Cast:
Fred Astaire … Narrator / Postal carrier (voice)
Mickey Rooney … Kris Kringle / Santa Claus (voice)
Keenan Wynn … Winter Warlock (voice)
Paul Frees … Burgermeister Meisterburger / Grimsby / Soldiers / Townsmen (voice)
Joan Gardner … Tante Kringle (voice)
Robie Lester … Jessica (voice)
Andrea Sacino … Child (voice)
Dina Lynn … Child (voice)
Gary White … Child (voice)
Greg Thomas … Child (voice)

That’s right folks! Santa claus is coming to town, and this time, he’s being followed by the toy-hating Burgermeister Meisterburger and the Winter Warlock.

Watch Santa Claus in this epic classic go from an orphaned child raised by elves, to a young man who is not allowed delivering toys, to a complete toy giving king of Christmas. You’ll also get to see Mrs. Claus as his wife and hear her name for the first time (Jessica).

This classic has many wonderful messages that every kid will love and understand. It’s one of love and courage. Doing things that are right, no matter the obstacles.

It’s a must have and see for any generation full of xmas spirits and joy. The older generation will feel nostalgic and reminisce of their youth, while the newer generation will be awe-inspired and incredibly in love with the parents that gave them this gift.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. The Santa Clause
2. Christmas Is Here Again
3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – 1964

Cast:
Jason Segel … Gary
Amy Adams … Mary
Chris Cooper … Tex Richman
Rashida Jones … Veronica Martin
Steve Whitmire … Kermit / Beaker / Statler / Rizzo / Link Hogthrob / The Newsman (voice)
Eric Jacobson … Miss Piggy / Fozzie Bear / Animal / Sam Eagle / Marvin Suggs (voice)
Dave Goelz … Gonzo / Dr. Bunsen Honeydew / Zoot / Beauregard / Waldorf / Kermit Moopet (voice)
Bill Barretta … Swedish Chef / Rowlf / Dr. Teeth / Pepe the Prawn / Bobo (voice)
David Rudman … Scooter / Janice / Miss Poogy / Wayne (voice)
Matt Vogel … Sgt. Floyd Pepper / Camilla / Sweetums / 80’s Robot / Lew Zealand / Uncle Deadly / Roowlf / Crazy Harry (voice)
Peter Linz … Walter (voice)
Alan Arkin … Tour Guide
Bill Cobbs … Grandfather
Zach Galifianakis … Hobo Joe
Ken Jeong … ‘Punch Teacher’ Host
 

This movie is fantastic and essentially flawless. Jason Segel, along with co-writer Nicholas Stoller and director James Bobin have made possibly the best family movie of 2011. Adorable and entertaining; the Muppet’s please everyone from the average moviegoer to Muppet purists alike.

On one side is a modern comedy, chock full of hysterical celebrity cameos and pop culture references. And on the other side is a nostalgic throwback to the Muppet’s era. Those who remember the old series will unquestionably find delight in seeing their favorite puppets reunite for another big show, literally.

Funnily enough, the movie treats the Muppet characters as if they were real life actors, with The Muppet’s shows and movies being their past careers. The Muppet’s haven’t seen any action in years (a fact also true in real life), and each Muppet has taken his/her own path in life with varying degrees of success. When crisis arises, the old troupe is forced to find each other and give it another go.

It is all weaved through a fascinating meta-narrative that begs the question, what happens to the Muppet’s when they aren’t The Muppet’s? After all this time away, can The Muppet’s make a comeback through a reunion and relive their former glory days? – a question ultimately answered by the movie itself.

Simply put, I can’t imagine anyone with a heart not enjoying this film. There’s something in it for everybody, especially if you’re in the mood for laughter and catchy musical numbers. The creative humor was a breath of fresh air. There is plenty breaking of the fourth wall and oh so much of that lovely deadpan irony and absurdest humor, reminiscent of old comedies like Airplane! The audience in the theater was cracking up almost every other moment, myself included. And while humor is its strong suit, the movie is also an incredibly heartwarming tale of friends that go their separate ways but are still connected through their hearts. Moviegoers and Muppet fans alike, go see this movie!

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. A Bug’s Life
2. Christmas Is Here Again
3. Madagascar

Cast:
Jim Carrey … Scrooge / Ghost of Christmas Past / Ghost of Christmas Present / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Steve Valentine … Funerary Undertaker / Topper
Daryl Sabara … Undertaker’s Apprentice / Tattered Caroler / Beggar Boy / Peter Cratchit / Well-Dressed Caroler
Ryan Ochoa … Tattered Caroler / Beggar Boy / Young Cratchit Boy / Ignorance Boy / Young Boy with Sleigh
Sammi Hanratty … Beggar Boy / Young Cratchit Girl / Want Girl
Julian Holloway … Fat Cook / Portly Gentleman #2 / Business Man #3
Gary Oldman … Bob Cratchit / Marley / Tiny Tim
Colin Firth … Fred
Cary Elwes … Portly Gentleman #1 / Dick Wilkins / Mad Fiddler / Guest #2 / Business Man #1
Robin Wright … Fan / Belle (as Robin Wright Penn)
Bob Hoskins … Fezziwig / Old Joe

Jim Carrey is full of surprises and the entire movie is a theatrical outburst of his talent, under the brilliant direction of Robert Zemeckis. Brilliant because it manages to make take the Dickens story and walk us through all its dimensions, without fear of sadness and, in the same time, he has the cold blood to use the magic wand for a happy end. I wasn’t a big 3D fan until this movie, maybe because I didn’t see any possibility to enrich the classical format, perfect as it became with the years… ‘A Christmas Carol’ gains a lot from 3D being a sensorial experience enhanced by IMAX technology.

All in all, it’s not a story for kids, because it’s rather disturbing and contemplative. Gary Oldman’s pointing finger will stay with you for a while… It’s an enchanting story and I encourage you to go and see it.

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If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. A Christmas Story
2. Christmas Is Here Again
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Cast:

Kate Maberly     …     Mary Lennox
Heydon Prowse     …     Colin Craven
Andrew Knott     …     Dickon
Maggie Smith     …     Mrs. Medlock
Laura Crossley     …     Martha
John Lynch         …     Lord Archibald Craven
Walter Sparrow     …     Ben Weatherstaff
Irène Jacob     …     Mary’s Mother / Lilias Craven (as Irene Jacob)

The Secret Garden is the perfect family film.

The movie is a rare treat where in the screenwriter and director actually understand their source, The Secret Garden by Frances Hogsden Burnett, and make a translation to the screen that not only captures the essence of the book but enhances the story as well. Too often directors spoil the story with their own self-interested spin (Little Big Man and Chocolat come immediately to mind)but here is a jewel that leaves the viewer saying “That was as good as the book.” A genuine triumph.

The cast is outstanding, the children in particular, Kate Maberly as Mary Lennox above all. Even to the most minor extra everyone brings a smooth and compelling reality to the story.

However, the real star is director Agnieszka Holland. Against a challenging climate ( a rainy location) she manages to create a movie with a touching commentary on how children can literally change the world. Her insightful grasp of the themes of isolation, growth and rejuvenation, the need for a balance between nurture and allowable risk are all managed through the controlling metaphor of a garden. The artful rendering of these literary themes are what many directors apparently find most challenging ( I’m looking at you Arthur Penn)and generally blissfully ignore them compensating by glib insertions, extra action or clumsy sentiment. Not so here.

Not only is her focus exemplary but the photography is amazing. The interplay of light and dark, the time elapse photos of clouds rolling and flowers emerging all set to beautiful music captivate the viewer. The rainy weather was not shunned but used to fullest effect. I can only imagine the discipline it must have taken to wait for the sun to peep out from the clouds and then roll film hoping that the cast can pull off the shot before the light changed and a second take became a long wait. Fortunately all are up to the task and the film, the final scene in particular, results in a brilliant piece of motion picture art.

The 1993 version of The Secret Garden is a must for every family film collection, one the parents and kids can enjoy for its sophistication or simply for the great way in which this timeless classic is retold.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. The Secret World of Og
2. The Secret Life of Bees
3. Where the Wild Things Are

Cast:

Ben Burtt … WALL·E / M-O (voice)
Elissa Knight … EVE (voice)
Jeff Garlin … Captain (voice)
Fred Willard … Shelby Forthright, BnL CEO (voice)
MacInTalk … AUTO (voice)
John Ratzenberger … John (voice)
Kathy Najimy … Mary (voice)
Sigourney Weaver … Ship’s Computer (voice)

In a distant, but not so unrealistic future, where mankind has abandoned earth because it has become covered with trash from products sold by the powerful multi-national Buy N Large corporation, WALL-E, a garbage collecting robot has been left to clean up the mess. Mesmerized with trinkets of Earth’s history and show tunes, WALL-E is alone on Earth except for a sprightly pet cockroach. One day, Eve, a sleek (and dangerous) reconnaissance robot, is sent to Earth to find proof that life is once again sustainable. WALL-E falls in love with Eve. WALL-E rescues Eve from a dust storm and shows her a living plant he found amongst the rubble. Consistent with her “directive” Eve takes the plant and automatically enters a deactivated state except for a blinking green beacon. WALL-E, doesn’t understand what has happened to his new friend, but true to his love, he protects her from wind, rain, and lightning, even as she is unresponsive. One day a massive ship comes to reclaim Eve, but WALL-E, out of love or loneliness hitches a ride on the outside of the ship to rescue Eve. The ship arrives back at a large space cruise ship, which is carrying all of the humans who evacuated Earth 700 years earlier. The people of Earth ride around this space resort on hovering chairs which give them a constant feed of TV and video chatting. They drink all of their meals through a straw out of laziness and/or bone loss, and are all so fat that they can barely move. When the auto-pilot computer, acting on hastily given instructions sent many centuries before, tries to prevent the people of Earth from returning, by stealing the plant, WALL-E, Eve, the portly captain, and a band of broken robots stage a mutiny.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Kung Fu Panda
2. A Bug’s Life
3. Bolt 3D

Cast:

Whoopi Goldberg as Katie Coltrane
Armin Mueller-Stahl as Elizar Kane
Juliet Landau as Dr. Veronica Shade
Bud Cort as Spinner
Stephen McHattie as Edge
George Newbern as Theodore Rex (voice)
Carol Kane as Molly Rex (voice)
Richard Roundtree as Commissioner Lynch

In an alternate futuristic society, a tough female police detective is paired with a talking dinosaur to find the killer of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals leading them to a mad scientist bent on creating a new Armageddon.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2. Kung Fu Panda
3. Bolt 3D

Cast:

Buddy Hackett as Pardon-Me-Pete (Groundhog) (voice)
Robert Morse as Jack Frost (voice)
Paul Frees as Kubla Kraus / Father Winter (voice)
Larry Storch as Papa (voice)
Dave Garroway as Groundhog Day Television Reporter (voice)
Debra Clinger as Elisa (voice)
Don Messick as Snip (voice)

The Groundhog tells the story of how, for once, Jack Frost became human, and helped a knight win his lady love.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Christmas Is Here Again
2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – 1964
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D

Cast:

Melinda Dillon as Mrs. Parker
Darren McGavin as The Old Man – Mr. Parker
Peter Billingsley as Ralphie Parker
Ian Petrella as Randy Parker
Scott Schwartz as Flick
R.D. Robb as Schwartz
Tedde Moore as Miss Shields
Yano Anaya as Grover Dill
Zack Ward as Scut Farkus
Jeff Gillen as Santa Claus

Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940’s.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Christmas Is Here Again
2. The Santa Clause
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Cast:

Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister
Joe Pesci as Harry
Daniel Stern as Marv
John Heard as Peter McCallister
Roberts Blossom as Marley
Catherine O’Hara as Kate McCallister
Angela Goethals as Linnie
Devin Ratray as Buzz
Gerry Bamman as Uncle Frank
Hillary Wolf as Megan
John Candy as Gus Polinski

An eight year-old, who is accidentally left behind while his family flies to France for Christmas, has to defend his home against idiotic burglars.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. A Prairie Home Companion
2. John Waters’ Pink Flamingos
3. A Bug’s Life

Cast:

Drew Barrymore as Lisa Piper
Richard Mulligan as Barnie / Barnaby Barnicle
Eileen Brennan as Mrs. Piper / Widow Hubbard
Keanu Reeves as Jack / Jack-be-Nimble
Jill Schoelen as Mary / Mary Contrary
Googy Gress as George / Georgie Porgie
Pat Morita as The Toymaster
Walter Buschhoff as Justice Grimm

11-year-old Lisa has no time for toys; she’s too busy taking care of her siblings and cooking for her mother. During the Christmas Eve blizzard, Lisa travels to Toyland in Wizard of Oz-like fashion and arrives just in time for a wedding. Young Mary Contrary is about to marry mean, old Barnaby Barnacle, despite the fact that she loves Jack Be Nimble. Lisa tries to stop this terrible wedding and, together with her new friends, discovers that Barnaby wants to take over Toyland. Lisa, Mary, Jack, and Georgie Porgie ask the Toymaster for help, but he can’t help them as long as Lisa doesn’t truly believe in toys.

If you like this movie, you'll also like:

1. Jack Frost – 1979 (TV special)
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D
3. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial