Perry Chen at Cars 2 press screening (photo by Zhu Shen).

In this sequel to Cars, after winning the Piston Cup, Lightening McQueen, professional racecar champion, invites his best friend Mater (a rusty tow truck who tries to be funny but ends up looking dumb) to help him in winning the World Grand Prix.  Along the way, Mater gets himself into tons of trouble and makes Lightening McQueen lose his first race.  Lightening McQueen gets into a fight with Mater and tells Mater he is no longer needed.  Mater is on the slow side, and doesn’t realize that he is mistaken for a secret agent by the enemy and the British intelligence.

Animators Ansar Sattar, Alta Berri, Grey Wears & Perry Chen at NMFF premiere.

How was it like to meet “virtual” collaborators on the award-winning animation short “Guard Dog Global Jam” for the first time at the film’s Los Angeles premiere?  Exciting and “Perrific!”  On May 20, 2011, seven animators from the film came to the New Media Film Festival to watch the film open the festival to an enthusiastic crowd who cheered and laughed during the screening.  The animators are: Ansar Sattar, Alta Berri, Grey Wears, Jessica Bayliss, Larry Loc, Linda Lee, and Perry Chen.  Immediately following the screening, the animators were invited on stage by festival director Susan Johnston for a lively Q&A with moderator Jeanette DePatie.  They remarked on how exciting it was to see such a variety of styles and to see the project take shape.

4 Starfish out of 5.

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.

Guard Dog Global Jam Scene 41 Drawing - by Perry S. Chen (bull thinks of hamburger)

5th-grade award-winning film critic, animator, entertainment personality Perry Chen is the youngest of 75 animators who created “Guard Dog Global Jam,” which will have its Los Angeles Premiere at the New Media Film Festival on May 20, 2011 in Hollywood.  Perry Chen will attend the red carpet premiere and audience Q&A on May 20 as the film opens the festival.  “Guard Dog Global Jam” is based on Bill Plympton’s Oscar-nominated “Guard Dog.” It won “Best Experimental Film” at the ASIFA-EAST Animation Festival in May 2011.  Other animators who plan to attend the May 20 LA premiere include: Grey Wears, Una Marzorati, Jessica Bayliss, Linda Lee, Ansar Sattar & Larry Loc.

4 Starfish out of 5.

What a relief after four months of mediocre animations to finally have a great animated film! “Rio” is a superb film with rich characters, dazzling visuals, lively music, great humor, and an interesting story with many twists and turns in the plot. The film is created by the same team that made The Ice Age, and opened nationwide on April 15, 2011, rated G.

2 1/2 Starfish out of 5

This Disney new 3D animation release opening TODAY (March 11, 2011) is mediocre at best.  The storyline about a young boy who went up to Mars to save his mom who was kidnapped by Martians is weak and not believable.  The character Gribble (stranded boy who grew up to be an adult on Mars) is not credible or well developed.  The visual is not that impressive either.

2 1/2 Starfish out of 5

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.

Four and a half Starfish out of 5!

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.

Amazing Kids! ® (www.amazing-kids.org) and Perry’s Previews ^TM (www.perryspreviews.com) announced that entries are now being accepted for their first-ever “Amazing Kids!’ Perrific Oscar^® Picks!” Contest. Amazing Kids! and Perry’s Previews are challenging kids and teens worldwide, ages 6-17, to predict the Oscar^® winner for Best Animated Feature of 2010 for the upcoming 83^rd Academy Awards® and make their voice heard.  Contestants are asked to name which of the top 3 Oscar^®-nominated feature animation films, How to Train Your Dragon (DreamWorks Animation), Toy Story 3 (Disney/Pixar), and The Illusionist (Sony Pictures Classics), they predict will win at the Academy Awards ceremony on February 27, 2011.  Contestants have the option of submitting the reason for their pick in 50 words or less on the contest site.