For Little Kids and Big Kids

The Book of Life (DVD 2014)

This was a wonderful movie, I urge everyone to watch it. Manolo and Joaquin are both in love with Maria. When Manolo is tricked into dying before his time so that Xibalba (ruler or the land of the Forgotten) can win a bet with la Muerte (who rules the land of the Remembered), he vows to return to life and find Maria again. What follows is the most colorful, magical and musical movie I've seen in a long time. The music is so addictive that you'll find yourself humming the tunes long after the movie is over. The Mexican underworld is so colorful and different to what we are used to, truly a feast for the eyes and the heart.

Boxtrolls (DVD 2015)

What happens if a baby is found and raised by trolls who disguise themselves as boxes? Apparently, you get a well adjusted youth with a slight lisp. And that is not a bad thing; although there are obvious plot holes, they seem to be intentional in order to give a sense of childlike innocence to the storytelling. The world of the boxtrolls is stuck in a quasi-Victorian steampunk era, where leadership is determined by how well one runs the cheese board. The villain of the story is an ambitious pest control officer who has designs on the white hat of the ruling class, and who is not above blackmail and sabotage to get it. Enter Eggs, a young boy raised by the boxtrolls since infancy, who is dismayed to learn when he encounters humans that his friends are being hunted like beasts! A fun flight of fancy that brings classic Claymation technology to new heights. I found it enchanting, especially the villain's unusual disguise. A good laugh for anyone who likes fantasy.

Jedi Academy - Return of the Padawan  by  Jeffrey Brown(JF 2014)

This is a great series for kids who enjoy all things Star Wars and like to imagine life if they were Jedi. Our young Padawan, as the title states, returns to the Jedi Academy for the second year of school. How will he do in class? Will he avoid falling to the dark side? Will he find out what is in the mystery meat?

Minions (2015)

If you're a fan of Despicable Me, you'll love this movie. I went to see it in 3D in theaters, and although 3D always makes me nauseous, it was still worth seeing. We finally get to see more of the origins of our loveable yellow henchmen, and the origin of their language is clarified thanks to the opening sequences of the movie. The new villainess is also a hoot, with just the right mix of allure and meanness. For those patient enough to stay seated until the end of the credits, there are also plenty of bonus scenes. With the 3rd Despicable Me movie scheduled to come out in a while, one wonders if Minions has the sown the seeds of a few interesting plot points. Long lost relatives of some character(s), perhaps? In any case, this movie is great for the kid, and the kid in you!