Philip Glasser
Rendered comatose for 20 years after a freak breakdancing accident, former child dancer Justin Schumacher (Jamie Kennedy) awakens from his extended repose with no motor skills and the mental capacity of a 12-year-old. So much has changed since Justin lapsed into a coma; not only have people stopped wearing parachute pants, the Internet has connected people in a manner that no child of the 1980s could have ever imagined. Dancing, however, is the one constant that remains as popular as ever. Upon discovering that his mountainous medical bills have drained mom and dad's bank account and the love of his life (Maria Menounos) is engaged to his lifelong nemesis (Michael Rosenbaum), the breakdancing Rip Van Winkle attempts to reassemble his former dance troupe in hopes of winning back the girl and saving his parents' failing yogurt shop. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jamie Kennedy, Miguel A. Nuñez, (more)
- 1994
Cory (Ben Savage) is amazed when Melissa (Johna Stewart-Borden), one of the popular kids in school, invites him to a "cool kids" party--but doesn't invite Shawn (Rider Strong). Alas, it turns out Melissa's dad forced her to issue the invitation, and Cory is no cooler than he was before. Even worse, the "shunned" Shawn is having a terrific time at another party where the REAL cool kids are hanging out. And back at home, Alan (William Russ) frets over getting old--if he isn't careful, he'll soon be past forty! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This animated feature from Don Bluth is aimed toward very young children. It follows the exploits of Stanley, the nicest troll in Troll Land. Unfortunately, the other trolls do not like too much niceness, and Stanley is banished from his homeland by the nasty Gnorga. He is sent to live in New York City with the hope that the banishment will cure him of his sweetness. Stanley lands in Central, where he puts his special talent for growing pretty flowers to good use. There he meets two sad youngsters whose parents are too busy working to pay attention to them. Stanley becomes their friend. He teaches them to believe in themselves. Stanley is happy. But then, Gnorga suddenly appears and tries to destroy it all. Will she succeed? ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dom DeLuise, Cloris Leachman, (more)
The first mainstream animated feature film directly aimed at African American audiences, Hyperion Productions' Bebe's Kids is based on a comedy routine by the late Robin Harris. Voiced by Faison Love, Harris endures a "date from hell" when he goes out with the lovely Jamika. His romantic rendezvous is ruined when he is stuck with Jamika's son-as well as Bebe's kids, three little horrors spawned from three different fathers. The worst of the batch is unhousebroken baby Peewee. The film manages within its 74 minute timeframe to skewer such topics as Hip-Hop music, urban riots and whitebread theme parks. Further proof that this is not a Disney flick was provided by the folks from the Motion Picture Production Code office, who bestowed a PG-13 rating upon the film. Bebe's Kids was released theatrically in tandem with the cartoon short Itsy Bitsy Spider, which was later spun off into a TV series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Faizon Love, Vanessa Bell Calloway, (more)
- 1991
- G
- AddAn American Tail: Fievel Goes Westto QueueAddAn American Tail: Fievel Goes Westto top of Queue
In this animated sequel to An American Tale, Fievel Mousekewitz strikes out from not-so-enthralling New York City in a wagon train headed West. Helping propel the departure is a crafty cat named Cat R. Waul who tells our Fievel that out West the cats and mice get along just fine. Once on the trail, Fievel finds that the cat's real plan is mice meat pie out of the little rodents, and Fievel tries his darndest to warn everyone, but to no avail. On his side, however, are a couple of friendly cats, including one named Tiger (voice: Dom Deluise) whose scattered one-liners will keep most audiences chuckling. Another wonderful character is the has-been sheriff Wylie Burp (voice: James Stewart). Although this film may be rightfully criticized as being a little too tame, even for toddlers, the endearing and humorous character side-play will likely appeal to most little ones, and very possibly some big people, too. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Glasser, James Stewart, (more)
- 1990
- R
The princess here is a lesbian demon woman running a modeling agency where she "tries out" the models before setting them up on their gigs. A former police officer sets himself up as a private detective and takes a missing-person case, trying to find a young teen-aged girl. The missing girl is found working for the demon woman who preys on snoopy detectives. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1989
With Jesse (John Stamos) monopolizing more and more of Joey's time, Danny (Bob Saget) begins to feel left out. Ruefully, Danny recalls when his friendship with Joey (David Coulier) began, twenty years ago--allowing the series' producers to showcase a trio of child actors (Phillip Glasser, Adam Harris, Kristopher Kent Hill imitating the three adult stars. And in a parallel development, Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) becomes jealous of DJ (Candace Cameron) over a similar "stolen friend" situation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An American Tail is a beautifully rendered animated flim that tells an overly familiar story in terms children can easily understand. Fievel Mousekewitz and his family of Russian-Jewish mice escape from their homeland in the late 1800s, boarding a boat headed toward America to evade the Czarist rule of the Russian cats. Fievel, however, is separated from his family upon his arrival in New York City, and he discovers to his horror that there are cats in America too (his father said there weren't). Fievel meets his share of friendly and hostile mice, and he eventually befriends a cat as well. Former Disney animator Don Bluth co-produced and directed this often heartwarming yarn, the first animated feature presented by Steven Spielberg, and it has its charms despite a number of cliché situations. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cathianne Blore, Dom DeLuise, (more)
