Watch the trailer for the newest version:

WITCH MOUNTAIN (The Orginal):
 
Ahead of a remake, I watched this old-school Disney film recently, interested to see what I would make of it without having the memories of seeing it as a child (nostalgia being a common thread among those reviews that seem to love the film). What I found was a film that stays so focused on the principles of Disney live-action films of the time that it manages to summon up nostalgia even in those who did not specifically see this film. This is evident across the film as we have children more able than the adults around them, who have powers/gifts/knowledge that adults do not, love animals and get into wonderful adventures which involve danger but never a serious threat. The specifics are not that important but the plot is quite good as it allows the characters to have mini-episodes across the film.  Disney in it's infinite wisdom recently re-released the Witch Mountain originals and are worth adding to your Disney collection.  Now onto the New release...
 
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN:
 
Hey, don't believe the downers trashing this movie. It's fun. Non stop action from beginning to the end. Dwayne Johnson, who finally shed his former wrestling image, is a much better actor than people are willing to concede. He has a mobile face and uses his big body well with a lot more expression and ability than some of the other shoot'em up and knock-about action heroes. This film, a remake of the old Disney classics with a CGI uptake and story rewrite, is entertaining, engaging and full of witty little pieces for the watchful viewer. When the alien bad guy gets knocked for a loop and everyone ducks for cover and the two UFO-Trekkie-types rejoice, (Wow. Best convention ever!) and the one I liked best, one of the nerd bad guys named Analyst D. Pleasance, for the veteran character actor, Don Pleasance who played the bad guy in the Disney originals. Also, Irish actor, Ciaran Hinds makes a superb Man in Black Suit bureaucrat villain and lovable Cheech Marin as the sleepy mechanic gets his licks in too, albeit in a bit part. The beautiful Carla Gugino comes across as the UFO seeking academic and Director Garry Marshall as the nut case UFOligist makes for good comic relief. The two kids add the mixture with Anna Sophia Robb and Alexander Ludwigs serious facial expression adding to the action. I found this film fun from the get-go and recommend it highly. Great family entertainment!
 
I like to look for Movie Goof up's - keep your eyes open for the following...
 
Jack's taxi is quite visibly battered with its side view mirrors broken off after he and the kids first elude the government agents. In the next (long view) shot, the mirrors are intact. A moment later (and in a close up shot), they are again broken.
 

Pinocchio's 70th anniversary - I recommend you go Blu-Ray

The 70-year-old wooden boy looks great on Blu-ray. Just as a wooden boy comes to life in this classic story, Blu-ray brings Pinocchio into vivid, almost three-dimensional relief. The colors pop, and the meticulous details inserted by the animators become visible, possibly for the first time since it was shown on the big screen upon its original release. Movie lovers also will appreciate the “Cine-Explore” viewing option, which offers insets featuring Leonard Maltin and others discussing the making of the movie along with illustrations, archival photos and interviews with legendary Disney animators—all while the film plays. Meanwhile, disc two features three never-before-released storyboard scenes, an hour-long documentary and more, all of it in high-def and wrapped in easy-to-navigate menus. Pinocchio’s reemergence for its not quite 70th anniversary could be greeted with some pent up demand by parents and Disney-philes stoked by the film’s first high-def incarnation. The Blu-ray is packaged with the standard DVD for those who haven’t yet upgraded but might well do so before the film comes out of the vault again.

Crazed Christmas elves taking over the malls cineplex? Guess who's daughter is at the movies?  Only one man can stop the insanity, Paul Blart - Mall Cop?  Let's be honest, you should be more concerned about thieves and kidnappers, that's what all the experts are telling me.  Mall Cop was designed of course to highlight Kevin James comedic style, If you've watched King of Queens and laughed out loud, you'll probably enjoy this movie.
 
Let's go back to the mall thing for a moment because I think there might be a lesson to be learned here... When you go to the mall protect yourself, purse close to your body or around the neck and shoulder.  Watch carefully when someone runs your credit card and make sure you get it back before you walk away from the sales counter.  Have that talk with your kids, AGAIN!!!  Don't talk to strangers, never wander off, and when your kids get to that point when they want to go to the mall with their friends, tell them (eyes will roll) that there is safety in numbers, if someone is making them feel uncomfortable, find the malls Paul Blart and ask for help.
 
Ladies you may want to let this one be a "boys night out" movie unless slapstick is your thing.

"NOT EASILY BROKEN" PG-13
 
Starring:  Kevin Hart, Morris Chestnutt, Maeve Quinlin, Woody Harris...
 
This movie was terrific! Great plot, subplot, writing and acting. Gender nor race matters when viewing this movie, everyone can relate to the family relationships, friendships, etc. The religious aspect keeps being mentioned when describing this movie but it wasn't over the top or preachy, just real. This movie is great for girls night out, date night or family viewing. The messages can touch anyone. You'll laugh, cry, and experience all the emotions. There aren't very many movies anymore that make you laugh, cry, relate to the people around you and keep you discussing it hours later but "Not Easily Broken" does all of this and more. This is one movie that deserves much more attention than it will probably receive.  Sorry guys, maybe you can sneek out for popcorn and catch a glimpse of the new Eastwood movie, your girl is gonna love this one.
 
Rated PG-13
 
Date movie / Chick flick
 

WATCH THE TRAILER

Welcome to the Mike Fitz Movie Blog.

  Here's the deal, every week we'll talk about a new release that's hitting your local movie theatre, and we'll also talk about a new release that's hitting your local stores shelves.  I'm a pretty no B.S. kind of guy so if I think a movie sucked, I'll tell you straight up (The Day the Earth Stood Still) falls into this category.
 
What makes me qualified to tell you about movies?  That's a good question... It's probably a bit psychological, I was in a movie that Siskel and Ebert reviewed together (Nerds II) and they choose my humble little scene to focus on, and then proceeded to TRASH IT!!!  At this point I said to myself these guys don't know their heads from their *%^'s... So I became a movie critic, I've been posting critiques for about ten years on a variety of sites and television stations. 
 
Honestly, I like a variety of films, from the sophomoric to intellectual engaging works that are far to rare these days,  visit the site and at the very least you'll get a well rounded idea of what's available, what you can safely take the children to see, what movies will get her kernels popping, and the movies you need to see with your buddies.