Director: John Lasseter
Starring: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Rodger Bumpass, George Carlin
Genre: Animation
Studio: Walt Disney Video   Theatrical: 2006   Rated: G
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: There's an extra coat of hot wax on Pixar's vibrant, NASCAR-influenced comedy about a world populated entirely by cars. Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is the slick rookie taking the Piston Cup series by storm when the last race of the season (the film's high-octane opening) ends in a three-way tie. On the way to the tie-breaker race in California, Lightning loses his way off Route 66 in the Southwest desert and is taught to stop and smell the roses by the forgotten citizens of Radiator Springs. It's odd to have such a slim story from the whizzes of Pixar, and the film pales a bit from their other films (though can that be a fair comparison?). Nonetheless, "Cars" is another gleaming ride with Pixar founder John Lasseter, who's directing for the first time since "Toy Story 2". There's the usual spectrum of excellent characters teamed with appropriate voice talent, loads of smooth humor for kids and parents alike, knockout visuals, and a colorful array of sidekicks, including a scene-stealing baby blue forklift named Guido. Lightning's plight is changed with the help of former big-city lawyer Sally Carrera (Pixar veteran Bonnie Hunt), the town's patriarch Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and kooky tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy). "The Incredibles" was the first Pixar film to break the 100-minute barrier, but had enough story not to suffer; "Cars", at 116 minutes (including some must-see end credit footage), is not as fortunate, plus it never pierces the heart. Trivia fans should have bonanza with the frame-by-frame DVD function; the movie is stuffed with in-jokes, some appearing only for an instant. Ages 5 and up. "--Doug Thomas"

Director: Steve Socki, Frank Marino (II)
Starring: Kath Soucie, Jeff Bennett, Bob Bergen, Grey DeLisle, William H. Macy
Genre: Animation
Studio: Universal Studios   Theatrical: 2006   Rated: NR
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: Winter, spring, summer, fall, Curious George explores it all! Join the world's most curious monkey for year-round laughter with 8 more adventures from his Daytime Emmy®-nominated PBS KIDS® TV Series narrated by Primetime Emmy® Award winner William H. Macy. Whether he's playing in the winter snow or building a boat for a summer race, Curious George makes every season fun in Curious George Plays in the Snow and Other Awesome Activities!

Director: John Lasseter
Starring: John Lasseter, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
Genre: Animation
Studio: Disney/Pixar   Theatrical: 1999   Rated: G
Languages (Country): English, French ()
Summary: "Toy Story"
There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces--we smile at the spell it puts us into and are refreshed, and nary a word needs to be spoken. This kind of entertainment is what they used to call "movie magic," and there is loads of it in this irresistible computer animation feature. Just a picture of these bright toys on the cover of "Toy Story" looks intriguing, reawakening the kid in us. Filmmaker John Lasseter's shorts (namely "Knickknack" and "Tin Toy", which can be found on the Pixar video "Tiny Toy Stories") illustrate not only a technical brilliance but also a great sense of humor--one in which the pun is always intended. Lasseter thinks of himself as a storyteller first and an animator second, much like another film innovator, Walt Disney.
Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favorite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, "Toy Story" is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar for "the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. "--Doug Thomas"
"Toy Story 2"
John Lasseter and his gang of high-tech creators at Pixar create another entertainment for the ages. Like the few great movie sequels, "Toy Story 2" comments on why the first one was so wonderful while finding a fresh angle worthy of a new film. The craze of toy collecting becomes the focus here, as we find out Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is not only a beloved toy to Andy but also a rare doll from a popular '60s children's show. When a greedy collector takes Woody, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) launches a rescue mission with Andy's other toys. To say more would be a crime because this is one of the most creative and smile-inducing films since, well, the first "Toy Story".
Although the toys look the same as in the 1994 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes, and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus living forever. "Toy Story 2" also achieved something in the U.S. two other outstanding 1999 animated features ("The Iron Giant", "Princess Mononoke") could not: it became a huge box-office hit. "--Doug Thomas"