Kung Fu Panda is the 2008 kids film starring the voice of Jack Black. It’s the story about a lazy, irreverent slacker panda, named Po, who is the biggest fan of Kung Fu around…which doesn’t exactly come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po’s dreams become reality when he joins the world of Kung Fu and studies alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five — Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey — under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu. But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung is headed their way, and it’s up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a Kung Fu master into reality? Po puts his heart – and his girth – into the task, and the unlikely hero ultimately finds that his greatest weaknesses turn out to be his greatest strengths.

Budget: $130 million
Director: Mark Osborne
Starring (Voice):
Jack Black
Angelina Jolie
Ian McShane
Dustin Hoffman
Seth Rogan
Lucy Liu
Jackie Chan
David Cross
Michael Clarke Duncan

While Titanic isn’t James Cameron’s first hugely successful film, it is surely one of the most notable. Back when the 1997 film was still in productions – the size of the final budget was almost unheard of and periodically, there would be articles bashing Cameron on how much money he was spending on a movie. Then – Titanic was released and ticket sales for the film hit record numbers – literally breaking records and becoming the highest grossing film of all time. Only to be done again 13 years later by the same man.

Overall, as most people know – Titanic is a fantastic film, perfect for renting, owning, or by any other means. Oscar Winning Film.

Budget: $200 million
Director: James Cameron
Starring:
Leonardo DiCaprio
Kate Winslet
Billy Zane
Kathy Bates
Frances Fisher
Gloria Stuart
Bill Paxton
Bernard Hill

Meet the Fockers is the 2004 follow up to Meet the Parents. It was also a huge financial success – just like the first one. Universal also appears the be hedging its bets on the upcoming sequel called Little Fockers, due out this year.

So Meet the Fockers, while still having the same cast as the hilarious first and it made a fist full of dollars for those that produced and distributed, wasn’t quite as good as the first one – which is typical, though it was very funny to see how the former CIA spy would react to a bunch of half crazed Fockers.

The thing that probably hurt the most about the film was watching the sexual content scene, starring middle aged people – really didn’t do it for me, regardless of how funny they were. There was something weird about that.

Overall, the film was still good and we’re anticipating the next one to come out. Kids and crazy antics are usually a great combination.

Budget: $80 million
Director: Jay Roach
Starring:
Ben Stiller
Robert De Niro
Dustin Hoffman
Barbra Streisand
Blythe Danner
Teri Polo
Owen Wilson
Alanna Ubach

Next is a 2007 film starring Nicolas Cage as a magician that is pursued by the FBI, because of his ability to see into the future. Actress Julianne Moore plays the agent that is seeking to catch Cage, so that she can prevent an imminent terrorist attack on the United States.

The film overall was pretty good. It made clever use of Cage’s ability to see into the future and had some pretty coll special effects. For some reason, the film didn’t do all that well in the box office market, though it was heavily promoted.
It’s still a good movie to watch; even own, if you’re into mild sci-fi films.

Budget: $70 million
Director: Lee Tamahori
Starring:
Nicolas Cage
Julianne Moore
Jessica Biel
Thomas Kretschmann
Michael Trucco

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a 2008 comedy that can be watched again and again. Jason Segel originally wrote the script and has recently release Get him to the Greek as a follow up. Both films are equally funny and raunchy all at the same time. You’ll love it.

The film is about a composer, whose famous girlfriend breaks up with him for a rock star. Things get hilarious when he decides to visit Hawaii, hoping that the vacation will help get his mind off the woman he loved. When he gets there, the first person he runs into is his ex-girlfriend – Sarah Marshall.

Things begin to heat up between the composer and the girl that works at the hotel, only long enough, until we see everyone’s relationships begin to fall apart.

The film is completely hilarious. It is one of those pic me up films, even on one of your worst days.

Budget: N/A
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Starring:
Jason Segel
Kristen Bell
Mila Kunis
Russell Brand
Bill Hader
Liz Cackowski
Maria Thayer
Jack McBrayer
Jonah Hill
Paul Rudd

Independence Day is the 1996 Blockbuster film starring Will Smith and Directed by Roland Emmerich. When this film was released, it was some of the best special effects and action that most people had seen up to that point. The films plot, characters, and the way events unfolded were awesome. What makes this film even better, is that soon, it will be considered the first film in a TRILOGY. That’s right, they are producing two more Independence Day films – set for 2013 & 2014.

The film also won an Oscar for it’s visual effects.

Overall, this film is awesome – great to watch and own. In a few years I’m sure you’ll be able to own the box set as well.

Budget: $75 million
Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring:
Will Smith
Bill Pullman
Jeff Goldblum
Mary McDonnell
Judd Hirsch
Robert Loggia
Randy Quaid
Vivica A. Fox
Margaret Colin
Adam Baldwin
Brent Spiner

Slumdog Millionaire is a 2008 film that took home 8 Academy Awards. The overall film is great and one of Director Danny Boyle’s greatest accomplishments.

The film is set in India, and follows a young man as he attempts to win the one million dollar prize; on the Indian version of “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” As the young man inches closer to the ultimate prize, the film shows how the events of his life have prepared him for the show and provided him with the knowledge needed to answer the tough questions.

Of course, mixed in there is a young Indian woman that he is in love with and wants to be with.

The film is great and we recommend you watch it, even if you think this is not one of those films that you would like. It is that good.

Budget: $15 million
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring:
Dev Patel
Saurabh Shukla
Anil Kapoor
Raj Zutshi
Freida Pinto

How to train your dragon is a great 2010 kids and parents film. It’s about a young viking kid that is a little different from everyone else. The world they live is full of monsters and dragons. Each viking is expected to learn how to kill the dragons and defend themselves.

The film centers around a boy that is reluctant to kill dragons and at the same time has saved one from entrapment and starvation. They end up becoming friends. Eventually, the vikings will have to the battle of their life as they attack and defeat the ultimate dragon.

Overall, it is a really great film to watch.

Budget: $165 Million
Director: Dean DeBlois
Starring (voice):
Jay Baruchel
Gerard Butler
Craig Ferguson
America Ferrera
Jonah Hill
Christopher Mintz-Plasse
T.J. Miller
Kristen Wiig

Resident Evil: Apocalypse is a 2004 and sequel to the first film. The story picks up where the first one ends; with Alice in the hospital and the virus having spread from the Nest below Raccoon City and up to the people above. Quickly, just like in the video game, the city begins to tear itself apart, while Umbrella Corporation uses this time as an opportunity to test their new creation.

Overall, the film was really good. Makes for a great weekend horror movie. Has plenty of eye candy and gore for the guys as well.

Budget: $43 million
Director: Alexander Witt
Starring:
Milla Jovovich
Sienna Guillory
Oded Fehr
Thomas Kretschmann
Jared Harris
Mike Epps
Sandrine Holt
Iain Glen
Zack Ward

The Day after Tomorrow is a 2004 film starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid. Through a series of spectacular special effects, Roland Emmerich shows the earth changing from the world we know now; and into a type of planet in the middle of a new ice age. All of this takes place over a matter of days and not years like you would imagine.

The story centers around discovering the anomaly, then focuses on saving as many people as possible; including Jake Gyllenhaal, who is trapped in NYC with friends.

Overall, a really good film, very entertaining.

Budget: $125 million
Director: Roland Emmerich
Starring:
Jake Gyllenhaal
Denis Quaid
Emmy Rossum
Sela Ward
Austin Nichols