At The Movies

Title : Gus Year : 1976 MPAA Rating: G (General Audiences) Total Runtime : 96 minutes Tagline : “The six-foot donkey who kicks 100-yard field goals… and doesn’t even try!” Main Cast Edward Asner as Hank Cooper Don Knotts as Coach Venner Gary Grimes as Andy Petrovic Tim Conway as Crankcase Tom Bosley as Cal Wilson Dick Enberg as Himself Bob Crane as Pepper Liberty Williams as Debbie Kovac Gus the Donkey as Himself Reviews Synopsis This one’s an old-school Disney sports comedy about… get this—a mule that becomes a professional football kicker. Yes, a mule. His name’s Gus, and he comes from Yugoslavia (yep, 70s-style cultural humor ahead). When a struggling football team discovers Gus can kick a football like a cannon, they make him the star player. Naturally, chaos ensues, laughs are had, and yes—there’s even a bad guy or two trying to sabotage the hoofed hero. Overview Gus is one of those goofy, offbeat Disney movies from the 70s where you just have to go along for the ride. It’s compl...

Title : The Incredible Mr. Limpet Year : 1964 MPAA Rating : Not Rated (pre-ratings era, considered G-equivalent by today’s standards) Total Runtime : 99 minutes Tagline : "The fish story only he could tell… because he lived it!" Main Cast Don Knotts as Henry Limpet Carole Cook as Bessie Limpet Jack Weston as George Stickel Andrew Duggan as Admiral Harlock Larry Keating as General Reviews Synopsis This is the story of Henry Limpet, a shy, mild-mannered bookkeeper who really wishes he were a fish. That wish comes true in the most unexpected way when he falls into the ocean and magically transforms into one. As a fish, he finally finds purpose—helping the U.S. Navy during WWII by locating enemy submarines. It's equal parts fantasy, patriotism, and Don Knotts awkwardness. Overview The Incredible Mr. Limpet is that quirky blend of live-action and animation that only the 1960s could truly pull off. It’s charmingly weird and genuinely heartfelt. Don Knotts, as usual, plays the l...

Freaky Friday (1976) Franchise : Freaky Friday Franchise #: 1 of 5 Year : 1976 MPAA Rating : G Total Runtime : 96 minutes Tagline : “Like mother, like daughter… and it just isn’t fair!” (Unofficial—captures the spirit) Main Cast Barbara Harris – Ellen Andrews (the mother) Jodie Foster – Annabel Andrews (the daughter) John Astin, Harry Guardino, Ken Mars, and Mia Farrow in supporting roles Reviews Synopsis Ellen Andrews, a well-meaning but overwhelmed mother, and her teenager Annabel, who resents her mom’s rules, mysteriously swap bodies. Forced into each other’s daily lives—therapy sessions, school drama, and social expectations—they learn empathy and the value of mutual respect… and survive with a lot of comedy. Overview This original Disney adaptation is gentle, charming, and full of heartfelt moments. Unlike the more energetic remakes, it leans into sweet humor and subtle emotion. Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster bring warmth and sincerity to their roles, creating a timeless tale wi...

Overview The Ten Commandments (1956) is a classic biblical epic that tells the story of Moses—from being raised as an Egyptian prince to leading the Israelites out of slavery. Charlton Heston shines as Moses, and Yul Brynner makes a strong Pharaoh Rameses. Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, it’s a huge, ambitious film packed with spectacle, drama, and a respectful tone about faith and God’s law. It’s famous for its impressive special effects and memorable performances and is still a beloved Easter TV tradition. While the acting and pacing feel a bit old-fashioned compared to today’s movies, the core message about God’s power and deliverance is timeless. Overall, it’s a visually stunning and spiritually rich film with strong moral themes. Family Friendliness The Ten Commandments is a pretty family-friendly movie, especially for a film that’s more than half a century old. It’s rated G by today’s standards, so no worrying about bad language or inappropriate scenes. That said, it’s a long movie...

Critical Review  Atlantis: Milo’s Return is a direct-to-video sequel to Disney’s beloved 2001 film Atlantis: The Lost Empire. While the original captivated audiences with its adventurous spirit, rich world-building, and unique animation style, Milo’s Return struggles to live up to that legacy. The film is actually a compilation of three shorter episodes originally intended for a TV series, which results in a disjointed narrative lacking the cohesive flow and emotional depth of its predecessor. The pacing feels uneven, jumping abruptly between different storylines that vary widely in tone and quality. As a result, the movie never quite builds the sense of epic adventure or character growth that made the original so memorable. Character-wise, the film leans heavily on nostalgia but offers little new development. Milo and the core team feel static, and the new antagonists and situations don’t add much excitement or complexity. The animation quality, while decent for direct-to-video, d...