Bolt

Director: Byron Howard and Chris Williams
Year Released: 2008
Rating: 1.5

'Delusional' Hollywood dog Bolt (John Travolta) gets separated from the set and his owner (the current 'It Girl' for the teenage set, Miley Cyrus) and eventually comes to the painful realization that he does not possess 'super powers' and that he's just a regular puppy. Aside from being stereotypical and not terribly imaginative, it also has an ironic side - namely, it's a Hollywood movie decrying Hollywood's lack of a sense of reality - and reiterating the old mantra about the need for family values … but its lead voice actor is one of the most prominent members of the Church of Scientology, a well-known Hollywood cult (founded by a struggling sci-fi writer). I was able to see this in 3-D - my first 3-D in a real theater, if you can believe it - and I'll admit it added a certain kiddie-ish pleasure to the viewing: I think the effect works beautifully with these digitally animated pictures.