James Arnold Taylor Movies

George Lucas continues his most popular franchise's legacy with Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a computer-animated 3-D film that takes place between Star Wars: Episode II and III. The first-ever animated feature from Lucasfilm Animation, this action-packed space adventure follows the heroic Jedi Knights as they attempt to maintain order and restore peace during a time of monumental galactic strife. The Clone Wars have engulfed the galaxy in chaos, and as the dreaded droid army of the Separatists wipes out everything in its path, the future of the Galactic Republic becomes increasingly uncertain. Meanwhile, Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan learner Ahsoka Tano embark on a pivotal mission that pits them directly against the dreaded Jabba the Hutt and his criminal minions while Count Dooku enlists the aid of Asajj Ventress and the rest of his sinister agents in ensuring that the young Jedi fails in his noble mission. Back on the front lines of the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Master Yoda attempt to fend off the forces of the dark side with the assistance of a massive clone army. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The fourth animated TV incarnation of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's evergreen comic-book superhero and megamovie franchise "Spider-Man", the weekly, 30-minute The Spectacular Spider-Man returned to basics as an "origins" show, a la the live-action "Superman" derivation Smallville. Having only recently been bitten by a radioactive spider, 16-year-old high school junior Peter Parker was having a lot of trouble adjusting to his new powers, specifically the ability to climb walls, and his heightened "spidey-sense." This would be bothersome enough if Peter had been an adult, but as a high-schooler he was also struggling with such issues as teen angst, peer pressure and raging hormones. In addition to surrounding the hero with younger versions of such friends, family members and coworkers as Aunt May, Mary Jane, Gwen, and bombastic "Daily Flash" editor J. Jonah Jameson, the series was also well stocked with the familiar "Spider-Man" villains, among them the Sandman, Doc Ock, Venom, Electro, and the pre-Green Goblin Harry Osborn; foremost among the heavies was the Vulture, head of the fearsome assassination group known as the Enforcers. Greg Weisman, whose prior credits included the classic Disney animated series Gargoyles, served as story editor. Produced by Marvel/Culver Entertainment, The Spectacular Spider-Man joined CW's Saturday-morning cartoon lineup on March 8, 2008. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The stars have aligned in an ominous sign, and as a legion of malevolent monsters descends upon New York City to wage war against humanity, the only thing that stands between humankind and certain destruction are four wisecracking turtles with a flair for martial arts and a hearty appetite for pizza. Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's "heroes in a half-shell" return to defend the world against an interstellar threat that comes just once every 3,000 years in a computer-animated action comedy that marked the final film role of Japanese screen legend Mako -- here providing the voice of the eternally wise Master Splinter. Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar lends her voice to the role of the turtles' technical-services worker, April; Fantastic Four's Chris Evans assumes the role of hockey-loving crimefighter Casey Jones; Memoirs of a Geisha star Zhang Ziyi steps in as villainous Foot Ninjas leader Karai; and Star Trek: The Next Generation captain Patrick Stewart voices malevolent tech industrialist Max Winters -- a mortal man whose hunger for profit and power may spell doom for all humanity. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Drawn Together is back for an outrageous second season. This time around we answer almost all of the unanswered questions left by season one; like what happens when an Asian battle monster tries to drive a car, can animation and live action co-exist peacefully and what's that smell in Captain Hero's closet?. Remember, this is the incredible true story of eight cartoons from all walks of life who have to deal with each others quirks, differences and insane necrophilia fantasies. From Clara, the racist fairy tale princess, to Foxxy Love, the sassy, sexy musician to Woldoor Sockbat the... whatever he is, these housemates fast learn the art of loving, punching and coming dangerously close to copyright infringement. So sit back, grab some snacks, maybe some tissues (you know why) and let Drawn Together soothe what's left of your souls.

The initial season of the animated reality-show spoof Drawn Together consists of eight episodes, each one savagely parodying the clichés and stereotypes of both the "reality" and "cartoon" genres within the context of several washed-up animated celebrities forced to live together under the same roof. In the opening episode, "Hot Tub," Disneyesque Princess Clara manages to lay a racist slur upon Hanna-Barbera-esque Foxxy Love, while video-game hero Xandir reveals himself to be a closet gay. In "Clara's Dirty Little Secret," it is revealed that the titular heroine has been cursed by her wicked stepmother to suffer from tentacled monster living in her -- uh -- privates. Xandir finally comes out in "Gay Bash," while foulmouthed prankster Spanky Ham exploits the Pokémon-derived Ling-Ling. Bitchy Betty Boop sound-alike Toot Braunstein grows more obese than ever, stiff-necked Captain Hero finds out that he enjoys bondage, and the SpongeBob-ish Wooldor Sockbat is bullied into helping Spanky capture Princess Clara's timid woodland friends in "Requiem for a Reality Show." Next, "The Other Cousin" finds Clara's well-named relative Bleh paying a visit. In "Terms of Endearment," Captain Hero's X-ray vision gives Foxxy a brain tumor. The whimsical Spanky finally goes too far when he takes a dump on a pizza in "Dirty Pranking Number 2." And in the finale, subtly titled "The One Wherein There Is a Big Twist," Drawn Together meets The Apprentice as Machiavellian billionaire Bucky Bucks plays one roommate against the other. Through the season are sprinkled innumerable "inside" references to cartoon history, a plethora of gratuitous sex gags, and even guest appearances by the likes of Elmer Fudd and Snagglepuss. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Part of the Animatrix series of animated shorts set in the universe of the Wachowski brothers' The Matrix, Kid's Story comes from Shinichiro Watanabe, the creator of the anime series Cowboy Bebop. Actor Clayton Watson provides the voice for the The Kid, the character he portrays in the live-action The Matrix Reloaded. The short provides The Kid's backstory, explaining how he was freed from the Matrix with the help of Neo and Trinity. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss also provide the voices for the animated counterparts of their live-action characters. Director Watanabe also helmed The Animatrix: A Detective Story. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

Written by Shinichiro Watanabe, the creative force behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, A Detective Story is the second segment of the Animatrix series of animated shorts. Styled like a film noir, the story follows a hard-edged detective named Ash, who's hired to track down the identity of a hacker that goes by the alias Trinity. He soon learns that other detectives have failed at this task, winding up dead, missing, or insane, but he eventually achieves a level of contact with the mysterious person - and finds out who he was working for. We learn that agents had bugged him to find the elusive target he was chasing, and when he comes face to face with her, he can see why. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide