20th Century Fox
www.foxconnect.com
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the Tooth Fairy |
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Favorite Features -
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bonus features include the Tooth Fairy training center and sing along with fairy-oke
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strong messages about believing in yourself, not giving up and pursuing your dreams
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This movie had lots of humor - most of it appealed to children, but this is a movie families can watch and enjoy together. There were a number of "big name" actors in this movie and I particularly enjoyed Julie Andrews and Billy Crystal. I especially enjoyed the "short" at the end of the movie during the credits . . . very funny!
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Avatar |
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Favorite Features -
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obviously the special effects and colors in this movie are extremely well done
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interesting characters and setting certainly helped the storyline
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strong messages about caring about and for others and doing the right thing
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This movie was significantly better than I expected. I don't enjoy movies with strong political/environmental messages, but after watching Avatar, I don't think it really makes that strong of a political/environmental message. Certainly the "big business" interests were the bad guys and their selfishness was obvious, but I liked how not only the "hero" came to respect, understand and care about the natives, but they also came to do the same with him. While I could certainly do without the new-age spiritualism this is a good story and gives parents much to talk about with their children. Extremely well done!
Disney
www.disney.com
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Alice in Wonderland |
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Favorite Features -
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Johnny Depp does an outstanding job as the "Mad Hatter" - I don't think anyone else could be a better Mad Hatter than Johnny.
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I appreciate the "ad" encouraging adults to quit smoking and to not smoke around their children
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amazing, colorful images - incredible sets and costumes
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computer generated animation, action capture, live animation and a combination of all three - amazing job on it all!
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strong messages about finding yourself and in so doing learning you have the courage and strength to be a champion - excellent launching point for important discussions parents can have with their children
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First of all this is a Tim Burton movie. As such it will be unusual, slightly off kilter and will absolutely have strange and even disturbing features to it . . . Alice crossing the moat by stepping on floating heads is nothing other than disturbing. However, this also is the story of Alice in Wonderland and it is a strange story on it's own. Having said this I do find the movie to be filled with incredible images, characters and most importantly, solid messages. As they say, "Nothing is exactly as it seems" and "Alice tries to figure out who she isn't" and in so doing finds who she is. Children, and adults also have the challenge of finding out who they aren't. It is a wonderful thing when we all discover our real selves, like Alice, have the courage and strength to be a champion as well! While this movie is absolutely "different" I do give it my highest rating - Tremendously well done!
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The Great Mouse Detective |
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Favorite Features -
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great story is a take-off on Sherlock Holmes
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great characters, excellent songs throughout and lots of color make this movie fun to watch
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strong messages about family, friends, helping others and not giving up
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fun bonus features
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I loved this movie when it first released - I'm delighted to see it out on dvd. This is a great story; a story which is fun for the whole family! There is adventure, bad guys to defeat and family to save . . . pop up a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy this movie with your friends and family! It is sure to be a favorite! Tremendously well done!
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Handy Manny's Big Race |
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Favorite Features -
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more fun to be had with Handy Manny and his tools
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colorful animation
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strong messages about teamwork, doing your best, not giving up and helping friends
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fun bonus extras - including two additional stories
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teaches some simple Spanish
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Handy Manny is a great series for little ones, and one their parents can enjoy as they watch it together. Lots of important messages for parents to talk about with their children - you can't go wrong with Handy Manny! I like the message that something may look broken down, but with hard work, taking things step by step, working together with determination you could be surprised in the end! Preschool boys in particular who like cars and tools will love this movie! I would have liked it better if Elliot didn't end up too afraid to drive his race car and think parents should talk with their children about being determined to not give up. All in all this movie is extremely well done!
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My Friends Tigger & Pooh
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Favorite Features -
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fun story with friends Pooh, Tigger and Darby
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encourages asking questions - who?, what?, where?, when?, why? and how? and then finding answers
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encourages helping others and figuring out how to help
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It is hard to go wrong with Pooh and Tigger; this story is one with strong messages about helping others. After watching take some time to talk with your children about what they could do to help others. Very nicely done!
