Engaging and Honest: Holes

Release date: April 18th, 2003
Runtime: 117 min
Rating: PG for violence, mild language and some thematic events
Appropriate for Ages: 8 and up

One of the things I liked most about Holes was that unlike many other kids flicks out there this one does not insult one's intelligence. It's full of effective metaphors, inspiring dialogue, and witty humor.

A boy named Stanley Yelnats, wrongfully convicted of stealing, is sent to 'Camp Green Lake' a detention camp located in a dry lake bed in the middle of the desert. At this camp the mysterious warden and her cohorts force the camp-mates to dig holes every day to supposedly "build character". Stanley eventually musters up the courage to escape the camp with a fellow inmate and he stumbles across  a secret that will finally expose whats really been going on.

This film is probably best suited for older children starting with those around the middle school ages. So if your looking for something to enjoy with your (older) kids this is definitely a must see.

Holes on IMDB
Holes Trailer on Traileraddict

If you've seen Holes and enjoyed it you may also like: Hoot, How to Eat Fried Worms, Bridge to Terabithia

Full of Family Values: Disney-Pixar's Finding Nemo

Release Date: May 30th, 2003
Runtime: 100 min
Rating: G
Appropriate for Ages: All ages

Finding Nemo is a father-son underwater adventure story that is sure to be enjoyed by the entire family. The Graphics are absolutely stunning, the story is fun and imaginative and it's stuffed with family values.

Finding Nemo follows a overprotective clownish father named Marlin on his journey to save his son Nemo after he gets taken by a scuba diver on his first day of school. Together with Dori, a forgetful blue tang, he ventures beyond the Great Barrier Reef into dangerous water filled with all sorts of friendly and not-so friendly marine life. Meanwhile, Nemo and his companions, who are being held in a fish tank in a doctor's office in Sydney Harbor, plan escape from their captives to get back to the harbor and live free once again.

Finding Nemo is an incredibly fun watch. It's funny and smart and just plain good natured. The animation is phenomenal as well, with the bright vivid chorals and plant and animal life. This really is a film that the whole family can sit down together and enjoy.

Finding Nemo on IMDB
Finding Nemo Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Finding Nemo and enjoyed it you may also like: Bee Movie, Shark Tale , Ice Age, Monsters, Inc., Antz, Shrek, Wall-E

Never a Dull Moment: Home Alone

Release Date: November 16th, 1990
Runtime: 103 min
Rating: PG
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

I grew up watching Home Alone. I loved this when I was a kid and I still appreciate it now. The plot is completely ridiculous and unbelievable but incredibly fun to watch.

Home alone is about an 8 year old boy named Kevin MacAllister who gets forgotten and left behind when his whole family heads to France for their Christmas vacation. At first he has a blast living on his own. With no adult supervision he is free to eat junk food, order pizza, jump on his parents bed, and watch TV programs he otherwise would not have been allowed to watch. Everything seems to be going great until he finds out the criminal team called the "Wet Bandits" plans on breaking into his house and rob it on Christmas Eve. Kevin acts quickly and sets up a very elaborate maze of booby traps to avert the bandits and bring them to justice. Ultimately Kevin ends up learning about the importance of family.

Home Alone is definitely full of a ton of laughs for the whole family so long as you don't take it seriously.

Home Alone on IMDB
Home Alone Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Home Alone and enjoyed it you may also like: Home Alone 2, The Santa Clause, A Christmas Story, Richie Rich

Simple and Sophisticated: Shrek

Release Date: May 18th, 2001
Runtime: 90 min
Rating: PG for mild language and some crude humor
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

Let me just start off by saying I love this movie. I've Shrek several times and it just never gets boring. The plot is easy for kids to follow and enjoy, but what makes Shrek stand out so much is its also smart and quick with jokes that go right over kid's heads. Some of the best parts of this move were actually aimed at an adult audience.

Shrek is set in a colorful fairytale land populated by dragons and ogres, princess and princesses, and many notable fairytale characters. When Lord Farquaad, the ruler of Duloc, banishes all of the fairytale beings to the woods, Shrek looses the privacy he had in his nice quiet swamp. Shrek then sets out with a loud-mouth donkey at his side to find Lord Farquaad and get him to take the fairytale beings back. When Shrek gets there Faquaad accepts on the condition that Shrek must rescue Princess Fiona who is to become Faguaad's bride. On their quest Shrek and Donkey run into all sorts of interesting characters and situations.

If you haven't seen Shrek yet you absolutely must. Even people who don't usually like movies that fall into this genre will probably get a good laugh or two out of it.

Shrek on IMDB
Shrek Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Shrek and you enjoyed it you may also like: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Stardust, The Princess Bride, Madagascar

Computer Generated Slapstick Comedy: Night at the Museum

Release Date: December 22nd, 2006
Runtime: 108 min
Rating: PG for mild action, language and brief rude humor
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up


I saw Night at the Museum a couple of years ago when it first came out. It's not one of my favorites, but I'm listing it here because it is still a fun watch if you don't expect too much out of it. It's also very kid friendly.


Night at the Museum is the story of a down-on-his luck divorced father named Larry who just can't seem to hold a job. When Larry finally lands a job as a night guard at The Museum of Natural History he gains some hope. One thing that the night guards who hired him failed to mention however was that the entire museum comes to life when the museum closes. The next thing Larry knows hes facing tiny armies of cowboys and romans, Egyptian mummies, a T-Rex skeleton and a monkey who taunts him to the breaking point. With the help of Teddy Roosevelt Larry must learn to get the museum under control so that ultimately he can save it.


Night at the Museum is often more silly than it is funny and seems to fall a bit short of it's potential. The premise of everything in the museum coming to life after dark is just amazing but the execution was kind of weak. Kids will probably enjoy watching this while parents can probably take it or leave it.


Night at the Museum on IMDB
Night at the Museum Trailer on YouTube


If you've seen Night at the Museum and liked it I'd recommend seeing: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, Jumanji, National Treasure, The Indian in the Cupboard, Zathura

Intelligent, Funny and Insightful: The Truman Show

Release Date: June 5th, 1998
Runtime: 103 min
Rating: PG for thematic events and mild language
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up


I really enjoyed The Truman Show. This is another movie that I've watched multiple times. The story is just out of this world and super fun to watch. It was witty, humorous, and insightful.


Truman Burbank is a happy go lucky guy with a pleasant life. He has a an ordinary job, an ordinal friend, an ordinary wife, and even an ordinary neighbor.   What he doesn't know is that his entire life has been on film since the day he was born. Everything around him is fake, the people are actors, his job doesn't actually serve a real purpose, product placements are slapped all around him, even the sky isn't real. One day Truman becomes suspicious and begins to question the world around him. 


The whole prospect of someones entire life being broadcast on a reality TV show back when this originally came out was pretty wild. Now with this incredible reality TV boom we seem to be in it makes one wonder if this is the direction we could be heading in. The Truman Show is a movie that I'd recommend for the whole family minus the wee little ones. 


The Truman Show on IMDB
The Truman Show Trailer on YouTube


If you've seen The Truman Show and liked it you may also like: Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events, Pleasantville, Bruce Almighty

Classic Tale of Good vs. Evil: Willow

Release Date: May 20th, 1988

Runtime: 126 min
Rating: PG
Appropriate for Ages: 4 and up

Willow is one of my all time favorite fantasy adventure movies. I don't even know how many times I've seen Willow, but I'm sure it could fill two hands. The fun story, likable characters, and nice visuals will definitely make this worth your time.

Willow stars Val Kilmer as Madmartigan the self proclaimed worlds greatest swordsman and Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood a peaceful farmer and wannabe sorcerer from a small village of little folk called Nelwyn. When the evil Queen Bavmorda begins looking for the infant child that is prophesied to take her throne the child is sent down a river and found by Willow. On his way to return the baby to her own kind Willow meets up with Madmartigan and together they set out on a journey through a mystical land of magic and monsters to protect the baby from evil and fulfill the prophecy.

Willow is an excellent choice for children who have outgrown the Disney variety of film and want something with a little more edge. It has some mystery, action, comedy, a small bit of romance and of course the moral lesson of good overcoming evil. Although the technology used to make this is clearly outdated, it is an amazing piece of work that should be watched and re-watched.

Willow on IMDB

Willow Trailer on YouTube

If you've seen Willow and enjoyed it I would also recommend seeing: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Dragonheart, The Neverending Story, Legend