By PHIL VILLARREAL, Arizona Daily Star

Pixar masterpieces aside, it's been quite a while since Disney cranked out an animated movie worthy of its fairy-dust-sprinkled-castle logo.

After six decades and countless films, the Holocaust remains a vibrant source for stories of heroism, tragedy and reflection.

Happiness is a state of mind rather than a reaction to circumstances. That's the unspoken credo of single British schoolteacher Poppy, the quick-witted, infectiously ebullient focus of "Happy-Go-Lucky."

Stopping in Phoenix recently to promote "Role Models," Seann William Scott was in a contemplative mood.

In a phone interview, he said he's more relaxed now after years of straining to avoid being typecast.

"I've made really calculated decisions and decided that I'm not that effective in certain movies," Scott said.

Anne Hathaway started off in her teens as the cheery lead of "The Princess Diaries" series, but in the decidedly adult, Bergmanesque drama "Rachel Getting Married," you need to double-check the credits to make sure it's the same actress.

Every cranky misanthrope needs a sunny, irresponsible best pal to get him out of the house. At least in the movie world.

Bruce Willis just won't shave his beard, and there will be no movie unless he relents.

The crisis is one of many chirping from a cell-phone headset that's always clipped to the ear of Ben, the Hollywood producer played by Robert De Niro in the insider dramedy "What Just Happened."