1.Wall-E (Widescreen Single-Disc Edition) (2008)
Pixar genius reigns in this funny romantic comedy, which stars a robot who says absolutely nothing for a full 25 minutes yet somehow completely transfixes and endears himself to the audience within the first few minutes of the film. As the last robot left on earth, Wall-E (voiced by Ben Burtt) is one small robot–with a big, big heart–who holds the future of earth and mankind squarely in the palm of his metal hand. He’s outlasted all the “Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class” robots that were assigned some 700 years ago to clean up the environmental mess that man made of earth while man vacationed aboard the luxury spaceship Axiom. Wall-E has dutifully gone about his job compacting trash, the extreme solitude broken only by his pet cockroach, but he’s developed some oddly human habits and ideas. When the Axiom sends its regularly scheduled robotic EVE probe (Elissa Knight) to earth, Wall-E is instantly smitten and proceeds to try to impress EVE with his collection of human memorabilia. EVE’s directive compels her to bring Wall-E’s newly collected plant sprout to the captain of the Axiom and Wall-E follows in hot pursuit. Suddenly, the human world is turned upside down and the Captain (Jeff Garlin) joins forces with Wall-E and a cast of other misfit robots to lead the now lethargic people back home to earth. Wall-E is a great family film with the most impressive aspect being the depth of emotion conveyed by a simple robot–a machine typically considered devoid of emotion, but made so absolutely touching by the magic of Pixar animation. Also well-worth admiring are the sweeping views from space, the creative yet disturbing vision of what strange luxuries a future space vacation might offer, and the innovative use of trash in a future cityscape. Underneath the slapstick comedy and touching love story is a poignant message about the folly of human greed and its potential effects on earth and the entire human race. Wall-E is preceded in theaters by the comical short Presto in which a magician’s rabbit, unfed one too many times takes his revenge against the egotistical magician. (Ages 3 and older) –Tami Horiuchi>
2.Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
Families come in many different shapes and sizes, but few humans consider rodents members of the family. Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is no exception, so when this flailing musician finds three young talking chipmunks gorging themselves in his kitchen cupboards, Dave is quick to question his sanity and then toss the offending chipmunks outside into the rain and restore order. When Dave hears the chipmunks singing outside his window, he realizes that that unusual trio might just be the world’s next vocal sensation and he strikes a bargain with them–the chipmunks can stay with him if they sing his songs. While chipmunks Alvin (Justin Long), Theodore (Jesse McCartney), and Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) quickly begin to see Dave as a father figure, it’s strictly a business arrangement for Dave and he maintains an appropriate emotional distance. Dave’s frustration with the chipmunks mounts as they unwittingly wreak havoc on his personal life, but when Dave’s old friend and record label mogul Ian (David Cross) begins to exploit the chipmunks for personal gain, Dave suddenly realizes what an important part of his life, and indeed his family, the three chipmunks have become. Hilarity reins in this live action/CGI comedy with many memorable scenes–think chipmunks showering in the dishwasher, riding in remote control planes, and bouncing off the walls under the influence of a serious caffeine buzz. Catchy Chipmunks’ songs both new and old promise to lodge themselves in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll and even those none-too-enchanted with the premise of singing chipmunks can’t help but be entertained by this comical film. (Ages 6 and older with parental guidance due to mild rude humor) –Tami Horiuchi
3.Avatar the Last Airbender - Book 3 Fire, Vol. 3 (2008)
At the beginning of Avatar the Last Airbender: Book 3 Fire, Vol. 3, things don’t go quite the way one would have hoped at the end of Vol. 2. Aang–the young avatar–and his companions Katara, Toph, and Sokka were part of a major assault on the tyrannical fire nation, and hopes of victory were high. In “The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse,” however, circumstances reverse the heroes’ fortunes, forcing Aang, his friends and the very youngest warriors to flee the battle. As they regroup at the Western Air Temple, mourning the expected imprisonment of the adults left behind, Aang comes face to face with an unexpected, would-be ally: Zuko, prince of the fire nation. Sokka and Katara refuse to accept Zuko’s guarantee that he is truly on their side (they’ve been through this before), but Toph and Aang are a little more receptive to the idea. Good thing. In “The Firebending Masters,” Aang accepts that Zuko could be the firebending mentor he needs to show him how to conquer the most elusive of the four elements. But it isn’t easy: Zuko loses his power and must retreat to a fire nation temple, where he can learn the origins of his native gift. The set of five stories on this disc concludes with the two-part “The Boiling Rock,” in which Sokka and Zuko infiltrate a fire nation maximum security prison in hopes of freeing Sokka’s father. Trying hard to stay clandestine, Zuko’s identity is revealed anyway, jeopardizing not only the mission but Zuko and Sokka’s very freedom. The excitement is endless in the long-running Avatar series, and developments (especially Zuko’s acceptance by Aang and the others) are as heartening as they are surprising. –Tom Keogh
4.Sleeping Beauty (Two-Disc Platinum Edition) (1959)
Disney’s 1959 animated effort was the studio’s most ambitious to date, a widescreen spectacle boasting a gorgeous waltz-filled score adapting Tchaikovsky. In the 14th century, the malevolent Maleficent (not dissimilar to the wicked Queen in Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs taunts a king that his infant Aurora will fatally prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sundown on her 16th birthday. This, of course, would deny her a happily-ever-after with her true love. Things almost but not quite turn out that way, thanks to the assistance of some bubbly, bumbling fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. It’s not really all that much about the title character–how interesting can someone in the middle of a long nap be, anyway? Instead, those fairies carry the day, as well as, of course, good Prince Phillip, whose battle with the malevolent Maleficent in the guise of a dragon has been co-opted by any number of animated films since. See it in its original glory here. And Malificent’s castle, filled with warthogs and demonic imps in a macabre dance celebrating their evil ways, manages a certain creepy grandeur. –David Kronke On the DVD
Sleeping Beauty was the last and most lavish of Walt Disney’s animated fairy tales. He told the artists not to hurry and to give him “a moving illustration”: The film required almost four and one-half years and one million finished drawings. Instead of the 19th century storybook illustrations that had influenced the look of Snow White and Pinocchio, the artists adapted the flattened perspective and jewel-like colors of 15th century French illuminated manuscripts. The results remain unmatched for sheer visual opulence. However, Sleeping Beauty suffers from a weak story: the vision of an ageless princess slumbering in a vine-shrouded tower was replaced with elements of Snow White and a boy-meets-girl musical. The evil Maleficent and the three Good Fairies (Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather) dominate the film, rather than Princess Aurora and Prince Philip. Sleeping Beauty was originally released in 70mm, and the Blu-ray edition restores the film to its original splendor. (Many earlier releases trimmed the wide-screen images and/or muted the glowing palatte.) The Bonus DVD looks good on a flat screen monitor, but it pales in comparison to the richness of the Blu-ray. In addition to the commentaries and a making-of documentary, the set includes myriad extras that vary widely in quality. Nostalgia buffs will enjoy the recreation of the old Sleeping Beauty’s Castle attraction in Disneyland, and the TV program “Four Artists Paint One Tree” provides a welcome showcase for key talents from the film. But the CG animation of the dragon and the voice imitations of the Good Fairies fail to capture the magic of the originals in the “Dragon Encounter”; the “Maleficent’s Challenge Game”–a hi-tech Twenty Questions–sounds only vaguely like the redoubtable sorceress. (Rated G: violence) –Charles Solomon
5.Horton Hears a Who (Widescreen and Full-Screen Single-Disc Edition) (2008)
Dr. Seuss’s classic 1954 book Horton Hears a Who has entertained generations of children and served as the inspiration for a 26-minute, 1970 television special Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who and the 2000 Broadway musical Seussical: The Musical. This 2008, full-length animated movie features the voice talents of Jim Carrey as Horton, Steve Carrell as the Mayor of Whoville, Carol Burnett as the Kangaroo, and Jesse McCartney as JoJo and promises to delight a whole new generation of children and their parents and grandparents. The technological wonders of computer animation have allowed 20th Century Fox Animation to bring to life the wacky, colorful Whoville with its minute inhabitants and the lush Jungle of Nool with its host of distinctive animals and the result is a rich, fantastical world of wonder worthy of Dr. Seuss’ own imagination. All the major plot elements of Dr. Seuss’ book are present, with Horton hearing the faint cry for help from a tiny dust speck atop a small clover and doing his best to protect the inhabitants of that small civilization of Whoville despite the disbelief, disdain, and persecution of his fellow animals. The feel of Dr. Seuss’ original rhyming prose is partially preserved in the sparse narration by Charles Osgood that’s interspersed throughout the film’s dialogue and the overarching themes of staying true to one’s convictions and the celebration of the power of perseverance, imagination, and kindness come through loud and clear. Horton Hears a Who is a fun rendering of a classic Dr. Seuss story that’s sure to entertain viewers of all ages. –Tami Horiuchi
6.Kung Fu Panda (Widescreen Edition) (2008)
What’s a panda to do when his dreams of kung-fu awesomeness awake to the cold reality of noodle-making? Clumsy, overweight Po (Jack Black) dreams of becoming a kung fu master like China’s revered “furious five,” but instead seems destined to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in the restaurant business. When great leader Oogway has a vision that the imprisoned kung fu warrior Tai Lung (Ian McShane) will soon escape, he declares it time to choose China’s dragon warrior–one kung fu master deemed worthy of possessing the dragon’s scroll and its secret to limitless power. Po and all the townspeople rush to the Jade Palace atop the highest mountain to witness the contest between Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu), but Po is locked outside the palace. After a miracle of sorts, Po lands inside the palace gates, where he is chosen as the dragon warrior and placed under the tutelage of the decidedly non-plussed master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). An unconventional student to say the least, hilarity reigns as Shifu tries desperately to make Po into some semblance of a kung fu warrior. Can Po possibly fulfill his destiny as dragon warrior, or was Oogway’s final decision a critical mistake? A film rich with hilarious moments, superior animation, and an important message about believing in oneself and the power that comes from within, Kung Fu Panda is great entertainment that will have the whole family laughing and begging for more. (Ages 3 and older) –Tami Horiuchi
7.Tinker Bell (2008)
A vibrant look at the magical world of fairies and the wonder of the changing seasons, Tinker Bell is the captivating story of one of Disney’s most beloved fairies. Pixie Hollow is a land where fairies constantly create and improve upon the beauty of the four seasons and prepare to bring the changing seasons to the mainland. When Tinker Bell is born, she discovers she is destined to be a Tinker fairy; one who invents gadgets to help fairies do their jobs more efficiently, but she is disappointed with her supporting role and yearns for a more impressive job. While her fellow fairies assure her that she plays a vital role in the arrival of spring, Tinker Bell shuns her calling and attempts to become something she’s not. In the end, Tinker Bell’s efforts cause a disaster that threatens to delay or even cancel the coming of spring and only inspiration and a firm belief in her own strengths can lead Tinker Bell to fulfill her destiny and save spring. This CGI product ion features truly breathtaking vividness and clarity, does a great job of portraying the world of nature from a fairy’s perspective, and creates a nice sense of consistency between its final frames and the opening of the original Peter Pan film. Notable voice talent includes Mae Whitman, Kristin Chenoweth, Jane Horrocks, Anjelica Huston, Jesse McCartney, and Raven-Symone. Other DVD bonus features include the interactive “Tinker Trainer” game, tour of the realms of Pixie Hollow, a look at how fairies put the wonder in the world around us, Selena Gomez’s music video “Fly To Your Heart,” and deleted scenes. (Ages 3 and older) –Tami Horiuchi
8.Ni Hao Kai-Lan: Super Special Days
A sort of Dora the Explorer that features Mandarin Chinese instead of Spanish, Ni hao, Kai-lan is an entertaining Nick Jr. animated program for preschoolers that positively portrays biculturalism, helps build problem solving skills, and introduces basic Chinese words. Kai-lan is a creative, compassionate young girl who has a very close relationship with her Grandfather (YeYe) and loves to play and try new things with her many animal friends including Tolee the koala, Rintoo the tiger, and Hoho the monkey. Like all young children, Kai-lan and her friends play and explore and minor conflicts and emotional outbursts inevitably arise. Kai-lan has a way of stepping back and reviewing the situation to reveal the underlying problem, whether it’s hurt feelings, frustration, or downright anger. With a little help from her grandfather and his calming techniques, she always finds a way to support her friends and make everyone feel better. Along the way, viewers learn some basic Chinese words and get a sense of the importance Chinese culture places on things like intergenerational families, calmness, and looking at things from another’s perspective. (Ages 3 to 7) –Tami Horiuchi
9.Kit Kittredge - An American Girl (2008)
A period piece set in the Great Depression and based on the extremely popular American Girl book series, Kit Kittredge is a moving and believable story about a smart 10-year-old girl whose family is profoundly affected by the Depression. May, 1934 finds Kit Kittredge (Abigail Breslin) living a very comfortable life in a nice home with her mother (Julia Ormond) and father (Chris O’Donnell) despite the Depression that is affecting many of her neighbors. When her father’s auto dealership is taken back by the bank, Kit’s father is forced to head for Chicago to look for work, leaving his family struggling to make ends meet by taking in borders. Kindhearted and generous by nature, Kit’s nose for news and her aspirations of becoming a great reporter lead her to write a portrait of the boardinghouse run by her mother, essentially a kid’s view of the Depression as well as an article about hobos that challenges many commonly held prejudices. Kit determinedly submits her articles to the local Cincinnati Register paper, regardless of the chief editor’s stern ways and obvious lack of interest. When her own family and boarders become the victims of a crime, Kit’s must utilize her investigative skills to solve the crime and exonerate her friend Will (Max Thieriot). Breslin’s performance in this film is stellar–viewers can’t help but believe that she is Kit Kittredge. The filmmakers’ attention to detail ensures that everything from scenery props to music and dialogue seem completely authentic, and performances by Joan Cusack as the mobile librarian, Stanley Tucci as the traveling magician, Jane Krakowski as the desperate-for-love dance instructor, and Zach Mills as Kit’s young friend, are all impressive. Serious American Girl fans, period film lovers, and viewers just looking for a good story will love this film. (Ages 3 and older) –Tami Horiuchi
10.Classical Baby: The Poetry Show (2008)
My son is two-years-old and he is not permitted to watch television. (I am a psychologist and have done research as to the correlation of ADHD and television viewing). However, I discovered The Poetry Show on HBO and recorded it for my son. He absolutely loves it. He is now able to completely recite the Owl and the Pussycat and will recite some limited Shakespeare. The children interviewed in this DVD are so sweet and cerebral. It truly inspires a parent to introduce their children to the arts at a young age. This DVD has quality animations, wonderful celebrity readings of classic poems and is an overall well-done piece. I would recommend this to anyone. I believe it spans children of all ages and captures the attention and interest of adults alike.
Featuring the hallmark animation of HBO Familys Peabody and Emmy Award-winning Classical Baby franchise, Classical Baby: The Poetry Show presents timeless treasures from the world of poetry, including classics by William Shakespeare, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Frost, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Langston Hughes. With an all-star cast including Susan Sarandon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Wright, Andy Garcia and John Lithgow, this all-new half hour will plant the seeds for a lifelong love of the sound of words!
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