Frat Pack Family Films

Heavy Weights
(1995)

 
Ben Stiller
Star

Jerry Stiller, Judd Apatow (writer, producer), Tim Blake Nelson

Anne Meara

Kid-oriented tale about a fat-camp gone haywire when lovable camp owners the Bushkins (Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara) are forced to sell to fitness guru Tony Perkins (Ben Stiller) who insanely drives the kids to lose weight. The movie has a few funny, predictable moments, but it's worth seeing this movie just to see Ben do his thing.

Tony Perkins sports a giant mane of hair, arrogance hiding a chip-on-his-shoulder past, and a posse of minions. If it sounds a little like Dodgball's White Goodman, you'd be right. Ben also plays Tony Perkins Sr., a thinly veiled prototype for Maury Ballstein, a role Ben originally was going to play in Zoolander before turning it over to his father Jerry. Ben has some funny moments and it's fascinating seeing the prototypes for characters we're more familiar with.

Judd Apatow is credited as co-writer and executive producer in this film directed by Steven Brill (Drillbit Taylor). A young Keenan Thompson, Tom McGowan ("Frasier"), Tim Blake Nelson (Meet the Fockers) are on hand as well. It's hard to find but NetFlix does carry it.

Read The Frat Pack Tribute's Review

Galaxy Quest
(1999)

 

Justin Long, Rainn Wilson

Missi Pyle

Aging, out of work actors from the cult TV show "Galaxy Quest" now are reduced to attending conventions and opening supermarkets for a living. However, aliens have seen the transmissions and mistake them for historical documents. They create a ship identical to the tv show version, and get the actors to command it.

Justin Long plays a fan of the old TV series, idolizing the actors from the show including the captain played by Tim Allen. Pyle and Wilson play two of the aliens who's bizarre style is comedic gold.

My Dog Skip
(2000)

Luke Wilson
Star

 

A shy boy (Frankie Muniz) is unable to make friends in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1942, until his parents give him a terrier puppy for his ninth birthday. The dog, which he names Skip, becomes well known and loved throughout the community and enriches the life of the boy, Willie, as he grows into manhood. Based on the best-selling Mississippi memoir by the late Willie Morris.

Willie's "older and only friend" is Dink (Luke Wilson), a high school sports star who lives next door and goes off to war before he can teach Willie the secrets of the curve ball.

Ice Age
(2002)

Jack Black
Support

Alan Tudyk, Diedrich Bader

Sid the Sloth is left behind by his friends and family when they migrate. He starts off on his own when he gets attacked by Rhinos. A mammoth called Manny saves him so Sid decides to follow him. Meanwhile a pack of sabre-tothed tigers attack a colony of humans. One tiger called Diego chases a mother and her baby to a waterfall. The mother jumps of the waterfall and dies, pushing her baby onto shore. Luckily, Manny and Sid take it to return it to the humans. Diego goes with them to lure them into a ambush. Diego gets saved by Manny and feels bad about leading them to their deaths so he tells them. They all concoct a plan and it works (sort of!) Diego gets injured and he tells them to leave him. Manny And Sid find the humans and return the baby safely. As they go to leave Diego appears good as new. They all migrate together.

Black plays Zeke, one of the Diego's former tiger friends. Official Movie Site

School of Rock
(2003)

After being fired from his own band, the guitar player Dewey Finn (Jack Black) needs to raise some money to pay for his rent and his bills. When his friend and school teacher Ned Schneebly (Mike White) is called to a temporary work in an expensive private school, Dewey pretends to be Ned and accepts the job. He finds talented young musicians in his class, and he decides to form a rock-and-roll band with the students and win a competition called "Battle of Bands" to raise the prize and be recognized in the show business.

Probably the perfect vehicle for Black's unique talents, comedic and musical. And we'll never listen to Stevie Nicks in quite the same way again...

Elf
(2003)

Elf is a funny and charming movie, especially on repeat viewing. Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, a human raised at the North Pole. Once Buddy finds out he isn't really an elf, he goes to New York City to find his father. There are some nice fish-out-of-water moments as well as a unique takes on Christmas. Ferrell is outstanding in the role, of course, showing his usual fearless comedic abilities but also wide-eyed innocence.

The highlight of the movie is a great boardroom scene featuring Peter Dinklage. We also appreciated Jon Favreau's nice cameo.

Lange is effective in a small role as a department store Santa to "sits on a throne a lies" according to Buddy the Elf. Some great physical comedy in this scene.

Gass and Richter also appear on the DVD commentary of Anchorman.

Around the World in 80 Days
(2004)

Wilson Brothers
Cameo

Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan

Phileas Fogg (Steve Coogan), a Victorian inventor fixated on time, makes a costly bet that he can circumnavigate the world in just 80 days in this remake inspired by Jules Verne's classic novel. With his loyal, martial-arts-wielding sidekick, Passepartout (Jackie Chan), by his side, Fogg sets out to win, and the two soon find themselves on the grandest adventure of all, one beset by problems and dangers at every turn.

Owen and Luke cameo as the Wright Brothers in a funny scene from this remake. Watch the scene (Windows Media)

Shark Tale
(2004)

Jack Black
Star

Robert DeNiro

This mafia movie, set in the world of saltwater fish, is the story of what happens when the son of the shark boss (Robert DeNiro) of a fish crime family is killed by a dropped anchor, and a bottom-feeder named Oscar (Will Smith) is found at the scene of the crime. Hoping to win favor with the enemies of the ganglord, the fast-talking hustler poses as the killer known as the "sharkslayer", but soon learns it's a dangerous game in a world where the big fish generally eat the little fish...

Meanwhile, on another side of the ocean, a family of criminally-inclined sharks has a trouble with one of their sons, Lenny (Jack Black). Lenny refuses to act the part of a killer and wishes to not have to live up to those expectations. With this, his father, Don Lino (De Niro), decides that he must learn to kill, by being taught by Lenny's more savage brother, Frankie (Michael Imperioli).

Official Movie Site

Kicking and Screaming
(2005)

Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall star in a lively comedy about the cutthroat, hyper-competitive world…of little league soccer. The plot is predictable but Will is in fine form, as is co-star Mike Ditka who nearly steals the show. We loved the subplot where Ferrell's character becomes addicted to coffee.

Kightlinger and Harris play a lesbian couple who are parents to one of the memorable kids on the team. Nice to see Office Space's Herman, who plays a soccer referee, getting work again too.

 

 

Madagascar
(2005)

Ben Stiller
Star

Sacha Baron Cohen, Andy Richter

At New York's Central Park Zoo, a lion (Stiller), a zebra (Rock), a giraffe (Schwimmer), and a hippo (Smith) are best friends and stars of the show. But when one of the animals goes missing from their cage, the other three break free to look for him, only to find themselves reunited ... on a ship en route to Africa. When their vessel is hijacked, however, the friends, who have all been raised in captivity, learn first-hand what life can be like in the wild.

Cohen plays Julien, the King of the lemurs, and also sang lead of the soundtrack favorite "I Like to Move It." Richter plays Mort, the mouse lemur.

Official Movie Site

Curious George
(2006)

Will Ferrell
Star

David Cross

Drew Barrymore

Ted, the Man in the Yellow Hat, loves his work at the local museum, but lagging interest threatens to close its doors. Looking to revive attendance with a spectacular new exhibit, Ted goes on an expedition to the jungles of Africa to find an ancient statue. While there he runs across George, a curious little monkey that gets into everything. When Ted returns to the city after finding a significantly smaller statue then he was expecting, George follows along.

Ted soon finds his hands full with the troublesome chimp. But matters are made worse when the museum owner, Mr. Bloomsberry (Dick Van Dyke), jumps the gun and advertises a much larger statue than what Ted returned with. Meanwhile, Bloomsberry Jr. (Cross) has it out for Ted. Maggie (Barrymore) is a teacher who brings her students to the Bloomsberry museum every week because she has a crush on Ted. How will Ted save the museum and what role will Curious George play to save the day?

A very charming family film with a nice performance by Will Ferrell.

Hoot
(2006)

Luke Wilson
Support

Tim Blake Nelson

Three middle-schoolers take on greedy land developers, corrupt politicians, and clueless cops in the mystery adventure based on Carl Hiaasen's Newbery Honor-winning book. The story revolves around a Montana boy who moves to Florida and unearths a disturbing threat to a local population of endangered owls. Determined to protect his new environment, the boy and his friends fight to prevent the adults from making a big mistake. Packed with surprising plot twists, quirky characters, and offbeat humor, Hoot is a classic story that's for all ages.

Luke plays a clueless Officer DeLinko.

Official Movie Site

Over the Hedge
(2006)

Steve Carell
Star

William Shatner

Wanda Sykes

Awakening from a long winter nap to find a subdivision in their backyard, a colony of critters led by a gun-shy tortoise (Gary Shandling) is forced to face its worst fear: humans. But with help from an opportunistic raccoon (Bruce Willis), the animals learn that people aren't all that bad. The star-studded voice cast includes Thomas Haden Church, Nick Nolte, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Avril Lavigne, William Shatner and Wanda Sykes.

Steve Carell voices Hammy the squirrel with a childlike innocence hyperactivity and a bracing way of innocently of speaking the truth. This character is the funniest in the film.

Official Movie Site

Cars
(2006)

Owen Wilson
Star

Jeremy Piven

A high-octane adventure comedy from Disney/Pixar, Cars shows life is about the journey, not the finish line. Hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is living life in the fast lane until he hits a detour on his way to the most important race of his life. Stranded in Radiator Springs, a forgotten town on the old Route 66, he meets Sally (Bonnie Hunt), the wise-cracking tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there's more to life than trophies and fame.

Owen created McQueen's signature catch-phrase "Ka-Chow!"

Official Movie Site

Nacho Libre
(2006)

Jack Black
Star

Mike White (writer, producer), Troy Gentile

After spending his childhood in a Mexican monastery, Ignacio (Jack Black) decides to remain there and work as a cook, mostly to be close to beautiful Sister Encarnación (Ana de la Reguera). So it's natural that when he learns the orphanage is in financial trouble, he pitches in to help - by disguising himself and joining the professional wrestling circuit as a luchador named Nacho. But there will be hell to pay if the church elders find out!

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's Review

Official Movie Site

Night at the Museum
(2006)

Ben Stiller
Star

Owen Wilson
Support

Paul Rudd, Ed Helms (deleted scene)

Anne Meara

In the film, Ben Stiller plays good-hearted dreamer Larry Daley who, despite being perpetually down on his luck, thinks he's destined for something big. But even he could never have imaged how "big," when he accepts what appears to be a menial job as a graveyard-shift security guard at a museum of natural history. During Larry's watch, extraordinary things begin to occur: Mayans, Roman Gladiators, and cowboys (including Owen Wilson) emerge from their diorama to wage epic battles; in his quest for fire, a Neanderthal burns down his own display; Attila the Hun pillages his neighboring exhibits, and a T-Rex reminds everyone why he's history's fiercest predator. Amidst the chaos, the only person Larry can turn to for advice is a wax figure of President Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), who helps our hero harness the bedlam, stop a nefarious plot, and save the museum.

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's review

Official Movie Site

Shrek the Third
(2007)

 

Seth Rogen, John Krasinski

Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Amy Sedaris, Cheri Oteri

Life in the swamp seems better than ever for Shrek and Fiona (voiced by Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz), until King Harold suddenly falls ill and the adorable ogre must find an acceptable heir or he'll have to assume the throne. Joined by his faithful companions Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss-in-Boots (Antonio Banderas), Shrek tracks down Cousin Artie the future king as Fiona and Queen Lillian defend the kingdom from the insidious Prince Charming.

Seth Rogen makes a brief appearance as a ship captain and John Krasinski plays Lancelot. Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Amy Sedaris, and Cheri Oteri voice Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty respectively.

Official Movie Site

Evan Almighty
(2007)

The last time we saw Evan Baxter (Steve Carell), he was being tormented by rival Bruce Nolan onscreen, live from their Buffalo TV station. But as time passed and Evan has made up with Bruce, he's gone onto bigger and better things. Newly elected to Washington D.C. as a congressman, Evan has left Buffalo, New York in pursuit of a greater calling. But that calling isn't serving in the illustrious ranks of America's politics, but being summoned by the Almighty himself (Morgan Freeman), who has handed Evan the task of building a new ark, much as Noah did before. With time passing by and his family belittled by Evan's newfound realization, Evan will have to do the work that God has given him in what promises to be an unusual adventure for a man who just wanted to serve his country, might actually be serving humanity.

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's Review

Official Movie Site

Fred Claus
(2007)

The holiday comedy revolves around Santa's black-sheep brother (Vaughn) who heads back to the North Pole and gets a chance to redeem himself. Paul Giamatti will play Santa and Kevin Spacey will play an efficiency expert who is the villian of the movie. Also starring are John Michael Higgins as Santa's head elf and Miranda Richardson.

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's Review

Horton Hears a Who
(2008)

 

Steve Carell
Star

Jim Carrey, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Will Arnett

Amy Poehler, Isla Fisher

A CGI-animated adventure based on the 1954 Dr Seuss with Steve voicing the mayor of Who-ville. The story follows a loveable elephant, Horton (Jim Carrey), who hears voices coming from a speck of dust. Horton does everything in his power to save the tiny community. Horton struggles to protect the microscopic community from his neighbors who refuse to believe it exists. Steve Carell voices the Mayor of Who-ville, a distinguished figure of a very small size, too small to be seen by the elephant's eyes.

The overall theme: A person is a person no matter how small.

Read the Frat Pack Tribute's Review

Kung Fu Panda
(2008)

 ?????

Jack Black
Star

Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Dustin Hoffman, David Cross, Michael Clarke Duncan

CGI -animated adventure which features Po the Panda (Jack Black), a lowly waiter in a noodle restaurant, who is a kung fu fanatic but whose shape doesn't exactly lend itself to kung fu fighting. In fact, Po's defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest of all the animals in ancient China. That's a problem because powerful enemies are at the gates, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophesy naming Po as the "Chosen One" to save the day. A group of martial arts masters are going to need a black belt in patience if they are going to turn this slacker panda into a kung fu fighter before it's too late.

Voice talent includes Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Ian McShane, James Hong, and Randall Duk Kim.

Opens June 6, 2008. Official Movie Site

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
(2008)

????? 

Ben Stiller
Star

Sacha Baron Cohen, Andy Richter, Etan Cohen (screenplay)

All your favorite characters are back in the sequel.

Opens November 7, 2008.

Night at the Museum 2: Escape from the Smithsonian
(2009)

 ?????

Ben Stiller
Star

Owen Wilson
Support

Hank Azaria, Steve Coogan, Ed Helms

Amy Adams

Family-friendly sequel moves to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. where Larry Daley (Stiller) must escape apparently. Azaria plays Egyptian pharaoh named Kah Mun Rah and Amy Adams is rumored to play Amelia Earhart. Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Robin Williams, and Dick Van Dyke are expected to return for the sequel as well.

The centerpiece of the film will be bringing to life the Smithsonian Institution, which houses the world's largest museum complex with more than 136 million items in its collections, ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic and Al Capone's rap sheet and mug shot to Dorothy's ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker's lounge chair.

Opens May 22, 2009.

Cars 2
(2012)

?????

Owen Wilson
Support

Disney has announced the sequel will debut in 2012.