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.  We must know our past to move on into the future, so I believe it is necessary and important to educate today’s children about the Holocaust so that similar tragedies will not happen in the future.

4.5 Starfish out of 5

What would the young Alice from Alice in Wonderland be like… 13 years later?  Faced with the challenges and issues of adult life, will she have time to retreat into the fantasy world of Wonderland?

Tim Burton’s new film adds a unique twist to the classic story.  It is about love, courage, sacrifice, dreams, and reality.  The June 2, 2010 release of the triple DVD set includes blu-ray, regular DVD and a digital DVD for the computer.  It is a real treat!

3.5 Starfish out of 5

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).  Dey directed “Shanghai Noon” and “Failure to Launch.”  I asked Dey why he chose Marmaduke from the cartoon to make a movie.  “That’s a good question,” said Dey, “I love the character of Marmaduke.  That’s what I look for when thinking about my next film.  I want to find a character that I will want to spend a year and half of my life working with.  This is a great script and a great story.” I give Marmaduke 3.5 starfish.  It is packed with humor, romance, and action. 

3.5 Starfish out of 5

What if you signed a contract that was supposed to make all your dreams come true, but found out that it was a dreadful trick?

Everyone’s favorite green ogre Shrek finds himself in a huge dilemma in this DreamWork’s 4th and final Shrek movie, opening TODAY (May 21, 2010).

Everyone loves Shrek and I can see why.  There is drama, action, and comedy packed into an hour and half long film, that it seems to leave little room for flaws.  But the flaws are major ones in my view.

How to Train Your Dragon Chinese movie poster.

Chinese film industry observers expect that How to Train Your Dragon’s opening will kick IMAX movie viewing into high gear.  There are only 20 some IMAX theatres in the entire country of China.  A Chinese company announced recently that it will partner with IMAX to build 20 IMAX movie theatres in the next few years in China to meet the future demand.

From the advanced press reviews from China, and response from the first day of “How to Train Your Dragon” screening in China, the critics and audience absolutely LOVED this movie (remember in China it’s 15 hours ahead of our time here in California)!  My mom showed me the Chinese websites.  Critics and moviegoers alike raved about the amazing “true 3-D” effects in the Hiccup/Toothless flying scenes (many thought “Dragon” is as great as “Avatar” in 3-D visual effects, much better than other movies with 2D to 3D conversion).

4.5 Starfish our of 5

Do you know the name of the world’s most visually stunning book?  It is illuminated, called The Book of Kells.  It was produced in the early 8^th century in Scotland.  The book of Kells went on a long and arduous journey, somehow made its way to Trinity College in Dublin, where it resides today.  The rest in Real history!

The Oscar-nominated animation “The Secret of Kells” is a story about a young orphaned boy Brendan, who lives in the Abby of Kells, under siege of the raiding Vikings.  Brendan’s only family is his strict uncle, the powerful Abbott Cellach of Kells.  Although the Abbott loves his nephew, he doesn’t have the right way.

“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. 

Ten-year-old Perry Chen of San Diego is making a name for himself as a film critic. Check out his interview with NPR's Liane Hansen as they discuss the latest DreamWorks film, How To Train Your Dragon as well as his KUSI San Diego TV interview/review.

4.5 Starfish out of 5

“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.”