Hot Coffee (1:34) 2011

Many of us remember the newspaper article about the woman who sued McDonald's after she spilled a cup of coffee she was holding between her legs. The jury awarded her over 2.7 dollars in damages. Popular thinking was she won a frivolous lawsuit. Hot Coffee reveals that the coffee she was drinking had a temperature of 170 degrees, a water temperature which causes third degree burns. The documentary also reveals that she was one of seven hundred who filed claims against McDonald's for burns received from the excess water temperature. Hot Coffee continues with an examination of tortes and torte reform. While some of the dialogue is rather technical, this is an excellent look at our legal system with regards to ordinary people trying to receive compensation for injuries.

Toy Story: Small Fry (0:07) 2011

Buzz Lightyear and Woody are back in this animated short shown with The Muppets. Buzz is a miniature toy given with kids meals at the local poultry fast food restaurant. The mini Buzz escapes from the display case and jumps in the little girl's backpack. The original Buzz gets dropped in a playscape filled with balls and is left behind. The mini Buzz goes home and tries to pass himself as the real Buzz. But the gang has their doubts.
This is a seven minute gem!

The Muppets (1:42) 2011

Walter, a muppet at heart, travels to Los Angeles to tour the Muppet Studios. Walter, his brother Gary, and Mary, Gary's teacher girlfriend arrive at the studio to find the studio has been abandoned. Walter overhears plans for the Studio to be purchased by a wealthy oilman who will raze the buildings and drill for oil. Walter, Gary and Mary decide to find Kermit, who has dropped out of sight, to urge him to gather the gang together and put on a telethon. Kermit travels around the country to enlist Fozzie, Animal, the Swedish Chef, and yes, Miss Piggy to come back to perform in the fundraiser. Can they save the studio? This is a super fun movie with lots of singing. dancing and humor. It was great to see all the familiar characters. The Muppets is a fantastic movie for the entire family. This is a definite must see.

Bobby Fischer Against the World (1:33) 2010

Bobby Fischer was a child chess prodigy and  the US Chess champion at age fifteen. In order to become the world champion, Fischer needed to play Boris Spassky of Russia. The twenty four game tournament took place in Iceland in 1972. Fischer did beat Spassky and became world champion at age twenty-nine. Then Fischer realized he now had no goals, no childhood and began to show signs of mental illness. He becomes more and more isolated and disappears from the spotlight and for awhile becomes a man without a country. Years later, he emerges from obscurity  to challenge Spassky to a rematch.  This documentary is a fascinating look at the rise and fall of a chess legend.

Wrangler (1:34) 1988

Set in Australia at the beginning of the twentieth century, Alice is battling to keep her father's horse ranch. After her father's death, Alice learns that the ranch is badly in debt and she has lost the mortgage. Fortunately, the holder of the deed is a wealthy American businessman Ben Creed who is romantically interested in Alice. Unfortunately, Creed loses everything in an explosion including the deed. There is only one chance to prevent the ranch falling into the hands of the local villain - a drover named Jack who is also fond of Alice and Creed's rival. Does this romantic triangle save the ranch? Australian movies are my absolute favorites but this one just didn't cut the mustard for me. Does anyone know if this was a made for Australian television?

Happy Feet Two (1:39) 2011

Mumbles and Gloria are back in this sequel to Happy Feet. Their young son is not much of a dancer. Erik has another focus - he wants to fly. Erik is inspired by Sven, the leader of the Adeles. What Erik doesn't realize is Sven is really a puffin. As Erik and his buddies return home with Mumbles, they discover that an ice shelf has collapsed and their colony is trapped with no access to the sea. Faced with seeing their entire colony including Gloria starve to death, Mumbles and Erik enlist some help from their animal buddies living in Antarctica. The big rescue attempt has the animals dancing to Queen's Under Pressure. Happy Feet Two follows the tradition of sequels not be of the same quality of their original. However, it is very lively and very likable family movie. The panoramic view of  Antarctica and the undersea shots of the krill colony is absolutely gorgeous. Both my daughter and I enjoyed the movie and I recommend it to families looking for an enjoyable afternoon at the movies.

The Tree of Life (2:18) 2011

The Tree of Life is a beautifully filmed nature movie. For that one aspect, I regret missing it on the big screen. The soundtrack greatly adds to the movie going experience.  And that is where all the positive remarks stop. Brad Pitt plays a father of three young sons in the 1950s Waco, Texas. He loves his boys and provides well for them but he is a flawed man. As the boys become preteens, Jack treats them in a harsh manner, at times. The movie jumps from past to present throughout. Sean Penn plays the eldest son but his role is limited to walking on the beach and in the desert. I just didn't understand this film! But I still love Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.