Friday Movie Review - An American Tail

Today I have a very special Reader's Request, because it doesn't come from a kitty! It comes from a bean named Jason who lives like a squillion miles away. He is my mommy's friend. They instant message each other lots. I don't know much about him, because I've never talked to him or met him, but I know he is a math major in college and he has a doggie named Hunter. And he reads my movie reviews! I feel honored that someone outside of our kitty blogging world pays attention to my blog, so I thought I would review his movie for him today. Jason wanted me to review "An American Tail," because he was interested to know what a kitty's opinion of it would be.

An American Tail (1986)
Directed By: Don Bluth
Written By: Judy Freudberg

This story is about Fievel Mousekewitz and his adventure as his family immigrates from Russia to the United States. The Mousekewitz family decides to leave their homeland because they are being terrorized by the Russian kitties, and they have heard that there are no kitties in America. As they travel across the ocean in their boat, Fievel is washed overboard during a terrible storm and is separated from his family. Luckily, Fievel survives and lands ashore near the Statue of Liberty. Fievel manages to make some new friends quickly, and begins his search for his family.

Kitties, if your mommy is as weepy as my mommy is, you may not be able to watch this movie with them. My mommy can't watch without getting upset and leaky-eyed. Also, if you aren't willing to admit that maybe some kitties are less than perfect furries, you probably shouldn't watch this movie either. There is really only one decent and friendly kitty in this movie, a ginger mancat named Tiger. Other than him, kitties are portrayed as bad and evil furries. I suppose this might be fair from a mousie's perspective, but it certainly doesn't feel good to see your furry kind cast in the role of evil and corrupt despots.

If you can overlook the slur to all of kitty-kind, this is a great movie. It is based, of course, on the surge of immigration to America from Russia in the early 20th century. The kitties represent the corrupt and tyrannical aspects of government/society, both in Russia and in the United States at that time. For any bean or kitty who is in to History as much as my mommy is, you will enjoy watching the parallels. This movie is not only safe but is also educational for sticky little beans, kittens, and puppies. However, I have to warn you that some bits are a little bit scary, and parts of it are super upsetting, like when Fievel is first separated from his family.

I give "An American Tail" two paws up and a chirp for being not only family friendly, but providing a unique perspective of bean history. (I also throw in one little hiss for not having more nice kitties in the film.)

And don't forget that the movie gave us this great song!
Click here for a clip featuring "Somewhere Out There"
(Be prepared to get leaky-eyed.)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In other news, I almost forgot to thank Karen Jo for giving me this totally pawsome award! Karen Jo has a great blog devoted to limericks for us kitties, and she is a very caring and creative ladybean. That's why it means so much to me that she gave me this award because she enjoys visiting and reading my blog. Wow, Karen Jo, you are the best!

Friday Movie Review - Babe

For today's Reader's Request movie review, we turn to my special friend Daisy, who requested another great animal classic, "Babe."

Babe (1995)
Directed By: Chris Noonan
Written By: Dick King-Smith (novel)
George Miller (Screenplay)

This is a tale about an unprejudiced heart, and how it changed our valley forever. There was a time not so long ago when pigs were afforded no respect, except by other pigs; they lived their whole lives in a cruel and sunless world. In those days pigs believed that the sooner they grew large and fat, the sooner they'd be taken into Pig Paradise, a place so wonderful that no pig had ever thought to come back.

Babe is a special piggie that Farmer Hoggett wins at a local fair. Babe is raised by the smart sheepdogs, and he calls the lady doggie named Fly "Mom." Being raised by sheepdogs, Babe is a little confused about what his role on the farm should be. Having learned all about sheep and herding them from his doggie mom, Babe is absolutely certain that he should be a sheep-herding piggie! However, there are obstacles in the way of him pursuing his dream. That doesn't stop this persistent piggie, however, and Babe soon proves that a piggie can be whatever a piggie dreams of being! Even Farmer Hoggett believes in Babe's abilities, and even proudly tells him: "That'll do, pig. That'll do." One of the best lines spoken to a piggie in a movie EVER!

And of course, there is a kitty. I am a little sad and ashamed to say that it isn't the nicest kitty in the world. The Narrator did give us a great line about kitties, though, and I shall end the review with this: There are many perfectly nice cats in the world, but every barrel has its bad apples, and it is well to heed the old adage, "Beware the bad cat bearing a grudge."

I think we can all agree with that!

I give "Babe" two paws up and a chirp for being an inspiring story about fighting against the odds and living your dream! Not only is this film inspirational, it is also another great movie focused solely around we furries (and piggies), and is great for puppies and kittens and sticky little beans to watch, too!

Friday Movie Review - Homeward Bound

For this week's Reader's Request movie review, we are covering "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" for the wonderful TT, who has just added a new blurpy alien bean to her family.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Directed By: Duwayne Dunham
Written By:Sheila Burnford (novel)
Caroline Thompson (screenplay)

"Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" is a remake of the original Disney movie "The Incredible Journey," which was released in 1963. Both movies are based on the wonderful book "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford.

This movie stars two doggies and one kitty - Chance, a young and untrusting doggie, Shadow, an older and wiser doggie, and Sassy, a wonderful if somewhat snobby kitty. Chance has recently been adopted into the family, and since he was abandoned as a young pup, he finds it hard to trust people or fully accept his place in the family. While he enjoys the perks of living in his new forever home, he doesn't allow himself to bond closely with anyone in the family. Shadow, on the other hand, loves his boy fiercely, and Sassy has her little bean girl wrapped around her gorgeous paw.

Soon the family beans have to leave for San Francisco for an extended stay, and since where they will be living is tiny and cramped, they decide it is in the best interest of their loving furries to stay with a friend on her farm. Even though they decide this is for the best, the bean children hate the thought of being separated from their furries. And the furries themselves don't quite understand why they have been left behind, and begin to worry about their beans. The decision is quickly made to follow their beans, and Shadow, Chance, and Sassy begin their perilous adventure across the country to be reunited with their family. Along the way Chance slowly begins to understand the bond between a furry and his/her bean, and he learns why Sassy and Shadow feel the way they do about their boy and girl.



This movie is another tearjerker, I warn you. Just like with "Milo and Otis," you see the furries get into some scary situations, and while no furry is seriously harmed, it still can make you cringe. This is a great movie for kittens, puppies, and sticky little beans to watch. In fact, just like "Milo and Otis," it is the perfect movie for furry-loving sticky little beans to watch. I guarantee you they will love every moment. I give this movie two paws up and a chirp for being all about furries, for combining humor and adventure, and for being super family friendly.

Friday Movie Review - Milo and Otis

For this Friday's Reader Request movie review, we turn to Gandalf and Grayson, and their selection of "The Adventures of Milo and Otis."

The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986)
originally Koneko Monogatari
Directed by:Masanori Hata
Written by:Masanori Hata and Mark Saltzman

Milo is one lucky cat. He's got nine lives and a best friend.

This movie is all about the strong bonds of friendship. Milo, a ginger tabby, and Otis, a pug, are born and grow up together on the same farm. Even though Milo is a kitty and Otis is a doggie, they form a strong friendship. Milo loves to hide in special, secret spots to try to outwit Otis' sharp doggie nose. One day, Milo chooses the wrong hiding spot and is swept downriver in a box! Otis is beside himself and does his best to follow and help his friend. However, despite his best efforts, Otis loses track of Milo. Thus begins the adventures of Milo and Otis, with Milo simply trying to survive and Otis trying desperately to find his best friend.

This is a very cute movie, and is suitable for kittens and puppies of all ages - even sticky little beans. However, I must warn you that there are several tense moments in this movie that I know for certain bothered my mommy. Milo's pitiful cries for help as he is swept towards a waterfall - Milo's stunning fall off of a cliff - Milo's cries as he falls into a deep pit. Situations fraught with danger follow both Milo and Otis wherever they go, but especially Milo. Rest assured that all ends happily and no kitty or doggie is ever injured, but it still tugs at the heartstrings and makes you want to reach into the screen to save your furry friend.

The scenery is stunning and it is amazing how well acted the parts are. Neither Otis nor Milo ever mess up a line or look anything less than in the moment during the entire film. I certainly believe they both deserve aCATamy awards!

I give "The Adventures of Milo and Otis" two paws up and a purr for being a movie that is family friendly, all about furries, and has a cuteness quota off the charts!

Friday Movie Review - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Happy 4th of July, everykitty! This Friday I am completing my two-part reader's request from Diamond Emerald-Eyes by reviewing Tim Burton's version of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Directed By: Tim Burton
Written By: Roald Dahl (book)
John August (screenplay)

As I mentioned last week, the original version with Gene Wilder will always be my favorite. So I have to admit some bias in the following review.

Mommy and Grandmama were super excited when they announced that this movie was being filmed, and that Tim Burton was directing it and Johnny Depp was starring in it. It just seemed far too good to be true. They were prepared to be dazzled by it and love it. Knowing how much mommy loves Tim Burton, Roald Dahl, and Johnny Depp, I was also prepared to be dazzled by it.

We were all disappointed.

It's not all bad, kitties. Tim Burton does his usual amazing job with the visuals. The color and lines and cinematography are just as unusual and incredible as always with a Burton creation. The use of light and dark, the camera angles, the choice of color - they are all wonderful. And Danny Elfman wrote the score, which is always a big winner with my mommy and me. We love his work. There is a suitable creepy and slightly off ambiance about the whole film that screams Burton, and usually makes my mommy happy. I mean, just look at the use of light and color in the screenshot below! Look at the shape and lines! It's great.


However, no matter how much I tried, I could not separate this movie as a work of art on its own. Inevitably I kept comparing it to the original, and I found it lacking. Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka was more subtle - he seems at first just an eccentric man, but as the film goes on you begin to wonder if he is really a sweet and innocent chocolatier, or if there is something more sinister about him. You try and give him the benefit of the doubt as the children one-by-one become eliminated by seemingly incredible mishaps, but soon you begin to suspect that Wonka had planned it out that way all along. In this version, Depp's Wonka is seen right away to be strange. He is obviously inept in social situations. His pale skin, too-perfect teeth, and squeaky purple latex gloves scream "CREEP!" at you as soon as he arrives on the scene. There is no question in the viewer's mind that Wonka has planned all of the mishaps in advance, and that he has absolutely no sympathy for the children or their parents. Depp and Burton's Wonka is clearly disturbed, whereas Wilder's Wonka was much more mysterious and harder to figure out.

However, there is hope for the movie. For example, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" sheds a light on the true nature of squirrels! As many of you know, the twins and I are constantly taunted by Timmy the Squirrel and his various family members and friends from our very own front porch. I had hoped that after mommy saw this scene with a mob of squirrels attacking a little girl, she would find them less adorable and know why the twins and I want to rid ourselves of the sneaky menaces once and for all.

It didn't work. Mommy still thinks they are cute.


And, after all, this movie does have Johnny Depp in it, and Johnny Depp seems to be a reason for mommy to watch movies quite often. From several comments made during my movie reviews before, it seems my mommy is not alone in this opinion.

However, even mommy had to admit that Johnny didn't do anything for her in this movie. She had thought that Wonka would be done by Depp in such a way that she would just ooze all over the floor after watching it from the hotness of it. (Mommy is strange. She thinks Gene Wilder makes a melt-worthy Wonka.) Instead, mommy was just kind of creeped out by him. She never thought she'd live to see the day when Depp could be anything other than, in her words, eye candy. Maybe it's the wig.


I have to give "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" just one paw up instead of my usual happy two paws up. It is just as artistically filmed as you would expect of a Burton movie, but it does not meet the expectations or standards that I expected in comparing it to the original version. Don't get me wrong, kitties, it is worth a watch, especially if you are a fan of Burton. Just don't expect to fall in love with it or to get blown away.

Friday Movie Review - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Today's review was suggested by the lovely house panther Diamond Emerald-Eyes. She wanted a compare/contrast review of the original "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and the latest Tim Burton version "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." There is so much to say about both that I have decided to split them up into two weeks. This week I am reviewing the original, starring Gene Wilder.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Directed By: Mel Stuart
Written By: Roald Dahl (screenplay & book)

First off kitties, I have to admit that this original version will always be my favorite. I have watched this film over and over again with my mommy - practically every time it comes on the television. Therefore my review will undoubtedly be just a teensy bit biased.

"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" begins by introducing you to Charlie Bucket, a very sweet, very earnest, very poor little boy. Charlie is so sweet that he is almost too good to be true! He lives with his mommy and grandparents in a tumble-down shack, and has even taken a paper route to help his mommy support them all. For Charlie, the biggest treat he gets is a Wonka candy bar once a year, on his birthday. His Grandpa Joe tells him fantastic stories about the mysterious Willy Wonka and his Chocolate Factory.

One day an announcement is made that is super exciting for Charlie and Grandpa Joe! Willy Wonka has placed 5 golden tickets in his shipment of candy bars, and the 5 people who find the golden tickets will get the chance to tour the factory! Charlie knows he doesn't really stand a chance to win, but he is excited nonetheless. And then, fate takes a hand - Charlie finds a golden ticket!

Charlie and Grandpa Joe are thrilled! They get to meet the infamous Willy Wonka and tour his incredible factory! Charlie and Grandpa Joe show up outside the gates, accompanied by 4 other children and their parents. Right away everyone notices that there is something strange about Willy Wonka - he seems to be very eccentric and talks in riddles. Also, all of the other children seem to be incredibly spoiled.


Willy Wonka guides everyone through his incredible factory - complete with a whole lake of chocolate, edible grass, geese that lay golden chocolate eggs, and other incredible wonders. One of the most amazing wonders are the factory workers: little orange men called Oompa-Loompas! One by one the spoiled children fall to strange mishaps, which are then recapped in song and dance by the Oompa-Loompas. Finally, only Charlie and Grandpa Joe are left. Will Charlie claim the mysterious prize that Wonka promised?

"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" is a very fun movie to watch. Not only is it colorful and musical, it is also typically Roald Dahl, with strange twists and turns and often macabre events. At times it can be hard to tell if Willy Wonka is a villain or a hero. Is he cruel or kind? Sometimes a kitty has to ask himself or herself that question. Gene Wilder is amazing as Willy Wonka, and Peter Ostrum is a wonderfully convincing Charlie Bucket.

While there are no kitties involved in this film, it is still a good one to watch. It can serve not only as entertainment, but it also shows what happens to bad and selfish little kittens! I would suggest that everyfurry watch it with their children or younger siblings. I give "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" two paws up and a happy chirp!

Friday Movie Review - That Darn Cat

This week's reader's request movie review is from Camie's Kitties! They wanted me to review Disney's "That Darn Cat." Thanks, guys! This is a totally PAWSOME movie!

That Darn Cat (1965)
Directed By: Robert Stevenson
Written By: Gordon Gordon
Mildred Gordon

It takes a Siamese secret agent to unravel the PURR-fect crime!

The star of this movie is an apple-head Siamese named D.C. - short for "Darn Cat," which was given to him by the dadbean of the house. The parent beans are gone on a long vacation, just leaving D.C. in charge of the two girlbeans - Patti (Hayley Mills) and Ingrid (Dorothy Provine). D.C. is a fearless explorer and hunter, and nightly goes out to raid neighboring homes and fish markets for yummy goodies. One night while he is out on his nightly patrol, he follows a man to an apartment in order to steal the fresh fish he has just bought - only to find out that he has stumbled upon two bank robbers and their kidnapped hostage! The hostage is a brave lady who works as a teller at the bank the two men robbed. She gives D.C. skritches and then scratches a message on the back of her watch, placing it around D.C.'s neck. She just knows that D.C. is a smart and brave mancat, and that he will bring her help!

D.C. leaves the apartment and returns home. Luckily, Patti is wise in the ways of kitties and notices straight away that D.C.'s collar has been replaced by a lady's watch. Taking it off, she also notices that a message was scratched on the back . . . it looks like someone was trying to write "Help." (Patti is one smart girlbean!) Her sister Ingrid tells her she is imagining things, but Patti puts the news report of the kidnapped teller together with D.C.'s watch, and she just knows that D.C. is the clue to finding the bank robbers and the nice lady! Patti decides to take the matter to the FBI, and luckily they are desperate enough to believe that D.C. may be a lead. Agent Zeke Kelso (Dean Jones) is sent to monitor D.C. in an effort to follow him back to the robbers. As you would imagine, it is super hard for clumsy beans to trail a smart and limber kitty! To top it off, Zeke is allergic to kitties. You can just tell by the look in D.C.'s eyes that he knows this and takes delight in Zeke's constant sneezing.

Will D.C. lead the FBI to the bad men? Can D.C. save the nice ladybean? WILL D.C. EVER GET A FRESH FISHIE?!?!

I give this movie two paws up and a happy chirp. Not only does it star a handsome meezer, but it also is full of comedy, adventure, and suspense! D.C. is a brave and cunning mancat, and serves as a wonderful inspiration to mancats everywhere. D.C. is proof that we kitties can accomplish anything!

Friday Movie Review - The Corpse Bride

This Friday kicks off our extra special "Reader's Request" summer movie reviews! For our first week, we are doing "The Corpse Bride," as suggested by Jack and Persephone!

The Corpse Bride (2005)
Directed By: Tim Burton
Written By: Tim Burton

In Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride," a young man named Victor Van Dort is engaged to Victoria Everglot, in order to enrich the Everglots and raise the Van Dorts prestige in society. Victor is reluctant to enter an arranged marriage, but when he meets Victoria and finds that she is as quiet and shy as he is, he begins to persuade himself that it might work. However, during the wedding rehearsal, Victor is clumsy and causes an embarrassing spectacle. Rather than face everyone afterwards, he runs off into the snow-covered woods outside town.


On his own in the forest, Victor begins to practice his marriage vows, even slipping the wedding band on what he believes to be a twig. He soon realizes his mistake when a lovely, if very much dead, young lady rises from the ground and claims to be his bride! Emily, the revived corpse, kidnaps Victor and takes him back with her to the land of the dead. There Emily keeps insisting that Victor is her husband, while Victor keeps desperately trying to find a way back to the land of the living, and his fiancée Victoria.


The land of the dead is a much livelier place than a kitty would expect. The highlight of Victor's visit is when Emily reunites him with his doggie that crossed the Bridge, Scraps. It is wonderful to see the two friends reunited! It warms a furry's heart. However, even with Scraps by his side, Victor continues to try to get back to the land of the living, and eventually tricks Emily into helping him return. After Emily realizes his deception, she is both heart-broken and vengeful. Will Victor decide that he truly belongs with Emily in the land of the dead, or will he try to overcome his insecurities and marry Victoria and remain in the land of the living?
I give Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride" two paws up, and a tail poof for being musical, animated, spooky fun!

Thursday Thirteen - Movie Reviews

I announced last Friday that I am taking reader's requests for my movie reviews this summer. My sweet tuxie princess Sammie-Pie made a great suggestion . . . and I'm taking it! Here is a list of all the great movies I have reviewed so far. If you see that I haven't reviewed a movie you really like, or a movie you'd like to know more about before you see it yourself, please leave me a comment on my blog or email me at princetybalt AT gmail DOT com. =^_^= So here you go . . . Thursday Thirteen plus 5!

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)


2. The Cat Returns (2002)


3. The Phantom of the Opera (2004)


4. Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)


5. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)


6. Sweeney Todd (2007)


7. Sleeping Beauty (1959)


8. 300 (2006)


9. The Aristocats (1970)


10. Bringing Up Baby (1938)


11. Moulin Rouge (2001)


12. The Cat From Outer Space (1978)


13. Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)


14. Harvey (1950)


15. Bell, Book, and Candle (1958)


16. Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960)


17. Alice in Wonderland (1951)


18. The Wizard of Oz (1939)