Kung Fu Panda 3 is a solid film for both children and adults, but mostly children. It’s the story of Po (Jack Black), the greatest warrior in the ultimate search for who he really is.

Release Date: January 29, 2016
Writer: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Director: Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh
Cast: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu

After two full-length features and a television show, Dragon Warrior Po (Jack Black) is the hero and guardian of China and specifically, the Jade Palace. Po’s greatness has progressed to the point that his Master, Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) has made Po the new Master of the Jade Palace. Po does not feel he is ready to be the new master, let along the new teacher of warriors. He quickly fails at training his crew: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross).

Meanwhile, in the spirit realm, a new threat is brewing. The evil Kai (J.K. Simmons) is collecting the “chi” of all the great kung fu masters. Set on vengeance against his one-time friend and greatest warrior, Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), Kai has the power to steal of chi of any living being and turn them into Jade monsters. His ultimate goal is to return to the mortal world and steal the chi of the last great warrior, Po.

Back in the mortal realm, a mysterious stranger arrives, and it turns out to be Po’s father, Li (Bryan Cranston). Thinking he was the last of the pandas, Po returns to the Panda villiage with his father, Li hoping there he can learn the power of chi and save his friends and all of China. Po returns to learn the slow and lazy life of his panda ancestry. In the meantime, the rest of China is slowly being overrun by Kai and his ever growing jade warriors.

Can Po learn the lesson of chi from his fellow pandas? Can he become strong enough to defeat the powerful Kai? Can Po learn who he is and become a great teacher?

Kung Fu Panda 3 is a solid story for children and adults. Kids will love the numerous battle scenes, and adults will admire the beautiful landscape and artistry of its Chinese origins. Jack Black continues to bring his likable persona to Po, and Dustin Hoffman shines again as the wise teacher Shifu. Best of all, the ultimate lesson of being the best you, you can be, is not lost on the young audience.

Also shining is veteran Asian actor James Hong as Po’s adopted father, Mr. Ping. He more than matches the wit and humor of Po as the father, who is about to lose his son to his real father. The Chinese culture also shines throughout the movie. Already noted are its beautiful landscape, food, and artistic dream sequences.

It’s hard to find good films for children during the winter period. Kung Fu Panda 3 is a great moment to get out of the rain and laugh with the little one. There was a lot of laughter in Kung Fu Panda 3.

7 out of 10

In 2003, Finding Nemo captured the hearts of young and old alike. So Pixar jumped on the opportunity to capitalize on a sequel. Thirteen years later, Finding Dory continues a year from the events of Finding Nemo.

Release Date: June 17, 2016
Writer: Victoria Strouse, Andrew Stanton
Director: Andrew Stanton
Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton, Ty Burrell, Ed O’Neil, Kaitlin Olson

Fans of Finding Nemo, know that Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) suffers from short-term memory loss. Now that she has found a new home and new family with Marlin (Albert Brooks) and his son, Nemo (Hayden Rolence), Dory is starting to remember things. Specifically, she’s remembering her parents (Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton) and the moments she separated from them.

Dory quickly convinces Marlin and Nemo to help her find her parents by traveling from Australia to Morro Bay, California to a marine life rehabilitation center. Dory is aided in her search by Hank (Ed O’Neil) the Octopus, old friend Destiny (Kaitlin Olson) and Bailey (Ty Burrell), the beluga whale.

Like the original, Finding Dory takes the idea of children and friends being lost/separated and tells it in a fresh way. As a parent, stories of losing children is a scary prospect and made the story of young Dory hard to watch without thinking of my own child. But this is what Pixar does best. They tell an exciting story with high stakes and then proceed to jerk you around emotionally. Here’s a little cute fish and her loving parents and an incredible amount of foreshadowing that this fish is going to be lost for a long time.

The other thing that Pixar does well is the sucker punch. No plan is ever as easy as it sounds. All routes that appear to solve the problem is quickly shut down. Ultimately, this becomes the theme of the movie. Dory is the only character in the film, that is oblivious to the problems and easy solutions around her. Yet, she is the one who manages to solve all the problems.

Pixar just manages to push out great film after great film, and Finding Dory deserves its spot on the shelf. Although it will probably sit in the middle of the pack, it is a fun movie, touching story and another repeat-viewing candidate for you and you children.

7 out of 10 stars

In 2003, Finding Nemo captured the hearts of young and old alike. So Pixar jumped on the opportunity to capitalize on a sequel. Thirteen years later, Finding Dory continues a year from the events of Finding Nemo.

Release Date: June 17, 2016
Writer: Victoria Strouse, Andrew Stanton
Director: Andrew Stanton
Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton, Ty Burrell, Ed O’Neil, Kaitlin Olson

Fans of Finding Nemo, know that Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) suffers from short-term memory loss. Now that she has found a new home and new family with Marlin (Albert Brooks) and his son, Nemo (Hayden Rolence), Dory is starting to remember things. Specifically, she’s remembering her parents (Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton) and the moments she separated from them.

Dory quickly convinces Marlin and Nemo to help her find her parents by traveling from Australia to Morro Bay, California to a marine life rehabilitation center. Dory is aided in her search by Hank (Ed O’Neil) the Octopus, old friend Destiny (Kaitlin Olson) and Bailey (Ty Burrell), the beluga whale.

Like the original, Finding Dory takes the idea of children and friends being lost/separated and tells it in a fresh way. As a parent, stories of losing children is a scary prospect and made the story of young Dory hard to watch without thinking of my own child. But this is what Pixar does best. They tell an exciting story with high stakes and then proceed to jerk you around emotionally. Here’s a little cute fish and her loving parents and an incredible amount of foreshadowing that this fish is going to be lost for a long time.

The other thing that Pixar does well is the sucker punch. No plan is ever as easy as it sounds. All routes that appear to solve the problem is quickly shut down. Ultimately, this becomes the theme of the movie. Dory is the only character in the film, that is oblivious to the problems and easy solutions around her. Yet, she is the one who manages to solve all the problems.

Pixar just manages to push out great film after great film, and Finding Dory deserves its spot on the shelf. Although it will probably sit in the middle of the pack, it is a fun movie, touching story and another repeat-viewing candidate for you and your children.

7 out of 10 stars

Ghostbusters returned in a brand new reboot. Yes, it features a new timeline, new reality and new cast.

Release Date: July 15, 2016
Writer: Paul Feig
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Kristin Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, Chris Hemsworth

Erin Gilbert (Kristin Wiig) is a university professor of physics looking to obtain tenure at her job. Her problem is in the past she wrote a book with her childhood friend, Abby Yates (Melissa McCarthy) proving the physics around the paranormal. Basically, she proved through science that ghosts exist. Abby recently published that book and now Erin’s job is on the line.

Meanwhile, New York is experiencing an increased level of paranormal activity. Someone is place devices throughout the city that amplifies that manifestation of such ghosts. Abby with her partner, Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon), convince Erin to investigate the occurrence at a local historical landmark. Then again in a subway tunnel, where they meet Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones). This is the origin story of the new Ghostbusters.

The original Ghostbusters was never really a movie about guys who battle ghosts. It was an ensemble piece featuring Harold Ramis, Dan Ackroyd and Bill Murray. The purpose of the movie was to put these guys together and make a funny movie.

The new Ghostbusters is exactly the same thing. Bring together the talents of Kristin Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones and make a funny movie. The cast is perfect and well balanced. Wiig and McCarthy are the anchors to the team and together are a modern-day female Laurel and Hardy. Wiig playing the straight person and McCarthy walking the two into trouble.

Fans of Saturday Night Live will love the performances of McKinnon and Jones. Kate McKinnon has some brilliant moments on screen, especially at the end. Leslie Jones bring much-needed energy to the ensemble and plays the perfect contrast in attitude for the ensemble.

The story is fine. Paul Feig always manages to string together a solid story and the acting makes up for any perceived weaknesses in plot and science talk. The ending is a little problematic as all the little fantastic moments throughout the film lead up to a less than spectacular ending. What I’m saying is the small fight scenes with the ghost are exciting and fun to watch and it leads to a climax that does not match the events leading to it.

Feig manages to pay homage to the original Ghostbusters. The surviving members (sans Rick Moranis) make cameos throughout the film. Bill Murray manages to slip in the film with a character that moves the plot along. Feig also likes to throw a few curveballs at moments you would expect an obvious reference to the past. He’s real good at that.

But I laughed and that’s the job of comedies. Make me laugh and you will too. Put these four actresses in any movie and I’ll watch it.

7 out of 10 stars