Saltzman Sees...Rango (2011)

Rango is a pet chameleon always on the lookout for action and adventure, except the fake kind, where he directs it and acts in it. After a car accident, he winds up in an old western town called Dirt. What this town needs the most is water, but they also need a hero and a sheriff. The thirsty Rango instantly takes on the role of both and selfishly agrees to take on the case of their missing water. 

It is the Best Family Picture of 2011.

The message behind Rango is to believe in yourself, but more importantly to do for others.  Rango learns that if he wants to know who he really is, he needs to help others to find out.

Saltzman Sees...Robots (2005)

Robots is a world, where a young idealistic inventor travels to the big city to join his inspiration's company, only to find himself opposing its sinister new management. His only dream is to make the world a better place with his inventions.  After discovering his idol isn't as great a robot as he thought, Ewen McGregor sets out to help all the robots of the town survive.

It is the Best Family Picture of 2005.

Robots focus is on helping everyone, no matter how broken down, and making everyone feel important and a part of their community.  These are certainly ideas worth embracing as a family.

Saltzman Sees...Toy Story 3 (2010)

Toy Story 3 is just the next example of how Pixar has become the pinnacle for amazing family pictures.  It has taken the spirit of Disney, with the technology of Pixar and the talent of it's actors to create priceless motion pictures by the bundle.  This third take on the adventures of Woody and Buzz might be the most tender of the collection.  The end sequence alone as Andy finally decides what to do with his toys, is movie magic that will live with us forever.

It is the Best Family Picture of 2010 because it pulls at all the right heart strings and teaches us a new lesson about friendship and loyalty that the other two became famous for.

Saltzman Sees...Up (2009)

Up is the story of a man's devotion to a promise his wife and him made the day they first met.  It runs so deep, he spends his final days trying to live out their greatest adventure in her memory. 

What ends up happening and why this is the Best Family Picture of 2009, is Carl finds out the life he lived with his wife was the greatest adventure one could ever ask for.  The trick for Carl is to learn how to find adventure on his own now that he is finally on his own.  As the story unfolds, Carl meets some new friends along the way that might help him do just that.

Most beautiful and saddest beginning to a movie ever

Saltzman Sees...WALL E (2008)

WALL-E is one of the most romantic movies ever made and it is certainly the best love story of the Pixar Empire.  Wall-E is a robot who has survived on earth while all the remaining inhabitants of the planet are in outer space on ships.  When a protocol droid named EVE goes to Earth in search for life, she meets our Romeo.  WALL E spends the remainder of the movie as the hopeless romantic just wanting to hold hands with the most beautiful robot he has ever seen.

This is the Best Family Picture of 2008 because it shows that amazing things can be accomplished by using one's heart.  It also is a great look at the realities of what we are doing to our planet and our own bodies and how we might better treat ourselves and our world in the future.

WALL E's favorite love song from his favorite movie Hello Dolly!

Saltzman Sees...Ratatouille (2007)

Ratatouille is a film about a disgusting rat who can make the most exquisite food.  In the human world, rats are despised, but in France, all that matters is the food.  And Remi, played by Patton Oswalt, can certainly cook.  The idea is so foreign to humans, that it takes the help of a down on his luck janitor to change their fates forever.

Ratatouille is the Best Family Picture of 2007 because of Remi's ability to prove to both humans and his father that being your own person can bring out the best in everyone.  It's a great movie to teach both independence and responsibility, without endorsing rebellion.  Remi doesn't want to lose the respect of his father or give up his life long dreams. 

Saltzman Sees...Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

Akeelah and the Bee is one of the most enjoyable movies of the year.  Keke Palmer plays a brilliant young girl who is embarrassed by her school and where she lives.  By taking on the challenge of representing her school in a spelling bee, she tries to find a way out of her environment.  Laurence Fishburne is tremendous as 'Akeelah's' mentor and coach.  Angela Bassett plays the pessimistic mother who has already dealt with many hardships and doesn't need any more.

The movie is a 'Stand up and Cheer' type of picture and is a great family movie because it teaches us that you are never too old to learn or too young to teach.  The most important thing you can do is to be open minded to others and willing to lend your support to them.

It is the Best Family Picture of 2006.

Saltzman Sees...Shrek 2 (2004)

Shrek 2 is a fantastic movie in and of itself, and holds up to the challenge of being as good as the original.  While the original Shrek is better, adding a character like Puss in Boots, played by Antonio Banderas, certainly raises the bar.  Now it's own motion picture, Donkey and Puss in Boots together is priceless in this second installment of the Shrek Franchise.

What we learn through the movie is the most important lesson is to be willing to make sacrifices for the people we love.

It is the Best Family Picture of 2004.

Saltzman Sees...Finding Nemo (2003)

Finding Nemo is the best Pixar movie ever made. This is Andrew Stanton's masterpiece, and in the process, created the best Disney character since Robin Williams stared as the Genie with Ellen DeGeneres as Dory.  It has all the elements of a perfect Disney Film.  Interestingly, like so many other Disney Classics, it also has the most common theme (becoming an orphan in the opening sequence.)

However, Nemo learns from Gil and Marlin learns from Dory the same lesson which is: trust and friendship create the strongest relationships. 

It is a must see and the Best Family Picture of 2003.

Saltzman Sees...Ice Age (2002)

Ice Age is a story of friendship, as animals that have survived the Ice Age are thrown together whether they like it or not.  Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary star in this comedy about the importance of sticking together and helping each other for a common goal.

The characters become more and more dependent of each other as the film grows, and it teaches the audience an essential lesson that friends and family come in all shapes and sizes.

It is the Best Family Picture of 2002.

Saltzman Sees...Shrek (2001)

Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy began a journey in 2001 that would allow Dreamworks to compete with Disney Pixar to this day.  Myers, who has been brilliant in the past with outlandish characters from Saturday Night Live, including two Wayne's World movies and an Austin Powers trilogy, raises the bar as Shrek.  Myers creates depth and warmth in a over-sized ugly ogre that is captivating.

Shrek teaches us that falling in love is about what is in one's heart and mind and not about superficial things like appearance.  It is a beautiful love story and one the whole family will enjoy.  It is the Best Family Picture of 2001.

Saltzman Sees...Toy Story 2 (1999)

Toy Story 2 is the first sequel in the Disney Pixar franchise is also one of the best movies of 1999.  The second installment of the Toy Story empire is just as heartwarming and just as fun as the first.  It introduces new characters to 'Andy's Room' and includes one of the most beautiful, emotional sequences in the company's history...(You Tube Clip below)

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are just as fabulous in the sequel, and the message this franchise sends through their movies about loyalty and friendship are second to none.

It is the Best Family Picture of 1999.

Saltzman Sees...Return to Me (2000)

Return to Me is a remarkable story of a man who loses his wife, but finds her heart.  David Duchovny and Minnie Driver star in this touching love story directed by Bonnie Hunt.  Carroll O'Conner and Robert Loggia lead a brilliant supporting cast that includes David Alan Grier and John Belushi.  Because Duchovny's wife is an organ donor, her heart ends up with Minnie Driver and when the two main characters meet, there is instant sparks and chemistry.  What will happen when Duchovny finds out how connected they really are?

The reason it is my choice for the Best Family Picture of 2000, is because it reminds us that the cliche: "Home is where the heart is" can be tricky sometimes.  However, that doesn't make it any less true.  This is a movie everyone in the family needs to see.

Saltzman Sees...In and Out (1997)

In & Out is a hilarious story of a man coming to grips with who he is.  Kevin Kline is marvelous as a man set to get married when the entire world finds out he's gay...including him.  Bob Newhart, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon and Tom Selleck are terrific in this unusual comedy about what happens when everyone in town isn't ready for the truth.

How the town comes to terms with their new reality is beautiful and is a great message to all families about acceptance, understanding and love.

It is the Best Family Picture of 1997.

In & Out also won my Best Actress (Joan Cusack) in 1997.

Saltzman Sees...The Preacher's Wife (1996)

The Preacher's Wife is a Christmas movie that gets lost during the Holiday season because of so many classics, from It's a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street, to recent hits like Elf and Christmas Vacation. Denzel Washington is the finest actor of his generation, and in this movie, he shows a softer, comical side he doesn't get to show often.  Whitney Houston provides her angelic voice to the movie and the supporting cast includes brilliant actors like Gregory Hines, Loretta Devine, Courtney B. Vance and Jenifer Lewis.  It is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all-time.

The Preacher's Wife is a beautiful story of a man in need of someone to help during hard times for his community. What he learns about the strength in believing in his community, even during it's toughest times, is what sets this film apart.

It is the Best Family Picture of 1996.

Saltzman Sees...Oliver and Company (1988)

Oliver & Company is the story of an orphaned kitten who tries to find a family with the help of a gang of dogs.  Musicians Billy Joel and Bette Midler head a strong musical cast in this Disney Classic.  Cheech Marin, Dom DeLuise, and Robert Loggia are part of an impressive supporting cast.  Is it certainly one of the most charming movies Disney has ever produced, and has gotten lost in the shuffle of Classics.

This movie is one of the best examples of how the need for love and family brings out the best in oneself. (or in this case dogs and cats)

It is my choice for Best Family Picture of 1988.

Saltzman Sees...Toy Story (1995)

Pixar began a phenomenon that has taken Disney beyond anything anyone could ever have anticipated.  Disney has always been the king of animated features, but with Toy Story, it has become the king of computer animation.  Tom Hanks and Tim Allen lead a brilliant cast that has spawned not only two more Toy Story movies, but a collection of masterpieces in cinema.  At the time, nobody knew what a gold mine they had, but now director John Lasseter is one of the most successful directors/producers in the world.

When the newest toy threatens the establishment, they all must learn to work together.  This is one of the finest films about teaching family the importance of sticking together.  It is my choice for Best Family Picture of 1995.

Saltzman Sees...It Could Happen To You (1994)

It Could Happen To You tells the story of how being honest and nice might have you finishing last in the beginning, but if you follow your heart, you win bigger in the end.  Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda are one of the sweetest couples in movie history and their innocence and simplicity is what gets them in trouble in the hard knocks world of New York City.

Their love captures the city of New York in the movie and audiences as well.  It is one of the best movies of the year, and...

It is the Best Family Picture of 1994.

Saltzman Sees...Uncle Buck (1989)

Uncle Buck is a John Candy masterpiece.  Nobody knew how to bring out the lovable Candy better than Director John Hughes, whether it was Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors, or Only the Lonely.  Jean Louisa Kelly was marvelous in her first role ever.

What ensues is one of the most memorable journeys in movie history of a 'boy' becoming a man by helping look after his nieces and nephew.  It is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen and it certainly stands the test of time.

It is the Best Family Picture 1989. 

Saltzman Sees Presents...The Funniest Movie of 1989: Uncle Buck

Macaulay Culkin vs John Candy

Buck Russell, Moley Russell's Wart

Saltzman Sees...Father of the Bride (1991)

Father of the Bride is one of the most heartwarming stories ever told about the fear of losing your daughter to a younger man.  Steve Martin, one of the greatest comedians of all-time, portrays George Banks flawlessly, by playing a father filled with flaws.

The one thing he has nailed down is his love for his family and this story exudes that.  Father of the Bride is certainly one of the most underrated performances of Martin's career and also started Kimberly Williams movie career.

It is the Best Family Picture of 1991.