Perry's Previews – Insights from a Child Film Critic: Most Read Posts

Movie Review & Press Junket Interview: How to Train Your Dragon

pchen — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:02:20 -0700

“How to Train Your Dragons” is an epic tale packed with adventure, action, humor, stunning 3D visuals and beautiful music. I give it 4.5 starfish, it is as good as Up! It is a film that I think every child and parent will love to experience. The movie is about friendship, connection, redemption, and the hidden power of “being different.”

The Holocaust Through the Eyes of a Child - Animated by a Child

pchen — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:03:45 -0700

Ingrid Pitt: Beyond the Forest, an animated short, is about Ms. Ingrid Pitt, a young Jewish girl and Holocaust survivor. When she was 8 years old, Ms. Pitt miraculously escaped the Stutthof concentration camp with her mother, surviving in the forest until the end of the War. I have the great honor to be invited by Beyond the Forest director and producer Mr. Kevin Sean Michaels and two-time Academy Award nominee Mr. Bill Plympton to be the sole animator for this film.

How to Train Your Dragon Opens to Critical Acclaim in China

pchen — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:01:23 -0700

Chinese film industry observers expect that How to Train Your Dragon’s opening will kick IMAX movie viewing into high gear. From the advanced press reviews from China, and response from the first day of screenings in China, the critics and audience absolutely LOVED this movie.

Perry’s Previews Best Animation Oscar Nomination Prediction: Toys & Dragon Get Tangled

pchen — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:58:57 -0800

Of the 15 animation features fighting for the three precious spots for best animation Oscar feature, I predict my own top animation picks which all received 4.5 starfish: Toy Story 3 (Pixar/Disney) , How to Train Your Dragon (DreamWorks), and Tangled (Disney) will be chosen tomorrow (Jan 25, 2011) when Oscar nominations are revealed.

Review: Kung Fu Panda 2 – Po Finding Inner Peace & CNN Interview

pchen — Fri, 27 May 2011 07:41:14 -0700

Have you ever wondered why Po, the main character in the original Kung Fu Panda, and prophesied Dragon Warrior and protector of China had a father that was a goose? Well, in this hilarious action-packed sequel to Kung Fu Panda, you will definitely find out! Po discovers his origins in the new film while on a mission to save kung fu.

Movie Review & Director Interview – The Secret of Kells

pchen — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 06:34:17 -0700

“The Secret of Kells” is an “illuminating” tale about friendship, wisdom, overcoming fear, and discovering your own creativity. It has splendid visual, haunting music, and amazing storyline built upon historical facts.

Perry’s Previews Rango – Even Johnny Depp Can’t Save This Film

pchen — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:26:56 -0800

This film is BAD! Johnny Depp tried his best, but his character is simply not very well developed. Also, a lot like what Roger Ebert wrote on “The Green Hornet,” there is too much senseless violence that adds little to the plot.

Movie Review & Red Carpet Interviews: Marmaduke

pchen — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:38:00 -0700

I was invited to the red carpet premiere of MARMADUKE at the annual surf dog beach party held at San Diego’s Imperial Beach on May 22, 2010, and interviewed director Tom Dey and voice talents Owen Wilson (Marmaduke) and George Lopez (Carlos the cat). I give Marmaduke 3.5 starfish. It is packed with humor, romance, and action.

Movie Review: Alpha and Omega

pchen — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:39:14 -0700

Have you ever fallen in love with someone you know you couldn’t have? Just ask Humphrey. In Lion Gate’s new 3-D animation “Alpha and Omega,” Humphrey is a lowly Omega wolf in his pack, and he falls in love with Kate, the stunning and skilled Alpha female of the pack...

Movie Review: The Illusionist – Prepare to be Amazed!

pchen — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:09:25 -0800

Do you believe in magic? Do you remember how you felt when you saw a magic trick for the first time? Have you ever wondered what a magician’s life is really like? That is the story behind The Illusionist, a rapturously animated feature film by French animation director Sylvain Chomet about the languishing art of amusement, recently nominated for an Oscar.