Great Second act to Cheaper byt the Dozen
345561
I think Cheaper By The Dozen is probably a better movie by a bit. But Belles on Their Toes is a great second act. It continues the story of the Gilbreth's lives after their father dies. Well worth watching.
708763
After a couple sequels that lacked the fun of the original, this movie recaptures a lot of the comedy and has a lighter, more fun, not-so-weird plot line.
2968149
Very enjoyable! I liked it better than the first - and I liked the first! Elicited several laugh out loud moments which doesn't happen too often with me. Perfect, fun, Saturday night flick...
219367
I absolutely loved this film. Some of the content may have been a little scattered alongside the in-depth character glimpses and quirky one-liners. Definitely a contender for the next best favorite indie movie among hipster kids though.
3041328
I actually like this sophomore effort better than their first album, which is unusual, but there is something very appealing about the simple, medium tempo but upbeat vibe that emerges.  The production is a bit thin, and lead singer Jo Miller's voice is mixed way out front, but somehow the great instrumentalists shine through.  Excellent early '90s Americana/Country/Western Swing.
264119
Sequels are a tough sell in the end. Sure, people will rush to see them based on their love of the first film. But for the most part, sequels tend to fall short. Fortunately such is not the case with NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE FOR THE SMITHSONIAN.

Ben Stiller returns as Larry Daley, the newly hired night watchman from the initial film. The movie starts with Larry no longer working there but now a successful businessman and pitch artist selling gadgets he creates on TV like a glow in the dark flashlight.

A stop by the old museum on his way home one night leads Larry to discover that most of the pieces are about to be shipped out to the Smithsonian to make way for more up to date items. Having developed a little pull with the board, Larry tries to put a stop to it.

Before this can happen he gets a call from Jebediah (Owen Wilson) the pint sized cowboy from the first film. It seems the Dexter, the troublesome monkey we met in part one, has stolen the Egyptian tablet that enables them all to come to life. Not only that but Pharaoh Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria), the diabolical brother of Ahkmenrah, plans on using the tablet to open the door to the Underworld and return with his warriors from the dead to take over the world.

Larry hop, skips and jumps to D.C and the Smithsonian where he has a funny encounter with a guard there. This results in his heisting a security badge from the guard and walking through the buildings in an attempt to save his friends. But, as is expected, things don't quite go as planned.

Before he can rescue them, Kahmunrah catches Larry who escapes with a little bit of help from Gen. George Armstrong Custer (Bill Hader) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams). Kahmunrah then teams up with a young Al Capone (John Bernthal), Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest) and Napoleon (Alain Chabat). It seems to work as Kahmunrah captures Larry and then places Jebediah into an hourglass, sand pouring over him, giving Larry just that amount of time to decipher the tablet so that he can unlock the door to the Underworld.

With the help of Amelia, Larry takes off through the Smithsonian in an attempt to solve the puzzle. Along the way they encounter paintings, statues and pieces come to life as they did at the Museum of Natural History in New York. It takes a visit to the National Air and Space Museum where he remembers seeing bobble heads of Einstein that Larry discovers the answer.

A final showdown between Larry and his friends and Kahmunrah to see who will control not just the museum but the world ensues once the secret is unlocked. Figures from history around the world come to life in a battle royal, winner take all.

The thing that makes both of these films so enjoyable is the way they bring history to life. It's not just about the museum or Larry, though his life is the centerpiece of each film, but about a past we rarely think about or expect our children to know about any longer. Perhaps these films will be a way to get them interested and delve into that knowledge on their own.

Stiller turns in a great performance, never overbearing or demanding attention be paid only to him. He shares the screen willingly to the point where at one time I wondered if he was the center, only to realize he'd been there all along, just never demanding attention. A good actor knows how to share the screen and here, Stiller does an admirable job of that.

The special effects are top of the line, equaling if not surpassing the first film. The art exhibit sequence where we see pictures on the wall come to life and statues we've known for years get up and walk is hilarious. And a certain picture in this area results in a funny joke you need to watch part of the credits for to see.

This movie is the sort of movie the entire family can enjoy together. It doesn't dumb down to the adults and it isn't over the top for youngsters. It's a movie that entertains from start to finish. .
270308
Having been a fan of AYBS for a number of years, I eagarly awaited arrival of this video, and the wait did not disappoint me. Old fans and new acquaintances will enjoy this movie once a few guidelines are realized.  First, this is a movie and not a television show. The laughtrack is gone but the set is more realistic and more modern (the store setting, for example, looks like a real store and not a stage prop).  Previous reviews regarding poor sound and lighting quality are perhaps a bit too demanding, as is the complaint that the jokes are straight from the show. I went through the entire movie before I "remembered the jokes" -- they flow through the movie well.  Second, please remember that this is AYBS, its not supposed to be realistic as no good comedy is. The original cast is here, in their youthful, energetic selves. Its only fault, in my opinion, is that there's a lengthy delay before they get into the trip itself, but this is only a minor problem.  I would recommend this video to anyone, providing that they judge the movie by its own standards and not compare it to the show.
2612404
Being a rabid MST3K fan, I squealed with glee when I heard the boys were getting together once again to rip on really bad movies. While the Film Crew Offerings are not the same as having MST3K back again, it's pretty close. Everything is there for you, save the bots and the movie theater silhouette at the bottom of the screen. The skits and extras have upped the humor quotient in these last two releases as well.

As far as the movie goes, it was not one of the better movies they have riffed, but the guys "made it work." I think the sc**tum talk through the movie, along with the man-ifying of the villianess-turned-good guy offered some of the funniest moments in the movie.

I am excited about more releases coming out, and you should be too!
2368361
I did enjoy this movie.  I may be the only person who enjoyed the first a little more but I did enjoy this one.  Being a fan I was pumped to see this.  I even read a book based on the movie beforehand.  The movie is faster paced than the first one but the simplistic nature of the first one really intrigued me.

What I did like about this is the action scenes, a definite upgrade from the first, secondly, the characters (except for Hayden Christensen) really matured with this movie.  I loved Liam Neeson in the first but the others made up for the loss.  The inclusion of shots like the Death Star and Count Dooku really made this special.

The DVD itself is a definite must have.  A busy commentary track, deleted scenes just for this release and plenty of featurettes for your liking.

Definite Must Have.
4488982
I had low expectations walking into this movie.  I enjoyed the first movie, but when I saw the trailer for part 2, I thought it was going to be the same as the first.  Luckily, I was surprised of how much the filmmakers brought to this sequel.

The movie starts off with Josh and his family moving into his mom's house to leave the events of the first movie behind them and start fresh.  But SURPRISE paranormal activity begins to happen again.  I really liked how this movie clears up some things from the first movie that were left unanswered.  It also manages to link together with the first movie as well and expands on the Further and who was that old lady ghost at the end of the first movie.

SPOILER: We also get the return of Elise, which was one of my favorite characters from the first movie.

Some negatives:
There's a scene here where Josh's mom and the ghost hunters from the first movie walk around an abandoned hospital and it feels long and kind of drags out.  Another thing to point out is that this movie does repeat things we already saw in the first film. Like instead of Josh saving Dalton, Dalton now needs to save Josh, but I'm just nitpicking.

If you enjoyed the first movie, you'll most likely enjoy the sequel.  It exceeded my expectations.
4177673
Hard to buy more fun for the less than the cost of a movie for two!
2211962
First, I should say that I'm VERY wary of direct-to-DVD sequels.  Even more than theatrical sequels they carry the heavy burden of expectation from the original film as well as the anticipated reek of greed at yet another quick & easy cash-in on our fond memories.

Thankfully, that's not the case with "Kronk's New Groove."  While the film does suffer from a not-quite-fully-integrated-and-coherent plot (due mainly to the slightly confusing repeated flashback structure) and animation that's slightly second tier, I was very happily surprised to see many of the familiar elements from the first film used in ways that were appropriate for the sequel, not just a cheesy & manipulative callback to the first.

You've likely already read the other reviews and know the story.  It's pretty simple, and the only complaint I have is the rather quick wrap-up at the end.  Papi's arrival is somewhat anticlimactic after all the build-up, but the pop culture references are fun, the music hip-swivelin' and the characters stay true to their natures.

Had this film had the good fortune to be an A-list project, I think that the story progression could have been made more organic and feel a little less clumsy.  However, given how poor most direct-to-DVD sequels are, "Kronk's New Groove" is a very welcome addition to my video groove!
1171614
Classics Live II is even better than the first one. This time Perry and Whitford are in for the entire performance, turning out smoking renditions of "Walk This Way", "Draw The Line", and an excellent  "Same Old Song and Dance" among others. The only problem with  this is the same with Classics Live, it's too short. What I suggest, if you  have the equipment to do so that is, is that you combine the two somehow.  It's worth it, and it will make you enjoy these two live albums even more.
1665756
Many professional reviewers have said that this is not as good as the first.  I found that it was as clever as the first with some great new twists that made it really enjoyable as an adult.  Our kids love it and watch it at least twice a week.  The minions really made the movie this time, adding some much needed comic relief, as the kids aren't as concerned with the love story as much as their goofy side.

Our younger 2 kids can get scared easily with some of the villain's in a lot of the Barbie and Disney movies which makes them unwatchable until they reach a certain age.  This movie is not like that.  The villain's and even the purple minions are not so scary that they are too scared to watch.

Great voice casting, great action, great animation, a few spots where it was easy to guess what was coming next, otherwise 5 stars, but definitely worth a rent or buy in our case.
3772806
Great movie
More of the fun and stupid antics from clerks. A couple of big name cameos and just fun.
2081945
i've seen this movie twice already and like it even better the second time! great indy filmmaking that had a big budget feel.i'd put it high on my list of the best independent films i've ever seen! the overall pace was good,and never drags, with solid writing& acting performances,and it showed the beauty of boston which i know quite well.this is a movie that proves bigger budgets are not what they appear to be and are mostly ego&fluff.the two leads had chemistry,the irish gangsters were believable&entertaining.you have corrupt fbi agents for good measure,moody original soundtrack by composer cory j. adams, and there's a cool 128 min. in-depth director's commentary which should be an inspiration for any fledging filmmaker,and a movie trailer of director mike o'dea's first film "townies".you see talent,ambition and a great finished product with this dvd! why it isn't in film festivals yet is beyond me?!!i now own a copy and i'd highly recommend!!!
2593
Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard often goes on about how much he loves Cheap Trick and has been influenced by them. Then, when I saw the video for the Dream Police, I was pleasantly bugged out by the funky images and the awesome guitar work- very imaginative and rocked like hell.
So, the other day, I was able to get this particular version of their greatest hits for a low price... And this is a terrific starter album. The regular albums are probably sequenced better.
It sounds like a pretty mixed bag- no chronological order, which I prefer anyhow. The live tracks are terrific- these guys could make "My Little Buttercup" sound like total rocker, and they're very creative. The old-school studio tracks (first released when I was born) like Dream Police, Surrender, and Voices still sound fresh and exciting- there is no such thing as "over the top" in rock n' roll!
As for the latter-day ballads...well, that's a matter of taste. I used to not like hair metal ballad stuff when I was growing up in the 80's. The market was really flooded with it and I just couldn't relate to the majority of it. Now that I'm a little older, I enjoy it as a bit of a kitchy thrill and the Cheap Trick tracks of this nature are better than most.
It's a pretty inexpensive disc so, while you're shopping, you may as well pick this up- cheap, of course (they wouldn't have it any other way).