Movie Review: ****Shrek (2001)

 Shrek(Mike Myers) and Donkey(Eddie Murphy) made a good team as they travel to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from the dragon for Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow).  However things are not exactly as they seem.  And Shrek and Princess Fiona have more in common than you would guess.  

The relationship between Donkey and Shrek make this movie work, even animated.  There are cameos by any number of fairy tale characters--the blind mice, three pigs, gingerbread man, Pinocchio, the wicked witch, the big bad wolf, Puss and Boots, and so many others.  

Movie Review: ****Daddy Day Care

Two men Phil (Jeff Garlin) and Charlie (Eddie Murphy) hit upon the idea of forming a day care after they are laid off, and have difficulty finding affordable day care.  There is one program in town, very structured and very expensive.  The owner (Anjelica Huston) of the alternative day care does not like any one messing with her turf.  She keeps turning licensing on them in an effort to get them yo else shop.  Somehow they always meet code, until they realize they have too many kids for two men.  They recruit a third from their work, Marvin (Steve Zahn) who says yes, seeing an opportunity to really make a difference.  However they did a bigger place, for which they need money.  They hold a huge fund raise, sabotaged by their rival.  However they keep plugging away, until their old jobs come back. Marvin is crushed.  The other two fathers realize maybe they were hasty.  There is something to be said for nurturing children, especially with your own little ones.
Many things to like here.  How they entertain the kids, how they incorporate management and business skills to the children, and how they grow together.  Tony loves this show, and it is a good family film.

Disney Movie Review: ****^Mulan

Mulan is a delightful movie.  It tells the story, based on an old Chinese ballad, of a young woman (Ming-Na), though she lacks confidence as a potential bride, takes her father's place when each family is asked to send someone to the war.  The Huns have attacked and every family must supply a soldier.  Mulan has not brothers, so her sickly father is ready to go, until Mulan takes his horse and goes for him.  To impersonate a man, and join the army is against the law in China at the time, punishable by death.  A dragon (Eddie Murphie) is sent to save the family honor. They should not have tried showing Mulan spitting, the saliva hanging from her mouth almost did me in.  There is also a scene bathing in the pond and the guys come to skinny dip.  As they take her for a guy, they are not very modest.  (This is not shown but implied.)  Mulan's reaction, "I never want to see a naked man again in my life."  The Captain (BD Wong), decides to sent Mulan home as being not fit for the army; but accomplishes a feet none of the others could do, and so becomes a part of the new recruits.
They head to the front to join the experienced soldiers, and discover they have all been destroyed.  Their army is the only army to defend China and the emperor from the Huns.  Mulan saves the day using cunning; but in doing so is injured, and her female status is revealed.  She saved the Captain who spares her life. But now she must save China and the emperor (Pay Morita) from the Huns who survived.
Donny Osmond and Lea Salonga sing the songs for the lead characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOG1evML8vs
Donny Osmond "I'll Make a Man Out of You"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fREsDSnT_2A
Lea Salonga singing the longer version of "Reflections"