While watching “The Croods” we wondered what inspired the filmakers to create such an original tale: a caveman family surviving a rapidly changing pre-historic world. The movie follows the Croods when they are forced out of their cave due to an earthquake that destroys their home. Through a very funny and entertaining “road trip” the Croods discover the world that lies beyond their cave.

However, not everything is peachy. The family is being pulled in different directions. Grug (voiced by Nicholas Cage) wants nothing more than to find another cave where everyone  can be safe. But his daughter Eep (voiced by Emma Stone) is thrilled with the idea of exploring the world and trying new things. At it’s core,”The Croods” is a movie about family and a father-daughter relationship.

We got a chance to talk to Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders, directors of “The Croods, ” about their inspiration behind the film and ask them: “Why a caveman family?” Kirk DeMicco said, “the metaphor and the theme of change just is such a relevant thing that everybody goes through if you’re a kid; adults don’t want to change jobs, kids don’t want to change schools, nobody likes it, everyone’s afraid of it.  So, there was always so much to mine in that way, and the cavemen were a perfect metaphor because you strip away everything else. And all they’ve got really to talk about is just life and what it means because they don’t have jobs, they don’t have all the other pressures.”

Chris Sanders told us, “the main drive of the story is so family centric.” At first the rest of the Crood family, which includes mother Ugga (voiced by Catherine Keener), son Thunk (voiced by Clark Duke) , mother-in-law Gran (voiced by Cloris Leachman), and rambunctious toddler Sandy, are all behind Grug. But when they encounter Guy ( voiced by Ryan Reynolds) the family starts to see a furutre which doesn’t include a cave. The family is enchanted with Guy’s inventions like fire and shoes. When the family starts following Guy’s vision of “tomorrow” Grug is not willing to adapt. Kirk told us, “what’s the biggest change that anyone should fear? Fear of new shoes, okay, we get it, technology’s kind of scary.  But, the fear of losing your daughter or the fear of watching your family grow up around you….that’s really what took hold.”

The strongest emotional pull happens between Grug and his daughter Eep. We loved that Eep’s character was that of a strong girl, not only physically but mentally. If you think Eep is just there to fill the role of the rebellious teenager who falls in love with the “new guy” and wants to leave her family behind, you’ll be surprised. Sure, there are bits of that, but Eep’s character goes beyond. Like any strong-minded kid, Eep is determined to find a better tomorrow. At the same time she realizes she is not willing to abandon her family and traditions. As the movie progresses, Eep and Grug find their way together.

Check out the trailer below here:

{Event photos by Eric Charbonneau, all other images courtesy of 20th Century Fox and Dreamworks Animation}

DreamWorks presents the sequel to Kung Fu Panda … Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom of Doom! (in 3D!)

Po, now “The Dragon Warrior,” along with his friends and fellow kung fu masters, must protect the Valley of Peace from a new villain with a secret, unstoppable weapon which threatens to conquer China and destroy kung fu.

Kung Fu Panda 2 stars the voice talents of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Victor Garber.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z59PQWjjWkE]

Coming out: May 26, 2011

Want some fun Kung Fu Panda 2 activities for the niños? Click here to go download!

More information about the film can be found at: KungFuPanda.com.

Antonio Banderas probably never dreamed that his character of Puss, which was first introduced in Shrek 2, would take him down a magical road that is making a huge stop at the end of this year with the premiere of his own starring role as Puss in Boots.

We were part of a small group of bloggers and media invited to get a sneak peek of the first hilarious 13 minutes of the film which basically gives you the legendary story of Puss before he meets Shrek and Donkey. A prequel of sorts.

What we got to see had all the Latina bloggers cracking up because of the very Latino-feel and vibe of the movie. Flamenco-dancing felines in a cat fight inside a Spanish cave are always fun to watch! Adding to the Latino-ness of the movie are Salma Hayek, in the role of the very sexy Kitty, and the superb Guillermo del Toro heading this Dreamworks animated film as Executive Producer.

After the film preview, we got the chance to stalk chat with Antonio Banderas and Guillermo del Toro. Of course, I wouldn’t pass up the chance to talk to them about my favorite subject of all: bilingual and bicultural upbringings. We loved to know that his daughter, Stella Banderas, speaks Spanish and is completely bilingual!

We were told that we could not record video.  Obedient as I am, I was only recording audio during my question, and then I saw that everyone had their video cameras out! So, the most important answer is audio-only (!), but I was able to get a bit more of video for your Banderas-viewing enjoyment. Can’t keep that moment all to myself! (And if you needed to know: Sí, ¡es bien guapo!)

Below is a transcript of the audio-only portion where Antonio Banderas answers when I asked him how important it was to him that his daughter, Stella del Carmen, be raised bilingually and that we all strive to do so:  (Scroll up for the full interview and down for the first official trailer of Puss In Boots.)

That’s something that I start with my own daughter. It’s cultural. It’s not the same to read Gabriel García Marquez in Spanish, than to read a translation in English.  The subtleness of the language is there, you know.  So for me it’s very important that she’s connected with a world that she belongs to and it expands your mind. Even for Americans, I would tell them to learn Spanish, too. I think for me it has been very important to also learn English because it gave me possibilities in another language. Not only working for somebody, which it did, obviously, but also cultural possibilities. To read, in this case, Fitzgerald, for example, in its own language which is an unbelievable, beautiful experience. So, yes, I recommend for everybody to have the possibility to actually open themselves to different languages because you understand not only just the language, you  understand the character of the people which is related to that.

Puss In Boots Movie Trailer

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htwiwtbnlqg&playnext=1&list=PL0DB8F548DE4BFEE6