Of course, the first Transformers movie met with mixed reviews; some argued that it was a blasphemy against the original concept. Others said it was everything for which die-hard Transformers fans could’ve hoped. In the end, the movie did develop a cult following, and here they are again, hoping to bring in the fans.

Will it be a huge hit? That remains to be seen. The aggregate score over at Rotten Tomatoes remains lukewarm, but that may be enough to keep it around purely on the strength of loyal teenage fans of the male persuasion. And although it’s been years since I was a teen (and I’ve never been a boy!), I have to admit that the trailer does sort of look enticing. What’s not to like about giant robots beating each other up? Nothing, that’s what.

I’ve also become somewhat hooked on the Transformers Live Action Movie Blog, because I’m a sucker for serious fandom. Check it out if you can’t get enough.

And, of course, don’t forget to visit the Transformers Store here at Ty’s Toy Box! The only thing better than giant robots beating each other up is giant robots beating each other up on your t-shirt. I’m sure I heard that somewhere.

Still, despite my affinity for the cat-and-mouse duo, I find this recent movie news a little… perplexing:

Warner Bros. is turning to Tom and Jerry to create its own “Alvin and the Chipmunks”-like family franchise.

Plans are to bring the constantly warring cat and mouse to life as CG characters that run around in live-action settings.

Studio-based Dan Lin, currently producing the upcoming “Sherlock Holmes” and exec producer on “Terminator: Salvation,” will adapt the classic Hanna-Barbera property as an origin story that reveals how Tom and Jerry first meet and form their rivalry before getting lost in Chicago and reluctantly working together during an arduous journey home.

First of all, getting lost in Chicago and working together to get home…? And second… didn’t the Chipmunks movie kind of bomb? But hey, what do I know….

But I just read the review over at Toon Zone, and thought it was one of the most thoughtful pieces I’ve seen on it:

The Tale of Despereaux aspires to join the rarified company of classic animated fairy tales, but while the final film possesses ample charms, they are not quite enough to counterbalance the film’s flaws. In the end, The Tale of Despereaux tells a delightful story, but it doesn’t quite achieve the lift it needs to truly take flight.

I’m still disappointed, given how much we all loved the book, but I guess they can’t all be blockbusters.

On the other hand, thanks to my 4-year-old nephew I’ve now watched Ratatouille about four times in the last three days, and I’ve gotta say… it’s still good, every time. Talk about a movie that I never expected to be any good that completely blew away my expectations. The only problem with that movie is that it makes me hungry. But it’s a great flick.

So I guess that’s good news for Remy, but bad news for Despereaux. Sorry, Despereaux.

I mean, just look at this. Doesn’t this look like a movie that ought to be amazing?

(See more clips and read more about the movie at Collider.com.)

I’m still hoping to see it this week. I trust that Despereaux’s large ears will entertain me even during the less-than-stellar parts.

This is, by the way, the same kid who can’t remember to put on pants, sometimes. They don’t call it selective memory for nothing.

And so my life runneth over with Bakugan, but it looks like things are about to get even more Bakuganful (totally a word)—now we can stay tuned for the official Bakugan movie:

Universal and Stuber Prods. are hoping to capitalize on the latest toy craze among boys, entering into a deal with toy company Spin Master to bring “Bakugan Battle Brawlers” to the big screen.

[...]

“Bakugan” airs six days a week on Cartoon as one of its top shows.

No writers are on board, but the studio jumped at the chance to be in business with a toy that has a growing worldwide fan base. It also sparked to the concept and story line, which it believes will translate well into an all-ages action-adventure movie.

Soooo… will it be animated? Live-action? And most importantly… how long do you suppose I can hide this information from my son…?

Nothing made me feel better about the extra money we had to plunk down, but the 3-D turned out to be surprisingly good. Much better than the stuff I remember from my childhood. (You know, the movies where the 3-D effects were created using red and blue lines, and also dinosaurs.) And my kids actually cheered when the preview for Monsters vs. Aliens came on and and announced that it, too, would be in 3-D.

Or maybe they were just cheering for the movie itself. Check this out:

And now I see that some of my favorite actors (hello, Rainn Wilson) are part of the project. Really, do I have to wait until March??

I’m putting this one on my calendar.

View the complete list of 2008 nominees on the Annies site, of course, though Animated News has already done the math for us:

Kung Fu Panda leads all films with 17 nominations. Bolt was second with 9 nods, and WALL-E third with 8. Those three, along with $9.99 and Waltz with Bashir were tapped for Best Feature.

Well, I’ve at least seen the first three films on that list….

The Annie winners will be announced on January 30th, and until then we can all wildly speculate as to who will triumph. And also we can maybe go watch the nominees which haven’t actually come out yet. Ahem.

That’s right: Bolt is currently hovering around 90% Fresh on the Tomatometer. Phew! Too often I’ve told the kids that sure, we’ll go see such-and-such movie when it comes out… and then as it nears, I check the reviews and discover that it’s an utter flop. And then I have to come up with an explanation for the kids as to why we’ve decided not to go. Ugh.

In preparation for hitting the theater this weekend, I went looking for another Bolt trailer, and found this:

Hee. Hey, Hamsters can be High School Musical fans, too!

A new version of “Pinocchio” is on its way to the big screen, this one to be co-directed by acclaimed children’s book illustrator Gris Grimly and executive produced by Guillermo del Toro.

The adaptation, being made by the Jim Henson Co., will be done as a stop-motion animated feature. Henson co-CEOs Brian Henson and Lisa Henson and senior vp feature films Jason Lust are producing.

The aim is to make a dark, twisted retelling of the famous Carlo Collodi fairy tale about the wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. In the retelling, when Pinocchio comes to life, he turns out not to be that nice of a boy, creating mischief and playing mean tricks. He eventually learns a few lessons. The story and the look of the feature will be based on the 2002 children’s book illustrated by Grimly, who is repped by Gotham Group.

And I know I’m dating myself, here, but when I saw the headline (‘Pinocchio’ to feature Gris Grimly as director) I immediately thought it said it would be directed by Ed Grimley. But, ah, no. It’s Gris Grimly. Still very cool, but different.

(Though how cool would it be if it was directed by Ed Grimley…? Okay, shutting up, now.)

Every year this annoys me, and yet, they don’t stop doing it. I should write someone a stern letter, or something. Hmph.

Nevertheless, here are the 2008 Oscar nominees for best animated feature:

Bolt
Delgo
Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!
Dragon Hunters
Fly Me to the Moon
Igor
Kung Fu Panda
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
$9.99
The Sky Crawlers
Sword of the Stranger
The Tale of Despereaux
WALL-E
Waltz with Bashir

Looking at that list really has me ready for some great films in the next two months. Although if The Tale of Despereaux isn’t amazing I’m going to have to write several stern letters. It’s such a great book—I hope it’ll be a fabulous film.

In other movie news, I’m sure everyone who’s ever used the phrase “Wax on, wax off” will be pleased to know that a Karate Kid remake is in the works (with Will Smith’s kid in the title role). I wonder who they’ll have play Mr. Miyagi. It’d be too much to hope for Jackie Chan, right…?