much-maligned declaration, George W. Bush "Mission Accomplished" , about the war in Iraq. George W. Bush Air National Guard

David Lee Roth , david lee roth jump

Best known for fronting this band, Van Halen , in the 1980s, David Lee Roth has been a helicopter pilot, David Lee Roth pilots license , since 2006. He last toured in 2007 and is back in the studio with this guitarist's, Eddie Van Halen , son.David lee roth jump , david lee roth  Emergency medical technician , van halen australian , david lee roth crazy from the heat

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'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Trivia

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' trivia- Rise planet of the apes box office. After last week's big box office battle between "Cowboys & Aliens" and "The Smurfs," the first weekend in August proved to be less suspenseful as "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" dominated the box office.


The apes have conquered the multiplex.
Fueled by great word of mouth, 20th Century Fox's Rise of the Planet of the Apes opened to $54 million at the domestic box office—$20 million more than the best forecast. Rise of the Apes is particularly drawing notice for its photo-realistic apes, which were created by Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital using advanced performance capture technology. Andy Serkis plays the ape Caesar, and is the movie’s lead character.
Directed by Rupert Wyatt, Rise of the Apes successfully relaunches the cult sci-fi franchise, and is a big win for the filmmakers and Fox’s marketing operation. Heading into the weekend, tracking suggested that the movie—also starring James Franco, Frida Pinto and John Lithgow--would open to $30 million to $35 million, tops.
But the movie received an A- CinemaScore, in addition to garnering rave reviews, and is appealing to all age groups. More women than expected turned out, making up 44 percent of the audience, according to exit polls. The origins pic was down only 2% from Friday to Saturday.
Rise of the Apes also is a big win for Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark’s Chernin Entertainment, since it’s the company’s first title. The movie, made for $93 million, was co-financed by Fox, Dune Entertainment and Ingenious. The weekend's other new offering, Universal's R-rated Ryan Reynolds-Jason Bateman body switching comedy The Change-Up, didn’t fare as well, grossing a soft $13.5 million and coming in No. 4.
Directed by David Dobkins, Change-Up entered a saturated market for raunchy comedies, and scored the lowest opening of the summer for its genre. The movie only received a B CinemaScore, and played older, with 50% of the audience over the age of 30. Universal and Relativity Media co-financed Change-Up, which cost $52 million to produce. Sony’s surprise hit The Smurfs stayed strong in its second weekend, declining less than 42% to an estimated $21 million for a domestic cume of $76.2 million. The 3D kids pic placed No. 2. Universal and DreamWorks’ Cowboys & Aliens continued to struggle in its second outing, trailing Smurfs and grossing $15.8 million for a domestic total of $67.4 million. The movie fell 57%, a big drop considering the film is playing best to an older audience. Adult-skewing films generally build momentum, and see minimal drops if they are working.

Cure for a deadly disease

Rise of the planet of the apes alzheimer's disease. Rise of the Planet of the Apes positions itself as the origin story for the entire Apes franchise. Set in present day San Francisco; Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) leads a medical laboratory attempting to cure Alzheimer’s disease, which leads to primate experimentation. In the process it leads to increased intelligence in the primate test subjects and triggers a series of events that leads to a confrontation between humans and apes for the rule of the Planet.
I’ll go out of my way to say that I’m a big fan of the original Schaffner Planet of the Apes (1968) but I’ll also say that the sequels never really captured my imagination like the original film. So the prospect of Rise for me initially felt like an attempt to cash in on an iconic franchise. However, from the moment I saw the snippets of Weta-manufactured footage of Serkis mo-cap (motion capture) performing the lead ape role of Caesar I was utterly transfixed.
Franco’s Will is desperate to find a cure for Alzheimer’s because his father Charles (John Lithgow) is suffering and rapidly deteriorating before his eyes. Will discovers that an experimental strain may be ready to proceed when a lab accident causes most of the apes to be put down – all but one, Caesar (Andy Serkis). Will discovers that the increased intelligence that was demonstrated by his primate mother has genetically passed to Caesar and he keeps him in secret, to see the limits of his compound in advancing the primate’s intelligence and begins illegally trialling the drug on his father. I can’t really give too much more away without ruining the entire film – so I’ll keep quiet from here. Suffice to say there are a hell of a lot of references to the original series in this one – some overt and some subtle; fans will enjoy those little titbits.
There is a natural impulse or uncontrollable impulse to pick any CGI ‘fakery’ in a film. It is one of the biggest roadblocks in suspending our disbelief long enough to enjoy a film with a lot of CGI. I really want to commend WETA for affording me (and look you may be different so sorry if you could not) the opportunity, by way of awesome digital effects, to enjoy the CGI and really get lost in another amazing performance by Serkis. The work they did to make really rich expressive eyes for Caesar and the greater primate population is sensational. Every element of Caesar’s journey is perfectly physically portrayed. This film really rides on the audience being attached to an Ape protagonist; although Will (Franco) leads us into the story, as the film progresses he moves to the sideline. Franco is really excellent in parts of this film, but in other parts he seems to lose the motivation to be invested in the delivery. This could be directorial or script factors, but his performance doesn’t stand among Milk, 127 Hours or Pineapple Express. Lithgow is an actor that I think is good in anything that he does (see Dexter Series 4 to be truly blown away). He performs solidly throughout the rollercoaster of his disease and Will’s experimental treatment. Tyler Labine is a name that you’re going to hear more of; he’s a rising star of sorts. His role is small but absolutely integral as the ape handler Franklin. Dodge Landon (Tom Felton) is in ‘Malfoy’ mode here but in an unforgiving environment. He get’s some of the key scenes and lines in the flick – and does them justice. Pinto’s Caroline is really just a passenger – that increases the female quota in the film.
I’ll do have to give special mention to Wyatt’s direction – because all of the actors are interacting with CGI apes but in tangible physical spaces, which seems to assist their performances. Wyatt also uses some really great classical trickery – which you can see in the trailer as the apes make their way through the treetops.
In any film that you see, you hope that there is at least one moment that makes it worth the price of your ticket. In Rise, there is a moment that nearly blew me out of my seat. It made total sense, but also surprised the hell out of me – it emphasised that sonic reception of the movie is essential to really enjoy a film and for that one moment I’m going to watch it again and again. This is one of the last of the summer films and has rocketed up the charts to be in my top five blockbuster flicks this year. It does justice to the franchise and had me rushing home to watch the original series in its entirety.

James Franco

James franco wizard of oz prequel. The story and characters of Oz might be sacred to most, but James Franco says the big screen prequel to the iconic story - "Oz: The Great And Powerful" - will satisfy fans while putting a new spin on the classic tale.
"It's going very, very well," he said of the Sam Raimi-directed Oz movie, while promoting his current movie, "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes," in Los Angeles on Sunday. "I've been in Detroit for almost a month now and we were rehearsing for quite a while and we've been shooting for about a week and it's going very, very well," he told Access. "I am playing the Wizard of Oz, but if you'll remember, the Wizard in the original 1939 film is an older man, so it's another great opportunity to kind of do a new rendition on a franchise or a tradition, but it's in a fresh way."
The 33-year-old actor understands the importance of appeasing the story's massive fan base, but since this story is a prequel, James said some of the rules go out the window. "There are no real expectations of how the younger version of Oz should be," he explained. "I do follow a tradition, but I also have a certain amount of freedom to create the character." As for what a young Wizard of Oz will look like, James said picture him super retro!
"The original book came out in 1900," he told Access, "A lot of it will kind of take place a 100 years ago, so if you can imagine that kind of suit." "Oz: The Great And Powerful," also starring Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams - is slated to hit theaters in 2013.

1968's 'Planet of the Apes'

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" has an estimated budget of $90 million. What was the estimated budget for 1968's "Planet of the Apes".1968 Planet of the Apes budget $5.8 million. Rise of the Planet of the Apes budget $90 million. 1968 Planet of the Apes.

'3rd Rock From the Sun'

John Lithgow Rise of the planet of the apes

Freida Pinto

Slumdog Millionaire Freida Pinto

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Greatest comic book villains

In Celebration we Offer a Close-up Look at the Greatest Comic Book Villains Of All Time.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Rating: PG-13 · Run time: 2 hrs 05 min · Release date: 7/22/2011
The First Avenger will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him.

Red Skull

Red Skull Nazi
Captain America
The First Avenger is a 2011 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Captain America. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film was directed by Joe Johnston,written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and stars Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke, and Stanley Tucci. The film tells the story of Steve Rogers, a sickly man from Brooklyn who is transformed into Captain America to help the war effort. However, Captain America must stop Red Skull, Adolf Hitler's ruthless head of weaponry and leader of a terrorist organization, who intends to use the Tesseract for world domination.

The Joker

Joker Origin
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin. Created by Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the character first appeared in Batman #1 (Spring 1940).

Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum is an action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman developed for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game were released on August 25, 2009 in North America and August 28, 2009 in Europe, and the PC version was released on September 15, 2009 in North America and on September 18, 2009 in Europe. The game is also available via download on Steam.
Arkham Asylum, written by veteran Batman writer Paul Dini, is based on the long-running comic book mythos, as opposed to most other Batman games, which are adaptations of the character in other media besides the source material.
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 (Winter 1940). Gotham city is a hybrid of the real cities New York and Chicago, with some representations favoring one over the other.

Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939), and since then has appeared in many of DC Comics’ publications. Originally referred to as "the Bat-Man" and still referred to at times as "the Batman", he is additionally known as "The Caped Crusader", "The Dark Knight", "The Darknight Detective", and "The World's Greatest Detective".
Batman
Batman is a 1960s American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network for two and a half seasons from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968. The show was aired twice weekly for its first two seasons, resulting in the production of a total of 120 episodes.

Magneto

Magneto's Brotherhood
The Brotherhood of Mutants, originally known as the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, is a fictional Marvel Comics supervillain team devoted to mutant superiority over normal humans. They are among the chief adversaries of the X-Men. The original Brotherhood was created by writer Stan Lee and artist/co-writer Jack Kirby and first appeared in X-Men #4 (March 1964).
The group's roster and ideology have varied from incarnation to incarnation, ranging from world domination to serving as a terrorist group that targets anti-mutant public figures. They are almost always at odds with the more peaceful X-Men, though on rare occasions the two sides have allied against a common threat.

Charles Xavier And X Men 
Professor Charles Francis Xavier, also known as Professor X, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero known as the leader and founder of the X-Men.
Throughout most of his comic book history, Xavier is paraplegic, although his body houses one of the world's most powerful mutant minds. As a high-level telepath, Xavier can read, control and influence human minds. A scientific genius, he is also a leading authority on genetics, mutation, and psionic powers.
Patrick Stewart has portrayed Professor X throughout the X-Men films, and the X-Men Legends games. Actor James McAvoy portrays a younger version of the character in the 2011 prequel film X-Men: First Class. His character has often been compared with Martin Luther King, Jr. during the civil rights struggle.

Doctor Doom's Armor
Victor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 (July 1962). A recurring supervillain, he is the arch enemy of the Fantastic Four and also the leader of the nation of Latveria. Doctor Doom is both a genius inventor and a sorcerer, and has fought numerous other superheroes in various plots for power and/or revenge over the years. His most prominent opponents include the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, the Avengers, the X-Men, Punisher, Blade, Iron Man, and even Superman in a crossover comic Superman & Spider-Man #2. A frequent plot device is to reveal at a story's end that the heroes were actually fighting one of Doom's many robot doubles, either working on his behalf, or a Doombot gone rogue impersonating him.

Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four is a 2005 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics comic Fantastic Four. It was directed by Tim Story, and released by 20th Century Fox. This is the second live-action Fantastic Four film to be filmed. The previous attempt, a B-movie produced by Roger Corman only for the purpose of retaining the film rights, was never intended for a theatrical release.
The film was released in the United States on July 8, 2005. It was the third superhero film of the year, after Elektra and Batman Begins.
In 2007, a sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, was released.

Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor President
Lex Luthor is a fictional character from the television series Smallville. He was a series regular from the pilot episode until the season seven finale, and has been played continuously by Michael Rosenbaum, with various actors portraying Lex as a child throughout the series. The character of Lex Luthor, first created for comic books by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1940 as archnemesis of Superman, was adapted to television in 2001 by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar — this is only the third time the character has been adapted to a live action television series. The character has also appeared in various literature based on the Smallville television series, none of which directly continues from or into the television episodes.

Superman
Superman Movie is a 1978 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Richard Donner directed the film, which stars Christopher Reeve as Superman, as well as Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Phyllis Thaxter, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure, Valerie Perrine and Ned Beatty. The film depicts the origin of Superman, from infancy as Kal-El of Krypton and growing up in Smallville. Disguised as reporter Clark Kent, he adopts a mild-mannered attitude in Metropolis and develops a romance with Lois Lane, while battling the villainous Lex Luthor.
The film was conceived in 1973 by Ilya Salkind. Several directors, most notably Guy Hamilton, and screenwriters (Mario Puzo, David and Leslie Newman and Robert Benton) were associated with the project before Donner was hired to direct. Donner brought Tom Mankiewicz to rewrite the script, feeling it was too campy. Mankiewicz was credited as creative consultant. It was decided to film both Superman and Superman II simultaneously.

Norman Osborn

Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 (July 1964).

Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a 2002 American superhero film, the first in the Spider-Man film series based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It was directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Koepp. It stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, a high-school student who turns to crimefighting after developing spiderlike powers, along with Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as Peter's love interest, and James Franco as his best friend.
After being stuck in development hell for nearly 25 years, the film was licensed for a worldwide release by Sony Pictures Entertainment in 1999 after it acquired James Cameron's original scriptment. Directors Roland Emmerich, Tim Burton, Chris Columbus, and David Fincher were considered to direct the project before Raimi was hired as director in 2000. Koepp wrote the script, using Cameron's scriptment as a basis, and it was revised by Scott Rosenberg and Alvin Sargent during production.

Catwoman

Selina Kyle Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel. Kane, a frequent movie goer, also mentioned that Jean Harlow was a model for the design.
The original and most widely known Catwoman, Selina Kyle, first appears in Batman #1 (Spring 1940) in which she is known as The Cat. She is a sometimes-adversary of Batman, known for having a complex love-hate (often romantic) relationship with him. In her first appearance, she was a whip-carrying burglar with a taste for high-stake thefts. For many years Catwoman thrived, but from September 1954 to November 1966 she took an extended hiatus due to the newly developing Comics Code Authority in 1954. These issues involved the rules regarding the development and portrayal of female characters that were in violation with the Comic Code.

Sinestro

Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker. Jordan was created in the Silver Age of Comic Books by John Broome and Gil Kane, and made his first appearance in Showcase #22 (October 1959) to replace the original Green Lantern Alan Scott from the Golden Age of Comic Books.

Green Lantern
Green Lantern is a 2011 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, with Martin Campbell directing a script by Greg Berlanti and comic book writers Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim, which was subsequently rewritten by Michael Goldenberg. Green Lantern was released on June 17, 2011, in 3D.

Bullseye

Daredevil
Daredevil is a 2003 American superhero film written and directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, the film stars Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer who fights for justice in the courtroom and out of the courtroom as the masked vigilante Daredevil. Jennifer Garner plays his love interest Elektra Natchios, Colin Farrell plays the merciless assassin Bullseye, David Keith as Battling Jack Murdock, a washed up fighter who is Matt's father, and Michael Clarke Duncan plays Wilson Fisk, also known as the crime lord Kingpin.

The film began development in 1997 at 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures, before New Regency acquired the rights in 2000. Johnson chose to shoot the film primarily in Downtown Los Angeles despite the Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan setting of the film and the comics. Rhythm and Hues Studios were hired to handle the film's CGI needs. Graeme Revell composed the Daredevil score which was released on CD in March 2003, whereas the various artists soundtrack album, Daredevil: The Album, was released in February.
Reviews of the film were generally mixed or average. Despite this, the film still enjoyed a profitable theatrical run and became February's second biggest release. The film was successful enough to allow a spin-off film, Elektra, which was released in 2005. Also in 2005, an R-rated director's cut of the film was released, incorporating approximately thirty minutes back into the film, including an entire sub-plot involving a character played by Coolio.

Source : Wikipedia

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Amazing Spider-Man trailer

Amazing Spider-Man trailer- The Dark Knight Rises teaser poster and trailer were debuting this week and now that same source is telling us that the first trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man will hit theaters next week with select prints of Captain America: The First Avenger. We're hearing that the trailer is a full 2 minutes and 26 seconds ...

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Cars We Wish Were Transformers

 In terms of movies made for gearheads, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" isn't exactly filled with motorized magnetism. I mean, of course, they're exciting: These are cars that transform into robots, and some damn cool cars at that (Optimus Prime is a Blue Peterbilt 379 truck; Bumblebee is a fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro; Sideswipe is a Chevrolet Corvette Stingray turned convertible), but in terms of the real, adult world, these aren't cars one daydreams about, the kind of cars that will solve your midlife crisis (unless you're suffering one at the age of 12, which is entirely possible these days). These aren't the dream movie cars of our youth, the ones WE wanted to drive so we could magically transform into Steve McQueen, Vin Diesel or Sean Connery and not ... Shia LaBeouf. Or, you know, a freaking robot -- unless that robot is Jason Statham. So, with that in mind, here are five cool, tricked-out movie cars we'd like to have seen added to "Transformers." You know there will be a fourth, so come on, Mr. Bay, think about these supercharged suggestions.
1964 Aston Martin DB5
Seen in: "Goldfinger" (1964)

The Batmobile
Seen in: "Batman: The Movie" (1966)

Eleanor
Seen in: "Gone in 60 Seconds" (1974)

1967 Pontiac GTO
Seen in: "xXx" (2002)

The Audi A8
Seen in: "The Transporter 3" (2008)

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2011 Summer Geek-Out

2011 Summer Geek-Out
It's geek season at the movies again as we take a look at this summer's crop of superheroes, monsters, magic and more superheroes
The summer movie season is upon us, which means that prime moviegoing time for geeks is also here. Summer is when the studios roll out their so-called tentpole and franchise flicks, and these days that pretty much means comic book adaptations, sci-fi spectaculars, action thrill rides and the occasional horror epic. While not all of these will of course reach or even exceed expectations, it's us -- the frontline of genre fans -- who will be out there on opening weekend looking to satisfy our endless thirst for cinematic flights of wonder, awe and imagination.

 'Thor' (May 6)

 'Priest' (May 13)

 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (May 20)

 'X-Men: First Class' (June 3)

 'Super 8' (June 10)

 'Green Lantern' (June 17)

 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' (July 1)

 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' (July 15)

 'Captain America: The First Avenger' (July 22)

 'Cowboys & Aliens' (July 29)

 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' (Aug. 5)

 'Fright Night' (Aug. 19)

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Ranking Pixar Movies From Good to Great

Ranking Pixar

Ranking Pixar movies is like deciding which oyster is the tastiest. Or if you're not into shellfish, which tropical vacation spot has the best sand. All 11 of the animation house's feature films the 12th, "Cars 2," arrives in theaters June 24 are very good. Most of them are fantastic. The "Toy Story" trilogy is the "Godfather" of animation -- without any weaknesses. Still, as the Emeryville, Calif.-based creative giant celebrates its 25th anniversary in business in 2011, we decided to attempt a ranking. Would the old adage about getting better with age apply? Was there an adolescent slump? Does "A Bug's Life" have a shot at the gold? Read on, and remember, being at the bottom of this list is not an insult. Just as something has to be seventh on the list of Seven Wonders of the World, something has to be the least wonderful Pixar movie.

"Cars" (2006)

This homage to life on Route 66 is as good as any movie featuring inanimate, man-made objects talking, tipping over tractors and falling in love could possibly be. It's also a movie featuring inanimate, man-made objects talking, tripping over tractors and falling in love, and there we have its limitation. But it works -- it absolutely works -- I can't deny it. The fact that giving voice to gruff vintage racecar Doc Hudson was Paul Newman's last film role gives "Cars" a special je ne sais quoi, but something had to be last on this list. There's an element of crassness about "Cars" that sets it apart from the other Pixar films. It's funny and smart, but it's also cutsie and a wee bit boastful (see the way we make these cars seem like people, raising their "eyebrows") and, dare I say, commercial? Am I biased because I spent most of 2007 searching for lost or misplaced Lightning McQueen die-cast metal cars, which come in dark red, bright red and bright red with -- wait for it -- bugs in teeth? Yes. That's what happens when merchandising takes over.

"The Incredibles" (2004)

 The premise -- superheroes are thwarted by our ultra-litigious society, defrocked and forced into hiding in the suburbs -- is such genius that I kind of lost my taste for all other flicks featuring superheroes with angst. Nothing seemed quite as smart or fresh. Yet I was hard on "The Incredibles" when I first saw it back in the fall of 2004, which is to say, I gave it, you know, a B or something. I thought its explosive beginning (and end) was too violent, too standard-fare action flick, especially in comparison to the fluid beauty of "Nemo" and the cuddle factor of "Monsters, Inc." Figuring that having a 6-month-old baby at home when this came out might have made me hypersensitive. I just rewatched "The Incredibles," thinking my sensitivities might now be dulled by lack of sleep and years of viewing children's entertainment. And it is still too violent, better for grown-up nerds than little kids. But the pleasure of the company of Edna "E" Mode (voiced by director multitasking writer-director Brad Bird) and the whole Parr family is undeniable.

"A Bug's Life" (1998)

Pixar's second feature has a tendency to get forgotten, maybe because it's such an offbeat underdog story. A colony of ants, long held in virtual slavery by a crew of bullying grasshoppers, inadvertently get roped into staging a cautious rebellion. The ants are a little too traditionally cute, but all that preciousness is neatly offset by a troupe of jaded performing circus bugs, hired to help defeat the grasshoppers. There's something very old-fashioned, very Andy Rooney and Judy Garland, about "A Bug's Life"; it's basically a war waged by putting on a show. Brilliantly concise, it is filled with hints of all the greatness to come (keep an eye on that single-minded bug-hungry bird, clearly the forefather to "Nemo"'s seagulls ("mine") and "Up"'s Dug ("squirrel"), but it's a small gem.

"Toy Story 2" (1999)

Woody lands in the clutches of a sweaty, salivating man-boy toy collector who plans to sell him and his matched-set Wild West colleagues to a Japanese museum. After being rescued by Woody in the first movie, Buzz now needs to rescue the sheriff. So maybe it's not wildly original to have them essentially swap roles, but the material still feels fresh. The toy collector is a perfectly rendered obsessive. And then there is Jessie the Cowgirl. Her pain and suffering over being left in a box for donation by the girl who once loved her is so compelling it is no wonder the screenwriters returned to explore toy abandonment issues more thoroughly in "Toy Story 3" a full decade later. So, am I being arbitrary? Why score this sequel lower than the other two in the trilogy? It's almost as awesome as the original "Toy Story." But it came second, and it can't measure up to the emotional depth of the third movie, so here it sits at No. 8. See, this ranking business isn't easy.

"Monsters, Inc." (2004)

The premise validates children while emboldening and liberating them. Scared of the dark? Convinced there are monsters in the closet? There absolutely are: big hairy purple ones, even. But they're not there to cause harm; they're just collecting the shrieking energy of boys and girls in order to supply energy for an alt-universe for Monsters. And the truth is, they are terrified of children, too. The construction is beautiful, the voice work by Billy Crystal and John Goodman is superb, so why not higher on the list? Unlike most Pixar movies, this one seems to have less longevity on the playlist. Maybe because of all those pastels and furry creatures, it skews more to toddlers. In my household it was on nonstop for about a month in the age 4 range, and now it's been years since I've had a request for it. Nor have I felt the urge to watch it: It feels like a wonderful lesson learned and now passed. That said, am I excited for "Monsters University" in two years? Completely.

"Finding Nemo" (2003)

Go to an aquarium, any well-stocked aquarium, in the world. Stand next to the tank with clown fish in it. Wait 30 seconds. A child will crow "Nemo!" or "Marlin" in great delight. Guaranteed. And I bet that will continue happening as long as there are DVD players, children and aquariums. My 7-year-old inexplicably has "Nemo" dead last in his Pixar rankings. Haven't I educated him properly? There are three main reasons why "Nemo" can't be anywhere near the bottom of this list. First, the combination of grumpy Albert Brooks and gently idiotic Ellen DeGeneres is so deliciously "Odd Couple." Then there are those lush underwater sequences, generated by artists who did their ocean research; "Nemo" marks the beginning of Pixar's special brand of visual lyricism. Finally, other than the howling fit I threw at Bambi as a child, "Nemo" was the first animated movie that made me cry, and not in a mommy's-dead-because-of-the-mean-hunter kind of way, but in a happy, isn't-familial-love-and-devotion-great kind of way. A beauty, visually and emotionally.

"Toy Story" (1995)

The first Pixar full-length feature is still in the top five. It's really "The Velveteen Rabbit" of movies. There is a beautiful simplicity in its conception: Children believe that all their toys, whether favored or left at the bottom of the toy chest, have feelings, personalities and real interactions, and Pixar makes it so. The central conflict, between a toy that is tried and true (Woody) and one that is new and glitzy (Buzz Lightyear, who also happens to be plastic) is classic and timeless in nature, but also provocative. It makes kids think, about what they love and how they love it. I didn't see it until I had a kid (with a title like that, childless me assumed I was above it) and it made me think. As Hollywood's first entirely computer-generated animated film, "Toy Story" was a technological marvel, but it was also an emotional marvel, setting the tone for Pixar's special brand: childlike wonder writ large.

"Up" (2009)  

Here's the surprise for me. I thought I'd be rearranging the top three on this list for days, and that "Up," with its fantasy of a flying house with a sad (let's face it, suicidal) old man locked inside it would be one of those top three. It's that "Married Life" infertility sequence that gets me every time -- the most soulful and stirring four minutes in Pixar's history. The fact that there are filmmakers both sensitive enough to come up with this material and daring enough to include it in this "kids" movie still shocks me. (And the Pixarians knew what they had; I've been told that was the only sequence that essentially stayed the same throughout the creative process.) But I took points off for the slightly backward energy of the narrative. The dramatic climax of the conflict between Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer) and Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner) never resonated at the same level that the flashback story of Carl and Ellie did.

"Ratatouille" (2007)

This is the movie that convinced me the Pixarians can do anything. They put rats and food together and no one wanted to vomit. Amazing, non? And we're not talking about a cute Mickey Mouse rodent; Remy is a full-on rat who sups, albeit reluctantly, on garbage. But he dreams big -- he wants to be a chef -- and against all odds, it happens. The pointed inspirational message is, don't be held back by where you come from, even if it's a sewer. I like that -- it's very Pixar -- but I love the kitchen slapstick, the sweetness of kindly loser Linguini, the tart edge of his love interest Colette the supercilious food critic and the faith in flavors as having the power to transport even the biggest curmudgeon back to a time when his mother was there to care for him.

"Toy Story 3" (2010)  

I felt I knew Buzz and Woody plenty well enough already. I step on one of them at least once a week. Whatever they got up to in the third installment of the franchise would be fun, I assumed. Good clean fun. But there I was, tears pouring down my face as the toys headed for that incinerator. Going, going -- are they really going to do it? Is Pixar going to throw this wildly popular posse of toys into the flames? They're bold, after all. And I was ready to trust them, to believe that Woody burned to a crisp would somehow serve the franchise right. But the plan was to take us to the brink and then back to a kinder place, wrapping this whole saga in bittersweet truths about moving forward while passing the good things on to others. Does that sound saccharine? If it does, just take a look at scary, funny amazing Big Baby, the creepiest character of the year.

"WALL-E" (2008)

No, that honor has to go to Pixar's masterpiece. The Pixar filmmakers often seem to be on a mission to remind us that life is beautiful. But in this futuristic depiction of a trash-littered, storm-scorched toxic earth, life is all but gone, except for a cockroach and a sapling. Life has been unsustainable on earth for 700 years; we're centuries past the misery of Cormac McCarthy's "The Road." The only beauty lies in the eye of the mechanical beholder, the charming robot WALL-E. The universe does contain some humans, hideously bloated and floating around in the Love Boat of the sky. Talk about a clear message: We humans, with our whole Buy and Large culture, are destroying the earth. Now, you want some corn syrup-laden Froot Loops while you watch that DVD, honey? A love story involving inanimate objects and an ode to the environment that's too funny and sweet to be sanctimonious, this radical movie is Pixar's best. But you know, the filmmakers there always have something new in the pipeline.  

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